Anatomy of a Somnambulist 12” x 16” Acrylic on wood

Snow White’s Sonata 12” x 16” Acrylic on wood

To start 2009, let me introduce to you the work of artist Michelle Araujo (aka Mia) from the ‘breadbasket’ of pop surrealism, LA. Mia’s philosophy comes from an eastern philosophy that is utterly intriguing; seeing each individual containing an entire universe within themselves. She then strives to depict this in her paintings as each brilliantly crafted piece manifests into personal portraits that represent all the unseen forces at work within the subject, be it spirits, inner demons, conflicting emotions etc etc.

Her works draw heavily upon children’s stories, characters with fantastically imaginative narratives that depict the qualities that make people unique. She’s influenced by Tim Burton, Walt Disney, Miyazaki, Kay Nielsen, Klimt, fairytales, performance art, vintage photography, music, literature, animation, silent cinema and world cultures.

Take a peek at a few of our favorite pieces from this rising star after the jump, or the links below. Enjoy.

• her art site;
• her blog;
• her flickr gallery;
• her illustration site.

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Pop Surrealist David Stoupakis who is featured in Gestalten’s recent release The Upset: Young Contemporary Art has a talent for transforming the supernatural and macabre into dramatic narratives. A delicate balance of childhood innocence and haunting imagery, this series of oil-on-panel paintings and graphite drawings recounts grim fairytales of the decadent and demure.

Marking a new direction for the artist, Stoupakis employs a brighter color palette than before and will unveil his largest piece to date for the exhibition. The reception for These Predicaments takes place on Saturday, December 13, and the evening will include music scored by composer Geoff Gersh. Open to the public, the exhibition will be on view until December 31, 2008.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Born in Brighton, Massachusetts in 1974, David Stoupakis was diagnosed with a learning disability and encouraged to develop his artistic side as a child. The subject of many teacher-parent meetings, his “gloomy” drawings would later become his signature style of painting. Stoupakis’ images have appeared as cover art for the bands Korn and Haloburn and have been featured in numerous publications including Juxtapoz, Hi-Fructose and Devolution as well as books such as Gothic Art Now and The Upset. Galleries throughout the world have featured his work, including Strychnin Gallery in Berlin, Dorothy Circus Gallery in Rome, and StolenSpace Gallery in London. Stoupakis currently lives and works in Queens, New York with his girlfriend and muse Aprella. For more information about the artist, please visit: www.davidstoupakis.com.

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KISS CONSULTATION - oil on canvas 36in x 48in

If your a fan of Ron English’s work, you will be pleased to know his latest work is on show now at the Shooting Gallery SF. Ron is the master of “popaganda”, known for his satirical interpretations of commercial iconography. For his latest show “The Secret History of Kiss”, Ron creates Bouguereau styled paintings with traditional regal and religious subject matter that have Kiss themes to them all. It really doesn’t matter if your a fan of kiss or not, as each one of the oil paintings on show is a masterpiece. The colors, presentation and the way he handles paint is not only inspiring but awe inducing. See more…

“I do all for My Lord Marquis of Carabas” - 1620 × 1303mm, oil painting, 2008

Japanese artist Yuma Touko features surreal, fun, bright, raucous, playful imagery that transcends category. Touko paints a wickedly humorous melange of fairytales and pop culture to tell unsettling tales about the beauty and pain of childhood. With his divine gift for color and composition, Touko draws attention to vast amounts of iconography and bizzare pop imagery used as a metaphor, which makes the viewing experience all the richer and more compelling.

“L’apres-Midi D’un Faune” - 530 × 455mm, oil painting, 2008

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“Who observes Victor Castillo’s subject matter, which is so wisely done maybe remember an incomplete symphonic poem, or could believe that his Art exceeds the imagination. His figurative and abstract language is an expression of private rituals that are celebrating his life stages by a variety of symbols – messages that recreate the tiny frame of his canvas. His iconography and the symbolism are related to two strongly categories of representation: the art and the time. He award a particular poetical sense to his pictures where many elements join together: plastic and conceptual, traditional, contemporary local and universal Art. All is important in Victor Castillo’s work.”

Extract of a critique written by Norma Aranivar F. Published for the magazine (IBEROAMERICANA) of LATIN AMERICAN Cultural Association. Miami 2000.

Spanish / Chilean artist Victor Castillo’s first solo show in the USA opens this evening at Seattle’s Roq La Rue Gallery. Castillo’s series, titled “When the Heavens Open,” are dramatic paintings of children in dark situations where toys are weapons and the fun is frightening if not brutally violent. Sharing the gallery with Castillo is Seattle artist Brian Despain who introduces more mechanical protagonists from his “100 Robots” series.

Castillo/Despain preview, Roq La Rue exhibition page

Un mundo feliz, Acrylic on canvas, 100 x 100 cm, 2006
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Otherwise known as Louise, Art&Ghosts creates stunning digital paintings/illustration. She uses photoshop /wacom combo to meticulously handcolor each image.These are inspired from a plethora of sources, including fairytales, mythology, dolls, spectres, dreams and nature….

Some Art&Ghosts facts:

My images usually begin with a photograph, a painting or a doll portrait. I buy many dolls then sell them on for this reason alone (so fickle!), although i do possess a somewhat overbearing collection of plastic animals, dolls house furniture and vintage frocks. My backgrounds are generally my own paintings or textures that i have created or photographed. Although most of my ‘completed’ work is digital, my sources are rather ecclectic at best. - louise

See an incredible array of these beautiful works by Louise after the jump more…