Like the Spice + artMRKT= Frisco4L

I just got off the phone with Marisa and I have the full scoop on Art MRKT San Francisco; in short, Like the Spice is rockin' it!! We have a gorgeous booth (#510 in case you find yourself there;), fabulous art, and incredible visitors! This fair is making waves people, take note! Both Juxtapoz Magazine and the New York Times both have their eyes on Art MRKT San Francisco this year, so cool!

We could not be more pleased and proud to be a part of this fair and to be showing great work by Jenny Morgan, Eric LoPresti, Jason Bard Yarmosky, Treasure Frey, and Jason Bryant. I'll be sure to keep the San Fran updates coming, and if you find yourself down Frisco way be sure to call us for your tickets to San Francisco's hot new fair!

Booth 510 at artMRKT San Francisco!

Hello out there,

This weekend Marisa is out repping Like the Spice at the artMRKT show in San Francisco. If you're in town, you can go check out the booth and meet Marisa Sage herself!

The show is being held in the Concourse Exhibition Center on 620 7th street (at Brannan) - only 9 blocks away from SFMOMA.

We are exhibiting in BOOTH 510 and are featuring work by Jenny Morgan, Jason Bryant, Jason Bard Yarmosky, Eric LoPresti and Treasure Frey.

Here is some information on the show for all you eager art-goers provided by the artMRKT website:

HOURS:

Thursday, May 19

UCSF Benefit Preview Party 5:30pm - 7:30pm (details)

VIP Preview Party 7:30pm - 10:30pm (details)

Friday, May 20 - 11:00am to 7:00pm

Saturday, May 21 - 11:00am to 7:00pm

Sunday, May 22 - 11:00am to 6:00pm

PARKING:

There are over 800 parking spaces within a 2 block walk from the Concourse Exhibition Center including 300 spots in the adjacent parking lot. Another 400 spots are located in two parking garages on the opposite side of the block (Townsend Street).

TICKETS:

1 Day Ticket - good for Friday, Saturday OR Sunday - $20 online / $25 at the door

3 Day Ticket - good for Friday, Saturday AND Sunday - $40 online / $45 at the door

UCSF Benefit Preview Party Ticket - $100 online / $110 at the door

Thursday Night Benefit Preview Party + Thursday Night VIP Preview Party + all day Fri., Sat. AND Sun. (details)

Note: UCSF Benefit and VIP Preview Party are catered events with complimentary food and beverage including sparkling wine, wine, tequila and beer. Non-alcoholic beverages available. Cocktail dress.

Student Ticket - good for Friday, Saturday OR Sunday - $10 at the door

But, Like the Spice is offering complimentary 1-day passes! Click here for more on that.

See some of the pieces that will be up at the show!

Eric LoPresti:

Sky Drawing A (Tempest)

Graphite and india ink on paper

14" x 11", 2010

Burst / Rattlestar

Oil and india ink on linen

72" x 40", 2011

Fact (Anatomy Frontier Day)

Oil, india ink and flache on linen

40" x 30"

Jason Bryant:

A Labor of Love and Love's Labor Lost

(both) Oil on canvas

24" x 30", 2o11

Jason Bard Yarmosky:

Irv

Oil on canvas

17" x 14", 2011

Kinderlove

Oil on linen

36" x 48", 2011

Jenny Morgan:

Sisterhood
Oil on canvas
45" x 34.5", 2010

From the Valley to the Stars
Oil on canvas

51" x 30", 2010

Inner Island

Oil on canvas

43" x 28", 2010

Middle Ground
Oil on canvas

25" x 19", 2010

Trendsetter
Oil on canvas

23" x 20", 2010

Treasure Frey:

My Way Home

Gouache, acrylic, varnish watercolor on walnut ink stained paper

20" x 24", 2011

Internal

Gouache, acrylic, varnish watercolor on walnut ink stained paper

30" x 40", 2011

The Stairway

Gouache, acrylic, varnish and gold watercolor on walnut ink stained paper

11" x 14", 2010

Looking forward to seeing you at the show!

Brunch for dinner is my new favorite thing...

