(The Old) PONSHOP Blog

This Blog Has Moved

2011-09-16T16:19:00.004-04:00

That's right Folks - The PONSHOP Blog Has moved Here. We've integrated our blog with the New PONSHOP website. For all those of you that are subscribed to this Blog - have no fear, you can RSS Feed the new Blog as well.

Thanks - G+S

Call for Artists: "City Colors" Invitational Exhibit

2011-08-19T15:27:00.006-04:00

PONSHOP Studio and Gallery is pleased to host “City Colors” an invitational art exhibition featuring artists participating in the 2011 Via Colori Fredericksburg Event in September of 2011. This exhibit is open to those who have registered as volunteer artists with the 2011 Via Colori Fredericksburg Organization. To register as a volunteer artist with Via Colori, Click Here.

View the Complete Prospectus Below:

page 1 of 3 click to open and "save as" to print

page 2 of 3 click to open and "save as" to print

page 3 of 3 click to open and "save as" to print

Eligibility

This exhibit is open to all artists (professional and emerging) in the Virginia Region who have registered as volunteer artists with the 2011 Via Colori Fredericksburg. “Two dimensional” artwork is inclusive of mediums including but not limited to: painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, digital graphics, textiles, screen print and lithography. All artwork must be hand delivered to the gallery. Please note that due to the space restrictions in our gallery, we may edit work to accommodate, however, each participating artist in the exhibit is guaranteed at least one entry in the exhibition.

Submission Requirements

All submitted works are to correspond and conform to the following dimensional restrictions: Frame dimensions ranging in size no smaller than 8” and no larger than 24” in width, no smaller than 10” and no larger than 30” in length (intermediate dimensions are acceptable). All work must be for sale. All entries must be original creations of the artist – no reproductions of others artwork.

Entry Specifications

The theme of “City Colors” is to celebrate the diverse styles and talents of the region’s visual artists taking part in this year’s Via Colori event. There are no thematic requirements in terms of the content of the artwork, although we ask that you submit work that best represents your creative style and vision. Does the work have to correspond to what you’ll be achieving on the streets of the city during the Via Colori festival? Not necessarily. As long as you are proud of the work submitted and you’ve achieved it to the best of your abilities – we’ll be happy to exhibit it.

All pieces are to be framed appropriately for gallery display: no gallery clips or saw tooth hangers (see attachment). Canvas pieces, unless “gallery wrapped” must include a frame. All work must be equipped with hanging wire adequate to support the painting. Textiles intended for wall hanging must include hanging system. Wet or unprofessionally presented artwork will not be accepted.

PONSHOP retains 40% of all sales on works exhibited throughout the duration of the exhibit. Artists will be reimbursed within 30 days of the exhibition closing. Artists are responsible for acquiring insurance on their own artwork. Although PONSHOP will take great care in the hanging and display of artwork, the gallery will not be held responsible for items on exhibit.

Entry Procedure

Entry fee: $25 for up to two submissions. Please complete entry form (above) and deliver with artwork.

Delivery: Artists are responsible for transporting their work to and from the gallery. Artwork not retrieved after show closing will incur a storage fee of $10 per day

Calendar

Deadline for Registering as a volunteer artist with Via Colori® Fredericksburg for eligibility in “City Colors”: Monday, August 15

Deadline for Submissions: Saturday, August 27 (10-6pm) Sunday, August 28 (noon-5pm).

Pick Up of Unincluded Work: Tuesday, August 30 (10-6pm)

Opening Reception: Friday, September 2 (6-10pm) includes brief gallery talk at 7pm.

Exhibition Dates: September 2- October 2

Pick up of Work: Sunday, October 2 (noon-5pm)

Awards

People’s Choice Award – Best in Show (Cash Prize) awarded to one artist

People’s Choice Award – Honorable Mentions (PONSHOP Gifts) awarded to two artists

Voting for artwork will commence on the First Friday opening and will continue until the third week of September.

Awards will be announced during the weekend of the Via Colori Festival (September 24-25)

About the Gallery

PONSHOP is a multifaceted storefront: an artist studio, gallery, retail store, and classroom. The vision of the owners, Scarlett and Gabriel Pons, is to provide a place that embodies what they love: art, design, and creative education. The gallery features a variety of work from artists in the Virginia region. Their studio also doubles as a classroom, providing workshops for students interested in everything from painting, ceramics, and architecture to street art and skateboarding.

If you have any questions regarding this show or would like to be included on the mailing list for notice of future exhibition opportunities, please contact us at event[at]ponshopstudio.com.

Tailor Made: T-Shirt Showcase

2011-07-19T13:33:00.004-04:00

PONSHOP will be hosting the opening reception for “Tailor-Made: T-shirt Showcase” as August’s “First Friday” event. This exhibition will feature new screen-printed shirt designs from PONSHOP, Nightmare Inc., and Icy Grape Incident Clothing. The gallery will also exhibit the original artwork used to produce the clothing graphics.

PONSHOP’s latest art tees for men, women and children feature owner Gabriel Pons’s signature graphics derived from his original paintings.

Nightmare Inc. is a local clothing brand started in 2008 by Massaponax high school senior Ryan Payne. With inspiration from horror films, Nightmare Inc. incorporates iconic imagery into their unique clothing graphics. Nightmare Inc.’s artist Austin Collins has collaborated with PONSHOP on a special T-shirt graphic to be sold exclusively at PONSHOP.

