Ballard Artwalk Opening "Art Imitating Toys Imitating Llife"

A limited collection of my oil paintings will be on display at Aster, one of my favorite coffee spots in Ballard, this month! This was sort of a last-minute show so pardon the late notice. The Ballard Artwalk is always a fun excuse to enjoy some live music and take in the local arts though so hope to see you 
there!

Saturday, November 10th

@ Aster Coffee Lounge in Ballard

6-9pm 

Part of the proceeds from any sells from this show will go to the Larry Sommers Art Fellowship, which gives grants to local artists and is in the spirit of keeping Larry's legacy of arts activism in the community alive and well.

My New Website

My new website: www.christinaburtner.com is in the works!

While this blog will feature most of my fine art exploits, my new website will feature my commercial and professional portfolio. Both will keep developing a lot this year. Stay tuned!

Sean Black Full Part: Ransack Rebellion on iTunes | SnowboarderMag.com

Sean Black Full Part: Ransack Rebellion on iTunes | SnowboarderMag.com

It's out! Our latest and greatest, Ransack Rebellion is in stores now on DVD. Peep Sean Black's full-part and get a taste.

This year also harkens our iTunes debut. Yes, you can now download it legit-style and watch it as many times as you'd like on your laptop or other viewing device: http://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/ransack-rebellion/id455473247

Boxes of Death

16" L x10" H x 3.5" W
"Adaptoplast"
Acrylic on wood
$100

Electric Coffin's Boxes of Death 2 opening last Thursday, like the coffins on display, incited laughter, chills, thrills, inspiration, nostalgia, and downright badass-itude. Thanks Duffy for inviting me to participate. I was blown away by the craftsmanship and diversity of interpretation by the 50 or so artists that each used a blank pine coffin to suggest their own ideas on this symbol of death.

My coffin "Adaptoplast" was recognizable in two obvious ways. First, it was the only horizontal coffin. The shelf in the middle is diagonal and creates an optical illusion of one side of the actual coffin being longer than the other, but the shape is intact. Secondly, though it has a wall hanger, it is meant to sit solidly on a shelf, bookshelf or table.

I approached this project metaphorically with the intention of creating a coffin that was an homage to the memories and celebration of life instead of physical death. I created partitions in my coffin to act like 4 spaces or dioramas in which to build scenes with toy characters. I then used the toys in those scenarios as still lives to paint the background so the present is etched into the physical moment, like a person getting their picture taken. The objects become reliquaries in the coffin and are meant to be replaced with other treasures, new memories. The point being that when the original objects move on their memories will remain.

This show will be on display at Electric Coffin Studio at 1022 1st Ave. S. for another week or so.

Boxes of Death 2

Opening is from 6-10pm
Electric Coffin Studio
1022 1st Ave S. Seattle, WA 98134

Its finally that time of year again. Boxes of Death 2 is happening this Thursday, March 3rd, 2011.

Come on down as we have expanded the show to 50 artists this year. 50 artists, 50 coffins, 1 great show.

Boxes of Death 2 from Andrius Simutis on Vimeo.

I'll be participating in this show along with this all-star group of artists:
Barry Sevig, Billy Duong, W3 Collective, Brennan Coyle, Carlos Aguilar, Cris Cook, Chris Hunter, Christina Burtner, Corey Urlacher, David Enriquez, Davin Spridgen, Dorik Downing, Faustein, Ian Duca, Japhy Witte, Xavier Lopez, Weirdo, Jen Vertz, Jesse Link, Akak, Joey Nix, John Osgood, Jordan Kay, Jose Rodriguez III, Kenji, Kevin Walsh, Paper Marbles, Lawrence Ruelos, Lem Bartley, Mat Savage, Matt Spinney, Nick Beery, Nikolas Bryant, Parskid, Quincy Quigg, Ryan Davis, Solace, Scott Fuller, Shawn Bishop, Stacey Rozich, Stefan Hofmann, Tim Karpinski, Urban Soule, Jamie Lynn, Eric Purdy, Carolina Enriquez, Joe McSween, Michael Chandler, Molly Haas, and Duffy

Gimme Baby Robots TONIGHT!!

