Due Date

After Goya, 2001

32 x 43 1/4 inches

Cut paper on birch panel.

All Rights Reserved.

Sweet Dreams, 2001

30 x 40 inches

Cut paper on birch panel.

All Rights Reserved.

Due Date

Warrington Museum

Museum St

Warrington, Cheshire WA1 1JB, United Kingdom

December 4, 2010 - February 19, 2011

Black Rat Projects

through cargo garden

arch 461, 83 rivington street

London EC2A 3AY

March 2011

For my first solo show in the UK, Due Date, I am exploring my preconceived notions of parenthood and the opportunities for growth that come through that process. I am presenting a series of narratives that flirt the line between fact and fiction; they are moments of autobiography that have been extrapolated to become allegories. As an artist in the process of trying to become a parent and living in one of the most parent-centric sections of NYC, I am keenly aware of the mania that strikes at the heart of parents young and old. In these paintings I am addressing fears (loss of individuation as well as of the proverbial unknown), the strengthening of bonds in times of crisis, the issues of trying to become a parent later in life and the wisdom gained through the process of parenting.

The work is divided into two groups: a set of images on panels, and a set of images on paper. In the more fully realized works on panel, all the actions are taking place in staged environments. The elements surrounding the figures are merely cardboard props, strictly for the purpose of giving the action of the figures a point of reference. The action of the figures is the reality of the image, everything else is just window dressing. The paint drips and splashes act as abstract gestures clearing things away yet never managing to obscure the events occurring on the stage. In the works on paper, the events being described are contained in a sea of white. By the very nature of the presentation the gestures and relationships are isolated and distilled.

The current body of work builds upon a process of art making that I have been refining for several years. I refer to the work as paper paintings rather than as collage. I see each piece of paper as a brushstroke rather than as a juxtaposed idea. Each brushstroke is selected for it's color, value and texture, rather than it's imagery.

All imagery for the show available at http://www.elbow-toe.com

ELBOW-TOE on Tumblr

I'm on tumblr now. Let me be your dog.

Represent NYC, Represent

I am extremely pleased to announce that I am being represented in New York by Andrew Edlin Gallery.

Shred @ Perry Rubenstein

Bears, 2010
35 x 48 inches.
Cut paper on birch panel.

All rights reserved.


PERRY RUBENSTEIN GALLERY
527 WEST 23 STREET
ANNOUNCES

SHRED
Curated by Carlo McCormick

July 1st - August 27th, 2010
Opening reception: Thursday July 1st, 2010 6-8pm

Perry Rubenstein Gallery is pleased to announce SHRED, curated by Carlo McCormick, senior editor of Paper magazine, opening on Thursday, July 1st from 6:00-8:00pm and on view through Friday, August 27th, 2010. A small catalogue brochure with an essay by McCormick will accompany the exhibition.

SHRED will feature collage-based works from a diverse group of artists, some who have pioneered collage as fine art and others who are expanding upon the subversive flavor inherent to the medium. Featured are works in myriad media—from simple collages of newsprint on paper to lively video animations made from cutout paper silhouettes.

The exhibition will include historic works by Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008); Bruce Conner (1933-2008); a prominent member of the Beat community recognized for his innovative assemblages; California-native, Jess (1923 – 2004) whose oeuvre includes collages based on alchemy, religion and comic strips; Dash Snow (1981-2009) whose work on paper appears deceptively simple; Gee Vaucher whose surrealist tendencies are tied to punk; and Jack Walls whose self-portraits incorporate photographic imagery taken by his long-time partner Robert Mapplethorpe.

Provocative new works were specifically produced for the exhibition. The collective Faile will show a ripped painting featuring brand new iconography. Shepard Fairey, Leo Fitzpatrick, Mark Flood, Erik Foss, Swoon, Judith Supine will all debut their latest works. Finely cut paper collage by Brian Douglas (Elbow-Toe) resembles intricate painting and Shelter Serra will present three-dimensional work: cast roses in white silicone. Video works by Martha Colburn, Tessa Hughes-Freeland and Bec Stupac will be featured, with Stupac premiering a new piece.