August marks the one-year anniversary of Icy Grape Incident Clothing Company. Founded by seven-cities artist/designer Tony Sementelli, Icy Grape Incident’s goal is to produce high quality clothing with original graffiti inspired artwork. They will be releasing a new colorway at the show, designed exclusively for the August event and sold only at the PONSHOP.

The evening’s event will include music, refreshments and t-shirt giveaways. Music will be provided by DJ Speed on the turntables spinning classic Hip-Hop.

August’s exhibit also includes works by a collection of many local fine artists including Rob Landeck, Adam Desio, Nathan Webster and Nicholas Candela. In addition, the gallery will include works from featured PONSHOP artists Katy Wiedemann (Providence, RI), Joshua Barber (Richmond,VA) and Ginger Huebner (Asheville, NC). PONSHOP’s gallery exhibits over thirty artists making all handmade items from jewelry and clothing to artisan soaps and accessories.

Exhibition Dates: August 5-28, 2011

Urban Decay 2: Opening Night

2011-06-09T14:10:00.011-04:00

Outdoor Demo panel by Gregg Deal
June 4, 2011. It's been a "one-two" punch over the past two months working for these back to back shows (G40 & Urban Decay 2) and Saturday Night's Opening Reception for Urban Decay 2 was just the right thing to celebrate all that hard work. Below are some pics from the show. Thanks to Deb Yarrington of The Workhouse Arts Center for organizing a great exhibit. Urban Decay 2 runs through June 26.

Outdoor Demo Panel by Jorge Guillen

Spaghetti Project had a nice spread of vinyl toys for the collectors

The Osedax kicked the night off

Scissor List came on second and rocked the crowd

Jeremy Gann

Bellflur wrapped up the night with their performance.

Gregg Deal

These were my Demo pieces from the evening...

My most recent work at Urban Decay 2

Herberth Oneeightyone

Sylvia Ortiz rock the house

"Art of Recovery" Opening Reception: May 2011

2011-05-27T16:03:00.013-04:00

May 6 2011 was the opening night for the seventh annual "Art of Recovery" Exhibit at PONSHOP. Below are pics from the evening. Scarlett and I would like to thank the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, The Kenmore Club, and all participating organizations for their hard work. A special thanks to all of the fifty artists that have participated - congratulations. PONSHOP is proud to host such a worthwhile cause and effort for our community.

The exhibit features over sixty pieces of art from fifty adults in the Virginia region. (From the RACSB) : "The Art of Recovery provides a forum for artists living with mental illness to gain confidence in their abilities, challenge mental health stigma, and experience community support."

Tracy Ringquist "For One, Many" textile 36"x48"

"The Art of Recovery" exhibit runs through May 30.

Scarlett with Doris Buffet of the Sunshine Lady Foundation.

The Kenmore Club Murals

G40 2011 - Part 2 "Ai Wei Wei: 21st Century Revolutionary"

2011-05-24T13:37:00.009-04:00

"Ai Wei Wei: 21st Century Revolutionary" installation by Gabriel Pons at 2011 G40 show in Washington DC

I'm excited to finally post some photos of the installation I completed for the 2011 G40 show. I was invited by microWave project, a collective of site-specific installation artists. Below is some more info about my piece:

The installation piece, "Ai Weiwei: 21st Century Revolutionary" is intended to inform viewers of the contemporary Chinese artist/activist Ai Weiwei, who has been detained by Chinese Authorities since April 3, 2011. The work brings to question “what is criminal?” considering the fact that Ai has been the target of camera surveillance, physical abuse and the demolition of his artist studio in Shanghai by the hands of Chinese officials. In late April, the website change.org, which has been petitioning for Ai’s release came under a cyber attack from within China. Ai Weiwei’s vehement criticism of the Chinese government has resulted in his detention, which has led many human rights activists around the world to ask “Who’s afraid of Ai Wiewei?

The four panels are mixed media (collage, wheat paste, spray paint/stencil) paintings which comprise an 8-foot by 4-foot composition. I incorporated printed material from websites that published articles on Ai Weiwei's situation. As of today, May 24 2011 - the latest news is the Chinese government is accusing Mr. Ai of tax evasion. Four associates of Ai Weiwei are also reported missing.

The background text is a mix of news reporting on the missing artists as well as some relevant lyrics from Public Enemy's "Hazy Shade of Criminal" and "Public Enemy #1" songs.

Scarlett had contributed to the effort by making over 50 ceramic forms which I hand painted with either chinese characters (like "Justice" and "Civillity") and other text corresponding to Ai's circumstances.

The 2011 G40 Show runs until June 17. It is located at 2213 14th Street NW (corner of 14th & Florida)

G40 2011 Uncapped Live Opening Party - Part 1

2011-05-21T22:04:00.022-04:00

Below are some photos from the 2011 G40 Show Opening night Thursday May 19. Thanks again to microWave project, Art Whino, and the folks at Vitamin Water for organizing such a fun event. A big Thank You to all my family and friends for their help. Sorry about the lack of captions folks - I just wanna get these up...

(Above) This got buffed after the Vitamin Water Opening on Thursday Night...

