DABS and MYLA have a new site!

Some my good friends Dabs and Myla just updated their site and added new content to it. Take a gander and have a good one!
peace,
gregola

SUGGESTIVISM @ Grand Central Art Center opens Feb. 5th

Suggestivism’

A group exhibition curated by Nathan Spoor

Opening Reception: Sat, Feb. 5th 7-10PM

Grand Central Art Center

125 N. Broadway in Santa Ana / 714.567.7233

www.grandcentralartcenter.com

*Parking available in the Third Street parking structure

Cal State University’s cutting-edge museum arm, Grand Central Art Center, and Nathan Spoor have teamed up to present one hell of a show in the form of ‘Suggestivism’ – a comprehensive survey that explores and documents a select section of modern contemporary artists which make up the vibrant core of creativity existing in the current art world.

Conceptually speaking, the term “suggestivism” refers to the ability of an individual to pursue their purpose with an amplified understanding and sensitivity. The artists involved represent precisely this – a wave of purpose, working within the more fluid aspects of narrative or figurative arenas. Through thower of suggestion, the magic is transferred from one to another, engaging the world at large from the most vivid and evocative of visual realms.

Featuring works from:
Esao Andrews, Carrie Ann Baade, Sandow Birk, Michael Brown, Nicoletta Ceccoli, Dave Cooper, Bob Dob, Thomas Doyle, Ron English, Alex Gross, Robert Hardgrave, Naoto Hattori, Femke Hiemstra, Gregory Jacobsen, Audrey Kawasaki, Andy Kehoe, Kris Kuksi, Darren LeGallo, Kris Lewis, Francesco LoCastro, Jason Maloney, Mars-1/Mario Martinez. Chris Mars, Dalek James Marshall, Dan May, Elizabeth McGrath, Jeff McMillan, Tara McPherson, Mia, David Molesky, Brendan Monroe, Scott Musgrove, Nathan Ota, Michael Page, Kevin Peterson, James Roper, Chris Ryniak, Bob Schneider, Todd Schorr, Greg Simkins, Skinner, Jeff Soto, Nathan Spoor, CR Stecyk III, Heidi Taillefer, Joe Vaux, Nicola Verlato, Oliver Vernon, Eric White, Robin Williams, Martin Wittfooth, Chandler Wood, and Chet Zar

The exhibition will be accompanied by a grand print / book piece that includes the artwork in the exhibition, as well as a fascinating time capsule of studio shots and compelling interviews conducted by Spoor with each artist during the three-year curating period (2008 – 2011).

Tattoo Revolution Magazine Interview

The kind folks at Tattoo Revolution Magazine interviewed me for Issue 3. The physical version of the magazine can be purchased here or they have a digital version available here (which is half the price of the physical version - not to mention you don't have to pay shipping!).

For the tablet edition (which is optimized for tablet/iPad readers) click here.

Craola Baseball

This would be cool if I liked baseball...

Penguins Can Fly!

I knew these little buggars were up to something. I hear they also prey on humans so beware...


just kidding:

Interview: Eriberto Oriol

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Eriberto Oriol.

Manone, Me, Eriberto at Crewest

It was about the time my first Juxtapoz article came out, and they wanted to shoot a portrait along with it. I was paired with Eriberto and struck up an immediate friendship. He is a superbly talented photographer and has great vision, but I was also happy to glean off of his knowledge and stories of being a father and raising his family all around Southern California. His pictures capture a raw aspect of the subject matter he shoots. Eriberto is a class act and I am proud to know him and share this interview and these images with you:


GS: So How about a little background? When and where were you born and where did you grow up?
EO: I was born in Indio, CA and grew up in Varrio Logan, a community of San Diego, CA

GS: How did you get started in photography?
EO: By working on community social, political, and environmental issues affecting Varrio Logan.

GS: Of all the spots you have shot, which stand out as your favorite?
EO: Its hard to say but I love shooting on streets of downtown LA, in LA River and Belmont Tunnel when they were graffiti active.

GS: When did your interest in graffiti as a subject matter begin?
EO: In 1989 when stumbled into Belmont as Hex and Slick were in their first graf battle.

GS: Your work has a voyeuristic fly on the wall appeal especially pieces like "The Thinker" and "America's Most Wanted... Do you find patience and waiting for the perfect shot comes easy?
EO: Most of the time it just presents itself out of no wheres and in a moment.. I never know when it is going to jump out at me nor do I plan for it. When its there its there and its all over in seconds.

GS: Is there one particular shot that stands out to you as your favorite?
EO: No, but some my favorites are America's Most Wanted, The Thinker, I Have A Dream, LA Landscape, Where's Jesus, First Love and several from graffiti and the women I'v photographed.

GS: Are there photographers you are inspired by?
EO: Ansel Adams, Luis Bravo, Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon and Andre Breton just to name a few. Most important ever since I got back into shooting after about a 15 year absence, my son Estevan. He pulled me back into it 5 years ago. He really knows how to capture the essence of a persons character and the rawness of life.


GS: What does a basic day look like for you?
EO: First my wife and I spent a couple hours together, I workout a bit, look through fotos, and go for some walks throughout the day and evening, take a few shots here and there unless I have a specific shoot which then becomes a project.

GS: I have found that you have great fatherly advice and respect your views on family, how important are the relationships with your family to your creative process?
EO: I have 2 families. My personal and artist family. Both are equally significant. They both carry me through life, giving it purpose and meaning. I'm closest to my wife Angelica, son Estevan, sister Rita, artist friend Oscar Duardo, and Jorge Parra.

GS: What do you so when you are not making photos?
EO: Look at documentaries on various subjects in the arts, science, politics, environment, astronomy, autobiographies and love to walk around LA just checking all what is here.

GS: What is new in the works for us to keep our eyes out for?
EO: The main thing is to share my artwork with a larger audience through my photography through my and my wife's website ForbiddenArtLA.com. To get back into drawing, painting and sculpture, and to continue to exhibit. Further more to simplify my life even more so and just to make and enjoy each day my most important and of coarse to cherish my wife Angelica till my last breath.

Thanks Eriberto. Now you out there go spend some time checking out His work at ForbiddenArtLA.com , Eriberto.com , and eribertooriol.wordpress.com
peace,
Gregola

Here are a couple photos Eriberto made a while ago of my largest painting to date
"In Sleep"
16'X4'
Acrylic on canvas

Art Shows Last Weekend

So it was a busy weekend a couple days ago for some of my really good friends who I am so proud of. If you happened to have missed Steven Daily, Alex Pardee, and Graham Curran's showings, check out the images and links below

Steven Daily:




Alex Pardee:





Graham Curran: (Graham is my friend/intern/apprentice. Keep an eye out for him)

First Tattoo Shop in Hermosa Beach

Finally! Hermosa Beach has allowed it's first Tattoo shop to open. It has been years in debates, but one of the South Bay's finest, Johnny Anderson also known as Johnny 2/3's, has broken through the red tape to open the Hermosa Tattoo Company. In honor of the occasion the Mint Salon along with owner Elias Shephard are celebrating with an art show. Come on down Saturday January 15th to enjoy some art, music and congratulate the guys on a new era in the South Bay's Beach Cities.

Event located @:
The Mint Salon
69 14th Street
Hermosa Beach CA
(310) 341-8792

The Black Rabbit is coming