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First Art Book Documenting the Most Prolific American Painter of All Time
Merge Records co-founder & Superchunk singer/guitarist Mac McCaughan interviews SK for Talkhouse“Play “Cut Your Hair” as you read…this is a great book about a great artist. His paintings sell out, but he never has…one of the season’s outstanding art books.” – Bookforum“This guy must be the most prolific artist of all time.” – artist Shepard Fairey
“[Keene is an] assembly line Picasso” – TIME
“By some measures, Mr. Keene […]
is one of the most successful artists in the world.” – New York Times“Whether they realize it or not, most rock fans of the past 20-odd years,
especially indie rock fans, already know the work of artist Steve Keene.” – Variety“This is a wonderful book…
it’s a real keeper, it’s a work of art itself.” – Jim DeRogatis, Sound Opinions“A ’90s icon of contemporary art in his own right,
Keene’s work remains revered well into the 21st century.” – Consequence“Warhol claimed he wanted to be a machine,
but Keene IS a machine.” – artist Ryan McGinness“…slapdash yet distinctive. The brushstrokes thick, the figures he replicates en masse
are compelling and relatable.” – Brooklyn Magazine
Last Tuesday of June 14th, The Steve Keene Art Book (#SKartBook) — the highly anticipated, first ever published collection featuring the work of one of America’s most beloved and affordable artists, Steve Keene — is out via Hat & Beard and Tractor Beam. Documenting arguably the most prolific and collected American artist of all time, the book arrives after a successful Kickstarter campaign with over 600 backers, and has seen support from Forbes, Variety, Billboard, Consequence, Sound Opinions and beyond. Nearly the same size as the LPs that Keene is so very fond of, The Steve Keene Art Book is more than simply a love letter to the prominent vinyl fan and cultural icon.
Perhaps best-known for his deep ties to the 90s indie rock scene — thanks to work with Pavement, The Apples in stereo, The Silver Jews, Bonnie “Prince” Billy and more — Keene is a legend amongst music and art fans both for his vibrant, automated style, and his everyman prices of just $5 – $10 per painting. After producing over 300,000 hand-painted original pieces over the last 30+ years, he’s earned his reputation as the art world’s “Johnny Appleseed,” allowing thousands to become art collectors and challenging the notion that “good art” has to be expensive art along the way.
Produced by Daniel Efram over a span of six years, The Steve Keene Art Book came to fruition from efforts to document a 2016 exhibition at legendary artist Shepard Fairey’s Subliminal Projects gallery, but expanded to include original works sent in from dozens of Keene collectors and Kickstarter supporters. The book includes long-form essays and insight into Keene’s life, space and process from rock stars like Chan Marshall (Cat Power), Will Oldham, and members of Superchunk, as well as anecdotes and personal stories from artists like Ryan McGinness and Fairey, journalists, collectors, art-world insiders and devoted fans around the world. Alongside a dazzling collection of 277 of Keene’s works, Efram takes readers into Keene’s utilitarian chain-link “painting cage” for an all-access pass into the artist’s fascinating systemic technique.
For more about Steve or to see some of his work, click on this video documentary playlist: https://bit.ly/3KFzebNSpecific details of book:
$95 // Hardcover // 264 pages
Published by Hat & Beard and Tractor Beam
Official Pub Date: June 14 / Available online only via Hat & Beard https://bit.ly/3IsEfCuFrom July 28 – August 12, Steve Keene will also be making his return to Los Angeles for his first art show since 2019 at the newly opened Palm Grove Social (1902 S. Palm Grove Ave. Los Angeles, 90016), curated by Hat & Beard Press.
The multi-room exhibit will include both new and old artworks from various collections, and will feature selections from the personal libraries of Efram and The Apples in stereo’s Robert Schneider and Eric Allen. Plus, in much the same way that the book was curated, LA locals are invited to post their Steve Keene collections on Instagram with the tag #SKartBook #SKartShow in order to be considered for having their pieces included in the show.
Keene’s long-awaited return to Los Angeles follows the show that proved to be the inspiration behind the book: his 2016 “Modular Synthesis” month-long stay at Shepard Fairey’s Subliminal Projects gallery, where Keene sold 550 pieces on opening night and saw lines stretch out the door and around the corner in Echo Park.
Photo Credit: Daniel Efram
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Happy Father’s Day! Get dad a custom gift made just for him, with love from Collage.com
What! You forgot this year’s Father’s Day gift? No worries, it is never too late to show your love to dad. Anyways he loves you. Just let him know his gift is on the way. No matter how difficult dad is to shop for, custom Father’s Day gifts are sure to hit a home run. Find meaningful gifts for dad he’ll truly enjoy. Shop customizable gifts for dad at Collage.com! Remember, it is never too late, get a gift and send him a screenshot first. Haha, that is how I always do.
