Chasing Rainbows

Chasing Rainbows - Solo Exhibit at Bunnycutlet Gallery, Brooklyn, NY May 3 - May 27th

There's only so much I'm able to post before the Chasing Rainbows exhibit opens - which is in just a couple weeks! Some of this you may have already seen, but just in case...  Also I've copied the Bunnycutlet Gallery Press Release  below for you to have a look (it's just lovely, thanks to Liz of BunnyCutlet for composing it).  Be sure to follow the gallery's tumblr page! http://bunnycutlet.tumblr.com/

 

	Kelly Denato Chasing Rainbows Solo Exhibit Opening reception - May 3rd, 7-10pm May 3rd, 2013 through May 27th, 2013 BROOKLYN, NY (RELEASE April 16th, 2013) — Bunnycutlet Gallery is pleased to present Chasing Rainbows, a series of new works by Brooklyn-based artist Kelly Denato, in what will be her first solo exhibition at Bunnycutlet. The title of the show, Chasing Rainbows, came to the artist’s mind while sketching her flirtatious yet doom-laden subjects for her solo exhibit. To Denato, the pursuit of a thing that dissipates upon discovery is heart-crushing disappointment in waiting; yet she feels that such futile and cyclical endeavors define the human condition. Her paintings, which are marked by darkness as well as gleeful exuberance, are emotional expressions of an elusive pursuit for meaning and the simultaneity of ill-fated happiness. Denato’s painting technique is characterized by tiny brushwork meticulously layered on a textured background. Her colors are glistening and candy-like, often lifting her characters out of darkness as if they have been carved by lacerating strokes. Her genius is her ability to richly layer paint while still employing economy in her use of line, maintaining an empathetic sense of gesture. Her characters are often floating and tangled, drawn with a masterfully delicate illustrator's hand and an eye for the whimsically sardonic. Denato’s process speaks to the surreal and fluctuating world that her subjects inhabit. In the artist's words "Everything starts with drawing. I will draw as often as possible in a ‘stream of consciousness.’ As patterns, imagery, and symbols begin to emerge, a theme presents itself. Like a Rorschach test of my own doodles, I interpret meaning from those symbols. Then I develop from there, symbols feeding into meaning and meaning into symbols in an infinite loop."
	Music/DJ Nithya Rajendran

May Solo Show WIP - Nebulous

It's begun! I've started a painting based on one of the sketches I posted a few weeks back.  It's a 26 X 30"Acrylic on wood panel.  I don't normally work this large but there's so much going on in this drawing I thought I'd give it some wiggle room.  Now these WIP shots are showing some REALLY early stages of the painting but hopefully you still get the idea. More to come ♥

Here's a shot on the painting on it's flattened out easel on my work table.  Thought it'd be a good way to give a sense of scale and also to show what a messy workerbee I am :)

This is just a close up of the image so far.  Forgive the awkward perspective (it's like Star Wars scrolling type angle :P)

This is the original sketch from here

So as you can see - it's got a loooooooooooong way to go but I'm excited to be sinking my teeth in to these pieces and to finally really get rolling on this May show! 

Bunny Cutlet Solo Show - May 3rd, 2013

Bunny Cutlet Solo Show - May 3rd, 2013
(Still working on a title)  

Took a break from the hands series to work with some of my other brainstorm sketches for the show.  I've been playing with the idea of "oozing geometry" -  an extrusion, play-dough factory of your insides, both your physical and emotional guts.  I still haven't committed to these visuals or colors to encompass the final works for the show but I find the more you draw and experiment, the more likely inspiration is to strike. The image below is an 8 x 10in mixed media on cream colored paper. I have drawings to accompany this image also - I'll post a few later tonight.

Bunny Cutlet Solo Show - May 3rd, 2013

Bunny Cutlet Solo Show - May 3rd, 2013

(Once I have a theme name these blog titles will be easier to follow...)  

I've been working with some of the sketches from my previous post in an acrylic wash on blush colored paper. I've been looking to find a middle ground between painting and drawing so I can explore more ideas and create more pieces in the duration of my usual rushed show scheduling.  I decided to start with my "helpless hands" series...

These seem a little washed out on my monitor, hope they look better for you! I may try to readjust and repost.  I'll discuss the theme and thought behind these now or later if anyone out there is interested.  Otherwise, I hope you enjoy the imagery. 

Another update coming soon!

Solo Show May 3rd

May 3rd 2013

I'm revving up for my solo exhibit with Bunny Cutlet's new gallery space.  This is Bunny Cutlet's first year with a permanent space and my first solo exhibit here in NYC.  I'm pretty sure we are both very excited about this adventure!

