TONIGHT: TOOTH, TUSK & TALON @ Proximity ( A solo show by Anthony Pedro)

Autumn Society Elder & long time collaborator, Anthony Pedro, will be debuting his first solo show at PROXIMITY gallery starting tonight, Friday, April 1st. This is one show you do not want to miss if you're in Philly. Please see more details below.

WWW.ANTHONYPEDRO.NET

Opening Reception: April 1, 2011, 6pm-9pm
Proximity Gallery
2434 East Dauphin Street (in Fishtown)
Philadelphia, PA 19125
Contact: 267-825-2949
E-mail: janel@proximityart.com

Autumn Society's Hallowed Halloween Exhibit 2010

Hallowed Halloween @ Proximity Art
October 1st thru 31st, 2010
 Reception: October 1st, 6 – 9 pm

Hallowed Halloween, October 2010 from David Diperstein on Vimeo.

A special thank-you to David Diperstein for the amazing video and to Matt Cavanaugh for the following words on the show.

"Hallowed Halloween Press Release (written by Matt Cavanaugh © 2010)

Once a year the summer sun passes on to make wave for the birth of the next season. From its passing the month of October welcomes many changes with the birth of the season of Autumn. Most know the presence of Autumn thanks to its calm breeze that soothes the sun scorned terrains of a past summer’s day and the prismatic changes that plant life decorates itself with. Others especially in the northern ends of the world know it marks the last harvest of the year.

Among these welcomed changes, Autumn also brings a yearly remembrance of all things dead or passed on to the next world. This is celebrated thanks to the traditions passed on from past generations, religions and cultures. From the celebration of the European, “All Saints Day,” to the Spanish, “Dia de Los Muertos” and to the contemporary worldly masquerade known as “Halloween” thanks to the Celtic festival of Samhain. The world continues to remember, celebrate, and to reflect on the spirits of past and present during the month of October.

The month of October in all its transformation from beauty and magic can sometimes be lost in the metropolitan corridors and urban jungles of a city like Philadelphia. However thanks to the ghostly whispers and cult like chants, the Autumn spirits from the streets of Philadelphia have cast their spells for a special celebration for October’s holiday of Halloween. The celebration is being welcomed and housed at the Proximity Art Gallery, which is Philadelphia’s premiere upcoming gallery for fresh new talent in the visual arts. Proximity will present “Hallowed Halloween,” an exhibition featuring 34 artists representing illustrative imagery and story telling in pictures. The event also celebrates the first collaborative collection of works presented by The Autumn Society and The Philadelphia Cartoonist Society who both call the city of Brotherly Love home.

The “Hallowed Halloween” art exhibition will feature multi-media based artwork exposing all the disguises that make the multicultural holiday known as Halloween so creepy, imaginative, and fun. This will include exposing its skeleton of folklore and diverse rituals. Thanks to The Proximity Gallery and the gathered artists this dissection and celebration will ignite the Autumn bonfires as we the living and dead celebrate Halloween, in all its magic and lore.

Come join the spirits and us this October1st-31st at the Proximity Gallery of Philadelphia."

Hallowed Halloween Show at Proximity Gallery - October 1

The Autumn Society and the Philadelphia Cartoonist Society are teaming up for a show atProximity Gallery on October 1, 2010. This will be a Halloween-themed show with over 30 artists displaying work. please click on the photos below to see closer details from some of the pieces from the drop off day.

Anthony Pedro's piece:

Partially finished sculpture by Sam Heimer:

James Heimer, myself, and Sam Heimer (the curator)

Here is a detail from my piece, entitled "7 Crows":

Please stop by Proximity on October 1 for the opening or some time during the month of October when the gallery is open. Proximity is located at 2434 East Dauphin Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125. For more information , please contact Janel Frey at 267.825.2949 or e-mail: janel@proximityart.com.

My piece for the Halloween show!!!

Hey dudes! Here's my piece for the Halloween show at Proximity!

HALLOWED HALLOWEEN - PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

This October 1st - 31st the Autumn Society of Illustration, the Philadelphia Cartoonist Society and Proximity Gallery present:

HALLOWED
HALLOWEEN
Opening Reception - October 1st, 2010
October 1st - October 31st

PROXIMITY Gallery
2434 East Dauphin Street
Philadelphia, PA 19125
267.825.2949


Once a year the summer sun passes on to make way for the birth of the next season. From it's passing, the month of October welcomes many changes with the coming of the season of Autumn. Most know the presence of Autumn thanks to the calm breeze that soothes the sun scorned fields of a past summer's day and the prismatic changes that trees decorate themselves with. Others, especially in the northern ends of the world, know it marks the last harvest of the year. The last harvest, the slaughtering of cattle, and stockpiling of grain are all in preparation for winter. These tasks largely decided Life and Death, and thus was a time to celebrate, mourn and call on the spirits of the season and the field, both good and evil.

