27 September 2012

We're back!

After a pretty damn long hiatus, we're back to updating the website, the featured artists, art reviews, etc.

Sorry, we've all been really drunk busy all summer.


So-in the coming months, we're going to be featuring two new artists at Strange Brew Coffee for October and November, we're going to be throwing another killer event, and doing some crafty, crafty shit.


Just thought ya'll needed a quick update on things, considering we've fallen off the radar except for Facebook the past six months.

26 January 2012

FEATURED-Jim Mossman

Jim Mossman
Sculptor/Painter/Mixed Media
www.jimmossman.com
by AAU Contributor Lydia Howl


      A sculptor, painter and born Austinite, Jim Mossman creates art that makes a connection. From his self-portrait plaster casts, to his awakening mixed media on wood, to his pen-and-ink pieces that speak directly to the viewer, Mossman's art contains both an air of mystery and a sense of community.


     Mossman, who studied 2D/3D animation at ACC , veered into classes that contained a more tactile element, such as life drawing and sculpture. 

"Classes that had a physicality to them and not just digital information." Mossman said.

Introspectively, the tactile approach seems to have had a profound affect on the artist, who shows his connection to his works through a series of revealing self-portrait sculptures made of plaster cast as seen below.





     Mossman's connection with the element of life is shown through his works on wood which weave the viewer, the concept, and the piece itself together as his medium flows flawlessly through the veins of the wood itself.  Notice in the piece below that the sky and water follow the lines of the wood-showing corrupt human power and the err of society and technology.


     It is obvious that the art of Jim Mossman is greatly influenced by human connection.  Another of Mossman's projects involves a traveling canvas measuring 4 feet x 4 feet, moved from home to home, being filled up by its inhabitants-collecting the feel of each person involved in it's creation.

     One of Mossman's latest projects is that of a humanitarian nature. He made intricate coloring books to sell with all proceeds going to a friend of his who is sick with cancer.  He plans on selling the coloring books for $10 a piece once printed.

 







A page from Mossman's Crazy Face coloring book with proceeds benefiting a friend with cancer.










     Mossman describes the relationship with his work as one that is not yet satisfactory, with constant efforts to improve his craft and the number of finished pieces. Continuing to create stellar works and to build on his skills in a multitude of directions, Mossman is definitely an artist who has a profound story to tell and a means to tell it.


Jim Mossman b. Austin Texas 1986

Featured in the Katy ISD administration building for basic 1 point perspective principles "Dusty Books" 2002.

Blue ribbon winner-Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Western piece "I've Got Your Back" 2004 . 

Second place winner ACC Student Art Show - Sculpture "Putting Back the Pieces" 2008,
 
Featured student art show sculpture "Melting Complexities" 2009.


24 January 2012

Interview with Bob Ray-Austin Filmmaker

Bob Ray
Austin Filmmaker
www.crashcamfilms.com
by AAU Contributor JANET HAMMER

Bob Ray, local film-maker and entrepreneur. Maker of movies about people who love drugs, music, sex, roller derby and Austin Texas. Since he started making movies he has made 3 feature length and several Animated shorts. I set about to ask Bob some questions that would let him open up as an artist and the following replies are what I received. There are no pictures (which I asked for also) but several direct connect web links to Bob’s site which contains pictures galore. So from the mouth of Bob Ray and onto your plate here is Bob Ray on Bob Ray.
         

 JH: So first question, why movies?

Bob: For the blow jobs.  Cuz they’re badass.  And I’m stupid.  I don’t know what else to do with myself.  Beating off has its limits, it turns out.  I’m as surprised as you are.  I think maybe I’m some kind of jerk or something.  Probably stubborn as well.


JH: Secondly, why movies about Austin?

Bob: Cuz Austin is badass.  And I’m real fucking stupid.


JH: You had a very interesting promotional plan during the SXSW when Rock Opera came out, tell us about your idea process behind these. 