Standing in front of "Ai Weiwei: 21st Century Revolutionary" installation piece.

James Walker

Lisa Schumaier

Pam Rogers

Space and Flow

Thanks to Allison Nance and Mary Cook of microWave project.

Ben Graham-Putter

Herberth and Dan with friends...

Imani K Brown

Aniekan Udofia

Working Harder than Ever...

2011-05-13T18:35:00.008-04:00

May 10, 2011: I'm so excited to be part of the 2011 G40 Art Show in Washington DC. Here are some progress pics of the work. (Big shout out to Jeff who assisted me this week). Opening Party is Friday May 20. Be There! I'm on the third floor...Check the Info Below for more...

PONSHOP Owner Gabriel Pons is excited to announce that he is particpating in the 2011 G40 Art Show in Washington DC this month. He's been invited as part of the art installation group microWave project.

National Harbor's premiere contemporary gallery Art Whino returns in 2011 for the second edition of G40. The G40 uncapped LIVE event is an unprecedented experience in the art world with its scale and caliber of artists from around the world. This year the summit comes to DC next to the U street corridor taking over an entire building and showcasing art on all of its floors.

Where: 2213 14th Street, NW, Washington DC 20009

G40 Exhibit Schedule:

May 20th - June 17th, 2011

Opening Party: Friday May 20th, 6pm

Open Hours:

Tuesday & Thursdays: 5 - 10pm

Fridays & Saturdays: noon - 11pm

Sundays: noon - 6pm

Mondays: Closed

May First Friday: The Art of Recovery

2011-04-15T16:15:00.004-04:00

For May's First Friday Opening Reception we will be hosting the Rappahannock Area Community Service Board's (RACSB) Seventh Annual "The Art of Recovery" exhibit. The opening reception is on May 6 from 5pm-9pm, though the exhibit will remain up until May 29.

"The Art of Recovery" is organized by members of the Kenmore Club, a psychosocial rehabilitation program operated by the RASCB. The show will feature original artwork of adults with mental illness. There will be approximately 35 pieces in the show in a variety of mediums including drawings, paintings, sculpture, textiles, and mixed media.

May is National Mental Health Month so come show your support and enjoy the great artwork.

Artwork from "Public/Private"

2011-04-12T14:56:00.016-04:00

Here is some of the artwork from the "Public/Private" exhibit that is up on the walls of the PONSHOP until April 30.

Long Night's Work

Chris Schumacher
Glicee on Canvas
$250

Aeri - Creekside #1
Chris Schumacher
Glicee on Archiva; Paper
$250

Atlantis Schematic
Thom White
Ink, Wash, & Pencil on Ink Jet Print
$150

Behind an Ancient Austrian Door
Sandy Leigh Skipper
Photograph
$100

Designs on You
Mirinda Reynolds
Mixed Media on Wood
$75 (Artist Proceeds go to RCDV)

Mi Barrio
Ana Rendich
Collage
$200

Hope
Rob Landeck
Mixed Media
$75

Self Portrait with Shades
Ed King
Oil
$500

The Homeless Man is Ever Present, but Rarely Seen
Sidney Mullis & Jeff Gulick
Mixed Media
$160

Paperazzi
Greg Crawford
Papercut
$325

Personas
Jams Bauguess
Acrylic on Canvas
$222

Just Makin' Out at Steak and Ale
Joshua Barber
Mixed Media
$515

Come in to see these pieces of work and many others that are on exhibit right now.

April First Friday

2011-04-08T16:24:00.008-04:00

On Friday April 1st we held our second juried show with the theme "Public/Private," which was a huge success. The artists captured the theme in their unique works that gave a new perspective to where the line is drawn between our public and private lives.

Juror, Kathleen Walsh, gave an informal gallery talk along with co-owner Gabriel Pons to kick off the night. She had the difficult task of selecting three pieces as Merit Winners ($100 cash) and three pieces for Honorable Mention ($25 gift certificates to the PONSHOP). During this talk the awards were presented to the winners.

Luckily, the whether was beautiful as people navigated between the artwork inside and the live performance that could be seen from outside.

"The Undeniably Adjacent" Crew

The performers had a large audience gathered outside

One of the performances

A special thanks to all of the participating artists, Kathleen Walsh, "The Undeniably Adjacent" performers, and all of our patrons for coming out and making this such a fun and exciting event.

"Public/Private" Exhibit: Award Winners Announced

2011-03-29T13:32:00.006-04:00

Scarlett and I are genuinely excited to host the opening reception of "Public/Private" this Friday, April 1. We wanted to cordially invite you to the opening since it promises to be a fun event: We'll have a brief gallery talk and presentatin of awards, and at 7:30pm, a local improv troupe "The Undeniably Adjacent" will be privately performing in our public storefront. As a means of kicking off the month-long exhibit, these live performances will be based on the theme of the the "Public/Private" Exhibition – exploring the delineation between the public domain and our private space.

We are pleased to announce the results of the "Public/Private" Juried Exhibit at PONSHOP. We've received 33 submissions from 20 artists. Juror Kathleen Walsh selected 25 works for exhibit.

