New Year, New Website, Big Changes

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!!

As with many people, 2015 brings with it many changes to my world both personal and professional, and as with many more people still….some resolutions. Don’t worry,  I’m not going to bore you with my ideals on losing a few *tens* of pounds or reading more (I already do quite a bit of that), or about how I’m going to organize a riot over my painfully slow AOL-dial-up-grade internet service (seriously…why Verizon, whhhhhy!!!!?!!) No, my resolutions involve tidying up my websites, webstores, and maybe launching a few product lines I’ve been chewing at for years. Those inevitable and eventually interesting resolutions aside, my New Years brought me a renewed sense of purpose and change in life position much more worthy of your time…so….with all this needed updating…let’s get to it shall we?

First and foremost: I FINALLY BUILT A WEBSITE. It’s www.emislade.com and it now alone houses my web store with available works, blog posts, online links, photo galleries, and contact page for commission, commercial, and editorial requests. It’s basically the best thing ever, and I am looking forward to fine-tuning it into a beautiful flower of weird creatures and sassy professionalism for everyone to enjoy as 2015 lurches on. I’ll still make a few sporadic postings here, but like all good things it will soon come to an end. Please stop by and let me know what you think, and check back monthly for updates, new catch phrases, and new and improved works to zazz up your walls and domiciles!

Second: Things just got REAL. (Real big that is) My first work of 2015 is arguably the biggest and quite possibly the best work I’ve ever created. Measuring over 30″ × 28″ × 24″ and weighing a hefty 30 lbs is my infamous “Cerberus” bust. Cerberus features three very charismatic coyote heads, each heavily modified and sporting the additional recycled and compassionately sourced skins of rabbit, opposum, and black bear fur scraps. The heads are fused together into one large and beautifully sculpted LED illuminated chest, chock-full of erupting eyes and tentacle like projections.  The whole bust is permanently mounted on to a massive recycled wood trophy panel with custom designed ball feet and invisible battery housing, and hangs from a military grade steel hanging system designed to distribute weight for easy hanging. I literally poured myself into the creation, construction, and execution of this piece and spared absolutely no expense to ensure it’s permanence and beauty in this world (of which it clearly does not belong). Many of you will be familiar with the mythos of Cerberus, but just in case you are not here’s a brief recap of the classic Greek god/monster/entity here. For a full explanation of my Cerberus inspiration and process visit my new website blog January 9th (or anytime thereafter) here. It’s a beautiful thing really, I feel like I have finally come into my own skin as an artist, and these puppies, and brilliant artist Chet Zar,  helped me get there.

This piece was specially created for Chet’s epic group show “Conjoined V” at none other than Copro Gallery in Santa Monica, Ca. Pictures of Cerberus went live New Years day and wow…did they stir up some attention! Rumor has it the piece will be making it’s debut in not only the notorious Galleries offical show catalog along side near legendary current artists, but many international art periodicals and perhaps even on film. After shipping him out and having myself a good therapeutic cry, I decided every dog must indeed have it’s day and that it was time for one of these.

Finally.

And Last, but certainly not least: the future. Unknown to all but planned for by foolhardy people like me. After my next piece for Bash Contemporary Gallery (California) my next big piece of news will be my tropical destination wedding eating up February. With only the endless blue ocean, Cozumel sky, and a handful of my closest tribe members I will be off the map and in my own element sealing the deal on a decade long dance between me and my biggest fan and best friend. When I come back, I’ll hopefully have some beautiful pictures and some big news to share with you. (Drama Bomb!)

Until then my friends,  stay beautiful and stay with me ❤

-emi

Into the fall, and over to Australia

I’m very excited to announce my invitation to exhibit at Auguste’ Clown Gallery in Australia for this years “Halloween Show”.
The list of participants is out-of-this-world and I am sure the event will be a huge success & spectacle.  Below are images of my very thematic contribution,  and just in time for the official Halloween season! Meooow.

“The Black Cat”  Original epoxy sculpture with custom glass eyes and silk fall leaves. Approx 15″x12″x4″ Available this Halloween.

