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Sarah Joncas

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m modern works [May. 6th, 2008|07:56 pm]
[Current Mood | jubilant]
[Current Music |"Lay Lady Lay", Bob Dylan]

Alrighty! Here are the two paintings I've been teasing about for the last little while : D
The show opens up this Friday (May 9th) at the m modern gallery in Palm Springs, CA -- a big, juicy group show focused mostly on a Tiki Theme, but kinda open as well ~

Other artists include: Amy Crehore, Anthony Ausgang, Atomikitty, Bosko, Brandon Steen, Brett Hess, Chris Reccardi, Crazy Al, Dale Sizer, Dave Calver, Dave Pressler, Derek Yaniger, Donella Vitale, Gollyan, Heather Watts, Jacklyn Presant, James Naccarato, Jasmine Worth, Joe Vitale, Joey Remmers, John Bell, Jophen Stein, Ken Ruzic, Lynne Naylor, Mark Bodner, Mark Covell, Miles Thompson, Naoto Hattori, Netherland, Nicole Steen, Pizz, Roger Webb, Sam Gambino, Sarah Joncas, Shag, Thorsten Hasen Kamm, Tiki Tony, Pesci One, and more.

Cherry, Darling?, 18x24", oil.      Cherry Study, 10x12", oil
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Opps! [Apr. 30th, 2008|05:02 pm]
[Current Mood | peaceful]
[Current Music |"Sunburn", Muse]

I know I wrote that I'd be posting my paintings for that mmodern show this week, but I got a little too far ahead of myself ~ the show doesn't actually open until next Friday... I guess the sunny weather had gotten to my head a little; started believing we were already in May ; P
So, next week for sure I'll update the new works! *pinky swear*

Here are a couple things I finished a little while ago though - the small painting I made for a friend, and the little clay girl I made for myself. Was a lot of fun playing around with craft materials just for the hell of it.  Makes me feel like a kid again : D

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The Tick [Apr. 23rd, 2008|03:06 pm]
[Current Mood | giggly]
[Current Music |"Don't Kiss me Goodbye", Ultra Orange/Emmanuelle]

Why hello there!
Missed posting art news last week due to exams, and because I'm now in the mist of packing and moving my ass out of Toronto, I shan't be posting any new art news in this post either....  BUT! Next week (probably Monday or something), I'll update the blog with two paintings I'm showing at mmodern for their anniversary show this May.  If you're interested or curious, send me an email or, even better, the gallery an email and they'll update you with more info -  www.mmodern.com

....For now, I just want to share my love for the hilarious old TV show "The Tick" (specifically the live-action one) that I rediscovered this morning (plot is kinda similar to the film "mystery men", if you enjoyed that one?).  It was canceled after 9 episodes or something, but the script and dialogue is just too funny!  Here's some quotes:

"Everybody was a baby once, Arthur. Oh, sure, maybe not today, or even yesterday. But once! Babies, chum: tiny, dimpled, fleshy mirrors of our us-ness, that we parents hurl into the future, like leathery footballs of hope! And you've got to get a good spiral on that baby, or evil will make an interception!"

"Rugged, self-assured, adult. These are the words that describe the man who wears a mustache. Yes, it says to the world, 'I'm a man of action!' Ah, but action tempered with maturity. Like a fireman... or somebody's dad! Y'know, most of your world leaders have mustaches!"

"Let your journey into hugeness teach us all a lesson. Absolute power is a sticky wicket. And, Arthur, chum, you were the stickiest. Don't you get it, good friend? Some of the best things come in small packages. But large things can't! Unless they're inflatable, or require some assembly, or unless they're hearts. Yes, giant, juicy, loving hearts! As big as the moon, but much, much warmer!"

Enjoy the lovely spring weather ^__^
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The 2 Week Countdown : D [Apr. 8th, 2008|03:30 pm]
[Current Mood | giddy]
[Current Music |"Bank of a Boston Beauty Queen", Dresden Dolls]

I'm so excited! There's only two weeks left in my classes, then I'm set free to wander and explore!! Already got a line up of concerts for the summer, plan to see New York for the first time, probably going to enjoy the beach... and of course an open schedule to paint, free of schooling responsibilities. The last 15 years or so of being instituted has really given me a new appreciation for these few months of summer ^__^

However, still have a few OCAD projects to share with you while I wait anxiously for 2 weeks to pass.



