PAPER OPENING PICS

Last night was so much fun! Here are pics with a few familiar faces...



Andrew Wilson and Isaac Pierro





Micke Tong and Scott Campbell





Ian Ross and friend Mike




Some pretty ladies






All in all, it was a GREAT night!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

A Day Of Opportunities....

What is usually just "The Day Before Halloween" quickly turns into a serious day of opportunity.

In San Francisco tonight, we open "Paper Pushers" - a monsterous show with over 300 pieces, all on paper, with incredible prices. Again, some serious opportunities. Cherri Wood, anyone? She's incredible, as are a ton of new names in the bunch. The opening reception will be tonight in SF, from 7-10 PM. But blog readers....

http://www.g1988preview.blogspot.com

There's your preview that YOU CAN purchase from, just cut and paste away. And then call Katie, she's holding down the fort at the SF gallery today. You're welcome on that one.

And lastly, more focused on the most important thing to me....ME. Here's the whole final Hot Karl performance from last week (no matter what the date on the video says) in Pasadena. It's well over 40 minutes, but rather fun to watch, especially as you probably could never imagine me subtly grabbing my crotch and rhyming words in an aggressive manner. It's NOT SAFE FOR WORK, as I have the mouth of a truck driving sailor who gets paid for every f-word I release. With my mom on stage. So here you go..



And with that, Hot Karl is dead. MORE ART FOR EVERYONE in return!

Jensen
G1988: LA

THE MADNESS

Paper Pushers installation begins...

Signed, Sealed, Delivered...

I like to pretend that when artists come in to sign prints, it's a HUGE party where I play early Ohio Players albums, we do the Electric Slide and we eat Pumpkin Cheescake. But in truth...the artists sign the print in the back.



There's Nathan Ota signing the "Candy Colored Clown" Crazy 4 Cult print today, getting ready to ship out! They do look awesome and Nathan is such a good dude. It's always funny to me, because the artists he gets compared to are usually artists that were his students at art school. You can still pick these up, check out www.crazy4cult.com for more info.

I know that most of you aren't able to come in and actually see the Craola installation, so I wanted to post these two pics. Greg's current "I'M SCAR3D" show will actually be featured in next month's Juxtapoz magazine as a Show Stopper, so I had to have some pictures taken real quick digitally (since the show was shot on film only, wait, this is way too much information at this point). Here's two of the photos in their full candle glory..





Greg Simkins was also interviewed over at Fecal Face today, which I would normally link, but their love for us is so minimal, I'll just mention it (I'm a bitter dude).



And back to the balcony for me, because I saw "Lars and the Real Girl" last week and it is by far my favorite movie of the year (not saying much, as I haven't really seen much in the past few weeks). I think it's a near perfect movie, which took a plot that could've been the worst 5 minute SNL sketch - and made it an emotional masterpiece. Gosling is a powerhouse, showing he's more than just the dude every girl you ever date will want to bang purely based on a movie he did about a notebook (p.s. haven't seen it). Don't tell me you hated Lars and the Real Girl, because I'm not sure I could be your friend anymore. And by "friend" I mean "person who reads the blog." I strongly suggest seeing this, as it opens nationwide tomorrow.

Jensen
G1988: LA

MY NEW FAV -NOFERIN

I wanted to plug Candy and Nicho of NOFERIN really quick.

I cannot tell you how much I love these two! Jensen makes fun of me because I chant their name on IM everyday. Seriously that's a true story. Yes, I'm a dork.

Look at this...





Those are pics from their last solo show in Australia. How cool is that? They decorated the gallery to look like a forest! And, not only do they create flawless paintings that are playful and fun and genuine, they also happen to be the two nicest people on the planet. Check em out here.

And yes, we are working with them, obviously. How could I not work with people I love that much? (Paper Pushers) The fact that plugging them in turn promotes the gallery shouldn't discredit my feelings about them. I truly do love them.

Ok, so now on to gallery news...

The beautiful "Candy Colored Clown" print by Nathan Ota was released today and there are still a few copies left. Hurry! These prints truly look amazing, as they're printed with archival ink on Somerset Velvet paper.



Nathan Ota
"Candy Colored Clown"
11 x 14 inches
edition of 50, each hand signed and numbered by the artist
giclee print on Somerset Velvet paper with archival ink
$100.00 each

Call (323) 937-7088 to pick one up!

Katie
G1988 San Francisco

Top That!

I want to thank everyone who came out last night to see me give the ole' heev-ho to my alter-ego, as I had an amazing time and was stoked at the turn out. Make sure you don't miss our next performance on Novem...I'm joking. It's dead. But what a way to go out.

