Hot Party marks year one for Light Grey Art Lab! We are honored to have the incredibly talented Jennifer Hom's work displayed as a part of our celebration. She also generously offered to share some of her process!
What inspired the work you have in the exhibition?
I came across a photo of a floral dress from the early 1900s and had to draw a piece around it. I wanted a quiet image of a woman getting dressed in her bedroom. During the process, however, the scene felt very flat, so I incorporated the legs of a sleeping person on the bed. I thought it added a hint of interest while maintaining the soft mood.
How do you feel this piece (or pieces) relate(s) to your work as a whole?
"Floral Dress" is one of my less emotional pieces. I drew it for the sake of drawing, rather than setting out with a strong goal. The palette relates to my other work well, but it is definitely less "whiny" or "romantic" than the rest of my work.
What are you working on now?
I'm working on redoing a "children's book" idea I started back in college. It's about King Henry VIII and his six wives. It's set to a poem and I still get a kick out of it. I'm not sure if I should keep the children's book format or turn it into a comic though (it's definitely not appropriate for actual children).
We’re celebrating our first year of existence! (We might actually relax our birthday weekend.) How do you celebrate your birthday?
I usually go back home to New York and celebrate my birthday with my mom! There is a three week gap between our birthdays so we meet up in that space. We tend to go to spas -- she's very "Long Island."
What is the best party you have ever attended?
Any party with a lot of food is my kind of party-- it gives me an excuse to eat until I feel sick. There was one dinner party for which I had to walk 100 miles in order to gain entry. I definitely ate way more calories in one night than I spent walking over 30 days.
For more of Jennifer's work, check out her site, subscribe to her blog or follow her on twitter!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Podcast: Ollie Stench Talks About Punk Rock

On September 27th, 2012 Ollie Stench visited Light Grey Art Lab to talk about Punk Rock. Specifically; how he defines Punk Rock as a movement, the culture and worldview that created it and how it changed the world since.
The lecture coincided with The Expletive Show, a show that invited artists to make ugly words beautiful. This audio has been posted previously on our blog, but we wanted to share it with our podcast subscribers or anyone who missed it the first time!
Ollie Stench has been an active participant in the Punk Rock scene for the last 30 years of his life, and he is an incredible expert in everything that surrounds the topic. You can find out what he's up to at his blog.

Download the MP3 or Subscribe via iTunes!
Ollie Stench Talks About Punk Rock
Length: 01:04:21
Music: I Was A Punk Before You Were Born by The Ed Gein Fan Club
Synopsis: Recorded on September 27, 2013, Ollie Stench visited Light Grey Art Lab to talk about Punk Rock, specifically how he defines Punk Rock as a movement, the culture and worldview that created it and how it changed the world since.
Labels:
Audio,
expletivepostershow,
OllieStench,
podcast,
Punk Rock
Sunday, February 24, 2013
HOT PARTY Opening Recap!


This past Friday we had the opening reception for our newest show, HOT PARTY! It was a very special opening, as it was a lighthearted, celebration-filled show that marks Light Grey Art Lab's one year anniversary!


The theme of the show was obviously an excuse to par-tay. That means bright, whimsical artwork, cakes and cupcakes as far as the eye can see, larger-than-life balloons, confetti, glitter and friends! Thanks to everyone who came out to see the artwork, partake in some sweets and let us throw glittery confetti all over them for some hilarious photos!




You can see all the artwork in the HOT PARTY gallery on our website. You can purchase any artwork by visiting the gallery, or order from our online store!
And you can see all the photos from the event in the HOT PARTY Flickr set!
Here's to another amazing year!
Friday, February 22, 2013
HOT PARTY tonight!

Happy Birthday! Tonight is the opening for HOT PARTY, which marks our first year in existence!
HOT PARTY features larger-than-life confetti installations, miniature birthday cakes, high flying flags, and delicate paper sculptures, transforming the gallery into a party-themed wonderland. The exhibition’s goal is to create an atmosphere of excitement and suspense as each artwork captures “the moment before the party”.