I do enjoy getting to explore a little more with my homework like I have here, and I guess in overview of the situation, I'll probably miss not having a model to draw/paint from this summer as well. Thinking I'll coax some family or friends into helping me out though -- also thinking about using photography as a start-up to working in order to hone my perspective/lighting especially since I hope to create more elaborate backgrounds for my characters in the future.... We'll see what can be done ^__~
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Painting Details [Mar. 31st, 2008|04:09 pm]
[Current Mood | thirsty]
[Current Music |"Take Another Little Piece of my Heart", Janis Joplin]

I decided that since I've been posting so much school work lately, I'd better post something from my personal work as well...  Don't want to give the false impression that homework is all I'm up to!   I had originally been looking forward to revealing new paintings back in March, but didn't get the chance due to the canceled show ~ so, although I can't preview the full compositions of these paintings (a couple of which are still in progress), here's a few cropped details of them ^__^



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Glubdub Interview [Mar. 18th, 2008|10:42 am]
[Current Mood | touched]
[Current Music |"Take the Veil Cerpin Text", Mars Volta]

Just found out this morning that another interview I did with Alex, from  Glubdub.com, is now posted ~ Just scroll down a little on this page and you'll find it ~

Thanks!
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The Mechanical Bride [Mar. 17th, 2008|11:40 pm]
[Current Mood | nerdy]
[Current Music |"Devil got my Woman", Skip James]

Ever since a lecture from one of my courses last year on Marshall McLuhan, I've been re-investigating and re-interpreting my love for the theme of the "Mechanical Bride". The title was originally inspired by an old Duchamp work and ended up getting used by McLuhan for his book of the same name - a kind of assemblage of short essays juxtaposed against media images that, in summary, explain how advertising works... I guess it's kind of second nature for people anymore to understand that sex is used as a tool, but something about the metaphor seduced me anyway ^__~

My independent project in my painting class this semester is required to be a series of 3, approx. 3x4' canvas, investigating one theme - so, basically a thesis packed tightly into a 3 week period. Since it just wasn't enough time to paint works of my preferred style, I decided to tackle my love for the Mechanical Bride once again and create a series focusing more on her more grotesque side.
Two of the works below (of the squid-like bride) are in-progress works for that series, while the two others were paintings I made last year (sale , blue bride). I still have one more giant work to complete for the project, but in the meanwhile thought I'd share my little obsession with you ~~~

Though I don't always make the relation between my paintings and the M.Bride specifically, the idea and imagery always feels imbedded within my portraits ---  I often try to arose more sympathy for her, however (like her role in the media world is a kind of Stockholm syndrome) rather than using her as just a tool or object of it.  Kind of makes her into a real person for me; makes her feel relatable. 

Oh!  As a cool side note (at least for me), I googled "the mechanical bride" in order to find some research and images to work from and my blue bride actually popped up on the first page for it, haha!  I thought that was freakin' awesome!  You just never know : D.
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Springing Forward [Mar. 11th, 2008|06:02 pm]
[Current Mood | Feelin' swell.]
[Current Music |"Harvest Moon", Neil Young]



Another week has passed and I couldn't be happier about it! A good chunk of Southern Ontario got hit with a snow storm this weekend, but already a nice bought of warmer weather is melting it all away ~ I always look forward to that small break between winter and spring where you can really start to feel the summer months inching closer; as though anticipation of it is more exciting than it actually being here. Kind of like the scenario where you just can't wait for tomorrow, but than once it's today, it turns so quickly into yesterday. And dammit, daylight savings doesn't help >__<

Oh well. Here's some more stuff! The nude painting beside is from my Figure Painting class -- we were forced to do full figure, as well as work monochrome, but, for my first semester with live painting, I'm content with that. oil, 24x30".

