From Here To Eternity…..
May the universe guide us to prosperity. Kevymetal here. I’ll be honest, 2012 was not a “stellar” year but things are
definitely getting better. Positive energy is the key and I’m hoping to open every door that leads to Enlightenment or
whatever….. 2012 wasn’t all that bad, there were definite highlights that makes me want to strive for more. And with that I
want to share some news about my show ‘Sketchbook’ (July 2012) in San Antonio, TX. Check it out.
“I’m Lost, Donald” by Kevin Ragnott Photo: Courtesy Kevin Ragnott / SA
The year’s best art exhibits spanned the centuries, from enduring monuments to a Greek goddess to scraps of metal salvaged from junkyards not long ago. Here are our arts writers’ picks:
“America’s Finest: Recent Works by Vincent Valdez,” McNay Art Museum, October: Valdez did more with less in his second solo exhibit at the McNay, creating images of battered boxers left painfully exposed against a stark white background. His relatively spare paintings of a military funeral procession — vignettes haloed in gauzy light — cut all the deeper for their economy. The exhibit is up through Jan. 27.
“Intimate Encounters,” San Antonio Museum of Art, September: At curator David Rubin’s invitation, Canadian photographer Adad Hannah visited SAMA, where he spent several days creating the original series “Daydreams of a Drunken Scholar” using models and objects from the museum’s collection. The photographs were lush, but it was Hannah’s video works — living tableaus with just a hint of movement — from the series and others included in the show that delighted and mesmerized.
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“Sketchbook,” Studio One Zero Three, July: A look inside the visual diaries of San Antonio artist Albert Alvarez and Brooklyn artist Kevin Ragnott offered a refreshingly uncensored and unselfconscious look at the creative process along with the people behind the images.
“Neophyte Doublestare into the Eighth Dimension,” Sala Diaz, April: For his first exhibit since 2006, James Smolleck transformed the humble gallery into a ritual space that echoed the mysterious settings for his exquisite, symbol-laden — and yes, indecipherable — ink drawings.
“Aphrodite and the Gods of Love,” SAMA, September: Touted as the first museum exhibition of classical works devoted to Aphrodite, the show originating at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, offered a complex look at the goddess, not to mention the gorgeous nudes.
“Renacimiento desde las entrañas de mi ser” (“Rebirth from the depths of my being”), Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, September: Anyone convinced that folk art exists in stasis need only to have seen the vibrant work of Veronica Castillo. The Mexican clay artists brings hundreds of years of tradition into the now with works that address contemporary social and political issues.
— Elda Silva
“Andy Warhol: Fame and Misfortune,” McNay Art Museum, February: Organized by McNay curator Rene Barilleaux, who got his pick of the collection of the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, “Fame and Misfortune” — with its soup cans and Brillo boxes, enigmatic films, celebrity portraits and literally ripped-from-the-headlines images of car wrecks and suicides — managed to be a good introduction to the pop icon, as well as comfort food for longtime fans.
“Benjamín Domínguez: New Works,” Ruiz-Healy Art, May: Growing up in the ’40s in the small Mexican village of Jiménez, Chihuahua, Benjamín Domínguez remembers the circus coming to town as “the event of the year.” He fondly recalled those days in baroque paintings with disruptive modern touches (angels with cellphones) in “New Works” at Ruiz-Healy Art. “The Baroque,” he said, “allows me to get inside the human psyche and examine the good and evil that one finds there.”
“Populux: A Hyphenated Culture,” paintings by Rainey, Southwest School of Art, August: San Antonio artist Rainey — who was “’Mad Men’ before ‘Mad Men’” — made 20 paintings over a feverish two months for “Populux” at the Southwest School of Art. Orbs and asterisks, atomic symbols and text in swirly or blocky type, household objects and glamour girls in Grace Kelly head scarves float atop modular blocks of color — yellows, oranges, browns — in untitled works where Instamatic Kodaks, big-tube television sets, dial telephones and hi-fi stereo systems still reign supreme. In Rainey’s world, kitsch rules and the digital revolution never happened.
