GUEST ARTISTS - Jill Bliss, Amy Rice, Sarah HaBa

I was thrilled to get in the work of artists Amy Rice, Sarah HaBa, and Jill Bliss for our current exhibition. These talented ladies are doing quite well for themselves in the art/design blogosphere. To have their work makes a humble gallery owner quite happy. I love "Olivia and Olivia's Mom" by Amy. Pink perfection! And I would love to watch Jill in action as she inks the miniscule details of her tree houses. Sarah's namesake piece "Sarah," is so gorgeous with it's painterly brushstrokes and thoughtful subject matter. For more information about these artists please contact YES Gallery + Studio at yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com or call (401) 245-7174.

Chris Crites

I wonder if Chris Crites got a paper bag lunch for school every day? After all, it's his favorite surface to paint on. His mugshot and criminal records are exquisitely detailed and rendered in eyepopping colors. Of the original photos that inspire Chris's work he says these are "portraits of people who had just been caught. Despair, frustration, anger – so many expressions could be read on the faces. Each one of these images has a story." I could ponder them all day, and, apparently, other folks can too. Chris won an award at PONCHO (based in Seattle) this year, has had two solo shows, and was in a group show at the Robert Berman Gallery in L.A. Somehow he still found the time to do some curating of his own as well as some graphic design work. Currently, Chris lives in Seattle with his wife and cats. For more information about Chris Crites' work please contact YES Gallery + Studio at yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com or call (401) 245-7174.

More Gallery Photos!

I just finished updating our Flickr page with new photos of the gallery. On the right hand side there...no lower...yeah, right there... are links to the latest YES Gallery + Studio happenings. You can see images of the current Nature/Nurture Exhibition, which has received rave reviews (okay, maybe not "reviews," but certainly rave commentaries). There's also photos of our first "Music Under the Pergola" concert with the lovely Hannah Devine. Finally, I threw in a couple more photos of Warren. Enjoy!

Music Under the Pergola - Hannah Devine

I never thought I'd be the type of person to use the word 'pergola,' but here I am doing it. (It's good to rebel against your sensibilities from time to time.) Anyway, I have one - a pergola. In the gallery backyard. And it's gorgeous. So tomorrow we'll inaugurate the pergola with a concert by the fabulous Hannah Devine who, at just 17 years of age, is a true talent. I first saw her at Ward's Publick House in Warwick playing fiddle with her dad in a traditional Irish Session. On a break Hannah picked up her guitar and belted out an original song that made the conversation in the room stop. Since then Hannah has taken home top prize in the Rhode Island Idol competition, and Best Female Vocalist (Americana) in the Motif Music Awards. Tomorrow is Hannah's last show before leaving for Ireland for a year so don't miss out. The show is free, but reservations are required. Click here to hear some "Devine" music. For reservations call (401) 245-7174.

Jenni Freidman

Jenni Freidman and I went to college together at Hartford Art School in the early 90's. Because life often makes a circle, Jenni's back there again, this time as a professor of printmaking and drawing. In the years between the rowdy days of art school and, well, the less rowdy days, Jenni's managed to start a family and get a masters degree. Her drawings and prints are so beautifully rendered. The internet just does not do this work justice. It's incredible subtle and thoughtful, and there are so many lovely variations of color and textures within each piece. Jenni has shown her work in print and book exhibitions around the U.S. and abroad. She's also collaborated with her favorite musician, Dar Williams, to illustrate limited edition books of Dar's lyrics. For more information about Jenni Freidman's work contact YES Gallery + Studio at (401) 245-7174 or yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com.

NATURE/NURTURE EXHIBITION

Great things are afoot at YES with another gorgeous exhibition, running June 6 - 27 with a reception tonight from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Featuring YES Artists exploring the theme Nature/Nurture and its many interpretations. I love Cynthia Consentino's ceramic sculptures which are dark, humorous and just ridiculously well-crafted. Kathrine Lovell's magnolias are straight up masterful. Then there's Jessica Gonacha's "Feed the Birds" piece which I find just plain intriguing and lovely. Rachel Austin's map pieces are popular as always. (Got one for myself this time around.) We've also got some awesome guest artists including the coveted Amy Rice who sent along "Olivia and Olivia's Mom," Jill Bliss's groovy ink drawings of houses, and Holly Murray's bee-inspired gold and oil paintings (like the one below of the queens bee's reproductive organs.) Finally, as with all YES exhibits, 5% of the proceeds go to a non-profit. This time we're helping out the awesome Manton Avenue Project, which is a local version of the 52nd Street Theater. For more information about "Nature/Nurture" please call (401) 245-7174 or visit www.yesgalleryandstudio.com.

Macy Chadwick

Macy Chadwick and I go way back to middle school. I'm happy (and quite envious) to report she has always had not only a keen eye for art and design, but the ability to execute her ideas with ease and grace. Since the good old days of Archie R. Cole Macy's made quite a name for herself in the book arts world. (In fact I had to tell her after a recent Google search that she just might be famous.) So besides the fact that we're old pals, I'm honored to exhibit work by such an esteemed artist. Macy collaborated with artist Lisa Onstad on this gorgeous letterpress book "Aggregate Memory," and also several framed prints based on the book itself. Of the book Macy says "Lisa’s experience in painting contributed greatly to the colors in the book. This limited edition artists’ book contains images and text inspired by the complexity of memory. When returning to a favorite place, the past and present converge to form a cluster of memories." For more information about Macy Chadwick's work please contact YES Gallery + Studio at (401) 245-7174 or yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com.

Birds, Bunnies, and an Owl

Feeling thrilled about our current "Birdbrained/Harebrained" exhibition. Despite a rainy night, we still had over 60 people at the opening, many of them responsible for a myriad of red dots on the gallery walls. The best part is the Audubon Society of Rhode Island's Environmental Education Center will receive 10% of the proceeds (which we hope will help rebuild 200 feet of their wildlife refuge boardwalk in Bristol that burned last month in a wildfire.) Tied in with the exhibition was a visit last Saturday from Anne Dimonti, an Audubon naturalist, who brought an amazingly beautiful barred owl to the gallery backyard. We auctioned off Cole Gerst's fabulous "Owl"screen print and raised more money for the cause. Overall, it was a win for everyone. See photos here of the exhibition and owl event.

Warren, Rhode Island

Spring has finally sprung in New England. The good weather has allowed YES Gallery + Studio to receive a proper paint job. She's looking pretty gorgeous, isn't she? I took a walk around the Historic District the other day and captured some images for those of you who are far flung. Click on the "Photos of Warren" link to the right to see why the locals are happy and my allergies are raging out of control.

Cole Gerst

I totally dig Cole Gerst's silkscreened prints. I love to ponder his juxtaposition of wild animals and power strips. On top of being a thoughtful artist, Cole's a really cool guy. He was born in Georgia and grew up in and around the folk art scene. The raw expression of the artists' work influenced his style and helped inform his job as Art Director for the House of Blues (which, if you don't know, has an AMAZING outsider art collection.) In addition to making original art, Cole designs for his company, option-g. He has created album covers for many of my favorite bands, has a short animated film on the Sundance Channel, and recently designed some sneakers for Vans. (Does the guy sleep??) Cole's screenprint "Owl" will be auctioned off this weekend as part of our "Birdbrained/Harebrained" exhibition. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. For more information about "Owl" or Cole Gerst's work please contact YES Gallery + Studio at yesgalleryandstudio@gmail.com or (401) 245-7174.