Check out the gallery website HERE for more amazing artists and collections debuting work at this amazing creative space.

“Halloween Show” 2014  Featuring: Absurd Toys, Abbybelle, Alec Huxley, Avery Palmer, Benjamin Lukas, Bennett Slater, Bev Hogue, Buddy Nestor, Casey Weldon, Cat Rabbit, Cheshire Street, Chet Zar, Chris Haas, Cody Williams, Dan Harding, Dave Burke, Dave Kohlmon, David Richardson, Don Picton, Double Parlour, Emi Slade, Eric van Straaten, Eva Devon, Frank Forte, Geoffrey Gersten, Grayson Fogg, Horrible Adorables by Jordan Elise, Inga Lena, Irene Garcia, Jake Waldron, Jasmine Worth, Jason Hite, Jed Leiknes, Jeff Christensen, Jen Musatto, Joanna Mulder, Joe Scarano, John Pinkerton, Jonathan Payne, Joshua Harker, Kamilla Mlynarczyk, Kane Kokaris, Kat Caro, Lacey Bryant, Larkin, Lee Harvey Roswell, Lori Nelson, Mai-Ja, Mark Brown, Martin Tomsky, Matthew Dutton, Melanie Ashton, Paul Welsh, Puzgle, Ramon Maiden, Rudy Faber, Sandra Arteaga, Selena Leardini, Steph Sciullo, Steve Ferrera, Tate Steinsiek (Face Off), Tim Lee, Tokyo Jesus, Vinnie Cacciotti, Zombienose.

“Cabinet & Curiosity” an H.P.Lovecraft-inspired horror.

cu·ri·os·i·ty

ˌkyo͝orēˈäsitē/

1. A strong desire to know or learn something.

   2. A strange or unusual object or fact

    …

   You know what it did to the cat. And now I’ve brought it out for you.

   “Cabinet & Curiosity” is an installation style piece inspired by the late H.P Lovecraft and his world of the twisted, tentacled, macabre. Installed inside a heavily distressed and “reborn” gothic style clock tower lives this horrid and rather enormous wriggling beast. It’s single, penetrating golden eye never loses it’s fixation, never blinks, and never ever stops shining. Atop the head of the beast are translucent pustules and tattered rudimentary wings and arm-like projections. The creature appears to be in a sort of recently disturbed repose, at first relaxing inside it’s age old and scratched to the bone cabinet home, only now beginning it’s slow creeping decent upon it’s new viewer.

   you have to see this one to believe it, but unless you’re in Washington state, these pictures (or a purchase) will have to do.

   …

   “Cabinet & Curiosity” is currently on display at the Red Raven Gallery, Port Townsend WA for the “What the Moon Brings” Lovecraft show.  Available works can be purchased through the gallery  HERE.

   …

   Be careful out there….

   

   

   

   
   

   

   

   
   

Coasters, Coasters, and more Coasters – Oh MY!

Ahhhh, fall. Quite possibly one of the best times of year, and undoubtedly..a busy time for an artist like me. This year is no exception and as anticipated I find myself stepping off of a 5 week creative blur with several impressive new pieces to share with you, each different and unique in it’s own unusual way.

Kicking off September right, my dream creature for La Luz de Jesus Gallery’s  much anticipated “Coaster Show”. For those of you outside Hollywood, CA: La Luz de Jesus Gallery has quite the reputation for being an ever-evolving arena of ground-breaking and original art shows, bizarre pop culture festivities, creative book signings, and yes,… even rogue taxidermy demos. Seeking to outdo themselves a second time around (the first show was a smash success of course, but why settle) the La Luz team invited virtually everyone from the fine art circuit to accept, tinker, and return what would later be over 1,500 mini masterpieces of lowbrow coasterific art. But why Coasters you ask? To coincide with LA’s Beer week of course, and to remind the world of the inherent beauty of approachable, hilarious, absurd art for drunken patrons sake. This is my favorite kind of show: over-the-top and sometimes, even under the belt line.

