This post is because I love Jenny Morgan, screen shots, and New York Magazine...

Dear Jenny Morgan, you sure are a looker! Like the Spice would like to congratulate the lovely Jenny Morgan on her work being featured in the most recent issue of New York Magazine. That's right, her latest work is all over page 124 and it's just gorgeous. The front of the issue is black and white with the words "Who Runs New York?" You know, I figured that I would give you a visual just in case you wanted to go out and buy 4 or 5 copies for yourself. Jenny was approached to do a portrait of New York socialite and fashion icon, Lauren Santo Domingo and the above image is the end result. Pretty sure Rachel Zoe would definitely find it hard not to direct an "I die!" toward this piece; it is stunning.


That's right, lower left corner of the above screen shot: "Painting by Jenny Morgan." How cool is that? Congratulations to Jenny, and to the rest of you, it's time to buy your own copy!

In the words of Tyra Banks: You wanna be on top?

Well, we don't know about you all, but we here at Like the Spice seem to be experiencing the euphoric rush of feeling on top of the world. Curious about my Tyra Banks reference? (It's from America's Next Top Model, btw.) Curious also about the above screen capture? Might I tell you a bit about it? Well, it just so happens that Like the Spice was put on NYC Go's list of must see galleries. Great news huh? We are honored to be listed with many of the well established New York galleries that we have so admired over the years. The article describes Williamsburg as "a hotbed of hipness and home to many of the City's bands, performers and visual artists," what a cool place! They talk about our monthly dinner series and the prime location. We now are officially cool. And if the official guide to New York says that our dinners are delightful then maybe, if you haven't already taken our word for it, you should sign up for our next one featuring Chino Amobi: RSVP to "Cravings"! To read the full For Art's Sake: NYC Gallery Guide click here. Many thanks to "the official guide to New York City" for the positive acknowledgment!

Treasure Frey Sparkles at Artist's Dinner! Puns on Her Name Never Get Old!!

Though the silverware and wine glasses sparkled brightly at the latest instantiation of Like the Spice’s Artist’s Dinners, the delightful table was ultimately out-shown by artist Treasure Frey and her work. Guests started showing up around eight and were met with Frey’s colorful mixed-media pieces and a glass of Sangria. After getting to linger on each work and talk with the artist, everyone sat down and the intimate evening began in earnest.
Frey spoke eloquently about her work and her career. She discussed the evolution of her art as well as the differences between working in New York and L.A.. After the talk, everyone savored a delicious meal catered by the buzz-worthy new local restaurant Traif. The conversation flowed all throughout dinner, dessert, and last glasses of wine as guests discussed Frey’s work and art more generally. The evening was a huge success. Even the public speaking-shy Frey admitted to having a marvelous time!

Gallery-goers Agree! Treasure Frey's Show a Gem!

The weather was crisp as if to announce the momentous fall season that began in galleries all over Williamsburg last week. Here at Like The Spice we couldn’t wait to open the doors to L.A.-based artist Treasure Frey’s first NY solo exhibition, Shards. The streets were buzzing with gallery-goers anxious to check out the latest like Ran Ortner’s paintings at Causey Contemporary, Stephen Mallon’s photographs at Front Room, and Patrick Martinez’s video installation at Parker’s Box. Like the Spice was hopping with people anxious to see Shards. Guests schmoozed, drank wine, and examined Frey’s meticulously executed, colorful and dynamic collages. The artists, friends, and art-appreciators in attendance admired the work and got a chance to meet the artist herself.

Shards consists of new multi-media works. Frey uses gouache, tape, and acrylic paint to create layers that suggest three-dimensional forms. Her work vacillates between the geometric and the organic, the abstract and the figurative. It is delicate with a Modernist edge. Frey uses clusters and crystalline constructions to evoke different natural forms that in some works seem stable and in others threaten to dissolve or explode into chaos.

Whether people came to Like the Spice explicitly to see Shards or were simply drawn in from their general exploration of all the art events happening in the neighborhood, everyone had a good word to say about the work. The adorable Frey was beaming throughout the night and for good reason: people couldn’t stop complimenting the show! Shards is up at Like the Spice until October 10th. Be sure to RSVP on our website for the next instance of our Monthly Dinner Series on September 24th featuring Treasure Frey!