I'll be posting about this show over the next few months - sketches, work in progress shots, etc.  For now I've just been brainstorming for themes and thematic imagery.  I finally feel like I'm honing in on something cohesive and comprehensive and I'm gonna start sharing some of the sketches and ideas with you on here - wee!

Hellogiggles & Gallery 1988

Gallery1988 Melrose & Hellogiggles present YOUNG ADULT ! Opening Saturday, Feb 2 at Gallery 1988 Melrose located at 7020 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038 sooo if you are in the hood - Take a peek! These things are better in person I SWEARS! (I also have a piece in the iam8bit  Plush Week show opening the same night! See my previous post for details) 

I chose to work with Sweet Valley High - below is the image! That's right - to hell with sneak peeks.  This is the whole damn thing.  I hope you like it :)

Sweet Valley Ink - 8 x 10 in Acrylic on Wood Panel

If you want a little insight on it - READ THE BOOKS.  I am totally kidding.  I based this on the first 3 books where we just get to know the twins - one sweet and wholesome, the other impulsive, selfish, and naughty.  Jessica, the bad girl, is infatuated with a do-no-gooder spoiled rich boy named "Bruce".  Oh the teen drama of it all.  So what does any no-good girl do when she is desperately in love? That's right - get a TATTOO. Ribbons, roses, bows, and tiaras - oh my!

Plush Week

Plush Week is presented by iam8bit LA - In the words of the iam8bit curator :

"PLUSH WEEK is a celebration of all sorts of orphaned, one-of-a-kind creatures constructed and sewn of soft stuff. Everything is ABSOLUTELY hand-made, and no two characters are alike.  PLUSH WEEK is founded on the principles of ragtag — meaning that every stuffed piece in the gallery has its own personality, perspective and unique talents. Each creature hangs on our wall, and we invite anyone perusing to invent their own stories to attach to this oddball lot of mismatched whatsits." 

The iam8bit gallery is located at 2147 West Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026 so if you are in LA on Saturday... go visit! (I will also have a piece at the Gallery1988 Melrose Hellogiggles show! More info on my next post)

"Crybaby" - felted fella in 8 x 10 in wooden shadow box

("Crybaby" - interior view)

(Plush Week - iam8bit flyer )

2013 Overview of Things to Come!

        The end of 2012 was a whirlwind! NYCC, lots of shows, lots of art, and tons of wonderful people.  I am optimistically looking forward to more of the same for 2013. It all starts with Hellogiggles at Gallery 1988 LA opening February 1.  I'll post WIPs of that piece as I get farther along with it.  It's due SOON O_O I am also (tentatively) considering the Plush Week show for LA on Feb 2 but I haven't committed to that just yet because of it's unfortunate timing :(
        Most importantly, April 12th 2013 will be my first solo show - yay! It will be at the brand new BunnyCutlet Gallery space in Brooklyn, NY. I'm extremely excited to produce this show and work with this gallery.  It's gonna be a BZZY next couple of months - So I won't be seeing most of you 'til the blooms start a'bloomin'.
        In the meantime I will be posting brainstorms and drawings and works in progress as much as possible to keep you in the loop. AND, since I haven't posted since before the Fall Into Frost show at My Plastic Heart back in November,  I posted flickr albums of all the work from that show and from the November 9th 2012 Too Art for TV 6 show so please go peruse and enjoy!

I hope you guys will join me for all this over these next few months
Hearts & Farts Forevah
-k

Reach for the Sky!

"Fall Into Frost" at My Plastic Heart

My "Fall Into Frost" work will be on display at My Plastic Heart with the talented Julie West - show opens Friday, November 16th 

Below are some images of drawings and paintings of "Fall Into Frost" - The paintings up currently are the "Fall" paintings.  Images from "Frost" and more details to come SOON!

 

"Fall Into Frost" is a series of paintings and drawings.  Autumn to Winter is a brilliant and enigmatic change of season - at least for those of us who experience the 4 seasons.  The treetops and ground are covered in these tiny, quivering, prismatic carcasses. Deep greens explode into a golds, reds, and pinks. A last colorful burst before the world goes grey.  Animals scurry about to consume, save, and store for the coming months.  The wind begins to chill and blow and our breath becomes visible, vapors of escaping spirit.  It is a time of transition, a decent from the apex of a climb to life that began in spring. Blooms, blossoms, bulbs, sprouts, and seeds have all reached the end of their cycle and now begin to retreat into dormancy or death.   This transition from dynamism to oblivion, vibrant to bleached, the idea that instead of a slow decay, something can be it's most beautiful just before it's dust - these are the motivations behind "Fall Into Frost". The turn of phrase below inspired, and was inspired by, the works for this show. 

"Autumn wears her jewel tone mourning dress, 

visits the graveyards of leafy tombs

until grays and whites adopt the land,
and the earth lies in its winter womb;

the last vivid gasp before the frost." - m.d.

