Welcome to the Santa Barbara Art Blog. Once you have read about some of the latest events in the Santa Barbara art scene, please leave a comment to let me know what you think. To subscribe to this blog click here.

I remember very clearly the first time I saw artwork by Molly Hahn (aka Mollycules) at Muddy Waters. I was and continue to be drawn to her work because of the wonderful imagination evident in each piece.  Molly is also a children’s book author and illustrator, and is particularly savvy when it comes to the new possibilities for marketing her work.  Recently she sent me a message to let me know that she is now selling some of the original work from her “Sketches of the Day” project, which she turned into a book. I am more than happy to pass this news on here.

You can see the work on her website, and I encourage you to check a feature on her that appears in today’s Independent. If you happen to be down in San Diego, look for her booth at ComicCon.

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Don’t forget, tomorrow night is the big closing reception for one of Santa Barbara’s most well-attended art shows. Art From Scrap’s yearly assemblage art show is one of my favorite shows of the entire year, and judging by the numbers that show up for this reception, I am not alone. Silent bidding for the pieces in the show has been going on for weeks now, but the chaotic final bidding will be taking place tomorrow night. Don’t miss this great event and make sure you get in on the bidding. See you there.

Click here for a preview of the work being auctioned in the show.

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Friday night at 6 pm a 24 hour creative art rally will begin at the Contemporary Arts Forum. I have it from good sources that over 100 artists have signed up for the event. Not all of them will be doing the entire 24 hours, but many will and the results are sure to be interesting. There is also a closing reception on Sunday, but I REALLY recommend going to the event to see the creative marathon in action. I hope to see tons of people there.

If you take pictures, send them my way and I’ll post them on the blog.

COLLECT DRAWINGS CREATED BY LOCAL ARTISTS!

Friday, July 23, 6 pm
through
Saturday, July 24, 6 pm
Closing Reception:
Sunday, July 25, 4-6 pm

Come to see local artists draw and to purchase artwork hot off the presses at the rally and at the celebratory closing reception. All of the proceeds will be divided between the drawers and CAF. $5 to attend the rally and get first pick of available artworks.  FREE to attend the closing reception at which any remaining artworks will be for sale. For more information visit sbcaf.org or call (805) 966-5373

Support for From Dusk ’til Drawn provided by: Bella Dolce Bakery, CASA Magazine, City 2.0, Craft Essentials, DJ Colin Marshall, DJ Magneto, The Graphic Vendor, RND Vodka, Santa Barbara Premiere Catering, The Santa Barbara Independent, The Santa Barbara News-Press, and Via Maestra.

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Last night Muddy Waters Coffee Shop held a reception for the latest art show curated by Andi Garcia. It was also Andi’s birthday party–Happy Birthday, Andi! If you didn’t make it to see the art on the walls, the show will be up until the end of the month. The show features art by Derek Harrison of Energy Tattoo, Albert Montoya, and Nomelove. Go get yourself a cup of jo, and spend a bit of time looking at the walls.

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This weekend there is an art and music extravaganza at Santa Barbara’s own SOHO. From Friday through Monday the club will feature some great art and tons of great music, including a return performance by local favs Volt per Octave, who have come down for a show from their new home in Portland. Local artists include Jimmy Bell, Rebecca Ladow, Champion, John Pearl, DOA, and Forrest Rucker.  There is not a great list of all the acts on-line, so for more information you can call the venue805-962-7776, or check out the latest Independent, there is a great article on the show which you can read here.

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