Rob Reger - The Encyclopedia of Hallucinations

Rob Reger   The Encyclopedia of Hallucinations and  Lauren Gardiner    Misfits of the Forest September 2 - October 3  Opening Reception: Friday, September 2nd, 8-11 pm La Luz de Jesus Gallery 4633 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90027 323-666-7667 www.laluzdejesus.com  info@laluzdejesus.com Rob Reger   The Encyclopedia of Hallucinations (Excerpts from 3 Chapters)  Chapter 9: The Exquisite Corpse   Chapter 11: Everything's Connected Chapter 13: Strange Fascination   This is an interactive show!   Attendees will be asked to write a short description of what they see in   Reger's paintings.The best of these writings will be documented on the   La Luz de Jesus website Mixing clean design with a pop culture neo-surrealist sensibility, the concept for Rob Reger's The Encyclopedia of Hallucinations has its roots in Reger's childhood camping trips when his father taught him to draw forms from a squiggle with a stick in dirt. The future artist and his father drew mainly faces, animals, and monsters and then created narratives from these figures. As a result, Reger learned to experience pareidolia, to 'find things in other things,' a concept that is still with him to this day. The Encyclopedia of Hallucinations gives the viewer a glimpse into this visual and psychological practice that has become second nature in Reger's own visions. Imagination is Rob's inspiration, and though his suggestive abstract forms, Reger gives his viewers the freedom them to find their own visions. States the artist: "Looking back, I see this early experience as shaping my fascination with suggesting recognizable forms in abstract work and the tendency to personify forms and 'find' figures within general chaos. I inspire others, through specific forms that suggest forms, to use their imagination to find their own forms."   Reger's art aesthetic and his design house,  Cosmic Debris, grew from a tangle of roots joining the DIY punk scene of the '80s with guerilla art, surrealism, and the psychedelic explosion of the '60s. As the founder, Creative Director, and President of Cosmic Debris, Reger introduced the world to Emily the Strange -an icon of empowerment for young alternative girls and outsiders of all ages. Like the little black-haired muse herself, Reger fuels his imagination with music, the natural environment, science and the artistic explorations of his friends and other inspiring figures. Reger received a BFA from University of California, Santa Cruz and a MFA in printmaking from the San Francisco Art Institute. His oil paintings, printmaking, watercolors, and collage have exhibited in galleries around the world, including: Tokyo, Paris, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Berlin, Milan, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Santa Cruz. Images in order above: "Tide Pools" Cel-Vinyl Acrylic on panel   2011 "It Takes All Types" (detail) Cel-Vinyl Acrylic on wood   2011 "One Informs The Other" Cel-Vinyl Acrylic on panel   2011 "Who's The Boss?" (detail) Cel-Vinyl Acrylic on panel   2011 Lauren Gardiner   Misfits of The Forest        Lauren Gardiner's newest series of mixed-media sculptures, Misfits of the Forest, is an exposé  of perverted pixies, fat fairies, inbred elves and naughty gnomes.  From among the seemingly innocent mystical creatures of our collective folklore, Lauren reveals the ones THEY don't want US to see: their deformed, their mentally ill, the fringes of their society who are not so magically perfect. These forgotten outcasts are brought to life in Lauren's usual witty style, but this time in three dimensions!  Now experience the poop of these irritating imps UP CLOSE with the scientific accuracy of make-believe!  Lauren graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Illustration in 1998.  Since then, she has been based in Los Angeles. This is her 9th time exhibiting at La Luz de Jesus Gallery.  "Delinquent Gnome" Mixed Media 3"x 2.25"    Publicity contact for more info - interviews - images: Lee Joseph Publicity for the Visual Arts (o) 818-848-2698 - (c) 818-415-5543 leejemail@gmail.com - www.leejosephpublicity.com

Events in Visual Arts