...And below are some sketches from my new book. I've been planning a series of works based within private/domestic spaces, though you probably won't see the products of such sketches for a long time to come. I feel it'll be a good opportunity for me to start pushing my portraiture into more narrative compositions, and also build on my personal symbolism. From where I'm heading, I think this will end up being the direction I take with my thesis ~


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Various school projects [Mar. 3rd, 2008|09:35 pm]
[Current Mood | chipper]
[Current Music |"Inner Universe", Yoko Kanno]

 Thought I'd post some homework that's been eating up my time lately. I actually have 4 different painting classes this semester, which on top of my personal work, adds up to a lot of freakin' painting!   It's a good thing I love doing this stuff, eh? Sometimes the homework is a little tedious or painful, especially when all I can think about is my other painting beside it, but I certainly prefer it over essays... Speaking of, I better get working on that damn essay. Writing a 10 pager on Hans Bellmer -- if you haven't seen his work before, it's pretty darn creepy; 1930's surrealist sculpture/photography; sexually twisted dolls. Gotta wonder what he might have done if the outlet of making art hadn't been there... It's a good thing it was.

Well anyway, here's the list of what's posted:

"Ben's Portrait" (my 2nd live painting), oil, 18x24", approx. 5hrs; "Tea Party Love, revisited", oil, 12x24";"Between Coffee", oil, 24x36"; "Self Portrait Assignment", 16x12", oil.

And there's certainly more to come since I get new projects each week... What joy and rapture! 



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Canceled Show and Interview [Feb. 23rd, 2008|01:55 pm]
[Current Mood | blank]
[Current Music |"you and whose army", radiohead]

Hello hello ~

I'm just emerging from a weeks vacation back home.  Had my fancy school 'reading week', which although reading is encouraged during, I decided to just hibernate...  I think it was necessary.  And now I'm coutning the weeks till May ^__^

Well, on the art field, I got good and bad news!  The bad is that that Wind-up show I had been pumping up on here is in fact canceled.  I don't have any official confirmation, but I think the gallery actually might be closing down, if not already?  I haven't had any responses to my emails, even after explaining my cancelation, so I just don't know...  All I know is that I'm not sending the 6 paintings I made -- I'll let you know when I do exhibit them though, if for show or just for sale at other galleries.
I do have a different group show added to my list though!  I was invited to the annual anniversary show at mmodern in May.  Pretty excited for that as the gallery space is incredible and it'll be my first time appearing there.  Will let you know more as the time grows nearer, but otherwise it'll probably be one or two pieces.
...And the good news is that I have another interview online now - this time with www.bleachonline.com  - a internet magazine focusing on the arts in general.  If interested, go on over an check it out ^__^  My interview should be at the top along with the other artists, once you enter the site.

I guess the last thing for me to mention is that I have some semi-older works available at the Thinkspace gallery as well -- a few of the paintings from that Rome show back in October have now made their way on over to the States, as well as what was left over from the sour hearts show.  

I'll post some school work I finsihed for my midterm next week as well.  Most of them are entirely different than what I personally enjoy painting, but I guess that's part of the point of going to university....  Next year will be different though.  Thesis!  And I already know what I want ^__~
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Breathe and The ROM [Feb. 9th, 2008|10:46 pm]
[Current Mood | okay]
[Current Music |"#1 Crush", by Garbage]

Here's the large painting I have for show at the Roq la Rue space in Seattle. If you'd like to check out more of the artwork then visit the rockin' Roq blog at www.roqlaruepreview.blogspot.com ^__^



** Decided I would also attach some old shots of progress work on the painting too **

Also, my boyfriend and I went to the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) here in Toronto last week to enjoy the new Dinosaur exhibit they had running! The world of paleontology was my only deviating ambition outside of the visual arts as a kid... *Snif* it brought back so many good memories. Also got to see some cool Chinese relics, and a huge section on just present day animals. My next adventure is going to the science center! Sadly I missed the "body-works" exhibit last year, but hopefully there's something equally as cool chillin' around. If so, I'll let you know ^__~