My piece for the Seattle Gimme Baby Robots show:

"The Problem of Leadership..."

Watercolor and ink on paper

5.25"x7.5"

Gimme Baby Robots is back! Come join in on some silent auction bidding action tonight from 7-10pm at The Greenwood Collective in Seattle. I'm going to be starting the bidding up on my piece for $2!! Yes, $2.

THE GREENWOOD COLLECTIVE:

8537 Greenwood Ave. N.

Seattle, WA 98103 (between 85th and 87th)

the show will be on the bottom floor.

Bidding starts at 7pm and ends at 10pm.

This is a one-night-only event. Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

Commissioned Work

This scene was captured via I-phone and emailed to me from a house-warming party in Washington DC, thus giving birth to my first commissioned piece!

So if anyone is looking to capture a moment, or a scene of toys doing something mischievous in my style of oil painting, just email me a jpg of your vision. I'll sketch something up and give you a quote: christinaburtner@gmail.com

Gimme Baby Robots - SEATTLE 12/16/09

Gimme Baby Robots is returning to Seattle! This is an amazing experience. I've been able to buy some of my favorite original artwork at these shows, the artists involved are top-notch, the bidding is super fun, and the starting bids are as low as $1. If you have any Christmas shopping left to do, this is a great time to do it. Some of the artists participating in this show are: Kellie Talbot, Stefan Hofmann, Ryan Davis, David Olsen, Kathleen Asmann, and I'll be putting some of my art in too.

Gimme Baby Robots is one night only! The bidding starts at 7pm and will end at 9pm. Spacecraft is hosting the show this year at their headquarters at 227 9th Ave. N, across from Jones Soda and next to Banya 5 Spa.

Wednesday, December 16th from 7-9pm

at

Spacecraft Headquarters

227 9th Ave. N.

Seattle, WA 98109

Cool Story Seattle Premiere Friday 9/25

Cool Story is out in stores already, but this is going to be the only chance to see it in Seattle on the BIG screen! We will be showing it at the King Cat Theater in Beltown tomorrow night.

This is an all-ages event, but for those party animals who want to celebrate the beginning of a season of snow with a cocktail there is a bar for 21+.

We are super excited about how this video turned out, it was a challenge and a joy to make and everyone involved should be darn proud of themselves. We've got nothing but rave reviews from the media moguls and peanut galleries alike.

snowboarding.transworld.net/features/the-angry-interns-video-review-cool-story/

So come out and enjoy the show, we'll have lots of prizes, and opportunities to meet the riders, filmers, photographers, and producers of Think Thank!

Think Thank's Cool Story

Video premiere sponsored by: LIB TECH, Snowboy, and Sno-Con

King Cat Theater

2130 6th Ave
Seattle, WA 98121

Doors open at 7pm

Advanced tickets can be purchased at Sno-Con for $7 or $10 at the door

Gimme Baby Robots 2009!!!!!

GIMME BABY ROBOTS, a one-night event features an affordable silent auction of small works (10x10 or smaller) by hundreds of artists nationwide, and it's on on its way to Seattle! This is the second year I've participated in these shows, both as an exhibitor and as a bidder, and let me tell you it's crazy fun. For the patrons, I like to think of it as a "gateway" opportunity to buy art, to see firsthand how inclusive, affordable and accessible it can be. For the artists selling art for uber-cheap, it's a great opportunity to get work out to the far reaches of the nation that would otherwise be inaccessible. I mean, I had a piece in Memphis, Tennessee last year for crying out loud! Also, I have a lot of art in a box right now, what good is it doing in a box? I'd rather have it go to a good home.

I'd also like to add that there is serious high quality original art shown at these auctions. From art professors like John Hitchcock from U of Wisconsin to my very own brother Dave Teng Olsen's work who teaches art at Wellesley College, and one of my all time favorite Seattle artists, Kellie Talbot we're talking art that you buy and love forever.