Here’s my contribution; a dreamy Raven I dreamed up, aptly named: “Dream Raven” (I know, I know..I’m a master with words.)

 

To view the whole show, visit the galleries website here.  Also check out the High Fructose coverage here.

 

Upcoming Event: “Tenebrous” @ Clutter Magazine’s Gallery – Beacon, NY- June 14th

Hello Folks! Boy do I have some goodies for your eyeballs today! Debuting June 14th @ Clutter Gallery are my brand new and shockingly lively sculptural renditions of a Cassowary Bird and a mutant leucistic Alligator (with tentacles of course!) These sculptures are very unique to my previous collections and are omens of the evolution my work is undergoing. The Cassowary bust stands a hefty 20″ tall and features the use of black bear fur scraps on its body and eyebrows. The gorgeous blue-eyed reptilian is also a breach from my typical “sea” inspired works, and is the beginning of a long love affair with these charismatic and dangerous freshwater creatures. A quick google search will reveal that both animals are largely considered “lethal” yet both sculptures reflect a whimsical and approachable side, reminding viewers deadly is also beautiful, and curious about you as well. Both original works will be available for sale through the gallery directly and online, and interested collectors are encouraged to sign up for the exclusive “Gallery Preview” here to get their hands on their favorite picks. “Tenebrous” is a group sculptural exhibition and features the works of several top creators in this field. If you are local, stop by for the opening June 14th with a reception from 6-9pm at The Clutter Gallery, 163 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508. Visit Clutters website here for more information regarding the magazine, gallery, or online social hubs.

As a vendor and tourist-Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 3 coverage; Whatta Show!!!!

Hi everyone!

As expected I jumped from one crazy double-headed weekend into a second, then a third, and so on. ( It occurs to me I must THRIVE on this chaos because I am knocking out awesome work right and left while also shedding a few hairs around the studio tables!)

Anyways, I lagged in promoting here (though admittedly I am very active on my Facebook pages and Instagram – add me there!) but in early May I was a featured artist at the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live event in Kansas City, MO. With anyone who needs a refresher, Spectrum is a hardcover annual expose’ on the best of the best in the fantasy, horror, and sci-fi arts community. As quoted on their official website: “Spectrum matches or significantly exceeds the circulations of the other art annuals/source books published each year. Spectrum is sold in the mass market through all the major bookstores. Copies are also sent to many art directors and publishers to maximize exposure for the artists featured in the book. More eyes means more opportunities. As an international resource, participants report receiving commissions for work from clients from around the globe who have cited Spectrum as their contact source. Spectrum doesn’t exist to categorize or define fantastic art; rather, it exists to honor the imaginations of very special artists who delight in helping us see the world in a wonderfully different light. It’s our job to help them reach a wider appreciative audience.”  In Summary, SPECTRUM ROCKS.

Now for the last three years Spectrum has gone live and hosts an enormous gathering of 200+ of their featured artists, and dazzles us with meet and greets, top notch catering (yum), and the always a spectacle “Spectrum Awards Ceremony”. We walk the red carpet, have our photos snapped by paparazzi, and generally carry on like 200 + amazing artists under one seriously lavish roof could be expected to. As I did last year, I had the time of my life shaking hands with legends and selling my best works to a hungry-for-more collector population! Below you will find some pics I was somehow able to snap before the show opened and tried to capture the feel for the event (though there is virtually NO way to capture the size)…however, as many of you  understand, this energy transcends far beyond what a camera can capture and I guess you really did just have to be there!

From the bottom of my squishy tentacled heart, I’d like to thank the Lazarus Potter, all the participating artists, and of course Fenners for their continued support and generosity in light, love, and art magic. Until next year….God Speed Fellow Spectrumites, God Speed!!!!

 

Double-headed Weekend of Oddity and Wonder!

 

Kicking off this weekend is much anticipated “Rogue Taxidermy Biannual” at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Hollywood, CA which features the most groundbreaking artists working in the controversial medium today. 