PRG is thrilled to welcome Carlo McCormick as guest curator for this extraordinary summer exhibition. McCormick is a prominent New York City-based author, curator, critic and champion of the downtown art scene. He has authored numerous books, monographs and catalogues on contemporary art and culture, including The Downtown Book: The New York Art Scene 1974-1984 published by Princeton University Press which he coauthored. He has lectured and taught extensively at universities and colleges around the United States. His writing has appeared in Aperture, Art in America, Art News, Artforum, Camera Austria, High Times, Spin, Tokion, Vice and countless other magazines. He has curated exhibitions for the Bronx Museum of Art, New York University, the Queens Museum of Art and the Woodstock Center for Photography.



Perry Rubenstein Gallery
527 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10011
T 212.627.8000
F 212.627.6336
E info@perryrubenstein.com
www.perryrubenstein.com
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00pm
Summer Hours from July 2nd to September 3rd: Monday – Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm

41st Parallel - From The Eternal City That Never Sleeps

On Wednesday April 28th from 7-10pm, Wooster Collective and Drago will present a hot and heavy round table discussion and Q&A session to explore the current happenings in today’s art movement with nine of the top names from the streets of New York: Chris Stain, Elbow-Toe, Ivory Serra, Logan Hicks, Pax Paloscia, Swoon, WK Interact, as well as Drago Publisher Paulo von Vacano and Wooster Collective’s Marc and Sara Schiller at their super chic venue Meet at the Apartment in SoHo.


Ivory Serra (The Serra Effect), Logan Hicks (Arrivals and Departures), Pax Paloscia (Let the Kids Play), and WK Interact (2.5 New York Street Life) all published books for Drago’s
36 Chamber Series box collection. Chris Stain, Elbow-Toe, Swoon, and WK Interact contributed their work to The Thousands: Painting Outside, Breaking In, a book and exhibition curated by RJ Rushmore and published by Drago.


All books from the artists present and a selection of other Drago publications like Ed Templeton’s Golden Age of Neglect, Nick Walker’s, A Sequence of Events, Aaron Rose’s Young Sleek and Full of Hell, and Estevan Oriol’s LA Woman will be on sale and available at special 25% discount exclusively for this awesome evening.
The contemporary art publishing house known as Drago acts as a rhizome into the international mindset that is fueled by the ideas and values of the current generation.


As a cultural symposium, Drago creates and presents forums for exchange through various pathways by remixing pop culture and undiscovered trends; those pathways include, not only the publication of art books, but hosting events, sponsoring art projects and collaborations, curating exhibitions, executing press and communication strategies, trend scouting, and promotion via the Drago blog (www.dragolab.com). It is from these creative platforms that Drago contributes to the growth and expansion of the alternative re-evolution that began on the street and over the Internet. Drago represents the mainstream of minorities, where under is over and over is under.


From their home base in Rome, Italy, Drago found a parallel group in New York who maintain the same groin-yearning ardor for art, culture, and the urban experience. Due to the two groups’ equally energetic and eternal lust for participation in and promotion of the arts, Drago sought to collaborate with Wooster Collective and bring some of the great names off the street and in for some page turning, but more for the drinking and debating.


Marc and Sara Schiller founded the Wooster Collective in 2001. Their mission is to discover and document authentic art experiences via salons, publishing, gallery shows, and their website (www.woostercollective.com). Their site is dedicated
to showcasing and celebrating ephemeral art placed on streets in cities around the world.

Benefit for Free Arts NYC

"Street Art New York" Silent Auction Benefit for Free Arts NYC

For more information please contact:
Email: info@StreetArtNewYork.com; Web: www.StreetArtNewYork.com

"Street Art New York" Silent Auction Benefit for Free Arts NYC
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Event Time: 7-11 pm

Auction Time: Promptly 7 pm to 9:30 pm EST
Absentee bidders please register with Bernadette DeAngelis at bernadette@freeartsnyc.org or call 212.974.9092.

