Outside In at Art Whino

"Outside In"
Two Man Show Featuring
Aaron Jasinski & Bryan Collins
June 23rd 8-11pm

Outside vs Inside. We experience things quite differently depending on if we are observing them or a part of them. Viewing a challenge, such as attending college or approaching an attractive person, can seem like a big, intimidating thing. By the time you are in your 2nd or 3rd year of college or have become good friends with that good looking person, the previously daunting situation no longer feels so menacing.

Further, there are some who find solace in living as outsiders and prefer to rarely engage in socially inclusive circumstances. Punk rockers, anarchists, artists, musicians, scientists, mathematicians, bookworms, and video gamers are just a few examples of chosen lives and identities that comfort those who prefer the outsider lifestyle. This exhibit seeks to tell some of these stories in the whimsical fashion that Aaron Jasinski and Bryan Collins are known for.

Saturday, June 23rd, from 8-11pm
Location:
Art Whino Gallery 
120 American Way
National Harbor, MD 20745 

Reception begins at 8pm

Show end date: August 11th, 2012

The event is FREE and open to the public. 

Caffeine Illustration in Progress

It was so much fun sharing the progress of my last painting with you here on the blog I thought I'd do it again with this colored pencil illustration. This piece is one that I am doing for the "Caffeine" exhibit at Rendition. The illustration board I am working on measures 11"x14". I began by drawing out the girl with her to-go cup of coffee, tea, hot cocoa, or whatever. The next phase was writing out a list of coffee-related words and printing them from the computer. The next step was to trace them all with pencil and tracing paper, and do a reverse rubbing on the illustration board so the font would be how I wanted.

Once this tedious part was over I moved on to color. Worried about the light pencil rub fading as I worked, I started by coloring the lettering first. In this photo there is already about 7 hours of color work. This one is going to be a time monster!

Now with the background finished I am able to move on to working with the main form in the piece which is the girl holding her to-go cup of coffee. This is where the artistic challenge comes in. Since the background is so colorful, I have to make sure that she does not get washed into a psychedelic ocean of confusion. I have a color scheme planned out for her, but I won't mention it here because I want the freedom to adapt or manipulate the plan if the piece needs me to do so.

Now the roses in her hair are finished, and the hair is getting all colored up. I'm down to crunch-time now and this piece really needs to be finished today, which means all the unfinished work you see here needs to be completed in one sitting. That will probably be about 10-12 hours of work. I better get back to it.

Here is the poster for the "Caffeine" exhibit at Rendition Gallery -

I will update this same post with more progress soon. Stay tuned.


God bless,
Bryan

www.bacstudio.com
Twitter - @useeverycolor
Facebook - www.facebook.com/bryancollinsart
Shop for art at www.bryancollins.etsy.com

Small Monster Paintings

Now that the "It's ALIVE!!!" exhibit is open at Rendition Gallery, I have made these two pieces available online at just $40 each. They will remain at Rendition until the exhibit closes, but you can purchase them now so they will marked "SOLD" at the gallery and you don't have to make the trip to Colorado to get them! More details at the listings for each. Just click the monsters to see the listings on Etsy.


Bryan A. Collins

www.bacstudio.com
Twitter - @useeverycolor
Facebook - www.facebook.com/bryancollinsart
Shop for art at www.bryancollins.etsy.com

The Closing of The Gallery Underground

This is a day I never thought I would see. After three-and-a-half years The Gallery Underground is closing. This is an emotional loss for me, as I was one of the artists who exhibited at GU the very first night it opened, and have been a resident artist there for more than two years. When my daughter was just three I would load her up in the bicycle trailer and ride downtown to the gallery four days a week where I would paint. Many of the pieces I made for my "Proof of Faith" solo show at Art Whino were created in GU. I met many of my current friends there. Countless wonderful people have supported my art by making purchases through The Gallery Underground. Aside from myself, many other artists have come and gone through those weathered red doors and called GU a home for long or short periods. People have been exposed to new ideas and a lowbrow scene developed in an otherwise strictly traditional art town.



