“Find the 2 and you will be kissed tomorrow. 555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555: A Car Show”

 Saturday, June 24, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Peter Piper Pizza parking lot
Yarbrough Plaza
10501 Gateway West
El Paso, TX 79925

digital mockup

Six new paintings on car covers look to promote US/Mexican border culture awareness by subverting conventional art making ideas through rogue exhibitions. These artworks will be impermissibly displayed as car shows. The painted covers will be draped over vehicles at retail parking lots in El Paso, Texas and later in Newark, Ohio.

Traveling to the birthplace of the lowrider and researching formations of these Mexican-American customized vehicles, and their derivatives, will guide the creation of these painted forms. The paintings will be crafted individually in El Paso during the visit, with each piece inspired by investigations of city wanderings, car club meet-ups, late night cruisers, and visiting custom auto body shops. The painted car covers will point back to the region, people, and culture they influenced, acting as an indirect ambassador to border culture.  Exhibitions of these car covers will be used to combat misconceptions about the region that have been increasingly sensationalized surrounding the rhetoric of our current presidential administration. The unexpected and unsolicited public encounters between the artworks and viewers aspire to provoke curiosity, discussion and impact change.

Represented here will be lives hedged between two worlds: the abstract and the recognizable, 2D and 3D, art and utility, Spanish and English, tomayto and tomahto. The presented works will be neither one thing or the other, not truly this or that, but this AND that. Unclear definitions, unrecognizable forms and foreign bodies can activate insecurities or even fear; butt, through nervous laughter, these works will instill hybridization as a positive, letting passersby question their place in relation to the works, perceptual and/or otherwise, mid-giggle. The goal is to embrace ambiguity as a means for wonder, a site to probe freely, to imagine, resist and rebel – illuminating productive spaces situated between belief and disbelief.

KEITH ALLyN SPENCER (b.1979) was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. An emphasis with the middle letter of his name helps diminish the perpetual mix-ups with similar named persons. Currently, Kurt resides with his family in central Ohio. He is an Assistant Professor at Denison University navigating towards long-term job security, cul-de-sacs, and organic groceries. Kent received his MFA in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Fine Arts (2011) and a BFA from the University of Texas at El Paso (2003). BlackLivesMatter. Recent group exhibitions consist of Skylab Gallery (Columbus), Present Company (NYC), New Galerie at Yves Klein Archives (Paris), Simon Oldfield Gallery (London), and BigMedium (Austin). Recent solo shows include Ditch Projects (Oregon), The Composing Rooms (Berlin), Welcome Screen (London), Juicys Gallery (NYC), OFG.XXX (Dallas), Target (Indiana), and Domino’s Pizza (Rhode Island).

OFG.XXX / PUSHKIN & GOGOL / Kevin Rubén Jacobs presents:

“OxGord Economy Auto Cover – 1 Layer Dust Cover – Lowest Price – Ready-Fit / Semi Glove Fit fro SUV, Van, and Truck – Fits up to 206 Inches”

by Keith Allyn Spencer

Thursday, November 10, 2016 — Daytime

Home Depot, 6110 Lemmon Avenue, Dallas, TX 75209
Walmart Supercenter, 6185 Retail Road, Dallas, TX 75231
Hobby Lobby, 3178 Lavon Drive, Garland, TX 75040
Papa John’s, 3501 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204

www.ofg.xxx

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Adequate for a dust cover, but I really needed it as sun protection. It offers some relief, but it’s a bit too thin to keep out the heat. Also, it doesn’t have obvious markings to tell which end is front or back when unfolding it. I had to paint markings on it myself to keep from fussing each time I use it. It’s like those booties you get in a hospital, except it’s larger, and worn with the elastic rim down. I guess the description could be little bit more specific about what this cover covers from and not. Anyway, it fits my Jeep Commander well, but looks better on a Nissan Altima full-size sedan or similar. It’s been one week so far, so I cannot attest to its durability.

Rustoleum Spray paint does just that. I used to decorate the surface dried to the touch in only a couple of hours, tacky in 20 minutes. Great for quick art projects. Absorbent material needs either an undercoat of white paint, or get ready to take out your pocketbook. Black looks like dark grey. White looks like light grey. Orange looks like orange-grey and grey looks like grey-grey. Blue only looks like blue because of a doubly white sprayed layer put down beforehand. Can-control is essential so you don’t have a concentrated spot of spray paint dripping through. Plastic Drop Cloths (Common: 10-ft x 25-ft; Actual 10-ft x 25-ft), Item # 593659 Model # RSLW3510-25C do not biodegrade.

