Sunday, August 30th, Summer of Soul Art Exhibition Opens at the Upper West Restuarant!

On Sunday, August 30th, the Upper West Restaurant hosts the Summer of Soul Art Exhibition, which will benefit Resonate LA Art Outreach and Compassion International. It’s a great way to give back while indulging in the fantastic cuisine of this popular restaurant.  Upper West is known for giving back and has held numerous benefit events for important causes.

The three-month event entitled “Summer of Soul” included Soul Music, Soul Food, Soul Mates and Soul Revolution. Neon green sunglasses have become the icon of this summer in Santa Monica. They are not only Resonate LA’s logo for Summer of Soul, but also an 8 by 8 foot interactive sculpture that appears weekly at Santa Monica’s Twilight Pier Concerts. Residents and visitors leave their mark on the oversized chalkboard lenses, take photos with the sunglasses and often use them as a landmark to meet up with friends. Summer of Soul Art Exhibition is the culmination of Resonate LA’s Summer of Soul. The art event will showcase 100 local artists’ sunglass themed creations.

“I will be showing whimsical people in their shades - adorned with sparkle, vivid hues and more than a dash of amusement,” said Bobbie Rich, who is also an art educator and Director of Visual Arts for Resonate Church. “My sunglass artworks were inspired by oil paintings from my extensive Satire Series of Blind Contour Portraits.”




Each canvas will be available for a $99 donation. Donations will be split between Resonate LA’s Art Outreach and Compassion International. First come, first serve! The Upper West’s patio doors will open at 4pm sharp. Art will be flying off the wall. 

Come hungry to enjoy The Upper West’s delicious beverages and cuisine. Thirty-percent of all food and beverage purchases on August 30th will be generously donated by the Upper West!

Seventeen year old, Hailee Powell has been Rich’s art student for nearly a decade. "When my lovely art teacher Bobbie Rich told me about this event, I knew I wanted to create something colorful and unique. I will have two paintings on display in the Summer of Soul Exhibition. They compliment each other. The first one is of a girl with heart shaped sunglasses. The larger areas of her face are filled with warm colors, because I believe females are associated with warm colors. I will also be donating a male version of this painting where the cool colors will occupy the larger parts of the face, because cool colors are associated with males."

Andrea Raft said she was thrilled with being involved and the idea of painting sunglasses!  To find out more about this artist, visit her webpage at

www.andrearaftstudio.com

Resonate LA is a community of Calling, Cause and Creativity. Resonate LA engages in Creative ministry because members believe that creativity is a foundational aspect of God’s personality, and because creativity generates spiritual exploration. Compassion International exists as an advocate for children, to release them from economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled adults. 

Don’t miss this special event…Sunday, August 30th from 4 to 7pm The Upper West is located at 3321 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404. For more info about this event, email Bobbie

Rich at bobbie@resonatela.orgbobbie@resonatela.org

http://www.bobbierich.com/br/Resonate_Church_LA.html

http://www.theupperwest.com/

www.resonate.church

 

Saturday, August 22, 2015 Gabba Gallery Presents "Wood Metal Screw"

The Gabba Gallery presents the 2^nd “Wood Metal Screw” exhibition on Saturday, August 22, 2015.

Owner Jason Ostro and co-curator of the group exhibitions explained, “’Wood Metal Screw’ is an incredible art show that pushes the boundaries of the mediums artists use.”

The artists involved, some new to The Gabba Gallery and some veterans are all special for what they do.  Creating a show around art created on any medium except for canvas is easy for some and harder for others, but these artists perfected it. From Christopher James, reclaimed metal sculpturist, artist Shane Blake, amazing street installer, his metal sculpture designs have been adorning places all over the west coast. Artist Toshee and his incredible mixed media designs. To artist Jennifer Verge, reclaimed wood and mixed media designer. 

Verge has been drawn to working on wood for the past six years. Incorporating found objects, the artist adds positive phrases to compliment her work. “it’s more about ideas, keeping your inspiration and imagination alive, trying to figure out what you have to say in a new and innovative way.” Verge first comes up with a concept, which determines the size. “Texture also plays an important role with the found objects, metal, wood,” said Verge. “I will start playing around piecing it all together.” The artwork is then created. 

Verge did not always work on wood, she used to paint on canvas, but once she started working on wood, she never went back. “I really loved Mixed Media, and express what I was really thinking and feeling.”

See image: Basquiat-Mixed Media, 36 x2 9

This work was inspired by Jean Michel Basquiat …as Verge puts it “a true original, a risk taker with a style that is truly genius.”  

This will be the 2^nd time that Verge has shown at the Gabba Gallery. She has also shown at FABstudio in Santa Monica, and at Santa Monica Art Studios. To find out more info about Jennifer Verge visit her website at http://jenniferverge.com/

Deirdre Sullivan-Beeman is a self-taught figurative painter who uses modified oil and egg tempera techniques of the 14th Century Old Masters to create her magical-realism works.

See image: Deirdre Sullivan-Beeman, “Gun Girl,” oil and egg tempera on wood; 20.5” x 26.5” (framed)

Sullivan-Beeman choose to create strong female characters in her art. “My paintings' hero typically takes a feminine form. She is usually young, hauntingly innocent, and teetering on the edge of naïveté. This piece ‘Gun Girl’ juxtaposes my classic subject choice with the backdrop of recent news event.”

The concept of the exhibit works well with the art of Sullivan-Beeman. Since I paint with egg tempera I am prohibited from using canvas - they are not compatible. I usually use wood or Dibond (aluminum metal) to paint on. I am excited to see a show that doesn’t use canvas.”
http://www.sullivanbeeman.com/ 

Co-curator Phil Santos said he was looking forward to the opening. “We have street artists that have painted murals in the Gabba Arts District, like Phobik and Clinton Bopp . We have seasoned fine artists/curators like Juri Koll and Nathan Cartwright. We have several incredible newcomers to The Gabba Gallery like Deirdre Sullivan-Beeman, and Jennifer Celio…and over 40 more talented artists.