So visit tonight from 7-10 PM. We have piles of candy, tons of cake, and confetti, glitter and balloons galore!
RSVP via the Facebook Event Page!
More information in this post!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Beautiful Forever Artists Announced

Beautiful Beast by Jared Tuttle
Seriously. Thank you to every single one of you guys that put your name down for our calls for art over the past couple weeks. We have had a heck of a time over here trying to keep up with everyone. We just finished narrowing down the list of artists and are excited to announce who will be joining us for the Beautiful Forever exhibition!
We'll be posting more information about the exhibition and the details as we get closer, but until then:
Beautiful Forever
A tribute to tattoos (of the temporary kind)
Opening Reception Friday, March 22nd
7 - 10pm
On exhibition through April 12
Details about the event are here on our official facebook invite.
The show will feature awesome tattoo 'flash' pages from each of our 40 artists. Their designs will be exhibited this March alongside the BLOWOUT exhibition: A Celebration of Tattoo Culture, a benefit show for tattoo artist, Tom Strom and will be available on our online store so we can all tattoo ourselves silly with their designs. Congratulations to our artists and HUGE thanks to everyone that contributed their work for the call for art. More details to come!
Exhibiting Artists
Karina Rehrbehn
Kelly Leigh Miller
Miranda Sharp
Richie Pope
Michelle Volansky
Ulana Zahajkewycz
Jared Tuttle
Katerina Friday
Nate Vincent Szklarski
Darla Okada
Angela Rizza
Catherine Miller
Soeun Lee
Carey Pietsch
Minerva GM
Jimmy Malone
Lillian Duermeier
Rodrigo Aviles
Ella Cohen
Nico Ecenarro
Francine Denise
Kim Hu
Melissa Ling
Chris Danger
Vero Navarro
Bene Rohlmann
Tom Wiener
Julianna Brion
Rima Neverland
Helen Mask
Kristen Acampora
Delia Evin
Katie Sanvick
Jasjyot Singh Hans
Matthew Hayton
Alyssa Nassner
Wren McDonald
Natalie Andrewson
Taryn Gee
Christine Spiegel
More information to come soon! We'll keep you posted!
Resolution by Danny Saathoff

Resolution, by Danny Saathoff, is an interactive piece of art featured in last month's Message In A Bottle show. The piece started off as a massive blank grid and visitors were invited to select one of many small, rolled papers from a bottle. Each piece of paper contained a set of coordinates with colors assigned to them, and visitors used their fingerprints to reveal a hidden message.
As the piece slowly materialized, visitors eager took turns leaving their mark, sharing thoughts and speculations about what the final image would reveal.
Danny is an amazing artist, from concept to craft, who encourages viewers to slow down and interact with art. This piece is a perfect example of involving everyone in the art-making process and in the end, invites them to continue to make more.
You can see more of Danny's work on his website.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Macro & Micro Artists Announced!

