Seen: Luke Chueh's She's My Heroin(e)

Luke Chueh opened his introspective She's My Heroin(e) solo last night at Copro Nason.  The show served as an opportunity for Luke to exorcise addictive demons.  The powers of seduction added a nice counterpoint to his signature bear.  Luke continued to work even after the show preview went online -- we were surprised to see two additional paintings (including above) and five smaller drawings. 

Copro Nason is taking pre-orders for prints on wood of Luke's Balloon-Head ($450, 16 x 20" and  the slightly larger Possessed Revisited ($475).  Both are limited to 50 signed and numbered pieces. There's also a giclee on paper of Just One Touch (Infected), limited to 50 signed and numbered pieces.  We believe they are $150 each.  Finally, the gallery offered 48 sets (90 total) of Luke's three silver Mugs Bunny artist edition minis from STRANGEco's Vivisect Playset series.  As you might expect, these sold out.   If you missed out, definitely join Luke's mailing list for info on the availability of the remaining sets.  Click through for more pics from the opening.

Copro Nason
Bergamot Station
7525 Michigan Ave T5
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310.829.2156

Seen: Mari Inukai's Infiltration

Mari Inukai opened her Infiltration solo last night @ Corpo Nason with some of her best work yet.  Her new paintings offer a nice evolution of her style -- combining her cute and quirkly characters alongside lovely ladies.  While her cartoonish characters have always been engaging, they are now part of a more mature whole.  Additionally, the sense of joy and playfulness now carries over from her creatures to her people. Click through for more shots.    A few pieces are still available -- please check the  gallery's preview page.  The show continues through May 31st.

Copro Nason
Bergamot Station
7525 Michigan Ave T5
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310.829.2156

Thunderdog x 1134NYC - MIRF

1134NYC Writers Mikhail Sokovikov (MINT) and Jason Wall (SERF) have fused their styles to create the upcoming "MIRF" wall-mounted rotocast vinyl (9" wide) from Thunderdog Studios.  First shown at Toy Fair '06, the vision of a rotocast graff tag piece becomes a reality when these drop in June.  This is slated for four versions colorways (200 pieces each).  There's black & white matte (east coast) and black and white glossy (west coast).  Each MIRF comes in swanky packaging -- slide out box, silver foil, and a flocked tray.   Release event details to follow.

Joe Ledbetter & Andrew Brandou - Unspeakable (5.16)

It's Unspeakable (flier).  Joe Ledbetter and Andrew Brandou, open their joint show next Friday (5.16) @ Gallery 1988 San Francisco from 7 to 10 PM. Thanks to the gallery we have a  sweet preview of three of Joe's new pieces.  Joe's flexing an evolved style -- the hard signature black outlines have been toned down with  lighter colors giving the paintings a more atmospheric look. We'll have a preview of Andrew Brandou's pieces shortly.  Random thought -- Dueling Bunnies: Mr. Bunny Vs. Sniper Bunny.  Click through for more of JLed's paintings.

Gallery 1988 San Francisco
1173 Sutter St. (at Polk)
San Francisco, CA 94109
415.409.1376

David Lanham's Zog from Strangekiss

David Lanham's original Zog vinyl from Strangekiss  is coming along nicely.  He just posted pics of the wax pattern and dropped the news that Frank Kozik will be doing an edition as well.   There's the cute purple standard edtion and then the gushing bloody one (guess who did which). Click through for more pics. Be sure to check out Zog @ SDCC.

Derek Albeck and French - Desolate Delights (tonight)

LA-based Derek Albeck and UK artist French bring out life's details with their meticulous drawings on paper for Desolate Delights opening tonight (5.9) from 7 to 10 PM @ Berdhouse Gallery.   Fans of Derek's work will note that he's showcasing a new style -- combining his recent interest in patterns with an evolved form of his earlier 'glums' work.   Very nice.  In addition to the individual pieces, the artists have collabed on a few works including a three-print two-color screen print set (ed. of 30, $150/each).  Click through for additional preview images. 

Berdhouse Gallery
1505 1/2 Echo Park Ave.
Los Angeles, CA. 90026
213-482-9976

Seen: D*Face and Armsrock - RockFace D'Arm

Prolific urban artists D*Face and Armsrock contemplate conflict in society with a new series of illustrations, drawings, paper collage, and  an installation for RockFace D'arm (flier) which opened last night (5.08) at Fifty24SF.  Francis Ramos (aka Metatron1050) caught the show and sent back these shots -- props.  The show continues through May 28th, so if you're up in the Bay Area, check it out. Click through for a loaded gallery.

Fifty24SF
252 Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
415.252.9144

kaNO x ToyQube - Hi-DEF

Here's a teaser of kaNO's new Hi-DEF figure in collaboration with ToyQube. SDCC '08 release. Interesting -- man or machine ?  What's under the arm ? deck? Looks too wide at the back.  kaNO will be in the house.  More soon.

I am 8-Bit - August '08

The cultural phenomenon that is the I am 8-Bit art show is ready for another round (#4). Different space -- 3x bigger.  Same rad art. August '08. Not familiar with it?  For shame ;-)   Curator Jon Gibson has captured the attention of nostalgic gamers and art collectors alike by blending the talents of underground artists with iconic 8-bit characters, to a huge response.    Here's the very first preview from the '08 show -- "8-Bit Icons" by Thorsten Hasenkamm.