For my dad, his favorite things are my arts. Yes, he knows his daughter is an artist, he is the one who supports me all the time. I know he doesn’t need to hang my arts everywhere at home, but I know he needs blanket, mug and home decos. I can print my arts on all of these products on Collage.com. Is that cool? This year, I printed one of my newest artworks on a blanket to gift my dad. The artwork is my city – San Diego. It is a Queen size Woven Image Blanket.
Your design is woven directly into this 100% cotton blanket with tasseled edges. This impressive blanket will be a guaranteed conversation-starter.
If you want to print photos on blankets, you’re in the right place at Collage.com. It’s so easy to print your favorite photos on a soft, cuddly photo blanket that the brand guarantees you’ll love. Add photos from your phone, computer, Facebook, or Google Photos to make a collage photo blanket. Use the website’s professionally created templates to make something extra special. See why hundreds of thousands of customers love their Collage.com photo blankets. Design your own photo blanket today.
Collage.com is proud to be one of the most popular places to design and order photo blankets online, with tens of thousands of satisfied customers every year. Their photo blankets have been featured as perfect gifts everywhere from “Good Morning America” and “The View” to AARP: The Magazine, Forbes, Mashable and Buzzfeed. Every photo blanket is printed in the USA and protected by their Just Right 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Make special blankets for holiday entertaining with your favorite family photos from the last year. Design an elegant blanket you can’t buy at the store with stylish custom patterns and a monogram to make sure everyone knows it’s yours. Customize a sherpa blanket in your favorite team’s colors to show your support while keeping warm at cold hockey and football games. However you design your woven image blanket, your order will be protected by Collage.com’s Just Right Satisfaction Guarantee.
Other than blankets, there are so many different things that you can create at Collage.com, go to the website and get some ideas! -
New exhibition at the Van Gogh Museum – Golden Boy Gustav Klimt
Gustav Klimt is known throughout the world for his paintings featuring gold and decorative ornaments, his universal symbolism and his pictures of strong women. But where did he find inspiration? The exhibition Golden Boy Gustav Klimt. Inspired by Van Gogh, Rodin, Matisse… offers visitors a remarkable opportunity to view Klimt’s art alongside work by the numerous artists who inspired him.
Klimt’s oeuvre is rarely offered on loan, but this autumn, masterpieces from all over the world will be traveling to Amsterdam. This is the largest retrospective of Klimt’s work ever to be organized in the Netherlands. Works including Emilie Flöge (1902) and Water Serpents II (1904) will be on public display for the first time in the exhibition, which is a collaboration with the Belvedere in Vienna.
‘Golden boy’ Gustav Klimt (1826-1918) was one of the foremost artists in imperial fin-de-siècle Vienna, and his name still resonates today. Klimt was both celebrated and controversial, and remains one of the most fascinating artists of modern art history.
Based on new research, Golden Boy Gustav Klimt presents internationally famous works by Klimt alongside the work of other renowned artists including Vincent van Gogh, Whistler, Sargent, Toorop, Monet, Rodin, Toulouse-Lautrec and Matisse. The exhibition shows how Klimt drew inspiration from this art, before making equally captivating art in a style completely his own.
Turbulent times
Golden Boy Gustav Klimt transports visitors to the turbulent times in which Klimt lived and charts his impressive career. The stories behind the paintings and the people figuring in them also play a role: who were they, why did Klimt paint them and what was the relationship between the painter and his model?The focus of the exhibition is on Klimt’s enormous stylistic development: from a classical portrait of pianist Pembaur from his early years (1890) to Adele Bloch-Bauer II (1912) and Eugenia Primavesi (1913), two explosions of colour inspired by Van Gogh and Matisse.
Iconic Klimt paintings
The exhibition features iconic works including Judith (1901), wich brings the Biblical Judith into Klimt’s time, sensual and bathing in gold. The daring The Bride – which was left unfinished on the easel when Klimt died in 1918 – is also on display, as is the famous portrait of Klimt’s beloved muse Emilie Flöge. A spectacular inclusion is the painting Water Serpents II, on public display for the first time since the 1960s.Golden Boy Gustav Klimt. Inspired by Van Gogh, Rodin, Matisse… is on display at the Van Gogh Museum from 7 October 2022 till 8 January 2023.
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Ninja Kitties are hoping to bring hope and positive thoughts to children in 2022 and beyond
Fox Chapel Publishing is pleased to announce a new character-driven children’s book series and brand: Ninja Kitties. Packed with messages of goodness, kindness, and empathy, the Ninja Kitties—seven royal kitties who transform into ninja kitties to save the day—make their debut this year.
