On Friday, February 11th 2011, Jason Bard Yarmosky had his first solo show with us at Like the Spice you will be happy to know it was amazing! We had a full house Friday night which might have been due to the plethora of great press that Jason has received. The Huffington Post referred to Yarmosky's work as "totally endearing", Trend Hunter thinks Yarmosky is "surprisingly insightful and delightful" and Cool Hunting said "intriguing" with "raw sincerity". I 'm sold!
Yarmosky's work makes the viewer want to get up close and personal. His nearly life-size humorous portraits of his grandparents hold so much detail it seems as they are in the room with me right now. Fun surprises such as toy guns, cowboy hats, leather vests, bunny ears, and tutus compelled the crowds to study each one. His grandparents seem to stare, fixed on us from their drastically lit rooms. His smaller scale graphite drawings so intense, I have a hard time looking away. Paper and String explained it best by saying "they are stunningly life-like and show an extremely mature, dexterous hand".
The crowd was buzzing with chatter over Yarmosky's "Elder Kinder", which features his two wonderful Brooklyn born Grandparents in an array of costumes that make your inner child laugh out loud. Everyone wanted to meet Jason's grandparents, and yes they are just as lovely in person as they are on canvas. The L magazine agrees that Jason was blessed with the "Coolest grandparents ever!", if you had met them you would most definitely agree. 
Jason Bard Yarmosky was more than happy to walk the crowds of people through the exhibition. Jason's charisma kept the Gallery- goers, young and old alike, educated and entertained.
All- in -all it was a great turnout and a another great opening for us here at Like the Spice. 
If you missed Jason Bard Yarmosky's opening show this Friday it will be up at Like the Spice through Sunday March 6th, 2011. It's definitely worth taking a closer look and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face so come through!
Some of Jason's works are still available for sale (unfortunately his grandparents are not, trust me I inquired), a list of pieces still available can be found here. if you require further information email Marisa at marisa@likethespice.com
Please join us for our Monthly Artist Dinner with Jason Bard Yarmosky "Senior Prom" on February 25th 2011 at 8pm catered by Gite. Your RSVP to the event is required here.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Grandparents not for sale: a success story!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Coming up in February...
We know, we know, January isn't even over yet and we're zeroing in on February already. Well, it's just because we are so darn excited! We have such a beautiful January show up right now, it's true, "You Make Me Warm" definitely heated up January even on the coldest of nights, but what's the harm in making sure that everyone has something just as beautiful to look at when February comes? February 11th from 6:30pm-9:00pm we will be celebrating the opening for Jason Bard Yarmosky's first gallery solo show, "Elder Kinder", click here for the full press release. Jason has been working extremely hard on the works for this upcoming show which addresses the innocence at both ends of the generational spectrum. Yarmosky recruits his eager Brooklyn-born grandparents, two models very close to him, to pose in an assortment of playful costumes. 
Whimsical yet grounded in their age, each portrait finds a balance between vulnerability, empowerment, and pride. Using multiple layers of oil paint, Yarmosky employs dramatic lighting to create depth, literally and metaphorically. Each character's stark pose accentuates the inconsistencies of age and appearance. Ranging from a shirtless cowboy to a pensive pink bunny rabbit, Yarmosky's subjects explore the intersection of jaded seniority and the audacity of youth. Check out some examples below...
See, now you know and there's no harm done...Now come and join us at the opening of "Elder Kinder," Friday, February 11th at 6:30pm!
Jenny Morgan in New York Times Magazine! Applause! Applause!
Make sure you save all of your quarters and spare change, maybe even take a look between the seat cushions because tomorrow you are going to want to go out to your nearest news stand and pick up a copy of the New York Times because this Sunday's Times Magazine is a collectible one! Our very own Jenny Morgan was commissioned to create a portrait of WikiLeaks leader, Julian Assange for Bill Keller's feature article, "The Boy Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest: Dealing With Julian Assange and His Secrets," for tomorrow's New York Times Magazine. So cool! For now, you can check out the online version of the article and get a sneak peak at Jenny's work until the hard copy comes out tomorrow. Congratulations to Jenny for really capturing Assange and for the publication of your work, up up and away!!!!!!!
