A special collection of Scarlett Pons' new "Tulip Series" can be found at Taste Oil Vinegar Spice. Located in the charming downtown of Culpeper, they offer fresh olive oils and organic spices from around the world which share nicely at the table in these beautiful ceramic dishes.
Here at the PONSHOP we offer innovative ways to bring creativity into your lives. In February, we brought love and creation together in our new couples clay workshop. After just three hours and a lot of footsie, these couples made their very own kissing bowls!
We are also happy to work with you to bring your own ideas to life in private classes. One of our students wanted to cut her own designs into clay to create a hollow ceramic sphere and... We helped make it happen!
Whatever your level, whatever your desire, if you have an interest for art come take a class! Check out our class schedule for more details.
February 2012 kicked off another fun session of Mixing the Media. In three 1.5 hour sessions students explored collage and acrylic painting to create their own mixed media scenes on canvas. Below are some pics of the student work. Congrats guys!
For more information about PONSHOP classes click here.
PONSHOP is pleased to announce their participation in the third annual G40 Art Summit. This year's G40 will help to launch the newly formed arts district of Richmond, Virginia with a focus on the art of the mural. The summit will feature thirteen of the world's top muralists and over 500 participating Low Brow artists. The G40 is organized by Art Whino, a National Harbor, Maryland-based art gallery that promotes contemporary artists worldwide. With the collaboration of Richmond-based RVA Magazine, Art Whino will be launching their new quarterly publication "WHINO" at the upcoming G40. Visit Art Whino's website for more information on the G40 summit and its roster of artists.
World renowned muralist Gaia has already left his mark in Richmond.
The opening reception of “Indelible” was a huge success. Thank you to all the participating artists and to those who came out to show their support. Below are photos from this evening’s event.
Participating artists include: Kenny Brown, Kelley Drake, Chance Kenyon, Grady Spades, and Mike Tschirn, Elstabo, and Adam DeSio
The show will run through April 1, 2012.
As response to the questions brought up in our "Intro to Street Art", "Mixing the Media" and "Adult Mixed Media" classes - we've put together this two-part tutorial on how to make and apply wheat paste when doing paper posters and collage:
httpv://youtu.be/lAJGeai0Z-g
Part 1: Wheat Paste recipe and cooking
1 part flour to 4 parts water (This demonstration uses 1cup of white flour with 4 cups of water)
In a small pot, whisk together flour and water with wire wisk.
Bring mixture to a slow boil (med-high heat for 5-8 minutes) until mixture has a gluey gravy-like consistency.
Remove from heat - you can add 1/4 cup of sugar or white glue to make the mixture even more tenacious (sticky)
Wheat Paste can be refrigerated to stay "fresh" longer. Consistency may change (it will get thinner), however, the paste still works. Be mindful that wheat paste will spoil in time especially if kept at or above room temperature.
httpv://youtu.be/CYBpB0iMbLU
Part 2: Applying Wheat Paste with paper posters
Use a wide brush to apply the paste to the intended surface or substrate. Apply a thin layer the approximate area of the poster.
Apply a thin layer of wheat paste to the back of the paper poster.
Press center of the poster against the wall and begin brushing the poster from the center out to the edges with your brush.
When the paste is still wet (and the paper is still malleable) you can peel and reposition if the paper has trapped too much air)
Finally brush a thin layer over the entire poster and especially the edges.
Here is an update for my contribution to The Sketchbook Project Limited Edition Vol. 1. Organized by the Art House Co-op, The Sketchbook Project is a collaborative collection of art books by thousands of artists throughout the world. Once complete, (the deadline is April 30, 2012) the books are archived and displayed to the public at the Brooklyn Art Library. Below are some progress photos of my book. You can view my earlier progress post here.
PONSHOP Studio and Gallery are pleased to announce “Indelible,” a group show featuring seven of the areas talented and bold contemporary artists. The opening reception will be held on “First Friday” March 2, from 6-10pm.
PONSHOP will feature the work of Jack Brown’s Tattoo Revival artists Kenny Brown, Kelley Drake, Chance Kenyon, Grady Spades, and Mike Tschirn. The range of their media includes ink on paper to oil on canvas. Their latest pieces incorporate vibrant colors, surreal images, and bold lines. Elstabo, a 2011 Urban Decay II featured artist and recent resident talent, is also contributing to the collection with his vivid and graphic paintings on canvas. The show will also include photographs of Jack Brown’s artists taken by Adam Desio.
As a child growing up in central Pennsylvania, Kenny Brown wanted to be a comic book illustrator. Later, he embarked on the path to become a tattoo artist under the tutelage of Dixon Keller. Brown has been plying his trade for nineteen years. He currently owns Jack Brown’s Tattoo Revival with fellow tattoo artist Chance Kenyon in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Brown lives with his wife and two dogs and enjoys making music and painting.
