Meet COSMOS Artist, Camille Chew

Meet Camille Chew, yet another great artist that is featured in the upcoming Cosmos show! Camille is an illustrator based in Ithaca, New York, and is a graduate from Alfred University where she majored in Art and Design. Her work is filled with colorful patterns, masks, and fearsome witches and warriors! If you’re looking for more of Camille’s work you can hop on over to her website, blog, or find her on instagram @camillechew, and you can find her Phoenix piece in the Cosmos exhibition opening October 30th!


Preview of the Phoenix Constellation

For the COSMOS Tarot & Oracle Deck, Camille illustrated a piece for the constellation Phoenix. In the deck, it represents the World Card and is an Earth Element.

Transformation - Reinvention - Legacy

The constellation Phoenix is a minor constellation in the southern sky. The Phoenix has its origins in ancient Egypt, and has since been incorporated into Greek, Roman, and early Christian mythology. The concepts of infinity, cycles of life and death, resurrection, longevity, and renewal are all a part of Phoenix. Additionally, the Phoenix’s life cycle is directly tied to the element of fire, as the Phoenix dies in an outburst of flames, only to be born again from its own ashes.

In a reading, this card may symbolize a personal transformation and reinvention. This may also indicate an opportunity for an individual to set up their legacy by establishing a foundation from which others can also flourish. What a person leaves behind today will be fuel for a new generation of concepts and ideas. This card may also indicate inheritance, investments, or the sale of a business.

Reversed, it could mean that one may be caught in a bad cycle, repeating bad habits, or that elements from one’s past may continue to haunt them. This may indicate poor spending, or recurring deductions from one’s finances with no gain. It may be a good time to look at one’s resources and adjust any leaky assets.

You can find out more information about this project on the Light Grey Website and pre-order the Tarot & Oracle Deck on the Light Grey Shop here: http://shop.lightgreyartlab.com/product/pre-order-cosmos-tarot-oracle-deck

Thank you for your support!

Meet COSMOS Artist, Boya Sun

The COSMOS Tarot & Oracle Deck is here! We are proud to present this collaborative, 100 artist deck celebrating the 88 modern constellations, planets, and astral bodies! You can find the pre-sale of the project on the Light Grey Shop here.

As we lead up to the show, opening October 30th, we will be highlighting some of the fantastic illustrations and mythology behind the project- Keep an eye out for your favorite artists and pieces!

Today we are sharing a sneak peek of work by Boya Sun. Boya is an illustrator who was born in Beijing and grew up in Canada, who later went on to study illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art. His work boasts dynamic compositions, and intense colors! You can find more of Boya’s work on his website (www.boyasun.com)



About this card:
Scorpius (also known as Scorpio) is one of the oldest constellations in the sky. Scorpius was memorialized after killing Orion for his arrogant exclamation that he could kill all of the animals on Earth. The theme of death is not unfamiliar to Scorpius. Scorpio rules the eighth house, which is the house of death, sex and resources. Of course, none of these aspects should be taken lightly and the seriousness of a Scorpio's demeanor will reflect the things they rule over. Though it is a water sign (which would normally indicate an emotional individual) Scorpio's reserved nature makes them prone to repressing their emotions.

Scorpio is fearless, intense and passionate. They are highly competitive, a trait that comes out in both work and play. They are unafraid of taking risks and often find the thrill that comes with fighting things head-on worth a potential negative outcome. In personal matters, they prefer to see the world in black and white. Highly secretive and easily suspicious of others because of their uncanny ability to see the motives of others, they do not waste time in relationships or matters where they feel at risk or if the other party is acting ambiguously. They know what they want and aren't afraid to get it.

COSMOS Tarot & Oracle Deck Pre-Sale!

We have huge news! We are proud to present our newest publication, collaborative artist deck, and comprehensive guidebook that celebrates the modern constellations, planetary influences, and mythology of the night sky!

The COSMOS Tarot & Oracle Deck includes the artwork of 100 illustrators, printmakers, and concept artists from around the globe. The project is an interactive tarot deck that is filled with beautiful and symbolic imagery, the history and myths of the universe, and celestial spreads for readings!

You can read more about the project below, and see the first view of the project on the Light Grey Shop here.