Here's the line-up thus far:
Igloo Gallery, Portland OR 7/30/09
Empty Bottle Gallery, Chicago IL 8/31/09
Seattle, WA sometime in December location T.B.A

Conor Byrne Show Up now until 7/10/09

"Nothing in Common Bonds"
18x24"
Oil on canvas

"The Friend"
18x24"
Oil on canvas

"Cold Shoulder to the Cold Blooded"
36x48"
Oil on Canvas

Here are the three new pieces on exhibit at Conor Byrne in Ballard. My show will be up through July 10th. Conor Byrne is a great Irish Pub in Historical Ballard. It's one of those last few places in Ballard where you can relax with a pint of cider on tap and not get poked by raucous frat boys. There's great live music too! I have to say, it's really a great setting for this group of paintings too. I've sold four pieces so far, but there are still some left. I won't be having another show for awhile so if you're interested in buying your own this is the time to do it. 50% of all sales will go to the Larry Sommers Art Fellowship too.

Larry Sommers Memorial

Today is the Memorial to celebrate the life of friend, teacher, union leader and colleague Larry Sommers who died on April 2, 2009. Since August of 1985 Larry was the Printmaking Tech and Health and Safety Coordinator for the UW School of Art. He was also active in SEIU 925, the Seattle Print Arts, the Book Arts Guild and taught Papermaking during the summer. His contribution to artists, both emerging and established was profound. He was much more than a teacher to his students; he was a guiding light who's passion for Teaching, knowledge of Art and wisdom of Life was immeasurable. He will be sorely missed.

The Memorial for Larry Sommers is Today, May 29th from 6-9pm at: The Tashiro Kaplan Building in Pioneer Square
310 South Washington St.
Seattle, WA
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Seattle&state=WA&address=310+So.+Washington+St.&zipcode=98104
A collection of Larry's artwork will be on display and for sale.

A Fellowship has also been created in Larry's name sponsored by the Seattle Print Arts. To donate to the Larry Sommers Art Fellowship and to help sustain the legacy of support to artists that Larry gave to generations of artists while he was alive you can contribute by visiting the Seattle Print Arts website: www.seattleprintarts.org and clicking the donate/join tab.

Spacecraft Art Show

The new Spacecraft Gallery Sticker sheets come out Friday!
The release party will be this Friday, May 22nd at Spacecraft Headquarters from 5-10pm:
227 9th Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109

One of my paintings was chosen for the sheet, but I don't know which one, so I'm going to find out.

Also, this year, there will be a silent auction of framed gallery-sheet art (I'm not sure if they're originals, or prints). All proceeds will go towards The Bali School Fund For Kids.

Hope to see you tomorrow night, there will be live music, photo booth action, drinks and lots of art!

June Ballard Art Walk Show

"The Near Impossibility of Getting it Right the First Time"

Oil on canvas

54"x60"

A selection of my oil paintings, including 2 new pieces will be featured in the June Ballard Art Walk at Coner Byrne Pub.  The opening reception is Saturday, June 13th from 6-9pm and will run until July 10th.

Coner Byrne Pub

conorbyrnepub.com

5140 Ballard Ave. NW

Seattle, WA 98107

206/784-3640

Curated by Kellie Talbot.

In Loving Memory of Larry Sommers

In loving memory of Larry Sommers August 17th, 1953 - to April 2, 2009

It is with a very heavy heart to say goodbye to one of the best people I've ever known, Larry Sommers.  I'm still having a hard time accepting that this has happened.  Larry passed away Thursday night after complications from a heart attack that he had while in Chicago for a Printmaking conference.  This is shocking and devastating.  It comes as a surprise to us all who knew Larry as the free spirit, selfless, optimistically cynical, easy to laugh,  solid as rock, uniting force, thoughtful and inspiring person that we all loved.  He was so full of life and always up for an adventure.  I feel so lucky to have had Larry in my life and will always cherish the memories we made and the influence he's had on me.

