THE RIGHT LIGHT

The Right Light: A Live-Painting/Video Performance and Art Exhibition featuring Darren Le Gallo and Jon Cournoyer with guest artists Nathan Spoor, Chandler Wood and more. Click here for more information.

STEVEN ALLEN / THE MAGRITTE

Fine fellow and magnetic storyteller Steven Allen adds a new notch to his master mixologist belt as the Times gives his newest creation, "The Magritte", a little love. Click here to view more of the story.

MULTI PLANE SHOW

Saturday, Dec.12 is a great time to see the concept group show of the year at Corey Helford, the Multi Plane Show. Jan and Bruce hand picked 50 of their favorite artists to pay tribute to the early days of animation. We each created paintings using the multi plane process made famous by pioneer animators Iwerks, Fleischer and Disney, you know, the ones that influenced us all. I finished the multi plane piece (one panel, two glass panes) and then used the shipping box materials (top and bottom panels, side supports got canvas stretched around them) to make three more pieces. So there are actually 4 pieces from yours truly to check out.

Above is my multi plane piece, titled "The Ecstasy of St. Peter", one of four interconnected pieces around a somewhat autobiographical theme. The other 3 look something like this:

HI FRUCTOSE / MOTOI YAMAMOTO

It may seem like I've had a spell of time off from the Hi Fructose writing but it just isn't so. Of the many incredible people we've been working toward finding out more about, one Motoi Yamamoto definitely stands out in his own right. Click here to read more about this impressive Japanese artist. The story was also picked up by BoingBoing.net soon after landing, very cool!

THE SURFER'S JOURNAL / MIKE SHINE

Greg and I recently had the great pleasure of visiting with Mike Shine, who's mythological driftwood narrative is beyond words. Hence, a full length article in the prestigious National Geographic of the surfing world, The Surfer's Journal. This really does do the man justice, especially since it's told in first person, just as he said it (pretty much). And we also get a full tour of his legendary Shine Shack to boot! Click here to get a preview and link to the official TSJ site.

BL!SSS / SANDOW BIRK

I'm pretty stoked on this one, as I've always wanted to explore Sandow's work more and see him as a personal inspiration and a high bar to write about. Sandow is one of the more conceptual narrative artists around, and I'm glad to have had some personal access to him and his thoughts courtesy of our mutual friend Greg Escalante. So Greg and I dove in and got some of the goods on the SoCal painting and surfing force that is Sandow Birk. Click here to get a peek at his feature and link to the full online magazine.

FEVERED LIPSTAIN

Oh yes, dear readers, it's time once again for another narrated journey into the procession of the latest grouping of paintings. Click here to join the fun.

VAN ARNO / A CHANGE OF SKIN

Los Angeles artist Van Arno has a new body of work up at Corey Helford that is definitely worth checking out. If you've been following his work, or at least casually aware of him, you'll notice that the aptly titled exhibit shows a substantial leap in his capacity as a visual narrator. To see more, click here.

BABY TATTOOVILLE

The distance between artist and collector is certainly a curious and fascinating gap, and one that arts entrepreneur Bob Self has sought to close. Enter the world of Baby Tattooville, a singular realm of artistic celebration in which the artist and the earnest collector mix, mingle and enjoy one another’s company in a relaxed and historic environment. Images shown (Chris Denson photos) upper: Jeff Soto sketching, lower: Yoskay Yamamoto painting on the Art Jam collaboration painting. To read more click here!

CHET ZAR / LILITH

Recently, I was granted the chance to catch up with Chet Zar about his latest body of work. These lush cum dark masterpieces are an amazing bit of a switch from his usual fare, and we get a sneak peek into his mindset just as the works are finished. Click here to find out more.

SIGHTING: THE ABOMINABLE FELIX

Some pretty amazing things are showing up around Orlando, FL. Eric Althin hips us to a new addition in the strange universe surrounding Bold Hype and co. Click here to see more.

MYSTERIOUS UNIVERSE

I'm really excited about the resurfacing of the Mysterious Universe podcast. Easily the best listen for about an hour of your highly valuable time, the chaps guide you through a series of news announcements in the realm of the strange and fantastic. You can surf around and see what's going on by clicking here to visit their site.

ERIC WHITE / LP

I recently had the great honor of splitting hairs with visual magician Eric White. Take a few moments to view his new works, or any of his recent works on his site, and take in what he's doing. The short and exclusive interview is a fair primer to his new work, but in no way scratches the surface of what e is up to. Click here to read more.

SEXY UNDERCARRIAGE

My latest works have taken on a different dimension all of their own, predominantly due to the decision to really map out the pieces via detailed drawings. To read more, click on this right here.

DETAILS / INSIDER'S GUIDE

Really exciting news: Details August 2009 issue has an Insider's Guide, and my name came up in it. Thanks to the GenArt folks for the press and updates. Click here to see more.

