Raquel Echanique

Jily-Ballistic-and-JPO-art-17-Frost

SOLD Magazine launched this past Thursday evening with an exhibit — co-curated with Ellis Gallagher — and party at 17 Frost. When I stopped by early in the evening, I had the opportunity to speak to John Paul O’Grodnick, who — along with Greg Frederick and BD White — made it all happen.

 Just what is SOLD Magazine?

SOLD Magazine is a free magazine by artists for artists and art lovers. Among its features are: artists interviewing each other, studio visits, artist and photographer profiles, a travel section and much more.

What motivated you thee to launch it?

A sense that artists need a new platform for exposure. Our mission is to provide that platform.

chris-rwk-art-17-frost

 When did you guys first begin working on SOLD Magazine? And how did you fund it?

We began working on it at the beginning of October, and we funded it via a Kickstarter campaign.

It’s great that your campaign was so successful! What has been your greatest challenge in seeing this through?

Rounding up the artists whom we wanted to participate in our venture.

raquel-echanique-17-Frost-exhibit

 Was it an open call? How did you decide which artists to include?

No! It was artists we’ve known and worked with in the past. Some of them suggested others.

How often do you expect to publish SOLD Magazine?

Once every three months. It is intended as a quarterly.

elle-art-17-Frost-nyc

How will folks be able to get hold of it?

We plan to make it available in galleries and museums throughout the city, as well as in local businesses here in Williamsburg.

I notice that this premier issue focuses on female artists, with your first cover featuring Gilf and Elle. What can we expect in future issues?

Every issue will have a theme. Our next one will focus on collaborations.

Ramiro-Davato-art -at-17-Frost

 That sounds great! Congratulations!

Note: The above images of are of works that were on exhibit and for sale at Thursday evening’s SOLD Magazine‘s launch:

1. Jily Ballistic and John Paul O’Grodnick aka JPO

2. Chris RWK

3. Raquel Echanique

4. Elle

5. Ramiro Davaro

Interview by Lois Stavsky and photos by Tara Murray

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centre-fuge-street-art-nyc

The Centre-fuge Public Art Project continues its mission to transform the Department of Transportation trailer on First Street and First Avenue into a vibrant open-air gallery. These past few wintry weeks, its 16th cycle has brought an infectious energy to an otherwise cold and stark site. Here are a few close-ups:

Moody at work in mid-December — at the beginning of the current cycle

"Moody Mutz"

Joshua David McKenney at work

"Joshua David McKenney"

And to the right of Pidgin Doll — Marthalicia MatarritaMichael DeNicola, Basil and Lexi Bella

Centre-fuge-public-art-project=Sest2-and -more.nyc

Foxx FacesRaquel Echanique and Marthalicia Matarrita

Centre-fuge-public-art-project-cycle-16-NYC 2

Vernon O’Meally, Lelex and Fade, AA Mobb

"centrifuge public art project"

ArbiterMiss Zukie, Foxx Faces, BK and Sest2

"Centre-fuge Public Art Project"

Pebbles Russell, who co-founded the Centre-fuge Public Art Project in 2012, reports that Cycle 16 will remain in effect for a few more weeks. If you would like to participate in future cycles of this project, send a sketch, along with reference images to other works, to centrefuge@gmail.com.

Final photo by Lois Stavsky; all others by Dani Reyes Mozeson

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With new murals outside and an array of artworks inside, Be Electric Studios on 1298 Willoughby Avenue is the site of a new exhibit featuring over 20 street muralists.  Here are a few images captured hours before it opened last night.

Chris & Veng RWK and Nicole Salgar & Chuck Berrett

robots-will-kill-nichole-salgar-chuck-berret-street-art-murals-NYC

Nicholai Khan at work, FumeroRaquel EchaniqueChris & Veng RWK and Nicole Salgar & Chuck Berrett

 "street Murals"

Magda Love at work

"Magda Love"

Sonni

Sonni

Joseph Meloy

"Joseph Meloy"

Cernesto

Cernesto

And Esteban del Valle adding some finishing touches to his indoor mural

Esteban-del-valle

Curated by Kevin Michael, the exhibit continues through Monday, 12 – 11pm.

Photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson

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Under the curatorial direction of Tag Public Arts Project founder, SinXero, the walls on and off the 6 line in the South Central section of the Bronx have become one of the borough’s visual highlights.  Loved by both local residents and passersby, these murals, in fact, are now incorporated into an official tour of the Bronx. Here is a small sampling of what can be seen:

Marthalicia Matarrita and Raquel Echanique 

Raquel-Echanique-street-art-Bronx

Marthalicia Matarrita, close-up

"Marthalicia Matarrita"

Sexer

Sexer

 SinXero

SinXero

See TF

SeeTF

Col Wallnuts

Col

Werc

Werc

Daek William — in from Australia 

"Daek William"

Damien Mitchell

"Damien Mitchell"

Billy Mode and Chris Stain

"Billy Mode and Chris Stain"

Zimad — close-up 

Zimad

Keep posted to our Facebook page for many more Tag Public Arts Project images and check here for piece painted by the legendary John Matos aka Crash.

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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 "Centre-fuge Public Art Project"

Last weekend, the DOT trailer at First Street off First Avenue was — once again — transformed into a beguiling open-air gallery. Here are a few more images:

Joshua David McKenney at work

"Centre-fuge Public Art Project"

Moody Mutz, Jeromy Velasco, Nether and Abitar

"centre-fuge public art project"

 Moody Mutz at work 

"Moody Mitz"

Jeromy Velasco and Nether

"Centre-fuge Public Art Project"

Nether at work

Nether

Abiter

Arbitar

This cycle of the Centre-fuge Public Art Project continues through September 25, 2014.

Note: The first photo features Raquel EchaniqueAl Ortiz Jr and Joshua David McKenney.

All photos by Dani Reyes Mozeson, except for Moody at work by Lois Stavsky

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Born in 1986 in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Raquel Echanique is making her mark in NYC – both on the streets and in galleries.  I recently had the opportunity to speak to the talented young artist whose solo exhibit, Chain Reaction, opens tomorrow evening at 7pm at Spinelli Galleries in Chelsea.

"Raquel Echanique"

When did you first paint on a public surface? And what inspired you to do so?

The first time I ever painted in an open space was for the Welling Court Mural Project in Astoria, Queens in 2013. It was by chance! My boyfriend – at the time – had been assigned a wall. But because he had to DJ that day, he offered it to me.

What was the experience like?

I loved it! It was surprisingly easy. It actually felt easier than painting on canvas or paper.

Your works on canvas and paper have made their way into galleries worldwide. When was your artwork first exhibited?

I was 17 when my work was first shown in a museum back in Ecuador.

Wow! You were quite young. How were you “discovered?”

When I was 15, I participated in a live painting competition. I won first prize.

"Raquel Echanique"

How does your family feel about what your work as an artist.

They have never supported it. My mom encourages me, instead, to pursue steady, permanent work.

What percentage of your day is devoted to your art? Do you have a “day job?”

During the day I work at the Whitney Museum. When I’m not working, I’m doing my own art. Art occupies my mind all day!

What are some of your other interests?

I write poetry and I’ve won awards for my poetry back in South America.

Any thoughts on the graffiti/ street art divide?

I love them both. But I think of graffiti as a superior art form – in terms of the skills that it demands.

How you feel about the role of the Internet in this scene?

I think it’s fantastic. We can see what other artists are doing and other artists and the general public can see what we are doing.

Did you study art formally?

For brief periods of time! Twice in Ecuador and once in Argentina.

Raquel-Echanique-for-centre-fuge-public-art-project

What inspires you these days?

Everything I see inspires me!

Have any particular cultures influenced your aesthetic?

Certainly South American culture and its tradition of portraiture.

Do you work with a sketch in your hand or do you let it flow?

When I work in my studio, it is without a sketch. When I’m on the streets, I have with me a sketch with a concept.

Are you generally satisfied with your work?

I love it!