Bob: Bongman!!!  The obvious thing to do was to make a life-sized bong costume.  We also made some rolling papers and stickers (of course).  You can find Bongman here: 
http://www.rockoperathemovie.com/bongman.html


JH: You also did the old school take my movie on the road and traveled around the country showing the film, how did that work out?

Bob: Like shit.  I say that with the highest regard for shit.

Fun-wise, it was great.  Financially, not so great.  Adventure-wise, great.  Securing distribution, not so great.   Press-wise, great.  Making it easier to make more movies in the future, not so great.

I did the same thing with Total Badass (thanks for asking me about my newest film, by the way).  And it fucking ruled.  The same above answer applies.  And yes, we did get assloads of great reviews.  That Yankee rag, The New York Times wrote a big-ass article and review and even made some ballsy claims, such as “Total Badass is both a portrait of life on the artistic and social fringe and a thriller... a cross of Frederick Wiseman and Hunter S. Thompson.“  And Vice Magazine made this bullshit claim: “A ballsy feature-length documentary... a totally unapologetic profile of the ubiquitous Austin hero.”  And yes, there are tons of drugs, graphic humor, obnoxious sex and trash-can jumping in the flick.  We did keep a tour journal.  I was on the road for 10 weeks with Chad-fucking-Holt.  We wrote shit down.  Shit that we did, we put it in word-form for your entertainment.  

The West Coast journal starts here: 
http://badassfilmtour.wordpress.com/2010/07/15/film-tour-day-1-austin-to-roswell/

The East Coast journal starts here: 
http://badassfilmtour.wordpress.com/2010/11/24/wed-2010-11-10-day-01-houston-tx/
Yes, we did get arrested.   And no, the movie has no distributor.
But you can buy a DVD here: 
http://www.crashcamfilms.com/store.htm  And I WILL spend your money on stupid shit.  That is a mother-fucking promise.

http://www.TotalBadassTheMovie.com



JH:After Rock Opera you did an animated series, how did that come about and how is the process of animation different, is it harder?

Bob: I always have a bunch of movies that I wanna make.  It usually boils down to looking at which movie I can make at the time.  I made some ‘toons for a spell: APESH!T, Platypus Rex and others (
http://www.CrashToons.com).  Cartoons are no easier to make, but they can mostly be thrown together in my underground sex-dungeon, and so are more do-able.  But drawing a fuckload of pics over and over makes me want to murder you.  Don’t take it personally.  It’s just life.


6. Your Second feature was on the Texas Roller Derby, how long did you work on this project?

This fucker took about 7 years to make.  When filming a doc in real-time, you just have to hang in there until the story finds its natural conclusion.  With Hell on Wheels, that took a long-ass while as there was a lot happening with the group of gals who were resurrecting roller derby.

http://www.HellOnWheelsTheMovie.com



JH: There are a lot of films out about Roller Derby, how does this effect the manner and mood in which you work, knowing you are not the only one making a film on the subject. 

Bob: When we started, we were absolutely the only ones working on a film about roller derby.  Did you ask if it sucks balls to have a bunch of Hollywood a-holes team up with some locals who are willing to stab other locals in the back in order to make a buck (ahem, Rollergirls the A&E series)?  That’s what I thought you asked.  Yes, it totally sucks balls.  Is your follow-up “Did it make finishing Hell on Wheels more difficult?”  Yes.  But I like to keep shit positive, and I hear that the local production company behind Rollergirls made dick-tons of money.  So that’s good, right?  That said, the derby gals always had our back.  So they’re still cool.


JH: Tell us about getting distribution for independent films. 

Bob: I really know very little to nothing about this subject matter.  To my own detriment, I make movies without considering this aspect of the filmmaking “business.”  I have an abortion to business.  It chafes me.  My ignorance here would only hurt your readers. 


JH: If you had an unlimited budget to make a movie about Austin, any subject, what would it be?