Illustration by Lindsay Nohl
MACRO & MICRO ARTISTS ANNOUNCED!
Thanks to everyone that submitted links to our call for art! We were just shy of 300 interested people and I can't thank all of you enough for joining us on the call for art! After a billion tough hours of going through sites and having the hard job of narrowing down, we have our line-up for our April Exhibition! Don't forget to take a peek at the side-bar! We have a second call-for art closing after TOMORROW, Monday, Feb 18th for Beautiful Forever, the temporary tattoo show!
We have a large show planned, right in time for Spring to come back and join us.
More information about the Macro & Micro exhibition soon! Please check out our other calls for art on the side bar!
Macro & Micro : A Celebration of the Natural World
Opens Friday April 19th
7 - 10pm
Artwork of the Animal, Vegetable, Mineral categories and everything else Natural.
Our artists will be joining us in an incredibly interesting and thorough interpretation of the Earth as we know it, from lush environments to individual creatures. From natural cycles to crystalline structures. We'll keep you posted as we get closer to the exhibition! Until then, take a peek at the group of artists below!
Thanks and congratulations to everyone that will be joining us for our large spring show!
Animal
Denise Holmes
Ariel Elliott
Laura Bifano
Danamarie Hosler
Caroline Hadilaksono
Taryn Gee
Coryn LaNasa
Katie Sanvick
Jessica Roux
Douglas Holgate
Darla Okada
Ashley Mackenzie
Nick Blazey
Mary Williams
Vero Navarro
Julian Howley
Celia Krampien
Rebecca green
Tealin
Angela Rizza
Tim Mack
J L Hirten
Frank & Becky (Tiny Kitten Teeth)
Harriet Seed
Everything Else
Hedwig Vinson
Courtney Cashon
Charlotte Mao
Miko Maciaszek
Jesse Riggle
Brittany Tingey
Ann Macarayan
Natalie Andrewson
Adam Tan
Laura Callaghan
Daniel Fishel
Ben Bene Rohlmann
Jenny Bookler
Chris Danger
George Bletsis
Lindsay Nohl
Sishir Bommakanti
Andrew Kolb
Amanda Sartor
Chris Walker
Alexa Thoen
Chris Hajny
Mineral
Danielle Storey
Tim Durning
Liza Sylvestre
Sage Einarsen
B. Paul Patterson
Elyse Holmes
Allie Strom
Scott Wenner
Claire Hummel
Rebecca Mock
Anna Bron
Hannah Christenson
Rachel Suggs
Annie Carbo
Joe Lillington
Shannon May
Isabel Seliger
Evan Palmer
Steven Hughes
Ensine Eckwall
Richie Pope
Vegetable
Kat Friday
Blok Magnaye
Caitlin Clarkson
Ian densford
Casey Crisenbery
Rory Phillips
Meredith Miotke
Rose Wong
Jessica Schultz
Valerie Chua
Andrew R. Wright
Laura Hallen
Lucy Engelman
Bobby O'Herlihy
Kelly Bastow
Kevin Stanton
Victor Mosquera
Shanti Rittgers
Erik Krenz
Mary Jo Hoffman
Teagan White
Chicherova Olga
Francesca Buchko
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Quick Update! - Macro & Micro!
Hi everyone!
We just finished going through all of the awesome entries for the Macro & Micro show and now we're doing the 'sorting'!
We should know who is joining us for this exhibition shortly and the categories everyone is in!
A blog post with all of our participating artists should be up soon!
Thanks so much to everyone that submitted for the call for entries!
We're super excited!
--Lindsay
We just finished going through all of the awesome entries for the Macro & Micro show and now we're doing the 'sorting'!
We should know who is joining us for this exhibition shortly and the categories everyone is in!
A blog post with all of our participating artists should be up soon!
Thanks so much to everyone that submitted for the call for entries!
We're super excited!
--Lindsay
Make Art With Your Sweetheart Recap

This Thursday we celebrated Valentine's Day with Make Art With Your Sweetheart, a special event where couples could share a bottle of wine and make matching cameo portraits together.
It was a lot of fun and everyone made some great pieces! The silhouette nature of the project was meant to be playful and relaxed, and allowed couples to participate regardless of their previous experience with art.







