Jaws in Theaters for 40th Anniversary!

It must be kismet. Or perhaps a delightful coincidence. I'll go with both. This year happens to mark the 40th Anniversary of the release of the film Jaws, and in celebration, it is getting a special, limited time only re-release in movie theaters, hosted by Fathom Events.

And guess what? The Sunday the release falls on, June 21st, is the exact date that our AFI Top 100 movie club had scheduled to view it! The countdown, hitting Jaws at #56, lands right on the release in theaters. Insanity!

So of course, I can't resist gathering a group of friends together to experience it on the big screen. And you all should too! If it's screening near you, take this opportunity to go and celebrate with other fans one of the best horror films of all time.

Click here to get all the release information, purchase tickets, or view other upcoming events!

Thus ends this public service announcement.

(image via Matt Needle, limited edition print available now at Needle Design)

Joss Whedon x Gallery 1988

This past weekend, Gallery 1988 West opened their Joss Whedon-centric art show, the first exclusively "Joss"-themed event the Gallery has ever put on. All the work was inspired by Whedon's most famous movie and TV creations, including my favorite show of all time, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

After deciding to forego the opening night reception on Friday night, John and I hit the gallery up as they opened their doors Saturday morning. I knew that I would probably walk away with a print or two, and thankfully, we didn't wait until the weekend was over to go, since almost everything sold out by the end of the day Sunday (check their website for a full listing of the art showcased, and what is still for sale - it's worth a look!)

The small space had an array of pieces, many focusing on TV show "Firefly" and the 2012 film Cabin in the Woods (the Sugarplum Fairy was easily the most represented subject, with at least 6 different artist renderings.) The largest piece was a very spoiler-ific installation for Cabin, which included a mural on the actual gallery wall. John probably spent 30 minutes staring at just that.

There were also a handful of amazing "Buffy" paintings and mixed media works -- if I could have purchased all of them, I would have.

My only disappointment with the gallery show was that Joss' short-lived, but brilliant, TV show "Dollhouse" wasn't showcased at all (with the exception of one, partially related piece). How is that possible? I don't know, I just don't get it. Maybe these artist's just aren't as inspired by that show as I was. Too bad, but I can't lament for long.

Below are just a few of the pictures I took of the show. But if you're in the LA area, best go check it out for yourselves! The show is running now through September 27th.









If you're interested, you should check out the above [quick] video from Friday's opening night reception, where Joss HIMSELF showed up, as well as actor Seth Green (Oz!), and spoke with the gallery's owner.

And which ones did I end up walking away with? Two "Buffy" gems, of course. How could I resist the stunning Willow/Dark Willow piece, aptly titled "Bored Now" by Nan Lawson? (and check out her website, she's incredible.)

And don't get my started on the 'Fumigation Party' concert poster feat. Dingoes Ate My Baby, "Live at the Bronze" by Meagan Hyland. Fumigation Party for the win.

Lovely future additions to my wall, and I managed to snag both before they sold out!

  

Låt den Rätte Komma In (Let the Right One In)

"Viva Hate" by Jeffrey Everett | finally gracing my wall

Herb & veggie plants aren't the only thing we got this weekend.  Gallery 1988 West finally called to inform me that my long-awaited purchase of Jeffrey Everett's "Viva Hate" print was ready for pick up!  This piece, which I talked at length about before, is an 18x24 black & white screenprint, #31 of 100 limited prints. Inspired by the novel, Let the Right One In.

And now, it hangs above our entertainment area (you can see the reflection of my gallery wall on the opposite side of the room).  More specifically, above the record player & collection, which - considering the image - couldn't be more perfect.  This collection just keeps growing and growing.

Blue Storm Afternoon

Muse - Blue Storm Afternoon

I finally started the process of decorating our master bedroom.  It's been 2 months exactly since we moved in, and I hadn't hung a thing on the walls in there. Which, as you may know, is really rare for me.  

I also, admittedly, caved and purchased a gorgeous and sexy piece of art from Rockets Are Red - something I stated previously that I was going to try not to do.  Just couldn't help it. She's just so beautiful, isn't she?

Titled Muse - Blue Storm Afternoon, it really is a combination of so many things that I love.  Books, music, tattoos, and beautiful ladies. Lounging around lazily is also a favorite.  She now resides right next to my side of the bed, and I'm elated that she's the first piece in our room.  

But she wasn't the only thing that came in the package.  As a special promotion - unbeknownst to me at the time of purchase - Rockets Are Red was including a bonus 8x10 original art print with every order.  For free!

Artist Jeffrey Everett is now going to be all over my apartment.  I'm still waiting on the Let the Right One In print from Gallery 1988, which will go over the entertainment center once I get the go-ahead to pick it up from the gallery.

Boy, I might just be running out of wall space!


So... where do you think this little beauty should go?

Unnamed 8x10 print | via

Pop Art Pop Up: "Viva Hate" by Jeffrey Everett

"Viva Hate", inspired by Let the Right One In | via

I recently found the above print from the "Required Reading" show at Gallery 1988 (they have a 'West' and 'East' location on Melrose), which ran back in December.  The show focused on art inspired by famous novels -- this one is a great take on a scene from John Ajvide Lindqvist's Let The Right One In, entitled "Viva Hate."  I absolutely adore it.  Notice the blood?  And curious young Oskar?  Beautiful.  

I love Gallery 1988's spaces, and the shows they put on always feature the best in the world of pop culture-centric art.  Their annual Crazy 4 Cult shows are my personal favorite.  The original works on display tend to be significantly out of my price range -- but they are always selling cheaper, limited edition prints from their back room.  I have several from previous exhibits, and just yesterday, I bought "Viva Hate" for my gallery wall at home.

Hopefully you'll enjoy this lovely piece by Jeffrey Everett (co-founder of artistic duo Rockets Are Red) as much as I have, and if you feel so inclined, he has other art for sale here.  I'm doing everything in my power to keep from buying this one, too.  Only time will tell if I can manage that.

xx

Just nail it in.

My living room gallery wall

I have had an obsession with filling my walls with art, floor to ceiling, door to window to door, since I was a little kid.  My childhood bedroom was wallpapered with a rotating array of photoshoot cutouts, movie posters, and magazine covers, all featuring my favorite things.  Mostly Angelina Jolie.  And David Duchovny.

Now I'm 28, and nothing has changed.  Maybe it was an aversion to bare white walls, which always made the room feels like a prison cell.  Artwork was the #1 thing that mattered in my living space, and even before I move my bed into a new apartment, I start hammering in nails.

Over the years, I've managed to filter out all of the excess movie posters and cutouts and have, in turn, collected a lot of amazing pieces.  Some pop art, some original works from close friends (like the construction paper rendering of me with my kitties from my friend Heather, an amazing illustrator); even calligraphy by my own hand.  All things that mean the world to me.

This past move in June, however, my sister, Stacy, advised me to take it slow.  Don't rush it.  Don't put it all up at once.  Give it time, and the right pieces would find their home on the walls.

So that's what I did.  I took my time, and added one picture, at random, on the wall above my couch, every day.  A spot check here and there, but I didn't plan it (a totally foreign concept for me!)  At the end of two weeks, it was finished.  And I think it worked out pretty well!

And of course, now I'm itching to add more (and wrap it around every room of my apartment!)  What do you guys like having on your walls?  Personal photos?  Art and posters?  Or do you like to keep them clean and bare?  I'd love to know!