Travis Louie "Curious Myths", Sylvia Ji "Las Adelitas" and Group Show at Last Rites

We Went to NY to attend the opening of two great artists at Joshua Liner Gallery. You've probably read and saw some of the photos for the opening preview on Hi Fructose magazine, Arrested Motion blog, or any other art blogs. We arrived there a bit earlier, something that we'd like to do whenever we go to an opening, to be able to look at each painting without struggling to find our way among the crowd. I got a chance to talk to Travis Louie and Sylvia Ji when the gallery was still a bit empty (and you still could feel the cool breeze). The crowd started to fill the whole gallery around 7PM and people just kept coming. We had to get out in the middle of it to get some fresh air  and coffee (plus 2 slices of yummy pizza). Travis Louie's works are incredible, super fine rendering skill and high detailed drawing. Each character in his painting looks very alive and as if they are frozen in time and packed inside the glass frame by Mr. Louie. One of my favorites is The Hypno Doll, and I'm not the only one since that painting was one of the first paintings sold that night.
Sylvia Ji show contains 15 acrylic paintings, with most of them using her popular style approach of Dia de los Muertos imagery. The vibrant colors of predominantly red and gold leaf will catch your eyes as soon as you enter the gallery.
Before we headed home, we stopped by at Last Rites for the group show. The gallery was packed as well and it was pretty difficult for me to move around and look at each of the artwork. The show was curated by Jason D'Aquino. He teamed up with Last Rites to present Lead Poisoning, a show of gray-scale drawings by some of the most talented artists working today. You will find drawings by Jason himself, Greg 'Craola' Simkins, Chet Zar, Tara McPherson, Chris Mars, Robert Williams, Xiaoqing Ding, David Stoupakis, and many more.
All in all, it was a great night and I always feel like there are so many cool things to see in the city but so little time. Until next time:)

Some photos taken by DH

With Sylvia and Travis

Some of Sylvia Ji's paintings

The Hypno Doll is sooo adorable

         

Mark Garro, Mark Elliott and I

Some of Travis Louie's paintings

Meeting Travis and his beautiful family

Xiaoqing Ding's drawing at Last Rites

Tara McPherson's drawing at Last Rites