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!

Fierce Liberty!

Fierce Liberty
acrylic on canvas/24" x 36"
On exhibit at Artomatic and available from the Art Monkey's Artomatic Etsy Store.

Just Around the Corner: Artomatic & Pride!

I am happy to say that this Spring is filled with artistic adventures! My studio-mate and partner in art mayhem MG Stout and I will be exhibiting at this year's Artomatic in Crystal City, VA. Artomatic opens on May 18th. Find Mary and I (The Art Monkeys) on the first floor, room #113, conveniently nestled between the cabaret stage and the downstairs bar (PAR-TAY!)
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We are also in the midst of creating a parade of paintings for Studio 4's upcoming 4 Equality: A Show of Pride. Get updates or RSVP to this event on our facebook event page.




Liberty
by John Gascot & MG Stout
acrylic on canvas
36" x 36"

"Menagerie" at Cafe Asia

WHEN: Thursday, April 12, 2012 @ 8:00PM-12:00AM
*After-Party with our DJ - dJESSa - 12AM - 2AM
DOORS OPEN: 8PM / 2ND & 3RD FLOOR ART Gallery OPENS @ 9PM

WHERE: Cafe Asia DC | 1720 I Street NW | Washington, DC
DETAILS: 21+ event. Cocktail attire. Tickets are $10 via presale. $15 at the door.

Purchase your tickets today!
Be among my first 20 supporters for this event and receive a FREE one-of-a-kind signed Gascot linocut print!

I'm a RAW: Natural Born Artist

My dear bestie, studio-mate, collaborator and art-mayhem partner MG Stout and I have been selected as official RAW artists. RAW: Natural Born Artists is an incredible movement taking place across the US.



Mary and I will be featured artists at the Menagerie event next month (April 12th) at Cafe Asia in DC. In addition to showcasing our own individual paintings, we will be creating collaborative works live during the event. Menagerie will also feature 2 emerging music acts, a fashion show and much more. Tickets are just $10 in advance ($15 at the door). You can purchase yours today via the online flyer or my RAW Artist Profile.

Have a Heart

Workhouse Studio 4
The “Have a Heart” Project
Food Drive & Art Installation

From October through February, Studio 4 is conducting a food drive to benefit Food for Others. Food for Others, the largest distributor of free food directly to people in need in Northern Virginia, provides the assistance vitally needed by our unemployed and low-income neighbors. They provide a safety net for those who suddenly face unforeseen emergencies such as a family illness or the loss of a job or a spouse.

Items donated will become main components of an interactive art installation which will open to the public on February 11^th, 2012 during Workhouse Art Center’s Second Saturday Art Walk.

YOU can be a part of this exciting art installation and help Northern Virginians in need by donating canned or non-perishable food items at Studio 4.

Follow the Have a Heart project and other Studio 4 happenings on our facebook page.

Higher Education

I was the subject of a college class today (sort of) .
Scary, I know.
I was a guest artist for a college Art class. I set up an impromptu salon. The students were brought in by their instructor to view my work and apply what they've learned. And there was Q&A with moi. This is new territory for me, but I ended up being asked if I would be available to do this again, so all in all, I'd say it was a success.

Anywho...here's pics of the display. I think I did quite well, considering I had a school conference room to work with. LOL.

The majority of the work is my Latin Pop, however I was asked to bring a few pieces in different styles I've worked in as well.

Without a Hitch

Our "Bikinis & Martinis" opening reception went off without a hitch this past Saturday.
We had a great turnout and quite a few sales on opening day.









Many thanks to all who helped out, spread the word and attended.

Putting it Together

We hang the "Bikinis & Martinis" show on Wednesday. This is the part every artist just loves (yes, I'm being sarcastic): wiring, tagging and packing it all up to take down to the gallery.

A Week From Today: Bikinis & Martinis!

Coming Soon: Bikinis & Martinis

Art & Martinis

It was a lovely weekend spent with dear friends.
Lots of art.
Lots of booze.
Lots of laughs!


Artists and art-lovers mingle at Artwork@7th's "Red Hot Art" reception.




The hubby and I


Fabulous clay valentines by artist Melisa Ricks




Thanks to Freckles and Purple Trekkie for joining us.

Looking Ahead (with fingers crossed)

On Monday, I had a meeting with the Gallery Manager at Harmony Hall Regional Center in Fort Washington, MD. I had submitted images via email back in June and he called me in to show a few samples in person and for me to view the actual space.
I was thoroughly impressed!
The gallery space was beyond anything I could've imagined when I first submitted. I envisioned a theater/symphony hall lobby space. Instead, it stands up, in scale and layout, to most "high-end" gallery spaces I've visited. I continue to be pleasantly surprised (and impressed) by the amount and quality of art spaces in this region. Perhaps it has something to do with being so close to our nation's capital.
The space is huge! The current show consists of 40 paintings. The full-on gallery is located directly across (in the same building) from the theater/concert hall. I am absolutely in love with the layout. It's so often that art galleries are one big open area where you basically see the entire show (not in detail of course) upon entering the space. This space is open, but twists and turns, allowing the artist to build narrative (or at least I would) within the show and strategically place some visual surprises around corners. My mind is brimming with ideas.
A solo show would not come without it's challenges, that's for sure. If granted a slot, I anticipate countless hours at the easel (and floor and wall and table... depending on the piece). I would have to operate on a clear and rigid schedule and set the show's pieces aside, until late '09/early '10, no matter how tempting it may be to sell any of them prematurely.

But with challenge comes opportunity. I would finally get to work on some over sized pieces knowing they will be displayed. This would be an important show in my career as an emerging artist. It would mark my most significant show (in sheer quantity and scale of work alone) to date. I had a 30 painting showing in Belgium, but have never exhibited that amount in one single show in the US. In addition, everything (and I do mean everything from transport, installation, promotion, reception, catering...) is handled entirely by the gallery. A nice break for any artist! This show would truly allow me to concentrate solely on the artwork, giving me the freedom to make the type of strong statement I wish to make as an artist.

The Gallery Director still has to bring my submission before a panel. All I can do is cross my fingers for now. What will be will be.
The verdict should be in by early November.

Below is the Harmony Hall Gallery layout:



From my Belgium show at Rollebeek Gallery 28:

Sueñitos

After I post this entry I will be heading back into the studio to finish up work on my upcoming show, "Sueñitos". I'm hanging the show this coming Tuesday, so the remainder of today, tomorrow morning and Monday will be spent putting final touches on paintings and tying up loose ends like making sure all the pieces are wired, varnished and making labels. You know, the not-so-creative part of painting.

The Artist Reception is going to be an afternoon one on Sunday July 13th. I've only ever had evening receptions, but I'm looking forward to a daytime one, especially at a coffee house. It should be informal and laid back and a nice change of pace, as far as Artist Receptions go.

If you're reading this and are in the general DC/NOVA area, come on by!

A great weekend to all!