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An interview with Scott Radke

Please talk a lil' bit about your work and the main inspiration that fuels you to keep creating. I'm not sure there is a main source - there is this dark/warm world in my head. I can feel it when I create. There isn't a clear picture or image but I know it’s there and pretty much always has been. I guess that is what is driving me. I soak up as much from nature as I can, and it all gets mixed up upstairs and these little creatures come out while I am working. Does that explain it?

Please tell us a little bit about your early work with marionettes. Making marionettes is where I initially felt comfortable with sculpting and painting. It was not until I combined the two that I felt confident in what I was doing. I was able to make some for films and stop motion. I'd like to go back and explore marionettes again but I am happy with what I am doing now.

When did you know you wanted to follow the path of being a full-time artist? I ran machines in a bed frame factory for 9 years. I just could not see myself doing it forever. Creating makes you feel good. When I quit the factory, that’s when I began the path. Fortunately, that was over 10 years ago.

What led you to sculpture as your main outlet of creative expression? I was always frustrated with painting as well as sculpting and whatever I made never felt like it was finished. Even what I do now sort of feels that way but when I combined the two it just felt right like the right place to be.

Describe your dream project if time and money were not issues. Hmmm. Really, my current show at Thinkspace is a dream project. I'd like to do more large scale pieces for sure. I've always wanted to do a large scale window display. To be able to create environments to go along with the sculptures would be nice. I usually do not have the time or space to do stuff like that.

Take a look at the works coming to life here: www.flickr.com/photos/thinkspace/sets/72157626187159349/

The digital preview for the show will be spread tomorrow morning (Thurs, June 16th). If interested, be sure to shoot a mail to contact@thinkspacegallery.com and we’ll be sure to follow up once the preview has been spread.

Scott Radke ‘Burlap’

Reception with the artist: Sat, June 18th 5-8PM

Thinkspace / 6009 Washington Blvd in Culver City / www.thinkspacegallery.com

[caption id="attachment_6244" align="aligncenter" width="467" caption="Scott Radke - close up view of 'Untitled #1 (figure with egg)' - mixed media sculpture (2011)"][/caption] Thurs, June 16th 7-10PM Gallery 1988 Los Angeles 7020 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.937.7088 ‘Little Cloud Show’ featuring new works from Ben Strawn (On view through July 1st) www.nineteeneightyeight.com Fri, June 17th 6-9PM Montana Paint L.A. 1528 W. Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles ‘Hit Me Up’ featuring new works by Sergio ‘Surge’ Hernandez & Friends www.montanastorela.com www.33third.com Sat, June 18th 6-9PM Carmichael Gallery 5795 Washington Blvd. in Culver City / 323.969.0600 ‘Playing Field’ – an exhibition of artwork from the collection of the gallery’s collectors – featuring secondary market works from the likes of Shepard Fairey, Faile, Banksy, Sixeart, Os Gemeos, Mark Jenkins, JR, KAWS, Barry McGee, Jose Parla, Judith Supine, Swoon, Titi Freak, and Dan Witz (On view through July 9th) www.carmichaelgallery.com Sat, June 16th 7PM-2AM ($15 admission before 9PM / $20 after / 21+) Create:Fixate 613 Imperial Street in Los Angeles (parking next door at 619 Imperial St. for $7) ‘Stop : Pause : Now’ group show with works ranging in media from photography, sculpture, multimedia, and paintings presented alongside live painting from Crash, a vast lineup of DJ’s, video art installations, fashion show, jewelry merchants and much more – check their site for full details www.createfixate.com Sat, June 18th 7-10PM Curbside Gallery 1000 E. Santa Ana Blvd. in Santa Ana ‘Beautiful Debris’ featuring new works and an installation from Craig “Skibs” Barker www.curbsidegallery.com Sat, June 18th 8-11PM Known Gallery 441 North Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles ‘Assorted Flavor’ group show featuring works from Augustine Kofie, Kevin Ancell, Jason Jagel, Greg Lamarche, Patrick Martinez, Saber, and Push (On view through July 9th) www.knowngallery.com Sat, June 18th 7-10PM LeBasse Projects 6023 Washington Blvd in Culver City / 310.558.0200 ‘Nature Will Always Win’ featuring new works from Shark Toof (On view through July 9th) www.lebasseprojects.com Sat, June 18th 7-10PM New Image Art Gallery 7908 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood / 323.654.2192 ‘The Going Away Party’ – come celebrate the last day of Hush’s recent exhibition and say goodbye to gallery director Amber as she prepares to move with her family to Austin www.newimageartgallery.com Sat, June 18th 5-8PM thinkspace 6009 Washington Blvd. in Culver City / 310.558.3375 ‘Burlap’ featuring new sculptures and photographs from Scott Radke + ‘Inherit The Wound’ featuring new oil paintings and works on paper from Jen Lobo in the project room (On view through July 9th) www.thinkspacegallery.com

As 1st reported here a couple weeks back, the highly anticipated opening of the Venice Beach-based print shop, POST NO BILLS launches with a unique ten-year retrospective from the acclaimed Brooklyn-based artist collaborative FAILE later this month. Now we've got all the details to report.

