VAIN Blog

Small paintings + prints (and robot astronomers) by Christine Marie Larsen

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Always wonderful photographs by Peter Kearns

Plus walls of hand-picked vintage art and open studios above VAIN featuring art by Laura Cameron, Juliana Bradley, and others. Stay tuned for more…

VAIN art boutique opening party 4 to 9pm Saturday, June 21st at VAIN dowtown- 2018 1st Ave @ Virginia.

Bake sale at VAIN downtown this Saturday 6/21: the audacity of deliciousness.

In addition to our art party festivities this Saturday, VAIN will be hosting a “Hungry for Change” bake sale from noon to six to support MoveOn.org and help elect progressive political candidates this November. Possible baked goods include democracy donuts, votes ahoys, VAIN krispies, ore-oh-yes-he-cans and oatmeal-raisin-the-roofs.

Check out more bake sale details online- bakers and buyers both welcome. See you Saturday!

“Hungry for Change” bake sale at VAIN downtown runs from noon to 6pm this Saturday 6/21; art boutique open house from 4 to 9.

Art at VAIN: now with a party and cooler stuff than ever.

On Saturday, June 21st, the VAIN art gallery (adjacent to our downtown salon) will re-open as an art boutique with new + vintage art, photography, centerpiece-style jewelry, found items and high thrift for your art and collectables lovin pleasure. Open house reception from 4 to 9pm Saturday, June 21st with snacks, drinks of the fizzy variety and hair product giveaways.

We’ll also have artists in the studios above VAIN opening their doors to the public that evening and on Sunday, including a weekend-long open studio event on the third floor of VAIN hosted by outgoing local artist Juliana Bradley.

Check back here for more details on Saturday’s party and participating artists. We’re excited to unveil our new VAIN art boutique style!

Saturday night was fantastic! Many new friends were made, and equal numbers of our nearest and dearest dropped by to join in the fun. Not one cupcake survived the evening.

Our models, Racheal and Beth, greeted guests out on Ballard Avenue and invited them to join us for floral updo’s and discounted boutique treats. Makeup for both ladies was done by VAIN artist Christine Cherbonnier; Racheal’s full on faux hawk by Megyn and Beth’s romantic twist by Aran.

As Victoria mentioned in the comments on our last post, our most enthusiastic fans devised a cheer to be “a PART of the ART!” It was performed with style in the park across the street. To our young fans, thank you for bringing so much joy to the evening!

The full set of photos can be found on our flickr page here. All guerilla hair gorgeously created by Valentine, Melissa, and Megyn - with a few bonus rounds courtesy of Jenny and owner Victoria Gentry!Thank you to everyone who came by, peeked in the windows, scored goodie bags, and (as the cheer shouted) took part in the art.

xo,

VAIN Ballard

Tonight’s the night- our lovely Springed-out hair models are giving out VAIN goodie bags at Ballard’s Artwalk from 6 to 9, and one bag will have a gold ticket worth $100 in services at VAIN Ballard. See you on Ballard Ave for your chance to win!

It hasn’t snowed anytime recently, and we feel safe in saying that Spring truly has arrived. Given that we’re knee deep in the month of May, let’s just say… it’s about time. To celebrate, we’ll be doing Spring up-do’s [and more!] this Saturday, May 10th, at our Ballard location.

Festivities should begin around 6 pm and last until at least 9 pm. Items in our boutique will be 15% off throughout the celebrations, and we’ll have free goodies to give out as well. Best of all, one lucky visitor will receive the ‘gold ticket’ worth $100 in hair services at VAIN Ballard! Stylists will be on hand for “Guerilla Hair” up-do’s - a quick 5 minute style transformation. We’ll be exploring the neighborhood, too, for Ballard’s Artwalk - be sure to stop by OKOK, 20twenty, or Miro Tea, just to name a few!