But now, after all of the positive things that have come from The Gallery Underground, the physical location has been labeled "unsafe" by the Fire Marshal of Fort Collins. I don't blame him for doing his job, so let that be clear. He told us that our only option to continue business is to move. The problem with this is that roughly 15 artists were splitting the rent cost at GU and already struggling to break even and GU was one of the least costly places in Old Town for us to rent. It doesn't look like we will be able to find another affordable option in the size and scale that we were operating at 109 Linden Street.



In truth, this is a perfect example of a bittersweet happening. I am deeply saddened by the loss of The Gallery Underground and the fact that I will not be building any new memories there. However, I am excited about what new opportunities I will be able to pursue now that I am freed up on first and third Fridays and that I will now have all the extra art to exhibit elsewhere. I am looking for leasing options around town that will either be studio and exhibit space for a small group of artists or perhaps a space that I will inhabit on my own. I will keep you posted on my searches, but for now I will be working in my new home studio and keeping my eyes peeled (as always) for other options.

To express my extreme appreciation to the Fort Collins community I will be offering 50% OFF any original piece during the month of April, our last month at The Gallery Underground. Beginning now and ending April 30th, you can email bryan@bacstudio.com or call my cell at (970) 420-0308 to arrange a meeting at GU and take home any original piece for half the asking price. This offer is to locals only and you must be able to pick up the art in person.

Please do not consider this an end in any way, but a number of new beginnings. The Gallery Underground has been a springboard for so many potential avenues in Northern Colorado and I am so grateful to have been a part of it from the beginning. I wish all of the artists who have come and gone through GU the very best, I am thankful for all of the bands and musicians who have played in our space, and every person who visited the gallery to appreciate the work and support the visual arts. I also ask that all of you continue your support toward whatever is next. Thank you!




God bless,

Bryan A. Collins

www.bacstudio.com
Twitter - @useeverycolor
Facebook - www.facebook.com/bryancollinsart

Inside The Gallery Underground

I shot this footage of The Gallery Underground while we were getting set up for the 3rd Friday Chili Cook-Off on February 19, 2010. Gallery openings are 1st Fridays from 6-10pm and 3rd Fridays from 6-9pm. I am available for private showings anytime by appointment. Email art@bryandrinkscoffee.com or call 970-420-0308 to schedule an appointment.

It Will Not Own Me

I received a few illustrations back from a gallery which means they are being offered through me for the first time at studio prices. I will be featuring them here one at a time.

This piece is It Will Not Own Me. It's an 8"x10" colored pencil drawing on cold press illustration board.

The concept behind this painting is looking for renewal and life in a time of death.

Title: It Will Not Own Me
Size: 8"x10"
Price: $325 (framed)
Purchase at: www.bryancollins.etsy.com

Mutation: A Vinyl Show at Black Maria Gallery

Mutation: a vinyl show
August 15th through September 5th, 2009
Opening Reception: Saturday, 15th of August, 7:00 - 10:30pm

Los Angeles – Black Maria Gallery is proud to present “Mutation”, an exhibition featuring a selection of some of the most sought after artists in the art toy scene today, proving that vinyl is the new canvas. Participating artists include: 64 Colors, Brent Nolasco, Bryan Collins, Button Eyes, Camden Noir, Draifet, Jeremiah Ketner, Kalypzo, Kat Brunnegraff, Kendra Binney, Kill Taupe, Motorbot, Mark Basa, Nathan Hamill, Okedoki, Podgy Panda, Reactor 88, Rosie O’Donnell, Shaun Wightman, TyleR & Zombie Monkie.

Urban vinyl toys have been saturating the art scene for the past several years. Some pieces have even become part of permanent collections in museums such as MOCA and recently sold via high-end auction houses like Christie’s, commanding thousands of dollars.

A hot generation of vinyl toy artists has been steadily infiltrating the art scene with their unique visions. These designers take a common “platform” toy, and through their creative and sometimes wicked sense of imagination, transform what is ordinary into the extraordinary. These pieces mutate into a custom art object, becoming highly sought after and truly one of a kind. In the custom vinyl world, there are no limits on what can be created.