A novelty now, viewed as children's games of years forgotten, the rites, practices and superstitions stemming from harvest holidays used to embody the fact that life is precious, delicate, and at a time, largely relied on the last harvest. What at one time was a potluck holiday, borrowing from most farming civilizations, Halloween has lost its edge, its lesson, its beauty. What was once a celebration of life and death, role-reversal and phantasmagoria, black and orange is now garish, commercialized and seemingly meaningless.

Fall is often a short reprieve; a flash of beauty between the sweltering summer and bone chilling winter, passed before it's noticed. However, thanks to rituals that do not invite publicity or the light of day, the practices, adornment and lore that were once Halloween will be celebrated by 35 nostalgic artists this October. For the first time, the Autumn Society and the Philadelphia Cartoonist Society have collaborated to bring you "Hallowed Halloween". This celebration will be welcomed and housed at Proximity Art Gallery, which is Philadelphia's premiere upcoming gallery for fresh, new talent in the visual arts.

The "Hallowed Halloween" art exhibition will feature multi-media based artwork exploring all the elements that make Halloween creepy, imaginative, and fun. This will include exposing its roots in folklore, diverse rituals, adornment and staple characters. Thanks to Proximity Gallery and the gathered artists this exhibition and celebration will ignite the Autumn bonfires as we, the living and the dead celebrate Halloween in all its magic and lore.

Come join the goblins, ghosts, witches and artists this October 1st for the opening reception of "Hallowed Halloween" at Proximity Gallery.

A Small Note and Early Invitation...

...the press-release is not finished, nor the final promo-card, but I would like to ask you all to clear you calenders on October 1st to join your fellow Autumn Society and Philadelphia Cartoonist Society friends in Hallowmass at Proximity Gallery. Enough of the frou-frou; it's a Halloween show, and if that alone doesn't get the juices flowing in your long fallow nether regions you need 10cc's of candy corn STAT! The following was drawn in school-girl like anticipation on the back of a TD Bank envelope prompting me to deposit a fist full of cash because there was NO WAY that rude sea-hag was getting my doodle...
...more information and other goodies soon.

TODAY: Jeff Kilpatrick's "Dirtballs in Love"

For Immediate Release

Jeffro Kilpatrick

"Dirtballs in Love"

Opening Reception May 7th between 6pm-9pm

May 7th-May 31st

Proximity presents "Dirtballs in Love" all new romance-themed cartoon art by Jeff Kilpatrick. All of the work in the show is inspired in some way by Jeff's gal, Joannie Newton and the neighborhood that brought them together. Most of the pieces are done in colored inks.

Proximity Gallery

2434 East Dauphin St.

Philadelphia PA 19125

www.proximityart.com

267.825.2949

Hours: Fri. and Sat. 1pm-4pm

Always by appointment

Alex Eckman-Lawn Show at Proximity Gallery 2010

Many of you know of Alex Eckman-Lawn. Whether you've seen his work posted up here on the blog, his work involved in the Autumn Society shows, or you know him personally, Alex's work is pretty damn awesome. Last night, March 5th, 2010, was Alex's solo show at Proximity Gallery. I managed to get myself down there in time to catch the end of the show and was lucky enough to take some photos while chatting with a bunch of friends who made it as well. Even though the show was from 6-9pm, people remained there easily past 10. I'd say the show was a success and a pretty great time. There were many photos taken and I wanted to post a handful of them for those of you who couldn't make it!

Anyway, congrats on the show, Alex!

Alex Eckman-Lawn with Janel, the owner and coordinator for Proximity Gallery.

It wouldn't be an Alex Eckman-Lawn show without grapefruit hands.

These were the highlight of the show for me, these little prints that looked like tiny paintings. So good.

Case full of original sketches on library cards.

Alex and Eamon

Hannah and myself, taken off guard by Matt Cavanaugh.

Left to right: Alex Eckman-Lawn, Anthony Pedro.

Left to right: Matt Cavanaugh, Eamon Dougherty, Andrew Stiles.

REBUILT: TODAY @ PROXIMITY

My first solo show is today, Friday, March 5th at Proximity Gallery, the gallery that brought you the super successful Autumn Society: Day of the Dead show from October. I'm really excited and hope you guys can make it! Here's the card and one of the new pieces from the show.

Here's how to get there. From the Philly Market-Frankford Line subway (EASTBOUND), ride it all the way to the BERKS stop. From there, follow these directions.

Dia de los Muertos Premiere Video

For those who could not attend the opening of our "Dia de los Muertos" Show, here's a quick video of the unforgettable premiere at Proximity Gallery. Enjoy!

WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/THEAUTUMNSOCIETY

A Tribute to "El Toro Rojo" - Luchador

WWW.CHOGRIN.COM

My Dia de los Muertos piece is a tribute to one of the best Luchadores of all time, el Toro Rojo! Sadly, Rojo had his last fight in 1984. Viva El Toro Rojo!

Rituals of Life

"Rituals of Life" 11"x14" Acrylic on Shaped Wood Panel.

Here is my submission for the DIA DE LOS MUERTOS show at Proximity Gallery. I wanted to focus on the religious aspect of the holiday and how it brings people closer to those who have passed on. I had alot of discussion back and forth with my room mate, Rachel about the piece so that it would read well and clear enough to get the idea across I was going for.

Stomping Grounds

Stomping Grounds at Proximity Gallery
Opening Fri, Sept 4th 6-9 PM
2434 East Dauphin Street
Philadelphia, PA 19125
267.825.2949



Well, I did it. I cannot believe that the the show opens tomorrow. Many an early morning and late night's work has finally come to fruition. 23 pieces. 6 months of studio time, the last 3 months having little contact with the outside world - at least it felt that way! (Summer? What summer?)

I went down to help Janel, the owner of Proximity Gallery, hang the show last night. I don't want to brag, but it looks friggin' AWESOME. I'm so happy with the outcome. I cannot wait to share it with you all. Thanks to my wonderful husband,Brian, who is always a great supporter of my work. Thanks putting up with all of my late nights and weekend working and for your feedback, suggestions and help. Thanks to Russell Underwood Photography for shooting the work! You did a bang up job! Thanks to PRIMER for helping me out with the printing. Thanks to my family for their support and thanks to City Paper and the Philadephia Weekly for the great write ups!

After Friday, I will be posting photos on my own blog from the opening, as well as jpegs of each piece so that all of my friends in far away places can enjoy. And the rest of you? I hope to see you all tomorrow!

La Fiesta Muerta

My newest work for the upcoming show at Proximity Gallery, was due in 8.5 x 11" Mixed Media. i love all the Folklore of this celebration.

Skulls... in all their sugary sweet goodness!

This is my contribution for the October "Dia de los Muertos" show at Proximity. I had to go with the whole sugar skull thing, it's like the candy of the dead.

My write up in the City Paper

Howdy folks,
I'm a busy bee getting the work for my show at Proximity Gallery ready but wanted to share my sweet write up in the today's edition of City Paper's "Critical Mass" blog. Many thanks, to Holly at City Paper and Janel at Proximity for your kind words and credits. See you all in September!

Win A Print!

Okay everyone - here's a fun contest where you can win a print of my NoLibs Illustration (pictured). I am currently drawing a Philadelphia building that has a sandwich on top of it for my show at Proximity Gallery. WHAT BUILDING AM I DRAWING? Whoever has the correct answer first, wins! Email me or leave a comment with your answer!

Good Luck!
M

UPDATE:
We have a winner!
Congratulations, Ray!
The correct answer was Genos!

SNEAK PEEK round 2: people

Ha! I'm very excited about some super fun little illos that I just completed for my upcoming September show at Proximity Gallery. I don't wanna let the cat out of the bag, but I just HAD to share, so I'm posting a few pencil studies to give you an idea. Enjoy!

*Side note - it has been decided that the name of the show is going to be "Stomping Grounds". w00t!

SNEAK PEEK!

My apologies for the lack of updates but I have been super crazy busy the past couple of weeks working on a ton of different projects. I've got some illustration commissions, fine art commissions, a part time job and a ton of my time is going towards creating more new work for my upcoming solo exhibition at Proximity Gallery in September. And it's almost July already - Eeek!

As promised, here are some sneak peeks of some of the work for that show. These are just appetizers! You gotta come to the show to get the whole meal! And it's gonna be TASTY, I guarantee!



*NOTE - you Philly folks should recognize these places! Do YOU? Feel free to leave a comment. :)

Solo Show at Proximity Gallery this September

I will be having a solo exhibition of my illustration work coming up in September at Proximity Gallery. Proximity is one of the hottest (if not THE hottest) new Philly galleries that has sprung up over the past year and a half. It's a fantastic little gallery space located in Fishtown and they always show wonderful work. I'm honored and excited to have been asked to do my own show there and am diligently producing new work for it. With the economy being slow,so is freelance, and I plan on taking advantage of all of this recent downtime by creating creating and creating! Trying to turn some lemons into lemonade, you know?

Below, is a sneak peek of one of my new pieces. Since it was too big to scan, I had to shoot it outside with the camera, so it's not the best picture. There are some scanned crops that you can see for detail. I'm really happy with the way that it turned out and excited to move onto the next. It's gonna be a heck of a show. Enjoy!

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