Too Art For TV 6

(backblogging)

Too Art for TV 6 Opened November 9th at the brand new Bunnycutlet Gallery in Brooklyn. If the crowd was any indication, the show was an immense success.  The work spoke for itself.  Below is my contribution to the show - 7 small paintings. Several of the images were born whilst I was waiting to serve jury duty and shortly after I had realized that I had left my grandmother's ring in the juror's lavatory from which it had "vanished".  I've included those drawings here as well as the way the paintings are meant to be hung and seen.  Of course they are sold individually but I think seeing them in their original arrangement is revealing.

"Lashing Out" 9 x 12 in Acrylic on Wood Panel

"We Are All Just Pearls Strung Together On One Thread" 5 x 7 in Acrylic on Wood Panel

This is the arrangement of how this set of paintings is meant to be seen.  Currently hanging at Bunnycutlet Gallery until the end of the month.

"Cloud Bites" 4 x 4 in Acrylic on Wood Panel

My rather sad attempt at a drawing of my Grandmother's ring - I miss it, I miss her

November Shows!

Been super busy prepping for shows this month so I haven't had much time to post about them.  I'll try and make up for that this week :) For now I'm posting this flyer below with the info in BOLD for upcoming openings from this Friday, November 9th - Friday, November 16th.  This way, at least you have the basics!

I'll be posting sneak peek, sketches, and WIP photos soon.  Thanks for your patience and I hope to see some faces at these openings!

Some links below for more info on the galleries and artists!
Toy Tokyo
Scarygirl / Nathan Jurevicus
Too Art for TV
My Plastic Heart 
Julie West

Scarygirl 10th Anniverary Show, Toy Tokyo NYC

My contribution to Nathan Jurevicius Scarygirl 10th Anniversary show at Toy Tokyo NYC - opening Oct 31st.

Just what is under that little eyepatch young lady...

Acrylic on Wood Panel approx 12 x 12 in

Some digital color studies before I start painting

The sketch

G1988 Video Game Themed Show

Last time for for G1988 's Video Game Theme Show I did "Dig Dug on the Mountain" seen here http://www.kellydenato.blogspot.com/2011/09/dig-dug-on-mountain-gallery1988-venice.html 
This year it's a little sculpt called "Kirby Unravels" !!

Below are some comps of Kirby's development - sketches and work in progress as well as a sneak peek at the final piece!  I'll post the  comp of the finished piece after the show opens on October 26th - in the meantime...

Sneak peek -"Kirby Unravels"

Sculpt beginnings - things change and evolve as you work.  So much different in 3D than 2D so you have to modify and adjust as you go.  Eventually I dropped the peeler tool entirely and the puking turned to tears.

Brain storming - from peeling to puking to a little bit of both!

PANDROID

UPDATE!

My Pandroid APs go on sale from my shop www.kdenato.bigcartel.com TOMORROW! Thursday October 18th 3pm EST/12pm Pacific.  Remember, I only have 10 so get on it!

(Previous post:)

Because of the amount of info and images I'm about to post about the Pandroid AP's, I've decided to make it a separate blog entry from the NYCC entry.  For information regarding NYCC please visit the previous post. Basic information - 15-20 these will be available at the My Plastic Heart booth at NYCC. The rest will be available online in my soon-to-be bigcartel shop. Prices and details soon. There are ONLY 30 total so.. yeah. These will be blind box! Don't know what yer gonna get and not tellin' :P There are 15 with Jugs of Wine & Grapes, 8 with Pink Wabbits, and 7 with Purple Wabbits - Good luck!

PANDROIDS!
My Pearly Pandroid Army!!! Armed with Pink and Purple Wabbits with Flocked Tails and Jugs of Wine with Handmade Glass Grapes - Look out world...

Pearly Pandroid! I've coated each of the AP's with a nice opalescent shimmer - he is a magical beast afterall

Everybodyalltogether

Everybodyalltogether - jugs up front!

Bunnies will be available in two variations - White & Pink or White & Purple (pictured here)

Pearly Pandroid AP with White & Pink Bunny

Pearly Pandroid AP with White & Purple Bunny

Pearly Pandroid with Jug of Wine & Bunch of Grapes! Yum...

The White & Pink Bunny has a lil' hand flocked pink tail

The White & Pink Bunny has a lil' hand flocked purple tail

This is the flower on each bunnies little island of sod

Jug of Wine & Bunch of Grapes! I hand-painted and glazed the jugs to look like stonewear and hand made each teeny tiny bunch of grapes! Painstaking process but I really like the results.  I believe these glass microbeads (also known as "glass caviar - ooo) will be appearing in my work again in the near future....

Nice shot to give you an idea of scale - tiny!

Making of - GRAPES!