Brand New Website and Blog Feed

Eugenie and I have been tirelessly updating, formating, coding, and collapsing all our art and design from the last 10 years into one behemoth site. Through this new website, we have combined the fine art, design, wood working, store and consulting into one user friendly website. Its a wordpress format we customized intensely. Thus, this blog will no longer be updated. Our new website is a Blog and Studio portfolio site. I'll be keeping this blog(7609studio.blogspot.com) up for about a year for archiving purposes.

In celebration of this new web launch, we are also offering 20% off all prints for the month of June. We have also printed the last 2 paper pieces as giclees from the "I Dream of" series that was debiuted in Tokyo, Japan in November 2010, and just last month, heavily featured in the most recent Hi•Fructose Magazine.


Please subscribe to this new feed:
www.thefontanastudios.com

& Enjoy our new site!!!

Cheers,
Blaine Fontana

"Mental Dilemma Dinner Party" - 12' x 5' installation

Last Saturday I had an opening at the Compound Gallery here in Portland, OR. It featured a 12' x 5' piece made of 60 12" x 12" individual ones. The backgrounds were all new designs I created and burnt onto silk screens, painted them over, then sanded out the layers. Conceptually this about my psyche and techniques represented in fragmented realities.

Art Opening/Print Release/Watch Release Event at Compound Gallery

COMPOUND GALLERY

"ALL OF ME IN PIECES":The Artwork of Blaine Fontana
Saturday June 19th 2010 @ 7:00pm | Curated by Matt Wagner

Art opening that will feature a new 11' x 5' piece composed of 55 individual boards. Two new hand pulled & hand finished screen prints will be available at the opening first. Lastly, the release of my Vannen Ltd. Edition Watch. A free giclee print is being offered to the first 6 people who purchase the watch.

Looking forward to seeing everybody!

Photos from Open studio event

Last Friday night, we hosted along with over a dozen other studios in the building, an open house event. It seemed like well over 300 people came through that evening. In a rare opportunity to open my doors to the public, it was surreal as much as it was a pleasure to meet numerous fans, and guests. A "good time: band of 10 even rocked the entire night right down the hall from us. Dj's, kegs, wine, art and performance was brimming all around the building.


the early crowd


i live for these little moments


"and a dash of humanity compliments your pizza painting"


with my neighbor, friend, and fellow talented artist in front of his installation in his studio, Zach Johnsen


my buddy and apprentice Noah Thorne


studio mate Tatina Wills of famed Heroes & Villains and Matt the curator from Compound Gallery


we had a projector on deck showing random projects from all four of us all night


it was a beutiful evening in Portland. the view from our office window


sophie, the elevator ambassador was on hand all night


with out her, i'd be lost

Open Studio Event in Portland,OR

If you live or find yourself in Portland, OR on Friday, June 11th, my building will be hosting an Open Studio event. Over 20 artists, designers, and crafts people will be opening their doors to the public for a night of art, wine, food and cheer. Located at the historic North Coast Seed Building and built in 1911, it has a wonderfully rich history. The original scales, freight elevator and old growth timber beams proliferate the units. If you are fan of local art, design and architecture I invite you to check out the other studios, and say hi.

more historical info on the seed building

Arrested Motion Interview

the good folks at the famed arrested motion blog recently posted an interview on their site. trust me when i say, i revealed a lot of what's happened over the last 3 years, and provided in depth details about my recent body of work. thanks a bunch sven for presenting thorough, researched, and challenging questions.

arrested motion / blaine fontana


photo courtesy of arrested motion

paint installation

what's this? who's that? where's he looking? you'll just have to come to my solo show this Saturday night at LeBasse Projects gallery in culver city. really looking forward to seeing everyone!!

LA solo show

"The Golden Record"
A Solo Show at Le Basse Projects Gallery
Featuring all new art by Blaine Fontana
April 24th - May28th
6023 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
310.558.0200

patience is not a virtue, it's a sore neck and hand

As I mentioned before, I've used a lot of letraset materials in this new work. Point in case, I spent 5 hrs today doing this all by hand. Futura, Cooper black, pioneer fonts with dots.

