Author: Nathan Spoor

The work of Leah Palmer Preiss is comprised of several themes and concepts. The Raleigh, NC based artist has made some whimsical and highly detailed visuals in the realms of calligraphy, illustration as well as gallery and personal works. Using blogs as a source to publish most of her works, she releases her Oddments (odd creatures on odd days) and Curiotypes (alphabet letter-based creatures) as well as many others. Preiss granted Hi Fructose a few minutes from her busy studio schedule.By Nathan Spoor

Australian born multi-media artist Rose Skinner has been on quite a journey. We became interested in her immersive environments and began our interview with her over a year ago, and since then she has taken a sort of walkabout to restructure her life and address her work. Sometimes that’s just how it goes. Follow along as Hi Fructose gets a look into the work and life of this unique talent, now residing in the UK. By Nathan Spoor

Oakland, CA based artist Brendan Monroe continues his visual research with a new body of work. These new works were gleaned from ideas he has been experimenting with over the last year, leaning towards physics and astronomy to stimulate his influences. His current works, a combination of paintings and sculptures, are currently on view at Cooper Cole Gallery in Toronto, Ontario.

Read the full interview here...

The Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton, New Jersey is currently featuring a solo exhibition of mixed media artist Nathan Skiles called “The Clockmaker’s Apprentice”. Creating objects with an innovative usage of only foam rubber, Skiles challenges the viewer to look beyond the obvious. The artist painstakingly creates an experience for viewers to participate in, confusing our sense of immediate recognition. Skiles has embraced the unique architecture of the museum’s first floor gallery by installing all 100 works in a way that would lead the viewer on a sort of treasure hunt. Follow along as Hi Fructose gets a look in with commentary from the museum’s Director of Exhibitions Jonathan and artist Nathan Skiles.

Deep within the halls of his Vancouver based studio, artist Ryan Heshka (last seen here) brings forth an array of wonders by tickling viewer’s eye-brains with a dazzling display of colorful new works. Even while busily working on his upcoming new children’s book, Heshka has been concentrating heavily on a fresh body of paintings for eager fans titled ‘Instinction’. This latest collection of work is based a concept centering on humanity’s attempts at evolving toward advances in technology and comfort rather than our inherent impulses. Along the way, Ryan invested in himself by studying oil painting and finding a new inspiration for his technique and personal evolutions, usually a combination of acrylic and gouache applications.

Hi Fructose gets a peek into this new set of paintings (and a few sketches) and a look into the artist’s engaging approach to his most intuitive world-building paintings thus far. “Instinction” debuts at Seattle’s foremost purveyor of visual finery, Roq la Rue, for viewing November 11^th through December 3^rd, 2011. - Nathan Spoor

The ever-vivid and engaging paintings of Maryland-based artist Charlie Immer (HF Vol.11) are brought to us in a slightly new form with his latest body of work, entitled ‘Bone Jiggle’. In these new oil paintings, the artist makes a few key moves in an effort to evolve his explorations into the realm of melding humor and curiosity with the grotesque.

With these new works, we see Immer move from the blood-bathed scenes from recent offerings. And while still maintaining his original sense of deconstructing the internal, he loosens up the more rigid inner workings of the creatures. The subjects’ skeletal structures have relaxed and the artist now seems to concentrate more on chasing his own personal vibrations of melding what lies beneath with the luscious smoothness of their candy-coated and happily macabre dimension. Join us as Charlie Immer talks a little about his new works with Hi Fructose, on view at Roq la Rue from October 14 – November 5, 2011.

With an intriguing and arresting brand of visual wit, newcomer Winnie Truong(pronounced Tron) brings her unique stylings to us in the form of a new seriesof works and a solo exhibition. Winnie’s latest works, a series of pencil crayondrawings titled “The Fringes,” explores the contrasting elements of beauty andthe grotesque. In her works, the main element of focus lies within the characterand positioning of the hair on its very specific subject, while also making strongreference to John Wyndham’s 1955 classic sci-fi novel, “The Chrysalids,” whichrevolves around the outcasts of society – mutants whose physical mutationswere considered “blasphemies.” Truong’s new works are currently on view atToronto’s Erin Stump Projects, and Hi Fructose takes you into the artist’s studiofor a glimpse into where she creates, as well as some of her sketches, processphotos and recent opening photos from “The Fringes”. - Nathan Spoor