The limited edition COSMOS decks feature gilded edges and gold-foil constellations. The project contains 78 gilded Tarot cards, and 22 gilded Oracle cards, each with quick-reference key-words on the front of each card. The deck is interactive and includes a 150 page guide to how to read the Cosmos, instructions and guidance for eight different spreads, and information on the history, lore and symbolism for each subject.

http://shop.lightgreyartlab.com/product/pre-order-cosmos-tarot-oracle-deck

Mark your calendars for the opening reception and project release on October 30th from 7-10pm. The COSMOS Exhibition will include a massive fiber-optic installation with all 100 pieces. It will be on display through November 27, 2015.

There are 88 modern constellations in the sky, suspended amongst incredible natural phenomena that shape worlds beyond our own. Billions of people have looked up at the night sky and wondered about their place in the universe. Oracles used the stars to predict events to come and constellations became beacons that could guide travelers across uncharted territory. The night is full of glittering reminders that we may not be alone in this universe. For eons the cosmos have held great significance in countless civilizations, and now, Light Grey Art Lab will turn out the lights and look to the skies. For more information about this project and the contributing artists, please visit www.lightgreyartlab.com/cosmos

Thank you for your support!

Artist Interview: Daniel Shaffer

Meet Daniel Shaffer. Daniel is an illustrator living and working in Baltimore, MD. Daniel is know for his colorful illustrations and narrative images. His work has been shown in various galleries and recognized by the Society of Illustrators. Daniel has participated in the BOSS RUSH!, Guts, and upcoming COSMOS projects with Light Grey Art Lab, and we are thrilled to showcase his artwork! You can read all about his expriences, resources, and thougts on illustration. You can also see more of Daniel's artwork on his website and blog here!



Hi Daniel. Could you tell me about yourself?

I grew up in a city called Decatur which rests right outside of Atlanta, GA. I have really fond memories of Decatur and the neighborhood I grew up in. Decatur is lush with vegetation and tall oak trees and it smells really beautiful during the Spring and Fall. As a kid I was always using my imagination to become dinosaurs and animals, and I was interested in drawing and painting from imagination. I pretty much knew I wanted to be an artist when I was in Elementary school. After high school I attended the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) for four years and got my BFA last May. It took me a year in college to figure out that I wanted to become an illustrator.

You recently participated in the BOSS RUSH Exhibition, and much of your artwork in inspired by video games and media. Could you talk a little about your inspiration- are you attracted to the characters, story lines, bad guys, etc?

The BOSS RUSH! Exhibition was actually a turning point for me stylistically. I think once I graduated from college, I felt like I had a ticking clock behind me to get jobs so I started making a mad flurry of work. During this time I made a massive amount of experimental illustrations with shifting subject matter and style. At one point I was working completely flat and was pretty inspired by Joan Cornella's comics. I have always enjoyed gross humor so it was fun to paint a lot of butts and blood. What I really love though is color and atmosphere. I decided that my love for video games would be a good conduit for creating illustrations that pushed those two themes. When I saw the BOSS RUSH! call for artists I jumped on the opportunity because I thought it would be a good way to push myself to create a more polished piece than the illustrations I had been making prior. From there I decided to continue making movie and game related pieces because I knew that the passion was already there so all I had to do was create the image that I wanted.


Majora's Mask for BOSS RUSH!

Your work includes lots of playful characters, humorous scenarios, and dramatic moments. Could you talk a little about storytelling and image making. What is most compelling to you when creating artwork?

I grew up watching cartoons and anime so I was exposed to a lot of different ways to tell a story through images. Studio Ghibli had a really big impact on me as a developing artist and as a growing boy. The movie Princess Mononoke was a treasure trove of inspiration. In the third grade my friend rented the movie at a sleep over and I watched it for the first time. I don't think my mom would have been too happy that I had watched such a violent movie, but I couldn't stop thinking about it- I felt like it was one of the greatest creations known to man. I remember running as fast as I could through the little forest behind my school pretending I was running with wolves. So much of the world was unknown to me so I had to make up what I believed could be true. I think that's what's so compelling about making artwork. You get to create whatever you want in your own way.


Princess Mononoke

What is your favorite piece/project to date? What do you want to work on more?

I think my favorite piece that I've made was my tribute to Princess Mononoke. Not because it's dedicated to Princess Mononoke, but because it was a piece where I felt like I had unlocked something in myself that made the piece flow really well for me. It was one of the first times that developing the composition, colors, and lighting felt really natural to me and I just kind of knew what needed to be done. I definitely would like to continue doing tribute pieces, but I would also like to start working on my own children's book.

For the Guts Exhibition, you were tasked with investigating the insides of something. Could you tell us about that project, what you uncovered, and what you wanted to share?

