Video Tour & Opening Reception Party of June 2023 Exhibitions featuring Dulk, Charlie Immer, Sentrock, Toyameg, and Mister Toledo at Thinkspace Projects

Thinkspace presents a video tour and opening reception of Dulk ‘Heritage’. Along with Charlie Immer ‘Glow Up and Down’ showing in Gallery II, Sentrock ‘Two Birds, One Stone’ in Gallery III, and Toyameg ‘The Pinkish Paradise’ in Gallery IV. ALSO new works from Mister Toledo showcased this month in our new Dog House Gallery (now live on our webshop for immediate purchase). The Dog House Gallery will be open during our monthly receptions and also each Saturday from noon to 6pm during the run of our monthly exhibitions.

Much love to all that came through this past Saturday to show such insane support for our June exhibitions. What an amazing night and epic turnout! All of our gallery spaces and courtyard were packed all evening long.

June 3 – June 24, 2023

Thinkspace Projects
4207 W. Jefferson Blvd + 4217 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90016

Gallery I
DULK
Heritage

Gallery II
CHARLIE IMMER
Glow Up and Down

Gallery III
SENTROCK
Two Birds, One Stone

Gallery IV
TOYAMEG
The Pinkish Paradise

The Dog House Gallery
MISTER TOLEDO
New Works

Shout outs to Mr B Baby,  GoopmasstaPhobikGod, Vanessa GarciaQuiralta, In The Box Collectibles, Kabob Senpai, Liquid Death, Venice Beats and Digital Debris Video Gallery for providing the non-stop vibes in our courtyard.

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 12-6pm.

All five exhibitions are on view through Saturday, June 24. Please note the Dog House Gallery and our courtyard are only open for viewing on Saturdays.

Open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6pm

Viewing Rooms for each show will be live on our website later this week.

Video + photos courtesy @BirdManPhotos

Continue reading Video Tour & Opening Reception Party of June 2023 Exhibitions featuring Dulk, Charlie Immer, Sentrock, Toyameg, and Mister Toledo at Thinkspace Projects

New sculpture edition from Kayla Mahaffey available this Friday, June 9

We’re excited to officially announce a new polystone sculpture edition with Kayla Mahaffey that will be available this Friday, June 9 via our web shop.

‘Self Destruction’ has been published by Thinkspace Editions in collaboration with Pretty In Plastic in a total edition of 200 pieces. This special edition has had so much love put into it every aspect of its creation over the past year of production, we simply can’t wait for all to check it out.

The final sculpture came out just amazing. The team at Pretty In Plastic (PIP Studios) did an incredible job bringing Kayla’s vision to life and we are so excited to share them with you all. They are solid, heavy and so very well put together. So many small details to enjoy.

We are just thrilled with the final piece and know you will be, too.

KAYLA MAHAFFEY

Self Destruction

  • Polystone sculpture with acrylic visor
  • Figure Dimensions: 13 inches tall x 7 inches wide x 7 inches deep / 33 x 17.75 x 17.75 cm
  • Weight: 5 lbs 3 oz / 2.4 kg
  • Edition of 200
  • Includes a COA signed and numbered by Kayla Mahaffey
  • $450 (postage paid)

* Shipping costs are included in the price

Available this Friday, June 9 at 10am PST / 1pm EST via our web shop. Please be sure to use Google to check the exact time in your area.

Sorry, no pre-sales of any kind are available. Thank you.

Interview with Mister Toledo for his New Works in Brek’s Dog House Gallery | Exhibition June 3 – June 24, 2023 

Thinkspace is pleased to present Mister Toledo as the 2nd artist to exhibit new works in Brek’s Dog House Gallery situated in our beautiful courtyard.

Daniel aka “Mister Toledo” is a Mexican Southern Californian artist, who now resides in Los Angeles. Before he took a leap of faith to follow his dreams, Daniel spent his 8-year artistic career in graphic artistry for several apparel companies like No Fear, Trinity Products, and Wattie ink. Daniel received his Associates degree in Graphic Design from Coleman University, and dedicates his art to his family for inspiring him to follow his journey. Volunteering with Backfence Society a non-profit art organization, Daniel helped elevate the importance of art/murals across the North San Diego area. Daniel continues to draw inspiration from his own life while deeply exploring personal and vulnerable themes regarding the human experience. Working with Artchemist Daniel learned the importance of cross-collaboration and team work. He wouldn’t have been as successful in his transition in Los Angeles if it wasn’t for that.

Our interview with Mister Toledo shares his creative rituals, his major creative influences and how he unwinds outside of work.

What themes were you exploring in this body of work? Did you have a piece that was particularly challenging?