Below are the award winners:

3 Merit Awards ($100 each) will be presented to:

Joshua Barber, “Just Makin' Out at Steak and Ale”

Steve Jeter, “Sacred Heart #1 and #2”

Ed King, “Self Portrait With Shades”

3 Honorable Mentions ($25 PONSHOP Gift Certificates) will be presented to:

Rob Landeck, “Hope”

Ana Rendich, “Mi Barrio”

Sandy Leigh Skipper, “Behind an Ancient Austrian Door”

Congratulations to all the artists that have participated in this month-long exhibit. "Public/Private" features work from:

Laura Allen, Chris Austin, Jams Baugess, Joshua Barber, Jurgen Brat, Greg Crawford, Jeff Gulick, Barbara Taylor Hall, Steve Jeter, Derek Kirkland, Ed King, Rob Landeck, Sidney Mullis, J. Fred Perrine, Ana Rendich, Mirinda Reynolds, Chris Schumacher, Sandy Leigh Skipper, Reuben Strangelove, and Thom White.

April First Friday: Public/Private Opening Reception

2011-03-18T16:28:00.006-04:00

For April's First Friday event we are holding an exhibit juried by Kathleen Walsh. The theme of the event is Public/Private where artists explore the relationship between the public and private realms of our lives and how those associations manifest themselves in in our everyday environment.

On Friday, April 1st from 6pm-10pm we will hold the opening reception. At 7pm there will be a presentation of awards (cash prizes) and an informal gallery talk.

Also, at the opening reception there will be a performance by "The Undeniably Adjacent" improv comedy troupe from the University of Mary Washington. From 7:30-9:30 the actors will perform skits in our storefront window. The storefront window will be transformed into a stage only visible from outside the store. The performances will correspond to the theme of Public/Private and will act as a literal "window" into the actors' private lives.

"The Undeniably Adjacent"
Participating actors in the event will be:
Rachael Wonderlin
Kyle Dratwa
Mattson Fields
Annie Blaine
Elsa Lee

Come out on April 1st to see this exciting new exhibit and enjoy a collaboration of art work and live performances.

World Water Day: Saturday March 19, 2011

2011-03-17T16:05:00.008-04:00

I'm excited to have contributed to Fredericksburg's first annual World Water Day event coming up this weekend. Our amigos, Friends of the Rappahannock, asked if PONSHOP would pitch in to promote water conservation within local communities. I did up a barrel with spray paint one fine morning and called it "Agua".

Check out Hurkamp Park in Fredericksburg, VA this Saturday, March 19 (9am-noon) to see more artist-painted barrels contributed by community as well as a "build your own rain barrel" workshop, and more.

Click Here for the Friends of the Rappahannock Facebook page.

Fredericksburg's World Water Day is a Family Friendly Free Event.

Opening Reception: First Annual PONSHOP Student Show:

2011-02-07T17:40:00.017-05:00

February 4, 2011 marked the first annual PONSHOP Student Show. This group show featured students of PONSHOP Classes over the past year. The gallery featured work completed in PONSHOP classes: ceramics, mixed media, street art and skateboard graphics.

We would like to thank our students (and their parents) for their participation. Below are more snapshots from the opening night. The artists with their piece...Good Work Folks!

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as adults. Our classes are available each and every month of the year. For a current schedule, Click Here.

Call For Artists: Public/Private Juried Exhibit

2011-01-18T23:44:00.018-05:00

PONSHOP Studio and Gallery will be hosting its second juried art exhibition in April of 2011. Juried by Kathleen Walsh, “Public/Private” will challenge participating artists to explore the relationship between the public and private realms of our lives and how those associations manifest themselves in our everyday environment. PONSHOP invites artists working in all two-dimensional media to participate in this month-long regional juried exhibition.

Eligibility
This exhibit is open to all artists (professional and emerging) in the Virginia Region. “Two dimensional” artwork is inclusive of mediums including but not limited to: painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, digital graphics, textiles, ceramics, screen printing and lithography.

Deadline for Submissions
Hand Deliver to PONSHOP Saturday, March 26 (10-6pm) and Sunday, March 27 (noon-5pm)

View the Complete Prospectus Below:

Page 1 of 2 (click the image above and "save as" the image to print)

Page 2 of 2 (click the image above and "save as" the image to print)

Gallery Hanging Requirements (click the image above and "save as" the image to print)

Theme: Our Public and Private Lives

What delineates the public domain from our personal space? Is it the manifestation of a physical threshold such as a wall, door, or curtain? Or can it be something much less tangible or even invisible? This exhibit seeks to examine how cultures around the globe acknowledge publicity and privacy in their environment and how the two worlds can be blurred. One example of this can be found “online”. Today more than ever, our world is getting more connected and we are able to share (or not share) our daily lives through digital social networks, cell phones, and other media. How does this hyper connectivity affect our personal relationships? Where is the boundary between intimacy and the public stage?

If you have any questions regarding this show or would like to be included on the mailing list for notice of future exhibition opportunities, please contact us at event[at]ponshopstudio.com

More Commissioned Work

2011-01-12T15:39:00.007-05:00

Admittedly, I've been a behind schedule on all the Blog Posts. My New Year's Resolution is to stay on top of it - but first I have to catch up. Below are some snapshots of a residential commission I completed in October. The client owns a traditional single-family home and wanted to juxtapose her half bathroom with the rest of the house's decor.