“Actress/Comedienne Rosie O’Donnell will be showing several custom Munnys with all the proceeds going to her charity, Rosie’s Broadway Kids.

http://www.rosiesbroadwaykids.org

Rosie’s Broadway Kids is an arts education organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children through the arts.
Using professional teaching artists, Rosie’s Broadway Kids offers classes in dance and music and a professional theater experience for children who might otherwise not have the opportunity. Its goal is to inspire excellence, motivate learning, uplift the human spirit, and to instill a lifelong appreciation of the arts.

“Mutation” will remain open through Saturday, September 5th, 2009.

Thank you for everything

The opening night of "Proof of Faith" at Art Whino was fantastic. I was overwhelmed by the amount of support I received from people who have been following my work, new people who are just finding out about my art, and from the staff and interns at Art Whino. I even met some folks from DA! Now that I have made it over this 10 month hurdle of creating 60 pieces of work for the show, I am on to new things. I am taking a brief hiatus from exhibiting, other than the 1st Friday gallery walk at The Gallery Underground, so I can get back to work on a children's book I am illustrating for a great author named Robin Porter. I also have a pile of vinyl toys I am ready to customize, as well as some skateboard decks. My limited edition T-Shirts are selling so well (now you can get them at Art Whino) that I am working on some other designs, created specifically for clothing. You can still order your shirt at www.bryancollins.cartfly.com

Also, our new baby will be born in late March or early April, so I will be the happy daddy of two kids. This doesn't mean there will be any less art. In fact, there will probably be more since there will be another mouth to feed!

God has been blessing me beyond comprehension, so I am quick to give Him credit. Everything I do is because He gives me the ability to do it!

The "Proof of Faith" exhibit at Art Whino runs through February 15th. More more information, please contact:

Art Whino
173 Waterfront Street
National Harbor (Oxon Hill), MD 20745
www.artwhino.com [link]

Bryan Collins
art@bryandrinkscoffee.com
www.bryandrinkscoffee.com [link]

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Proof of Faith Manifests in City of Hope

As an estimated 4 million people gather together in Washington DC to share in dreams of a better nation and a better world, Bryan Collins reveals his "Proof of Faith" exhibit at the Art Whino gallery in National Harbor, Maryland. The nearly 60 piece show opens January 24th, 2009 from 6pm-midnight, and offers a glimpse into the struggles and inadequacies faced by every human being on the planet. Even when dealing with topics of death, heartbreak, physical insecurity, fear, and addiction, Bryan maintains his whimsical and vibrant style to show the hope of redemption from these situations.




Originally slated to create 60 paintings for this exhibit, Collins decided to stretch the span of media he uses and opted to include not just his acrylic paintings, but colored pencil illustrations, scratch board, pen-and-ink, custom vinyl toys, and even graphite sketches. Most of Bryan's work begins with pencil drawings which are then transferred to another substrate such as panel, canvas, or illustration board. By including some of these preliminary drawings in the exhibit, he reaches for a goal of more intimacy with the viewers, fans, and collectors of his work. These drawings establish more understanding into the processes of Collins creations.




"Proof of Faith" is Bryan Collins' 30th show in just two years. He has been blessed with numerous magazine features, blog reviews, website showcases, newspaper articles, and group exhibits all around the globe. Collector Alert! - This is Bryan's first major gallery solo show and will certainly prove to be a springboard for many more. No piece in this exhibit is larger than 32 inches, and none are priced over $1,000 making it well within the range of even a moderate collector to own a piece his work.




The exhibit runs through February 15th. More more information, please contact:

Art Whino
173 Waterfront Street
National Harbor (Oxon Hill), MD 20745
www.artwhino.com

Bryan Collins
art@bryandrinkscoffee.com
www.bryandrinkscoffee.com

Interview and shop feature by Cartfly.com

My shop The Art of Bryan Collins was featured today on the Cartfly Blog! They did a nice interview you may like to read. Please check out the article and feel free to do some shopping while your at it.

Thank you for your support!

The Gallery Underground

This is my painting studio. I am now a resident artist at the Gallery Underground. We throw a nice little reception each 1st Friday from 6-10pm!

Bryan Collins studio hours are 11am-5pm Monday through Thursday. You may visit during these hours. If the gallery says 'Closed', I'm probably out to lunch. Original paintings, illustrations, vinyl toys, and prints are available directly from me at this location. Please come by!