Inside the Phelps House

Take a peak inside Laurel Hausler’s “Phelps House”. Laurel’s house was inspired by paranormal activities that took place in a mansion in Stratford, CT beginning in the 1850s. To read about some of the incidents that took place in the mansion click here or here.

“Phelps House” is part of Laurel Hausler’s solo exhibition “A History of Dogs and Witches” on view through November 9th.

Happy Halloween!

In the Press: “A History of Dogs and Witches”

The press responds to Laurel Hausler's solo exhibition “A History of Dogs and Witches”.

Laurel being interviewed by Sasha Wilson for the Georgetown Hoya

Click here to read Lynne Venart’s interview with Laurel Hausler for the DCist.

Click here to read Sasha Wilson’s article in The Hoya.

Click here to read a review on Washington Post Express online.

"A History of Dogs and Witches" will be on view through November 9th.

“A History of Dogs and Witches” Charms at the Opening Reception

Last week we celebrated the opening of Laurel Hausler’s solo exhibition “A History of Dogs and Witches” and wanted to share some pictures from the party.

Laurel Hausler, Alice Poole and Adam Jaroszynski with "The Moors"

Guests taking a peak inside "The Phelps House" (more on this later)

The scene from above

The scene from outside

Congratulations to Laurel on this mysterious, haunting and charming new series. “A History of Dogs and Witches” will be on view in the gallery through November 9th.

Photos courtesy of Laura Kuah (I hope to put all of our reception pictures on Flickr in the near future)

Dogs, Witches, and Purple Cats...Oh My!

Thank you to everyone who came out yesterday afternoon for the Haunted Open House in support of the Washington Animal Rescue League. Laurel Hausler’s “A History of Dogs and Witches” was the perfect backdrop to celebrate Halloween and our furry friends for a great cause.

Laurel Hausler, The Party, 2008, mixed media on board, 36" x 44"

Nevin Kelly, Dr. Gary Weitzman (Executive Director of WARL), and Laurel Hausler

Two-legged and four-legged art lovers came out to support WARL

Boone sporting his witch costume…that lasted for about five seconds

Purple sugar cats

WARL has many wonderful animals up for adoption. Please visit their Web site for more information on adopting a pet or for other ways to support the organization.

Laurel Hausler’s “A History of Dogs and Witches” will be up through November 9th.

Haunted Open House to Benefit Washington Animal Rescue League

Tomorrow (Saturday, October 18) from 3 to 6 pm the gallery will host an afternoon of tricks, treats, and art by Laurel Hausler in support of the Washington Animal Rescue League.

Laurel Hausler, “The Effigy”, 2008, mixed media on canvas, 36” x 36”

Grab your brooms and fly on over to Nevin Kelly Gallery to see Laurel's solo exhibition "A History of Dogs and Witches" and enjoy refreshments and hobnob with goblins, witches, and (of course) dogs. Costumes are encouraged.

Donation: $10 donation to WARL at the door; Additionally 10% of sales made during the event will be donated to WARL.

Laurel Hausler’s “A History of Dogs and Witches” Opens Next Week

Laurel Hausler has been working around the clock in her studio in the old Lorton Prison in preparation for her upcoming solo exhibition “A History of Dogs and Witches”. The show will feature paintings, ink and watercolor drawings, sculpture, and other mixed media compositions.

Laurel Hausler in her studio working on paintings for the show

Laurel Hausler’s “A History of Dogs and Witches” is a pastiche of beloved works of literature, movies, admired artists, observations from everyday life and strange nuances in history. Her fanciful witches—partially inspired by Quentin Blake's illustration for Roald Dahl's book The Witches—wear 1940's suit-coats and hats with veils.

“The Moors”, 2008, gouache, pen, ink and pencil on paper, 12" x 12"

Hausler’s characters live in a world of dark ambiguity. Her paintings often appear haunting at first, but her message is typically more poignant and cheeky than macabre. Guided by her choice of medium, Hausler explains that her characters often push forth their own stories—a phenomenon she describes as “mysterious.” Alternately erudite, evil and beautiful, the works contain elements of narrative, fashion, history and theater.

“Family”, 2008, gouache, ink and pencil on paper, 10" x 8"

This is just a sneak peak! “A History of Dogs and Witches” will be on view from October 15 through November 9, 2008. The Opening Reception will be held Thursday, October 16 from 6 to 9 pm.

For art and animal lovers, we will also host a Haunted Open House to benefit the Washington Animal Rescue League on Saturday, October 18 from 3 to 6 pm. We will be collecting a $10 donation to WARL at the door; additionally 10% of sales made during the open house will be donated to WARL. Costumes are encouraged!

In addition to the special event benefiting WARL, Laurel will be donating 10% of all sales (outside of WARL event) to Miriam's Kitchen.

Last Chance to be “Under Surveillance”

We thought we would share more installation shots of “Under Surveillance”. The exhibition will be up until the end of next week.

Sondra Arkin’s “Government TALONS” exposes data from the Threat and Local Observation Notice System; created from copper wire, polymer clay, chamois, paraffin, thread, acrylic, paper and ink

Watch what you say, the gallery is bugged; plates from Ruth Trevarrow’s series “Bugged”

Richard Dana’s distorted portraits “Swarthy”, “Loner” and “Liberal” comment on government profiling programs

Tim Tate’s “Detector” consisting of cast and blown glass, camera and audio wave captures your image as you pass by

Animated Painting

Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the glossy surface of a Thom Flynn work of art.

Thom Flynn, Untitled, 2008, torn paper and resin on plywood, 47” x 50”

Check out the many layers that go into the creation of a Flynn piece by viewing his animated painting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reMtO0PghZQ

New Paintings by Mary Chiaramonte

Mary Chiaramonte recently made a trip to DC from VA with a car load of new works. Mary continues to delight us with the stories that come forth in her paintings.

"Jessie XIV", 2007, mixed media, 22" x 19" (left)

"St. Sebastian" (The Hula Girls), 2008, mixed media, 22" x 18"

"Volcano", 2008, mixed media, 18" x 24"

To view more, please visit Mary's artist page on our Web site or stop by the gallery and ask to see the work in person.