Archive for the ‘VAIN Art’ Category

VAIN Ballard ArtWalk: Featured Jeweler & Live Performance.

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Just a little reminder, this weekend is the Ballard Art Walk and VAIN Ballard will be featuring work by Nancy O’Connell of Black Rabbit. She is “fascinated by wood and metal and the effect of time on their surfaces”. You can definitely see her attraction to texture, color, and pattern—in the unexpected combinations of materials in her accessories.

In addition to showcasing Black Rabbit jewelry during Saturday’s ArtWalk, VAIN Ballard will be hosting a free live performance by Hoquiam, whose music is inspired by the childhood the Jurado Brothers (Damien and Drake) spent in Grays Harbor. The region to many is known for its cold, damp, grey, low hanging clouds as well as for its isolation. Their music blends folk music, while bringing an early 60’s garage feel to the songs. You can definitely get a sense of their hometown Hoquiam in their lyrics. As written on their website “Gothic folk, personal narratives, and simple strong percussive elements define the music of Hoquiam. Sparse, desolate, and a place you will find yourself passing through from time to time – both the town and the band.”

Make sure to come by VAIN Ballard (5401 Ballard Ave NW!) this Saturday from 6-9pm for art, food, drinks, and a live performance by Hoquiam at 8pm.

VAIN Ballard ArtWalk Preview: Black Rabbit and Hoquiam

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

This month’s featured jeweler at VAIN Ballard is Nancy O’Connell of Black Rabbit. She is an art director by day, while weekends, nights, and sometimes on her lunch-hours she makes “stuff” – adornment for you body and walls from vintage tins. She started Black Rabbit late in summer of 2007 and focuses on limited edition and one-of-a-kind accessories from tin, vintage and new fabrics. Her work will be available at VAIN Ballard through August, with an artist reception at our salon during Ballard’s ArtWalk on August 14.

Accompanying Nancy’s jewelry unveiling at the ArtWalk will be a live performance by Hoquiam. Hoquiam is a band that is made up of two brothers, Drake and Damien Jurado. With their self-titled release, they have created an album based around their childhood in Grays Harbor. To find out more about what inspires this duos’ music as well as this month’s featured jeweler, stay tuned for next week’s blog posts.

Please join us Saturday, August 14th from 6-9pm for art, drinks, food, and live music at 8pm by Hoquiam– 5401 Ballard Ave NW.

VAIN Ballard: Featured Jeweler

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

For art walk this Saturday, VAIN Ballard will be featuring steampunk inspired jewelry by London Particulars and the beautiful voice of indie folk musician Shelby Earl.

Please join us this Saturday from 6-9pm for art, drinks, food, and live music at 8pm by Shelby Earl– 5401 Ballard Ave NW.

Recap: Second Saturday Art Walk

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

A few weeks ago, VAIN Ballard rocked the Art Walk with awesome music, fun Guerrilla Hair, yummy treats and, of course, works of wearable art by our stellar featured jeweler, Fable & Fury.

Everyone loves Guerrilla Hair!

Showing off killer up-dos by Emmett.

Good eats!

Thanks to Stuck on a Bus for a great acoustic performance!

Elegant, unique and selling like hot cakes!

The Art Walk was a huge success, come by next month to check out a new featured jeweler and partake in the food and fun!


VAIN Ballard – 5401 Ballard Ave NW – (206) 706-2707


VAIN Ballard: Featured Jeweler

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

This Saturday as part of the Ballard art walk we will have the wonderful silhouette jewelry by Jennifer of Fable & Fury.

“Combining the romanticism of Victorian chic and curiously wayward subjects with modern techniques and materials, Fable & Fury creates unique jewelry and wearable art intricately crafted in black and satin finished stainless steel.”

With a background in graphic arts Jennifer launched Fable & Fury portraying, “woodland creatures, peculiar portraits, and follies of nature appear in imaginative vignettes, cameos and silhouettes.”

Please join us this Saturday from 6-9pm for art, drinks, food, and live music at 8pm by Chase and Kyle from Stuck on a Bus– 5401 Ballard Ave NW.

VAIN Ballard: Featured Jeweler

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

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.

Reversible Heart Earrings

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

Cupped Padlock Earrings

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.”

Patterned Sterling Hearts

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

Recap: Turn & Face the Strange

Friday, November 20th, 2009

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

Turn and Face the Strange

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

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:

eddylee
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.

Surplus at VAIN

Monday, October 12th, 2009

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.

Tribute to Yohji
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
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

Art Show Recap!

Monday, August 24th, 2009

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.

Spend-Savvy Saturday: Art Opening/Sidewalk Sale!

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

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:

mark_selander
Moroccan Restaurant” by Mark Selander

Austin SappAustin 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.

A Penny for a Song…

Friday, June 12th, 2009

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.