Paradiso’s Fall Opening. Artist Reception-March 9th

So you do a show, and of course you hope that somehow the planets will align. That people come and like what they see. That your work will connect with the visitors, and hopefully make a few sales, cover your costs, and if it all falls short of your hopes, then you’ve still done the graft at the end of the day, because the doing is ultimately the reason for the season.

Except, after years of accepting your lot-when it goes beyond that, when your hopes are surpassed , it can be every bit as paralyzing as disappointment. Which is why it’s taken me over a week to to say that I’m feeling flabbergasted-humbled-incredibly blessed.  The friends, the visitors, the collectors, my fellow artists, the curators Jeremy Schott and Jeremy Cross, my wife Lani…my mad gratitude.

You can see previews of the show Here
Paradiso’s Fall closes at The Dark Art Emporium- March 30th.

 

 

With Vincent Castiglia

With Evgenia Golik

With Tatomir Pitariu and Bill Shafer of Hyaena

With Chet Zar

 

With Lani

Dog eat God

10″ x 10″|Oil on panel

…Or God eat Dog, depending on your preferred perspective.

So what’s it about then?

Its a kind of Ouroboros- one of those rather nice little absurdest pieces,which follows Bruegel’s penchant for painted puns and proverbs. Its also that paradox of creator and destroyer-who is being consumed or biliously ejected? As Artistotle remarked “Whosoever is delighted in solitude is either a wild beast or a god.”

On display August 8th at the Perfect 10 group show at La Bodega gallery.

Purgatorium Artist Reception at Bash Contemporary, September 6th 2014

In which a colorful array including the best of friends, fans and new fellowships convened upon a gallery in San Francisco for my chef d'oeuvre.  And what a night it was, the end of a most remarkable week in the Bay-a veritable breath of heady air before airing.

Too many people to thank but a heartfelt debt of gratitude to all the wonderful friends who traveled from a afar-you know who you are, my thanks to Bash Contemporary and the lovely curious folk who made it out to the show in support-you are grand. 
The show will continue to run until October 5th.

 

 

 

Some downtime with friends-Christopher Ulrich and Matt Levin

Talking Art with Sandy Yagi

With the ever exotic Stephanie Vega, Her husband Glenn and my dear friend Dahlia Jane

 

in the midst of Purgatory, beautiful duo Melinda and my wife Lani 

You can see the rest of the photos from the night-HERE 

Van Gough at Molotov Gallery

 Contributing to a little group exhibit later this week-recycling several works from the Man/son thing last year to a showcase at Molotov gallery-here in San Diego. It'll be my first appearance (proper) in my adopted hometown for some time, though as is customary, expect bugger all in the way of fanfare from the usual S.D periodicals. 

Still, since it's my only scheduled show until the unveiling of the new series a year from now, it gives those local folk that were sorry not to make it up to the Hyaena last October, a fighting chance to see the leftovers.

Show Nuff.

Two more shows confirmed today:

Saturday, Aug. 28th 5-10pm-
The Blacklist Art and Film Festival
Birch North Park Theatre
2891 University Ave. San Diego, CA


Thursday Sept 2 – 6
EASEL – A San Diego Art Affair
Supporting San Diego Artists
Sponsored by Alexander Salazar Fine Art

** Proceeds to Benefit
ITS ALL ABOUT THE KIDS FOUNDATION
www.itsallaboutthekids.org

Location 7th Avenue 1 block from Alexander Salazar Fine Art
Right on the Trolley! Corner of 7th and C
Open Daily 9 A.M. to 9 P.M.


That brings the total of six shows between now and November. Better get my painting skates on.

Group show at Mosaic

Last night was the group show at Mosaic, in aid of Envirofest. For a gloomy Thursday evening, attendance was healthy.
Some grand moments to commit to memory, the number of people who sought me out, to tell me how much they admired my work, was humbling. The camaraderie with my fellow artists at these events which far outweighs any remuneration, but I was most delighted when one of my pieces was won at auction by this lovely lady. Thank you Jenni, and thank you everyone, you spur me on.

Also catching my wings was the confirmation yesterday that I am to be one of the artists featured in the next issue of 'I want your skull'
As soon as it becomes available, I'll post details on how to order a copy.

David Gough:Honoree artist at San Diego Art Institute 2010

For what was an all too short but sweet showing last night, it was made no less substantial by the friends and faculty who attended.
The highlight of the night, was when someone confided with me that for the duration of the exhibit, the students had been coming throughout the day to meditate quietly on my work-almost as if they were in a church.

Although there are only a few shots here from my own camera, there was an official photographer on hand throughout the night, so I should have better images to share soon. My thanks as ever to everyone who came, especially our friends Nat, Ashley and Bart (I know you are reading) and to Mary and Dan who helped organize and publicize the event. The show continues until June 5th.