Chance Kenyon, co-owner and tattoo artist at Jack Brown’s Tattoo Revival, became interested in tattooing at age fifteen. Under the influence of his older brother Grady Spades, Scott Junkins, and current business partner Kenny Brown, Kenyon learned to tattoo. Most recently, Kenyon opened Jack Brown’s Tattoo Revival with friend and fellow tattooer Kenny Brown. Outside of the shop, Kenyon is devoted to his daughter, family, and friends.
As a young artist, Kelley Drake realized he had learned more about art from his parents, grandparents, and high school art teachers than in school at the Maryland Institute of College of Arts. After a few years, he dropped out and became the apprentice of tattoo artist Kenny Brown. Drake now tattoos for a living and has been working at Jack Brown’s for five years.
Grady Spades is the older brother of Jack Brown’s co-owner Chance Kenyon. Spades’ influence led Kenyon to pursue tattooing. He now works as a tattoo artist at Jack Brown’s Tattoo Revival.
Mike Tschirn attended Virginia Commonwealth University to study art. He later learned to tattoo and now works at Jack Brown’s Tattoo Revival. Tschirn’s tattoos generally feature bold, graphic designs. When not tattooing, Tschirn enjoys painting works that reflect his love for magical and beautiful things.
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Elstabo has earned a BFA from The Fashion Institute of Technology and since 2006 has been living in Northern Virginia working as a commercial and fine artist. His work pulls inspiration from many genres including comic book illustrations, erotic art and fantasy.
Fredericksburg artist Adam DeSio works with oil and acrylic painting, photography, digital art, and print making. His work finds new ways of looking at the things all around us while creatively interpreting his experiences. “My goal is to create a piece of art every day, find new ways of looking at things, capture the things I see and experience around me in a unique way. Adam’s contribution to “Indelible” show includes photographs of Jack Brown’s Tattoo Revival artists.
Opening Reception: Friday, March 2, 6-10pm
Exhibition Dates: March 2 – April 1, 2012
httpv://youtu.be/1QaEnQjtMZ4
Instead of doing a last minute crawl through the shopping mall to find some cliche gift for Scarlett, I decided to go the creative route and make, to this date, the largest Valentine I could within a half hour. Special thanks to our intern (aka Stew) for the video editing.
Here is a selection of the student work from our Second Annual Student Art Show. Thanks once again to all the students who have participated. PONSHOP offers classes in painting, mixed media, skateboard graphics, ceramics, as well as, photography and jewelry design. Click here for a current class schedule.
httpv://youtu.be/G7VEy9G81Z0
Here's the follow up to the photos posted last month while I was working on this commissioned painting for Hartwood Presbyterian Church. The piece, titled "Illumination" now hangs in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Thanks Hartwood Presbyterian Church for the opportunity and thanks to my assistant, Jeff Gulick for helping me install the three panels. Special Thanks to our Spring 2012 intern, Chris Stuart, for editing the video footage.
The "First" Friday of February marked the opening reception of PONSHOP's second annual student show. This year, we had a total of 23 students participating in this month-long exhibition. In addition that evening, we hosted the Massaponax High School Art students in our studio for their NYC fund raiser. Students raised over $300 to put towards their field trip to New York City this spring to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art, MoMA, and the Guggenheim Museum. Below are some snapshots from the evening. Thanks to all the participating PONSHOP students and their families for their involvement.
In addition to ceramic, painting, and mixed media classes taught by Scarlett and Gabriel Pons, PONSHOP will be offering new classes in jewelry design and photography this spring. Jewelry classes, taught by Leslie Brier, include a Resin Pendant class and a Salt Shaker Pendent class. Both classes will incorporate the use of upcycled materials to create unique pieces of jewelry. Photographer Stephen Graham will also be teaching two classes in digital photography for novice and advanced photography students. Check out our spring class schedule for more information.
Gabe is currently working on his submission for The Sketchbook Project Limited Edition Vol. 1. Organized by the Art House Co-op, The Sketchbook Project is a collaborative collection of art books by thousands of artists throughout the world. Once complete, (the deadline is April 30, 2012) the books are archived and displayed to the public at the Brooklyn Art Library. Below are some initial progress snapshots of Gabe's sketchbook. The book is 32 pages and approximately 10"x7" (open).
Share the love at PONSHOP this Valentine’s season. Bring a friend to any February class and you will both receive $10 off. The classes offered are Intro to Street Art, Mixed Media, and Clay Classes for children and adults. Stop by PONSHOP today to register.
Celebrate this Valentine’s season with your sweetheart with PONSHOP’s Couples Clay Class. Together, you and your date will create kissing bowls using hand-building techniques taught by Scarlett Pons. Gift Certificates are available for the perfect Valentine’s Day date. Couples can register using our current class registration form. Please keep in mind that space is limited. Visit PONSHOP today to register.
PONSHOP will be hosting their second annual Student Art Show in February 2012. Educating as many 98 students in 2011, the gallery will exhibit a cross section of paintings and ceramics completed by PONSHOP students over the past year.