Location: Factory Fresh Gallery
1053 Flushing Avenue
Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York 11237
between Morgan and Knickerbocker, off the L train Morgan Stop

SILENT AUCTION BENEFIT BY STREET ARTISTS FOR "FREE ARTS NYC" AND A PARTY TO MARK THE RELEASE OF NEW BOOK
“STREET ART NEW YORK”.

To celebrate the release of the new book "Street Art New York" and to benefit the programs of Free Arts NYC, original artworks by a stellar array of today's Street Artists from New York and beyond will be featured in a silent auction to take place on April 24, 2010, from 7 pm to 9:30 pm at Factory Fresh Gallery in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

The Benefit and the Artists

The Benefit, to be held at one of New York's epicenters for the thriving new Street Art scene, Factory Fresh Gallery, will feature an incredibly strong selection of today's Street Artists joining together for one night as a community to benefit NYC kids from disadvantaged backgrounds as the numbers of poor and low-income children in New York continues to rise. Representing a renaissance in modern urban art at the dawn of a new decade, this will very likely be the largest collection of 2010's street artists in one location.

The list of participating artists thus far includes* Abe Lincoln Jr., Anera, Avoid Pi, Bishop 203, Billi Kid, BortusK Leer, Broken Crow, C Damage, C215, Cake, Celso, Chris RWK , Chris Stain, Creepy, DAIN, Damon Ginandes, Dan Witz, Dark Clouds, Dennis McNett, Elbow Toe, Ellis G, Gaia, FKDL, General Howe, GoreB, Hargo, Hellbent, Imminent Disaster, Jim Avignon, Jef Aerosol, JMR, Joe Iurato, Jon Burgerman, Keely, Know Hope, Logan Hicks, Mark Carvalho, Matt Siren, Mint and Serf, Miss Bugs, NohJColey, Peru Ana Ana Peru, PMP, Poster Boy, Rene Gagnon, ROA, Pufferella, Royce Bannon, Skewville, Specter, Stikman, Swoon, The Dude Company, Tristan Eaton,Veng RWK

*as of March 30, 2010. Please check back for additional confirmations

Arresting

Marina Abramović and Ulay, Rest Energy

The tension in this piece is absolutely amazing. Even if it is dated there is a primal quality that seems completely fresh. It would be interesting to accomplish this kind of energy with a medium that is not an actual document of a process.

A Still Life Is A Good Life

The work of Robert Wilson has been an inspiration for years. I was hoping to find some videos of some of his theatre productions to post. I did find some examples, but these Voom Portraits really are quite fascinating. I would definitely suggest going full screen.

If It Were Possible To Paint Spring, This Would Be It

So here is another artist that I have always found to be quite compelling, and who has been influencing my work as of late. The artist is Richard Diebenkorn. He was the most important of the Bay Area Figurative Painters. The collage work I am doing does not lend itself to the complete fluidity of this type of painting, but it serves as a great reminder of what to aim for. Diebenkorn was absolutely stunning at composition and color. You could follow some of his roots to artists such as Edward Hopper and Cezanne as well as Bonnard.

In the Heat of the Night

I was looking online for some interviews to read, and I somehow ended up over at the Marlborough Gallery's website. I haven't looked at her work in a while, but I really got jazzed on Paula Rego again. Not only is she a consummate draughtsman but her images are just plain weird. I like weird.

Since I won't really be posting any work for my upcoming show anytime soon, perhaps I will post artists that are influencing my thinking.

Where's ELBOW-TOE?

The past few months have been quite busy. I have been forced to change studios, but that is all settled now. I have also been steadily working towards a solo show in London for November of 2010.

Expect to see a more steady stream of posts in the future.

A Cry for Help

‘A Cry For Help' @ Thinkspace
A benefit show for the endangered species of the world presented by Born Free USA & the Animal Protection Institute

Opening Reception: Friday, Jan. 8th 7-11PM
On View: Jan. 8th, 2009 – Feb. 5th, 2010
20% of all proceeds will be donated to Born Free USA

This special exhibit will feature an installation from Bumblebee as well as a group show featuring the works of over 100 artists (full list is below).

