Nighttime Paintings in my Solo Show

"Nymph" Banjo-Uke painting by Amy Crehore 2009
"Song of the Wind" 6"x6" by Amy Crehore 2009
"Nighttime Ditty" "12 x 6" by Amy Crehore 2009
"Song of the Sea" 12"x 12" by Amy Crehore 2009

CLICK to enlarge

People really seemed to like the nighttime paintings I did for my "Dreamgirls and Ukes" show.

All of these are oils on linen except for the one on the antique banjo, which is oil paint on the original hide head (varnished). The big tortoise is a new character... from Galapagos Islands. The "Nighttime Ditty" is a version of my "Snake Tamer's Ditty" of 2007. Please feel free to comment and I will answer any questions you might have.

Dreamgirls and Ukes Show

Amy Crehore

All artwork is copyright 2009 Amy Crehore

Amy Crehore's Paintings and Ukes on the Gallery Walls at Thinkspace, Los Angeles

All photos taken by Mark Lowrie. Click to enlarge.

This is my "Dreamgirls and Ukes" show. This show only runs until March 6th, 2009. Gallery is open on Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sunday from 1-6pm. Please go see it if you live near L.A. !

Thinkspace Gallery

(follow link to view artwork online- all ukes are set up with strings in this gallery show)

Main Gallery Solo Show, "Dreamgirls and Ukes":
Feb 13- March 6 2009 - featuring oil paintings and fully restored, painted antique ukuleles.
4210 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 323-913-3375
contact@sourharvest.com

Anthony Clarkson's wonderful art is showing in the project room.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Some Photos of My Art Ukes Strung Up, Restored

Wasp
Squirm

Peekaboo

Nymph

La Pacifica

Tuxedo

Photos taken by Mark Lowrie at Thinkspace Gallery on opening night Feb 13, 2009

All banjo-ukes from 1920's

Click photo to enlarge

I was not able to take photos of the ukes all strung up before I left for L.A., so I sent the gallery photos of the ukes without the strings on them. In some cases, such as banjo-ukes, the tailpiece/bridges were missing from the photos. Here are some shots of the banjo-ukes on the actual wall of Thinkspace Gallery. You can see them with strings, all fully restored and tuned by a professional luthier. I will be blogging the rest of the ukes (with strings), so stay tuned. The real beauty of the "Dreamgirls and Ukes" show is that each uke is a real instrument as well as a fine art object. Each was lovingly restored to playability. Some even have hand-crafted bridges and tailpiece (as in the case of La Pacifica).

Dreamgirls and Ukes Show- Art by Amy Crehore

This show will be up until March 6th.

Back Home

The Hokum Scorchers at Thinkspace Feb 13, 2009, photo by Mark Lowrie

I spent more than a week in L.A. and it was so much fun. I think I OD'd on the Farmer's Market as I went there probably twice a day... for 8 days. My friend, Mark Lowrie, took tons of photos of the show. I intend to write more about it after I rest up a bit.

Yesterday, Juxtapoz wrote a nice re-cap.

Pop Drawer , Arrested Motion, The Rumpus, boingboing , Metromix L.A. (the newspaper version, too), Hooping Humanist, Fabulist, Uke Hunt, Format Mag, KPFK radio (Ali Lexa) were kind enough to feature my show, "Dreamgirls and Ukes", on their sites. Thanks to all! I do hope people will try to get out and see it in person if they are in the Los Angeles area. It was a lot of work, but the results were well worth it. I was extremely pleased by Thinkspace Gallery's beautiful space and wonderful people. New VIDEO on YouTube of performance Feb 13, 2009 (don't be fooled- it says 2007).

The Art of Amy Crehore

My Thinkspace solo art show, plus music video

Here is a link to a video and a couple of photos of my show that opened over the weekend at Thinkspace. I will blog more photos soon.

