Happy Birthday Chet Zar

The Art of Sketch Theatre Book Signed by 24 Artists with Original Drawings

Happy birthday to dark artist Chet Zar, best known for his work with the band Tool. Our Collector's Treasure of the Day is this multi-artist hand-signed and sketched copy of The Art of Sketch Theatre Volume 1, an inspiring collection of sketches, finished work and insightful profiles by over 50 professional artists who have participated in the ongoing SketchTheatre.com project. Participants read as a who's who of the "lowbrow" contemporary art scene. This brand new First Edition hardcover copy has been hand-signed by 24 of the artists with many adding original drawings: Aimee Kuester, Alex Alvarez, Ana Bagayan, Apricot Mantle, Axel#13, Brandi Milne, Brian Smith, Charles Hu, Chet Zar, Christian Lorenz-Scheurer, The Chung, Daphne Yap, Greg Crayola Simkins, Gris Grimly, Kali Fontecchio, Luke Chueh, Marshall Vandruff, Meats Meir, Michael Broom, Miss Mindy, Munk One, Nate Frizell, Rick O Brien, Sam Shearon, and Steven Daily. Truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity for the contemporary art collector! Authenticity guaranteed for life by Collector's Shangri-La.

New Travis Louie Original Art In-Stock

Boogie Men Original Art Signed by Travis Louie

Travis Louie is a revered figure in the contemporary art movement known as pop surrealism. His imaginary world is grounded in Victorian and Edwardian times and inhabited by human oddities, mythical beings, and otherworldly characters. Each portrait (in this case, Ornamental Boogie Man and Gardening Boogie Man) is accompanied by biographical or anecdotal text that encourages the viewer to look past the physical. These intimate revelations are what differentiate Louie’s strange visitors from everyday strangers encountered in the real world, whose individual oddities are either up for interpretation or stowed neatly out of sight. Abnormality is normal, it is simply a matter of whether it exists on a sleeve or in a closet. Approximately 11 x 14 inches. Graphite on paper. Hand-signed by Travis Louie. Very fine condition. Authenticity guaranteed for life by Collector's Shangri-La.

The Venice Art Walk Select Artist Studio Tour

I was lucky enough this past weekend to take part in the "Select Artist Studio Tour" in conjunction with the 2013 annual Venice Family Clinic Art Walk. This year marks the 34th anniversary of the auction and art tours that benefit The Venice Family Clinic, a community health system that provides quality care to 24,000 low-income, homeless, and uninsured people in West Los Angeles.

Chuck Arnoldi with one his Chainsaw Paintings

A small group of us visited the homes and studios of legendary artists Chuck Arnoldi, Larry Bell, Billy Al Bengston, Guy Dill, Laddie John Dill, DJ Hall, and John Okulick. 

Laddie John Dill with three of his Light Sentences

The artists spoke about their processes, techniques, and motivations behind their work. The day was a virtual crash course in the work of seven seminal contemporary art figures whose careers span the last 40-plus years!

Larry Bell with his Vapor pieces

The tour featured a lunch and concluded with a reception at LA Louver, with a pre-opening peek at the incredible ceramic sculpture of Matt Wedel.

DJ Hall in her studio

If you're in the Los Angeles area and interested in contemporary art, check out theveniceartwalk.com for upcoming events including art and architecture tours (one tour by bicycle), auctions, and more!