Quoted from La Luz’s website; “This is not your granddady’s taxidermy: road kill is a central part of the “recycled” philosophy of this unusual and enlightening exhibition, as are discarded livestock, destroyed nuisance animals, casualties of the pet trade and animals that have expired from natural causes. Other sculptures utilize taxidermy techniques in an unorthodox way to fashion fantastic beasts from everyday materials–even the recycled pelts of toy stuffed animals. Elements of technology and decoration combine to create ornaments that approach high art, not only in craft, but in concept.

Materials and even species are mixed, helping to broaden presumptive definitions.
Pieces in this exhibition span Steam Punk to Rococo -from playful to elegant.

 On Saturday, May 3rd from 2 until 5 PM, Katie, Divya, and Lauren will present a live taxidermy demonstration using prepared and raw materials as they answer questions about the artform.

For all you midwestern folks, I’ve also got something good for you too!

YOURS TRULY: 100 POSTCARDS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Public Opening Reception: May 3rd 7-9PM
Special Collectors Preview: May 3rd 6-7PM (RSVP: $20, Call 618.407.5596 or email: info@alexieragallery.com)

Yours Truly is am awareness and fundraising exhibition for the Human Rights Campaign. The Exhibition will feature 100 artworks on postcards from artists all around the world. On the back of each postcard is a very special message from the featured artist answer this questions: “If you could say one thing to someone living in desperation, what would it be?”. Each answer to this question will be kept a secret until after the postcard has been purchased. All postcards will be priced $5-$50, and available to take home right away showing your support. 100% of Proceeds Donated to the Human Rights Campaign! We aim to raise awareness, bring hope and also create a special connection with our audience. We hope you will join us and spread the word!

More information or available works can be found here: http://alexieragallery.com/upcoming/

Big Updates: Back in the Saddle Again!

As I had hoped, sure enough 2014 started off with a bang! 2013 was a roller coaster with extreme highs and lows, and near the end quarter my production had slowed down to a near lurch. Thankfully, my period of deep reflection and careful planning erupted a new tier of inspiration and zest for creation that I am very much enjoying. I am back to full swing production and have never been so happy or proud to be near my desk again!

Gearing up my newest wave of work for this year were some interesting acrylic paintings, some epic sculpted sea creatures, and some truly outstanding taxidermy/sculptural hybrids. While I have also been creating private & commission works to keep the art machine that is my studio running, I have been chatting with some amazing new friends and curators and have found great homes for all these reckless and wild public works of art. Alexi Era Gallery in Saint Louis, MO has included my “Gilded Cuttlefish” and “Archetype of Adventure” works in their current exhibition “Indelible”. Here is the link for the gallery and show~HERE. The previous show “Small Treasures” (Also at Alexi Era) debuted alongside “Mass Culture” and featured my two little octopi sharing a moment of loving embrace.

La Luz de Jesus in Hollywood, CA reached out and received the two taxidermic animal hybrids “Arctic Merfox” and “Conjoined Jackalope”. Both of these sculptures are entirely hand made from eyes to elbows, and the animal parts were collected from extremely ethical sources. The “Arctic Merfox” is a wild, underwater sea fox with wild snapping jaws, gills, tentacles, and flicking tongue. The creature is constructed with arctic fox fur remnants and domestic rabbit fur. The teeth and mouth are all sculpted using the same techniques as I use to create sea creatures; layers of polymer and epoxy clay sculpted and painted to perfection  . The “Conjoined Jackalope” is a very elegantly fused pair of rabbit heads, with fused sculpted antlers and melded double features. The muzzles were also enlarged and rounded to create a more antelope like profile.

These pieces for the “Biannual Rogue Taxidermy Show”  will be available for purchase May 2nd (opening night) through La Luz online or in person at the event. I will post more information regarding other participating artists as the event nears, but just as it was 2 years ago when I visited with my nightmare rabbit, this will be a one-of-a-kind experience and will not fail to impress in every possible way!

Link to LA Luz de Jesus gallery site HERE.