I just finished up my Crazy 4 Cult 4 piece(s) for the show over at Gallery 1988! This year I decided to do a bunch of miniature paintings (each panel is 4in x 4in), depicting some of my favorite props, side characters, and other various semi-important elements from The Goonies.
Can you name all 18? (See key after the jump for the answers)
Here is my 2nd piece for the Twilight Zone show at Gallery 1988 (1st one here).. which we just got word is entitled Another Dimension and will now be opening on May 20th. This piece is based on one of my other favorite episodes, The Masks.
A wealthy old man is sick and close to dying. He invites his greedy heirs to a Mardi Gras party where they must wear the masks he specially had made for each of them.. or else be cut off from their inheritance. The old man wears a skull mask, that later reveals the true “face of death”.
The Face of Death (The Masks), 9in x 9in,
Flash on wood, sealed in resin
I was thrilled to be invited to participate in the Twilight Zone Tribute Show that Gallery 1988 LA will be hosting May 18th. I can’t begin to tell you how fun re-watching these shows for “research” was. Seriously, best job in the world.
My first piece is based on the well-known episode, The Eye of the Beholder. A woman wrapped in bandages who said to be so ugly, that the surgery preformed on her face is her last hope. At the climax of the show, the doctors slowly unravel the bandages (which seems to go on for ages), to reveal a beautiful woman. Then the camera pans back to show that all of the doctors and nurses look ugly and deformed.
The Unveiling, 16in x 16in
Flash on wood, sealed in resin
More info on the opening coming soon.
I just added 5 new shiny paintings to my SALE site.. and I mean that literally, these ladies are all under resin! Click HERE.
Apologies for the lack of updates recently, I’ve been doing a little traveling and working on a million small projects at once.. which usually results in nothing being completed for a long time.
Among the things on my “to do” list is cleaning up my studio and making room for new work. So I’m holding another SALE on some of my paintings (with a few pieces to be added soon), with all work under $350. Yay! See it HERE.
If you have any questions/problems purchasing, please email me at kiersten@youfail.com
An old piece I did for a silent charity auction, where each artist was given a blank deck to work on. All proceeds went to benefit a skate park in Knoxville, TN
I’ve been ridiculously excited about this ever since I was invited to participate months ago.. Opening on January 8th, Gallery 1988 LA presents their 4th annual tribute show, this time honoring He-Man and the Masters of the Universe!!
Being a super-ultra-mega fan from 1983-85, followed by a brief few months in ‘86, where I thought I might actually be She-Ra, you can imagine the fun I had painting these.
This is how I envision He-Man and Skeletor spending their days off; trimming the bowl cut and getting a root canal.. a very evil one.
Trimming the Bowl Cut, Flashe on wood, sealed in resin
Skeletor Gets a Root Canal, Flash on wood, sealed in resin
*UPDATE* I ‘ve received a few emails regarding these pieces (thank you!).. Both pieces have SOLD, but prints are being made by Gallery 1988, hopefully to be out sometime in April. If you have any questions, please contact me at kiersten@youfail.com.
I was recently invited to participate in SMart: A SMod Art Show at Gallery 1988, which celebrates the release of Kevin Smith’s new book. 25 artists were each assigned a SModcast episode (or a portion of one), to base their piece on. SModcast is a hilarious weekly podcast featuring Kevin and long time friend, Scott Mosier, and is definitely not for the easily offended.
I received a segment of Episode #37, entitled Jennifer Connelly Remake, which basically explores the possibilities and scenarios if Jennifer Connelly decided to remake the life of Scott Mosier. I can’t do this episode any justice by writing about it, so if intrigued, listen to it HERE. It’s a super long episode, so you can skip right to it starting at: 29:00 min.
click for detail
Flashe on wood, sealed with resin 30in x 15in
The show opens Friday, October 23rd, at Gallery 1988 LA and will feature awesome art and Kevin Smith himself.
NOW OPEN!
Dublin-based film critic, John Maguire, sums up this amazing show best by saying, “Taming Light is a group exhibition of new painting, photography and illustration paying tribute to one of the pre-eminent filmmakers of the 20th Century, Stanley Kubrick.” Showing at the Light House Cinema in Dublin from October 1st-31st, the exhibition is organized on a not-for-profit basis and admission is free.
I am really excited about this show (my piece HERE), I wish I could jet to Dublin right now to see it in person! Stop by if you’re lucky enough to live in the area, or view all the art on the brand new site HERE. Below is my favorite piece from the show, by the incredibly talented painter, Fransis Matthews. It makes my eyes pop and my brain buzz:
Overlook Hotel, Francis Matthews
UPDATE: a few of these are on my SALE site HERE.
It’s finally my favorite time of the year.. FALL! I created this Halloween series for the Monsters of Pop show at Gallery 1988 in LA back in August, which was inspired by all things spooky and generic about the holiday. Happy Halloween!
B.O.F: The Teenage Years
Dead Alive
Dunce
Haunted Couture
Death’s Day Out
A Swim on Snack Mountain
Medusa Needs a Haircut
Vampire Lover
Freddy’s Mishap
The Bad Seed
All pieces are 6.5 in x 8.5 in, Flashe paint on wood, sealed with resin. For more info on the show, contact the gallery HERE.