FAILE celebrates their roots in printmaking with over a decades worth of archived works on paper, limited edition prints and hand painted originals many of which have never been offered to the public before. POST NO BILLS is pleased to release several exclusive print editions produced onsite.

Join FAILE, Steve Lazarides and Jordan Bratman for the groundbreaking launch of POST NO BILLS and the opening reception for “LA Works on Paper” on Friday June 24, 2011 from 7-10pm.

Opening Reception: June 24th 7-10pm On view: June 24th – July 24th

POST NO BILLS is an inventive print shop with a focus on hand made limited edition multiples. Editions will be made on the premises with a true dedication to quality.

POST NO BILLS 1103 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice Tuesday – Sunday: 11am – 7pm www.postnobillsshop.com

[caption id="attachment_6229" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="Jen Lobo at work in her studio"][/caption]

An interview with Jen Lobo

Please talk a lil' bit about your work in general and where the strong nautical themes developed from. My work is allegorical, using animals as the subjects. When I am developing a theme, it usually comes from something I've read first. It could be a story about an animal or a fact of its behavior. Then I draw from my own experiences or something that has truth to me or again, something I've read about human behavior. I'm very interested in the parallels and also the dissimilarities between how animals and humans are perceived. I can only point to one source as the fostering of the strong nautical influence. I grew up in San Pedro (the port of Los Angeles). My sister and I practically lived at Cabrillo Beach. The aquarium, the maritime museum, and the port seeped into my blood early on.

[caption id="attachment_6231" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="Jen Lobo - detail view of 'Harbinger'"][/caption]

What fuels you to keep creating? To be honest, I'm not sure. When I think about it rationally, I'm a little perplexed. I have no idea what motivates me to forgo sleep like I do. I just know that it's something I have to do and I'm miserable without it.

When did you know you wanted to follow the path of being a full-time artist? Pretty much always. I knew from a really young age that I would be doing something artistic, but I never really had an idea of what that looked like. I sort of just have gone where the wind has taken me and I have no complaints thus far.

[caption id="attachment_6230" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="Jen Lobo - detail view of 'Secrets She Keeps'"][/caption]

Animals are a big part of your work and your life, what is the importance of that? It's just one of those things that has been such a huge part of my personality for as long as I can remember. We always had tons of pets growing up and I've always been drawn to animals. I definitely wasn't a loner kid, but I've always felt somewhat alone, like always on the fringes of friendships. I think when you're that kind of kid, you find solace in relationships with animals. It's a language I've always felt comfortable with. I'm a firm believer in making your work reflect your life. I feel like it's more authentic when you paint what you know. Also, there is a level of abstraction when you use animals. Yann Martel wrote something that really articulates it well. "Speaking before his tribe, naked, he was only human and therefore possibly-likely-surely-a liar. But dressed in furs and feathers, he became a shaman and spoke greater truth. We are cynical about our own species, but less so about animals, especially wild ones."

[caption id="attachment_6228" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="Jen Lobo's 'Should've Known Better' coming to life inside her Pasadena studio"][/caption]

What led you to painting with oils as your main outlet of creative expression? Did you start with acrylics? I started off in acrylics and I just struggled like crazy. I knew I really wanted to paint, but it just wasn't working out. I can be rather obsessive and the quick drying time killed me. I would end up painting the same thing over and over and never finishing anything. Bob Dob was my teacher at Otis and he's the one that suggested I try oils. I cannot describe what an enormous relief that was. Finally, it made sense.

[caption id="attachment_6227" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="Jen Lobo - detail of 'Timekeeper'"][/caption]

Please describe your dream project if time and money were not issues. Hands down....life-size animals. Whales that are Wyland size.

Any shows or special projects coming up after your exhibit with us here at Thinkspace you would like to mention? I'm working on a book project with a musician that I am super excited about. It's still in the early stages, so I think I'm supposed to keep it under wraps for now, but I will shout it from the rooftops once it's done.

[caption id="attachment_6224" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="Jen Lobo 'Ask Me No Questions, I’ll Tell You No Lies' - 12x9 inches - oil on wood (2011)"][/caption]

Check out a studio visit with Lobo here: www.flickr.com/photos/thinkspace/sets/72157626740175102/

Jen Lobo ‘Inherit The Wound’

Reception with the artist: Sat, June 18th 6-8PM in our project room

On view through July 9th

Thinkspace / 6009 Washington Blvd. in Culver City / www.thinkspacegallery.com