Exhibition Opening | Joe Sorren "The Great Cantaloupe Day"

Joe Sorren: The Great Cantaloupe Day "...it's like hanging out with the most magnificent creatures, sometimes small, sometimes big, sometimes mean, always fleeting." ~ Joe Sorren about his paintings  Exhibition dates: February 24 through March 31, 2013 Opening reception for the artist: February 24, 2013, 6 - 9pm AFA of SoHo presents a collection of new paintings and sculpture by Joe Sorren, accompanied by a retrospective of more than 30 graphics, plus three new releases. This exhibition marks the beginning of AFA's exclusive representation of Mr. Sorren's artwork in New York, New Orleans and France.  The Overture and Into the Light, Lost    Mr. Sorren's fluid and expressive brush strokes convey deep care. His compositions are soft and soothing, and invite the viewer to explore deeply emotional subjects within hazy and dreamlike landscapes.     Mr. Sorren allows his artworks to evolve naturally and subconsciously. During the months and sometimes years that it takes for a painting to manifest, as new layers of paint are added, a figure may develop into a hill in a landscape, or perhaps a tree morphs into into a creature.     Current developments in Mr. Sorren's painting style evince a new manner of gravitas not seen in his  earlier compositions. Recent works are more abstract, using less contrasting forms with a lighter palette. They play with a more shallow depth-of-field, highlighting the tender faces and gestures of his signature figures.    Joe Sorren was born in 1970 in Chicago, IL. He was raised in Arizona and spent his childhood drawing on anything and everything that didn't move. After he earned a BFA from Northern Arizona University in 1993, he worked as the creative director for Transworld Snowboarding Magazine while raising his two children Martha Elaine and Henry Vincent. His first solo exhibition took place shortly afterwards in 1995 in Los Angeles. For the past 15 years since, he has shown his artwork in solo  exhibitions in galleries and museums in the United States and abroad. His artwork has appeared in publications such as The New Yorker, TIME and Rolling Stone, in addition to numerous cover stories in art publications, such as Juxtapoz. He has been awarded several coveted accolades, including a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators in New York, and a silver medal from the Society of Illustrators in Los Angeles. His first museum retrospective was held in Santa Ana in 2010, and his most recent book, Joe Sorren: Painting + Sculpture (2004-2010), was released in conjunction with that same exhibition. Currently working from his studio in New York City, Joe relies on a skateboard to get around town and has a serious love for telling duck jokes.    IMAGE The Great Cantaloupe Day © Joe Sorren  Original: 30" x 30" acrylic on canvas  New Graphic: Signed, 24 x 24" paper size, 20 x 20" print size.  Edition of 100 + 10 Artist Proofs   AFA 54 Greene Street, NY NY 10013 Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10am - 7pm / Sundays 11am - 6pm RSVP / Phone: 212.226.7374 More information:  Samantha Levin / 212.226.7374

Exhibition Opening | Kathie Olivas' "Misery Children"

NEW YORK, NY AFA of SoHo presents "Haunted", an exhibition of new original paintings by multi-media artist Kathie Olivas.  "Haunted" is the artist's most ambitious body of work to date, and explores the evolution of her well-known Misery Children, who convey our discomfort with the unknown, and address society's insatiable desire for 'cuteness'. A dark rendition of early American portraiture set in post apocalyptic times, Olivas' paintings and custom toys are a satirical look at how fear affects our sense of reality. A reception for the Artist will be held at AFA on October 20th from 6-8PM. RSVP is requested via rsvp@afanyc.com or 212.226.7374. The exhibition is free and open to the public, and runs through December. AFA is located at 54 Greene Street (on the corner of Broome) in SoHo. Kathie Olivas is a multi-media artist who resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Since receiving her bachelor's degree in visual arts from the University of South Florida, her work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across the globe, and is part of several permanent museum collections. Olivas showcases her artistic talents in a myriad of ways. Currently she is working on her second catalog raisonnée and creating a collection of  limited edition vinyl toys. "For the past 15+ years I have explored the themes of personal struggle and balance through The Misery Children, my childlike alter egos. While introducing the new characters who emerged for the "Haunted" exhibition, I delved deeper into my explorations than ever before." Olivas and her husband, fellow artist Brandt Peters, co-own and operate Circus Posterus Inc, an international artists' collective and fine art editions company. The couple recently opened a brick and mortar gallery space in Albuquerque, NM called Stranger Factory,which focuses on contemporary character design. AFA 54 Greene Street, NY NY 10013 Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10am - 7pm / Sundays 11am - 6pm RSVP / Phone: 212.226.7374 Artwork & photo copyright © Kathie Olivas AFA | At AFA, we are inspired by wildly imaginative artwork that indulges the senses and engages the emotions with layers of  symbolism and dark complexity. We exhibit paintings, drawings and sculptures created by extraordinary established and emerging artists who are highly skilled and have a unique vision. Artwork copyright protected. All Rights Reserved.