It’s almost here! The opening for the Monsters of Pop show at Gallery 1988 LA will be opening this coming Tuesday, August 11th. The show will feature artists Dave MacDowell, Brandon Bird, Neatherland and yours truely and should be full of endless pop culture refeneces. I’ll be posting all of my work for the show in the next couple of days.
I’m so excited to be participating in the upcoming Stanley Kubrick Tribute this September in Dublin at the Light House Cinema. Mr. Kubrick has had a HUGE influence on my work, especially the set design, location and styling of The Shining, which is still one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time.
I’ll post more details as the show gets closer, but for now here is my piece, which is based on one of my favorite scenes from The Shining.
Room 237
Flashe on wood w/ resin, 8.5in x 6.5in
Despite my doctor’s request to either “try painting with your left hand” or “hold off on painting all together”, I managed to have a good laugh about it, but not to do either just yet.
My summer has been made up of frequent mornings at physical therapy and long days in the studio working… which probably just cancel each other out in the end, but I’ve dropped dead yet, so I continue to paint in the meantime.
Here are some things coming up:
1. A big ol’ show at Gallery 1988 LA coming up in August.. LOTS of new work
2. A small piece for a Stanley Kubrick Tribute show in Dublin (Sept)
3. The big “Movie Poster Show” at Gallery 1988 San Francisco (Sept)
4. A BIG, BIG, BIG live event during fashion week in NYC (Sept)
5. A Charity Art Event at OpenHouse Gallery in NYC (Oct)
a preview of things to come
I must say that I’m really looking forward to my week OUT of the studio, in which I’ll enjoy spending my time doing not much of anything in Chicago.
xx
Attention LA and NY: it’s the week of GIANT shows!!
First up, the much anticipated Crazy 4 Cult 3D, showing at Gallery 1988 in LA opens this Thursday, July 16th. 100+ artists, cult movies galore, and host ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic ..need I say more? (my piece HERE)
Second, opening this Saturday, July 18th at Giant Robot NY is Dime Bag 3! 225+ of the best artists and illustrators each create artwork that must fit into a 3in x 3in dimebag (my piece HERE).. bound to be crowded AND excellent.
Well as it turns out, the original piece I did for Dime Bag 3 never made its way out of the US Postal Service (which means it is most likely never to be found)! Grrrr. But, luckily I was granted an extension and was able to whip up another tiny 3in x 3in piece.. which I will be delivering in person.
Homesick, 2009
It’s that time of the season, eh!
Crazy 4 Cult is coming up again at Gallery 1988 LA and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before.. with over 100+ artists taking on the best cult movies of all time and brand new host, the legendary “Weird Al” Yankovic it’s bound to be amazing once again!
This year I decided on one of my guiltiest movie pleasures, Strange Brew. When I was younger, my sisters and I used to rent it from our library for free and would watch it over and over, laughing hysterically.. even though I’m sure we had no idea what we were actually laughing at. Needless to say, I still love me those Canadian, beer-lovin’ McKenzie brothers!
*More info about the opening in LA soon.
Have you seen me? I am currently lost within the NY Postal system..
..and this makes me sad. Please find me soon.
The wonderful Jordin Isip and Roger Stevens (who are known for curating the best group shows around) are at it again! Dime Bag 3 will feature 200+ artists all doing work that can fit into a 3in x 3in “dimebag” zip-lock bag, and will be displayed in a grid-like format.
This is the 3rd installment of a series that was originally featured in LA and then Brooklyn back in 2002/2003. This time it will be showing at Giant Robot NY in July. Stay tuned for details..
Gallery 1988 LA has released the Limited Edition prints of Seinfeldology (aka: 99 Seinfeld References)!! You can call them to order @ 323.937.8756 or follow the links HERE.
LIMITED EDITION, 11in x 14in, giclee prints on archival paper, each signed and numbered.
The Timeless Art of Seduction..
So as any die-hard Seinfeld fan knows, references to the show can be made to just about anything. Since I find myself practicing Seinfeldology almost daily, I decided to take a sampling of these and throw them into a giant heap. Here’s piece #2 for Gallery 1988’s Idiot Box (with object key below).. Serenity NOW!
P.S. There are a few extra items hidden in the piece for BIGTIME fans.
I’m beyond excited to be a part of Gallery 1988’s Idiot Box, which celebrates the gallery’s 5th Anniversary as well as the 20th Anniversary of Saved by the Bell (holy cow, I’m old). Over 100 artists will be interpreting some of television’s guiltiest pleasures, and it will be hosted by Dennis “Mr. Belding” Haskins.
I couldn’t decide between my 2 favorite shows, so I decided to do a piece from both. First up, David Lynch’s Twin Peaks..
Laura Palmer, cast Porcelain
The Black Lodge & Red Room,
lacquered wood box, red velvet, under glass, w/ removable lid
UPDATE: I’ve had a lot of inquiries about this piece recently, if interested in more info, please click HERE or email me @ kiersten@youfail.com.
