The Neuro-Diversity Project

Over the past few months my studio mates and I have been collaborating with a group of children on the autism spectrum to create a body of work that will hang in the Studio 4, Old Town gallery the month of September. Project creator, artist and mother to a child on the autism spectrum, Gina Cochran has paired professional artist volunteers to work with the children one on one. “We wanted to give these children a chance to not only experience the creative process WITH someone else, but also to know the joy and pride that comes from seeing your work hanging in a show.” I'm extremely proud to have had the chance to collaborate and learn from these great group of kids.

Here are a few of our finished pieces:

Ghost, collaboration with Allen, mixed media on canvas, 18" x 18"

Heroes & Villains, collaboration with Allen, acrylic on canvas, 18" x 18"

Trans Art Project Video Journal 1

Upcoming Art Project: Honoring the Trans Journey

It has been my experience that the best way to get started with most projects is to just do them and allow yourself room for error and evolution. Today, with this post I take the first step towards beginning a new project that has been in the back of my mind for quite some time.

For the past two years I have organized 4 Equality: A Show of Pride. This annual all-inclusive (participating artists need not be LGBT) explores themes of Pride and Equality and in just two short years has shown great growth potential and continues to evolve. I look forward to next year when the show will shift to a national juried exhibit format. 

For a long time, probably before 4 Equality was conceptualized, I've had a growing desire to artistically explore the journey of our Trans sisters and brothers. As a former female impersonator in the NJ/PA area I formed quite a few friendships and entertained crowds alongside many Trans women. I have always admired the strength  and character it takes to walk in their shoes. Those journeys are seldom honored.

Among the things I hope to accomplish with this series is to gain and share insight into the life journeys of trans individuals. I want to show diversity within a community often stereotyped and misconceived. I also hope to engage exhibit visitors and followers of this project to a point at which differences start to fall aside and the viewer begins to focus on the similarities between themselves and those in the portraits.

At this moment I could not predict exactly what the final exhibit for this project will look like or how long it will take to complete (I'd like for it to be an ongoing project), but my initial vision is one of colorful portraits, executed in non-traditional style and composition, and rather narrative in nature. Portraits of individuals in settings and situations that speak of their unique journey and portray them in an honorable light. I would like to begin by opening the lines of communication with individuals who wish to participate (conversations/interviews/email exchanges). I would like to photograph and perhaps film (as there could be a video installation element to the final project) participants at home, work or social settings...places or spaces that hold meaning to them. These collected images will serve as reference material for the paintings I will create.

I plan for the initial phase of this project to consist of ten 30" x 40" paintings. I will exhibit these as a body of work in January 2014 in our studio/gallery in Old Town, Alexandria. I'd like to grow the exhibit and take it to larger venues. As an independent artist I work, naturally, on a tight budget, but hope that the completion of this phase of the project might qualify me for some art fellowships/grants so that I may continue to expand on it. I would love to be afforded the opportunity to travel to different cities and paint about the unique journeys of trans individuals in those areas.

I hope this gives you a clear idea of where I'm headed with the project.

If you know anyone, particularly (but not exlusively) in the DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) area who might be interested in being a part of this project as either a participant or supporter, please don't hesitate pass this on. 

I can always be contacted directly at jgascot@gascot.com

Thanks.

Here we go.

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Supreme Action!

Commemorate and CELEBRATE the recent historic Supreme Court rulings on DOMA and Prop8 with a bit of "Supreme Action" of your own. 25% of the sale of this print (and original) benefit Farifax Pride.

Supreme Action by The Art Monkeys

Available as:
24x30 Original
8x10 Limited Edition Giclee
11x14 Limited Edition Giclee

Brown Bag Art

Visit the small, but mighty, Studio 4 of Workhouse Arts Center and you will find gallery walls overtaken by over 1,300 brown paper lunch bags. The bags can only mean one thing. The 2nd Annual Have a Heart Project--an artistic twist on the common (and vital) food drive--is underway. This artistic venture, organized by The Art Monkeys, benefits Food for Others, Inc., the largest distributor of free food directly to people in need in Northern Virginia.
Last year's Have a Heart Project, garnered considerable attention from local media and was the subject of a documentary by young filmmaker, Makeda Thomas. The exhibit challenged the community to help Studio 4 artists fill an "empty kitchen" art installation and successfully raised over 750 lbs. of non-perishable food for Food for Others during its month-long run.