R.CRUMB / UNDERGROUND

Grand Central Art Center, Cal State's cutting edge museum arm, makes yet another statement with R.Crumb's "Underground." This exhibit gets a high end treatment and was very well received at the institution throughout its run. Click here to check it out.

BL!SSS / NS COVER FEATURE!

I'm super excited about the latest bit of news - a cover feature in BL!SSS! It's a great way to start a birthday month, and I obviously couldn't be more pleased. The magazines are readily available in the SoCal area, and free for the taking. I'm thinking we'll try to have a bunch on hand for some sort of shindig later in the month. More news on all that soon. But for now, you can check out the whole ish online by clicking here.

If you would like a copy (they're free), send a prepaid SASE large enough to accommodate a 14 x 11 inch magazine.
Nathan Spoor + Blisss / PO Box 1318 / Studio City, CA 90068

PLANET ILLOGICA & HI FRUCTOSE AT THE CON

I'll be heading out for my first Comicon adventure this weekend. On Friday, I'll have a new painting in Mark Murphy's exhibit coinciding with Planet Illogica's debut. You'll want to know more about that show and the new company by clicking on Mark's blog link, which is that different colored text just before what you're reading now.

The painting is called "New Horizon," and is indicative of not only how I'm feeling but also where life is heading at the moment. I don't have the answers, couldn't tell you where the boat is heading or what that all is up ahead. But I can tell you this, each day is different and contains more than we usually allow ourselves to perceive.

Planet Illogica is a revolutionary way of empowering artists, and you can find out more about their brilliant setup by clicking here.

And really, this is VERY exciting. I'll be signing with Hi Fructose on Saturday, 1pm. I'll try to remember to take some pictures for sure...

MYRIAM MECHITA / THE MEDIUM OF LIFE

Join our happy little expedition as we weight anchor for parts abroad and visit the land known solely to Myriam Mechita. A dyed in the wool conceptualist and visual acrobat, this French virtuoso will cause one to question the limits of "usual" expectations. But you can see for yourself by clicking right here.

JUICYFRUITSOME CLAYTONFEST

The Clayton Brothers' latest exhibit, Juicy Fruit at Patrick Painter, is definitely something to take in. In my humble opinion, they are on the cusp of doing what every single artist wishes they could pull off: be a huge success, define themselves artistically, then break down their trademark into a new, again successful, language of their devising. Click here to read more.

KEVIN PETERSON

Kevin Peterson is one of the more awesome people, not to mention artists, that I've met. He's level headed, calls it like he sees it, and doesn't mind taking a few minutes to say what's on his mind. Click here to get a load of what he's working with and see some of his new work.

CRAZY4CULT3D/OPENING

Got out to fully experience the latest annual crowd fave "Crazy 4 Cult" show last night. I'm not so sure that the links in the blog are working, but click here for the full preview. And to read the exciting commentary from yours truly, just click it right here.

BORIS CUSTOM SHOW

Friday, July 17 brings us the launch of Nathan Hamill's Picnic Land series, heralded by the first of many custom toys in the line, Boris. Boris is a squirrel that Nathan asked a crew of artists to paint and customize, and thanks to Joe Ledbetter I was invited to participate and make a new Boris character. I don't know why exactly, since I'm not a huge fan and don't follow comics much anymore, but I wanted to make a Green Lantern Boris. And that's just what we see here (below). These customs will be shown at the grand opening at Meltdown on Sunset this Friday night. Very exciting and always exciting to see who shows up at Melt.

LUKE CHUEH / RING OF FIRE

The latest ish of Hi Fructose is out now! I had the chance to catch up with Luke Chueh about a few things and chat about topics of mutual interest. It's a really good issue all around, with lots of quality pictures. Click here to grab yours while they're in stock, they tend to go fast.

NICOLA VERLATO / 53rd VENICE BIENALLE

I recently got an exclusive and personal view into Nicola Verlato's latest work for the centerpiece occasion of this year's Bienalle. The 53rd International Art Exhibition, known far and wide as the heralded Venice Bienalle, features a select group of prominent contemporary artists that represent the best of the best in their respective dedications. This year, the Italian Pavilion has been enlarged to over double its previous size. Join us as Verlato gives us the grand debut of his latest site-specific work for the big show. Click here to see more.

VISUAL NOD: FOX NY / GEN ART

Pretty cool to at least see the work for a flash second on the news (about midway through).

HUGH BROWN / ALLEGEDLY

Follow us now as we take an educated look at a the latest body of work from Hugh Brown, Grammy Award winning designer and Creative Director of Rhino Records. This latest solo exhibition at Cal State’s tastemaker museum exhibition space, Grand Central Art Center, features a rather fascinating and controversial collection. Curious? Click here for satisfaction.

PONYO

Very excited to see this...

PARIS SCENERY

Brian Forrest, the amazing photographer that has shot all of my work since I've lived in LA, and his wife take occasional trips abroad. This season they went to Paris, and they recognized a familiar character in my work and decided to share. So great!