Well here is the final large piece i created for Aqua Art Miami (c/o Cinders Gallery), which opened last night and runs through Sunday, Dec 7th. It’s right around the corner from Art Basel, so if you happen to be down there, check it out in between afternoon cocktails and an all-night drinking binge.. (it is within stumbling distance after all!)
“Invasion” 2008, (about 2ft x 1.5ft) Flashe on wood
detail 1
detail 2
Cover Band is opening at Gallery 1988 Tuesday night, if you’re in the LA area!
See my piece for the show is HERE.
Another fun show at Gallery 1988 is coming up! Cover Band will feature 50+ artists collaborating with artwork from some of the top classic albums of all time. Each artist selected their favorites from the Rolling Stone’s Top 500 list and were sent the record cover of one of their top choices.
Although I was a little confused about the ranking throughout most of the list, I was super excited to receive The Ramones’ Rocket to Russia in the mail to work with. I am also very curious to see who snabbed my other favorite, Metallica’s Master of Puppets.
before
after
Cover Band opens October 7th at Gallery 1988.
A few photos from the opening of Panorama Project 3, at Jonathan LeVine this past Saturday night. It was really an incredible show.. I still can’t believe how much amazing talent was crammed into one small room! It rained like the devil that night and killed my flash, so high quality these snaps are not..
but you can see all of the goodies up close HERE.
I’m really excited to be a part of Panorama Project 3, a group show curated by Jordin Isip and Rodger Stevens at Jonathan Levine Gallery opening next Saturday, Sept 6th. It will include over 100 artists, ultimately creating one continuous piece. Each artist was give a 7in x 5in board and could do whatever they wanted, as long as there was a predetermined horizon line that could be matched up to the piece on either side of it.
‘Dipped in Jimmies’ Flashe with resin, 2008
if you live in or around the LA area, have nothing to do Friday night, enjoy cult movies and know who Kevin Smith is you’re not only potentially qualified as a geek, but you may enjoy an awesome opening at Gallery 1988.
Crazy 4 Cult 2 opens tomorrow night, is hosted by Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier and will feature over 100 artists reinterpreting various classic cult films. trust me, between the amazing artists included and the Cult movie fans, its going to be insane!
below is one of the posters for the show, done by incredible talent, Scott Campbell.
amazing!
how adorible are Freddy and Eddie comparing knives? genius!
another piece i did for Next Art Fair.. somewhat inspired by the licorice dispenser from wayne’s world. hehe.
i put one of my lazy Rejected! sketches to work for once.. this piece as well as another painting were seen at Next Art Fair Chicago via the always wonderful, Cinders Gallery. not only did i recycle my own idea, i even painted it on top of an editorial piece i did 2 months previously! just doing my part to save the planet.
‘The First Day of Summer’ 2008, Flashe on wood
this piece was created for another group show at Gallery 1988 back in april entitled “Toys“. the artwork in the show was inspired by all toys that existed pre-video games era and the show was hosted by Mattel, who was celebrating Hot Wheels 40th Anniversary. the show ran april 1st-25th.
‘Bait and Swith’ 2008, Flashe on wood
i was so so so excited when i was invited to participate in L.A. based Gallery 1988’s 2nd annual, Crazy 4 Cult 2 group show. over 100 artists will be featured, each reinterpreting their own favorite classic cult film. if that’s not exciting enough, the show is also being hosted by cult movie king, Kevin Smith!
i had a hard time narrowing my top choice down, since practically all my favorite movies seem to fall into this category. but in the end, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure rose to the top.
show opens August 22nd from 7-11, so if you live in the L.A. area and plan on attending, i would suggest getting in line now.. it’s gonna be CRAZY!!
Gallery 1988 7020 Melrose Ave. LA, CA 90038
these were part of a series i created for Aqua Art Miami c/o Cinders Gallery in december 2007, during Art Basel Miami Beach.
the first two paintings will be appearing in American Illustration Annual 27, coming out in November 2008.
more work from the 2007 vault.. a series of wallpaper pieces i did, some of them were part of a group show at Giant Robot NY called “Snack Isle” back in September.
the first of many new, but not-so-new pieces ive done from the past year or so.
this one was created for a show at Johansson Projects in Oakland, CA that ran from april-may. by far the largest, most challenging (and slightly annoying) piece ive ever worked on, i cant say i shed any tears when it left my studio. i usually work in the under 8in x 10in range, but this guy was a giant in comparison, measuring 3.5 ft x 1.5 ft and weighing in at 11 lbs!
‘Bloods & Crypts’ 2008, Flashe on wood
a new piece i did for the show ‘Old School’ at UPPERCASE gallery in good ol’ Canada, eh! based on my grade school’s colors and its most competitive recess game, Red Rover.
show opens August 23rd.
A book of the show is being printed and can be purchased HERE.
a new series of pieces i did for a group show at cinders this month.
‘Crooked Smiles, Steady Voices, and a Trunk Full of Cash’ is running: June 13th – July 13th 2008