But truthfully, as good as I feel I did...I could never beat this...



Again, thank you to everyone who attended.

Jensen
G1988: LA

PAPER SHOW

One of my favorite shows is coming back and this year it's in SF!

PAPER PUSHERS!!

We have a great lineup this year, a handful of brand new names and a few G1988 alumns...

Aaron Jasinski
Abram Makowka
Alberto Cerriteno
Allison Sommers
Andrew Wilson
BoringBot
Brandi Milne
Brian Kesling
Cherri Wood
Dylan Sisson
Elizabeth Ito
Emma Overman
Erik Alos
Fuco Ueda
Fumi Minnie Nakamura
gaNyan
Gem Mateo
Isaac Pierro
Jeff McMillan
Jen Lobo
Johnny Siu
Joshua Ellingson
Leecifer
Marikina
Matt Dangler
Matthew Feyld
Noferin
Nome Edonna
Patrick Gannon
Paul Barnes
Peter Taylor
Phoneticontrol
Reuben Rude
Rick Reese
Scott Campbell
Skaffa
Stuter
Wade Schin
Yosuke Ueno

Since the show features all works on paper, it's a great time to find some affordable work by your favorite artists! Wooooooooooooooo!

I'll stop talking now and show you pics (you lucky blog readers!)...



Coming October 30th, 2007 - G1988 San Francisco! Be there.

Katie
G1988 SF

Crazy 4 Doing This....

It's that time again....the new CRAZY4CULT.com print release is on Oct. 24, Wednesday, at Noon PST. And here that puppy is...



Nathan Ota
"Candy Colored Clown"
11 x 14 inches
edition of 50, each hand signed and numbered by the artist
giclee print on fine art archival paper
$100.00 each

Besides being inspired by one of my David Lynch favs, Nathan's piece was one of the most admired from the Crazy 4 Cult show back in July. The print is perfect. Katie, who does our printing up in SF, nailed this one! I definately reccomend picking this one up! All the info is on CRAZY4CULT.com, but you all know to call either the LA or SF gallery on the 24th at Noon PST. Right?

And don't forget...



Yes, that's me and that's what I used to. And I'm doing it one last time!



It's going to be a lot of fun...and yes, my Mom will be involved in the stage show. We practiced last night and let's just say...I don't think it was enough practice. OH, and remember....it's all in celebration of my new book (with bandmember Matty Boom) called "Just Can't Get Enough" from Abrams now available on Amazon.com. We'll also have some at the show. I really would love to see you there. We go on around 10ish.

Mazel Tov.

Jensen
G1988: LA

BUGG vs. MIN PIN

I know you're all dying to know about Benjamin and Finn's blind date in LA last weekend. Here are some pics...





There was some growling, teeth-barring and then forced separation.

All in all it was rather uneventful. It doesn't look like these two are going to be best buddies.

Katie
G1988 San Francisco

Party, Party, Party

So, for those who don't know, before Katie and I opened the gallery in 2004 I was in a rap group (YES, a rap group) called Hot Karl and we were signed to Interscope Records and EMI Publishing. I had won a daily radio rap battle for a record 45 days here in LA, and was then met with a handful of record label offers. What started as a joke (I called into the radio station on the way home from a college internship and made up "Hot Karl" literally at the last minute) became a SERIOUS payday, which was always VERY weird. We worked with Kanye West, Redman, Mya, Fabolous, Black Eyed Peas, Sugar Ray and DJ Clue, were featured on the video game NBA Live (where I was a secret character), opened up for heroes of mine (Kool Moe Dee, Slick Rick, Phife Dog, Big Daddy Kane, etc.) and just altogether had a good time. I ended up releasing a CD in 2005 called "The Great Escape," when I had already left Interscope, at a label called Headless Heroes. Truth is, I didn't really want to rap anymore (as seen in the title). I had been through a pretty serious affair in the biz and was ready to move on, but I also wanted to see a CD in the stores that meant something to me. And that was it.

We did a small run to promote the album, but our hearts weren't in it - and we knew it. And those were our last shows. I have since focused 100% on the gallery, while the two other members of the group have went on to grow up as well. Matty Boom has co-written a script with Ricky Gervais called "The Other Side Of The Truth" which he will co-direct with the British icon (who will star in it) and Sancho, our DJ, is married, a house owner and making a great living promoting other music acts online. All growns up.

Which brings me to two different things....



