longshore . patton . watson . hildebrand . krysa
I’m proud of every show I curate, but this one? Well, it’s a doozie. Somehow, I managed to bring a few of my most favorite artists together into one show. Add to that a beautiful gallery in downtown Aspen during the holidays and hello, we’ve got a winner. There are five artists in BIG PICTURE, BABY … American artists Ashley Longshore and Daisy Patton, and three Canadians – Janna Watson, Meghan Hildebrand, and myself, Danielle Krysa. Yes, I curated myself into the show because it was just too exciting not to. Here’s my curatorial statement:
“At first glance, it may seem like the artists in this show don’t have much in common (well, other than ‘going big or going home’ that is), but when you look a little closer there are actually quite a few similarities that connect them. From vivid color palettes and dizzying patterns, to bizarre narratives and intricate details… and, of course the fact all of five of these artists step up to the canvas with a fearless approach to art making. “Big Picture, Baby” will be bringing larger than life portraits, bold paint strokes, and even a few big laughs to Skye Gallery this winter.” ~ Danielle Krysa, Curator/Artist
I will be in Aspen this THURSDAY night, December 13th from 6-9pm, for the artists’ reception party. If you’re in town, please join us for some big bold beautifulness, and if you aren’t in Aspen at the moment, you can also reach out to Skye Gallery to inquire about available work {each artist has included three BIG pieces}. Happy Monday.
ps. the show got a really great write-up in the Aspen Times over the weekend.
amy rice
Clearly I had to include the closeup of that final piece … the worm! I can almost smell freshly dug soil and a warm summer breeze in this latest body of work {acrylic, enamel, ink, and in some cases, cut paper too} by American artist Amy Rice. Her new show, titled “Root Down”, opens TOMORROW: December 1, 12-5 pm at Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis. Here are a few of their words about this show:
“Amy Rice’s artwork presents wildlife at its fullest. Her affection for the outdoors manifests itself in vibrant reds, yellows, purples, blues and greens – from rolling fields of flowers ready to be gathered to isolated flora depicted stem, root, and all. Having studied the anatomy of flowers and invested time into growing her own, Rice’s work is both a study and celebration of her wild subjects.”
Sigh. I’m not sure I’m ready for December just yet.
michael reeder
The first time I saw the work of LA based artist Michael Reeder was the day before I set out to paint my first mural. Someone pulled out their phone and said, “Did you see what Michael Reeder just did in Montreal?“… let’s say my confidence may have been shaken a tiny bit! Anyway, he does all sorts of amazing things – paintings, murals, installations, etc. If you’re in New York check out his latest show, titled “DeadRinger”, that opens this Saturday, Dec 1, 6-8pm, at Hashimoto Contemporary in New York {210 Rivington St}… and maybe don’t look at his murals 24hrs before you do one for the first time. Just sayin’.
lorien stern
Those vases… I mean, COME ON! I’ve written about her ceramic sharks, but today is all about American artist Lorien Stern‘s ghosts! I love everything Lorien makes and, if you happen to be in San Francisco, you can see her newest show / pop-up shop … it opens THIS FRIDAY November 9th at Rare Device. Sharks? Ghosts? Rainbows? Cheetahs? Snakes? I dunno know, but I know it’s gonna be good!
Join Lorien and the Rare Device staff on Friday evening, November 9th at Rare Device Flagship at 600 Divisadero Street from 6-9 p.m. for the opening reception. The show and pop-up shop will be up from Friday, November 9, 2018 to Monday, January 14, 2019… hello, holiday shopping!
sarah bednarek
Your “ChiChi DooDad” is showing. Well actually, American artist Sarah Bednarek’s “ChiChi DooDad” is showing at Tiger Strikes Asteroid {New York} until November 18, 2018! Here is their description of Sarah’s gorgeous, weird, and beautifully made work:
“For Sarah Bednarek, geometry and math directly reference the body and environment. She describes geometry as a tool to rationalize and calculate the world around us. Math of the everyday is messy. The eye measures distances in approximations, ordinary objects have dents and dings. Her works nod to this sort of fuzziness. They are human scale, roughly the size of the body, head, chest, genitalia and legs. This encourages her viewers to empathize with her sculptures as individuals. As we look, we might see a gaping mouth ready to scream, eat, vomit, or kiss. A figure may reveal itself in the midst of a gesture – maybe a wave or raising a hand in surrender. Are they covered in muscle? Tumors? Jewelry?”
I see singing. Happy Monday.
elyse dodge & david pirrie
Take a loooong deeeeep breath, because there’s nothin’ like a little fresh mountain air! These paintings are the work of Canadian artists David Pirrie {the dots & floating peaks}, and Elyse Dodge {the triangles}. I have loved both of them for ages, and thankfully Ian Tan – of Ian Tan Gallery – has brilliantly paired them up for this two-person show.“This Mountain Home” opens TOMORROW afternoon from 2-4pm. Grab yourself a coffee, stroll down South Granville, and pop in to see the show {ps.Elyse and David will both be there}. Happy Friday.
crystal wagner
Um, so I don’t know where American artist Crystal Wagner buys her paper, but MY paper does not do this! Crazy, beautiful, intricate, and in some cases, COLORFUL sculptures made of, yes, paper. My brain hurts. In a really, really good way. If you happen to be in San Francisco, you can see Crystal’s work at Hashimoto Contemporary … Join them for the opening night reception this Saturday, November 3rd from 6pm-9pm {ps. Crystal will be there!}. The show runs until November 24, 2018.
brooks salzwedel
Sooooo, these are all drawings. DRAW. INGS. Graphite, ink, tape, oil pastel, resin, mylar … and I’m sure I missed something on that list! This is the ethereal work of LA based artist Brooks Salzwedel. I’ve written about Brooks before, and even had him on the podcast {episode no.42}, but he’s got a new show opening TONIGHT at Foley Gallery in New York, so clearly I had to put up another post! The ‘Dusk and Dawn’ opening will be held during the First Annual LES ArtWalk and will be on view from October 17th to November 25th, 2018. Oh and if you’d like to meet him, Brooks will be at the opening reception … 59 Orchard Street, New York 6-8pm. Go if you can, and tell him I say HI!
il lee
Ball. Point. Pen. Insane. This is the mesmerizing work of Korean born, New York based artist Il Lee. I’ve written about him before, but I just saw that there is a show currently hanging at Art Projects International in New York, titled Il Lee The 90s …
“Focusing on works by Il Lee from the 1990s, this exhibition brings together select breakthrough black ballpoint ink on paper works that first introduced the energetic, exhilarating mark-making which remains characteristic of his later signature works.”
The show will be up until October 27, 2018. Go!
martha rich : new show
“I think this installation is going to be one of my weirdest.” ~ Martha Rich
Ha! And that’s just one of the reasons to love her. Yep, Philadelphia based artist Martha Rich has hung whole bunch {220 to be exact} of her hilarious, powerful, random, kinda weird speech bubbles for her latest show. “Nude Neighbor” opens tomorrow night, October 13th from 6-9 pm, at Showboat Gallery in Los Angeles. These hand-cut / hand-painted beauties – from “foxy” and “fly”, to “i can’t watch another mopey white guy movie” – are priced $25 and up! Cash and carry, first come, first serve… ie., get down there at 6pm SHARP! Oh, and one more reason to love Martha … a portion of sales will go to the Downtown Women’s Shelter. Happy Friday.