Her only criteria for the mural was that it includes imagery related to our fair city of Fredericksburg, and that it incorporates technology (she's a web designer by profession). Finally, she has a love for street art which is how this whole project got started.

I drew my inspiration from all the public restrooms I've visited throughout the years - where the walls are covered in writing. Most of the text incorporated in this mural came from some of my favorite hip hop lyrics.

Scarlett and I are happy to work with clients to create original artwork in both ceramics and painting. If interested commissioning work, contact us via the PONSHOP Website.

Holiday Commission Work (December 2010)

2011-01-08T14:19:00.014-05:00

December 2010 proved to be the most productive month of the year. I was hard at work on a number of commissioned paintings for clients. Below are some snapshots of the finished pieces. "Thank You" to our clients who continue to push our creativity with these custom projects.

Custom Painted Surfboard (aka "Cuttlefish"), Mixed Media, 72.75" x 18.75"

"Cuttlefish" Top Detail

"Cuttlefish" Bottom Detail

"Grasshopper #4", Mixed Media on Canvas, 24"x36"

"The Muse", Mixed Media on Skateboard Deck, 32"x8"

"Mind, Body, Spirit", Mixed Media on Paper, 20.5" x10"

"In Dreams", Mixed Media on Canvas, 12"x9"

PONSHOP works with clients to create one of kind artwork in both ceramics and painting. If interested commissioning work, contact us via the PONSHOP Website.

Street Art/Skate to Create: December 2010

2011-01-06T19:59:00.007-05:00

Wrapping up 2010's art workshop series was a great duo of kids with a lot of heart and plenty of enthusiasm for creative work. Rama and Sam did up some stencil designs on a vinyl record and skateboard deck, respectively. They started with idea sketches and then developed full scale stencil patterns for spray painting. Check the images below. Nice work boys!

It took some time getting used the shape of a 12-inch vinyl record as a canvas, but soon enough, Rama (photographed in motion) had a direction.

Sam did several variations of his animated character before cutting the stencils.

"Meatwad get the money see.." 3-Layer stencil action on vinyl record for America's most wanted...

Sam used a 2-layer stencil and plenty of color to render this cartoon character on his skate deck.

Keep Celebrating the New Year With Us

2011-01-06T18:34:00.005-05:00

January 2011 The shop is refreshed from all the holiday madness (good kinda madness) and we invite you to join us for our "first" First Friday Reception of the new year on Friday, January 7 from 6-10pm. The gallery includes new work from Daniel Christie (ceramics), Adam Desio (photography), Rob Landeck (painting), and Chuck Williams (metalwork). Head on in for a fresh perspective on your next 365 days...

On behalf of Scarlett and I, we are very grateful for all of our family, friends, and PONSHOP fans. We're excited to bring you more creative and innovative work in 2011!

Under the Tree for Under $50 (#3)

2010-12-17T13:02:00.004-05:00

It's rare to find a mother and 10 year old son that share the same interest in creating handmade accessories. Fortunately, we have an exception to the rule. Designs by T features bright, colorful and shiny bracelets made from sterling silver, semi-precious stones, turquoise, and glass beads woven with leather or silk bands.

For Her: handmade bracelets from Designs by T (starting at $20)

"Upcycled " means recycling and reusing discarded material and creating a higher quality product - thus mitigating the impact on the environment. Here, young Zakk takes aluminum pull tabs and weaves them into cool bracelets and belts for guys and girls.

Wrap Music: Pull Tab Accessories by Zakk ($12-$20)

PONSHOP is proud to be carrying such unique and creative gifts. These pull tab accessories have been a hit this holiday season and has our artist chugging energy drinks to keep making more.

PONSHOP Gift Cards Available

2010-12-14T14:11:00.004-05:00

By now we're all struggling to find that perfect gift for a friend or family member. For those whose passion is art and everything creative, look no further. The PONSHOP gift card provides the recipient with the opportunity to select exactly what they want from our gallery. You set the dollar amount and you're done...Happy Holidays!

Making It Final for the Vinyl: 12" LP Album Art

2010-12-12T13:40:00.004-05:00

12" vinyl album stencil series by Gabriel Pons ($50-$85)

About two months ago, a friend gave me a crate of old records with the thought that I might be able to make some use of them. Since then I've been creating new stencil sets and spraying them up on vinyl. For those of you cringing to see old records get defaced, believe me, the albums I have on hand I don't think anyone will miss.

Latest Greatest: Recycled Neckwear by Katie Vance

2010-12-08T12:55:00.005-05:00

“Christine” Chocolate Brown Knit Necklace with Braiding ($26)

As KRS-One said back in '88, "You've Got to Have Style and Learn to be Original". That's our modus operandi at PONSHOP,so we are excited to have these handmade necklaces from Nashville fiber artist Katie Vance. Made from recycled T-Shirts and knit items, these can be worn as a scarf or necklace to augment one's individual style. Check It!

T-Shirt Necklace: Black and Turquoise Knit strands w/decorative knots ($26)

PONSHOP Featured Artist Interview: Ginger Huebner

2010-12-01T10:41:00.007-05:00

Ginger Huebner, a good friend of Gabe and Scarlett from their days at Virginia Tech, is an artist based out of Asheville, NC. We're excited to have a few of her pieces here at the gallery, and our intern Sarah Dawes spent some time interviewing Ginger for the blog.