Last night we were lucky enough to be a part of "Breakfast at Like the Spice," the March installation of our monthly dinner series. We were joined for dinner by a few friends of the gallery and, of course, our current exhibiting artist Jason Bryant. Surrounded by the products of his current show "Love's Labor Lost," the 14 of us dined to our hearts' content under the obscured gazes of Jason's Hollywood stars. Neilie Meyer, chef and owner of the local catering kitchen, The Starving Artist Bakery, produced a smorgusbord of delicious sage-infused biscuits with homemade apple butter, savory spinach, leek and goat cheese quiche with fresh thyme, a hearty pancetta, roasted red pepper, and fresh basil quiche with a light baby green salad topped with a roasted garlic vinaigrette and served with golden hash browns and sirracia creme fraiche.


After the main dishes (and ample mimosas), our guests were given insight to Jason's work by the artist himself. He described his painterly process, artistic influences and inspirations for this series of work. His paintings deal with social memory and consciousness and the results of the overwhelming city culture in which one lives. Originally from North Carolina, Jason discussed how New York City itself is an inspiration to him, how a walk down the block can be so over-stimulating that it is impossible to take in everything one sees. I was very impressed to learn (and I can safely say that everyone else was, as well) that the source images for Jason's paintings are all postcard size prints taken from magazines, old movies and photos. He does not use a projector to create these large-scale works but instead works from a small print and embraces the abstractions that emerge as a result. As an artist with a passion for drawing, this technique allows him to utilize more of that talent.


The intimate evening was closed with more wine and delicious chocolate-espresso-truffle brownies with fresh fruit. Everyone left full of great food and thoughts about Jason's work.
"Love's Labor Lost" will be up at Like the Spice for another week until Sunday, April 3rd, so come and check it out!!



And don't forget, Different Country, the upcoming exhibition of Eric LoPresti's work, opens on Friday, April 8th. There will be an opening reception from 6:30-9:00pm and we'd love to see you there!

Edition's: Get 'em While They're Hot!

Like the Spice Spring Collectors' Edition Set was created to give our enthusiasts and collectors the chance to own a piece by each one of the artists featured in solo exhibitions this spring at the gallery. Some of the artists are new to Like the Spice, such as Jason Bard Yarmosky, whose first exhibitions opened in February and did fantastically! Other artists, like Eric LoPresti, have been showing at Like the Spice Gallery since we opened in 2006. Each edition will also be able to be purchased separately during the course of each solo exhibition and will range in price from $280-$800. We promise to keep you updated on upcoming editions for Eric LoPresti's show "Different Country," opening on April 8th, and Jenny Morgan's show, "One and the Many," opening on May 13th...For now, take a look at our two available editions!

Love Jason Bryant's work so much that you need a piece of it? Perfect! Check out his limited edition giclee print of "A Labor of Love". This 16" x 20" beautiful color print can be purchased professionally framed ($480) or unframed($280). Come to the Gallery to see Jason Bryant's current show "Love's Labor Lost" through April 3rd and take a look at the edition in person.

Also available are limited editions from our last show: Jason Bard Yarmosky's Elder Kinder. Also a 16" x 20" print, "Len with Swimmies" is seen above and is available for purchase through the gallery.


Each print is signed and numbered by the artist and comes with a signed certificate of authenticity from Like the Spice Gallery.

If you have any further questions about our editions please email Marisa@likethespice.com.

A Labor of Love Is Never Lost!

March 11th was a beautiful Friday night for the opening reception of "Love's Labor Lost," here at Like the Spice. The gallery was filled with artists, artists' friends, passer by-ers, and art aficionados who were out and about enjoying a mild second Friday. Jason Bryant's "Love's Labor Lost" adorns the gallery with black-and-white oils that recontextualize film stills and contemporary magazine photos, creating glamor while using pixels to skewer the idea of an individual self. Against the backdrop of night, being amid the bright lights of the gallery Jason's subjects felt so real and recognizable that one could not help but feel like they were at a red carpet event amongst Hollywood royalty!


The glamorous subjects seen above have faces that are obscured by a pixelated rendering of each pair of eyes; this left the viewers asking themselves, "that must be (so and so), right? It just has to be? Or is it?" In these pieces, Jason has managed to maintain everything about each character accept their definite identities. The images at first seem familiar but upon closer inspection they leave the viewer questioning their own memories and recognition reflexes. And, despite all of the inquiries, no amount of guessing out loud would convince Jason to confirm the suspicions as he rather fiercely guarded the subjects' anonymity.