New moody pallette

Before I begin a new body of work, I'll develop a color family on the computer and later create the dozens of colors to keep a graphic color harmony with all the works based on those selected pantones. Looking at some of these jars reminds me how much my pallete has changed, darker, softer, and less saturated. I suppose it's an unconcious affect living in the NW for several years now.

the Letraset collection

upon moving into the new studio I finally organize my rare collection. I came upon these at my art school senior year. there was a 15' wide closet filed balls to walls with thousands of these things. and get this...they were going to throw them away. so my wife and I pilaged the collection withas much as we can carry. having them organized now, I released the hounds and reintroduced these back into my recent work.

if you ate scratching your head, these are those little rub off letters you'll find at art stores. except my collection is macho city, with dingbats, patterns, and NUMEROUS fonts.

LA solo show in 2 weeks

I'm about to wrap up my first solo show in 3 years. in a week I'll be driving down with my wife and our 2 dogs from Portland, OR. now that I found a reliable app to post progress and the adventure on my phone, I'll do my best to post a daily entry for the next several weeks.

I was very close to becoming victim of an art buying scam

last week i was very close to being scammed for thousands of dollars. someone expressed interest in buying one of my pieces, coincidently, it was available, for the right price and right person. he had written the title, and all other pertinent information in the email. the check was mailed and things were smoothly moving forward. when the check arrived i let the buyer know, and thats when the weirdness started. first, my gut felt the check was shaky to the touch and look. second, when he(or she, or an entire asshole collective, who fucking knows)found out the check arrived i was instructed with a bunch of eccentric shipping directions and the check had been written for twice the amount. he had instructed to wire the extra money to his "shipper" through western union. he claimed he was moving to london and had a family friend taking care of all his moving affairs.

thats the scam, and kinda clever. you take your cut for the sale of the piece after the check clears and wire the rest. several days later your fucked and the confidence man now has a wad of cleaned cash.

fortunately, my bank is very aggressive with holding checks and verifying funds over several days. my manager was on this every day with the bank making sure it was legit.

this is a new scam, art world beware!!! more info from artlanow.com:

Beware of Scammers contacting our Members

Beware Artlanow Members of scammers! We received today an email from one of our members who was contacted by “Stan.” Though we cannot read the replies written by artist Arline, the chain of messages she received reveal the stereotype temptations proffered by the fraudulent schemers who plague many of the internet sites exhibiting art for sale. Member Arline wrote:

I have had email messages from a "Stan Thomas" with an inquiry about buying one of my paintings that is on artlanow website. It is a scam. He wants to send a certified check (I've heard that before), and pay the shipping himself to a foreign country. He didn't say which one. Asked for my address and phone number. I replied, saying that I’d never ever sell a piece to a buyer who did not see it personally. He answered to tell me his shipper would inspect it, and could I send my address and phone number. (Yeah, right). I haven't yet let on that I know it's a scam. I just may confuse him some more. I'll forward his messages to you. You'll note that his grasp of the English language is off. That was the first clue.

Use this information any way you think best. Happy New Year to All !! Arline
_______________________________

Hello, Good day to you over there, My name is Stan thomas and i hope this message finds you well.I was going through your works and my eyes caught...., i will like to have them for my new apartment this month. please let me know if the piece is available, if yes let me have the detailed price and more information about it. i will be waiting to read from you asap.

Kind Regards.

_____________________________


Thanks for the message, I am very happy to know that the Pieces is still available for sale. i must tell you i am very much interested in the immediate purchase.I will like to let you know that your payment will be in form of a Certified Check.You dont have to worry about packing, insurance and tax because my shipper will be in the best position to do that as soon as you get the payment.This is because i will be traveling out of the country any moment from now for a business proposal.So get back to me with the information needed to send you the payment I:E :

Full Name
Standard Address
Phone number
Asking price reconfirmation

__________________________________

so that i can proceed in the payment arrangement, consider it sold get back to me asap with needed information.
Thanks.

__________________________________

Its okay but i would have love to do this myself but due to my kind of job,my shipper will be the one to handle the whole of the pieces he will be coming to inspect it and at the same time picking it up for me. so do consider it sold and get back to me with your name and address with your phone # for me to proceed with the payment.

Will await your message. Stan.

