The OC Art Blog was created in 2004 as a way to build community and promote the marginalized but dynamic Orange County art scene.

I'm a fan of Sameshima. Everytime I see his work I always think that they are really smart.The show is called Numbers II (Ode to Johnny Rio).Numbers is John Rechy's second novel. The hero is young, handsome, narcissistic Johnny Rio who, after three years away from the "scene," is impelled, obsessively, to return to the city of Los Angeles, there to test himself anew in the arena of male love. Johnny, who is seen as an angel of dark sex, is like a retired boxer--an...

07 September, 2008 /

I totally forgot that the new art season is upon us. When I arrived to Chinatown I was stunned that all the galleries were throwing openings.I have never particularly cared for Chinatown paintings. But I have begun to find some favorites over the past year or two.Amanda Church is currently showing at Jancar Gallery on Chung King Road.--James ...

07 September, 2008 /

So while I was at Carl Berg, I ran into Ali Smith and Noah Thomas. As they were leaving they told me they were heading over to Chinatown to see Kiel Johnson's show at POV Evolving. Once again, I have to find out about Kiel's show through someone else. It has sort of becoming a running joke between myself and him. So I made a quick detour over to Chinatown to say hello to my man Kiel. Because, really, how can I not?So Kiel told...

07 September, 2008 /

This past Thursday night, while I was at Paul Paiement's opening at Peter Blake Gallery, I ran into our mutual acquaintance, Darcy Bartoletti. He told me that he was in a group show over at Carl Berg Gallery on Wilshire. So I headed out there last night to say hello, as well as to check out the show. Darcy is a graduate from the San Francisco Art Institute, my old alma mater. I haven't seen Darcy in awhile so I was curious as to what...

07 September, 2008 /

First OCMA hires a new curator and now it's LAM's turn. This week the Laguna Art Museum announced that they hired Grace Kook-Anderson to fill the vacancy created when Tyler Stallings decamped to Riverside. Kook-Anderson comes to us via San Francisco where she curated shows for the Yerba Buena Center of the Arts, the Wattis Institute and New Langston Arts. She will be responsible for all aspects of the museums curatorial program. Welcome to Orange County! ...

05 September, 2008 /

While you're doing the artwalk this Saturday, check out this group exhibition at OCCCA. I'll probably be hanging out there most of the night since my friend Juan Thorp is included in the show.Animals, real and imaginary. We fear them, pamper them, tame them, trap them, eat them, lobby on their behalf, experiment on them, strut them as status symbols, and exterminate them. How do contemporary artists represent them? From the caves of Lascaux, to the halls of the Louvre, there is no escaping them. With their long pedigree in the...

04 September, 2008 /

Before you head out to Santa Ana this Saturday, how about swinging by the Cal State Fullerton campus to check out this exhibition? It will be up in the main gallery.Here's the info:From Similar Origins to Remarkable Visions: An Exhibition of Eight Alumni September 2 – October 3, 2008 Reception: Saturday, September 6, 5-8 p.m. Forty-five paintings and drawings by Cal State Fullerton art alumni: Karen Brown, Deborah Davidson, Jeff Gillette, David Michael Lee, James Lorigan, Ann Phong, Max Presneill and Emigdio Vasquez--James ...

04 September, 2008 /

There's quite a bit to do this weekend. Greater L.A. Masters of Fine Arts Exhibition is once again upon us. I don't know what it is about me, but I love looking at student work. Or at least people fresh out of art schools, ready for the picking.The opening reception is this Sunday, 4-9 p.m. on the Cal State Long Beach campus.--JamesNiku Kashef Untitled (LM ID) from the Clone Studies Series giclee print, 2007 ...

04 September, 2008 /

This Saturday night the Grand Central Art Center kicks off the new art season with Aspects of Mel's Hole curated by Doug Harvey and featuring a slew of great artists. You do not want to miss this one. It'll be a fun one and the crowd will be huge. See you there.In 1997 radio host Art Bell first introduced his listeners to Mel Waters, a man from Eastern Washington who claimed to have discovered an ancient and apparently bottomless pit on his property. The story of the hole...

04 September, 2008 /

Unfortunately Orange County has lost another gallery. After two years J. Flynn Gallery has closed up shop. It was good while it lasted. Nice work Jack. ...

03 September, 2008 /

Well, Well. Lookee what this is. A shameless plug!The Cypress College Art Gallery is holding a exhibition of works by its faculty. The disclaimer here is that I just happen to be teaching at the college this semester. But we have a roster of really good working artists who are teaching there.The Cypress College Art Gallery has really come into its own. Though the transition from the old space to the new was a bit rocky, it has become a really nice space. The gallery...

31 August, 2008 /

Here's something for you to do this week. The Hoff Foundation alum Paul Paiement is having a show at Peter Blake Gallery. The opening is this Thursday.PAUL PAIEMENTHybrids 5.5September 4-27, 2008Reception: September 4, 6-9PMPeter Blake Gallery326 N. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA  926651--James ...

31 August, 2008 /

This book simply will not die for me. It took me about three months to complete it because of distractions and lack of time. So for awhile there I was failing to complete a book on failure. While I was reading it, Ed Giardina told me about this group on Flickr, with discussions and photos that exemplify the subject. Then when I had a meeting with Aandrea Stang from MOCA this past week, she was mentioning her recent interest in the idea of failure. The...

31 August, 2008 /

In their attempt to make the move to the net. It's my understanding that all the writers at the OC Register are now being judged on clicks to their online posts.So what do you do when you're involved in writing for the Arts & Culture section that is hard pressed to find readers as it is. You bring in the Nudes, and more Nudes, and more Nudes, and more Nudes, and some Strippers.You get the point. Naked ladies = Clicks! ...

29 August, 2008 /