Last Day Of Nic's Solo Show!

Today (Aug. 30) is the last day of Nic's solo show, "Tongue And Teeth". The gallery will be open from 12pm-6pm if you'd like to come by and check it out. There are over twenty originals on display and we also have eight print editions available featuring work from the show.

Hope to see you soon!
- Jeff


The Jeff Claassen Gallery
1118 Morro St
San Luis Obispo CA 93401
805.391.0361
www.jeffclaassen.com

The Early Bird Gets The Worm

The Claassen Gallery has released a new print by Nic Rodriguez. The title is "Early Bird" and measures 5.5" x 6.5". This print has been mounted on 3/4" thick pine wood. The edges have been painted black and the surface has been coated with a thick layer of clear plastic resin. The resin coating provides a protective high gloss finish. It basically looks like a yummy piece of shiny candy. Each print has been signed on the back by Nic.


(click photo for more info and photos)

Stenzskull Solo Exhibition

"Cut & Paste"
A selection of paintings by Stenzskull
Presented by the Jeff Claassen Gallery,
San Luis Obispo CA

September 5 - October 4, 2008

The Claassen Gallery is pleased to present "Cut & Paste", an
exhibition of original stencil work by up-and-coming artist,
Stenzskull. This presentation of hand-cut stencil portraits on canvas
and wood is representative of an emerging underground art scene in
San Luis Obispo. The focus of this selection is the artist's
inspiration, an idea which is explored in its many permutations. The
images are as often iconic and poignant as they are satirical and
opinionated. Subjects are both revered and subverted; exposed and
obscured. Citing the the influence of Shepard Fairey and Banksy,
among others, and the infallible connection between himself and his
work, the artist states, "My art is everything that inspires me,
displayed on canvas. I do it for the love."

Stencils have been employed by artisans for more than 12,000 years;
From cave art depicting the hand prints of prehistoric man, Egyptian
tomb decor, Japanese silks of the Edo period, and ancient publishing
techniques, to Art Nouveau pochoirs, political propaganda of the
1940's, and Pop Art forerunners... Popularized more recently among
street artists as a method of creating pieces in less time, thereby
reducing the risks involved- stencil cutting has developed into a
popular contemporary artistic medium. The skill and execution
of a hand-cut stencil has become an art form in and of itself;
requiring patience, a steady hand, and an absolute mastery of the
concept of negative space. Unpretentious by nature, the impact of
stencils is no less influential in the message and meaning the work
conveys; and as Stenzskull confers, "Art is a great way to express
your opinions- they may agree or not, but the reaction is what
counts."

"Cut & Paste" will be Stenzskull's debut solo-exhibition.
Opening reception will be held on September 5th at 6PM
in the Claassen Gallery at 1118 Morro St. SLO, CA.
Show runs through October 4, 2008.

For further information about this exhibition, please contact
The Claassen Gallery at: 805.391.0361.

YELP!

It looks like back in March somebody posted the gallery on Yelp and left a nice review for us (me). Now there is ONE MORE online social networking community thingy to sign up for. Good times!
check it out:

pillows, new paint, and other random tid bits

These are the new pillows I have available. You can click on the photo to get more info about each pillow or to order. The backside of the pillows have a totally different fabric than the one I screenprinted my images on, so it's a good idea to see all the photos before you make a purchase.


Also, I rearranged the gallery a little bit and installed two new shelves to display all the new spray paint I'm selling. Check it!








I almost have the whole Montana Family now!





The ridiculously large can is the 750ml Maximo. The next one down is the standard 400ml Hardcore can. Then you have the 100ml Pocket and the 30ml Micro, both make great stocking stuffers. The one I'm missing is the 600ml Mega. Hopefully, I can get some of the Mega in my next order.


If you still haven't seen Nic's show, "TONGUE AND TEETH", please do. Here is one of my favorite sketches from the show.






In other news, STENZSKULL will be the featured artist in my gallery for September. This will be his first solo show. If you are unfamiliar with his work please take a look at this amazing portrait of Eric Clapton he gave me.


.


We should be getting the postcards/flyers for his show by the end of the week and will be mailing them out on Saturday. Check your mailboxes! If you're not on the snail mail list (the only way to get on the snail mail list is to visit the gallery and write your name on our little "mailing list" sheet) you can always subscribe to the e-list to receive updates. (There should be a "Join Group" link to click on if you follow the link in the previous sentence.)

New Nic Rodriguez prints! Snatch em up!

The gallery has released eight editions of prints featuring the work of Nic Rodriguez to coincide with his solo show, "Tongue And Teeth". Check it. (click on any of the photos for more info or to purchase.)






"Madhattin"
5.5" x 5.5" - print on wood with clear resin coating





"Big Bang"
5.5" x 7.75" - print on wood with clear resin coating





"Windows And Neighbors"
5.5" x 6.75" - print on wood with clear resin coating





"Hork"
5.5" x 5.5" - print on wood with clear resin coating





"Chicken Fried Steak Burger"
4" x 5.5" - print on wood with clear resin coating





"Alice"
4.5" x 5.5" - print on wood with clear resin coating





"Power Universal"
4.5" x 5.5" - print on wood with clear resin coating





"Candy Dreams"
5.5" x 6.75" - print on wood with clear resin coating




These prints, as well as all of Nic's available work, can also be purchased in person at the gallery. If you can't come into the gallery you can order online at the Claassen Gallery Store, http://claassengallery.bigcartel.com.


Thanks for looking!
- Jeff

Random Post Because I Need A Break From Photoshopping

Unfortunately, I could not get away from the shop to make it the show down in Long Beach tonight. In other news...


I doodled this little doodle in Richard's sketchbook yesterday as he worked on his Elvis Costello stencil (see below) on the "graff wall" in the gallery.





This is the fourth "authorized graffiti area" wall I've installed and I'd say it's pretty much filled to capacity.




For the full effect check out the BIG VERSION. When I open next week I will have a brand spanking new virgin board to hit up. Come on by and leave your mark.

Urban Legends - group show at Alpha Cult

I was invited to be in Alpha Cult's 3 Year Anniversary Show. The opening reception is tomorrow, Aug. 9 2008 from 7-11pm.


Alpha Cult is located at:
408 E First St
Long Beach CA 90802


here's a google map for you.



For the artist list (which is both massive and impressive) please check out the BIG version of the flyer.

Just A Little Update

Nic's show opened on Friday and was a huge success. A lot of people came by to check it out, which is always nice after working so hard to set it up. Now I'm in the process of getting all the artwork on the site.

I was invited to be in Alpha Cult's Three-Year Anniversary Show, which opens this Saturday. They have quite an impressive roster of artists for this show so it will surely be an event you'll want to check out.

More news later.