flyover.

Hello!

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending an opening for two wonderful artists at the George Billis Gallery in Culver City. Sarah Williams' "Flyover Territory," and "Thousand Skies" by L.A.'s Adam Harrison both struck a personal note. I come from a flyover state (Minnesota) and now live in Los Angeles. 

Sarah Williams hails from Missouri, and her paintings on tiny clapboard homes, lonely gas stations and abandoned buildings along country routes could be considered the flyover territories of "flyover territory. I love her houses decorated with subtle variations of Christmas lights and those with tv sets glowing through the windows. The beg the viewer to peer more closely to see what show is on--just like you do when you're walking a neighborhood street. Admit it--you've done this before.

All art © Sarah Williams via George Billis Gallery

The places in Adam Harrison's paintings felt like the ones I had driven by on the way to the opening--alleyways off Venice and Pico, mission churches, industrial areas, SoCal-style apartment buildings, along with some barely-furnished interiors. Many of these sights fly right by when I'm on the way to work or the store. But I remember being new to the city--how empty and bleak it could feel, both on the inside and out. These paintings take me back to that--in a good way--a part of my history in what is now my hometown.

All art © Adam Harrison via George Billis Gallery

Both artists are showing at George Billis until October 24th. I highly recommend taking a look. That's all for today, but I'll be back soon with more to love. xoL

landscape.

Well. well. Here we are again.

Today we are loving the landscape paintings of Claire Sherman. These subtly abstract works remind me of one of my first college writing assignments: find a square inch of ground and write about out. Sherman focuses on fragments of nature with gradient colors and a variety of brushstrokes, giving the micro scenes a new perspective--sometimes desolate, sometimes richly detailed--and at times a juxtaposition of both. They are delicate, little worlds all their own. As the artist states:

               "It is less about representing a specific place, and more about how 
                paint can create an experience of a space that is both alluring and 
                terrifying. My interest is in a space that falls apart as it begins to 
                congeal and questions our relationship to the conventions of landscape.”

See more of Sherman's beautiful work at her site. Via Art Fucks Me.

All art © Claire Sherman via Art Fucks Me

Some great art shows tonight if you're looking for Saturday night fun in Los Angeles.

The David Kordansky Gallery is showing "Ricky Swallow /SKEWS/."

" Jamison Carter: A Cold War" is premieres at Klowden Mann.

And the George Billis Gallery presents "Sarah Williams: Flyover Territory."

Click on the links for locations and times. I have to get ready to go out! xoL