VAIN Blog

This Saturday, as part of VAIN’s “Love Heroes” weekend, VAIN Ballard will feature the textural metalwork of Chuck Domitrovich of “Down to the Wire Designs” from 6-9pm as part of the Ballard Art Walk.

Domitrovich has been working in metal and making jewelry since 1988 when he was a student at University of Washington.

As Domitrovich says, his “patterned metal jewelry is meant to evoke the work of the Weiner Werkstatte (Vienna Workshops). This group was a contemporary of the Arts and Crafts movement and it sought to make art that was simple, practical, and accessible.”

Join us this Saturday from 6-9pm for art, drinks, food, and make your own valentine station – 5401 Ballard Ave NW.

Last month at VAIN’s “Turn & Face the Strange” event, we unveiled a collection of stellar works from five Seattle artists: Michael Lane, Josh Buesseler, Nicholas Kamuda, Ted Chen, and Eddy Lee.

Aubrie, Morgan, and Buster enjoying the show.

The art opening was a huge success and party goers got a chance to experience each artists’ diverse take on portraits and figure studies - here is just a glimpse of the amazing work:

Astounding works by Michael Lane - view his blog here.

Clockwise from top left: work from Nicholas Kamuda, Eddy Lee, Ted Chen, and Josh Buesseler

You can catch more photos of the amazing show and festivities on the VAIN Flickr page and see the fun captured by the VAIN mirror - which made it’s debut at the event.  The show is still up until November 30th, so be sure to come by before it’s over!

“Turn and Face the Strange” on view through Novemeber 30th at the VAIN gallery adjacent to the salon at our downtown location: 2018 1st Ave, Seattle 206-441-3441

Be sure to come out to VAIN this Saturday, October 17th, to celebrate the opening of our new exhibit “Turn & Face the Strange.” The show will be a diverse collection of works by artists Michael Lane, Josh Buesseler, Nicholas Kamuda, Ted Chen, and (new addition) Eddy Lee. It will not only promise to be a feast of beauty and curiosity, but it will also be a chance to examine and self-reflect through the exploration of portraits and human anatomy.

Words aside, here’s a sneak peak of what’s ahead:

Untitled work by Eddy Lee

Opening reception is Saturday October 17th 4pm - 9pm. We’ll have refreshments and tea to keep you warm!

La Rousse will be on our sidewalks from 12pm - 6pm (inside, if it’s raining) featuring new clothing from Slow and Steady Wins the Race and local designers Galah.

Also, be sure to check many of Seattle’s local artists in the open studios above the salon as well as the arrival of Surplus jewelry.

Whew, there’s so much happening! See you there!
xo,
VAIN

“Turn and Face the Strange” Opening reception at VAIN downtown 2018 1st Ave, Seattle 4pm - 9pm. Art on view through November 30th.

VAIN is proud to host the astounding work of jeweler Harriet McNamara. Her line Surplus, much of which is created from scrap steel and found treasures, is a convergence of ancient, old beauty and modernism. Her rough and worn style invokes a feeling of the raw, yet stays clear from overtly industrial results. Without a hint of kitsch or heady romance, Surplus lets old pieces shine, as if re-purposed to show their true beauty.

Triangle Monolith Necklace - photo by Seth Thomas

Each item in the Surplus collection stands out as a unique piece on its own. McNamara may make more than one piece  in a certain style, but because she uses found items, the individual elements of her work help make each one subtly unparalleled. Bracelets and rings, such as the shackle bracelet below, can also be custom sized for the best fit.

Shackle Bracelet (custom sizing available) - photo by Seth Thomas

McNamara, well traveled, has lead a diverse education and career path in art, fashion, photography, and journalism. Though her studies have taken her to cities like Chicago and Paris, in her own words, McNamara recognizes the recent local education and resources that allowed her to create Surplus: “I would like to acknowledge the encouragement, knowledge and steel scraps from Black Dog Forge. Louie and Mary…are not only great artists, but giving, caring and sharing people. This world would be a different place were there more hearts as large.” Her work has appeared in galleries across Seattle including the Henry Art Gallery.

We’re very excited about Surplus and hope you will be too!

See Harriet McNamara’s Surplus line at the opening reception for “Turn & Face the Strange” at VAIN downtown in the gallery space adjacent to the salon @2018 1st Ave, Seattle, WA

A few Saturdays ago, VAIN put on an art opening for “It’s not all about the Benjamins, baby” a show of art all $50 or less with an accompanying sidewalk sale provided by La Rousse. The event was an excellent time and there was plenty to take in as shown in the photos below:

Artists Mark Selander and Nick Kamuda in background,
Stefvin Caswell on right // photo by Sylvia Chen

Bernice takes it all in // photo by Raymond Smith

More photos of the exhibit and event fun can been seen on the VAIN Flickr page. Even if you missed out on all the festivities, you can still check out the show while pieces last. Stop on by!