That crazy monkey at the bottom was terribly pissed off - I think I would be as well, in his position... dead and behind glass. But the prehistoric bear beside him kinda of balanced it up. Never seen a skeleton look so happy, haha.
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A peak into the cabniet [Feb. 2nd, 2008|03:18 pm]
[Current Mood | energetic]
[Current Music |"Chemical Burn", The Dust Bros]

As mentioned in last weeks post, there's an awesome group show opening up this coming Friday at the Roq la Rue Gallery, in Seattle! From what I've been told, the show is really top quality and one of the best they've showcased. The theme of the show surrounds our furry - and maybe not so furry friends - the great animal kingdom ^__^
Other artists in the exhibit include: Femke Hiemstra, Travis Louie, Brian Despain, Amy Sol, Lisa Petrucci, Chris Ryniak, Chet Zar, Kozydan, Junko Mizumo, Liz McGrath, Kukula, Laura Plansker, Mark Frauenfelder, Christian Vanminnen, Mark Gleason, Nathan Ota, Catalina Estrada, Sarah Joncas, Kamala Dolphin-Kingsley, John Brophy, Anthony Pontius, Jeremy Bennet, Jim Woodring, Heiko Muller, Javier S. Ortega.

I have one quite large piece in the show and here's a little peak - it's oil on canvas, 24x36", called "Breathe"


Also, I'm in another up-coming group show for March at The Wind-up gallery, in Arizona. Will be my first time showing in California's neighbour. I plan to have about 5 works in the show. Will post more info. on that in the coming weeks, as well as some sneakers on the pieces I have in store. Here's some prelim. sketches I made for two of the paintings though ~


P.S. If you're internet and computer are capable of competing with flash websites, then go on over and check the site: www.windupgallery.com. Personally, my internet is terrible, so if you'd just like to contact the owner about waiting/preview lists or general info, you can contact him at - anthony@windupgallery.com.

Awesomeness! If any of you happen to visit the Roq gallery and see the show, send me pics as well! Really wish I could see it myself... But, ya, I enjoy having the photos for my scrap book ^__^
Thanks!

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Current/Up-coming Group Shows [Jan. 27th, 2008|06:24 pm]
[Current Mood | working]
[Current Music |"Angel", Massive Attack]

There have actually been a few group shows that opened up and are opening up soon that I forgot to mention about on here! Got too caught up in the LA extravaganza, I suppose? Anywho. Currently, "Deep Pop" – a huge and very well represented art show out in New York – opened at the Kenneth Chapman Gallery, in Iona College. You can see some pics from that at http://www.andrewmichaelford.com/deeppop.htm. The other show which just opened this Saturday was the grand premier of ISM's new gallery space, with "Hello, my name is". I had an older work for show there and was quite honoured to have gotten to participate for the first big one ^__^

Lastly, "Pop Subversion" and "A Cabinet of Natural Curiosities" both open up on February 8th! "Pop Subversion" is going to be held at the Ad Hoc Art Gallery, in New York City - Got one medium sized piece for sale. If interested please contact them at info@adhocart.org. "Cabinet…" is being presented by the wonderful Roq La Rue Gallery, in Seattle! Really great place and some fantastic artists in the show. I'll have one quite large piece for sale there and will post a sneak peak of that work next week sometime ^__^

Thanks as always! Hope you had a lovely weekend ^__^


ISM Group show - "Tea Party Girl", 2x 16x20" (which can be purchased together or separate), acrylic on canvas
If interested, please contact the gallery at: www.ism-gallery.com


(From R-L), "Half Empty", 16x18", oil and acrylic - Pop Subversion. "Flor de Mal", 9x12", oil and acrylic - Deep Pop

**Unfortunately I didn't have the time to get these works properly photographed, so they aren't the best quality of images. May end up looking funny, especially on LCD monitors**
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"Sour Hearts" Paintings [Jan. 20th, 2008|03:35 pm]
[Current Music |"Brena", A Perfect Circle]

Finally getting all the paintings from the big show up on here : D

I also put up a few details from some of the works and a bunch of progress shots! It's always fun to see where a painting starts and how it ends (as well as sketches if you got them). Gotta say just about every painting I make ends up changing, sometimes even dramatically, before the end - usually just have a title or a figure in mind and everything else starts to evolve out of that....
Also, what I've taken note of over the past year is how the colour of skin I choose ends up orchestrating the entire colour scheme of a work....  It's always a delight to just through out natural tones and decide to make her blue or green ^__~

Enjoy!