Many people have contacted the gallery in the past few days requesting available Jenny Morgan pieces, so we have decided to add them to this glorious post! Please contact marisa@likethespice.com to request any further information on these works. xo Like the Spice
Trendsetter
Oil on canvas
23 x 20, 2010
Sisterhood
Oil on canvas
45 x 34.5, 2010
All this Time
Oil on canvas
77.5 x 51, 2010
Let go
Oil on canvas
36 x 26, 2010
From the Valley to the Stars
Oil on Canvas
51 x 30, 2010
Inner Island
Oil on Canvas
43x28, 2010
Attain
38 x 28.5 inches
Oil on canvase, 2009
In Your Absence
46 x 37
Oil on canvas, 2009
Done
Oil on canvas
19" x15" , 2008
Middle Ground 
Don't Leave Me Mother
Oil on canvas
19 x 15.5, 2008
Don't Leave Me Father
Oil on canvas
19 x 15.5, 2008
Beside Himself
Oil on canvas
22 x 16.5
Hot Plates: Hot Food and Hot Topics with Anthony Michael Rom and Sarah Palmer!
Well folks, we did it again, another wonderful and satisfying artist dinner hosted by Like the Spice and catered by Gite! It was a cozy event for sure as the 13 of us sat around the table enjoying the work and company of Sarah Palmer and Anthony Michael Rom during "Hot Plates," the artist dinner for their current show, "You Make Me Warm". We even had a special guest appearance by Jason Bard Yarmosky who offered up a few words about his upcoming show, "Elder Kinder," opening February 11th. Both Anthony and Sarah really opened up about their work and inspirations; Anthony spoke of his eye on the human experience and how people react when familiar and sentimental things are staged in harsh and unfamiliar environments, and Sarah focused on the idea of her work as visual text or poetry inspired by the writings of her father.
The weather gods smiled upon us yesterday as they threatened snow early on but by supper time the flakes were no where to be seen and we could all relax and enjoy the hot plates that were put before us! Now, if you are not familiar with the fabulous food of Gite catering, please, let me enlighten you. Gite (pronounced jeet), combines the gourmet stylings of three sisters, Chelsea, Sam, and Bettina Sheridan, who pride themselves on creating sophisticated food that never loses the comfort and fresh tastes of home-cooking. As Sarah and Anthony discussed the visual language of their respective works we manged on a delectable four course meal.
What did we have? So glad you asked! We started out with a warming winter vegetable soup topped with home-made pesto-butter croutons, almost like a Tuscan minestrone but thicker and sweeter. This was then followed by a beautiful tricolor salad of arugula, endive, and radicchio with a sprinkle of Gite's sweet balsamic vinaigrette (side note: this salad dressing is so divine I would be more than content sipping on its garlicky sweetness or even just dipping a crunchy piece of ciabatta in it). With lasagna Napoletana and eggplant au gratin as the main courses both the carnivores and vegetarians alike were very pleased. The scent of the oozing mozzarella di bufala and simmered San Marzano from the eggplant au gratin tomatoes filled the gallery. Wow, I am making myself hungry, ok time time stop talking about the food! Anyway, Gite's contact info is at the top of this blog post just in case you and ten of your friends get hungry!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
What's this? We have footage of an artist at work? Gasp!