“found objects,” George Tobolowsky, Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, September: Dallas artist George Tobolowsky doesn’t shy from the term “junkyard dog.” He scours scrap yards for bulky industrial castoffs for his steel sculptures, showing 20 of these clever, monumental works at Blue Star. What’s ingenious about the work is Tobolowsky rarely alters the steel pieces — the heat to bend and shape them would be tremendous; rather, he fits pieces together in balanced compositions “like a jigsaw puzzle.”
“Governing Bodies,” 11 Texas women artists, Gallery Nord, October: “Women’s bodies are now politicized more than ever,” said Edinburg artist Phyllis Evans, one of 11 Texas women artists who made powerful statements — some in a shout, some in a whisper — in “Governing Bodies,” an exhibition of politically charged art just in time for the election cycle at Gallery Nord. Linda Arredondo made paintings such as “Death,” using her breast milk as paint, while Sarah Sudhoff bared more than her soul in courageous self-portraits.
“Estampas de la Raza: Contemporary Prints from the Romo Collection,” 44 Latino artists, McNay Art Museum, October: From portraits of Frida and Che to images of lowriders, pachucos, soldiers and street scenes, the imagery of “Estampas” at the McNay reflected the visions of a body of artists straddling geographic and cultural borders. Featuring more than 60 prints by 44 artists from the collection of UTSA’s Romos, most gifted to the museum, the show encompassed the most respected names in Chicano and contemporary art, including César Martínez, Alex Rubio, Vincent Valdez and Ester Hernandez.
— Steve Bennett
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/visual_arts/article/Best-of-2012-Art-4149990.php#ixzz2H2f1sphi
‘Sketchbook’ a study of artists
By Elda Silva
Updated 1:11 pm, Friday, July 13, 2012
Brooklyn artist Kevin Ragnott poses in front of his work “Movie Star” and “Diamond Dogs” which hang in the “Sketch Book” exhibit Thursday July 5, 2012 at Studio One Zero Three. The new gallery which shares space with a hair salon. The exhibit currently on display, includes work by San Antonio artist Albert Alvarez and Ragnott. The show includes works from the artists’ sketchbooks as well as prints made from their drawings. Photo: Julysa Sosa / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
Albert Alvarez takes a sketchbook almost everywhere he goes. Sometimes the artist carries a palm-sized journal he can easily slip into a pocket. Other times, he totes a larger pad he shields from prying eyes with a bandana as he works.
When Rigoberto Luna met Alvarez, he was immediately reminded of Kevin Ragnott, a friend from his days at Pratt Institute in New York, and another sketchbook devotee.
“I always wanted to do a show with (Alvarez) and (Ragnott) without them knowing, and this is the only opportunity I’ve had,” Luna says.
“Sketchbook,” an exhibit of work culled from the pages of the artists’ private journals and pads, is at Studio One Zero Three, a new space on South Presa in Southtown that shares quarters — and a name — with a hair salon. Luna, an artist and art preparator, is curating the gallery for owner Patricia Lujan.
(And just in case you’re wondering, the space’s name doesn’t refer to its address. It is Lujan’s tribute to Taco Land, the dearly departed music venue located at 103 W. Grayson St.)
Both artists gave Luna full access to their uncensored sketchpads, which function as repositories for ideas and as visual diaries.
“It’s basically a template for other works that actually I end up expanding onto pieces of paper or canvas,” Ragnott says of his sketchbook work. “It’s just the beginning of a process, and it goes from there. It’s never really finished. It’s always a beginning.”
Some of the works on display include journals opened and pressed flat under Plexiglass and prints made from small drawings. By definition, a sketch is hastily executed — a rough draft. But many of the pieces read like fully realized works.
“I love the mix between me and Albert’s work,” says Ragnott, a 29-year-old Brooklyn artist who studied architecture at Pratt. “Even though our concepts are two ends of the spectrum, I somehow feel there’s a connection because the line work is there and you can get a sense of both of our work ethics. Shout outs to OCD! You can feel the passion in both of our works.”