I myself had some interesting ponderings during the opening as I wandered around, catching snippets of some of the 'who's who?' games; the guessing brought me to think about famous movie quotes and how I often can recite a quote but not necessarily be able to identify who first said it. Not being able to credit a quote does not always take away its impact. There doesn't seem to be anything like an iconic movie quote, taken from the reels of classics and appropriated during all times by all people. Some quotes are more memorable than others, their impact is great despite from whom they originated. Identity becomes lost during the changing of the times but the sayings still manage to keep their meanings and messages. The quote,"we're alike, me and cat. A couple of poor nameless slobs..." taken from "Breakfast At Tiffany's," is one of my favorites. It makes me think about the question 'what's in a name?' In the film, Audrey Hepburn's character might be nameless to some, but her actions and mannerisms give her quite a reputation. Even in a film still from an unknown movie with her back turned to the camera one would most likely be able to identify Audrey Hepburn. Our memories fill in the blanks of her face, and our imagination fills in the context of the scene.

Cary Grant once said, "it takes 500 small details to add up to one favorable impression," but notice how he does not specify whether or not it should be the same 500 details every time. Must they include physical details, lips, eyes, nose, mouth? Well, it's a strong possibility that Mr. Grant would include these as necessities for making a good and memorable impression, but are they truly necessary for identifying or remembering a moment? Based on the content of "Love's Labor Lost," I would like to argue that they are not.


Sorry that you missed the opening? We are too, but no worries! "Love's Labor Lost" will be up in the gallery until Sunday, April 3rd. And as the weather keeps getting better and better we will be accepting less and less excuses when it comes to missing out! Also don't forget about our monthly artist dinner series the next installment of which will be this coming Friday, March 25th at 8pm: come have "Breakfast at Like the Spice" (because Tiffany's is soooo overrated)! If you are interested in joining us please RSVP here.

Jason Bryant Scope 2010

See pieces in Booth D08 at Scope Miami 2010
Click on image below to e-mail Like the Spice Gallery for more info:
Click here to return to Like the Spice Gallery Scope info page

The laws of seduction

Oil on canvas 40" x 60" 2010

All That Glitters Oil on canvas 11" x17" (2010)

Click here to return to artist page on www.likethespice.com

Summer Lovin' Having a Blast....At Like the Spice

We’ve been so busy here at Like the Spice that we’ve barely had a moment to write in depth about all the great things that have been going on in the past month. While it’s the summer here in Brooklyn, and the hot weather has a tendency to make those lazy afternoons even lazier, we haven’t slowed down a bit!

This past month some of our artists’ hard work has generated quite a bit of buzz. We’d like to congratulate Reach Beach on her feature interview with Bomb Magazine which can be found at Bomblog. Discussion revolving around the transitions in her work and fundamental content from which she derives her inspiration provides great insight into the nature of her thinking and process of making. Of her work Rachel states that is has "to do with the structure of monuments and ideas. I was way more interested in the edge of an object, how objects work in the world, how perception works, how we see, and how our brain works versus how something physically is, and the line between those two things. " Bomblog writer Lynn Maliszewski refers to Rachel's work with the following metaphor. "Like a stockbroker gender-bending on the weekends, Beach’s objects straddle a line between two existences, clouding the viewer’s vision of truth." The developments in her work are truly promising as she will embark on several upcoming new projects. We are especially excited about the installation of her outdoor sculpture in Socrates Sculpture Park as this kind of context for one of her pieces is sure to open a new and exciting kind of dialogue.





We are also excited to congratulate another LTS artist, Eric Lopresti, who is featured in Assembly Journal. We were most intrigued to read about the sources for his imagery which are undeniably linked to the location of his childhood home, the conditions created and residue left by our country during World War II, and what he refers to as “the aftermath of traumatic conflict and the terrifying beauty of the American sublime."




We are truly engaged by any opportunity that allows our readers and collectors to know more about our artists, their work, and sources of creativity.

In keeping with this sentiment, this past Saturday we held an artists’ studio tour in which we visited the studios of Jason Bryant, Allison Edge, Eric Lopresti, Jessica Stoller, and Rachel Beach. This event was a fantastic opportunity for collectors to see how some of our LTS artists functioned in their working spaces (a place quite sacred to an artist) while providing the opportunity for one on one discussion. The day was pretty hot, but the work in our artists’ studio’s were even hotter, and everyone had a fantastic time, sipping on wine, munching on refreshing thai food, journeying to each studio for in depth discussion while viewing works in progress and finished pieces all the like. For a tour, it was an especially personal, informative, and special experience.