CARRIE ANN BAADE INTERVIEW

If art being created by an intelligent individual with real passion and insight is for you, then the latest paintings by Carrie Ann Baade should be of some interest. At present she is traveling the land while her new works are hanging at Billy Shire Fine Arts, and enjoying the summer break from the demands of academic rigor. Join us as we are given an insight to her curious works, her thoughts as both artist and professor, and knowledge built up by the one teacher always within arm's reach - life. Click here to read more.

NO FIN NO FUTURE

I was recently asked by a group called Pangea Seed to participate in a charity event in Japan to stop the harvesting of shark fins. Above you can see my "Shark Mistress" piece for the show. And you can check out the interview we did and click through their website by clicking here.

ARRESTED MOTION / LEDBETTER & SPOOR

The good folks at Arrested Motion did an overview of a pictorial sort of Joe Ledbetter's and my exhibition openings at Copro Gallery. Click here to check it out...

GREG ESCALANTE + JOE SORREN = MALIBU SUP

Come along as we get a peek into some ocean action with Juxtapoz' own Greg Escalante. Lately, Greg's been doing some traveling on his board (SUP = Stand Up Paddleboarding), including this recent trip to Malibu with brother Joe Escalante to meet up with Joe Sorren (Juxtapoz #20). Joe, a health as well as art enthusiast, has just come off running an entire marathon barefoot and couldn't resist getting out and paddling around with the boys. Take a look at the action here...

ATTABOY / A TOUCH OF EVIL

Artist and entrepreneur Attaboy takes time out from polishing up the last bits of his upcoming solo exhibit to tell us a few things that are on his mind. Or at least things that are on his mind now that it was asked. Click here for a preview of new works and insights into Atta's world.

JUXTAPOZ.COM NOD

Katie from Jux gives the shows a little push from the Jux site, love it!

Click here to see a little more.

BL!SSS BLOG LOVE

Click here to see more...

BL!SSS / TODD SCHORR

I'm especially excited about the latest interview that Greg and I got to do. Todd Schorr is an amazing artist and interesting individual to boot. He also clued us in to his latest favorite book, Ross King's "The Judgement of Paris." I'll let you know when I finish how it is, but so far it's engaging from the first page. And I'm already making moves on the second page, so watch out. Todd took time out of working out details for his two upcoming retrospective exhibitions to tell us about his new book, "American Surreal," and fill us in on some things we might not have known before.

Click here to scout out the pages on my site, complete with link to view the whole magazine online.

HI FRUCTOSE INTERVIEW

Just finished an interview about the latest show with Annie from Hi Fructose. Click here to see the full article...

MARION PECK / LADIES & CLOWNS

The lovely and enigmatic Marion Peck graces the walls of Sloan Fine Art this week with her new body of work, "Ladies & Clowns." But whilst she was finishing off the works and then packing them up and handling all that shipping business, Marion took time out to share with us a few of the finer points of her beautiful work. Join us as we take an educational and entertaining peek into her amazingly crafted world, including her thoughts on life, travel and some sage advice that we could all do well to heed. Click here for the full and exclusive view...

INTERVIEW WITH MARK MURPHY

Nathan Spoor is preparing a large body of masterful paintings that look to invite you in while taunting you with dream like riddles. Thankfully, Nathan has left an assortment of visual clues along the way, guiding us through his imaginative, well constructed worlds. 
Nathan was kind enough to share a glimpse into his artistic universe and upcoming show at Copro in June. Click here to read on and enjoy.

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE / CHET ZAR + JAMES ZAR

The month of May is home to a very unique display of talent. The amazing Chet Zar(v.11) will be showcasing a group of new works alongside his father, fantastic narrative artist James Zar. The exhibit, "When Worlds Collide," will feature the latest and greatest of each master painter's forte. The fellas have been gracious enough to take some time to give us sneak peek into the new works, as well a few thoughts on a variety of subjects. Follow along as we journey into the worlds of this mighty father/son duo...Complete exclusive interview, studio shots, and more here!

COLIN JOHNSON / HYPERCOLLAGE

Colin Johnson is immersed in a loving obsession that he calls his "hyper-collage" works. Having an undaunted interest in his mercurial pursuits has lead him on many an intricate visual adventure, yet leaves him enough of a toehold in the physical world to relate some of his thoughts on art and life to us. From the cold tundra known as the Lands of Eternal Winter (well not really, but it's more than cold) deep in the heart of Minnesota, one artist finds a way to spend the hours on a very creative and personal pursuit. Click here to find out more.

COMING SOON

IT'S AN ORIGINAL

Greg Simkins, Kris Lewis, Nathan Spoor

Nathan Spoor with painting, "The Soft Opening"

The latest event with GenArt, Details, Penguin and Fred Segal was a blast. We did take some photos, which I'll get resized and put up in a bit since they're much funnier than the professional shots. But seriously, you can't go wrong with having too many good photos, right? Click here to check out the official pics by the Details photographer, and the Lola shots are on the way...