In his work, Ragnott combines pop culture icons with realistic depictions of animals and intricate geometric designs, including a ropey, maze-like pattern that he describes as muscle or skin. The precisely rendered drawings are chiefly done with Bic pens and colored markers.
“It’s funny to me, because a lot of people are amazed at the detail, but really it’s all about line weight and cross hatching, and just exploring and trying to create different styles,” he says.
Works on display include a print of a tribute to David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust persona. The musician is surrounded by Ragnott’s signature sinewy pattern, interrupted in places by amorphous cloudlike shapes. Colorful geometric designs that bled through from the other side of the page make for a happily trippy accident.
The subject matter of Alvarez’s sketchbook drawings flows image to image, stream-of-consciousness style.
“These are pretty personal, like if you go through them, you’ll see parts of my life,” Alvarez says of his sketchbooks.
Among the images Luna selected for the show, there’s a seamy bus stop encounter with a prostitute, a seething mosh pit, a grimacing Tim Duncan making a basket, and a crucifixion set against an urban skyline. The exhibit includes some of Alvarez’s early hatch drawings, but those familiar with the 28-year-old artist’s intense, generally apocalyptic vision will probably be most surprised by the landscapes — yes, landscapes — from a trip to Maine that Alvarez took while he was a student at the Rhode Island School of Design.
His sketchbook drawings reflect “real inner thoughts,” Alvarez says. “You think paintings are all out there, but I think the sketchbooks are more all out, uncensored, because I know a painting will be seen by a lot of people, and they’re kind of edited for the space within the frame.”
Both Ragnott and Alvarez would like viewers to flip through the books on display, something Luna may make possible before the show ends. Not to worry, the art will be protected.
“It would be contained and managed,” Luna says. “No one can eat Hot Cheetos.”
“Sketchbook” continues through July 30 at Studio One Zero Three, 721 S. Presa St., 210-322-0389.
lsilva@express-news.net
Read more: http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/visual_arts/article/Sketchbook-a-study-of-artists-3703133.php#ixzz2H2ddy7Ba
*It’s great news ! Two write-ups for one show, AWESOME. I have to say “Thank You” to all who supported me. This is far from over. Cause 2013 looks mighty bright and I want you guys to come along for the ride. Bring sunglasses!
-Love, Kevymetal. Peace.
….Commercial Break.
We’ll Be Right Back, After These Messages. -Kevymetal
Decay In Bloom.
Greetings,
Kevin Ragnott and Danny RosenHanst present:
” Decay in Bloom,” works of paintings and drawing.
Join us Friday October 12, for a show of works by Kevin Ragnott and Danny RosenHanst. On display are drawings and paintings emphasizing grey-scales and bright colors. A mixture of decay, bloom, cartoons, and dreams. Kevin’s tight knit colored lines juxtaposed with Danny’s nightmarish figures creates an instant tension of moods.
Also, a silent auction of the artists’ work will be held to support BeSAA a Bed-Stuy based organization committed to the support and growth of local artistic talent. Located at “The Gallery Next Door” Bed-Vyne Wines hosts the evening with a sample of their wine selection.
6-10pm
Bed-Vyne Wines
Transference.
….that’s all I have to say. Peace.
-Kevymetal!
“…And They Call Us Savages.”
Spring has sprung and Summer has arrived. Hi everybody. Sorry for the delay, it’s beena hot minute. I must admit that
I have been in kind of ah funk. But, now I have risen (from hibernation that is). I’ll try to keep this short; a lot of things are
happening and I’m soaking it all in. First, I must say thank you to my unofficial growing fan base, especially to Caisa from
Sweden. Caisa contacted me via email and told me of her huge admiration for my work; that she went and got a tattoo of
one of my pieces of artwork (see below). So, with that I said I’d put her up on Kevymetal to show how awesome I feel this is.