A Sudden Rush...

Yes it was a bit damp, and yes, some of us were in flip flops as if we believed being ill equipped would fend off the rain, but in spite of the weather the unveiling of Rachel Beach's first outdoor sculpture, Gold Rush, at the opening of the Emerging Artist Fellowship Exhibition was a grand success. There were quite a lot of people there exploring the beautiful grounds of the Socrates Sculpture Park and taking in the local flora while admiring all of the pieces in the show. It's clear from one lap around the amount of labor, time, and dedication that all of the fellows put into this occasion and Like the Spice would like to offer a rousing applause. It is definitely something to see, rain or no. Rachel's piece is just spectacular, tall and delicate at some angles, and then massive and towering from others. At times the illusion changes and the piece goes from being a compilation of many beams to being a structure consisting of just one or two vertical pieces. Yes, ladies and gents, it transforms! And now, for all of you patiently awaiting a peek at Rachel's newest piece here it is....Whooshhhhh!!

I know, I know, it's cloudy and dark and maybe not entirely in focus but doesn't it remind you of one of those paparazzi shots? It does! Well, that is because Gold Rush is the newest celebrity in town. With its breathtaking height and the way it literally changes shape and form and becomes something totally different as you walk around it and interact with it makes it our new favorite attraction. Want an autograph? Great, go to the Socrates Sculpture Park which is only a hop, skip, and jump away (or, if you are me it's the N Train to the Broadway stop in Queens). Hope to see you there soon!

Classical Greek Philosopher, or Kick Ass Sculpture Park?

Yup, we're going to have to go with "Kick Ass Sculpture Park". That's right ladies and gents, Socrates Sculpture Park is one of the coolest places in NYC and will now be even cooler because Rachel Beach has just completed her first outdoor sculpture and it will be unveiled in all of its glory at the Emerging Artist Fellowship Exhibition opening on Sunday, September 12th. This is such a wonderful opportunity to see one of our own in the context of this GORGEOUS fall weather. Just think about it, the chance to be outside and take in an educational and aesthetically stimulating day of sculpture and the outdoors without sweating buckets? I know, it sounds amazing to me.


Now, you may or may not be familiar with Rachel Beach's sculpture (shame on you if you are not), but they are just spectacular; situated firmly in the border between sculpture and painting, illusion and reality, masculine and feminine, representation, abstraction and decoration, her work is crafted around cultural and biological limits. By playing painted illusion against sculptural reality each sculpture/painting creates a crisis of perception, an irresolvable tension between what you see and what is possible. Now think about this on a large scale, I mean huge. I am talking about something that incorporates all of the above elements but with a type of weight and illusion never seen before in her work. Exciting, right? So go and check it out this Sunday, September 12th from 2-6 rain or shine!!

Want to learn more about the park? Socrates Sculpture Park is the only site in the New York Metropolitan area specifically dedicated to providing artists with opportunities to create and exhibit large-scale work in a unique environment that encourages strong interaction between artists, artworks and the public. The Park's existence is based on the belief that reclamation, revitalization and creative expression are essential to the survival, humanity and improvement of our urban environment.

"PREGNANCY PACT," and other stories by Chino Amobi...

"PREGNANCY PACT" is the large brand new name of Chino Amobi's first solo show here at Like the Spice and we are just so excited that we could not wait to tell you about it! The show opens on October 8th from 6:30-10pm and will be open until November 7th. Chino invites us to follow his melody as it resonates through color and shape. His multimedia work puts figure traditions beneath the gloss of our digital age, with the mix of layers and tones becoming what he defines as "hot media", and, ultimately, carrying the viewer along behind his piping tune. We have often been checking in with him as he works away in Virginia and what we have seem and heard thus far leaves us wanting for more. Oh, and don't forget our monthly artist dinners! For those of you who were able to join us for Figure Ates, the dinner for Marked, you know that Chino is one of the most captivating speakers we have had thus far. Not only is he eloquent, but his voice is as smooth as the glossy coating on some his pieces. I'm serious about this folks, not one to be missed...