It was really cute to see everyone work together and come out with a piece to take home! Thanks to everyone who participated! We hope you had as much fun as we did!
To see all of the adorable photos from the event, visit our flickr set.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Artist Interview: Wren McDonald
On this last day of celebrating the Message in the Bottle Show, we present illustrator and comic artist Wren McDonald! Wren's whimsically humorous creations are gems to the illustration world and definitely worth looking up.
What did you research to create your piece for Message In A Bottle, or where did you draw inspiration from?
I've seen National Treasure a few times.
Do you ever hide things in your work in general? (references to people you know, homages to your favorite songs, etc.?)
I've hidden friends' initials, inside jokes and stuff like that in pieces before. Especially if there's graffiti in a piece that I'm working on. I like there to be small stories in the details.
Our shows are often based off of things we are briefly obsessed with (like symbols and secret societies). Are you obsessed with anything right now?
Drawing small men, using the World Wide Web, Don't Worry, Be Happy, and collecting printed matter.
Do you have a trick to get motivated when you don't feel like making anything?
Well, I never feel like not working for that long of a time. But when I really don't want to work, but I have to anyways because of a deadline, I just sit down and make myself do it, and it kind of sucks, but at least it gets done.
Can you keep a secret?
It depends on whose secret it is.
For more about Wren, check out his site or follow his blog!
What did you research to create your piece for Message In A Bottle, or where did you draw inspiration from?
I've seen National Treasure a few times.
Do you ever hide things in your work in general? (references to people you know, homages to your favorite songs, etc.?)
I've hidden friends' initials, inside jokes and stuff like that in pieces before. Especially if there's graffiti in a piece that I'm working on. I like there to be small stories in the details.
Our shows are often based off of things we are briefly obsessed with (like symbols and secret societies). Are you obsessed with anything right now?
Drawing small men, using the World Wide Web, Don't Worry, Be Happy, and collecting printed matter.
Do you have a trick to get motivated when you don't feel like making anything?
Well, I never feel like not working for that long of a time. But when I really don't want to work, but I have to anyways because of a deadline, I just sit down and make myself do it, and it kind of sucks, but at least it gets done.
Can you keep a secret?
It depends on whose secret it is.
For more about Wren, check out his site or follow his blog!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Podcast: For The Love Of...

Inspired by Valentine's Day, we talk about Love and Passion! Although not in a particularly romanic sense. We have a new audio set-up this week, so we hope you like the more crisp and clear podcast! And don't mind Francesca's stuffy voice, she's feeling a bit under the weather.
Download the MP3 or Subscribe via iTunes!
For The Love Of...
Length: 1:19:13
Music: As Colorful As Ever by Broke For Free via FMA.
Synopsis: Just in time for Valentine's Day, Lindsay, Jenny, Chris and (a very sick) Francesca talk about passion and love. What we love, how we love, and why we love.
Monday, February 11, 2013
CALL FOR ART! - Beautiful Forever!

Celebrating the permanence (or impermanence) of the art on our bodies
EDIT!: Thanks to everyone that submitted links to our temporary tattoo show! We'll be posting the list of artists shortly! Thank you to everyone that got a chance to submit your sites!
Sneak-attack! That's how I'm feeling with this call for art! We have a quick timeline for this call for entries and a quick turn-around!
Why, you ask? Well, we have something awesome planned for our March show!
We have a whole MONTH of celebrating Tattoos and tattoo culture! Yes, just the other day, Chris was joking around (as we were playing Dungeons and Dragons with some awesome friends) about how instead of carrying an enchanted ring or a bottle of poison-- his magical item is his 'sic tat'. We all had a hearty laugh, and Chris maintained his stoic attitude and vowed to use it for good throughout the course of our game.
I know for sure that 3 out of the 5 of us at Light Grey have tattoos, and the other two have a healthy appreciation for them!
How about you? Have any? Like them? Like the idea of them? Well here we go!
***
BEAUTIFUL FOREVER
A tribute to tattoos (of the temporary kind)
March 22 - April 12th
Is being featured in the Adjunct gallery at Light Grey for the month and is running alongside BLOWOUT: The Art of Tattoo Culture, a benefit show for Tom Strom in the main room!
(More details about BLOWOUT soon!)
We're looking for artists interested in creating their very own page of tattoo flash, to be on exhibition in the adjunct gallery as well as seriously awesome, temporary tattoos that will be available online! Yes! We will make them into real temporary tattoos so you can wear them on your face! Or your friends faces! Or anywhere else!
Now is your chance to design the most awesome, epic, hilarious, clever, or otherwise - tattoos and let the universe see what you're made of. More details about the show and the sizes will be sent to our list of participating artists.
Submit your name, email and website / blog below to be considered, and please help us spread the word! BY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH!!
Part of the proceeds for Beautiful Forever will go to raise money for Tom Strom, - in coordination with the Blowout Show.
We will be posting a list of all participating artists on Tuesday, February 19th and will follow up in an email with more details!
Please help us spread the word! Thanks guys!
Labels:
Beautiful Forever,
Blowout,
CallforArt,
Tattoo
Friday, February 8, 2013
Artist Interview: Tara Abbamondi
We recorded a podcast a couple weeks ago to talk about the Message In A Bottle show, and it made us realize what we'd really like to hear is what some of the artists have to say about the subject. And of course, we always love to hear about process.
Tara Abbamondi is a profoundly hard-working and talented comic artist from Pennsylvania, and she was gracious enough to share with us!

