My show at BLK/MRKT just ended Saturday and I didn't even realize it. Thanks to all the people who came out! I have been neglecting this blog a bit, been taking things slower and trying not to spend much time on the internet. Trying to garden but it's getting too cold even in So. California. And been doing some birdwatching. Tons of house sparrows in our yard. We've been watching some movies too. If you have a Netflix account and you know us, email me and we'll be Netflix buddies.


I looked in the mirror today and I realized I have a beard. That picture wasn't when I realised I've grown a beard, it's just there for reference. I shouldn't have stuck my tongue out, what am I five years old?

Jennifer and I took Shannon to go visit Dylan and Shaunna and Mike. We went to Oak Glen a little semi-mountaintop village above Yucaipa. They had a petting zoo which was fun for the kidlets. Goats are way cute. There's also an animal museum/zoo but things were pretty old fashioned and sorta un PC- they have a Native American diorama thing where he's emptied several bottles of alcohol and sitting in a drunk slumber. Okaaay, no one ever told them that's an old stereotype and unfair/innappropriate for kids to see? And the animals looked like they are prisoners, sorta locked in indoor cages. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe they let them out. Still fun for the kids though.









I bought a piece from the artist Mike Bertino. I think it's awesome, I love his work. He came out to my studio to show me more of his paintings on paper. Here's his site Mike Bertino






Also bought two pieces from a Robert Hardgrave show in Seattle. I really like this guys work.


Check out the new work from Cody Thompson... It's all sequins, how rad! Must have taken a long time.



Aaron Mason is working on a tattoo of my artwork. This guy Kory is getting a whole sleeve done. Aaron and I worked on drawing it out and figuring out what to put where. On Friday he started the outline so I drove down to Soul Expressions in Temecula to check it out. Little did I know I would be putting my first needle to flesh. They peer pressured me into signing my name. My first attempt I didn't put the needle in far enough, and it just scratched the surface of his skin. Second attempt was a little better, I got some ink in there and finally by the third attempt I went slower and got the needle in deeper. I think I'll leave it to the professionals from now on!







Got a few fun things in the mail..


Alex Gross's new book is beautiful. He sent me the collector's edition which comes with a case and a screenprint.


A giclee from Jonathan Viner. Awesome.

And to end on a disgusting note... I like eggs but am always kinda grossed out that they're chicken menstruations, even so, eggs taste good and everything. Then this morning we got this...


Maybe time to go vegetarian. Sorry for that last picture everyone. BUT IF WE SEE IT EVERYONE HAS TO!!!! HAHA!!!

My show and Thanksgiving are finally out of the way, man, I guess I needed some time to wind down. My work schedule was insane for a while there... but I'll probably do the same thing for my next show.

Here’s some photos from my show at BLK/MRKT. Thanks to all who came out. These photos were taken by my mom (my camera ran out of batteries after one measly photo).




My pops in front of my biggest piece.

Brother Tim and his girlfriend Karen.


Here's some better shots of the artwork. The first few are acrylic on paper, the rest are on wood panels.










Here's some web sites with more images from the show....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hustlerofculture/sets/72157594383063635/


http://www.vinylpulse.com/2006/11/seen_jeff_soto_.html


http://www.plasticandplush.com/plasticandplush/2006/11/show_jeff_sotos.html#more


http://www.thehundreds.com/wordpress/?p=357


And I did an interview about my new work with Jamie O'Shea for his Supertouch blog...
http://supertouchblog.com/?p=1277

Alright back to work I go...
Jeff

Jeff Soto- Cold Ice Age

Hi everyone, my first L.A. show in over two years is coming up next Saturday. I wanted to invite everyone to BLK/MRKT Gallery in Culver City for the opening. Information is below, hope to see you there. For those out of town who still want to view the work, please email Jana DesForges at contact@blkmrktgallery.com
Thanks,
Jeff


Here is the official gallery invite.....

JEFF SOTO "COLD ICE AGE"

November 18th - December 16th
OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, November 18th, 6-10pm





We are proud to welcome esteemed artist Jeff Soto back to L.A. for his second solo at BLK/MRKT, marking our fifth year anniversary exhibition.

Featuring a new series of paintings on canvas, panel and paper, Cold Ice Age continues Soto's intrepid exploration of his private imaginary world but with a twist - the amplified conscience of a new parent; the show's title refers to his intensifying apprehension about the future of the world on behalf of the next generation.

In addition to receiving both national and international acclaim and exhibiting in galleries across the country, Soto has been featured in fine art and popular culture publications including Artweek, Juxtapoz, American Illustrator, Communication Arts, Beautiful Decay and BLK/MRKT ONE. Soto's first book, Potato Stamp Dreams was released earlier this year, published by Mark Murphy. Soto lives and works in Riverside, California, with his wife Jennifer and daughter Shannon Daisy.

For more information and images, please contact Jana DesForges at contact@blkmrktgallery.com

BLK/MRKT Gallery was established in Los Angeles in 2001 with an emphasis on new contemporary art and has become a premier west coast destination for artists and enthusiants alike. Artists include Ben Tour, Robert Hardgrave, Tiffany Bozic, Jeff Soto, Jose Parla and Dave Kinsey

BLK/MRKT 6009 WASHINGTON BLVD. CULVER CITY, CA 90232 310 837 1989

Massachusetts!



Haven't had time to post in here for a while, I guess that's nothing new. Last week I was in Beverly, MA just about 30 minutes drive north of Boston. I was there for an art exhibition called "Electric Wasteland" at Montseratt College of Art. It was a group show with Dave Kinsey, Date Farmers, Aaron White and myself, curated by Leonie Bradbury. Only Kinsey and I could make it to the opening, Date Farmers had an opening in SF. Damn, what beautiful countryside up there! Got to pal around with Kinsey and Jana (of BLK/MRKT gallery) and we explored a couple old graveyards, ate clam chowder, and just took in all the scenery on some nice drives.

Here's some photos...

Left early morning right after Halloween, Shannon was a pumpkin, but she hated her hat and couldn't bear to have it on even for a picture.



Landing in Boston after a long travel day.

Got straight to work Wednesday night setting up my installation in the gallery. Thanks to all the students who helped out!

Kinsey killing the wall...

Next morning I went for a walk through Beverly. The opening was in the evening but I ended up forgeting my camera. Lots of people came up from Boston, it was a nice opening. But back to my walk...

Awesome Halloweeny house. Lots of houses were painted black. You don't see this in California.

A typical Beverly street. I would want to live here except the bitter winter cold would destroy my Southern California born-and-raised body. A few days ago it was almost 100 degrees in Riverside. Crazy for November.

The school from across the street where I stayed with a nice guy named Mark. He honestly had the biggest DVD collection I've ever seen. All sorts of Sci Fi, horror, anime, etc. I ended up watching Steamboy and some sci-fi ghost anime that creeped me out.

I gave a talk to the illustration dept. on Friday. Afterwards I finally had a chance to see some of the surrounding areas. Jana and Kinsey had a rental car so we headed up the coast to Gloucester and Rockport for some sight seeing and some good eats.


Clam chowder in the breadbowl, very tasty and just right for the cold winds outside.

After some food we drove around the cape and saw some postcard worthy scenes...



Afterwards we tried to go to the graveyard at night (I know, very high school, but I thought maybe we might photograph some ghosts- New England seems to be crawling with them). Unfortunately the gates were locked.

Came back and explored the next day. You never see old graveyards like these in the west.

Last pictures from Beverly- Kinsey, Leonie and Jana. And with me below...

C is for cookie and that's good enough for me...

-Jeff