The Artwork of Ted Larsen.

While on a recent trip I was able to pay a visit to Ted Larsen's studio and see his works in progress. I was introduced to his art a few years back at the Affordable Art Fair in New York. He was represented by Madelyn Jordon in Scarsdale.

I am attracted to the raw nature of his work. Ted works in recycled steel from old cars, trucks and road signs. His work has been pared down into its most basic forms so the viewer can take away an experience based on what they see in the work. I love it because, for me, it has elements of Americana from the 50's and 60's. The automobiles and neon roadside signs employ much of these colors. The weathered nature of the steel tells a story of time and history. His compositions have a Richard Diebenkorn "Ocean Park" feel to them.

The construction of his work recalls an age before industrialized machinery and he intends to bring the human aspect back into the process. His machines are all set up to aid in his quest.

It was a great honor to get to meet Ted, see his studio and new work and get to talk art.

You can see more of his work here, here, and here.

New Skateboard Graphics Book by J. Namdev Hardisty

I have some artwork in a new book titled "New Skateboard Graphics" by J. Namdev Hardisty and published by Mark Batty. The book features some great skateboard artwork done by the big names Don Pendleton, Ed Templeton, Dave Kinsey, Kimou Meyer, Eli Gesner, Mark Gonzales and Mark Nardelli. The book has a foreword by Michael Leon. It is definitely worth checking out and you can order it here.

Thanks to Steve R at 5Boro for pushing my artwork.

Check out the publishers website here.

Photorealistic Americana artwork of Gordon Inyard.

I was recently introduced to the photorealistic paintings of Gordon Inyard at Peterson-Cody Gallery in Santa Fe and I feel the need to write about this incredible artist. Like myself, Gordon focuses on the icons of America that are quickly vanishing, from rusted neon motel signs and tin advertisements to roadside diners and abandoned gas stations. Inyard's attention to detail is precise and beautiful. His idea is to preserve these Americana icons through photographs taken in his travels and then translate them into paintings.

You can see more of his work here and here.


"Pineland"


"Pat's Diner"


"Pal"


"Vintage Diner"


"Hillside Motel"


"Arrow Motel"


"Airport Motel"

Art opening with Jeff Schaller at Mark Gallery, Englewood, NJ

I have a show opening on Thursday, March 26, 2009 with Jeff Schaller at Mark Gallery in Englewood, NJ. The show is titled "America: Lost and Found" and will feature new works by both Jeff and myself. We will both be attending the opening which runs from 6-8PM and the gallery is located at 11 Grand Avenue, Englewood, NJ. Please come by and see our newest work!

You can see more of Jeff's work here.


"Where the action is" 36" x 60"


"Set Your Standard High" 48" x 36"


"One For The Road" 36" x 60"


"Great American Spirit" 36" x 48"


"Fabulous Foursome" 30" x 40"


"The SHiny Future" 48" x 36"


"WOW" 36" x 36"


"Where There's Action" 36" x 36"

RIP Frontier Motel, Flagstaff, Arizona.

I am sad to add another classic neon motel sign to the RIP list. It seems that the Frontier Motel on Historic Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona is the latest casualty of demolition. I am not sure if the sign was saved somewhere for restoration but this is just another example of the homogenization of America.




Night shot from flickr user Куртис Перри.

Brandon McLean solo art show at Forty7 in Orlando, Florida.

My buddy, Brandon McLean will be having an art opening for his solo show at Forty7 in Orlando, Florida. The title of the show is "Installment" and the opening will be Thursday, March 19, 2009 from 6-10PM.

If you are in the Orlando area stop by and check out his newest work! Here is a sneak preview of a few of the pieces.

You can see more of Brandon's work here and here.

Peter Blake Gallery art opening for "There Here".

I am currently in a group show at Peter Blake Gallery in Laguna Beach, CA titled "There Here". The opening reception was March 5, 2009.

So much of what draws a viewer into a painting is the "sense of place" that the artist creates. We are reminded of our childhood home, cities we have traveled to, a particular sunset, and how the look of a landscape can remain with us for years. Each of the artists featured in the upcoming exhibit THERE HERE are masters of atmosphere and place, creating vistas that will draw you in and keep you there.

Please go check out the show as it features some great artists including Matt Condron, Jorg Dubin, Robert Ginder, Donnie Molls, Jeff Peters and many more.

You can see the gallery website here.


Robert Ginder



Matt Condron


Donnie Molls


Christopher Murphy


Jennifer Shaw


Robert Mars SOLD


Robert Porte


Jeff Peters


Jorg Dubin

Art Modern Gallery Island Contemporary art opening March 21, 2009.

I will be in a group show represented by Art Modern Gallery which will be held on Captiva Island, Florida. The opening will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2009 from 6-8PM at the Captiva Civic Center Hall. A portion of the sales will benefit the CCA Foundation.

Other artists in the show include Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, James Rosenquist and Stella Farwell.

The artwork of Faile, Brooklyn, NY.

Faile is an art collective out of Brooklyn that have been making amazing art together for years. Their work transcends street art and has evolved into beautiful fine art pieces that have their roots in the streets of New York. They blend amazing font work, illustration and street art in a way that imitates life and incidental art that is all over the urban landscape from wheat pasted advertisements to graffiti.

Failes newest work has once again elevated them to new heights. They are taking their aesthetic and carving it out of solid wood blocks. It is simply beautiful.

You can see their work here, here and here.

"My best friend's girl" movie set artwork.

A few years back my Boston gallery, Kidder Smith, lent a few of my paintings for a Jason Biggs/Kate Hudson film. Melody Postma recently e mailed me that she saw them in the film and so here are film stills. It was not the best film I've ever seen but interesting to see my artwork on screen.