Super friendly staff. The staff is so much fun to talk to. The staff are extremely nice, knowledge and down to earth. They always have great things going on for everyone in the family to enjoy, even classes! My daughter has attended camp at the Irving Art’s Center for three years now, so far this year she has been there for 3 weeks. They run all through summer and change weekly so it different so she does not get bored! She loves the staff, which are great, some of the teachers there are art teachers from the Irving ISD. The staff at Solis’s wedding was drunk, but so was everyone else.

I had a wonderful experience at this store. I went in to have some holes drilled into some sheet metal that I was going to mount on my wall. Dona was extremely helpful and found a better way to mount the piece of art. Also, while Dona and I were working on my painting project the rest of her team went and shopped for my list of items I needed. Very happy with the service I received to make my house great again! This associates are extremely knowledgeable and if they are knowledgeable they connect me with the people who are. My favorite associate is Kindrick, he is such an amazing individual with great painting skills. I love this store!

Some of the most kind and friendly Customer Service people are at Walmart! the return and exchange process is easy here. People there, as in fellow customers, are nice, save for the occasional crying baby, but you’ll find that anywhere. It has a subway sandwhich shop inside, which is nice. They even help their employees get food stamps. One thing, or two actually, that can use some work is employee attitude and serviciablity, which has arguably gotten better over the time. Long lines are still a problem. Good Walmart.

I find most of my house decors here, After I just left this location, I have never felt more uncomfortable shopping ever, I had a staff member by the name of Deane literally follow me everywhere i went in store and by everywhere I even mean the restroom, she followed me into the girl restroom and literally waited until I was done with my business and followed me right back out, She even had security follow my family around the store, as my mother and I were about to pay for our items she’s literally walking right behind us, so my mother finally confronts her about her following us and she basically said she found us suspicious how we were walking around the whole store, good thing their workers insurance plans still allows employees to get Viagra and vasectomies.

WTF!!! not pleased!!!! Site says located in McKinney when actually in Dallas. Sleepover ruined!!! Thanks a lot “papa” johns!!!! 14 cents extra my ass

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KEITH ALLyN SPENCER (b. 1979, El Paso, TX) was born and raised in the American desert southwest border region. An emphasis w/ the middle letter of his name helps diminish the perpetual mix-up with similar named persons: Keith Spencer, Kevin Spencer, Kenneth Allan Spencer, Spencer Kenny Allen, Kanye West, so on and so forth. Currently, Kurt resides with his family right outside Columbus, Ohio, USA. He is an Assistant Professor at Denison University. Kent has showcased his works in various group shows, “p0p-up” spaces, coffee shops, bars, blogs and academic galleries. Most recently, Karl has been in group shows at Skylab Gallery (Columbus, OH), Present Company (Brooklyn, NY), Evelyn Yard (London, UK), and w/ New Galerie at Yves Klein Archives (Paris, France). He has held solo exhibitions at Pay Fauxn (Brooklyn, NY), Ditch Projects (Springfield, OR), The Composing Rooms (Berlin, Germany), Welcome Screen (London, UK), Oliver Francis Gallery, Target, Domino’s Pizza and the Rhode Island Credit Union, so help you God.

OFG.XXX (b. 2011) is an independent curatorial project spawned from a now defunct brick and mortar gallery space in Old East Dallas. OFG.XXX operated as a powerlifting gym for some time around the time it was on dialysis.

Keith Allyn Spencer: Thank God I am Not God
April 9 – 30, 2016
Opening Saturday, April 9, 6-9pm

“Energy, especially that of color, is the most important element in Keith [Spencer’s] landscape and figure paintings that come to life with no formal studies other than a rudimentary midnight sketch using more notes than lines. Painting directly on canvas with broad strokes of oil produces softly realistic and semi-acbstract works. Spencer’s beloved horses, the human figure and rural scenes of South Carolina’s upstate and lowcountry vibrate with life and invite the viewer into a world of glowing color and gentle shapes. Spencer paints the radiant energy of his subjects rather than the details of line and form. Horses, cattle, groves of trees, rolling hills, salt marshes, and nudes all emit a life force that combines with that of Spencer [himself] to appear on the canvas in cool, vivid hues of purples, greens, yellows, and the myriad colors of nature.”

“If I could paint, I’d want to paint the way he does. I’m blown away by his work. Keith Spencer’s sense of structure is impeccable. Nobody uses Cadmium Red to better advantage. His painting approach is fresh and energetic, but with substance.”

“[Keith Spencer] …is an exceptional painter…his work is very strong.”