This year's installation opened to the public on Wednesday, February 6, 2013. Studio 4's exhibit space has been transformed by 1,325 empty lunch bags featuring original art works created by an array of resident and guest artists. Each of the unique lunch bag works of art in the exhibit can be obtained by making a $10 donation, 100% of which will benefit Food for Others. As the artists replace each sold piece of art with food purchased with the donation, the installation will continually evolve throughout the gallery. An opening reception will take place on Saturday, February 9, from 6 to 9pm, in Studio 4 (Building W-4) of the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA.
"This year's exhibit is a great opportunity for new and seasoned collectors alike to get their hands on original art at an incredibly low price while making a difference." says participating artist and co-organizer MG Stout.
The public can also be a part of this exciting art installation to help Northern Virginians in need by donating canned or non-perishable food items during Studio 4's normal business hours: Wednesday to Saturday from 11 am - 7 pm, and Sunday from noon - 5 pm. Donations will be welcome through the exhibit's run, Wednesday, February 6 - Sunday, March 3, 2013.

The Art Monkeys on the Radio

Part 1

Part 2

Save This Painting!

Make an offer and stop me from killing this painting! Payment plans accepted lol. Execution scheduled for Wednesday 11/7.
Email offers to jgascot@gascot.com

Obama 2012 Graffiti Paintings

With plans to head into the district next week (with fellow Art Monkey MG Stout) to paint live around the city, I've begun working on small election-themed pieces that will travel easily and safely (in hopes that some might sell or be picked up by DC gift shops during our artful outings). The first 5 small Obama 2012 graffiti paintings are now available from my Latin Pop Shop Etsy store.
Only up to 25 original pieces will be created from each set of hand-drawn/hand-cut stencils. Each piece is numbered accordingly.

The Art Monkeys on Fox 5 Morning News

Press For "Ritmos"

MiniSolos Opening Reception Tonight!

The MiniSolos opening reception is tonight (6-8:30pm) at Touchstone Gallery in DC.

And hey, look! I made the Washington Post Express!

Coming Soon: Ritmos/Rhythms

I will be Studio 4's featured artist for the month of September.
My new collection, "Ritmos/Rhythms" will celebrate my Latino heritage, particularly its rich sounds and flavors. There will be an Opening Reception on Saturday, September 8th 6-9pm (more details to come in the weeks ahead).

Yesterday I began working on a Latin Jazz inspired piece.

Prep Workout For "Duets" Opening Reception

Hot Dupont Summer

Our Dupont Circle Diptych is complete!


Hot Dupont Summer
acrylic on canvas
36" x 72"

Dupont Circle Diptych (in progress)

Below is an Art Monkeys collaborative piece currently in progress.
It will be installed upon completion, later this week in a restaurant near Dupont Circle, DC scheduled to open very soon.
Stay tuned!

Duets

Artists John Gascot and MG Stout (The Art Monkeys) unveil an array of original collaborations at the DC Center. Many of the paintings in this exhibit will be inspired by or named after songs. Pieces will vary in style and execution from abstract and decorative to narrative and introspective. The Art Monkeys' artistic mission is to make art accessible to all and to explore its potential for social change.

"Duets" will run July 14- Sept 8, 2012. The exhibit is free and open to the public during DC Center business hours: Mon-Fri 12-6 pm and Saturdays 11-3 pm.

An artist talk/Q&A and reception will be held on Saturday, July 21, from 6-9pm. Wine, refreshments & light fare will be served. See the Facebook event here. Qradio will be on hand to cover and broadcast the event. We hope to see you there!

Ice Ice Baby

MG Stout and I (The Art Monkeys) are preparing for Duets, an upcoming 8 week exhibit at the DC Center in Washington DC. The show will be comprised of collaborative works, many of which will be inspired or named after songs. The show will also feature a variety of styles, including narrative mixed media works and abstracts. Below is a sneak peek at one of the abstract pieces.
An Artist Talk & Reception will be held on July 21st. Stay tuned!


Ice Ice Baby
by The Art Monkeys
mixed media on canvas/ 36" x 36"

Freedom Reigns

Freedom Reigns
by The Art Monkeys
mixed media on canvas
36" x 36"
Available from our studio or the Art Monkey Etsy store.

Studio 4 Pride Show Podcast on QRadio

Click on here to listen in on last Saturday's fabulous opening reception.
Music by DJ Spence and interviews with The Art Monkeys & Lynn Goldstein of Studio 4.
Enjoy!

Art MonkeyHabitat at Artomatic Complete!

Friday (May 18) is the grand opening of Artomatic 2012!
6-10PM
1851 S Bell St, Arlington (Crystal City) VA.

CAN'T WAIT!