Conor Byrne Show Up now until 7/10/09

"Nothing in Common Bonds"
18x24"
Oil on canvas

"The Friend"
18x24"
Oil on canvas

"Cold Shoulder to the Cold Blooded"
36x48"
Oil on Canvas

Here are the three new pieces on exhibit at Conor Byrne in Ballard. My show will be up through July 10th. Conor Byrne is a great Irish Pub in Historical Ballard. It's one of those last few places in Ballard where you can relax with a pint of cider on tap and not get poked by raucous frat boys. There's great live music too! I have to say, it's really a great setting for this group of paintings too. I've sold four pieces so far, but there are still some left. I won't be having another show for awhile so if you're interested in buying your own this is the time to do it. 50% of all sales will go to the Larry Sommers Art Fellowship too.

Larry Sommers Memorial

Today is the Memorial to celebrate the life of friend, teacher, union leader and colleague Larry Sommers who died on April 2, 2009. Since August of 1985 Larry was the Printmaking Tech and Health and Safety Coordinator for the UW School of Art. He was also active in SEIU 925, the Seattle Print Arts, the Book Arts Guild and taught Papermaking during the summer. His contribution to artists, both emerging and established was profound. He was much more than a teacher to his students; he was a guiding light who's passion for Teaching, knowledge of Art and wisdom of Life was immeasurable. He will be sorely missed.

The Memorial for Larry Sommers is Today, May 29th from 6-9pm at: The Tashiro Kaplan Building in Pioneer Square
310 South Washington St.
Seattle, WA
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Seattle&state=WA&address=310+So.+Washington+St.&zipcode=98104
A collection of Larry's artwork will be on display and for sale.

A Fellowship has also been created in Larry's name sponsored by the Seattle Print Arts. To donate to the Larry Sommers Art Fellowship and to help sustain the legacy of support to artists that Larry gave to generations of artists while he was alive you can contribute by visiting the Seattle Print Arts website: www.seattleprintarts.org and clicking the donate/join tab.

Spacecraft Art Show

The new Spacecraft Gallery Sticker sheets come out Friday!
The release party will be this Friday, May 22nd at Spacecraft Headquarters from 5-10pm:
227 9th Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109

One of my paintings was chosen for the sheet, but I don't know which one, so I'm going to find out.

Also, this year, there will be a silent auction of framed gallery-sheet art (I'm not sure if they're originals, or prints). All proceeds will go towards The Bali School Fund For Kids.

Hope to see you tomorrow night, there will be live music, photo booth action, drinks and lots of art!

June Ballard Art Walk Show

"The Near Impossibility of Getting it Right the First Time"

Oil on canvas

54"x60"

A selection of my oil paintings, including 2 new pieces will be featured in the June Ballard Art Walk at Coner Byrne Pub.  The opening reception is Saturday, June 13th from 6-9pm and will run until July 10th.

Coner Byrne Pub

conorbyrnepub.com

5140 Ballard Ave. NW

Seattle, WA 98107

206/784-3640

Curated by Kellie Talbot.

In Loving Memory of Larry Sommers

In loving memory of Larry Sommers August 17th, 1953 - to April 2, 2009

It is with a very heavy heart to say goodbye to one of the best people I've ever known, Larry Sommers.  I'm still having a hard time accepting that this has happened.  Larry passed away Thursday night after complications from a heart attack that he had while in Chicago for a Printmaking conference.  This is shocking and devastating.  It comes as a surprise to us all who knew Larry as the free spirit, selfless, optimistically cynical, easy to laugh,  solid as rock, uniting force, thoughtful and inspiring person that we all loved.  He was so full of life and always up for an adventure.  I feel so lucky to have had Larry in my life and will always cherish the memories we made and the influence he's had on me.

Larry has been apart of my life for close to 13 years.  He has been my teacher, my confidante, my friend, and family.  Every time I see a white mini van, Joan of Arc monument, a Canadian flag, a SEIU sticker, hear French techno or Avril Lavigne, go to the Moon Temple, see the big Cherry tree in my backyard that he always said I should cut down because "cherry tress shouldn't get that big!" or even writing in this Blog, which he always argued "is not the same as a website!" I will smile and remember Larry and his sense of humor.  Larry, Larry Larry.  I'll miss you forever!  This is a time to celebrate his life though, I know Larry wouldn't want us to all be moping around with long faces.  He'd want us to act!  To join the Union and fight the good fight!  It will be hard to face the day without someone like Larry on your team though.  He made everything lighter and easier to bare.  His presence was comforting.  He was the glue that held things together!  His memory will never be lost though, and I take comfort in knowing that he knew how much he was loved, and how much his friendship was cherished to so many people.  

Gimme Baby Robots - SEATTLE 12/18/08

It never snows in Seattle... until the morning of the Gimme Baby Robots show!  We woke up to about 4 inches of snow in the city, which turned into a big solid ice cube by about 7pm.  We were debating on how many (or few) people would make it out, and were blown away by the number of people who braved the elements to partake in Seattle's first ever G.B.R.!  About 60-70 people blazed Seattle G.B.R. trail, and let me just say that they raised the bar.  Their enthusiasm could not be dampened by ice or snow, they came and conquered.  It was nearly a sold-out show, and people were bidding with purpose.  They were upping the bids by 5 -10 dollars at a time, and the local art represented was insane!  Some of our local talent that participated were Kellie Talbot, Stefan Hofmann, Ryan Davis, Larry Sommers, Sean Genovese, Mike Yoshida, Jesse Burtner,  Noah Overby, Joan Swearingen, Chad Johnston, Eric Mead, Andrius Simutis; so much awesomeness and inspiration, I just could go on and on.  I'm still brimming with the excitement of it.

Big thanks to Shanna and Peter, Chris Knight and his mom Linda, and Eric Mead for helping hang the show.  David Teng Olsen for giving birth to the G.B.R. idea and paving its way to Seattle.  To Justin Donahue and Gorio and everyone who helped out at EVO for hosting and making it happen.  To Pyramid Ale for the keg of delicious free beer.  And especially to everyone who came out in the ice storm to bid on Baby Robots!  See you next year! 

How the Mighty Have Fallen

"How the Mighty Have Fallen"

5 1/2 x 5 1/2"

Watercolor and pen on paper

Sold

One of my "Baby Robots" for the Seattle show. It's kind of different from my normal work, that's the fun thing about the show, you can let loose. Get your bid on! December 18th at EVO!