(Los Angeles, CA) Thinkspace is proud to present "A Cry For Help," a benefit exhibition with the goal of raising awareness about the plight of animals in our modern world. Featuring more than 100 artists who represent every branch of the new contemporary scene, this show has been curated with an eye to representing the unique and innovative attributes of a select group of seasoned veterans and fresh-eyed newcomers from five continents. In keeping with the benefit's mission, each artist will explore different facets of our complicated relationship with the creatures with whom we share this planet.

Though we live in the city, animals exist all around us – they sleep in our beds, creep past our windows at night and visit us in our dreams. Symbolizing all that is free, unspoiled and elemental in the world, they also comfort us with guileless affection, amuse us with their playful abandon, and represent us metaphorically in a million works of art and literature. In every niche of the new contemporary scene, artists have employed animals to envisage concepts ranging from the wonder of childhood to the death of nature, while exploiting an ever-widening array of aesthetics, from surreal naturalism to street fables, apocalyptic visions to modern mythology, uncanny allegories to sylvan dreamscapes.

In celebration of the magnificent creatures with whom we share the planet, Thinkspace will donate 20% of the sale price of each piece of art to Born Free USA and the Animal Protection Institute, which operate jointly as a non-profit organization that advocates worldwide for the ethical treatment and protection of animals, and also maintains a large sanctuary for rescued primates. Throughout the month, the gallery will host pet adoptions, slide shows, lectures and more. The world can indeed be changed through random individual acts of kindness, so please don't miss this opportunity to kick off the New Year with a good deed, as well as a great piece of art.

ARTISTS TAKING PART INCLUDE:

