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“Well Read” Exhibition FAQs

“Well Read” Exhibition – April 6th – 8th 2017

What is “Well Read”?

Well Read is a new body of work by Justin Hillgrove consisting of over 20 original acrylic paintings and more than 15 framed drawings, all themed around reading and books. Each piece of art is accompanied by a short story, description or poem. “I wanted an exhibition that would allow viewers to stop at each piece and become immersed in the story and details for a time before moving on to the next. A show that was a complete experience…”

Joining Justin will be Author/Illustrator John Skewes, celebrating the tenth anniversary of his best-selling children’s book series “Larry Gets Lost” with a show of artwork from the series. John will be signing Tenth Anniversary Editions of “Larry Gets Lost in Seattle” and “Seattle ABC” during the art walk.

[Click HERE for Facebook Event Page]

Want to see the show, but can’t make it in person?

The show preview will be posted on Justin’s blog Thursday at 7:00pm, an hour after the physical show opens. If there is an original you are interested in purchasing during the opening (4/6/17 6-10pm PST), you may call 206-799-3863 to see if it is still available and make the purchase over the phone (shipping extra). Originals still available after the show will either be sent to galleries or may be purchased on ImpsAndMonsters.com.

Just will also likely be posting show images (and maybe video) via social media during the exhibition, so follow him here:
Instagram: @impsandmonsters
Twitter: @impsandmonsters
Facebook: @impsandmonsterspage

Giveaways

I will be giving away a bookmark (while supplies last) to those attending the opening. Additional bookmarks may be purchased at the show or online.

If I purchase an original, can I take it with me right away?

No – The original paintings and drawings will stay hanging until the show ends on Saturday night so that they may be seen and enjoyed by all who attend. Purchased originals may be picked up at the Piranha Shop at 7pm on Saturday(4/8), and those remaining will be shipped or otherwise delivered to their new owners starting on the following Monday.

Will prints be available?

Yes – Both open edition and giclée prints will be available for purchase during the show. They will also be available online once the show opens.

When and where is the exhibition?

Opening Night:
First Thursday, April 6th, 2017 6p – 10p PST

Show Hours:
Thursday, Apr 6th, 6p – 10p
Fri, Apr 7th, 11a – 8p
Sat, Apr 8th, 11a – 7p

Location:
The Pirahna Shop – 1022 1st Ave. South Seattle, WA 98134

Who is Justin Hillgrove?

Justin is a Pacific Northwest artist, well-known for his paintings of monsters, robots, pop art and parody.  He also creates board games, comics and toys. He has been showing his work in shows and galleries since 2005.

Who is John Skewes?

John is a former Disney artist and illustrator of more than 20 children’s books. He is the author and illustrator of the award-winning Larry Gets Lost picture book series.

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New Beginnings

Preview

Justin’s Exhibition Preview Online – CLICK HERE

Jesse’s Exhibition Preview Online – CLICK HERE

NEW BEGINNINGS

ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Thursday, April 2nd, 2015
6pm – 11pm

THE PIRANHA SHOP • 1022 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134 • www.thepiranhashop.com

“New Beginnings” is an exhibition of new, original works by Justin Hillgrove and Jesse Link opening for 1 night only during First Thursday Art Walk at The Piranha Shop, located in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood. Originals will become available during the show (6-11am PST) and if you cannot make it in person, don’t panic. You can check my back here a few hours before the show to preview Justin’s pieces and there will be a phone number listed that you can call during show hours for checking availability and purchasing originals. 

See Jesse Link’s website for more info on Jesse and his pieces or email him at JESSELINK1@GMAIL.COM

Note: After the one night show, the remaining pieces will be hung at Bauhaus Coffee on Market Street in Ballard.
So, Jesse Link and I talked off and on about doing a show together for awhile last year and we are excited that it is finally happening. We both have very different but complimentary styles, and so one of the highlights of preparing for the show has been working on a large collaborative painting with him. We passed it back and forth, adding our own touches and style to the piece and we are both really happy with the result.

My pieces for “New Beginnings” are comprised mostly of scenes where the remnants of old robots are laying about like the leftovers from an old war, and nature and its creatures have reclaimed the land making their homes in or around the wreckage. It was so great to be working on a cohesive body of work again. It’s been 2 years since I’ve done that and it lends a sense of purpose and direction to the work. I’m really looking forward to the show and have really enjoyed planning this all out with Jesse, along with the help of our friend Sheri Hauser (United Creations), former owner of the gallery “Tasty” in Greenwood.

THE PIRANHA SHOP • 1022 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134 • www.thepiranhashop.com

Produced by Sheri Hauser at United Creations
Print

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About Justin Hillgrove

Justin Hillgrove grew up in Snohomish, WA and has been enjoying artistic expression since he was old enough to color on the walls. Mostly self taught, he spent many years in the design industry before setting out on his own to spend his days paintings monsters, robots, and other such nonsense. In the last 15 years Justin has worked on everything from books and magazines to collectible card games and toys. His art can be found hanging in many locations and galleries in the USA and in homes all over the world. He currently lives in Washington with his wife, four kids, a host of chickens, and a dozen or so imaginary friends.

About Jesse Link

Jesse Link was born and raised in an small steel town outside of Pittsburgh P.A.. He graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh with a degree in Industrial Design and studied graphic design at West Liberty University. Jesse also fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom and spent a couple years in New Orleans helping the Post Katrina re-construction effort. In 2007, Jesse moved to Seattle, WA and to pursue Visual Art as a career. Since that time he has participated in numerous Solo and group exhibitions in galleries throughout Washington and California, has been awarded two public projects from the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture and has been invited to participate in many juried Art festivals, including the Bellevue Festival of the Arts, Bumbershoot and Folklife. Jesse has also completed commission work for Target and Apptio.

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Studio Mural – Finished and progress shots

So a couple days ago while starting at the blank wall in my studio I decided it needed to be painted on, so here it is along with some progress shots. I drew it on the wall in pencil but other than that it wasn’t really pre-planned out. I just wanted to paint a bunch of monsters en masse. I had some left over paint from the Mural I did at Facebook’s Seattle office so I had everything I needed to get going.

Here it is finished (for now). I have some plans to add to it, but don’t know if or when that’ll happen. It took about 2.5 long days of pretty intense painting and I’m pretty happy with it…

Studio Mural

 

Here are some progress shots:

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My youngest, Jovi, decided she wanted to help – she did a great job of laying down some teal. She’s quite the painter.

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Jessica (my awesome wife) came out to check on me and started painting.

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My friend and fellow artist Julie Roehling picked up a brush and started painting later that night.

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Almost done here. Had to force myself to go to bed and then finished in the morning…

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