Openings

I totally forgot that the new art season is upon us. When I arrived to Chinatown I was stunned that all the galleries were throwing openings.I have never particularly cared for Chinatown paintings. But I have begun to find some favorites over the past year or two.Amanda Church is currently showing at Jancar Gallery on Chung King Road.--James

So while I was at Carl Berg, I ran into Ali Smith and Noah Thomas. As they were leaving they told me they were heading over to Chinatown to see Kiel Johnson's show at POV Evolving. Once again, I have to find out about Kiel's show through someone else. It has sort of becoming a running joke between myself and him. So I made a quick detour over to Chinatown to say hello to my man Kiel. Because, really, how can I not?So Kiel told me he now has people working on his invitation issue. He...

This past Thursday night, while I was at Paul Paiement's opening at Peter Blake Gallery, I ran into our mutual acquaintance, Darcy Bartoletti. He told me that he was in a group show over at Carl Berg Gallery on Wilshire. So I headed out there last night to say hello, as well as to check out the show. Darcy is a graduate from the San Francisco Art Institute, my old alma mater. I haven't seen Darcy in awhile so I was curious as to what he's been up to. --James

You're getting the report early again because I'm leaving town again, this time to Vegas where I will seek fame and fortune. There's a few solid shows coming up this weekend so enjoy yourself. Nobuhito Nishigawara opens at @space on Saturday night. This is Not Here curated by Peter Blake opens at JFlynn Gallery on Saturday night. (image: Jorg Dubin) Don't forget the Meet Meet The Artists Party is Friday night at the HBAC. Performances by Finishing School included. 

I'm headed to the mountains for the weekend so you get the weekend report a bit early. There's a lot to do this weekend so get out there and have some fun. Matthew Price & the OC Roller Girls open @ GCAC On, of, and About Paper opens @ OCCCA Little Light opens at 98ten On Friday night Go,Rilla Gallery at 3013 N. Main in Santa Ana opens Green Giants.

Ran over to Cypress College last night for the Intersections/Alvin Gregorio opening. Here's some pics: Stephen Tompkins Juan Thorp & Brent Harada Juan Thorp P. Williams Cherri Wood Chris Ryniak Mike Park Alvin Gregorio       Painter Claire Daschbach in front of Kiel Johnson   Paul Paiement with Thinkspace's Andrew Hosner

You get an early OC Weekend because I'm headed to Vegas for work and then Mrs. OC Art Blog will be joining me for a weekend of poker tournaments. We don't really care how we do against everybody else, it's all about home bragging rights. When I have more time I'll tell you the story of when we came in 1st & 2nd in a tourney and she wouldn't chop. She made me play it all the way to the end. (I won!). Anyway, now for the art: In honor of my trip, Las Vegas Diaspora opens at the Laguna Art...

James Cady @ OMC Gallery Leah Parrent @ OCCCA   Jim Caron @ OCCCA Kebe Fox @ OCCCA CSUF Graphics Alumni Exhibit @ GCAC GCAC Director Andrea Harris Mindy Cherri, Joanna Grasso & Julie Perlin-Lee Johnnny Sampson & Dennis Cubbage  

Went to the Kaile Hart Crowell opening at the Michiko Loft in Seal Beach last night. Great turn out for the start up effort. Plus main street Seal Beach is a nice place to hang out. Keep an eye on this place. Here's some pics from the opening: The Loft Kaile Hart Crowell Art Kaile Hart Crowell Artist/Curator Amanda McGinnis Crowd       

On a night where I needed to see some art and talk to a few good friends icandy @ Cypress College delivered. The new Cypress College gallery is a great space and I'm sure with Paul Paiement  running things the shows will continue to be solid. Here's some pics of the nights festivities: Richard Fisher Brian Boyer Brian Boyer  Detail Tim Bavington Doug Meyer Patrick Wilson David Macdonald Sharon Ben-Tal Joan Kahn Bart Exposito Bob Aldarette Brian Boyer w/wife April OCCCA's Barbara...

Detour opens @ J. Flynn Gallery Local Anesthesia opens @ The Artery at The Lab

I wanted to let everybody know that one of OC's best and brightest Laurie Hassold has a solo show in LA tomorrow night at Bert Green Fine Art during Downtown LA's art walk. The opening will run from 6-9pm and there will be 6 new pieces included in the show. Get out there and support the home team.

This Friday night from 6-9pm Hairshirt Featuring paintings from Max King Cap's Empyreana series will open at @Space Gallery. Also on Saturday night @Space will debut their new annex space located at 751 Randolph Ave. in Costa Mesa. The debut show at the annex, organized by Joanna Grasso will include Michelle Wasson, Caroline Maxwell, Jon Morris and Jason Margos. The opening will run from 6-10pm.

Ran down to Santa Ana Saturday night and fortunately the rain held off to make it a nice evening, although the crowds were a bit light due to the weather I'm sure. Anyway, the first stop was the BIG show at OCCCA, then to Grand Central then to the Memphis gallery to catch Tom & Lisa Dowling's show. Here's some pics: War Bride by Barbara Thompson at OCCCA Christina Ponce Pamela Grau-Twena Big Pig (If I am What I Eat by Darlyn Susan Yee) GCAC (forgot artist name) David Michael Lee Joanna...

The first shows of 2008 are upon us. Hopefully the weather holds up. Hope to see you all out there.   Our Place the CSUF graduate residents show will be up at GCAC. Big the annual OCCCA members show opens Sat. night. Eric Leonard Jones will be up at SolArt Gallery until 11pm. I'll update as I learn about others.

Sorry for the delay but last Sat. night I ventured out to the openings at @Space Gallery and J. Flynn. Here are a few pics:   Evan apRoberts at @Space apRoberts Wearable art. Joanna Grasso & Julie Lee Thomas Lee Bakofsky @ J. Flynn Matt Groller @ J. Flynn Seth Drenner Jeff McMillan Music. Good. Crowd

There's a few openings to check out on Saturday night. Have fun out there. Evan apRoberts opens at @Space Gallery The group show "This is The Strangest Life I've Ever Known" opens at J. Flynn Gallery   Honesty is The New Black opens at the ARTery. 

I'm headed up to the mountains this weekend but will be coming back down on Saturday night to catch the openings at the newly expanded UCR ARTSblock. Gabriela Leon opens at The Sweeney and over at the the California Museum of Photography Real Uncertain : A Conversation Between Painting and Photography opens. This will be my first visit to the new Sweeney. Looking forward to it.

Thursday night I ran down to Laguna with the FS boys Ed and Brian to catch Alvin Gregorio's show at Peter Blake Gallery. The show was great and there were a ton of people out and about. Go see it if you can...if you can't here's some pics: Ed Giardina, Alvin Gregorio & Brian Boyer Peter Blake Jack Flynn Ashley Eckenweiler Painter Jimi Gleason (L) with a collector

Ran down to Long Beach on Saturday night to see some friends who were in a show at C1D gallery. There was a great turn out. Here's some pics for your enjoyment. Artist James Rojsirivat James Rojsirivat Laura Liptak Miles of Smiles Ed Giardina's there somewhere I keep running into Paul Paiement