IBob:I have never even considered such a fantasy. My think-thingy hurts just pondering crap like that. I’m convinced that I’m doomed to poverty-level filmmaking. But now that I’ve had a moment to ruminate on such a crazy idea, I’m thinking that maybe I’d make some stupid fucking movie about some fucking and fighting robots who can’t find a way to love.  So they fuck and they fight. The end. Suck on that, Hollywood.


TOTAL BADASS - an insanely funny and wickedly debaucherous new documentary about crime, sex, art, drugs, music and life in the Austin underground - www.TotalBadassTheMovie.com 
    “A ballsy feature-length documentary... a totally unapologetic profile of the ubiquitous Austin hero.”  - Vice Magazine
    "A psychological treat."  - Phoenix New Times
    “Genuinely funny and touching.”  - Monday Magazine
    “Total Badass is both a portrait of life on the artistic and social fringe and a thriller... a cross of Frederick Wiseman and Hunter S. Thompson.“ - New York Times

HELL ON WHEELS – the rebirth of roller derby, Texas style. - www.HellOnWheelsTheMovie.com 
  "Hell on Wheels is full of adrenaline-fueled highs, heartbreaking lows, and lots of chicks in short skirts kicking the shit out of each other."   ~ The Onion’s A/V Club
  “Hell on Wheels is an epic doc. It's fast, fun, and inspiring.” ~ Chris Gore (Film Threat Magazine)

CRASHTOONS - caustic cartoons - www.CrashToons.com 
  "Hilariously subversive!”   ~ The Austin Chronicle

ROCK OPERA - a kick ass stoner-caper flick - www.RockOperaTheMovie.com 
  "Truly suspenseful... terribly funny… Rock Opera puts Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas to shame."   ~ San Francisco Weekly 
   "Hilarious!” * * * * (four stars)    ~ Toronto Eye

facebook.com/CrashCamFilms
twitter.com/crashcamfilms

-Janet Hammer 
hammer@austinartunderground.org

14 January 2012

February-Artist Spotlight FRANK BOTELLO

Austin Art Underground is proud to present artist Frank Botello as February's AAU Artist Spotlight.

Frank will be displaying his work all month long at Strange Brew 24 Hour Coffee.

TBA will be Frank's art opening and everyone is encouraged to attend.

View a small preview of Frank Botello's works below.*


*Note: Images are from the artist's website. To view Botello's website and extended works, click HERE

Deconstruction of Form c. Frank Botello
Free Form c. Frank Botello


Matadora c. Frank Botello

Come to Strange Brew through the month of February to view these works in person. Strange Brew 24 Hour Coffee is located at 5326 Manchaca Road in the plaza next to the Bakehouse.

11 January 2012




SMASHED-a new literary magazine in town, is publishing its first issue expected out March 1st.
They are now accepting submissions of prose, poetry, art, photography, and advertisers,
visit www.smashedmagazine.net

08 January 2012

Andrew Riggins-Collage Artist

  

 Andrew Riggins-Collage Artist
www.andrewriggins.com
     
    Andrew Riggins' work is best described as exposed. Taking raw forms and transforming them into something both grotesque and striking, Riggins makes the observer simultaneously aware of the beauty and mortality of the human condition.

     Riggins is prolific, describing his relationship with his work as an 'addiction' that inspires him to complete at least one piece a week. He has discovered how to collage quantity with quality, which is an art itself, and his addiction keeps him well-versed in his craft.

   Riggins has recently been selected as one of Beautiul/Decay Magazine's Best of 2011 for his "Anatomy" series, which  takes the  human figure and distorts in in a manner that makes the figures both misshapen and fascinating.


     Self-taught, the artist has a vast array of talents, ranging from photography to digital media. He co-owns Krank Empire, a growing full service multi-media production house, specializing in everything from screen printing to webdesign, with Riggins as the head web designer.

      Riggins has also dabbled in light design in photography, as showcased on his website, www.andrewriggins.com . Although he is an artist with a variety of talents that are rapidly expanding, but he is still devoted to his collage addiction.

    "Scissors are my main art tool," Riggins says.