Brian Mashburn
On August 15th, New York welcomed a new gallery, Haven Gallery, with their inaugural exhibition inspired by the idea of safe havens. Their first group of artists have wide ranging styles, many sharing whimsical qualities: Matt Dangler, Kukula (HF Vol. 7), Kari-lise Alexander, Nicomi Nix Turner, Dan Quintana (HF Vol. 27), Shaun Berke, Tom Bagshaw, Naoto Hattori (HF Vol. 7), Zoe Byland, Brian Mashburn, Regan Rosburg, Aunia Kahn, Caitlin McCormack, Rose Freymuth-Frazier, Redd Walitzki, and Nom Kinnear King. Their subjects span still life, landscapes, and figurative works, suggesting that refuge can be found both in the physical as well as within oneself. North Carolina based artist Brian Mashburn, for instance, portrays an atmospheric image of a tree titled “Live Oak”, which seems to erupt from the ground in spite of the industry that looms behind it. Trees have been historically used as symbols of refuge, or evocation in some religions. Nicomi Nix Turner also explores religious connotation of refuge in her drawing “Visions of the Heretic”, referring to religious heresy. Naoto Hattori, on the other hand, has often described his own art making as a sort of escape or haven from reality. In one of the exhibit’s more playful images, he paints an Alice-like little girl in her wonderland with a regal ‘Bigfoot’ rabbit. Take a look at more images from Haven Gallery’s inaugural exhibit below, on view through September 24th.
Nicomi Nix Turner
Redd Waltizki
Zoe Byland
Tom Bagshaw
Kukula
Kari-Lise Alexander
Naoto Hattori
Caitlin McCormack
Dan Quintana
Matt Dangler
Regan Rosberg
Nom Kinnear King
Los Angeles based artists 
For centuries, the wonders of the natural world have inspired artists to create fantasy, and since the Middle Ages, have applied legendary characteristics to animals. For the fourth year in a row, Antler Gallery in Portland has invited artists to join in this tradition of creating their own mythical creatures inspired by nature. "Unnatural Histories 4" will highlight whimsical new works by Lisa Ericson, Jeff P., Jon Mcnair, Erika Sanada, Josh Keyes, Peter Gronquist, Josie Morway, Brin Levinson, Jessica Joslin, Matt Linares, Aunia Kahn, Nicomi Nix Turner, and more.
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