Santos is also a talented artist and created a work featuring a local homeless man. “My experience as an artist professionally started 14 years ago when I was 20. I had drawn and dabbled in the arts before then but at 20, I started walking down the path of making it a life journey. I have been curating for the past year and it has been an eye opening experience to work on this side of the business. I definitely encourage other artists to do the same.”  Visit his Instagram: @jasonostro 

See image: Phil Santos, 6"x6". Oil on wood

Artists include: Christopher Slaymaker, Nate Otto, Phobik, Cody Bayne, Max Neutra, HERO, Toshee, Clinton Bopp, Allison Isenberg, Spacegoth, Jennifer Verge, Pastey Whyte, Steven Lopez, Lisa Derrick, Peter Goode, Nathan Cartwright, Juri Koll, Jennifer Celio, L. Croskey, Joey Rotten, James Johnson, Deirdre Sullivan-Beeman, Ken Brayden Matthews, Carly Ealey, Ken Dougherty, Michael Christy, Phobik, JSpot Jr., Blake Shane, Scott Groome, Save the Panduhs, Kophns, and many more.

“Wood Metal Screw” opens on August 22 and will be on view through September 19, 2015.  A reception for the artists is on Saturday, August 22, 7 - 11 p.m. with special guest DJ Jonathan Williams, and is sponsored by 7/11, Hubert’s and Perrier. http://www.thegabbagallery.com/

August 22, Boho Disco Celebrates Grand Opening with ThrowBack Art Party!

niteSpa and Beach Beauty Culture host the grand opening of its new space in Venice Beach. On Saturday, August 22^nd, celebrate with Boho Disco, a community event, which features a VIP portion of the evening (6-8pm), which will include food from local restaurants, refreshments and lots more.  The dance party for all kicks off at at 8 pm.

The event will benefit spaKarma, a giving back program created by Julia Lolita Martin-Wrobel, owner of niteSpa. Created as a tribute to her late mother, Martin-Wrobel realized the importance of offering patients dealing with cancer a spa treatment.

Full Circle welcomes niteSpa back to Venice (where it first made its name for 8 years on Abbot Kinney).  Andrew Keegan, co-founder of Full Circle explains, “ This collaboration is very outside the box, which is why incubation in perfect alignment with our work at Full Circle. We have a fresh approach to spirituality, and integral to that is a new model for approaching shared passions and creating abundance. We take concepts like NiteSpa in and allow them a space to grow. As a spiritual community center, we're in the practice of developing people; integral to that is allowing for people to hone their talents so that they can share their gifts with the community.”

“We are also curating the coolest collection of gifts and curios,” explained Martin-Wrobel. “I am excited to partner with Beach Beauty Culture; the space is really magical. We are turning into a luxurious beauty lounge.”

Wrobel added, “As always art is an important part of creating a sacred healing space and we welcome the chance to showcase local emerging artists and give them exposure to our wonderful patrons.” Currently the art of Michael Baroff, Bethany Londyn, and Stephen Schubert are on view. 

See image: Above, Michael Baroff, Vista 24"x48" Oil on Canvas

 Local Santa Monica painter, Michael Baroff will be showing his Metascapes, which fit in perfectly with the laid back ambiance of the new niteSpa venue. The artist has been painting for thirty years and will be showing work from his Apex and Vista series. His art has been included in the in 42nd Annual Brand Library Art Center "Works on Paper" Exhibition," as well a group show at haleARTS S P A C E in Santa Monica.

Baroff’s art was just featured as part of "Spectrum-Gestalt 2" in bG Gallery’s most recent exhibition at Bergamot Station.  For more information about the artist, see his website at http://metascapeart.com/

Bethany Londyn's art was recently featured at Santa Monica Art Studios. “My work is a translation of the reality that surrounds me from day to day. These translations become themes on art, which portray various experiences, feelings, and environments encountered.”

See image: below by Bethany Londyn, 30 x 40 for Ode to Earth

 Londyn’s paintings can be found in many homes and businesses used to help shift energy with FengShui. Additional information about this artist can be found on her website at bethanylondyn.com 

Stephen Schubert has a diverse background…from garden to Judo. He started painting at thirty-three. Soon his art career too off. This successful artist has shown his art in over forty-five galleries across the U.S. He is also a lover of film and frequents Film festivals all over the world.

His inspiration comes from all areas of his life. He has several works on display at niteSpa including a three-dimensional artwork called The heart of Gold. He talks about why he created the painting, “The Heart of Gold piece was quite simple and literal...a visual demonstration is simplistic, iconic imagery, uncomplicated. I wished it to ‘cooly’ enter your consciousness and reside."

See image: Stephen Schubert, Heart of Gold 

For more info about Stephen Schubert, check out his website at http://schubertmodern.com/

“Boho Disco” takes place this Saturday, August 22 and celebrate two businesses. niteSpa’s and Beach Beauty Culture to their new home.

There will be a VIP pre-party running from 6-8pm which features appetizers and refreshments from local restaurants. To attend, visit niteSpa’s Go Fund Me page, http://www.gofundme.com/wdad5bk and choose the Speakeasy or Party People perk. Then pay what you can…and come to the dance party begins at 8pm. A portion of funds collected will go to spaKarma.

The event will also feature close-up magic, dancing, mini spa services, refreshments and more! Entertainment will be provided by: Spinning Wheels Pink Frankenstein, Stackhouse, along with surprise guests. For more info about niteSpa and Beach Beauty Culture see the websites at http://nitespa.com/ and http://stylemovement.com/BBC/