What did you research to create your piece for Message In A Bottle, or where did you draw inspiration from?
Long story short, I looked outside. I'm fortunate enough to live in a wooded area that sparks my imagination of the fantastical things that might be out there. I enjoy the woods, nature in general, and I feel like those surroundings are a fuel for my work.
Do you ever hide things in your work in general? (references to people you know, homages to your favorite songs, etc.?)
Yes, on many occasions! I frequently add cameos of people I know within my work (I work in comics so it definitely makes my job a bit easier when I don't have to make up faces for a crowd). I also like to add little musical references as well, those are usually a bit more subtle and silly.
Our shows are often based off of things we are briefly obsessed with (like symbols and secret societies). Are you obsessed with anything right now?
Oh dear, well, anyone who knows me well knows that my obsession with A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) runs deeply, as well as my love of Scotland, which seem to go hand-in-hand at times. I could talk about Game of Thrones for hours on end, and sometimes I do, my apologies to Paul.
Do you have a trick to get motivated when you don't feel like making anything?
Typically, I take a break from what I'm doing, read a book, take a walk, drink lots of tea and coffee--and if none of that works, I work on something else, like a warm-up, to hopefully get the ideas moving. Oddly enough, social sites like twitter do a bit of help there as well. I find there's no greater motivation than seeing the awesome things other folks are doing.
Can you keep a secret?
Yes, quite well actually!
For more of Tara's work, check out her site, subscribe to her blog or follow her on twitter!
Tara Abbamondi is a profoundly hard-working and talented comic artist from Pennsylvania, and she was gracious enough to share with us!

What did you research to create your piece for Message In A Bottle, or where did you draw inspiration from?
Long story short, I looked outside. I'm fortunate enough to live in a wooded area that sparks my imagination of the fantastical things that might be out there. I enjoy the woods, nature in general, and I feel like those surroundings are a fuel for my work.
Do you ever hide things in your work in general? (references to people you know, homages to your favorite songs, etc.?)
Yes, on many occasions! I frequently add cameos of people I know within my work (I work in comics so it definitely makes my job a bit easier when I don't have to make up faces for a crowd). I also like to add little musical references as well, those are usually a bit more subtle and silly.
Our shows are often based off of things we are briefly obsessed with (like symbols and secret societies). Are you obsessed with anything right now?
Oh dear, well, anyone who knows me well knows that my obsession with A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) runs deeply, as well as my love of Scotland, which seem to go hand-in-hand at times. I could talk about Game of Thrones for hours on end, and sometimes I do, my apologies to Paul.
Do you have a trick to get motivated when you don't feel like making anything?
Typically, I take a break from what I'm doing, read a book, take a walk, drink lots of tea and coffee--and if none of that works, I work on something else, like a warm-up, to hopefully get the ideas moving. Oddly enough, social sites like twitter do a bit of help there as well. I find there's no greater motivation than seeing the awesome things other folks are doing.
Can you keep a secret?
Yes, quite well actually!
For more of Tara's work, check out her site, subscribe to her blog or follow her on twitter!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Podcast: Visual Sound with Tom Cassidy

