The OC Art Blog was created in 2004 as a way to build community and promote the marginalized but dynamic Orange County art scene.

Another week in the first month went by. I hope all your new year resolution is going strong. One of my resolutions is to start eating breakfast. Sadly, no breakfast so far. But I will. I will. This week in the OC has two openings in two Hurley stores, located in Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa, for artist Dalek (aka. James Marshall)! It is the PSYCH OPTIC BLACK LIGHT FUZ: Part I, and Part II.     Tuesday, January 11th: PSYCH OPTIC BLACK LIGHT FUZ (Part I) Opening Reception: Tuesday, January 11 Hurley...

11 January, 2011 /

GOLDMINEContemporary Works from the Collection of Sirje and Michael GoldFebruary 5 - April 10, 2011Opening reception Feb 5, 6-8 PMUAM@noon Feb 15, 12:15-1 PM, Gallery talk with Gold'sCal State Long Beach  Address: UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUMCollege of the Arts California State University, Long Beach1250 Bellflower BoulevardLong Beach, CA 90840-0004   Sirje and Michael Gold have been collecting contemporary art for more than twenty-five years. UAM Director Christopher Scoates is curating an exciting new exhibition focused around these two prominent and innovative Los Angeles collectors. Unlike many other LA collections, the Gold’s collection...

07 January, 2011 /

Hurry up or you're gonna miss it!   Part I Tuesday night the gargantuan Hurley store in Laguna is having an opening.  Dalek (aka James Marshall) and Hurley present new conceptual site specific installations for the two exhibitions PSYCH OPTIC BLACK LIGHT FUZZ.  The first of which is this Tuesday, January 11, 225 Forest in Laguna Beach (that's the big two story Hurley store for those of you who have not made it out yet) 6-9pm.   Part II The second opening is taking place at Hurley's Costa Mesa )( Space.  Saturday,...

07 January, 2011 /

  Last night Jennifer Cheng and I visited four of UCI's numerous galleries.  It was opening night for CULT OF THE RUIN: STRATEGIES OF ACCUMULATION  in the University Art Gallery (UAG) & Room Gallery in the art department.         This group show presented works from emerging artists working largely in the conceptual realm hinged on art critic Craig Owen's ideas of transience and fragmentation via allegorical referents utilized in contemporary art practices.  You can read more about art history professor and critic Craig Owen's theories...

07 January, 2011 /

Don't miss out this opportunity to join LA Urban Rangers, OCMA 2010 California Biennial artist,for a tour in downtown Los Angeles this third saturday, January 29th! Not to mention a carpool from Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach! Hurry, there's limited amount of tickets and seats!   BUS+Weekend Pass: Downtown LA Tour/ Sunday Salon When: Saturday, January 29 and Sunday, January 30 What: Downtown LA Tour (Sat) and Museum Admission/Sunday Salon (Sun)   $15 (member price: $15) THIS TICKET INCLUDES BUS TRANSPORTATION FROM OCMA TO LA AT NO EXTRA CHARGE Your weekend...

06 January, 2011 /

Opening Reception this week & - Art Crawl Experience (ACE) FEB 12, 5-11pm & there is still time to get involved!! Check out the hoping downtown Anaheim's art district. This weekend Rothick Art Haus will be presenting a new show "Subtle Nudges" on Saturday night. In February Christina Sanchez's Le Modern Trinket will be participating in the Art Crawl Experience (ACE)  Indie Arts and Crafts Fair on Feb 12th, 5-11pm with live music, food, and of course ART!  If you would like to participate in the indie...

05 January, 2011 /

Attention artists! Time to get your work shown. Centered on the Center returns to the Huntington Beach art Center. Delivery of work is Friday, January 7: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm (HBAC Members Only) 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm (All Artists) Saturday, January 8:  Noon - 4:00 pm (All Artists) and the show will open on the 21st. All the details can be found HERE.   ...

