A Walk Around the Neighborhood - Bushwick

This past Saturday, even though we're still very much in the last spasms of winter, North Easters were treated to an extraordinary late spring preview. It was a pristine, cloudless day, and the temperature reached almost 80 degrees! I decided to go for a long walk to get out of my own neighborhood, and explore the very colorful Bushwick area of Brooklyn. I visited the Factory Fresh Gallery to pick up my painting from the Pufferella/McCutchen show (and ended up choosing another stunning piece by Dark Cloud).

A well-placed paste-up from Skewville in my over-developed neighborhood of Williamsburg
(what I sometimes refer to as, "Condo-burg").

Roberta's (left), is a place known in these parts for its brick-oven pizzas, and
which I have every intention of trying one day soon. A detail of more local color (right).

You can't go to this area of Brooklyn without seeing a something by the elusive stikman (left). This larger than usual pink piece appeared to be very fresh and new. What I love about coming here, is that there are loads of artist studios and there is always a new artistic surprise which is very inspiring. This mural (right) by the subway entrance wasn't here the last time I ducked down this particular street to get home.

A trompe l'oeil security camera paste-up.

A message in the details.

Pufferella and Josh McCutchen at Factory Fresh, Brooklyn

This past Friday night, after partaking in a minimal amount of the craziness associated with New York's Fashion Week (photographing the Alexander Berardi show for Plaztik Mag), I found myself in the Bushwick Section of Brooklyn for an art opening at Factory Fresh. Factory Fresh is an art gallery that shows the avant garde and under-appreciated side of what's going on in the artworld; namely, street art. Every month, the gallery undergoes a complete transformation. The current exhibition features the work of Pufferella and Josh McCutchen (running now through February 21st).

Team Plaztik converted the front gallery into a carnival-like atmosphere as an appropriate way to experience Pufferella's hand-sewn panels. Josh's paintings (along with a performance for opening night) were featured in the back room. His fantastic creatures remind me of Basquiat combined with the famous monsters' cantina scene from the original Star Wars movie. I loved one so much, I actually bought it. I am now an official art collector!

The gallery is blessed with a spacious corner location not far from the subway, and an outdoor courtyard that makes for an irresistible party space. The folks at Factory Fresh really know how to draw a crowd in this fairly industrial area, although it is one teeming with artists. The openings are lively; a far cry from the sterile whitewashed walls of Chelsea, where one can experience an art opening the way it was meant to be enjoyed. But don't take my word for it. Go and check out the gallery for yourself!