For the Guts Exhibition I decided to choose the mythological Cosmic Turtle as my subject matter. Commonly in the mythology surrounding this creature, the turtle is swimming in space while holding a flat earth on its back that is being supported by four white elephants. Terry Pratchett actually wrote a series called Discworld that takes place on the earth that is supported by a cosmic turtle. I have yet to read the series, but it sounds really interesting. I decided to put a twist on the myth by making the action take place within the shell of a turtle creature instead of on top. I liked the idea of the shell creating a micro system of entities and foliage, while also protecting an entire universe which is represented by the white orb in the center. I thought this provided an interesting concept that could indicate an infinite number of cosmic turtles holding an infinite number of universes and how fragile this system is. It's scary and interesting to think about how the death of one Cosmic turtle could affect all the others that lie within it.


Protecting Life (Cosmic Turtle) for the Guts Exhibition

Could you describe your creative community? Locally or online? What things do you look for in a community?

At the moment I am still living in Baltimore right next to the MICA campus. I live in an apartment with artist and friend Matt Rockefeller. A lot of this past year has been dedicated to Matt and I working alongside each other in our in home studio. We often give each other feedback on the projects we're working on and also take breaks to go outside or play through different video games. At the end of June I am going to be moving back home in Decatur, GA to save some money. I will have lived in Baltimore for 5 years so the shift back home will be an interesting change for me. Community is still a concept that I'm learning about and take for granted. I was born with a chemical imbalance that makes my anxiety levels sky rocket pretty easily so I typically maintain a pretty small group of friends so that I'm not over stimulated. With that said, I think I need to be surrounded by an artistic community/atmosphere that share some of my core values in life. It also helps if my community is surrounded by lots of vegetation and animals! I would much prefer my view of the sky to be blocked by trees than blocked by buildings.

As an young illustrator, what is the most valuable piece of information/advise you have received?

I'm not sure if anyone ever specifically told this to me or if I just decided it was good advice on my own, but I would say the most valuable advice for me has been to just keep making work. I have only grown after making hundreds of things. The journey is often difficult and can sometimes feel hopeless, but I have found that as long as I keep producing work I will grow and improve as an artist.


Arrival

What are some of your biggest sources of inspiration? (books, media, places, games, people, etc.)

As I mentioned before, Studio Ghibli has had a profound influence on me. Beyond that I would also say that Calvin and Hobbes influenced my thinking about the world. I was introduced to Calvin and Hobbes as a little kid. My dad bought me one of the compilation books that has lots of comics in it and I was immediately hooked. I really love how Bill Watterson writes his characters. There is something that is just so charming about the world that Calvin and Hobbes live in. It always makes me happy to read his comics.

What projects do you have in the works? What direction do you see yourself going in the next year to two? Any dream projects?

I'm in a transition period at the moment, so I don't have any specific projects in the works. I have been working on a collection of zines with my friends Boya Sun and Matt Rockefeller that will have the work of a bunch of different artists in them. The title of the collection is Bloom, and it won't be finished for a while due to the number of zines and artists we're working with. There will be more information about that in the future though. As for my direction, I would say that I want to head into book publishing in some form. I also want to do editorial work, so I'll be building up clientele to work with in the coming months. In the future I would like to work on my own children's book. I have wanted to do that since I was a little kid. I'll be working on a story in the near future!

Thanks, Daniel!

You can find more of his work on his website, blog, and the Cosmic Tuttle piece on the Light Grey shop here! The Guts Exhibition will be on display and online through May 15th.

COSMOS Artists Announced!

Thank you to everyone who applied to the COSMOS Exhibition!

This September we're recreating the magic of the night sky! With 100 international artists revisiting the mythology and metaphors we know so well, and creating an illuminated exhibition -and- oracle deck project! Details on the installation and project will be posted closer to the opening reception!

COSMOS
Astral Bodies, Reinterpreted
100 Celestial histories by 100 international artists

Opens September 11, 2015 • 7 - 10pm
Light Grey Art Lab
118 E. 26th Street #101
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612.239.2047

Over the month of September / October, we'll be treating you to all sorts of cosmic workshops, get-togethers and plenty of universe-inspired projects.
Stay tuned for our upcoming line-up of events!