Fox Chapel Publishing worked closely with award-winning creator Kayomi Harai to introduce an empowering book series for young children. Harai originally envisioned Ninja Kitties to inspire children to believe in their inner strengths.
The psychology of play was also a key factor during the creation of Ninja Kitties. Brand advisor Sujata Luther, a former EVP of Nickelodeon Consumer Insights, was on the creative board to map out characters and situations that would make a strong impact on children and their families—especially during today’s environment.
“As kids and parents are navigating today’s complicated and nuanced landscape in their journey through childhood,” says Luther. Ninja Kitties is the perfect stage for teaching valuable life lessons.”
Fox Chapel Publishing will launch several books in 2022 with more to follow in 2023. I’d love to send you a sneak peek of the books!
Meet Zumi
Zumi is the oldest kitty. She is super kind and smart. Zumi is a black belt super ninja, and she can jump super high!
Sometimes Zumi doesn’t remember to listen. She also wants everything to be perfect. Her brothers and sisters help her remember to listen and include everyone’s ideas.
This uplifting picture book combines an empowering story with engaging play that teaches kids the valuable lesson of listening to others! Activity pages for kids are included, each themed around working together, from crossword puzzles and word searches to mazes, trivia, and seek-and-find games—plus tons of cool stickers!
About the Author
Award-winning professional artist Kayomi Harai worked as a commercial art illustrator and animal portrait artist in her native Japan before moving to California. Known for her watercolor paintings of bright-eyed cats in precarious situations, her lifelike artistry has captivated collectors for years. Her works have been exhibited around the world, and are licensed in collectible plates, figurines, puzzles, t-shirts, prints, posters, and greeting cards.
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Jenna Dewan and Her Pup Twin in Custom Laelap Necklaces!
Jenna Dewan posted on Instagram with her adorable pup wearing matching pieces from Laelap! The dog mom and one of her many K9 besties, Meeka, sported Laelap’s Personalized Necklace in Dahlia ($75, https://laelap.com/). Laelap celebrates the unwavering camaraderie between pup and owner through coordinating fashion! They are fully committed to sustainability and strive to create styles for our furry friends that are an extension of our own aesthetics. They’ve just launched a super cute line of personalized necklaces for pets—celebs like Jenna Dewan and Keltie Knight are fans of Laelap’s adorable puppy + me styles!
Photo via @jennadewan on Instagram
Laelap$75, https://laelap.com/Podcaster and television correspondent Keltie Knight is also a fan of the brand, having posted her own pup’s Personalized Necklace in Gaia ($75, https://laelap.com/) from Laelap on Instagram!
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Sweeten up Mother’s Day and show Mom how much you love her with MarieBelle Mother’s Day collection
Give mom a gift that she will remember forever. Check out MarieBelle this year’s special mother’s day themed ganache, which was beautifully designed in a classic blue box. This Mother’s Day, MarieBelle Chocolates offers a sumptuous shopping experience for the eyes and appetite at their flagship retail location at 484 Broome Street, with lavish window displays that aim to warm the heart.
Celebrate Mother’s Day with MarieBelle Chocolates’ signature artisanal ganache collections like the 16-piece of Mother’s Day-themed chocolate ganache in a classic blue box with a decorative Mother’s Day sleeve. Each ganache is decorated with a unique Mother’s Day design that tells a beautiful love story. Also available is the Mother’s Day Brownie Box.
MarieBelle 16pc Mother’s Day Chocolate Ganache (photo credit MarieBelle Chocolates)
Another great gift for this special spring holiday is the 25-piece Spring Heart Box. The box opens to reveal 25 handmade chocolate ganaches, each artfully highlighted with love-inspired designs that tell a story, elegantly presented in a fanciful heart-shaped box with beautifully scalloped trim in a golden sheen. For a picture-perfect presentation, a pastel ribbon is added. For little bit of everything, the Marie Spring Gift Set includes 7pc Heart Chocolate Ganache, 2oz Chinese Flower Tea, and a Tea Strainer.
Try MarieBelle’s new 80g Cacao Market Rose Petals and Hibiscus Bar. The 80g bar collection includes four distinct chocolate bars decorated with ornate patterns and flavored with the most fresh and distinct combination of ingredients.
Relish in the sweetest gift for any occasion, available in-store or delivered same day anywhere in the Manhattan area.
For more information and to view the Mother’s Day 2022 Collection, visit: mariebelle.com/collections/
mothers-day-collection MarieBelle New York (Soho), 484 Broome Street, New York, NY 10013
MarieBelle at the Kitano Hotel (Midtown), 66 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016
For more information about MarieBelle Chocolates, visit www.mariebelle.com.
Facebook: MarieBelleNewYork | Twitter: @MarieBelleNY | Instagram: @MarieBelleNY