Jonathan LeVine Gallery is pleased to announce True Self, a group exhibition of new works by over 40 artists, brought together by represented artist and special guest curator Gary Baseman. The theme has been left open to encourage individual interpretation and there are no size or medium restrictions, so that each participating artist has complete creative freedom on the subject at hand.

Participating artists include: Adam Wallacavage, Alex Prager, Amor Muñoz, Boris Hoppek, Christian Clayton, Cleon Peterson, Dalek, Dave Cooper, David Sandlin, Deedee Cheriel, Eric White, Esther Pearl Watson, Fons Schiedon, Frieda Gossett, Friends With You, Gary Taxali, Gary Baseman, Gerard Dubois, Gretchen Ryan, James Jean, Jennifer Poon, Jonathon Rosen, Korin Faught, Lauren Bergman, Leah Hayes, Lola, Luke Chueh, Marion Peck, Mark Ryden, Mark Todd, Martha Rich, Mike Shinoda, Miso, Natalia Fabia, Orly Cogan, Ray Caesar, Rob Clayton, Robin VanValkenburgh, Ron English, Ryan Heshka, Ryan Jacob Smith, Shag, Shannon Freshwater, The London Police, Tim Biskup, Travis Lampe, and more.

True Self
Group Exhibition curated by Gary Baseman
Jonathan Levine Gallery
Oct 24 thru Nov 21, 2009
Opening Reception – Saturday, October 24th, 7-9pm

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Ron English

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of their iconic Hello Kitty character loved the world over, Sanrio has put together the Three Apples exhibition which runs from October 23rd through November 15th 2009 @ Royal/T in Culver City.  Named after Hello Kitty’s official weight, the multi-faceted exhibition will offer several displays within the 10,000 sqft. venue  including the Three Apples art show featuring original interpretations of Hello Kitty from over  80 artists.  Curated by Jamie Rivadeneira, owner of  the Japan LA boutique, the show will feature work from well-known artists including Ron English, Amanda Visell,  Buff Monster, Natalia Fabia, Colin Christian, Luke Chueh,  and many more.  The artwork will be available for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting LA Works. Enjoy this first look at some of the artwork created for the show.

Royal/T
8910 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310.559.6300

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Seonna Hong

Jonathan LeVine Gallery opened its new group show Beach Blanket Bingo August 5th. The show features a great roster of over 30 artists including Natalia Fabia, Seonna Hong, Ron English and Ray Caesar, to name a few, and runs through august 22nd. Check it out if you haven’t already.

Jonathan LeVine Gallery
529 West 20th Street, 9th floor
New York, NY 10011

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Thanks to Beau LeBasse for inviting me to blog on dailyDuJour!

I went to Natalia Fabia’s opening at Corey Helford last weekend – the show continues through March 14, 2009 and should not be missed!  My friend painter Trevor Young is doing a painting sabbatical in LA and I wanted him to experience her work.  There was as LINE AROUND THE BLOCK when we arrived!  Luckily, the powers that be pulled us out of the line and whisked us inside. 

The paintings (what I could see of them) were fantastic!  I want to go back to really get a closer look – check them out online: http://www.coreyhelfordgallery.com/#/show/current/

Natalia looked fabulous too!

Natalia and her famous hooker challis

I LOVED her chandeliers!  Before I knew it I was talking to Bruce Helford about which one I wanted.  I think we all have to do our part in keeping the art scene alive by buying the art that we love.  After all, the chandeliers are only $350-400 each!  I was talking to Liz McGrath and she and Morgan Slade got one too.

I was really happy to see Shawn Barber and Kim Saigh there amongst countless other artist friends and collectors.

LA Ink's Kim Saigh and BSFA artist Shawn Barber

Lots to see last Saturday…but I decided to take a pass on the KAWS madness. Since I actually want to see the show I thought it best to go during the week. In the meantime traveled to Weho to visit Kopeikin Gallery and the Beautiful/Decay Issue Z party/show. Amir Fallah curated a very strong arrangement of work ranging in style, medium and scale. Nice work!

From their skipped back to my own hood of Culver City and to one of our old favorites Natalia Fabia at Corey Helford. Natalia’s work really does keep getting better and better and hew new solo was not one to disappoint. Good seeing lots of old friends and even picked up some prints from my man Joshua Petker who is preparing for his own solo show in SF next month.

This week is back to preparations…but it was a nice little art crawl. More pics after the jump…

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The beautiful and talented Natalia Fabia opened her latest solo, Hooker DreamEscape, this past Saturday evening @ Corey Helford gallery in Culver City.  For her new work, Fabia continues her portrayals of beautiful and often enigmatic women.  While her subject matter is familiar, the skill with which she brings it to life continues to rise quickly. ‘Photo-realistic’ is an apt yet somehow unfulfilling description – the lushness of life pulsating in the human subjects and the vibrant backgrounds is arresting and alluring.

