Brian Kirhagis

I've had the pleasure of showing the artwork of Brian Kirhagis a few years back in one of my first group shows. Today I added the artwork of Brian Kirhagis at PLUSH a post audio production company I consult and sell artwork out of.

Brian Kirhagis was born in Baltimore, MD(1983), and from the very first time he picked up a pencil, he knew he wanted to be an artist.

Later on however, with only one high school art class under his belt, Brian decided to pursue a degree in graphic/web design at Hofstra University. He decided that the screen was a better career option than canvas at the time.

After graduation, BK founded Brikwork Studios, a full service graphic/web design company. Designer by day and artist by night, he is constantly in the studio perfecting his craft. Largely self taught, his raw uncut style has established BK as one of NY's most exciting young artists.
His has exhibited in NYC, Queens, Brooklyn, and Southampton, and there is a permanent exhibition of his paintings at Velour Lounge in Chelsea, where he holds live, interactive painting events once a month. His work was recently featured on MTV's "Spring Break 2010".

BK has been commissioned by Steiner Sports Memorabilia, The Darryl Strawberry Foundation, Legendary Bunger Surf Shop, and Prohibit Clothing NYC. His work is included in numerous private and corporate collections, including Bert Padell, Ahmad Bradshaw of the NY Giants, and Joba Chamberlain of the Yankees.

Keith Haring In Long Island (Part 2)

Permanent Murals & Sculpture Commission
Schneider Children’s Hospital Now Known As The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York
New Hyde Park, NY

Keith Haring In Long Island (Part 1)

My friend Jordan Gilels works for North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital and on her way to a meeting she passed a Keith Haring sculpture outside. After work she contacts me and tells me what she saw at work. Right away I told her to take photos of the sculpture. It turns out Keith Haring was commissioned by the hospital and there was more artwork in the building.

Permanent Murals & Sculpture Commission
Schneider Children’s Hospital Now Known As The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York
New Hyde Park, NY

Jordan thanks for the info and photos!

Damon Ginandes

Andy Warhol: The Last Decade

New York Senior Art Critic Jerry Saltz tours the Brooklyn Museum's new Warhol exhibit.

TODD SCHORR

Another great interview from Hurley featuring artist Todd Schorr. Schorr is best known for his immaculately rendered oil paintings with featuring characters that often have historical signifigance.

From his own site: “Like any artist of worth, it took many long years of struggle and investigative thought along with trial and error as well as constant honing of technique to reach the point where I felt I had created a language which, when spoken well, would command some semblance of purpose. I work in what is best described as a surreal style but filtered through the mind and eyes of what is, for better or worse, uniquely American.”

ELECTRIC WINDOWS 2010

On Saturday July 31st 2010, 24 artists will converge in Beacon, NY to create live artwork and have their work installed on the exterior of a 19th century factory building. Electric Windows draws its name from the former electric blanket factory at the foot of Mount Beacon that will act as the backdrop for the event.

In addition to the live art and installation this year’s event includes 2 aditional Installation sites, 9 live music acts, food Vendors, dancing by M*POWER ELITE TEAM, and live screen printing by Buxtonia. This is an event not to be missed!

Electricwindowsbeacon.com/

A Hidden Gem In Brooklyn (Damon Ginandes)

The other night driving home from an art show I made my friend take a short cut through Red Hook,Bklyn since the BQE was jammed up. We made a right and passed this house posted with street art. I yelled stop! Reverse the car! I jumped out and took these photos. Enjoy!

Kevin Peterson

ART ASYLUM BOSTON just recently signed Kevin Peterson to their impressive roster of artists.Kevin's work is about the varied journeys we take through life. It's about growing up and living in a world that is broken. These paintings are about trauma; fear and loneliness, and the strength that it takes to survive and thrive. For more info and artwork on Kevin Peterson you can go to www.artasylumboston.com

GRAND OPENING OF MIGUEL PAREDES STUDIO

“Grand Opening of Paredes Fine Arts Studio in the Wynwood Arts District, FL
Date: August 14, 2010 during Wynwood’s 2nd Saturday Art Walk
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Location: 2311 NW 2nd Ave. Miami, FL. 33127

Rick Midler

I met Rick Midler several months ago at one of his shows in Brooklyn,NY.I was really impressed with his work. We've spoken several times since then about him exhibiting in one of my shows.I now have the pleasure of calling Rick Midler my friend.

RicK MIDLER is an Emmy Award-winning ARTIST, writer and director. His artwork has been collected and sold in a number of solo exhibits and group shows including Clover’s Fine Arts in Brooklyn, NY and The Hive in Los Angeles, CA. His illustrations and creative guidance brought the M&M’s characters to life and brought personality and street-cred to the Cingular Jack. In fact, Rick was responsible for the writing and art-direction of some of the most famous and successful advertising campaigns in the last decade. His work as a Creative Director for Snickers, Skittles, FedEx and HBO has won awards at the Andy’s, Addy’s, Clio’s, London Festival, the Mercury’s and at Cannes. Midler has been published in Insight Magazine, Creativity Magazine, Shoot, The One Show and Communication Arts. In addition, Rick is an Emmy Award-winning film-maker and a musician/songwriter with his band The Bulletproof Lincolns. He is currently illustrating a children’s book about New York City. He lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with Samara and son Jude The Dude.

For more info visit www.rickmidler.net or contact info@rickmidler.net.

BILLI KID M.I.A

A brand new video by Carlito Brigante hits Spin Magazine this week. It features Billi Kid's portrait of M.I.A. that will also hit the newsstands this week. Billi Kid also has a M.I.A. piece in my current art show Graffolution exhibiting @ Soapstone Gallery 11 W 36 st. btwn 5th and 6th ave. 5th fl NYC 10018. On going exhibition July 15 - August 15,2010. For info call 718-593-9059.

Billi Kid/M.I.A. video for SPIN magazine from Charles le Brigand on Vimeo.

GRAFFOLUTION

The evolution of graffiti and street art...

As contemporary art continues to move towards the mainstream, art fans seem to be falling over themselves to level more and more criticism at it, from the commercial nature of some of the YBA alumni to “street artists” selling out, there seems to be a wave of negativity from both the art establishment and enthusiasts. However, one of the great things that is often overlooked about the rise of contemporary art is the accessibility it offers the average person who wouldn’t usually engage with high art, and never enter an art gallery.

As a result we have seen many great shows across the globe over the last few years, and not just in the major cities, many provincial towns have had a look in too. The most notable of these was the amazing Banksy Summer Show at the Bristol Museum, which saw people waiting for over 3 hours to gain access, but many small local galleries are also putting on impressive shows of their own.

The latest of these is "Graffolution" to be held at SoapStone Art Gallery in New York City. Billed as a graffiti and street art show it contains some of the biggest names in the art scene such as Josh Goldstein,Toofly, 2EASAE and SKI or UR New York, but also well known contemporary artists such as Fumero and Ellis G. Also included in the exhibition is an impressive line up Sane2, Matt Siren, SLAVE,Joe Russo, Peat Wollager, GiGI Bio, Veng (RWK) and many more. Check out the exhibition if your in NY City this month July 15th - August 15th. Soapstone Gallery 11 W 36th st. btwn 5th and 6th ave. 5th fl,NYC. FOR INFO CALL 718-593-9059 OR 917-576-5952....This is a must visit.