Head Candy-all aboard the Express from creative endorphin highs to artistic freefall

On Friday, we wandered over to Alex Salazars new gallery downtown. With more than a nod to Jenny Saville, the huge smeared portraits of adolescent boys, weathered faces and a bloodied newborn by Justin Bower may take the lions share of attention, but its the work of Renzo that held me captivated. In a city still without any culturally artistic center, its a welcome addition here and should do very well.

And a new solo show fell in my lap this morning, on the back of my showing at Thumbprint. I shall be exhibiting from April 24th to June 5th at the San Diego Art Institute, with opening reception May 14th. I have my work cut out for me, I have at least three new pieces I want to finish before drop off, and our trip back to the UK at the end of April will be such a relief.

Making Thumbprints

It has been noted-and not just by myself-that if their is any art scene at all in San Diego, then it is largely driven by tourists looking for souvenir tat. However, if the turnout at Thumbprint (arguably, San Diego's premier gallery for emerging talent) is anything to go by, then there is an audience out there for something more than diluted seascapes and blooms, because I am glad to report that the patronage was healthy and enthusiastic throughout the day./
My indebted thanks to all of the lovely people who stopped by to meet and greet, I am always grateful for the support, the interest and encouragement.
In particular, my thanks to Johnny, Nomad, my wife Lani, Christine and her family, Carolyn, Mark, Earl and Ernie,Katinka, and especially to our new friends, Diana and Jeff for the lovely company during dinner.

I am however duly exhausted, and barely capable of another syllable, so I shall leave you with the inevitable picture post.(Apologies for the blurriness, my camera spazzed on its setting.)

Exhibiting Press

I am showing three pieces at the Thumbprint Gallery in a week-July 5th for a group show fittingly entitled 'Nightmares and Dreamscapes'-I'll post full details closer to the show date, but you can also see them by clicking the poster link.

I also had word that I am featured in a forthcoming catalog, called 'The Big Book of Contemporary Illustration' compiled by Martin Dawber. Although its not scheduled for release until September, Its available to preorder HERE.

The buzz-David Gough at the Hive gallery, LA

After negotiating traffic in the wrong direction up a one way street in downtown LA, and a delicious bite to eat at the Hop Woo BBQ Rest (I'm serious-the shrimp was exquisite) we arrived at what was a considerably extensive collection at the Hive. And what remarkable company to be amongst, consisting of such an eclectic mix of the pop surreal vanguard.
I met a lot of new admirers,made lots of new friends, and was inspired by some fabulous art-a great night all told, well worth the two hour journey home in the early hours. My only regret is that I'd have liked to have taken more pics, such was the evening that we were so engrossed in chat, there never seemed the opportune moment to play the perennial tourist, but the smattering below gives you a snapshot.
My serious arty farty face, and then doing my best David Brent (Ricky Gervais) below:

Lots of people all night, and a wander through the catacombs-Oh that's why its called the Hive-I geddit.


A steal at eight bucks admission, there's a concession charge for anyone wearing black and yellow. Note the adorable little ankle biter dressed as a bumble bee below-the natural star of the show.

Some beautiful young ladies stare on admiringly-I knew there was a reason I loved being an artist.

One of the wonderful things about group shows, is the immediate camaraderie one feels, from meeting artists you admire. Such an artist is the exceptionally talented Christopher Ulrich, whose intricately detailed work I am told, was conducted in little than a month. Coming on like some kind of occult Magus with considerable flourish from some dark 16th century cavern in remote Tibet, his vision was profound in its multi layers, concept and foundation. I look forward very much to getting aquainted with him and his work more.
Another darling artist, I had the chance to become aqainted with, was one Amy Bernays -a superlative expressionist whose golden landscapes are spliced with urban sprawl. Like myself, she's also a British ex pat, and it was lovely swapping home grown bonheme with her. Thank you Amy

Special thanks to curator-Nathan Cartwright, Sensei, Lance, Margot, Ty, all the other artists, and everyone who attended that night.

Into the night-David Gough Art at the Ruby Room

Unfortunately, time and the snail pace drying properties of Oil paint, meant that my latest piece will still be on my easel by the time the doors open this evening. Still, even with that minor disappointment, it was really something of a vindication, to walk through the rooms, and see so many pieces hanging last night.
All told, I am truly excited about the installation-I think its a cool and exciting venue-putting me,very much in mind of the CBGB scene that was happening in NY in the late 70's.

Anyway, friends and happenstance's-I very much look forward to seeing you there, and no doubt shall regale the rest of you with how it went in a day or two. Wish me luck.