Studio space available!!

CorkStop Studios is now accepting applications for contemporary artists looking for studio space. Access to the etching press and opportunity to exhibit at the studio during the annual Arts Obispo Open Studios and work featured on CorkStop's webs site. Email resume and at least 5 images of recent work to

info@CorkStopStudios.com

CorkStop artist wins Merit Award on Abstract Exposure

Xenia Madison of Corkstop Studios wins Abstract EXPOsure's Merit Award!

Link to July 2008 Exhibition online: http://www.abstractexposure.com/exhibitions.html

About Abstract EXPOsure:

Abstract EXPOsure celebrates the vibrations of the soul through a unique platform committed to actively promoting abstract artists and their work. Knowing that there are many artists who engage the abstract voice, Abstract EXPOsure aims to use the current technology and accessibility of the World Wide Web to breath life into the abstract genre. Abstract EXPOsure was created in direct response to the lack of an exclusive abstract venue and functions as an online international gallery-without-walls.

Abstract art is a lively, progressive style that deserves its own exhibition space. Historically, abstract art has flowed out times of crisis, tragedy or social and political unrest. Current difficulties in our world are being addressed by artists around the globe. Abstract EXPOsure provides a place to expose these feelings about society and also gives voice to the personal life experience of the artists themselves.

CorkStop artist wins major award for this painting

Congratulations to Xenia Madison, one of CorkStop Studios artists who won the artists entry for the 24th Central Coast Wine Classic 2008. Her winning painting - "Open to this Moment" will be etched on a 9 liter Salmanazar bottle of a limited edition, locally produced Cuvee. The actual painting will be on auction at the same event on July 12th, 2008. This is a huge charity event which typically raises over $700,000 for charity annually.

For 2008, the Central Coast Wine Classic Foundation Board of Directors has chosen the following beneficiaries:
Assistance League of San Luis Obispo County, Atascadero Loaves & Fishes, Cal Poly Arts, El Camino Homeless Organization, PCPA Theaterfest, Project Angels Bearing Gifts, San Luis Obispo Wind Orchestra, San Luis Obispo YMCA, Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts, & Tierra Sagrada, The Sacred Earth Foundation. The Annual Fund-A-Need Auction Lot will inure to the benefit of French Hospital Medical Center's Hearst Cancer Resource Center.

How do you get from Fender Bender to Fine Art?

Here is how Scott McMillin puts it:

I have been cutting up auto body parts that I get from body shops. This usually involves going to a body shop, explaining to whomever is in charge that I am an artist looking for car parts for an art project. Then, depending on the look on their face, I may whip out a picture or two to further illustrate what I am doing, followed by a quick, "no, I'm not the typical scrap metal scavenger you normally see".
On a side note, you know those guys you see going from trash can to trash can pushing a shopping cart full of aluminum cans that they turn in to a recycling place so they can get a few bucks to buy another 40 or some Boonsfarm. Well, there is slightly higher breed of these guys who drive around in beat up trucks going from body shop to body shop collecting any kind of scrap metal they can find... And they get up early, real early. So not only do I have to convince the owner of the body shop to part ways with their next-to-worthless scrap (they get about $200 per ton for it) I also have to beat Sanford and Son to the punch!
So anyway, after I procure my art materials, i.e. wrecked body parts, I bring them back to my studio and cut the parts, with a torch, into two inch or four inch squares. Then I wash each part and clear coat them and secure them to a board.
And that's how you get from fender bender to fine art! Sounds easy, huh!?

Scott McMillin's work will be on show at CorkStop Studios on Friday May 9th,2008

The San Luis Obispo Open Studios Tour at CSS

A special preview of our October show with guest artist, Christ Braun, was held at CorkStop Studios on the evening before the San Luis Obispo open studios tour. Trudy Montgomery of Blue Tangerine Art - a San Francisco based art advisory firm - gave a presentation about 'The Art of Collecting".



The open studios tour that followed was also a big success, with artists and collectors visiting the studio to view the art, capture the magic of the studio and listen to one of the three workshops/presentations.

New Intaglio Printing Press at CSS

CorkStop Studios now has a printing press. The 26" x 46" large bed, provides plenty of room for larger printing. CSS is not currently set up for acids, so we are exploring the wonderful world of solar exposure etching.

We are planning to post images of recent prints from CSS artists, Anne Stahl and Carol Paquet, as well as exploring the possibility of holding a solar exposure printmaking workshop at CorkStop Studios.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

CSS Inargural Exhibtion

Amazing turn-out for CorkStop Studios inargural open event. We had over 300 visitors and a very positive repsonse. Thank you to everybody who helped with the event!

• Read the preview at New Times SLO by Ashley Schwellenbach
• Read the SLO Tribune article by Lee Sutter
• Order a copy of the 'Central Coast Magazine' that reviewed CSS
  

Cork Stop Studios is Launching

We are three contemporary abstract painters working at Cork Stop Studios - a new artist working space. Located at Corbett Canyon in California's wine country near San Luis Obispo. We are planning to launch the studio officially in May (day TBD).

We're new to blogging, but thought this will be a good place to announce studio news, events, new images, exhibition updates etc... As things go on, we would like to open discussion and critique on some of the work produced at the studio.

You can find out a little bit more about us on our new website: www.corkstopstudios.com .

We also welcome any feedback at this early state to learn more about what information you would like to see posted here.

Finally, we hope to find out who might be interested in getting involved with the studio, help out with events, report on the artists, critique the work, find sponsors, etc...