Know Artists : Part Two

The following is the second introduction of artists featured in an art exhibition entitled, “Know,” to be held at this year’s Art Now Fair. I (Mark Murphy) hope to introduce you to emerging artists you should take a close look at, as well as furthering my personal mission of archiving living artists. More will be posted soon, see you December 6 – 9 at Art Basel in Miami. Please contact murphy@murphydesign.com if you wish to be added to the acquisitions list or have any questions. Thank you for reading.


James Kirkpatrick, aka Thesis, is a modern day painter who scratches and carves away at the built up surfaces he creates out of paper, encaustic and acrylic paints. James often describes his work as being born out of the collision of street and fine art scenes. James is an emerging artist who works in the “Character-based” art movement, as seen in his latest painting entitled, “the secret two together.” Check out more of James/Thesis at www.studio21.ca


Cathie Bleck works on clayboard, building up the surface with a thick coating of Kaolin clay, gold leaf and ink pigments. Once Cathie’s image making surface is prepared, she scratches at her organic canvas with razor sharp tools with a fluid motion. The result can be seen in her latest scratchboard painting, entitled “Caring for the Phoenix.” Cathie’s composition exposes small moments that move you through the final piece, allowing a chance to decode the overall meaning of her artwork. Learn more about Cathie at www.cathiebleck.com


Chris Pyle created a acrylic on wood panel painting entitled, “Ring Toss.” Chris is an editorial artist who delivers a whimsical social commentary in his brightly colored world of distinct characters. Chris has exhibited in traveling shows for Blab Magazine, Heaven and Hell and Dialogue. To see more of Chris’s work please check out www.chrispyleillustration.com


Peter Taylor’s graphic lines move you through his paintings in a fluid direction. Peter is a virtuoso when it comes to drawing circular forms that dispel ancient secrets of the Budha and tranquil lifestyle. Peter’s latest mixed media drawing, “Magic Man,” invites you in with a friendly “ohm.” See more of Peter’s stylized works and patterns at www.handmadefeat.com


Chris Ryniak has been exhibited in galleries throughout the US including: Miami, Los Angeles, New York and Germany. Chris sculpts objects, as well as paints other worldly creatures that may have been inspired by late night horror and Sci-Fi movie theatre. Chris’s latest painting, “Two Great Houses,” acrylic on wood, can be seen in Miami and his website www.bigistudio.com


Johnny Yanok is one part character designer, on part toy designer and one part packager. Johnny’s creative output is colorful and fun, a careful balance of Mary Blaire and Jim Flora paintings from the 40s through 60s. Johnny’s latest painting is entitled, “Tab is the Best Soda of All Time, acrylic on panel. Check out all of Johnny Yanok’s work at www.johnnyyanok.com


Keith Shore’s latest painting, “An Autumn Scrimmage,” is a companion piece to “summer in the Pumpkin Fields” featured in the Green Art Exhibition in Santa Monica this November. Keith continually produces pieces for McSweeny’s, MTV and Listen Skateboards while prolifically producing inspired art work for group shows and exhibitions. Check out more of Keith’s work at www.keithshore.com


Matt Stallings created, “First in Flight,” is a look into the opportunity to know more about the unknown. How was it that we decided a monkey should be the first in space, after all? Matt continues his exploration of the human condition, often allowing his subjects to answer to the oddities of life. To see more of Matt’s work, please visit www.mattstallings.com


Dave Chung, aka “the Chung” has been painting an ongoing series about the design, modern, yet spacey, look about women’s sex toys. “the Chung” describes them as “Nubs and flippers coming out of every which way! They’re nuts to the balls! So then I started thinking, What if these really were little alien dudes? What sort of crazy adventures would they have? I’m sure they would have fun. To see his latest, “The Tickle Police: Goo Gun,” please visit www.thechung.com