This week's podcast is a real treat! This past Saturday, Tom Cassidy performed Visual Sound along with four other poets for a crowd at Light Grey Art Lab. It was an amazing performance, a dense rollercoaster of language, full of clever humor, beautiful poetry, and whip-smart commentary! It's hard to sum it up, so please have a listen! You'll see what we mean!
Download the MP3 or Subscribe via iTunes!
Visual Sound with Tom Cassidy
Length: 1:31:33
Music: As Colorful As Ever by Broke For Free via FMA.
Synopsis: This podcast is an audio recording of 'Visual Sound', a lecture/performace by Tom Cassidy. This event took place at Light Grey Art Lab on Saturday, February 2nd, 2013.

Show Notes:
Tom Cassidy is a fixture in the international smallpress/mail-art community. His work has appeared in hundreds of offbeat publications and exhibitions, and remains in special collections around the world. He has performed at dozens of colleges, galleries, and theatres, and is currently a performer and board member at Cheap Theatre and Patrick's Cabaret.
Tom is known as the "Musicmaster" and "the Funniest Mad Man or the Maddest funny man." He has been participating in the mail-art, slam poetry, and literary community for decades, and loves to share all of his knowledge and nonsense associated with studying linguistics.
Guest Poets:
Cheap Theatre Founder: Erica Christ
Cartoonist/Storyteller: Kay Kirscht
Poet/Activist: Leigh Herrick
Housing Link's: Josh Dye
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
HOT PARTY Opening Reception!

Happy Birthday to us! Light Grey Art Lab will soon be one year old and we've got a new exhibition all lined up to make sure we celebrate in style! It's called HOT PARTY, and it's all about the art of the par-tay!
HOT PARTY features larger-than-life confetti installations, miniature birthday cakes, high flying flags, and delicate paper sculptures, transforming the gallery into a party-themed wonderland. The exhibition’s goal is to create an atmosphere of excitement and suspense as each artwork captures “the moment before the party”.
The opening reception for HOT PARTY is Friday, February 22nd from 7-10 PM. Come and celebrate with us, you can expect piles of candy, a giant birthday cake, confetti poppers, a photo-booth, and artwork giveaways!
RSVP via the Facebook Event Page!
Remember, the Opening Reception is Friday, February 22nd from 7- 10 PM! We're located on the corner of Stevens Ave and 26th Street - right across from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. Street parking is available on Stevens, 26th and 1st Ave.
See you there!
Monday, February 4, 2013
February Light Grey Lock-In!

Light Grey Art Lab held it's second Lock-In last Friday, and about 25 art-loving night-owls came together to burn the midnight oil with some company! The Lock-In is a wonderfully indulgent event, and exists as an excuse to stay up all night and do whatever you want. We had people using paints, pencils, charcoals inks, computers, cameras, ipads and more to draw, write, scribble and create all manner of art!
...or you could order some pizza, get your tarot cards read, play video games and watch Sgt. Frog. It's your call, we don't judge!


Thanks to everyone who came, you can find more picture in this Flickr set! Keep an eye on the site for upcoming Lock-In events!
Sunday, February 3, 2013
For art-lovers! This Valentine's Day.

Something special for art-lovers!
We're having a very special workshop on Thursday, February 14th and I wanted to make a special blog post because I know it's coming up soon! We are hosting a romantic art-making night for those of you guys that want to do something fun, but a little different!
Join us that night for a bottle of wine and make cameos of you and your special friend!
Here are all of the details -- we have 5 spots left, so grab one if you're interested in joining us!
The whole experience is about 1.5 hours, and costs $60 for the pair.
We'll have everything you need, so just pre-register and come on over!
We'll help get you set up to make your own silhouettes, decorate and frame them, all while listening to great music and sharing your own bottle of wine.
Ah, young love!
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