LATEST NEWS Billy Shire interview on The California Report "Miss Danger on the Loose" opens to the public Mark Todd's "Force Field" ignites impressive fanbase Tiki Oasis 11 Symposium tickets on sale now! Dr. Margaret Cochran in Los Angles Beyond Eden Multi-Gallery Art Event announced RECENT PRESS Mark Todd's "Force Field" in Hi-Fructose  Mark Todd's "Force Field"LA Times  Mark Todd's "Force Field" Daily DuJour  Mark Todd's "Force Field" Scribble08  Mark Todd's "Force Field" ArtWeek  Mark Todd's "Force Field" Mishka Bloglin  Mark Todd's "Force Field" MovementMagazine  Van Saro "Coming of Age" Daily DuJour  Artweek LA Preview of La Luz July Four-Person show  Van Saro "Coming of Age" Huffington Post  Lydia Emily in The Dirt Floor  Lydia Emily piece pictured in LA Times pick

EVENTS  7/1 - 7/31: Mark Todd's Power Fury at La Luz de Jesus Gallery   7/15 - 8/18: Ms. Danger On The Loose group show w/ Lydia Emily at Lab Art   7/16: Dr. Margaret Cochran at House of Intuition 7/17: Dr. Margaret Cochran at Bodhi Tree Bookstore 8/5 - 8/28: Lou Beach, Alpha Lubicz and Sam Lubicz Gene Pool   and a seven person group show at La Luz de Jesus Gallery   8/11: The Art of Sketch Theater book signing at La Luz de Jesus 8/18 - 8/21: Tiki Oasis in San Diego, CA  Billy Shire on KQED's The California Report Public Radio station KQED recently did an interview with Soap Plant / Wacko / La Luz de Jesus owner / mastermind Billy Shire about the Soap Plant's 40 year anniversary and La Luz de Jesus' upcoming 25 year anniversary. Follow this link to hear the piece on the "California Report" website. "Miss Danger on the Loose" features Lydia Emily - opens to the public July 15 The "Miss Danger on the Loose" exhibition at Lab Art Los Angeles shines a spotlight on female artists in the street art scene. The exhibition brings together a collection of a broad range of styles from some of the most dynamic up-and-coming female street artists including: Lydia Emily, Becca Midwood, K H No. 7, Sara Incognito, Clio, Random Acts, Adventures, Lydia Emily, Ease, Kym CBS, Lori Michael and Gretta Kuresi. The show opens to the public on July 15 and remains open until August 18. Mark Todd's Force Field at La Luz de Jesus ignites impressive fanbase Mark Todd's Powerfury Fireworks Stand from his Force Field exhibition, now on display at La Luz de Jesus Gallery, has been a huge hit with Independence Weekend crowds. His high concept idea to blend two great juvenile obsessions; comics and fireworks, has rendered a very mature art piece: an installation that is already being hailed as one of the landmarks of the year. All of the collage pieces and most of the paintings have already sold, so Mark has decided to allow collectors to buy individual pieces from the fireworks stand. The fireworks themselves are now available for purchase in five sizes at incremental price points between $100 - $200, which is a real steal. Todd has also been adding to the stand with each visit to the gallery, making the installation a continuing work in progress adding a deeper degree of vitality to an already ostentatious centerpiece. Far from an art snob, Mark Todd is a prolific zine publisher, will be exhibiting at both Comicon and A.P.E. and teaches at Art Center College of Design. He's also amassed an impressive fan following if the attendees to his opening reception are any indication of his collectors: Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore, Jeanne Tripplehorn & Leland Orser, director Patty Jenkins, Simpsons creator Matt Groening, and several rock 'n rollers, museum curators and journalists. Mark Todd also has a new piece in the Lucid Dreams exhibit at the Noel-Baza Fine Art Gallery in San Diego (through August 9) featuring 45 internationally renowned artists. Lucid Dreams is the 26th artist survey and fine art exhibit curated by San Diego based designer Mark Murphy of Murphy Design, following up last year's Narrative Museum exhibition, "Survey Select," which featured 32 live events over eight weeks. Tiki Oasis 11:  San Diego, CA, Aug 18-21: Symposium tickets on sale NOW! Tiki Oasis 11 VIP passes cover ALL classes and special events this year! If you bought a VIP pass you needn't buy symposium tix. If you did not, click this link to purchase your tickets. List of Tiki Oasis 11 symposiums/classes -   more to be announced soon Martin Cate Cocktail Symposium, CSI: Cocktail! San Diego Vintage Tiki Tour Exotica Ole' from Quiet Village hosted by Jeff Chenault San Diego's Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Charles Phoenix Goes South of the Border The Agave Seminar with Jacques Bezuidenhout Surf Guitar Lessons with Jason Lee Pin-up Hair & Make-up with Lady Borgia Mai-Kai History, Mystery and Adventure Tame - Transform - Transcend.  