Acorn http://www.flickr.com/photos/acornsgrow/
Allison Sommers http://allisonsommers.typepad.com/
Amy Sol http://www.amysol.com
Andrea Offermann http://www.andreaoffermann.com/
Andrew Hem http://www.andrewhem.com/
Angry Woebots http://www.armyofsnipers.com/
Anthony Clarkson http://www.anthonyclarksonart.com/
Anthony Ausgang http://www.ausgangart.com/
Apak http://apakstudio.com/apak/
Ashira Siegel http://www.redridinghoodproductions.com/
Ben Strawn http://benstrawn.carbonmade.com/
Bradley Delay http://www.delayart.com/
Buff Monster http://www.buffmonster.com
Bumblebee http://www.flickr.com/photos/theuglyyou
Catherine Brooks http://thearborgeistproject.tumblr.com/
Charlie Immer http://www.charlieimmer.com/
Chet Zar http://www.chetzar.com/
Chris Murray http://www.chrisbmurray.com/
Craig "Skibs" Barker http://www.skibsart.com/
Dabs Myla http://www.dabsmyla.com
Dan May http://dan-may.com/
Dan Quintana http://www.myspace.com/artslinger
Dan-ah Kim http://www.dkim-art.com/
David MacDowell http://www.macdowellstudio.com/
Dennis Hayes IV http://www.dennishayesiv.com/
Derek Ihnat http://www.myspace.com/visual_feast
Dolan Geiman http://www.dolangeiman.com/
Edwin Ushiro http://www.mrushiro.com/
Ekundayo http://www.ekunday.com
ELBOW-TOE http://www.elbow-toe.com/
Elisabeth Timpone http://listimpone.blogspot.com/
Eric Nyquist http://www.ericnyquist.com/
Erik Siador http://www.eriksiador.com/
Faith 47 http://www.faith47.com/
Gaia http://gaiastreetart.com/
Genevivie Zacconi http://www.genevive.com/
Germs http://www.germs4u.com/
Ghostpatrol http://ghostpatrol.net/
Guy McKinley http://www.flickr.com/photos/guymckinley
Heiko Mueller http://www.heikomueller.de/
Imminent Disaster http://www.flickr.com/photos/disasterstrikes/
J. Shea (#9) http://jshea9blog.blogspot.com/
Jacub Gagnon http://www.jacubgagnon.com/
Janet Grey
Jason Limon http://www.limon-art.com/
Jason Thielke http://www.jasonthielke.com/
Jen Lobo http://jenlobo.com/
Jennybird Alcantara http://www.jennybirdart.com/
Jesse Hotchkiss http://www.jessehotchkiss.com/
Jim Darling http://www.jimdarling.com/?id=206
Joao Ruas http://souvlaki.jp-ar.org/
John Park
Johnny 'KMNDZ' Rodriguez http://www.kmndz.com/
Joseph McSween (aka 2H) http://www.myspace.com/2hatred
Joshua Mays http://soldren.com/content/
Josie Morway http://www.josiemorway.com/
Justin Gibbens http://www.justingibbens.com/
Katelyn Alain http://www.katelynalain.com/
Kathleen Lolley http://www.lolleyland.com/
Kelly McKernan http://kellymckernan.com/
Kelly Vivanco http://www.kellyvivanco.com/
Kevin Earl Taylor http://www.kevinearltaylor.com/
Kevin Titzer http://www.kevintitzer.com/
Kris Lewis http://www.krislewisart.com/
Leontine Greenberg http://leontinemay.com/
Lesley Reppeteaux http://www.reppeteaux.com/
Liz Brizzi http://www.lizbrizzi.com/
Liz McGrath http://www.elizabethmcgrath.com/
Luke Kopycinski http://koppa.carbonmade.com/
Mari Inukai http://www.mariinukai.com/
Martin Wittfooth http://www.martinwittfooth.com/
Mear One http://www.mearone.com/
Michael Pukac http://www.michaelpukac.com/
Mike Brown http://www.myspace.com/funpig
Moki http://www.mioke.de/
Molly Crabapple http://www.mollycrabapple.com/
Nathan DeYoung http://www.nathandeyoung.com/
Nimit Malavia http://www.nimitmalavia.com/
Nouar http://www.noirnouar.com/
Paul Barnes http://www.paul-barnes.com/
Peter Taylor http://www.handmadefeat.com/
Raquel Aparicio http://www.raquelissima.com/
Rebecca Hahn http://rebeccahahn.com/
Renee French http://reneefrench.blogspot.com/
Rob Sato http://www.robsato.com/index.html
Rory Kurtz http://www.rorykurtzillustration.com/
Sarah Joncas http://www.teapartylove.digitalinkz.com/
Scott Belcastro http://www.scottbelcastro.com/
Scott G. Brooks http://www.scottgbrooks.com/
Scott Radke http://www.scottradke.com/
Tadaomi Shibuya http://www.tadaomishibuya.com/
Tessar Lo http://www.tessarlo.com/
Timothy Karpinski http://timothykarpinski.com/
Tina Darling http://tinadarling.com/?id=206
Tran Nguyen http://www.trannguyen.org/
Travis Louie http://www.travislouie.com/
Van Arno http://www.vanarno.com/
Wesley Burt http://www.wesleyburt.com/
Yoskay Yamamoto http://yoskay.com/
Yosuke Ueno http://www.spaceegg77.com/

La Ronde

La Ronde, 2009

Cut paper on birch panel

16 x 24 inches

I just delivered the collage La Ronde to Marc and Sara of Wooster Collective. After I showed them the piece they asked me to do a brief explanation of the work.

It's All About the Details

Busy in the studio will cut paper pieces again. I am working on some large scale hand-colored drawings for the spring. Above is a detail.

Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
21 x 31 5/8 inches

Hand-pulled silkscreen on 250 grams Stonehenge Natural White moulde-made paper.

Edition limited to 50.

This print will be available via Black Rat Projects.

Black Rat Projects is delighted to invite you to the opening of London’s most unusual bookshop which takes place on 2nd December 2009.

The pop-up antiquarian bookshop is also rumoured to be haunted and is built inside our railway arch gallery.

The bookshop will be filled with an unusual selection of books from major and independent book publishers. A large selection of second hand books and artist made fanzines, counter cultural manuals and films will be available. Artwork by Swoon, Grayson Perry, Giles Walker, Matt Small and Lucas Price will also be on display. Reports have already been received of eerie incidents and strange happenings, with books magically flying off shelves, and lights switching themselves on and off. Halloween may have been and gone but the real ghosts and ghouls work all year round. In addition to this we will be releasing a new edition by ELBOW-TOE.