"Let's Walk Together" Collage, Encaustic on Wood 11"x10"

Ginger Huebner believes that life is full of stories, and it is through her art that she aims to translate events and emotions into visual understanding. Using mostly collage and chalk pastel, her work is based entirely on individual clients and their own journeys; it encompasses individual dreams, passions, and defining life moments. Having studied architecture at Virginia Tech, Huebner eventually came to realize that the confines of her concentration did not allow her the creative voice she was seeking. Through her art, Huebner is able to capture fleeting moments in a way that will enable others to learn, appreciate, and grow from them.

Encaustic painting – one of Huebner’s primary mediums – involves applying melted beeswax to a prepared surface, usually wood in Huebner’s case. Metal tools and special brushes are used to shape the wax while it’s still hot, and heat lamps or heat guns allow artists more time to work with the wax.

"Fall" Collage, Encaustic on Wood 7"x12"

Q: When and how did you start developing an interest in art?

A: I have always loved doing artistic activities. I remember having Trapper Keeper when I was younger (8 years old, I think?), that was filled with drawings, copies of pictures, things I would collect, etc... I spent a lot of time drawing and painting things I saw. It wasn't until college that my creative process really blossomed, as I began to understand composition and was encouraged to move beyond just what I saw toward what I could create.

Q: You live and work in Asheville, North Carolina. Can you give us an overview of Asheville’s art scene and your involvement in it?

A: Yes, I relocated to Asheville four years ago from Seattle. There is an amazing diversity of local artists and artisans scattered all around the Western North Carolina region. Asheville specifically has a highly concentrated district, the River Arts District (RAD) www.riverartsdistrict.com, which is a series of 15-20 former textile and industrial buildings, now filled with art studios with working artists. I have had a studio in the RAD since 2007 that I share with talented oil painter, Ralston Fox Smith (ralstonfoxsmith.com). Our building, Pink Dog Creative, www.pinkdog-creative.com, sits in the heart of the district, and also houses the Asheville Arts Council, renowned artist Randy Shull, and other talented and committed artists. The RAD is the epicenter of Asheville's art scene and is emblematic of what art (and all creative endeavors) means to Asheville and surrounding region. The RAD hosts a bi-annual Studio Stroll which over the course of the weekend invites the public to view and purchase work from the hundreds of artists housed in these studios. The art scene is a real source of pride for locals and an asset to this community.

In addition to my own studio work in the district, the school I founded, Roots + Wings School of Art, holds custom art studio sessions and art workshops at this location. Root and Wings School of Art serves in many capacities and offers classes by myself and other RAD artists, to kids, adults and families. It was my intent to bring together these talented artists and be the conduit that allows them to share their passion and skill with others.

Q: We have read about how you strive to represent events and emotions through your artwork. In terms of client commissions, what kind of interaction do you have with the clients?

A: When I am asked to do a commission, I work very closely with my client through the entire process. First, we begin with a conversation to explore their ideas for the piece. I ask for descriptive words, colors, dates, imagery that might be significant, places / maps, etc... Then I spend time creating a preliminary sketch with colored pencil and pen that my client can comment on. I then create the layout of the piece with actual imagery, text, etc... and send a photo of this to my client. Again, they are welcome to comment on changes they might like to see, or present new ideas that have been sparked by the process. Finally, I go ahead and create the final work. It is always a fulfilling and unique experience. For most artists, this may seem an unorthodox approach, but my work has always been about connections.

Q: You graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in architecture. How has your education led you in the direction of the work you’re doing today? To what extent has it assisted you in your artistic career?

A: My time at Virginia Tech's School of Architecture+Design was crucial to my development as an artist. I credit my years there with learning how to think creatively, learning how to truly see things differently, and developing confidence in my creative talents. Specifically, the combination of my second year professor Mark Blizzard's spontaneous gift of a set of chalk pastels along with learning from his inspiring teaching methods (and his own beautifully crafted drawings) sent me down a path that has led me where I am today. As my third, fourth and fifth years unfolded, my own 'drawings' became another language for expressing not only my studio projects, but translating other elements of my life. I don't think I have ever really verbalized this until now, but in many ways, my early professional career as an architect (listening to clients ideas, shaping them into a uniquely personal work of "art", letting them be an integral part of the creative process) has also shaped my artwork.

"Expand" Collage, Encaustic on Wood 15"x16"

Q: We have a number of your encaustic pieces here at the PONSHOP. Could you briefly touch upon why you chose this medium to work with? What is the process you go through for this type of work? How do you think this enhances your work in ways that other methods could not?

A: As my work has evolved, I have experimented with new ways to incorporate my collage elements. Encaustic provides a way to layer the collage elements with translucency as well as be a tactile protector of the piece. The process involves melting the medium, applying it with a brush, then re-heating it with a heat gun. You can infinitely adjust the texture and thickness of the encaustic medium. Since my work of collage and pastel is largely 2-dimensional, the addition of the encaustic medium adds dimension to the work that I could not otherwise achieve, as well as providing opportunities for carving into or adding texture.

Q: Throughout your years as a student and artist, did you have any mentors who assisted or influenced your work?