While all that has passed, there are still plenty of exciting events to look forward to this summer at Like The Spice. "Marked: A Show of Figure" will only be open for two more weeks so come by and check it out before its too late! Friday, August 13th we will open "Summer Sampler Group Show", displaying some favorites along with a bunch of new and exciting works from LTS artists.

And while we are closed for only one week on August 23rd-September 1st, September 10th is the opening of Treasure Frey's Solo Show. This will be Treasure's first solo show at Like the Spice and we are pleased to install her pieces which satisfy the eye by cleverly marrying the whimsy of bright color, bold form, and geometric constructions.


This next month will prove to be a satisfying and exciting close to Summer and a great lead into another fine season of fantastic work at Like the Spice in the Fall.

It's in the BAG! Art Hamptons 2010

Yes, you can say it. It's hot and Like the Spice Gallery is on fire! Well...not LITERALLY, but with the reception from Art Hamptons 2010 we might as well be called a shooting star. Booth number 423 attracted on lookers from all ends of the venue. The fabulous scenery of Bridgehampton was the backdrop for an exploration of what our gallery has to offer. As one of the top new art fairs in America Art Hamptons ceases to amaze guests. We came, we hung, we conquered and we loved every minute of it.


Even with the ninety-two degree weather visitors came in droves, accompanied with commentary such as, "This is really spectacular.", "How wonderful.", and a simple but affirming "Oh yeah."

The artist works' that traveled with us included pieces from Dean Goelz, Rachel Beach, Ross Racine, Treasure Frey and Reuben Negron. Also new works by Jenny Morgan, Jason Bryant and and Jessica Stoller were on display, rounding out the Like the Spice team.





Time seemed to zoom by as our artists' continued pulling in fans with their abundant technique and skill on canvas.

To sum it all up we had a wonderful time and absolutely looking forward to the next, as you should be too! If you didn't make it you missed out on some fun under the blazing sun. But you can always stop in to Like the Spice and check out the pieces up close and personal. We have been as busy as bees providing YOU with the best.

P.S.
Check out the wicked awesome "Camera Panoramic Effect Action" in this photo, Oh yes. We went there.

Our booth, our booth, our booth is on fire...

We don't need no water let the... wait we do need water, at least that's what the kind young gentleman told us as he walked into our booth. Feast your eyes on our space at Art Hamptons.
Like the Spice booth number 423.

Hop on the Jitney and get your butts out here.

Roger-ing Our Artists

Have you been keeping up with our flurry of activity? Of course you have! That's why you already know all about our happy little trip to The Roger Smith Hotel. But what you might not know is that, on Saturday, April 10th, we'll be having the next installment of our Like the Spice Dinner Series on the 16th floor, surrounded by the wonderful view through the windows of the solarium, and catered by Lily's, the restaurant located inside the Roger Smith Hotel. In attendance will be artists Jason Bryant, Allison Edge, and Ross Racine, the very artists we have featured in the Roger Smith show. Opening night was an amazing amount of fun that we want you to experience for yourself!



We'd love to have you join us for this chance to meet and talk with the artists, but the dinner is filling up fast. In fact, there are only three places remaining! So go ahead and visit our online RSVP page to save your place right now. And then, take a look at our special Roger Smith preview page and see what you'll be enjoying when you join us for dinner at the Roger Smith Hotel!

Whose House? Ross' House!

Good ol' Ross Racine has been a Like the Spice artist for some time now. In fact, we've even taken him along with us to our current off site show at The Roger Smith Hotel. While the work of Jason Bryant and Allison Edge will be showing in the solarium, Ross will be adorning the walls of the lobby. Opening night is March 19th, so if you haven't seen his stuff in person before, it's a great chance to take a look!

Also good news for Ross is all the attention he's been getting! First, one of his images has been featured in Data Flow 2, a new book from the Gestalten publishing house. He's very proud to be included, and we're very impressed with him for it!

Secondly, Ross was recently interviewed on Australian art blog The Art Life. This interview also appeared on another blog, Science Fictional, proving that Ross really has wide appeal. Take a peek and enjoy learning a little more about the man behind the images!