The idea of creating the bookshop came when we slept in the gallery one evening and were woken by the toilet flushing and books falling from the office bookshelves. Thinking we were being burgled, we turned the lights on only to find the gallery empty. Asking around, a local landlord mentioned that the gallery had been used to store the stock of legendary Victorian book dealer F. J. Williams who disappeared in 1903 and is rumoured to haunt various pubs and houses around the East End.

Black Dog Books promises to be one of the year’s most interesting art and book events. Working with support from publishers including the Tate, Thames and Hudson and Drago, the project promises to not only provide a unique experience, but also a great place to do a little alternative Christmas shopping.

Black Dog Books is a fully functional bookshop complete with customer assistant, working antique till and books available to buy. The book shop has been designed by Will Randall and Giles Walker and can accommodate up to 10 people at a time. Invites to the launch will be sent out in the next few days.

Black Dog Books

Black Rat Press: The pop-up antiquarian bookshop is also rumoured to be haunted and is built inside our railway arch gallery. The bookshop will be filled with an unusual selection of books from major and independent book publishers. A large selection of second hand books and artist made fanzines, counter cultural manuals and films will be available. Artwork by Swoon, Grayson Perry, Giles Walker, Matt Small and Lucas Price will also be on display. Reports have already been received of eerie incidents and strange happenings, with books magically flying off shelves, and lights switching themselves on and off. Halloween may have been and gone but the real ghosts and ghouls work all year round. In addition to this we will be releasing a new edition by Brian Douglas (ELBOW-TOE).

The bookstore opens 12.02.09 at 6:30 pm.

Lost in thought

I experienced a most unique moment today. I was sitting on my back porch having lunch. The sky was intensely clear and rich in it's blue hue. It was cold and warm at the same time, the sun, extra bright from the depth of color in the sky. I began to think about being older in my house. And then I started thinking about the fact that I could see myself living someday downstairs. Then suddenly I was the me downstairs as an old man, and I was looking back at myself at this day at this time and thinking how it was an extremely memorable day in my life. That things are were really pretty good, that I had made the right choices, as best as I could blindly not knowing any repercussions. Time and space felt extremely fluid. I was experiencing my present moment with all the nostalgia I hold for the memorable times of my childhood.

One Last Reminder

Just a reminder I am participating in A.G.A.S.T (Annual Gowanus Artist Studio Tour) this Saturday and Sunday, October 17 & 18 from 1 - 6 pm.

At this event, you will have the unique opportunity to get small (Recession Sized) versions of ELBOW-TOE pieces at extremely friendly (Recession Priced) prices. I will be selling 10 different prints from my latest street work as well as some oldies but goodies. These works are single color silk screens reduced to sizes ranging from 5x8 inches up to 12x10 inches and will be sold for approximately $30 a piece + shipping and handling if I need to mail them. They will be limited to editions of 30.
There will be a 10% discount if you buy the entire folio.

I will be setting up an ETSY store to make the ease of purchasing them more convenient for you. Once that is established I will have links from a shop section on my website.

Also if you are interested in acquiring these images in their actual size, hand colored and mounted on my traditional wood sculpture format please contact Mike Snelle at Black Rat Press. His email is mike@blackratpress.com .

My studio is located at 94 9th Street 4th floor studio 23, Brooklyn NY 11215.

Due to bad planning on the part of the MTA Smith/ 9th Street station is closed on the F and G trains. They will be offering a free shuttle from Jay St Borough hall to Smith Street. The quicker method for getting here if you are taking a train is to take the N train to 4th Ave/9th street in Park slope and walk down 2 blocks to the studio along 9th street. The R train is the usual local on that line but this weekend the N train is running local.

Grand Opening. Grand Closing.

Techtonic Perspective Shifts.

The fall air has really kicked in. For the first time this morning I could see my breath. I am at the point of switching gears for a while, a lot of work to do collaging for a solo show in London next year. It has been a very interesting summer into fall.

Given the Boot

There Was an Old Woman
Who Lived in a Shoe,
But She Got an Adjustable Rate Mortgage
and Couldn't Make Her Payments