LINK

The Art of Amy Crehore

Close-Up Photos of My Ukes on Flickr

Here's a LINK to close-up photos of the painted antique ukes in my solo show at Thinkspace. You can really see the details of my designs in these shots. The whole show can be seen here:

"Dreamgirls and Ukes" show

Happy Valentines Day

23
Originally uploaded by riptheskull

Riptheskull has an amazing collection of
vintage Valentine cards on flickr

20 Questions with Amy Crehore

Juxtapoz recently asked me to answer twenty questions in anticipation of my solo show opening Feb 13th at Thinkspace in Los Angeles, CA.

Here's the link: JUXTAPOZ

My Solo Show in Los Angeles

Just a little reminder for people in Los Angeles: My solo art show, "Dreamgirls and Ukes", will be opening Friday, Feb. 13, 2009 from 7-11pm at Thinkspace Gallery. Go to the gallery website for a full preview of the show and a link to close-up photos of the ukuleles on flickr. My band, The Hokum Scorchers, will play at 9 pm. I painted a mural in the front room of the gallery this week. The show is looking great, the paintings and ukuleles are all hung. Anthony Clarkson will be showing paintings in the project room. See ya there!

The Art of Amy Crehore

Hokum Scorchers to Play Music at Thinkspace Gallery, Los Angeles Feb 13, 2009

The Hokum Scorchers will play live music at 9pm on Feb 13th, 2009 during the opening ceremony for "Dreamgirls and Ukes" (7-11pm), my solo show at Thinkspace Gallery in Los Angeles.contact@sourharvest.com

Follow this link to hear some samples of blues, jugband, ragtime songs from the 1920's-1950's:

HOKUM SCORCHERS

The Art of Amy Crehore

My "Dreamgirls and Ukes" Show

Antique Ukulele painted by Amy Crehore 2009

Hokum Hallelujah, 12" x 18", oil on linen, copyright Amy Crehore 2009

My solo show, "Dreamgirls and Ukes", will open on Feb. 13, 2009 from 7-11pm. There will be a special performance at 9pm by my band, The Hokum Scorchers. I just posted all of my images for the show on FLICKR in two sets:

14 PAINTINGS

13 RESTORED & PAINTED ANTIQUE UKULELES

OR watch the whole show as a

SLIDE SHOW

Follow links to view them.

The Art of Amy Crehore

P.S. All of the ukes will be set up by a luthier for this show.

The Ragtime Goblin

The Ragtime Goblin
Originally uploaded by wackystuff

Interview with me on Thinkspace Gallery's Blog

"Monkey Love Song" copyright 2009 Amy Crehore

Thinkspace gallery just posted a question and answer session with me on their blog. This image is one of the 14 new paintings in my solo show, which will also feature 13 hand-painted, antique ukuleles (that are restored and set up by a luthier). "Dreamgirl's and Ukes" opens Feb 13th, 2009 from 7-11pm. My little band, The Hokum Scorchers, will play around 9pm. Follow link to read:

Interview with Amy Crehore by Andrew Hosner.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Man Ray's Objects Include a Banjo Uke

Here is a banjo uke that Man Ray used for a sculpture. It's called Optical Illusion, 1946. He made many cool objects - a metronome with an eye attached was one of my favs. He must have liked music. (Photo Credit: from the book "Self Portrait", Man Ray) More about him on Wikipedia . I'm feeling close to him, the dadaists, and the surrealists right now.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Another Glimpse of New Work

Small detail from "Dragonfly Vanity Waltz", one of the new paintings in my upcoming show at Thinkspace Gallery in L.A. (opens Feb. 13, 2009).

The Art of Amy Crehore

Women in bathing suits with ukuleles, 1926

Women in bathing suits with ukuleles, 1926
Originally uploaded by bobster1985

On flickr- follow link.
Library of Congress.

Detail of another painting

Here's a detail of one called "Monkey Love Song". The full painting will be in my upcoming solo show at Thinkspace Gallery, Feb 13.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Weed Smoker's Dream by the Harlem Hamfats 1936

Such a great title for a song that I think I will use it for one of my new paintings (detail in post below). The Hokum Scorchers played "Weed Smoker's Dream" sometimes. I always liked that song! Found it on YouTUBE.