Thanks Caisa! Next, at the beginning of June I had one of three shows open at the Night Gallery in San Antonio, Texas
(see pics below). The second show will open June 30th and I’ll be making a special guest appearance there, so if you’re in
town, please come on through. Further details on the last show to be determined. In conclusion of this post, I have added
some recent drawings via sketchbook or scraps of paper, mostly new. With that, I must leave you for now. I promise to
return shortly with more. Thanx again guys. Enjoy!
-KevyMetal
Oh Deer, Short and Sweet…..(Valentine’s Day Edition)
AMAZING prints! Really Soon. Updating main site (kcrworks.com) with new sections. Including ‘Store’
section, soon. To show my love on this day to the many people out there who have really been very
supportive, I’ve posted some images here I hope you all will enjoy (especially the top image, which
I dedicate to you). Some from working with ArtBattles; and thanks to those who voted for me online, I
might have lost the trip to Poland, but I gained a new inspiration to keep thriving, so Thank You again.
Um……that’s it for now. I’ll be back real soon. Soon. -Kevymetal
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- “Dedicated To You”
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- “Oh Dear, Oh Deer, Oh Deer.”
Another Year……
…..has come and gone (I’ll try to make this short and sweet, I know you got a busy year ahead of you). New year, new stuff and a new post to start you off with. Hey everybody, Kevdogmillz here letting you know the recent “going-ons” that are taking place. First, as you can see below, Sean Bono and I are holding up one of the first prints to be available for purchase in the near future. Secondly, I’ll be painting live “before a studio audience” on January 12 at the ArtBattles’ “300 Pieces, 30 Artists, 3 Countries” show. Which will be exhibiting all the artwork created from the many recent “artbattles”! I think I have two or three pieces in the show; oh, and all the art will be up for auction, even the paintings we make that night. And last, I don’t want to deprive my fans, so here (at bottom of this post) is a drawing I recently finished, titled “School”. That’s it for now, I’ll be back real soon. Kevymetal fo LIFE!!!!
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!! Hanging out with Founder and CEO of ArtBattles, Sean Bono (on your left side) with one of my prints. I gotta take better pics.
See if you can find me.
Oodles of Doodles: My Cup Runneth Over…..
….with love. I gotta say, I’m overwhelmed by the response of so many people who discovered my work as of recently via Stumbleupon.com. There are no words I can say to express my appreciation, so I give you more of what you might like. First up, I posted here a couple of drawings (“Truckin’”, “Oh Deer, Oh My”) and then the rest are sketchbook pages (few new, others old); I hope you guys like them, I definitely had fun making them. There’s a lot of great stuff coming to fruition in the near future. So I’ll stop talking now and do what I gotta do, keep your ear to the ground, i’ll be back real soon with some more bloggage. BONUS: there’s a little video you can check out at the end of this post, if you DARE!!!!! Thanx guys, ur the best!
$$$$$$$$$$Kevdogmillionaire$$$$$$$$$$$$
(…broke as hell. Haha!)
Think of this as a movie trailer.
Yo yo yo. Kevdogmillionaire here and ‘THIS’ is a sneak peek at a project that emerged out of nowhere and is blossoming into something spectacular! With the collaboration with Dr. Robotx, we’ve created a vast series of prints that are constructed from scanned images of past and present sketchbooks of mine, then manipulated through the magic of Photoshop (there is more to explain with some of the other images, but I’ll talk about that later). And the test results are amazing, believe me they’re sweet! In the meanwhile, Dr. Robotx is constantly making more and more designs and patterns that need to be seen by the world. Now, I know already, these pix do not do any justice. Bigger and better pictures are on the way. More to come. Thanx guys!
It’s beena hot minute….
…. since I last saw ya, Skip! Big things are happening and you will soon see what I’m saying. But for now I have conjured up the images from the last Sketchbook Project (for 2011; which just ended its tour earlier this year) I participated in. When I look at these pix I see……