Larry has been apart of my life for close to 13 years.  He has been my teacher, my confidante, my friend, and family.  Every time I see a white mini van, Joan of Arc monument, a Canadian flag, a SEIU sticker, hear French techno or Avril Lavigne, go to the Moon Temple, see the big Cherry tree in my backyard that he always said I should cut down because "cherry tress shouldn't get that big!" or even writing in this Blog, which he always argued "is not the same as a website!" I will smile and remember Larry and his sense of humor.  Larry, Larry Larry.  I'll miss you forever!  This is a time to celebrate his life though, I know Larry wouldn't want us to all be moping around with long faces.  He'd want us to act!  To join the Union and fight the good fight!  It will be hard to face the day without someone like Larry on your team though.  He made everything lighter and easier to bare.  His presence was comforting.  He was the glue that held things together!  His memory will never be lost though, and I take comfort in knowing that he knew how much he was loved, and how much his friendship was cherished to so many people.  

Gimme Baby Robots - SEATTLE 12/18/08

It never snows in Seattle... until the morning of the Gimme Baby Robots show!  We woke up to about 4 inches of snow in the city, which turned into a big solid ice cube by about 7pm.  We were debating on how many (or few) people would make it out, and were blown away by the number of people who braved the elements to partake in Seattle's first ever G.B.R.!  About 60-70 people blazed Seattle G.B.R. trail, and let me just say that they raised the bar.  Their enthusiasm could not be dampened by ice or snow, they came and conquered.  It was nearly a sold-out show, and people were bidding with purpose.  They were upping the bids by 5 -10 dollars at a time, and the local art represented was insane!  Some of our local talent that participated were Kellie Talbot, Stefan Hofmann, Ryan Davis, Larry Sommers, Sean Genovese, Mike Yoshida, Jesse Burtner,  Noah Overby, Joan Swearingen, Chad Johnston, Eric Mead, Andrius Simutis; so much awesomeness and inspiration, I just could go on and on.  I'm still brimming with the excitement of it.

Big thanks to Shanna and Peter, Chris Knight and his mom Linda, and Eric Mead for helping hang the show.  David Teng Olsen for giving birth to the G.B.R. idea and paving its way to Seattle.  To Justin Donahue and Gorio and everyone who helped out at EVO for hosting and making it happen.  To Pyramid Ale for the keg of delicious free beer.  And especially to everyone who came out in the ice storm to bid on Baby Robots!  See you next year! 

How the Mighty Have Fallen

"How the Mighty Have Fallen"

5 1/2 x 5 1/2"

Watercolor and pen on paper

Sold

One of my "Baby Robots" for the Seattle show. It's kind of different from my normal work, that's the fun thing about the show, you can let loose. Get your bid on! December 18th at EVO!

Gimme Baby Robots! SEATTLE

Gimme Baby Robots! finally comes to Seattle!!  This is a one-night event featuring a silent auction of small original artwork by hundreds of well-known and upcoming artists nationwide.

Minimum bids are as low as $1, which is just crazy talk.  Highest bidder at the end of the night gets to take home their very own "baby robot". 

EVO Timesinfinity Gallery

122 NW 36th St.

Seattle, WA 98107 in Fremont

Thursday, December 18th, 2008

Bidding Starts at 8pm and ends at 11pm

Scenes From the Second Story in Ballard

"Sayulita Happy Hour"

10x10"

Oil on wood

Scenes From The Second-Story returns to Seattle for a one month show at Aster Coffee Lounge in Ballard.  I will have five of my remaining pieces up from Wednesday December 10th thru Wednesday, January 14th.  Don't miss Lindsay Davis's amazing soft pastels too!

Aster Coffe Lounge:

5615 24th Ave. NW

Seattle, WA 98107

(between 56th and 57th St.)

206.784.0615

Annual Miniature Show

White Ibis
Oil on paper
3.5" x 5"

This year's annual Miniatures show opens on Saturday, November 29th at Kaewyn Gallery in Bothell. About 100 local artists exhibit up to 4 pieces in this group show where all work is 8x10" or smaller. I'll have the last 4 birds up from my "Scenes from the Second Story" show. They are the N. American Cardinal, White Ibis, Eastern Bluebird and Allen's Hummingbird.
Saturday, November 29 - End of January 2009
Kaewyn Gallery
10101 Main Street
Bothell, WA 98011
www.kaewyngallery.com