PDX print show @ 19TEN gallery tonight(March 6th)

We have installed a real treat for portland print hounds and art addicts. Mark Searcy, respected curator, designer and co founder of art prostitute along with Society 6, have created a beautiful print collection that is inspired by portland. Local and International, the artists produced whimsical, serious, hilarious, clever, and thoughtful artwork that represents PDX truthfully.

Hope to see all the portland art lovers at the show tonight!

19TEN
1910 N Killingsworth
Portland, OR 97217

For More info:
http://www.society6.com/studio/portland

New Massive Attack Video - "Splitting the Atom"

Massive Attack-Splitting the Atom-directed by Edouard Salier from edouard salier on Vimeo.

For me its just been way to long since a new massive attack album. Their "Heligoland" demonstrates a ton of creative growth, and yet still gives a nod to their older work, respectively. This video, directed by Edouard Salier, is simply stunning. I feel the band's integrity choosing progressive directors and very unique video direction/concept just makes this band that much better, and one of the best bands out there today. I've watched this numerous times now, and every time i find something new in this cold apocalypse. The video compliments the cold feeling and vacant noise on the track beautifully.

Feb 6th Opening featuring Dan Ness @ 19TEN

19TEN is Overlooks only gallery featuring Portland's brightest and youngest talents. Come join us for the reception featuring the work of Portland artist, Dan Ness.

Curated by Blaine Fontana, a full time artist and designer who resides in Overlook Village/Portland OR

1910 N Killingsworth
Portland, OR 97217
503.954.3322
6pm - 9pm
Artists reception:
Saturday 6 - 9 pm Feb 6th

*New Deal Distillery will be providing cocktails

Show runs:
Feb 6th - March 3rd
*available for appointment after opening

www.nessdan.com
www.thehopandvine.com

Ltd. Edition silk screen prints, 3 versions, hand finished...now available

A project like this has been on my to do list for a long time. Now having completed it, I'm sure to be doing some more in the future. I simply am really stunned by the quality and very proud to offer these screen prints. A lot of love and details were put into these, especially the hand finished series. There are 3 unique editions each with different colors. Print 1 is ONLY the screens, 17 ltd. editions,$150. Print 2 has a hand finished washed acrylic background, 7 ltd. editions, $200. Finally, print 3 has a washed and unique screen background, plus a lot of hand finished detailed rendering on the face and additional textures around the print, 9 ltd. editions, $300.

VISIT STORE

19TEN: Presenting the art of Jesse Reno

19TEN is Overlooks only gallery featuring Portland's brightest and youngest talents. Come join us for the reception featuring the work of portland artist, Jesse Reno.

Curated by Blaine Fontana

1910 N Killingsworth
Portland, OR 97217
503.954.3322
6pm - 9pm
Artists reception:
Saturday 6 - 9 pm January 2nd

Show runs:
January 2nd - January 28th
*available for appointment
only after opening

curated by Blaine Fontana

www.jessereno.com
www.thehopandvine.com

About Jesse Reno's latest work:

In the latest series of paintings by Portland-based artist Jesse Reno, shamanic beings struggle to find their place in a world simultaneously on the verge of expanding and collapsing. Totem animals and Native American figures reverberate memories of people who once lived as one with nature. Marked by symbols, these figures seek their dreams in the growth of trees and the passing of spirits. On their quest to find their true selves, they collect feathers and relics left by past encounters and past lives. They learn to transcend the boundaries of the rational world evolving into a collage of what they have become and encountered. In this body of work, Reno presents us with a journey leading inward to ultimately expand outward: "If you have moved wisely your dreams will still grow when you are gone."

PDX group show at UPPER PLAYGROUND "PIONEERS"

via pdx art zine

Upper Playground in Association with FIFTY 24PDX Gallery present:
“Pioneers” The Portland Group Show

FIFTY 24PDX Gallery presents to you a group show for the months of December and January featuring some of the best visual artists Portland has to offer. “Pioneers” will feature a diverse body of work from some of Portland's biggest names. While these talented artists vary in style, medium and message, the common thread that binds them together is the City of Roses.

“Pioneers” runs December 3rd-January 31st 2009.

Ian Anderson - Ian Michael Anderson has been a Portland resident for over three years, originally hailing from Salt Lake City, Utah. Much of his work is based on subconscious narratives in which a sort of personal mythology is manifested with few ties to the natural world, if only through metaphor.