"Beauty and the Beast of Burden" - Progress Shots

"Western Eye's and Serpent's Breath" -- Progress shots
"The Hunter" - Progress Shots
"The Gatherer" - Progress Shots
"Ghosts" - Progress Shots
"The Honeymoon's Over" - Progress Shots
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Sour Hearts and LA Photos ^__^ [Jan. 14th, 2008|06:08 pm]
[Current Mood | accomplished]
[Current Music |"Western Eyes", by Portishead]

Los Angeles was so good to me!
Actually - knowing that school was awaiting my attention upon instant arrival, I would have really preferred to stay a little longer, haha. I would certainly miss my family though, so it's good to let things come and pass ^__^

Big thanks to everyone who came out for the show to support Camilla and I, not to mention all the people who made our stay even more friendly and comfortable ~ Andrew, LC, Shawn, and David! I had an absolute wonderful time ^__^

Gotta say, seeing all the artwork at the various galleries was certainly a highlight to my visit -- jpegs and magazines just don't do them justice! Was also cool to just meet people I exchange with online all the time ~ start feeling a little more human. The plane ride was also stupendous! By the time I got up there, I was actually hoping for a little turbulent action, haha. The landscape was so beautiful too -- I got to see the rockies , the grand canyon and various other wonders. One day I'll do the road trip and see it all up close : D
Well, I've posted various photos I took as well as some I stole from Thinkspace and Vinyl Pulse. If you'd like to see more, just check out the gallery site. I think Camilla will be posting picks on her blog sometime soonish as well?

In the next week, I'll also update my journal with progress shots and details of some of the works from the show. If you'd just like to see the works, check out my gallery website as I got those up yesterday ~
'Tis all for now! Thanks once again ~ can't wait to go on another adventure!

***Final Mural Shot***

~ Opening Night - photos mostly from Thinkspace website ~

~ Various Landscape Photos ~

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The Big Leap [Jan. 7th, 2008|02:48 pm]
[Current Mood | energetic]
[Current Music |"Tiny Dancer", by Elton John]

Well, the occasion has finally arrived!
Tomorrow is the big plane trip to LA and my first time getting to experience one of these art shows in person. Gotta make that little extra step of bravery and go where I never thought I could go before! Maybe I'm making it into a bigger deal than it is, but I was terrified of my first bus ride, and don't even get me started on the subways...

If any of you happen to live nearby the Thinkspace Gallery, you should come join Camilla and I for the show ~ opening night is this coming Friday, the 11th. There'll be tons 'O art, a fancy installation/mural and hopefully a group of kind-hearted people ^___^

All the work should be getting posted this Friday on the Thinkspace site. For people on the preview list, I've been told sometime Tues/Wed that'll be released as well. Otherwise, it'll be at least until Monday before I get the chance to post the new works on here.

Well, I look forward to meeting anyone who comes out ~ I have the tendency to be a little shy, but am hoping to shake off any of the nervousness and just be light hearted about the whole thing. I say, bring it on! Wahoo!