A: As I mentioned above, Professor Mark Blizzard was certainly one of my first mentors. The artwork he was creating at the time directly influenced my own experimentation. Also, I had the pleasure and privilege to meet and spend a weekend with Sambo Mockbee between my second and third years of school. He greatly influenced me on an emotional and 'bigger vision' level, which I will always carry with me. The final two years in school at Virginia Tech's Washington-Alexandria Architecture Consortium, Ron Kagawa and Susan Piedmont-Palladino were both elemental in moving my work beyond the pure emotional toward work with greater depth and clarity. Artists Romare Bearden and Joseph Cornell are meaningful inspirations.

Q: It seems that the work we have featured at the PONSHOP alludes to reflections on the environment and the natural world. Many of our patrons have sensed an environmental tone to your pieces. Can you give us any insight?

A: I have always had a great appreciation for whatever environment surrounds me. The natural world is a gift worth contemplating. I see the subtle and grand moments of life through the lens of the natural world and the human body. My work is a layering of my life story, my education as an architect, the joys and pains of the creative process, the connections to others and a reverence for the natural world.

Thanks to Ginger for all of her insight. If you're interested in viewing more of her work be sure to visit her website.

Gift Giving for the Holidazed...

2010-11-26T12:46:00.016-05:00

Friday, November 26 2010: Since I was a kid, I've always tracked the official start to the holiday media blitz to the Macy's Day Parade. These days the advertising phenomenon has permeated our email inboxes, cell phones, and facebook posts that after a while it all gets pretty overwhelming.

Ironically, Scarlett and I find ourselves in the position of having to do just that - spend time promoting our new buisness. So for all of our fans and gracious clientele we've known for years, before we barrage you with our latest (and believe us we mean "most recent" - like painting as we type) works of art from our gallery, we'd like to thank you for your encouragement and positive response to what's now become the dream that Scarlett and I have shared for many years. Viva PONSHOP!

Below are some snapshots of our holiday window display. Shout Outs to Lova Revolutionary for providing us the sweet plush holiday tree as well as Luxchroma Design Studio for the LED illumination in the storefront windows. Also a big shout out to all of our contributing artists - Gracias!

PONSHOP by Day.

PONSHOP by Night.

Check out the array of PONSHOP ceramic snowflakes and plush gift card ornaments by Clink Designs.

The heavily coveted Ecoist Handbag and Medusa Wood Block Minis

PONSHOP features unique gifts for the whole dang family.

Holiday Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 10am-6pm, Fri & Sat 10am-8pm.

Icy Grape Incident Clothing at PONSHOP

2010-11-24T11:55:00.005-05:00

Men's "Handstyle" tees (charcoal, gold, black) $22 each

We're happy to announce that we've added Icy Grape Incident Clothing to the racks at PONSHOP. Inspired by a Graffiti-influenced upbringing, Icy Grape Incident owner Tony Sementelli and his fellow artists took the leap into embarking on their own clothing line and never looked back. Below are more snapshots of what's in the shop. We're looking forward to receiving tees from their artist line soon.

Women's "Handstyle" V-Neck tees (lavender, yellow) $22 each

Children's "Grinding" tees (pink, red) $16 each

Icy Grape Incident wants to bring original street-inspired designs to clothing for the masses without mass-produced nonsense. All designs are original artwork from like-minded contributors. Become a Fan of IGI on Facebook.

Intro to Street Art: October 2010

2010-11-19T16:18:00.014-05:00

The goal of Frank's "Intro To Street Art" piece was to create something that was positive and optimistic. Check out the images below to see his progress. Good Work!

Frank shows off his stencil after the first pass of color.

Here he is with his finished piece: One stencil used twice to create a drop shadow effect for his "Live" text.

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the winter and through spring. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

Under the Tree for Under $50 (#2)

2010-11-19T11:57:00.009-05:00

The PONSHOP gallery has been transformed to accommodate holiday shoppers in their search for the perfect gift, and more and more items “under the tree” for under $50 are being showcased each day. The collection includes new work from Gabriel Pons, which is comprised of vinyl records stenciled with his signature artwork.

Making it final for the vinyl: 12" LP albums of stencil art ($50-$75)

Ceramic animal bowls have also hit the shelves at PONSHOP. Designed by Scarlett Suhy-Pons and influenced by her children, they are playful additions to any kitchen or household.

Personality Goes a Long Way: Animal Bowls by Scarlett Suhy-Pons ($30)

Artist Mary Kenyon, PONSHOP’s latest consignee, is featured extensively this month with her variety of quilted items in the shop, ranging from handbags and camera straps to aprons and baby bibs. Kenyon also has a number of larger quilts on display in the gallery.

Styles Upon Styles: Quilted items by Mary Kenyon ($10-$44)

Accessories for men are plentiful at the PONSHOP, like with Randi Tannenbaum’s vintage license plate belt buckle and distressed leather belt. “Designs by T” also has a number of stainless steel beaded leather bracelets in the shop, as well as Gypsy Tailor’s collection of Argentinean leather wallets with recycled silk tie interiors.

It's a Man's World: Handmade Bracelets and Accessories ($32-$50)

Adult Mixed Media Workshop: October 2010

2010-11-16T16:31:00.011-05:00

PONSHOP's October Adult Mixed Media Class hosted four enthusiastic students willing to get their hands dirty using mixed media (paper collage and acrylic paint). Below are some photographs of their work at the end of their last session. Good Job!