“I have collected the work of Keith Spencer for many years now, and I live with his paintings everyday. Keith’s work radiates from the walls of my house. It is no exaggeration to say that the best of his work possesses a profound energy that comes from a remarkably unique and intense pallette and a deep connection with the subject matter, whether it’s the familiar landscape of the South Carolina horse farm where he lives and paints, or the nudes, portraits and Indians that seem to live even in abstraction. The earliest works I own of Keith’s are exact realism and could be mistaken for photographs in their precision. He has earned his way to the new and visionary work he creates that blurs the line between realism and pure abstraction. The discipline of his former life as a realist comes through the paint. His work is alive.”

“Free and confident. These words describe the work of Keith Spencer. His excellence in color—–his strength in brushwork….this draws you into his paintings—-then you become fascinated by his interpretive landscapes and figurative work. His brush seems to dance on the canvas. I am sure his work will delight us for years to come. I look forward to “what next” from this talented artist.”

“Rythmic, strong brushwork is a prevalent force in Keith Spencer’s paintings. His images are built with and enhanced by richly loaded color. Many times hovering between realism and abstraction these images strike a note that is familiar with our visual understanding
of nature, yet allows for a conceptual response as well. The painter frequently begins with a deeply toned background, that he allows to become part of the painting, and that contributes to a strong feeling of unity. His paintings address the landscape or figure with an engaging freshness. While being grounded by excellent draftsmanship, he allows the work to be expressive and open to chance. This is not an easy line to walk and Spencer’s work balances these elements well. The result is that this artists paintings are unusually
vibrant and inviting .”

“Keith’s work really is very strong. He is both an expressive painter and a true colorist.”

“Keith Spencer’s rich, luscious oils capture the light and depth of the southern landscape as few artists can. His realism is textural and thick, encouraging the viewer to enter the painting and become a partof his world. ”

“You don’t have the choice not to paint. You never really did”.

“As a gallery owner and professional artist myself, I have always had a great respect and admiration for the talent and vision of Keith Spencer. The base of knowledge upon which Keith builds his work shows a depth of understanding that is rare in contemporary artists. I feel that Keith’s understanding of color, composition, and movement, allow him to create works that function on both a figurative and abstract level. If realism is about subject matter and abstracts are about paint, Keith’s work bridges the gap. That is one reason I have found his work to have such widespread appeal. The average viewer does not have to search for a connection to the work. The confidence and richness in Keith’s paintings allows the viewer to simply trust in the beauty that the artist has communicated. I have had the pleasure of working with Keith Spencer for a number of years and have watched his work evolve. Throughout all of this process there has been a string of continuity that I call the artist voice. His work is still evolving and refining, as all true artist’s work should. I look forward to seeing the path on which it will take us as the viewers.”

KEITH ALLyN SPENCER (b.1979) was born and raised in the American Southwest. An emphasis with the middle letter of his name helps diminish the perpetual mix-ups with similar named persons. Currently, Kurt resides with his family in Bloomington, Indiana. He is a Visiting Assistant Professor navigating towards long-term job security, cul-de-sacs, and organic groceries. BlackLivesMatter. Kent received his MFA in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design (2011) and a BFA from the University of Texas at El Paso (2003). Recent group exhibitions consist of Present Company (NYC), New Galerie at Yves Klein Archives (Paris), Simon Oldfield Gallery (London), and BigMedium (Austin). Recent solo shows include The Composing Rooms (Berlin), Welcome Screen (London), Juicys Gallery (NYC), OFG.XXX (Dallas), Target (Indiana), and Domino’s Pizza (Rhode Island).

I will bring the coffee AND donuts, you just bring your sleepy head. Join me Sunday morning while I paint a billboard space on the corner of 6th and Walnut in Bloomington, Indiana.

Thanks to Ana Meza and Rose Harding from the Your Art Here organization for asking me to participate on this project.

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ARTIST STMNT/BIO(s)
“Only the Answer the Question Asked”

There is nothing here about saving children from bleating bombs in religious lands, or even about quote unquote natives screaming at quote unquote illegals to stop taking away veterans benefits. There is nothing here to show disdain for high capacity automatic weaponry being carried into fast-food restaurants scaring the souls of parents needing to explain to their children 2nd amendment rights written 200+ years ago. This is a political statement about political positioning – the positioning of power and privilege — privileged way too much to truly know discomfort and discrimination. Thus and hereby, are the effects of such a position:

This work is disrupting a moment. In direct contact and in the midst of global woes, they seize a time to raise questions beckoning to be answered against that which makes them seem utterly frivolous in comparison. It appears as a distraction; yet, there is an unmeasurable, indirect justice for this object to enter your space and begin making efforts of change. It is part of an unconscious collective made concrete and now exposed, shared and given, injected at times without notice or desire. Its potential will unknowingly arise in others somehow somewhere, to help instigate eventual rise-ups and walk-outs in response to perpetual shut-ups and sit-downs.