Participating Artists Include:

A. Sparrow
Adrian Majkrzak
Alex Dos Diaz
Alex Konstad
Alex Reynolds
Alexxander Dovelin
Alison George
Alyssa Nassner
Amanda Christensen
Ameorry Luo
Andrew Kolb
Angela An
Angela Rizza
Annejulie Painchaud
Ashleigh Hetrick
Barbara Guttman
Boya Sun
Brenna Lindblad
Bridget Underwood
Cai Vail
Camille Chew
Cari Corene
Caroline Jamhour
Catherine Ho
Cathy Kwan
Charlotte Gomez
Chie Boyd
Claire Hummel
Corinne Reid
Daniel Shaffer
Emily Cheeseman
Emily Walus
Emory Allen
Erik Krenz
Evan Palmer
Florian Pichon
Francesca Buchko
Grace Kim
James Lavella
Jana Heidersdorf
Jared Tuttle
Jay Barnham
Jen Bartel
Jenny Zych
Jessica Roux
Jimmy Malone
JL Hirten
Joe Lillington
Joey McCormick
Jongmee
Jorge De la Paz
Joy Ang
Junyi Wu
Justin Oaksford
Kaeti Vandorn
Kate O'Hara
Kelly Wagner
Kelsey Borch
Kim Sokol
Lara Paulussen
Lauren Duda
Lily Padula
Lindsay Nohl
Lisa Perrin
Liz Parlett
Lynn Wang
Marie and Maddie Matthews
Mariel Hester
Marta Szudyga
Matt Rockefeller
Melissa Somerville
Michael Okey
Monica Esquivel
Natalia Pierandrei
Nicole Gustafsson
Nicole Miles
Philippe Poirier
Phoenix Chan
Rodrigo Avilés
Rovina Cai
Sam Schechter
Sander B
Sarah Webb
Tim Liljefors
Shannon May
Shanti Rittgers
Shirley Chan
Cathryn Virginia
Sloane Kim
Soljee Lee
Sonia Liao
Sophie Blackhall-Cain
Stephen Wood
Susie Ghahremani
Taryn Gee
Teagan White
Trung Nguyen
Xanthe Bouma
Yoshi Yoshitani
Zoe Keller

Thanks again to the overwhelming amount of talented folks that put your name in the call for art!
We're very thankful and humbled at the response!

Looking forward to showing with you!

---Lindsay
Questions?
hello@lightgreyartlab.com

CALL FOR ART : COSMOS

EDIT: 3.16.15 -- Thanks to everyone that submitted their links for this call for art! WOW! It'll take us just a bit to wade through all of the awesome entries - sit tight and we'll be announcing the final list of participating artists shortly!



CALL FOR ARTISTS!

There are 88 modern constellations in the sky, suspended amongst incredible natural phenomena that shape worlds beyond our own. Billions of people have looked up at the night sky and wondered about their place in the universe. Oracles used the stars to predict events to come and constellations became beacons that could guide travelers across uncharted territory. The night is full of glittering reminders that we may not be alone in this universe. For eons the cosmos have held great significance in countless civilizations, and in the month of September, Light Grey Art Lab will turn out the lights and look to the skies.

COSMOS
Astral Bodies, Reinterpreted
September 11
7 - 10pm

118 E. 26th Street #101
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612.239.2047
hello@lightgreyartlab.com

Let's recreate the magic of our universe together. From all 88 constellations and astral phenomena to the planets in our own solar system... We'll light up the night!

We are looking for artists that want to look deep into the astrology, the mythology and the metaphors that have shaped our knowledge of each of these stellar bodies. Each artist will receive one of the 100 astral bodies at random and a template showing it's position in the sky. We'll cover the gallery with an incredible maze of illuminated beasts, gods, stories and legends and we'll let viewers experience the ties between what we actually see at night, and what we see in our minds eye.

And to top it all off, we will be printing a limited edition astrological oracle deck to accompany the exhibition -- where you'll learn how to chart your own astrological influences, intuit messages from the alignment of the stars, and divine wisdom from the Cosmos themselves!

We are planning all sorts of star-gazing activities leading up to the opening reception including some really incredible experiential get-togethers centered on the sky. More details about our schedule of extracurriculars will be posted soon!

So! If you'd like to be in charge of shaping our universe as we know it, put your name, links to your work and your email below by March 12th!


Example:
Lindsay Nohl
lindsaynohl.com
hello@lightgreyartlab.com

A full participating artist list will be posted in the week following the close of the call for art and an email with dates, constellations and astral bodies and specifics about the show will be provided to everyone soon after! If you have any questions about participating, please feel free to send a note and we'd be happy to help answer your questions!

Thanks and please help us spread the word!
Questions? Please send us a note at hello@lightgreyartlab.com!