Craig Brown - Craig Brown is a tattoo artist and painter. He works at Historic Tattoo. His paintings are bold, colorful and inspired by his craft in tattoo.

Guy Burwell – Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, he started his commercial art career providing illustration for local newspapers, murals in nightclubs, and posters for underground rock clubs. Moving to Portland provided a more dynamic, progressive and supportive artistic landscape and his work flourished. His client list is impressive and includes: Flight of the Conchords, My Morning Jacket, Kings of Leon, K2 Snowboards, Dark Horse Comics, Nemo Design and Guitar Hero, just to name a few.

Adam Crispin – Adam graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1997. Adam moved to Portland Oregon in 2005 and continues to develop in the Pearl District, where he focuses on the abstract while retaining an element of landscape.

Blaine Fontana – Blaine was born in Seattle, WA and raised on Bainbridge Island. In 2003 Blaine left hisArt Direction position for the title of self – employed artist and designer. He is represented in numerous galleries across the United States. His work can be described as “Urban-Organic Contemporary Surrealism” Paintings.

Mark McCormick – Mark has been riding bikes, drinking beer and listening to metal while creating posters and illustrations since 2003 or so. He is an illustrator, graphic designer and screen-printer now based in Brooklyn, NY although he grew up in Oregon and used to call Portland home.

Ashley Montague - Ashley Montague has worked in the medium of acrylics and mixed media techniques since his youth. His paintings are direct extensions of his ideas and feelings, sometimes trailing concepts for weeks. He currently works and resides in NE Portland, OR at his home studio.

Martin Ontiveros - Martin is a self described painter and a legend living in Portland, Oregon. He has produced posters for the Portland metal band Red Fang, shown work at Giant Robot, and provided cover art for Willamette Week and Portland Mercury.

Jesse Reno - Jesse Reno was born in 1974 in Teaneck, NJ and now lives and works in his home studio in Portland, Oregon. He is a prolific painter and muralist and also works as an illustrator and designer. His work explores his personal mythology and often references the connection between humans and nature.

Joe Shea - Shea was influenced at an early age by the art of the Catholic Church, classic sci-fi film, the pride of the Boston Celtics, and the music and posters of punk rock. His work is always handmade in mixed media with a recycled twist, combining influences of folk art, assemblage art, and all forms of street art.

Clae Welch – Clae Welch is a tattooist, painter and printmaker originally from the Bay Area. He now works out of his own studio, Historic Tattoo in South East Portland. His tattoo work has been featured with great praise in the following magazines: International tattoo, Northwest Tattoo and Tattoo Revue.

An opening reception for “Pioneers” will be held
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 from 6pm-9pm
Featuring beverages from Red Hook and music from DJ Mr. Mumu

An encore reception will held be held
Thursday, January 7th, 2010 from 6pm-9pm
Featuring beverages from Red Hook and music from Skinny Miracles


--
Fifty24 PDX Gallery
Brad Delay- Gallery Director
23 NW 5th Ave.
Portland OR, 97209
ph. 503.548.4835
fifty24pdxgallery.com

Inaugural Opening Curating @ 19TEN Portland, OR

I'm thrilled to announce another creative endeavor to Fontana Studios. I was recently asked to be the curator of 19TEN. A private events space in North Portland, OR. Adjoind to The Hop & Vine, we will be hosting monthly art shows showcasing some of the Northwest's brightest and avant garde visual artists.

Zach Johsen's newest body of work deals with the human form and how it interacts with outside influences.. most notably the pull of nature and the world of ghosts and unseen energies. Much of his work implies an act of violence or revulsion amongst something cute and cuddly. It is a sea of stuffed animals filled with cacti. It is a lollipop that tastes like tar and oil. It is a moment of pure revelation while drinking your morning coffee or tea. It is a sudden realization that everything we deal with on a day to day isn't all that there is. That there is in fact, so much more around us if we open our senses to it.

INAUGURAL OPENING:

19TEN
1910 N Killingsworth
Portland, OR 97217
503.954.3322
5pm - 9pm
Sunday, December 6th
*show runs till december 30th
*available for appointment only after opening

www.zachjohnsen.com

www.thehopandvine.com