It has been a few moments since we heard from James Reka (Reka One, HF v.17) of Melbourne, Australia. But rest assured that this modern day powerhouse of artistry has been quite the busy bee during the whole of that time. We've recently gotten wind that Reka has completed a new piece on the side of a large building in his local downtown area. In his own words, the artist quips, "Recently I completed a 5-day commissioned mural on 2 sides of an old 2 storey red-brick warehouse in Richmond, Melbourne. The building belongs to the Lighthouse Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empowering young people to take responsibility for their own lives." - Nathan Spoor.

Hi Fructose recently got wind of a unique installation by Luke O’Sullivan and company in Boston (last seen here). Their installation, entitled “Lovesick Café,” was created using salvaged materials and screen-printed wood. The group, called !ND!V!DUALS, creates site-specific installations typically inhabited or characterized by surreal situations and rather bizarre creatures. Their group, though humorous in nature and delivery, exhibits an innovation and certain inventiveness with their detailed craftsmanship. This excellent handiwork in turn showcases the humor, playfulness, and savagery that this time they are calling “Lovesick Café” - guaranteed to serve the most exotic and creative dishes in the city. Join Hi Fructose as we get an exclusive view into these creative chaps’ inventive world.

A lively energy and a generous dose of visual acuity could only begin to describe the young talent known as Yevgeniya Mikhailik (pronounced Yev-Gen-ee-uh - with a Guh not a Jay sound). A native of Tomsk, Russia now creating from her Long Beach studio, this playful storyteller lives to immerse herself in the challenges that surround her scholastic and professional interests. Join us as Hi Yevgeniya invites Hi Fructose into the studio to discuss her rich legacy of Russian folk tales and love of foxes, as well as her current array of inspirations that thrive within this modern visualist’s aesthetic playground. Nathan Spoor interviews the artist after the jump.

Moscow Russia provides the backdrop for one of the modern art world’s more intriguing site-specific artists, Nikolay Polissky. Whether discussing the importance of art in the modern world with ex-peasants or exploring the new frontiers of contrast harmony with famed designer Philippe Starck, Polissky continues to challenge the norm with some of the most impressive and thought-provoking installation works around.

Born in 1957’s Soviet Moscow, Polissky took his interests to study at the formidable Saint-Petersburg Academy of Art and Design. The artist began forming his current work mentality afterward with a co-op called Mitki, a protest based group that instilled in Polissky a strong sense of the working collective’s ability. The artist currently produces impressive large-scale installation works using what he calls co-authors, his own personal group of resident idea testers. This personal affiliation gives him the ability to create site specific works out of materials indigenous to the landscape that are often re-used by the local populace. Join us now as we take a look at Polissky’s fascinating progression of works, created not far from the most northern city on Earth. Nathan Spoor interviews the artist after the jump.

We've been keeping up with Melbourne, Australia artist James Reka (RekaOne) since his appearance in HF v.17. It seems the artist has been taking a moment from his busy creative schedule to work out a new series of paintings for his upcoming solo exhibit at Backwoods Gallery in Melbourne, March 25 - April 3.

This exhibit, titled "Down Low, Too Slow," features a new body of work created in a somewhat looser style than we've seen previously. Reka's color usage is a bit brighter and the strokes appear more dynamic and playful. "This show is an exploration of the inner child within us all: that tiny, giggling voice that we regularly suppress as we blow out the birthday candles," the artist relates. The exhibit features not only paintings, but a large installation made from wood and found materials. With this addition, the artist wishes the viewer to impress their own childhood memories onto the works - in hopes of enticing their inner child to come play. - Nathan Spoor.

Seeing an artist grow takes ages to accomplish, especially in the modern shuffle of the contemporary market. Yet occasionally an individual comes along that has a clear goal for their evolution, an attainable and altogether visual jump. Annie Owens - in spite of all her life’s duties with running a successful magazine, curating exhibits and situating her daily rounds – has attained such a leap. With her new body of work, which opens at Copro Gallery this Saturday, March 19, the audience will see the maturing of her handiwork as well as her refined approach to her craft. Hi-Fructose's Nathan Spoor gets the inside scoop on Annie’s latest.