Student work will include all Adult and Youth Mixed Media and Ceramics, Intro to Street Art, Skate to Create, Adult Drawing, and Through an Architect’s Eyes workshops as well as many private sessions. The exhibit is a means of encouraging students to continue to participate in the city’s art community, allowing their work to take center stage. PONSHOP owners Scarlett and Gabriel Pons feel that it is important to continue to mentor students on the process of presenting their artwork in a gallery setting.
In addition, PONSHOP is offering its gallery during First Friday’s opening to host a fundraiser to benefit Massaponax High School art students planning a three-day Art-based field trip to New York City this spring. That evening, MHS students will be selling their original artwork and baked goods to raise money for their trip. Sponsored by Massaponax High School art teacher Patricia Atkinson and organized through EF Tours and the Smithsonian Institute, the trip will include visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, The MOMA, and the Guggenheim Museum.
Participating PONSHOP students include: Barbara Deal, Jack Weisenberger, Hannah Mann, Jeff Gulick, Sidney Mullis, Terry Pitzel, Tara and Maran Lee and many more. PONSHOP is genuinely excited to feature the work of their students and hope that you can join us for this exclusive event.
Opening Reception: Friday, February 3 (6-10pm)
Exhibition Dates: Friday, February 3 to Sunday, February 26
We're hitting the ground running at the shop for 2012. Scarlett and I are busy planning our calendar for this year and getting back into the studio after a holiday break. Below is a sequence of a commissioned piece I'm working on for Hartwood Presbyterian Church. This 12-foot long triptych will be installed in their fellowship hall. I'm taking advantage of the sunny mild days of January to push it to completion...
PONSOP offers the service of custom commissioned work in painting and ceramics. Contact us if interested in collaborating with us for your next project.
We are excited to announce our second annual PONSHOP Student Show this February and invite all students who participated in a PONSHOP workshop over the past year of 2011 to contribute to the exhibition.
If you would like to exhibit the student work that you've done with teachers Gabriel and Scarlett Pons, simply RSVP back to us and let us know.
If you have alternate or additional artwork you’d like to exhibit, (and it is inspired by a PONSHOP Workshop) please contact us at your earliest convenience and we’ll review the work in person for consideration.
Below are some instructions and a schedule for all participating artists:
Eligibility
All PONSHOP Students from 2011 including all Adult and Youth Ceramics, Mixed Media, Intro to Street Art, Skate to Create, Adult Drawing, and Through an Architect’s Eyes workshops as well as any private or group sessions. Artwork entries into the exhibit is FREE for all our students.
Schedule
Drop Off Artwork for Exhibit: Saturday, January 28 (10am-6pm) & Sun (noon-5pm) January 29
Free Workshop for Preparing Artwork: Saturday, January 28 (1:00-2:30pm)
Exhibition Dates: Friday, February 3 – Sunday February 26
Opening Reception: Friday, February 3 (6-10pm)
Pick up of Artwork: Monday, February 27 (10am-6pm)
All two dimensional work is to be equipped with a hanging wire adequate to support the painting when hung on a wall. No gallery clips or saw tooth hangers are to be used (Please see our Guidelines for Art Submissions). If you need help preparing artwork for exhibition, we will be holding an exclusive workshop on Saturday January 28 from 1:00-2:30pm. Gabe can help mount and prepare the 2’x4’ and 2’x2’ “Street Art” panels as well as give students instruction on threading wire for all “Skate to Create” decks. This workshop is free for our students, but any donations to cover the cost of materials is appreciated. Please let us know if you plan on attending.
We ask that you and your family and friends join us for the “First Friday“ opening reception on Friday, February 3 from 6-10pm.
Work may be priced for sale (or not). PONSHOP retains 40% of all sales and reimburses the artists within 30 days of exhibition closing.
Scarlett and I are truly excited to be offering our gallery as a venue for our students and encourage your participation. Feel free to contact us should you have any questions.
August 2011: PONSHOP Shareholders relax aboard their 500-foot yacht...
2011 marked the first full (12-month) year for PONSHOP. On behalf of Scarlett and I, thank you to all of our artists, clients, family, friends and fans. It's been a fulfilling experience owning a gallery in downtown Fredericksburg and we look forward to making the arts community stronger in 2012. Here's a cross section of last year's notable events:
February 2011: First Annual PONSHOP Student Show
April 2011: "Public/Private" Juried Exhibit Opening Night with The Undeniably Adjacent improv group
May 2011: Scarlett and Diego at G40 Uncapped Live Show in Washington DC
May 2011: Gabe and Scarlett collaborate on "Ai Wei Wei: 21st Century Revolutionary" installation at G40
May 2011: PONSHOP hosts "The Art of Recovery" exhibit featuring RACSB artists.
June 2011: Intern Katy Wiedemann joins PONSHOP for the summer.
June 2011: Gabe participates in the Urban Decay II Show at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA
August 2011: Storefront Display for Rappahannock Independent Film Festival contest
September 2011: PONSHOP hosts "City Colors" Juried Exhibit