Matty Boom and I have written a book called "Just Can't Get Enough" from Abrams Publishing, which you can get anywhere, including Amazon.com and Urban Outfitters in November. If you like the writing here on the blog (and want to see what Ricky Gervais likes so much from Matty) you should pick it up. It's a book (made to be a Trapper Keeper) that chronicles photos of 80's toys and essays from us about our memories. I think you'll think it's funny, as we wax poetic on Lite Brite, Madballs, M.U.S.C.L.E. Men, Rainbow Brite, the 6 foot G.I. Joe aircraft carrier and many other delights from the 80's. It's a good read and would like to know what you think for sure.

AAAAANNNNDDDD...

We're having a release party for the book this Friday, October 19th.



Yes, we will perform as a group for the last time ever, and you will see something you probably can't even imagine in your head - me rapping. All in the name of the new book! It's a free show at the Terrace Restaurant in Pasadena. The doors open at 9, which means we'll most likely go on at 10ish. I promise you it will be a fun time, and if you ever thought to yourself, "Jensen used to rap? That is so odd." Well, this will be the last chance to actually see this weird attribute and my former life.

I hope to see all of you there.

Jensen
G1988: LA

NOBODY is all that Scar3d anymore.

So I can rattle off at the mouth now, as I was mostly hiding a lot of my excitement for Greg Craola Simkins' solo show until it debuted, but YES, there were two paintings clocking in over 5 feet and just totally mind bending art work in this show. We sold the entire show out in about 40 minutes, and that's only because we have two phone lines, and two people working sales. If we had 22 phone lines, basically one line per piece, we would've sold out in 22 seconds. All the work is now posted on our regular 1988 website, although Ronnie Pirovino's online report has better pics over there (which you can see by "clicking HERE."but here are party pics - as it was mobbed like an OJ Simpson hotel room.

The obligatory crowd shots...













And all those odd things Greg was bringing in all week made for a pretty sweet window installation, incorporating elements found in all of Greg's paintings, and also spelling out "I'M SCARED" in carved white pumpkins.











The men of the hour - Simkins and the current 1988: SF curator Anthony Ausgang get their "3rd grade best friends pose" on"



This is the toughest looking gang I have ever seen. I like to call them "My Chemical Romance Crips"



Father Craola was VERY happy for his son, as Craola will be for Lil' Monsta at his second 1988 solo in 2028.



The new canvas giclee print sold out, as there were only 25 - hand signed and numbered, at $500 each. Some peeps got them signed twice, one for each tentacle.



The Simkins Trio in front of the Baron.



Pics of the gallery and wall installtions.







An in-action, behind the scenes shot, of Greg carving away at pumpkins...did you know they make electric pumpkin carvers?



The Leece fam, proud owners of the Greg's largest piece, Winter's Knight, over 6 feet tall!



AND over at Golden Apple Comics today, they had an insanely dope (insanely dope = nerdy to the point we shouldn't have girlfriends) signing today. To celebrate the new Treehouse Of Horror Simpsons comic book, they had writers and cartoonists from the Simpsons comic in store. AND two of the writers of said issue are Patton Oswalt (Comedians of Comedy, Ratatouille, etc.) and Thomas Lennon (Reno 911!, The State, etc.). I am a VERY big Reno 911! fan, so seeing these two guys (Patton plays a D&D dweeb reocurring on the show) was something I was really looking forward to for weeks.









Man, love Thomas Lennon.

Anyway, thanks to all who came out last night and a serious shout to Jenn, Greg, Isaac, George and the whole Simkins clan for an amazing night, and a show we won't soon forget (until next year because ideas are already flowing!)

Jensen
G1988: LA

Craola Installation - DAY THREE - Live Blogging

Day Three brings creativity galore. Greg is putting together a window display (hence those bags I was confused about) and it's really dope (is "dope" still cool to say? Actually, is "cool" still cool to say?). This show is AMAZING and I really can't say enough about Greg's new work. Absolutely breathtaking and setting a standard for artists in his peer group (now I know I'm not cool, I said "peer group.") Here are some pics...





Worst part of owning a gallery? Window stickers. I really seem to be the worst at it, but with Greg's help - all is easier.



TA-DAAAAA!



Emily from StrangeCo stopped in and held Greg's baby, Isaac. YES, he's spitting up as I took the picture. But you probably didn't notice that, because you're looking at those ink pieces, huh?

We leaked three paintings, two on vinylpulse.com and one on Juxtapoz.com, so find those, as I'm just to lazy to photobucket them.

Until later...

Jensen
G1988: LA