Following two months of hard working and diligent creativity, KidGaucho has unveiled their latest large-scale installation. The new work premiers at the Outsider BA Festival at Elettrica (an old abandoned factory) situated in la Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina. A designer and artist team from Buenos Aires formed in 2002, KidGaucho is comprised of Lucas Lasnier (Parbo) and Andrés Bonavera (Larva). The artists called the exhibition / installation Please Stand By in order to “show the abuse of communication that the media continues to spread. The caterpillar blows up from a TV with rage and contains all the garbage that the media spit and all the distortional content that we all consume and absorb. In contraposition with this, we confront the huge volume of the caterpillar with an innocent, immaculate and pure little child that seems to domesticate the unstoppable worm with her hand full of corn.”

Spanish artist Alberto Mielgo is responsible for producing some very personal and evocative work. Though a successful freelancer in the graphic market, it is his personal work that entices us to know more for this investigation. Alberto’s paintings feature an eroticism that shows a specific interest in discovering the innocence of the model, as well as the greater aspects of the subject and immediacy of the moment. From his London UK studio, Alberto finds time to share with us an exclusive look at some of the visual feasts that fascinate his interests and fuel his daily fires.

Nathan Spoor reports in with Mielgo after the jump.

Internationally renowned artist Mercedes Helnwein brings a new body of workto Los Angeles this weekend, gracing the esteemed Merry Karnowsky Gallery.Helnwein’s new work is a stunning collection of large-format expressive femalesubjects, accompanied by a soundtrack by her brother – composer Ali Helnwein– and hosted by musician Beck. The artist, a co-resident of Ireland widelycollected and in critical demand, will be in attendance to grace the openingwith her enigmatic and mesmerizing presence. Join us as Hi Fructose gets anexclusive preview into some of the artist’s intriguing works, Nathan Spoor reports.

Ryan Heshka has been quite the busy fellow in his Vancouver BC studio. Asidefrom gracing the cover of Blab 18, he’s produced a gorgeous hardcover booktitled “Welcome to Monster Town”. But what folks really get excited about isseeing the artist’s work in the flesh, so to speak. Heshka has produced animpressive body of work for viewers to enjoy for his upcoming exhibition at Roqla Rue entitled “Super Things,” opening on November 12, 2010. Join us as weget an exclusive view into Heshka’s latest visual offerings.

HF Correspondent Nathan Spoor reports in after the jump.

Scotland, is far and widely known as the home of the Edinburgh Fringe and an abundance of cultural finds and Medieval architectural wonders. It is also home to one Lola Dupre, a unique find in the visual landscape, as her approach to art is one of dissecting and reactualizing photographic works into a precisely placed mosaic of inspired and humorous effects. Dupre chose the allure of European travel and opted into live studio time in lieu of traditional university art life, and found herself inspired to pursue her passion for creating on her own terms. Join us as we take an exclusive look at her masterfully crafted collage paper works as well as a bit of insight into her Glasgow, Scotland studio workings.

HF correspondent Nathan Spoor reports.

Canadian technician and visual wiz Heidi Taillefer has produced a group of amazing new works for a current exhibition in Pittsburgh, PA at the Michael Berger Gallery, called “Playing With Fire”. Viewing Taillefer’s paintings, one gets the sense that she is in tune with some mythological mixture of beauty and technology, with a twist of the grotesque and a nod to the voyeuristic. That’s not to say that the gorgeously rendered paintings tilt overly to the macabre. The artist balances her Baroque sense of delivery with a modern love and lust for a subject most easily described as softly poetic while robust in its delivery. Yet, with the gentle grace that Heidi has become known for, she shares an imaginative visual feast with her viewers. While the true objectives of her aim are often best left for her singular voice alone to describe.

Nathan Spoor reports in after the jump.

Artist Charles Clary has been quite the busy creative lately. From his inspired New York apartment studio, he has produced a body of work that is quite literally taking over his world. Clary’s work, most akin to the patient scientific study of a new organism, has spawned onto walls far and near – most recently in concurrent solo exhibitions in Miami, FL and Nashville, TN. We asked the artist if he would take a few moments to indulge us in our curiosity of these layered hand-cut paper sculptures, and were allowed a view into his increasingly colorful world. Nathan Spoor reports in.