Ladies and gentleman, it is my pleasure to present to you a lovely little video of Eric LoPresti working in his Brooklyn studio and preparing for his Spring show at Like the Spice which opens on April 8th. Eric was nice enough to share the video with me so that I might, in turn, share it with all of you! Now, for me personally it's hard not to think about process and technique when it comes to the production of art (surprise!), but that is most likely because it is my business to know all about respective processes and techniques; however, I do know that for many the enjoyment of a piece is mostly inspired by the end result, the finished product. This of course is all fine, more than fine really, if you like something you should like it, love it even, just for what it is. I promise not to call on any of you and put you on the spot asking you what your favorite piece of art is and then follow up with the dreaded query, 'why'? Whether process and technique are your bread and butter (I myself have the Scientific Method tattooed on my inner arm, *ahem*), or you are more focused on the end result and enjoying the polished product post production, I am certain that the following video of Eric LoPresti preparing a canvas by working on the underpainting for a new piece, along with it's explanation will be interesting to you (and don't tell me you don't have time, the video is only 1:30)...Enjoy!
In the video, Eric lays down the color gradient first, then the landscape is painted on top, almost floated on the surface, and then lastly the black lines are added. This way of working is almost a backwards way to do grisaille (pronounced griz-ai), the traditional practice of using a monochromatic or burnt umber toned outline as the under-layer and then glazing color over it. A grisaille may be executed for its own sake, but is most often used as underpainting for an oil painting.
Eric's reason for laying down color first is to use the color gradients as an optical effect, "like seeing through a rainbow or the chromatic distortion of a camera lens." For him, color sets the tone of each piece. And, since he takes color quite seriously, Eric rarely uses his oil paint straight out of the tube, instead pre-mixing his colors on a paper palette (seen laid out at left in the video). With the paint mixed he then brushes the gradient onto the canvas in broad, light, loose strokes. His left hand holds a digital sketch outlining roughly where we would like the colors to go, in many thin layers of paint.
See, now wasn't that cool? Even I learned a few things (example: those blue gloves protect Eric's hands from turpentine and other chemicals used to thin out oil paints, and are NOT a fashion statement). Keep your eyes out for more news on Eric's show and more studio peaks to come!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Transart Institute @ Like the Spice:
Advanced Standing MFA & Portfolio Review
We are delighted to have been invited to hold our Winter Residency and Portfolio Review at Like the Spice Gallery, 224 Roebling Street. Brooklyn, NY 11211, an emerging contemporary artists' space that is willing to pursue innovative directions.
MFA Creative Practice – Three Spaces With Advanced Standing For Spring 2011
Three spaces are available in the MFA program for applicants with graduate level course credits in art, media, design and related fields from other institutions to begin studies in January. With a transfer of a minimum of 15 credits accepted applicants can complete the MFA Creative Practice in three semesters by summer 2012. An application form is online.
http://www.transartinstitute.org/Admissions.html
Application deadline December 15, 2010
International Low-Residency MFA Program
Transart Institute offers the MFA Creative Practice, a fully accredited international masters program for working artists with summer residencies in Berlin, winter residencies in New York and one-on-one advisement during two academic years - wherever students work and live. Students are free to pursue work in any art-related genre and to create their own course of study, working independently and with the support of self-chosen studio and research advisors. Short periods of intensive residency permit students to continue with their professional work and keep a balanced personal life while participating in the program. The majority of Transart students are emerging and mid-career artists and teachers at tertiary institutions.
The new MFA Creative Practice is a student-centered, project oriented postgraduate art program which fosters independent thinking, risk-taking and the creation of an informed and sustainable art praxis. The Institute is also a platform for faculty to expand their teaching praxis by making space for creativity and experimentation. Beyond its educational objectives, Transart Institute is engaged in building an international community in support of students, alumni, faculty and their artistic and academic goals. The institute offers its former students a virtual and material basis for artistic practice, the exchange of ideas, opportunities and critiques, supporting individual and collective growth beyond the duration of the program.