Another Detail of a New Painting

Cropped glimpse of another new painting, "Weed Smoker's Dream" by Amy Crehore

That's a large peachtree borer (flying insect).

Adam Koford's New Book

Only a month to go before Adam Koford's new book is officially released, but it looks like it is already doing well on Amazon. You can pre-order the book here. "The Laugh-Out-Loud Cats Sell Out presents the very best of Koford's online archives, alongside 30 new comics produced exclusively for this collection. An introduction by bestselling author and Daily Show correspondent John Hodgman, whose '700 Hoboes' project inspired Koford to create The Laugh-Out-Loud Cats, frames the strips for both the longtime fan and the LOLinitiate."

I love these comics.

Check out Adam's great blog

HOBOTOPIA or his flickr

The Art of Amy Crehore

Details of New Paintings

The Art of Amy Crehore

This is a detail of a new painting called "Hokum Hallelujah". It's for my upcoming show in L.A. at Thinkspace (Feb 13). I am going to start to show you some glimpses. I have been scanning all day and still have much to do in the weeks to come. But, the art is done for the most part.

"Dreamgirls and Ukes" Sneak Peeks

Ten of the restored, vintage ukes on the floor of my studio. They still need a bit of final paint.

Here is the front of the postcard for the Thinkspace show. They did a great job with the graphics.
I often blog links to flickr sets. This time, I am blogging my own. I just posted some sneak peeks of my art for my upcoming show at Thinkspace Gallery in L.A. (opens Feb 13, 2009 and runs through March 6th). The 14 paintings are finished and need to be framed. The 13 ukes are almost there. I will be finishing them up this weekend. For clarification: these are fully restored (by Lou Reimuller) antique ukes, most from the 1920's and 1930's. Some are rare, some near mint, some are brand names. All playable. They will all be set up by a luthier, but they are also hand-painted (by me) fine art objects which will hang next to my paintings in the gallery setting.

"Dreamgirls and Ukes" studio shots on flickr

(you can watch it as a slideshow)
The Art of Amy Crehore

Crankbait featured in "Outdoor Life"

Hey kids, the crankbait lures we painted a while back for Steve Lodefink of Finkbuilt blog now appear in "Outdoor Life" magazine, February issue. The online art show was a lot of fun with a lot of great artists. Read about it and view it here:

FINKBUILT

"Movers and Shakers" Exhibit, L.A. opens Feb 14, 2009

The day after my solo show opens at Thinkspace Gallery in Feb., another exciting show will be happening in Los Angeles in Chinatown. I am also taking part in this show. It is called "Movers and Shakers", curated by Gino Joukar. The date is Valentine's Day, Feb 14, 2009, from 7-11 pm. Here is the show postcard. It will be tons of fun. (Click image to enlarge to see a fantastic list of some of your favorite artists) For more information, including a preview of a special boxset of prints go here:

POVEVOLVING

The Art of Amy Crehore

Interview with Amy Crehore in INKED Magazine (FEB)

I'm so excited. This really nice magazine did a full page interview with me about my upcoming solo art show ("Dreamgirls and Ukes", Thinkspace, L.A., Feb 13). They printed two of my paintings and photos of my No. 1 Tickler Ukulele. I just got my copy! It's the Feb. issue of INKED Magazine. Jennifer Goldstein did a great job writing it.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Theme from Amarcord

The theme from Amarcord by Nino Rota was always my favorite.

Here's a film clip w/the music.

What am I up to?

