In the past few years I have seen the Krampus gain popularity here in the US. For those not familiar with this story, the Krampus is based in Alpine Folklore and is a companion to Saint Nicholas. While most of the kids in the US grew up with stories of getting a lump of coal and no presents if you had been bad that year, Austrian children would be warned that the Krampus would come and punish them, or even kidnap them if they had been bad. The hairy, horned, hoofed, and long-tongued figure, is perfect for inspiring new works of art. There have been a few books, and even art shows throughout the years with artists creating their own versions of the Krampus. If you would like to learn more, check out Krampus.com
Tag: jessica ward
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The 2nd Annual Coaster Show at La Luz de Jesus
On September 5th, 2014, the 2nd Annual Coaster Show opened at La Luz de Jesus in Los Angeles, CA. Each artist was supplied 4″ Tondo Coasters, courtesy of the fine people at L.A. Beer Week. The only rules they needed to follow, was that each piece must be a solitary work and must be priced $250 or less. Last year the show featured over 700 tiny works of art and this year they decided to outdo that by showcasing over 1000 works of art.
It’s easy to dismiss something as tiny as a beer coaster to be something that would allow for great art, but this years show—and last years to be honest—proved that tiny works of art can be just as exciting as larger works can. I love seeing what each artist was able to do with the limited area. Many artists stayed within the 4″ diameter, but I was happy to see that quite a few such as Peter Adamyan, Caitlin Anne Drop, Matthew Dutton, and Jeff Gillette, used the coaster as a support to create a larger 3-dimensional piece.
There are so may works in this show, it was pretty hard to choose a selection here to feature. I kept telling myself to not pick too may but then there would be another coaster I had to share. Lee Joseph has a great Flickr album (here) showing how the gallery went about installing this unique show. The exhibition runs until September 28th, so if you’re in the area make sure to stop by. Otherwise, take a look at our preview and then head over to the gallery’s homepage for the full show: 2nd Annual Coaster Show at La Luz de Jesus
(Click for Larger Image, Use Arrow Keys to Browse, ESC to end slideshow)
White Noise by Alessia Iannetti 
The Queen by Zoe Lacchei 
Pisces by Jessica Ward 
Kill No More by Christopher Ulrich 
Bad Dream by Syd Bee 
Sutherland by Stephanie and Stephen Somers 
The Rosary by Shaun Berke 
The Widow by Horacio Martinez 
Blood Brothers by Matthew Dutton 
Number 1 by Nathan Ota 
Through the Looking Glass by Patricia Ariel 
Migratory Seraphic Oracle by Peter Goode 
Stages of Enlightenment by Michael Mararian 
Gift by Lizz Lopez 
Little Galaxy by Kaspian Shore 
Merry by JoKa 
Joey Ramone by John Wentz 
Poacher by John Cebollero 
Flesh for Fantasy by Gabe Larson 
The Hoodoo Lady by Gabi de la Merced 
Are You Sure by Italia Ruotolo 
Drink Till It’s Marilyn Monroe by Jackie Gallagher 
Mickey Slum Sphere by Jeff Gillette 
Sappho by Jel Ena 
Psychosexual Neuropathy by Frank Forte 
Inside Christine by Erik D Flores 
Sistah Heart by Deirdre Sullivan-Beeman 
Lost Defense by Chrystal Chan 
Hatched by Chris B Murray 
A Clear Day by C3 -
Now Online: “Marvelous Humans” Group Show @ Articulated Gallery
Just over a week ago on April 7th, the latest show I had the pleasure of curating opened at the Articulated Gallery in San Francisco. I had a few ideas of what would be my next show, but i thought that Marvelous Humans would be the most fun, and would be a great way to signal a break in my curating days. I’m not going to say I will never curate again, but I do have other projects now that will take more priority over curating. I am very happy with the art in this show, and the reception was a blast. A good amount of artists were present such as Glenn Arthur, Apricot Mantle, Robert Bowen, Peter Adamyan, Kelly Castillo, and Edward Cao. The artwork from the show is now available in the Articulated Gallery online shop, and you can also see some alternate images of the works over at the Creep Machine Facebook page. If you would like to see higher resolution images of the works, please feel free to contact me.