The opening drew an impressive crowd who packed the gallery  and formed a line out front throughout the evening. Suspended above the crowd and art in the main room, clear plastic ‘chandeliers’ designed by Fabia provided a unique artful ambience.  Be sure to check the gallery’s official page for piece availability.  Natalia Fabia’s Hooker DreamEscape closes on March 14th.

Corey Helford Gallery
8522 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310.287.2340

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There are some excellent shows in LA this weekend, probably too many to try and cover, but here are three you should not miss.

Natalia Fabia, “Hooker Dreamescape”
Sat, Feb. 21st 7-10PM
Corey Helford Gallery
8522 Washington Blvd, Culver City

KAWS “The Long Way Home”
Sat, Feb. 21st 6-8PM
Honor Fraser
2622 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles

‘Beautiful/Decay A To Z’
Sat, Feb. 21st 6-9PM
Kopeikin Gallery
8810 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood
Beautiful/Decay has curated a special show featuring 26 artists.

Natalia Fabia’s work presents lush and vibrant portrayals of her risque women she refers to as ‘hookers’.  Hooker DreamEscape, her followup to last year’s Hooker Safari, opens on February 21st, 2009 [7-10 PM] @ Corey Helford Gallery.  This new collection of work reveals the secret longings and fantasies of her ladies through light-hearted “dream-escapes”.   In addition to her new oil-on-board paintings, Fabia will offer a series of lucite chandeliers, featuring custom-charms, limited to 15 signed and numbered pieces. Fabia’s work begs to be seen in person.  Pictures alone do not do justice  to her tremendous skill and creativity.

Corey Helford Gallery
8522 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA  90232
310.287.2340

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You heard it here first – The show no one has talked about, but should be! Grassroots Productions and Gen Art open an exhibition of curated artist portraits next week of Grammy-nominated artists , featuring 20-25 artists working in the Pop Surrealism genre including: Shepard Fairey, Ron English, Gary Baseman and many more. (See full list below.)

The exhibition will include 24 original works available for sale via silent auction. A portion of the proceeds of the auction will be donated to the Pea Pod Foundation. Prices will range from $5k-100k for these original pieces. Fifty limited edition giclee prints will be available for sale for the duration of the exhibition of which all proceeds will also be donated to the Pea Pod Foundation.

The Gallery Exhibition, curated by Shooting Gallery and artist Kris Lewis, with support from artist Will.i.am, will run daily from 1pm-7pm and is open to the public.

Daily D will be at the opening and should have some installation shots for you as well,

Monday,February 2
7:00pm – 11:00pm
Pacific Electric Lofts
610 S. Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014

List of artists (and musicians they are doing portraits of):
SAS CHRISTIAN –  (Rihanna)
LORI EARLEY –  (Madonna)
COLIN CHRISTIAN –  (M.I.A)
JEREMY LIPKING –   (Snoop Dogg)
SHEPARD FAIREY – (Paul McCartney)
IAN JOHNSON –  (Al Green)
DAVID STOUPAKIS –  (Will.i.am)
PAUL CHATEM –  (Rick Rubin)
RON ENGLISH –  (Metallica)
GREG GOSSEL – (Jay-Z)
HENRY LEWIS –  (Nas)
SHAWN BARBER –  (Shawn Barber)
TRAVIS LOUIE –  (Nine Inch Nails)
MATT BONE –  (Beyonce)
JOSHUA PETKER – (Radiohead) Pictured Above – but not Radiohead
VAN ARNO –    (BB King)
HEIDI TAILLEFER –   (Coldplay)
KRIS LEWIS -  (Beck)
MIKE MAXWELL –  (Bruce Springsteen)
GARY BASEMAN & NABIL ELDERKIN –   (Kanye West)
CHRIS PUGLIESE –   (The Eagles)
HELEN GARBER – (Will.i.am)
SAUL ARMAS –   (Lil’ Wayne)
TRAE KING –  (Duffy)
NATALIA FABIA – (Pink)

D*Face - America Depress (Green)

Clowns! opening tomorrow night, Saturday November 15th (7-10 PM) @ Corey Helford, features an impressive  group of artists including Alex Pardee, Audrey Kawasaki,  Buff Monster, D*Face (above), Gary Baseman, Joe Ledbetter,  Natalia Fabia, Shag, Travis Lampe, Word To Mother and many more (see the flier for full lineup)   As you might guess, this theme show explores the many sides of clowns which resonate with modern culture on many different levels.   Click through for a quick preview of some of the work you’ll see at the opening.

Corey Helford Gallery
8522 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310.287.2340

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