Check out “It’s all about the Benjamins, baby” at the gallery space next to the salon during at VAIN downtown 2018 1st Ave, Seattle.

Prepare yourself for this Saturday when VAIN hosts the opening of It’s not all about the Benjamins, baby - a collection of art for $50 or less! There will be all kinds of art from the 13 participating artists; from highbrow to lowbrow, downright irresistible, and simply excellent - all affordable. The opening is Saturday, August 1st, 4pm - 9pm at our downtown location.

Not even all, La Rousse will be on our “front yard” for a daytime sidewalk sale from 12pm - 6pm. Chic, modern clothing for the ladies will be offered at reductions of 50% off or more!

Come by for cold refreshments, feast your eyes on art, and find something stylish this Saturday!

A sneak peak in gallery:

“Moroccan Restaurant” by Mark Selander

Austin Sapp’s “Olivia”

Visit us for It’s not all about the Benjamins, baby in the gallery space adjacent to the salon at our downtown location:
2018 1st Ave E, Seattle.
Opening: Saturday, August 1st, 4pm - 9pm.
La Rousse sidewalk sale: 12pm - 6pm.
Art on display through August 31st.

If you’ve visited the VAIN Gallery, you’ve most likely seen the work of VAIN art studio tenant Michael Lane. His super cool stencils of Rock ‘n’ Roll icons such as David Bowie, Deborah Harry, and Joe Strummer have all been favorites here. Luckily, for everyone, he’s now offering each and every one of his stencils for only $10!!! That’s right, 10 smackers won’t even buy you a CD, but it will let you get your hands on a sweet tribute to one of Rock’s Legends (with a capital L). Get them before they’re gone!

The VAIN gallery hosts art, jewelry, vintage treasures, and hot vinyl records at thrift-friendly prices. Visit our Downtown location @2018 1st Ave, Seattle.

Last week Felicity, Kevin Murphy’s right hand lady, joined us for an all day photo project. The VAIN stylists signed up for the event were divided into six groups, each one choosing their own vision for the setup. Our day started with the creations of VAIN ’s own Liza Jo, TT, and Sam.

Model: Isis

Makeup: Lady Bob

We loved having Felicity’s trained eye + experience on hand for our shoots. It was a demanding day, with tight schedules and a need for well thought out ideas to express before the camera. Each group delivered gorgeous results - starting with Isis’ impactful color seen here.

Congratulations to all of our stylists on such a successful, creative, beautiful day. More coming soon!

Photos by our own Sarah Joann Murphy

xo,

VAIN

The DVS Crew worked their magic on VAIN’s exterior wall this past sunny Saturday (as they’ve been doing for years), and as usual it became a live art spectacle for anyone who happened to be on 1st Ave. It’s always great to see this kind of art in action in the middle of the day on a busy city street, and the reaction it gets from passersby + VAIN clients makes it even better.

More pictures to follow; in the meantime, come check out the finished product the next time you’re at VAIN downtown. Oh and if you’re in the mood to switch up your own exterior for spring, you know we can match your hair color or single extension pieces to any of the paint shades DVS used in the mural. Just ask and we’ll tell you how you can re-create this sunny Saturday on your head.

Big thanks to DVS for their hard work + another amazing wall.

In the theme of our current VAIN art installation, comes a new addition in our boutique. Hand-made, felt works from Aprille of Germina Trashpile include anatomically correct hearts, like the one you see above. What a subversive alternative to chocolates in a heart-shaped box - although I would never say no to either on any given day!

Cheers!
Sylvia

Good news for artists who don’t like to travel far to get their hair done: VAIN currently has several artist studios for rent above our downtown salon!

The studios are work only, have natural light, a shared 1/2 bathroom, and offer 24-hour access. 6 month lease + deposit required. Rents start at only $180/month, no utilities fees.

We encourage local artists (quiet ones a plus- doing hair downstairs requires focus!) looking for a private, creative space to apply to join our talented group of tenants (Christine Larsen’s awesome robots, anyone??). Contact lisam (at) vain d o t c o m to find out more about the available studios and schedule an appointment to check them out.

Artist studios for rent are above VAIN downtown- 2018 1st Ave. Photo by My Vu.

Here’s a sneak peek inside What We Do Is Also Secret, the needle-felted forest art installation above VAIN downtown by Coco Howard and Spencer Moody. Video courtesy of SLOG:

Cool video but trust us, it doesn’t compare to the real, soft, quiet, amazing felted thing. You have to see it for yourself to believe it.

What We Do Is Also Secret is open for viewing on Saturdays during VAIN’s business hours and by appointment through the end of February- 2018 1st Ave @ Virginia St, Seattle (2nd floor, above the salon). To make an appointment to view the room, contact Coco Howard directly at softlife@mac.com.