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Preview: “Marvelous Humans” @ the Articulated Gallery SF
Opening this Saturday, April 7th, is a new exhibition I have had the pleasure to curate. Entitled Marvelous Humans, this group show features art inspired by the many human marvels that once lived, or are alive today. I have always been inspired by those who were born with a certain condition, and made the most of it, as well as those that choose to alter their bodies regardless of the negative reactions they would receive. So instead of focusing on these people as “oddities”, I thought it was time for some art to be created that was done with a level of respect. A few of the artists looked to the amazing “Human Marvels” website for inspiration, take a look when you have time.
The reception takes place at the Articulated Gallery in San Francisco from 8-10 PM, and a few of the artists will be in attendance. The Facebook Event page has the full info; please help spread the news. Participating artists include: Apricot Mantle, Casey Weldon, Dan Harding, Dave MacDowell, Edward Cao, Glenn Arthur, Elizabeth Levesque, Jackie Gallagher, Jason Snyder, Jay Doronio, Jessica Ward, Kelly Castillo, Larkin, M Fersner, Patrick Deignan, Peter Adamyan, Richard Frost Robert Bowen, Sandi Calistro, & Scarecrowoven. Take a look at the preview images, and we hope to see you there.
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Preview: “Femme Fatale” group show @ Cella Gallery
Opening this Saturday, February 25th at the Cella Gallery in Los Angeles, is a group show curated by Nicole Bruckman and Stephanie Chefas entitled Femme Fatale. Over 35 artists, each one inspired by the female figure, have come together to present artworks in a variety of mediums. Aaron Nagel, Apricot Mantle, Aunia Kahn, Casey Weldon, Cate Rangel, Chris Peters, Chrystal Chan, Dave MacDowell, Delphia, Edith Lebeau, Gail Potocki, Jason Rudolph Pena, JAW Cooper, Jeff Ramirez, Jessica Ward, JoKa, Ken Garduno, Korin Faught, Linnea Strid, Nom Kinnear King, Paul Chatem, Stella Im Hultberg, and on and on. This is bound to be an amazing show with such an impressive list of talented artists. Take a look at the preview below, and if your in the area be there for the reception from 7-11 PM.
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Review: “Spirit Board” Group Show @ Articulated Gallery
On November 5th the Articulated Gallery in San Francisco opened the Spirit Board group show, curated by JL Schnabel. The show features a wide variety of artists all taking inspiration from the Ouija Board. Back in 20o8 Copro Gallery hosted Chet Zar’s “Taking Board” show and like many shows in Southern California, I wasn’t able to see the show in person. However, I do feel that the Ouija Board itself merits a few shows dedicated to it, so I was very happy to hear that Articulated would be hosting this show. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to make the reception night; I heard that many artists were in attendance and it was quite a night. I did stop by he next day so I could see the show, and took some photos and made another video walkthrough.
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Preview: Feminality Art Show: Couples Edition Round 2
Opening September 3rd at the Hive Gallery is the Feminality Art Show, Couples Edition Round 2. The show is brought to the gallery by Mike Franco from Wizard Sleeve Toys, as well as Gnomon School of Visual Effects. The show features art submitted by artistic couples, and has the couples showing a solo work a piece as well as a collaborative work. It;s great to see how some of the couples have similar styles, while others have drastically different styles but work so well in the collaboration pieces. Participating artists include: Tim and Emma Mount, Apricot Mantle and Jessica Ward, Meats Meier and Misaki Sawada, Cory Daigler & Brandi Read, Erlend & Pamela Tait (featured), Alan DeForest and Bethany Pratt, Brandan Styles and Ellie Rusinova, Tracy Tomko and Erin Asmussen, The Chung and Desiree Fessler-Chung, Stuntkid and Elizabeth Levesque, Dan Barry and Robin Coronel, and Ted Von Heiland and Anna Chung
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Photos: “Under the Gun” group show @ Articulated Gallery
It has been while since I have been asked to curate a show, and is something I would like to do more often. Articulated Gallery needed a show for the month of June and they asked me to whip together a quick group show, and since time was limited “Under the Gun” was born. The show features work by Chet Zar, Dan Harding, Jessica Ward, Apricot Mantle, Patrick Deignan, John Cebollero, Godmachine, Megan Frauenhoffer, Larkin, Jon Macnair, Jessica Stewart, and Cate Rangel. I am very happy with the show, and was also happy to have some new talent such as Jessica Stewart (featured) and Megan Frauenhoffer (featured) in the show. The show will be up until July 1st, so if you haven’t had a chance to stop by yet, make sure you do. Otherwise I took some photos and made a new video of the exhibition. Hit the link for the video and the rest of the photos.