Bring your Spring-fevered self out of the house for a night of hair + art - and free treats + discounts!

xo,

VAIN Ballard

Actually, nothing to report on ‘ugly’ or ‘bad’ - Ballard is quite good and lovely. But as for the good, we’ve got heaps of it. Good friends, good hair, good deeds. VAIN Ballard made a raffle donation to Dancing on the Valentine. The co-hosts, Three Imaginary Girls, are VAIN clients and loved ones - and friendship aside, the Leukemia and Lymphoma society is a cause we’re happy to be able to support. Some lucky attendee can come share in all the goodness - just be sure to buy a raffle ticket while you’re there!

xo,

Sarah

Congrats to Julia Garrels, aka Metalwing, for her lovely and vibrant opening celebrations at VAIN Ballard last Saturday. She created an impressive number of pieces for this show, and the flood of color and fascinating shapes made for a great night. Here’s just a few examples of our gorgeous models wearing Julia’s art:

I was lucky enough to wear one of her pieces most of the night, a larger necklace that suggested a bird in shape and color. Deep red ochre tones [though actually made of enamel] and turqouise bursts made up for the lack of color I was wearing - that piece transformed a simple black dress into an outfit. The components lay perfectly across my neck, and the weight is just enough to be a presence without being cumbersome. It feels regal to be wearing a necklace like that, and I felt myself standing just a little bit taller throughout the evening. Holly, one of our models for the evening, described the feeling as “powerful.”

A huge thanks to all of our models - Alli, Holly, Jenn, and Paige - who showed off how much the jewelry truly is wearable art. Stylists Jen C. and Melissa created brilliant updos and styles to show off the neck pieces and earrings! And our makeup artist Christine brought those wonderful glittering eyeliners she used at the Strangercrombie shoot to give the models perfect holiday looks.

The full set of photographs can be found on VAIN’s flickr page. The jewelry will be featured at VAIN Ballard thru December 29th, and we invite you to come see it all in person.

xo,

Sarah Jo

We’ve got some truly excellent art shows opening at both VAIN locations this week. First, at VAIN downtown, we’ve got Atlanta artist R. Land’s 3rd annual Holiday Manger Magic art show. R. Land has quite the cult following, and if you’ve seen his paintings, famous Loss Cat fliers, or work with The Cartoon Network’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force, then you know why.

Opening reception for R.Land’s Holiday Manger Magic show Thursday, Dec 6 from 6 to 10pm at VAIN downtown- 2018 1st Ave. Art on display through the end of January.

Next up at VAIN Ballard, we’ve got new works by metal (ok, maybe not heavy, but still metal) + enamel artist Julia Garrels for Ballard’s Second Saturday Art Walk. Julia, also known as MetalWing, creates some of the most vivid and unique wearable art around. Call it a trunk show, call it an art opening, call it great work that’s not to be missed.

“I love to create art for the human form, something that highlights the natural attributes of a person. Or just makes someone feel happy.”

Opening reception for New Works by Julia Garrels Saturday, Dec 8 from 6 to 9pm at VAIN Ballard- 5401 Ballard Ave NW. Pieces on display through the end of December.

Seasonal snacks and refreshments will be served at both openings.

See you on Thursday and Saturday at VAIN!

Today’s Seattle Times NW Weekend section features an article on Belltown spotlighting yours truly, VAIN. With a focus on our art gallery and building’s history (The Vogue, anyone?), the piece also talks up the diversity of VAIN’s hair salon clientele: “Pink hair and piercings are plentiful, but so are pinstripes.”

Check out the whole article, which includes a great picture of VAIN owner + styledriver Victoria Gentry enjoying our current art show of new works by John Atkins.

VAIN is thrilled to present new works by local artist and musician John Atkins (764-Hero, The Can’t See). Opening reception Thursday, November 1st from 6 to 10pm at VAIN’s downtown location! The collection of paintings and mixed media pieces will be on display through the end of November.

Hope to see you at the opening on Thursday!

Saturday night our Ballard crew stayed late to celebrate the second Saturday Artwalk and the success of our new location. VAIN’s Wig Shoppe migrated from downtown to the front windows of VAIN Ballard. Along with sweet beverages, candy, and cupcakes, we invited people to try on this wearable art. The transformations were surprising and delightful!

The full set of photos can be found on VAIN’s flickr account. As for the wigs, come see them downtown - they’re perfect for not only the upcoming holiday, but for a night out on the town that’s above and beyond.

xo,

Sarah Jo