Join  Dr.  Cochran in Los Angeles July 16th  and 17th: July 16: House of Intuition, 2237 Sunset Bl., (Silver Lake) Los Angeles CA, 7:00 - 9:00PM $15.00 suggested donation (213) 413-8300. Dr.  Margaret Cochran, Transpersonal Psychologist, Educator and Author with 30 years  of clinical experience discuss how to use the Enneagram as a tool in  understanding the personality of individuals, co-workers and relationships. The  Enneagram is an ancient system of nine fundamental personality types that  explain important psychological traits of our personality and where our  motivations stem from. Each Enneagram personality type has its own set of  perceptions, challenges and views of the world. The Enneagram help us to  realize what motivates us, and how to better understand the sometimes confusing  behavior of our friends, family and co-workers. During this event, Dr. Cochran  will share the mental and emotional value of knowing your Enneagram personality  type and will help you to determine your personal Ennegram. July 17: The Bodhi Tree Bookstore 8585 Melrose Ave. West LA, CA 90069 from 2:30-4:30pm. FREE  "What  Are You Afraid Of" is an invitation to begin a fearless journey of  self-discovery and connection with your inner aspects that hold the keys to  your true authentic life. Things, people, decisions, actually life in general,  will look completely different when you are not afraid, and no longer  controlled by those who use fear to manipulate you.  "What Are You Afraid Of" shows us a path to  claiming your spiritual and creative source, enabling you to pursue your true  life's vision and work in the world. To learn more about Dr.  Cochran visit: www.drcochran.org or call  408-921-6795 Beyond Eden Multi-Gallery Art Event announced, site goes live this weekend The third edition of Beyond Eden will once again be hosted by the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery at Barnsdall Park this coming October 1-2.  After the overwhelming back-to-back success of the 1st two editions of Beyond Eden, both of which drew over 5,000 people to the beautiful confines of Barnsdall, the organizers plan to keep the focus of the event on the thriving New Contemporary Art Movement. Beyond Eden 2011 will showcase the works of a half dozen galleries and will be held inside the beautiful confines of the historic Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery during the weekend of October 1st and 2nd with an opening night celebration planned for Saturday, October 1st. Participating galleries include C.A.V.E. Gallery, Copro Gallery, Gallery Nucleus, La Luz De Jesus Gallery, Toy Art Gallery, and Thinkspace Gallery. Beyond Eden 2011 will also feature live painting demonstrations throughout the gallery inside and out alongside special exhibitions from La Luz de Jesus Gallery (celebrating their 25th year with massive anniversary shows in October and November along with the release of a companion book/catalog,) Cannibal Flower (emerging LA based artists,) and Spoke Art (the LA stop of the traveling 'Quentin vs. Coens' exhibit) plus a special showcase of Los Angeles street artists presented by Thinkspace Gallery and curated by local artist Euth. Rounding out this special event will be a showcase in the media room of the 'Best Of' Sketch Theater, the popular online site designed to inspire creativity through time-lapsed, start-to-finish sketches from the world's best artists. The Beyond Eden 2011 ebsite goes live this weekend:  www.beyondedenartfair.com  Stay tuned for more details. For hi or low res photos, more information, interview opportunities or press credentials, please contact:  Lee Joseph Publicity for the Visual Arts   818-848-2698 (p), 818-848-2699 (c) or leejemail@gmail.com www.leejosephpublicity.com and also check out www.dionysusrecords. com