Acidtwist is a showcase for works by Tavish. He currently goes back and forth between San Francisco and Montreal, but grew up and spent much time in Central Canada. His cultural background includes both Scotland and Taiwan, an unusual combo that may explain edgy exploration of not quite asian yet not quite european characters that feel vaguely related to anime and ride that NSFW line straight to the edge without quite going over. This has garnered him recognition from The Art Directors Club and Print Magazine, among others (apparently japanese school girls have a global appeal, whoda thunk?). Tavish was also profiled in Illustration Now published by Taschen.

Several of his recent paintings feature a green-haired heroine named Lichen. She was invented specifically for an ongoing series exploring the modern concept of the character, a product of our overtly commercial times.
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Be sure to check out the new Featured Artist – Mr. Brainwash for tons of pics and an interview with the man himself. We attended his debut show “Life is Beautiful,” and it was everything we’d hoped and more.

We posted earlier about Dave Kinsey’s show at BLK/MKT Gallery. For anyone who missed the opening, Kinsey and BLK/MKT Gallery delivered an amazing show. Politically inspired, Kinsey’s work explores the frustration of apathy and the burnden of defeat. “Apathy seems increasingly common in modern western culture,” Kinsey observes, “There is a general sense that people feel helpless or don’t care to engage in issues that affect their lives and the lives of those around them. Consumerism and even modern technology allows for and easy complacency.”

In a way his artwork, like the political landscape, can be perceived on multiple levels. On one level, we see the palatable beauty of his work. At a deeper level, we the see conflict and despair of his subject. His paintings take on a painterly style which encourage closer observation of the layered imagery. Static restrained imagery is juxtaposed against aggressive splashes of paint. The paintings are most powerful when in seen person and are well worth a visit to the gallery. The show runs through November 17, 2007. For more information visit BLK/MKT Gallery. Click the link below to see more images from the opening show.

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Mark Ryden’s paintings are an eclectic mix of new and old styles. His subjects are cute and friendly yet dark and rebellious at the same time. His technique however is as classic as you can get- oil and soft brushes. Ryden mixes the style of old masters like Bruegel and Ingres with a Tim Buttonesque attitude and generous helpings of raw meat.