I challenged myself to venture into new territory when creating this series. Drawing inspiration from the current social landscape, I decided to combine graffiti and street-art to explore engaging evocative themes that people can readily relate with. I would like to keep my creative gift a surprise till showcasing them to friends and art lovers, and I am very interested in observing how they perceive my works.

One of the most challenging tasks for me when painting this series is trying to paint 1-inch portrait with realism. Like the one painting of me buffing a wall I swear I repainted that face and head like 4-5 times. I usually like to hide the portraits in my personal work as way for the viewer to imagine themselves as that person in the painting.

What does a day in the studio look like for you? How do you structure your days?

A typical day at the studio begins with a struggle to arrive early, as avoiding morning traffic is high on my priority list. Once I arrive, I share the studio with another artist, Eric Michael, who loves to arrive at the ungodly hour of 4 am to paint. When I first started painting, I did so in my room or my aunt’s garage, so it’s such a luxury to have ample space and numerous art supplies at my fingertips. Painting at home was difficult because distractions were abundant.

It usually takes me a while to get in the groove, but once I start, I find myself absorbed in painting until late at night, even until 1 am. Sleeping after painting becomes a challenge. I typically spend 2-3 days at the studio due to a side job of being a painter assistant and painting murals, which can consume the rest of my time, often taking around four days to complete. Completing murals is taxing labor, so when I finish, recharging my batteries with a well-deserved break is critical. Despite the grueling nature of my job, I find solace in the fact that I can invest 8-10 hours into a long day of quality painting.

Do you have any rituals that help you tap into a creative flow?

In order to tap into my creative flow, I have a few rituals that I follow to help get the juices flowing. For example, I find that listening to music is especially helpful – particularly in the car. When I’m fully engaged in the music, my inner thoughts and feelings tend to drift alongside the melodies and lyrics – leading me to generate a plethora of random ideas. Additionally, I spend time leafing through art books and listening to podcasts that feature renowned artists, both of which serve to inspire and motivate me.

What is your most favorite and least favorite part of the creative process?

When it comes to the creative process, I have a favorite and least favorite part. My favorite part would undoubtedly be the rendering phase, where things start to take shape and appear more lifelike. At this point, I tend to lose myself in the process and simply have fun with it.

However, on the flip side, my least favorite part would be after I’ve finished the painting, as I have a tendency to nitpick and become overly critical of my work. Despite my efforts, I’m often unable to silence my inner critic completely, making this phase particularly trying and taxing.

Who are some of your creative influences? Why do they inspire you?

I draw inspiration from a vast array of individuals, but there are certain notable figures who have had an especially profound impact on me. The golden age illustrators such as Norman Rockwell and JC Leyendecker stand out among the rest. Not only were they exceptionally talented painters, but they were also masters of storytelling. Their art has the power to elicit a range of emotions within me – I can’t help but smile or become introspective upon viewing their works. I relate to their pieces on a personal level, as they’re reminiscent of my childhood experiences and the challenges we face as adults. Considering the sheer volume of paintings they produced over the years, it seems impossible for me to even dream of reaching their level of artistic prolificacy.

A common theme in your artistic journey is community and putting yourself out there in creative spaces that allow for dialogue with fellow artists; what advice would you give to someone who feels anxious about putting themselves out there in social situations? How did you find the spaces that were meant for you?

For fellow artists looking to participate in social events, my advice would be to take the leap and put yourself out there. There are numerous art events and shows to choose from, so simply select those that align with your interests. Conduct research in your area to locate venues that offer art workshops or classes – this can be a great way to meet local artists. If large crowds and strangers are not your typical comfort zone, I recommend starting small and working your way towards more populous events. It can take time to get comfortable socializing with new people, but pushing yourself to do so can be incredibly rewarding. Painting murals is another excellent opportunity for interaction, given the many individuals who will stop to chat about your work as they pass by.

You have a rich background in mural work. Is there a particular mural that is your favorite or a location that has stood out as exceptionally memorable? What is the biggest learning you’ve gained as an artist from the first mural to your most recent one?

Five years ago, upon relocating to Los Angeles, I began exploring my passion for murals. For two years, I worked alongside several artists, eager to refine my skills and improve my artistry – eventually arriving at a point where I desired to start creating my own luscious works of art. After much preparation and seeking out opportunities, I was accepted to attend Paint Memphis. This was a significant moment in my career, as I had never previously visited Memphis and traveled there alone. The festival was absolutely insane – featuring up to 150-200 artists working on murals across a specific area. While I recognized a few familiar faces, I was fortunate enough to connect with a multitude of fellow creatives, many of whom I am now proud to call friends. This festival provided an incredible platform for the development of my ‘Rain Jacket Man’ series, beginning with the first ever ‘Rain Jacket Man’ painting which was a full-length portrait of myself, tumbling down whilst birds flew out of my head. The piece was an expression of challenging times, symbolizing the power of reaching out to loved ones and the importance of connection in arduous situations. The mural helped me open up further and share some extremely personal emotions and feelings to the public.