05 January, 2011 /

HELLO NEW YEAR! What are you doing this first week of 2011? How about check out some art shows in the OC? Now, mark your calendars this Thursday and Saturday, because it will be filled with a night of art browsing, food, music, and lovely conversations. I hope to see you there!   Thursday, January 16th:  CULT OF THE RUIN: STRATEGIES OF ACCUMULATION Opening Reception: Thursday, January 6, 6-9 PM Show runs: January 6 - February 5, 2011 University of California, Irvine | UCI Art Gallery   712 Arts Plaza, Irvine, CA 92697-2775      Saturday, January 8th:   D-Block...

03 January, 2011 /

Calling all photographers around the world! How would you like to receive $5,000 cash, your own exhibition in NYC, and a world wide acclaim?    The Focus Project is inviting you to share your most powerful images that convey, represent or capture the essence of love.  It is the deepest emotion we know and welcome you to submit your best work for a chance at world-wide exposure with a New York City red-carpet reception and online features published by JPG Magazine and Artists Wanted.   Deadline to Enter is...

16 December, 2010 /

 FINALLY!!!  After two successful receptions in Fullerton and Santa Monica featuring thousands of Polaroids from around the world, the retrospective publication documenting the ISM project Instant Gratification is complete.  Still Developing: The Story of Instant Gratification features Polaroids from over 200 professional and amateur photographers, as well as short stories, personal essays, and love letters celebrating instant film. Purchase the book before January 9th and receive $5.00 off the price.-Krystal ...

16 December, 2010 /

   Before the Ed Sullivan show the Beatles played to small audiences at the Liverpool venue The Cavern Club. In the 1960s this club served as a gig and even a catalyst for not only the Fab Four, but The Hollies, The Yardbirds, The Kinks, and The Rolling Stones. Similar to the music scene, visual arts have their own alternative spaces, phantom galleries, and college campuses-overlooked by backers and collectors-funded by the creativity and sweat of already starving artists and graduate students. For example, the West Gallery,...

30 November, 2010 /

Studio visit with artist Christina Sanchez Le Modern Trinket A few days ago I had the pleasure of meeting Christina Sanchez, the inexhaustible founder and artistic drive behind the OC's handmade vintage upcylcled jewelry design company  Le Modern Trinket. We (me and Trouble that is) were invited over to Christina's studio late Tuesday evening, under the guise of getting an up-close and personal look at where the magic all happens and we wanted a preview to the sale this weekend, Sunday Nov 28th in Santa Ana at the...

26 November, 2010 /

Hi Everyone,  happy post turkey day. . . . gobble gobble.   Why is it that we have fetishized the turkey?  It gets eaten predominantly during the holidays, stuffed, roasted, brined, marinated, bagged, fried and even bbq-ed.  It is the quintessential center piece to all festive tables and even has it's own special accessories for serving, eating and preparing.   Not that I am a huge proponant of eating the big bird, just wondering what happens to them the rest of the year? Anyway. . . back to...

26 November, 2010 /

Interested to have your artwork included in the Huntington Beach Art Center (HBAC)?  HBAC is looking for artwork submission (max. 2), and original art created no longer than two years ago, to be included in their non-juried exhibition: Centered on the Center.Delivery of work: Jan 7th- Jan 8th, 2011Exhibition date: Jan 21st - Feb 19th, 2011Centered on the Center, non-juried exhibitionHuntington Beach Art Center538 Main St,Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Click here to download a detailed brochure and guideline for the submission. I hope to see your...

25 November, 2010 /

I arrived at the opening reception just in time to hear the last part of the award ceremony presented by Karen Moss, the Deputy Director of Exhibition and Programs in Orange County Museum of Art. There were a lot of people with their family and friends, taking pictures and meeting artists to get more insight into their artwork. I’ve never been to Irvine Fine Arts Center before, but I surprised myself because this gallery was voted as the Best Art Gallery in Orange County...

21 November, 2010 /