Art is happening all over the world. That is, art is being created and produced by someinteresting individuals from around the globe, in big cities, small coves, by varieties ofpeople in varying degrees of youngness. Across the pond (as we are located in theStates for the most part), a lad by the name of Mario Sughi is producing work using thelife around him and the imagination that charges his hands to create and his mind toturn. Take a peek as Mario shows us a few new pieces that he prepared for shows inLondon as well as his native Ireland.

New Contemporary and Pop Surreal giant Alex Gross took a few moments from his prolific schedule to chat with us about his latest work and upcoming exhibit, “Discrepancies”. The new paintings, soon to be exhibited at Jonathan LeVine Gallery in New York, prove to be a solid continuation of Gross’ strongest vein of creative output. Along with this new body of masterpieces, a book of the same name containing work from the last four years (including works from the exhibit) will be released on Gingko Press.

Mia Brownell’s (HF vol.13) latest work continues her unique and fascinating studies in expression. Her paintings examine the interrelationships between humans, animals, agriculture and even biotechnology. With her upcoming solo exhibit in New York just around the corner at Sloan Fine Art, Brownell takes a few exclusive moments to share some thoughts and a peek of her new work with Hi Fructose viewers.

Breaking new ground in the art world is no easy feat. That being said, rock star curator Francesco LoCastro has never been one to let mere boundaries mandate the realms into which he brings his ambassadorship. The current exhibit in the Hamptons is just such an adventure. Art On The Edge - The New Contemporary, is now on exhibit through September at New York's premier fine art establishment, Vered Gallery. Follow us for a look at the exhibit after the jump.

News from the world of the fabulous Miss Van (featured in Vol. 15) comes to us in the form of a couple of new releases. She has just begun a new series entitled "Mascaras," and being fresh off the road, has been inspired to release a set of postcards for your own traveling correspondences. Check out the other print as well as the postcards, after the jump.

Daydream as we may, the images the artist seeks do not require us to offer them more than a loving pursuit and the ability to continue their dance. Long Beach resident and fine artist extraordinaire Jeff McMillan knows this point of fact all too well, choosing to put in the hours to chase his imaginings to their fantastic visual results. Join us and treat your eyes to Jeff’s detailed narratives, as well as a glimpse into his work as he gives Hi Fructose an exclusive interview and peeks at his latest paintings.

This last weekend saw the opening of the groundbreaking Cleveland-based youth culture magazine ALTERNATIVE PRESS (AP)’s star-studded art exhibit at the prestigious Merry Karnowsky Gallery in Los Angeles. Currently on display through July 24, the exhibit features selections from AP’s vast archives of photos and covers as well as original works from musical icons and renowned visual artists such as Marilyn Manson, Black Francis (The Pixies), Liz McGrath & Morgan Slade (Miss Derringer), Tara McPherson, Shirley Manson (Garbage), Shepard Fairey, Adam Jones (Tool), Tim Armstrong (Rancid) and many more.

Beginning in 1985, AP made its way from a sought-after fanzine to a glorious full color international contemporary magazine with a ravenous following. Functioning prominently in the alt-music and punk scenes as “the” independent music voice for the generation, AP has weathered 25 years of the publishing scene and remains an industry standard for breaking new talent and introducing the latest trends and hottest bands to its worldwide audience.

Scott Saw is a true art lover and journeyman, as well as a fantastic fine artist and printmaker. The last few years have seen Saw faced by some life decisions that, though formidable, never dimmed his fire for pursuing his creative endeavors. In fact, the artist made the choice to evolve rather than to obsess, coming out on the top of his game with a rich vocabulary of imagery not previously imagined. Follow along as we get a few moments with the San Diego resident as well as view his latest masterworks and a peek into his studio life.

The world of post-art school possibilities might seem daunting to some, but not to Boston local artist Luke O'Sullivan. Luke is busy pursuing something between printmaking, drawing and dimensional art – a constructive and creative approach to his evolution as a growing talent. Follow along as Hi-Fructose correspondent Nathan Spoor gets a few moments with the very busy artist.