How has your work evolved in the past few years?

It’s been getting stronger, especially since I moved to NYC.

"Fumero and Echanique"

What do you see as the role of the artist in society?

To put something really good – aesthetically pleasing – out there.

What about society’s view of the artist? How do you feel the artist is perceived?

The artist is – paradoxically — both respected and degraded.

How do you feel about the photographers and bloggers in this scene?

They are important, as they offer an alternative, more authentic, voice than the mainstream media.

What’s ahead?

My solo show, Chain Reaction, curated by Frankie Velez opens on Thursday, the 31st, at Spinelli Galleries in Chelsea.  On Saturday I am participating in the exhibit, Justice, at Succulent Studios in Greenpoint.  Next week I will be painting in the TAG Public Arts Project.  And — looking ahead — on Friday, October 3, I will be participating in Street Murals: An Exhibition, curated by Kevin Michael.

It all sounds great! Good luck!

Interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky. Photo 1, by Lenny Collado; photo 2, Welling Court, 2014 by Lois Stavsky; photo 3, Centre-fuge Public Art Project and photo 4, collab with Fumero by Dani Reyes Mozeson

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Fumero

The rooftop of the 407 Bushwick, located at 407 Johnson Avenue, elevates the wonder and energy of street art. I recently had the chance to visit it and speak to its curator, Fumero.

You’ve transformed this rooftop into a vibrant canvas drenched with dazzling colors in an array of styles. How did this come about?

A friend of mine, dj and producer Onda Skillet, lives at the 407 Bushwick.  He was looking to bring some color to the rooftop that was covered mostly with old throw-ups. And I saw this as a great opportunity to bring the energy of the streets up to the roof.

Nicole-Salgar-and-Chuck-Berrett-and-Raquel-Echanique-at-the-407-Bushwick-street-art

You invited such a wonderfully diverse group of artists to paint here. Can you tell us something about how that came about?

In curating this rooftop, I chose artists whom I’ve met — and often worked with — throughout the years in different settings. I asked them to bring their distinct iconography with them. Some had never painted on walls before.

"Gumdrop and Whisbe"

You are consistently active on the streets. What is the appeal of the roof to you?  I remember catching glimpses of your pieces up here from street level and feeling frustrated that I couldn’t see more of them!

That’s part of the appeal. It incites interest. The roof is kind of a secret society. We are free to invite whom we want and no haters are allowed!

Cruz

Where would you rather paint – on the streets or on a rooftop?

I like them both.  They are different experiences. When I paint on the streets, I can engage people. But the roof has a distinct energy that I love.

"Craig Anthony Miller and Federico Cruz"

Your recent event Art in the Air, Music Underground, hosted by Aphotic, featured music, as well as art. Can you tell us something about that? How integral is music to what you are doing at the 407 Bushwick?

Its role is essential. The audio creations, performed by Onda Skillet with his Aerotropic label, were the perfect complement to the art. Opening rooftops to music and art is the next big thing! What’s happening here is a landmark. It is the future.

"JP O’Grodnick"

What about the location of the 407 Bushwick? Any thoughts about that?

The location couldn’t be more perfect. Bushwick is what the Lower East Side was 30 years ago. It’s the hub of cutting-edge art and music. The 407 Bushwick is the new CBGB.

Elle

What’s ahead?

More great energy, art and music! The second Art in the Air, Music Underground will take place this summer. The artists are already lined up, and we are now seeking sponsorship.

Fumero

It all sounds wonderful! What a great outdoor gallery NYC is!

Photos: 1. Fumero; 2. Nicole Salgar & Chuck Berrett with Raquel Echanique on right; 3. Gumshoe and Whisbe; 4. Cruz; 5. CAM and segment of Cruz; 6. John Paul O’Grodnick; 7. Elle, and 8. Fumero

Interview with Fumero and photos by Lois Stavsky; also featured on the roof of the 407 Bushwick are new works by Joseph Meloy, AOM, NS/CB, The Cupcake Guy, Rafal Pisarczyk and Robyn Henderson.

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