The ability to create freely without restriction was liberating. I felt the community of artists and locals embraced not only their own craft, but also fostered greater camaraderie among each other, sparkling friendships that crossed geographical boundaries and led to collaborations in various future mural events that I would attend with them too.

If you could have any skill or topic downloaded into your brain, what would you want to be able to do/ be an expert at?

One skill that I wish I had expertise in is the art of color-mixing. Being able to accurately replicate the colors of my references would be a huge asset to my art. While I tend to do a lot of paintings and murals using grayscale or limited color palettes, I very much appreciate colorful works. I am aware that mastering color mixing requires significant time and effort, but I am determined to consistently hone my skillset and gradually improve my ability to mix colors.

What do you hope viewers take away or experience while viewing your work?

My sincere hope is that those who view my work during the show will take a moment to pause and truly immerse themselves into the depths of the pieces.

How do you like to enjoy your time outside of the studio? Do you celebrate the completion of a body of work? —

Upon completing body of work, whether that is a mural or a series of paintings, it is essential for me to take some time to relax and recharge for my next project. Despite my eagerness to dive into my next work of art, I understand that constantly pushing myself without taking a breather only leads to an inevitable burn-out, hampering my productivity further. Nature is my solace; I usually prefer to unwind in quiet and peaceful surroundings like the mountain ranges in San Gabriel as I feel my body and my mind relax with every active second spent amidst the natural surroundings. I find it a profound mental and physical release, helping me to let go of any nervousness or anxiety I have kept within.

Exhibition on view June 3 – June 24, 2023 at:
Thinkspace Projects
4207 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90016

Virtual Tour of May Exhibitions at Thinkspace Projects | Exhibitions on view May 6 – May 27, 2023

Thinkspace presents a virtual tour of ‘Hard Candy’ featuring new work from BRIAN ‘DOVIE’ GOLDEN showing in Gallery I and ARMANI HOWARD ‘Songs of Dawn’ showing in Gallery II. Along with AUSTYN TAYLORCookie Monster’ in Gallery III, and JIMBO LATEEFChronicles of Life’ showing in Gallery IV.

Explore the virtual tour here: https://players.cupix.com/p/NZcsmmmf

All exhibitions are on view at Thinkspace Projects now through May 27, 2023.

Virtual tour created by Birdman.

Video Tour & Opening Reception Party of May 2023 Exhibitions featuring Brian ‘Dovie’ Golden, Armani Howard, Austin Taylor, Jimbo Lateef, and Brek at Thinkspace Projects

Thinkspace presents a video tour and opening reception of BRIAN ‘DOVIE’ GOLDEN ‘Hard Candy’. Along with ARMANI HOWARD ‘Songs of Dawn’ showing in Gallery II, AUSTYN TAYLOR ‘Cookie Monster’ in Gallery III, and JIMBO LATEEF ‘Chronicles of Life’ in Gallery IV. ALSO new works from BREK showcased this month in our new Dog House Gallery (now live on our webshop for immediate purchase). The Dog House Gallery will be open during our monthly receptions and also each Saturday from noon to 6pm during the run of our monthly exhibitions.

Big love to Dovie, Armani, Austyn, Jimbo and Brek for believing in us and working with our team. You all delivered such strong new works. Thank so to much to all that came through to support!!!

May 6 – May 27, 2023

Thinkspace Projects
4207 W. Jefferson Blvd + 4217 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90016

Gallery I
BRIAN ‘DOVIE’ GOLDEN
‘Hard Candy’

Gallery II
ARMANI HOWARD
‘Songs of Dawn’

Gallery III
AUSTYN TAYLOR
‘Cookie Monster’

Gallery IV
JIMBO LATEEF
‘Chronicles of Life’

The Dog House Gallery
BREK
‘New Works’

Shout outs to Venice Beats, Kabob Senpai, Goopmassta, Digital Debris Video Gallery, Liquid Death, LA.Nice, Hedy Torres, Joey Stupor, CRUX for providing amazing vibes for all in attendance.

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 12-6pm. Viewing Rooms for each show are now live on our website.

Video + photos courtesy @BirdManPhotos

Continue reading Video Tour & Opening Reception Party of May 2023 Exhibitions featuring Brian ‘Dovie’ Golden, Armani Howard, Austin Taylor, Jimbo Lateef, and Brek at Thinkspace Projects