KEITH ALLyN SPENCER was born and raised in the American Southwest. He resides with his family in Bloomington, Indiana where he works as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Indiana University. He received his MFA in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design (2011) and a BFA in Painting from the University of Texas at El Paso (2003). BlackLivesMatter. Recent group exhibitions consist of New Galerie at Yves Klein Archives (Paris), Simon Oldfield Gallery (London), Ditch Projects (Oregon), BigMedium (Austin), and Mixed Greens (NYC). Recent solo shows include The Composing Rooms (Berlin), Welcome Screen (London), Juicys Gallery (NYC), Oliver Francis Gallery (Dallas), Target (Indiana), and Domino’s Pizza (Rhode Island).

ROSE HARDING was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN. She is based in Bloomington, IN and currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Indiana University.

Rose’s work frequently attempts to reconcile disillusionment with the physical body as a symptom of living in a patriarchal society and does so through video work, found object sculpture, and poetic gesture.

ANA MEZA is an artist born in Barranquilla,Colombia. She received an associate degree in Design Technology from IvyTech Community College 2011 and is currently studying Interior Design and Sculpture at Indiana University in Bloomington. Common themes in her art work include immigration, social identity, political structures, and how these issues can transform a space.

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Looks on Paper

DITCH PROJECTS

303 S. 5th Avenue #165
Springfield OR 97477

March 15-29
Opening reception Saturday March 15, 6-9 PM

Ditch Projects is pleased to present LOOKS ON PAPER, curated by Calvin Marcus (Los Angeles, CA) and Donald Morgan (Eugene, OR), a group show of works on paper by Alex Becarra, Ben Brunnemer, Michael Dopp, Ron Graff, Matthew Clifford Green, Roger Herman, David Korty, Nick Lowe, Calvin Marcus,Donald Morgan, Rebecca Morris,Laura Owens, Tyson Reeder, Justin Schaefer, Keith Allyn Spencer, and Whiting Tennis.

….Even Animals near the Classis of plants seem to have the most restlesse motions. The Summer-worm of Ponds and plashes makes the long waving motion; the Hair-worm seldome lies still. He that would behold a very anomalous motion, may observe it in the Tortile and tiring stroaks of Gnat-worms.
-Sir Thomas Browne

http://www.ditchprojects.com/

BIG MEDIUM GALLERY at BOLM

Transatlantic-Texas
Illustration, mark-making, and painting by 15 artists from Texas and 15 from Europe. Featuring techniques, narratives, and sensibilities that offer solutions to the encumbered existence of image-makers and appreciators alike.

Texas
Seth Alverson (Houston), Briar Bonifacio (Austin), Ryan Thayer Davis (Austin), Wayne Moon Dean (Bryan/College Station), Nathan Ellefson (Austin), Russell Etchen (Austin), Frederick Follmer (Austin), Peyton Freiman (Austin), Nathan Green (Dallas), Lane Hagood (Houston), Kai Peter Martin (Denton), Pat Snow (Austin), Keith Allyn Spencer (El Paso), Esther Pearl Watson (Dallas/Ft Worth) and Cherie Weaver (Austin)

Europe
Craig Atkinson (England), Sarah-Louise Barbett (France), Bloeme van Bon (Netherlands), Nicolas Burrows (England), Jay Cover (England), Félix Decombat (France), William Edmonds (England), Giada Ganassin (Italy), Chris Harnan (England), Geran Knol (Netherlands), Faye Coral Johnson (England), Jeffrey Kriksciun (Sweden), Paul Loubet (France), Mike Redmond (England) and Lars Rosenbohm (Germany)

Exhibition dates:           October 19 – November 24, 2013
Opening reception:       October 19, 2013, 7-10pm
Address:                       5305 Bolm Rd #12, Austin, TX 78721
Gallery hours:               Fri-Sat, 12-4pm and by appointment

ABOUT BIG MEDIUM
Big Medium is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting contemporary art in Texas. Big Medium produces the East Austin Studio Tour, the West Austin Studio Tour, the Texas Biennial, and presents innovative exhibitions throughout the year. Big Medium provides affordable studio space to artists, and partners with various organizations in Texas to help foster the arts and facilitate an inclusive cultural dialogue between artists and their communities.

Further information is available at www.bigmedium.org or you can email press@bigmedium.org

Big Medium is supported by generous contributions from private donors and funded in part by the City of Austin through the Economic Growth & Redevelopment Services Office/Cultural Arts Division believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin’s future.