Hoop Dream (Detail) by Amy Crehore

Here is just a detail of a small new painting. I have been finishing up my paintings for my "Dreamgirls and Ukes" show. There will be 14 new paintings in the show unless I find time to add another. Not sure if I will put sketches in the show or not. There will also be 13 hand-painted, restored vintage ukuleles in this show. Still working on those. Those are 85% done. Then I will have to photograph and frame, plus all the rest (including practicing music). I will be painting something on the front wall of the gallery as well. Thinkspace Gallery will have a "question and answer" with me on their blog soon. I'll let you know when. There's also an ad in Juxtapoz and an interview in Inked Magazine (February issues). They should be out now. I will be blogging more details and paintings very soon.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Oscar Schmidt 1920 Koa Uke for Xmas

Click on image to enlarge
I got this incredible gem for Xmas. Flame koa antique uke with a koa bridge and nice detailing all around. The headstock I wanted, too - it's sort of a paddle-shape at the top. It was made around 1920- give or take. This photo does not do justice to it. The flame wood is iridescent.
The Art of Amy Crehore

Heinrich Kley 1863-1945(?)

Heinrich Kley was a German painter and editorial cartoonist. Here are a couple of examples of his fine drawings. Walt Disney built an extensive private collection of Heinrich Kley. A number of early Disney productions, notably Fantasia, reveal Kley's inspiration. (Wikipedia)

More drawings here: thescreamonline .

The Art of Amy Crehore

Louis Moe 1857-1945

Yes, he has a strange name, but he was a damn good draftsman and creative whiz. View more works from the Norwegian artist,

Louis Moe

The Art of Amy Crehore

P.S. Here are some more links: Troll Moon,

Monster Brains

Moira Hahn Solo Show at Koplin Del Rio Gallery

"Raijin Tiger" painting copyright Moira Hahn
"Tan Don't Burn" painting copyright Moira Hahn

" Next Exit" painting copyright Moira Hahn

Moira Hahn's new watercolor paintings will be on view at Koplin Del Rio Gallery in Culver City CA from January 10th to February 28th. Her opening will be on Saturday, January 10th, from 6-8pm.
Hahn "paints anthropomorphic animals contending with catastrophes brought on by human-kind. In 'Next Exit', for example, the blackened scaffold of a two-story tall, elephant-shaped house full of leaking oil drums disintegrates in a fury of swirling flames and demons, while a pot-bellied cowboy rider flogs it with a whip. Exquisitely garbed primates heed warnings from other species, and ancient Buddhist hell scroll imagery is transcribed, mutated and blended with other historic and contemporary sources to represent trials of the modern age." (from Hahn's statement about her work)
You can view her amazing work here:
KOPLIN DEL RIO


The Art of Amy Crehore

What am I listening to?

I am listening to the free cd that came with my 2009 blues calendar! It's amazingly good! If you haven't purchased a calendar yet, get this one chock full o' race record ads. Just look at this play list on the cd:

Track Listings:January to December artwork(1) Night & Day Blues • Blind Blake(2) Milk Cow Blues • Kokomo Arnold(3) Shake It and Break It • Charley Patton(4) Jesus Is A Mighty Good Leader • Skip James(5) Home Town Skiffle-Pt. 1,2 • Paramount All Stars(6) Jailhouse Fire Blues • Buddy Boy Hawkins(7) Worried Blues • Blind Lemon Jefferson (8) Cherry Ball Blues • Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie(9) Graveyard Dream Blues • Ida Cox(10) Nightmare • Elgar's Creole Orchestra (11) The Death of Blind Lemon • Rev. Emmett Dickerson(12) Death May Be Your Christmas Present • Rev. A. W. NixBonus tracks (artwork doesn't exist for these songs)(13) Sun to Sun • Blind Blake(14) The Laffing Rag • Ben Curry(15) Hot Dog • Ben Curry(16) Home Town Skiffle-Test •Paramount All Stars(17) Alchohol And Jake Blues • Tommy Johnson(18) Ridin' Horse • Tommy Johnson

NOTE: The "Paramount All Stars" includes Papa Charley Jackson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Blake, Hokum Boys, Will Ezell, & Charley Spand. (Great!)

Get your calendar and free cd here:

Blues Images

This is the kind of roots music that I play with the Hokum Scorchers.

The art and music of Amy Crehore

Marilyn and her Uke