(Sarah's Jump, watercolour/ink on paper, 2004)
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Sour Hearts Teaser [Dec. 5th, 2007|03:39 pm]
[Current Mood | hungry]
[Current Music |"That's the Way", Led Zeppelin]


Since I'm about to head home for the month and thus be away from my computer, I thought I'd post a little teaser for the Sour Hearts show.  I'll still be able to reply to email/comments, just won't have any of my image files with me, sadly... If things pop up that I can write about in this thing, then I'll update that, otherwise it'll be early 08 before I get active on here again ; P

Anywho! I'll have 16 new works at the show, ranging from small to large!
And now, with more of an overview, I can tell you that I've certainly taken a greater step towards the dark side... I always did like Darth more than Luke. Yet I liked Chewy even more so... However, I don't like Star Wars (nor Star Trek), so it doesn't matter.... No offense to the fans though; I'm cool with that ^___^



And also -- the Studio Pics I previously mentioned haven't been put on the Thinkspace website, but I did find them on their Flicker page.
You can check out those (and hopefully Camilla's soon as well) here

Aside from that good stuff, I hope all you kind blog readers enjoy your winter break ~ even if you don't happen to get snow where you live.  If you do, please leave the children's snowmen and forts alone.  You'll make them cry... and from the children I know anymore, they'll probably seek revenge too. 

* Happy Hibernating *
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For Whom the Bell Tolls [Nov. 30th, 2007|05:15 pm]
[Current Mood | chipper]
[Current Music |"All Along the Watchtower", Jimi Hendrix]




It's that time again... Exam period! Though at art school they call it "Critique Week", aka. "Crit Week" ~ The time when students get eaten alive, or crushed by books, or poisoned by toxic fumes from too many oil paintings drying at one time...
Alright, really isn't that big of a deal. I think I may put in 30mins extra work on top of my regular load of 30mins, but a lot of people seem to panic and stress around this time. Honestly, I'm just so excited to get out of the city and annoy my brother once again. I think he's excited too.

Well, aside from putting portfolios together and memorizing how atoms share and donate electrons, I'm also working away at new paintings I can't show you.... However, I think Thinkspace is going to be posting studio pictures this week for the up-coming sour hearts show, so keep an eye out for that if you're interested. Should be some little peeks into the works I'll have at the show.
I'll probably post some separate sneakers on here soonish too...

Last thing to mention, I jumped on board for the next "Crazy 4 Cult" show at G1988 -- I believe it's not till the summer, but I'm just so excited I had I to say now! All my favourite films are cult classics, and I think I already have one in mind I'd like to reference : D
Yay!

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"Sour Hearts and Sweet Tarts" [Nov. 22nd, 2007|11:21 pm]
[Current Mood | indescribable]
[Current Music |"Fairies Wear Boots", Black Sabbath]


The Thinkspace Gallery just sent me over our official postcard for the January couple show between myself and Camilla D'Errico -- another Canadian artist (though she's from out west in Vancouver). The show opens up on January 11th; both Camilla and I will be in attendance that night, and we'll each have about 15 paintings for show/sale.

Honestly, I can't wait!! Gotta pray that all his excitement doesn't kill me before I even get to the show, let alone survive the excitement of being on a plane, haha. I hope they let you take photos on planes? I kinda want to record the take off : P



Also, thought I'd share an in-class portrait I did at school a few weeks ago -- until university I never actually got the chance to study life drawing, so it's one thing I can always reassure myself with as a reason for staying, haha.

Christian's Portrait, 18x24", conte on cartridge:
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Vicariously I live... [Nov. 15th, 2007|01:12 pm]
[Current Mood | contemplative]
[Current Music |"Vicarious", Tool]


...through photos of opening nights, haha.   Alright, I lie, but these photos are really the only way I get a sense of what happens once I ship my paintings off into the abyss --- until January that is... Then I will have proof of such events! But, that's another topic entirely...

Instead, I wanted to share more photos from opening nights I didn't see, but was excited to be apart of  ~ truly!  I already posted a video from Dorothy Circus, but here are some crowd shots and stuff -- a pretty cool looking gallery, if I may say. And since it's in Italy, I'm sure many of you didn't attend either (kind of strange that I'm referring to you, eh... I don't even know who reads this thing, but I'll assume someone over no one... do I ramble?):



And the POTH: Chicago Invasion that happened at DvA Gallery last week. I think it was last week? On the 2nd, either way:



And don't be fooled by the contemplative emoticon! Though it looks to be constipated or, at the least, uncomfortable, I am actually quite content at the moment ^___^
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