Of course, we're just as proud to be working with Allison and Jason, and, in fact, all of our artists (including Allie Rex and Michelle Hinebrook, now being featured at the 92nd Street Y Tribeca). But, just this once, it's Ross' turn to shine. So well done, Ross Racine! You'll still remember us little people... won't you?

Dancing the Night Away

A night with Jason Bryant and Enid Ellen...

Tribal paint, alien prose, radical (if not saucy) costume, and a song of praise for the earth mother. Could this be the description of some indigenous tradition of another country? Nope, just another night at Like the Spice. As many of you know, this past Friday night Like the Spice became the stage for some pretty incredible events...

The evening began with a cocktail party featuring an preview of Jason Bryant's newest pieces. When Jason delivered his latest works to us we were incredibly impatient to get them out of their shadow boxes and see for ourselves what had already promised to be breathtaking pieces. With unveiling the last layer of plastic from the canvas there was a slight whiff of varnish and what we saw was just so exciting. If you missed the fabulous preview please please come by soon to see Jason's pieces, they are just too great to have to wait until his Fall 2010 show to see. Patience may be a virtue but not necessarily in this case.

The event began at about six and by 8:15 it appeared that most people had warmed up (with the help of our Pernod fountain), had admired Jason's work, discussed Bennett's current show, and found a new piece in our group show that they may not have seen before. And then it was time for Enid Ellen to take the stage. Before the lights were dimmed the best description of this duo was given to me, "Enid Ellen is like a tribal Ziggy Stardust." This indeed is a perfect way to describe Enid Ellen's music, although at points it is so unique and haunting that there doesn't seem to be any way that it could be related to anything that came before it.

As far as 2nd Fridays go, this past one surely proved to be an excellent model for future events. There was a stimulating and warm feeling in the gallery with so many different people mingling and circulating through the works. If you are familiar with our blog you know that we here at Like the Spice absolutely love it when new and old friends are present and exciting discussions abound. Thank you to all of those who attended and we look forward to see you again soon!

Next Time She Can Only Drink Maple Syrup

Now, we want to be clear, we absolutely adore Lovely Assistant Leia. She does good work and her blog posts are generally top notch. But obviously she had a little too much sangria during our Friday night artist's dinner. because she seemed to have forgotten all the fun stuff that happened, and just mostly talked about drinking. We admit, we had a bit too much ourselves (after all, talking in third person always makes one thirsty) but let's go over a few of the highlights anyway.



Practically the whole end of the table was full of our artists. Jenny Morgan (in black), David Mramor (at the head), Charlie Leadbetter (in blue), Allison Edge (in white), and Jason Bryant (hiding just out of frame) were on hand to talk about the joy and pain of assisting.



Can't you see that pain in Jenny's eyes? That's a thousand yard art stare! Actually, we're just joking, Jenny Morgan and David Mramor had nothing but good things to say about artist Marilyn Minter, for whom they both work. It was clear that their little family is a close one and that they enjoy their jobs very much.



Another person with nothing but happy stories was Jason Bryant. Jason simply could not give Kehinde Wiley enough respect. It was clear that Jason felt fortunate to have worked with Kehinde and thought of him very highly. Kehinde, do you need a blogger on staff? Because he literally made you sound like the best boss ever!

Around this point, however, the sangria began to kick in. Lovely Assistant Leia wasn't kidding, it was good stuff. So good, in fact, that we forgot to take a photo while Charlie Ledbetter and Allison Edge were talking. To make it up to them, we'll show you some photos of their work instead.




Charlie and Allison both assisted Jeff Koons, who has around a hundred different assistants. These stories were a little darker and not quite as loving, although they made it clear they had a great respect for Jeff as a creator. Allison also talked happily about her time with McDermott & McGough and what she felt she learned there.

Poor tipsy Lovely Assistant Leia was right about the conversation. This exciting discussion about the nature of the assistant in art really made for a fantastic night. There were plenty of disagreements and even some awkward moments we weren't expecting... but that's what art is all about, right? And everyone left happy.



If you weren't there, you missed out! Our next dinner will be Feed on September 25th. It'll feature our buddy Eric LoPresti, as part of his upcoming solo show, Fade, opening September 11th. Plan now to join us then! If you're lucky, we'll remember to charge the camera first. Please excuse these iPhone quality photos. We're so iMbarrassed.