Scholarships
Several scholarships are available to students of the MFA Creative Practice program: Developing Country Scholarships, Achievement and Merit Scholarships are being awarded. The scholarships provide a reduction in tuition from 10 to 50%. More information on scholarships can be found on the Transart Institute website
http://www.transartinstitute.org/admissions.html
Portfolio Review for the MFA Creative Practice (RSVP)
Transart Institute seeks independent, inquisitive and imaginative artist to apply to its MFA Creative Practice program starting summer 2011. Interested artists, teachers and all professionals in related fields who are seeking advancement in visual arts and new media are invited for feedback on their portfolio as suited for admission during the Transart winter residency (January 8-9, 2011). In addition, these sessions will give prospective applicants the opportunity to learn more about the program, attend a public lecture and mingle with Transart faculty and students in person. To RSVP (required) please email info@transartinstitute.org
Artist Talk
Our invitation for portfolio review is extended to include Coco Fusco's talk about her recent work on military interrogation as intercultural performance. This is a good chance to rub elbows with Transart students and faculty as well.
Coco Fusco is a New York-based interdisciplinary artist, writer and Chair of the Fine Art Department at Parsons/The New School for Design. She has performed, lectured, exhibited and curated around the world since 1988. She is the recipient of a 2003 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts. Fusco's performances and videos have been included in such events as the Sydney Biennale, The Johannesburg Biennial, The Kwangju Biennale, The Shanghai Biennale, InSite O5, Transmediale, The London International Theatre Festival, VideoBrasil and Performa05. She is the author of English is Broken Here: Notes on Cultural Fusion in the Americas (1995) and The Bodies that Were Not Ours and Other Writings (2001), and A Field Guide for Female Interrogators (2008). She is also the editor of Corpus Delecti: Performance Art of the Americas (1999) and Only Skin Deep: Changing Visions of the American Self (2003). Fusco’s work combine electronic media and performance in a variety of formats, from staged multi-media performances incorporating large scale projections and closed circuit television to live performances streamed to the internet that invite audiences to chart the course of action through chat interaction. Her most recent work deals with the role of female interrogators in the War on Terror. Those works include Operation Atropos (a film about interrogation training), and A Room of One's Own (a monologue about female interrogators). These works were selected for the 2008 Whitney Biennial. http://www.thing.net/~cocofusco/
The Transart Experience
Students’ experiences at the Institute are unique and often transformational. NY based artist Virgil Wong found "The community I've become a part of through Transart is already much more immersive than what I've developed in ten years of living and working as an artist in New York City." For composer and artist David Dunn "perhaps the most important aspect of the program, to me personally, has been the realization of just how constrained my professional life can be. I have no lack of colleagues or opportunities to present my work but my network of association tends to reinforce a particular set of intellectual and aesthetic assumptions that become 'the' set of assumptions. Transart succeeds at prying apart some of those entrenched viewpoints to provide space for new ideas and concerns. The truly international makeup of the students and faculty reinforces this." More details online.
http://www.transartinstitute.org/Profiles.html
Application deadline for admission with advanced standing: December 15, 2010
Application deadline for summer 2011: rolling admissions
Application fee for the MFA program: 25 USD
For more information please contact Selina Heaton: info@transartinstitute.org
Transart Institute
http://www.transartinstitute.org
USA: +1 (347) 410 9905
Fax: (508) 682 2853
Mail:Transart Institute,
228 Park Ave S. #34726,
New York, NY 10003
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Allison Edge's Wonderwall Opening 2010
Despite the cold temperatures on Friday night, Like the Spice Gallery was aglow with the friends and fans of Allison Edge at the opening of her exhibit, Wonderwall. The young men's portraits cover a whole wall, and are beautifully delicate yet an almost compulsive record of young love and lust.
The watercolor images evoke the obsessive quality of a teenage crush, from the boy in chemistry class to the celebrities gracing the covers of Teen Beat. We gathered around to discuss Allison's inspiration and process. Who can you spot on her Wonderwall?
The work also questions the object of gaze. Are you looking at the boys or are they looking at you? Allison Edge's Wonderwall will be up until February 6, 2011 so there is plenty of time to come see for yourself.