Theresa's composition incorporated intricately cut collage pieces as well as hand painted text and form.

Patricia's piece was as fluid as her personality - vibrant colors and gestural paint strokes complemented her collage assembly.

Kathleen's experience in mixed media and painting is evident in her composition. She skillfully merged found image with acrylic paint.

Kassandra's piece explored the transparency of acrylic paint with the patterning of mixed media collage.

PONSHOP offers class in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children and adults. Our classes run throughout the winter. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

Skate to Create: October 2010

2010-11-16T16:00:00.007-05:00

October's "Skate to Create" class started with nothing more than blank boards and the artists' ideas. In three 1.5 -hour sessions, we took it from idea to drawing to stencil and ended up with a personalized deck ready to skate. Check out the pics below:

Selecting the perfect color scheme is always important.

The background for the boards accents the main designs.

Gussie cut stencils using his name and a self-made logo to create a personal reflection of himself in his board.

Jasper was inspired by the bomber art in World War II and succeeds in capturing an intimidating and fierce battle face. (on the deck, not Jasper...)

Daisy took her love for pandas to a new level with this 2-layer stencil.

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as adults. Our classes run throughout the month and into the winter. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

Under the Tree for Under $50 (#1)

2010-11-10T13:48:00.014-05:00

With so many new items arriving at the PONSHOP, we’ve been busy putting together some great gift deals for the holidays. Take any one of our Eighth Street Soaps and pair it with a Ceramic Soap Dish and WrapAgain reusable wrapping paper, only $23. The soaps come in a number of unique scents, including “STUD,” “Fluffy Pajamas,” and “Three Vices.”

Looking for apparel? Grab one of our PONSHOP Toddler T’s and a WrapAgain, just $24 for the pair.

To really get you ready for the season, check out the Ceramic Snowflake Ornaments for $12 each. These handmade ornaments, like real snowflakes, are each unique and different. Available in blue and white, these ornaments make a great addition to any tree.

Along with the ornaments, we also have Ceramic Snowflake Votives for $15 each. The candle and holder create the perfect combination of soft lighting and holiday cheer. These festive votives are sure to fit in great with any holiday decor.

Come visit us this holiday season to find that special gift for anyone on your list.

Our hours are: Tues - Sat 10am-6pm; Sun noon - 5pm

November 5, 2010: Stencil Kit Release Party

2010-11-09T16:12:00.018-05:00

For November's First Friday event on November 5th, PONSHOP's "Do-It-Yourself" Stencil Kit was released to the public. Throughout the night, PONSHOP co-owner Gabriel Pons performed demonstrations where he cut stencils from the kit...

He showed the proper way to cut out stencil designs using razor blades...

...and did some spray painting on the Public Wall in the garden.

Of course, Pons got some help from past students who have taken the PONSHOP "Street Art" classes, some even brought original designs of their own.

By the end of the event, the entire board was covered. Here are some close ups:

The span of the mural wall incorporated a collaboration of designs that speaks to the diversity of Street Art. Thanks to all those that participated.

To try these designs yourself and gain a basic knowledge of stenciling, our Stencil Kit is on sale for $25. This includes six different designs for a total of ten stencils with difficulty levels ranging from beginner to intermediate. Available exclusively at PONSHOP (718 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA).

PONSHOP Featured Artist Interview: Joshua Barber

2010-10-27T12:22:00.020-04:00

PONSHOP is excited to be featuring the work of Joshua Barber in the gallery this month. Scarlett and I have known Joshua since 1997 and it's amazing to see his growth as an artist over the years. PONSHOP Intern Sarah Dawes conducted an interview with Barber and discussed the work he has featured at the PONSHOP. We also gained some insight on his overall artistic style and influences.

Joshua Barber is a painter of contemporary icons and landscapes. Having received his BFA cum laude from Appalachian State University, Barber has exhibited his work in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Bristol. Barber uses hand-weathered paper and wood as a medium for much of his work, as well as acrylic with oil and pencil detailing. Many of his stylized figures are reflective of the religious artwork Barber explored on his trip to Jerusalem, Jordan and Egypt in 2000. Capturing a nocturnal sense of memories and figures, Barber’s work is often characterized as darkly humorous and dreamlike. He has been selected for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ auction for three consecutive years.

Joshua Barber is the son of notable maritime artist John Barber, who is widely-known for his paintings of the Chesapeake Bay. In his youth, Joshua Barber was known to accompany his father in his studio or on excursions around the Chesapeake to find painting locations. Today, both artists are featured in the Barber Gallery at Gallery 5800 in Richmond.

"Hook, Line, and Naughty Sinker" Mixed Media on Wood, 15"x18"

Q: When and how did you start developing an interest in art?

A: It really started at a very early age. One of my favorite memories was in 1st or 2nd grade, when my elementary school put together a cookbook with recipes from the teachers and artwork from selected students. I was chosen to represent my class because of my interest in art. I remember drawing a very happy smiley faced shrimp.

I got pulled out of class and sent into a room to do my special drawings solo. There was a sense of power that I felt from that experience. It wasn't necessarily a feeling of being gifted or popular, but more realizing, "Suckers! You have to do cursive handwriting when I get to draw." I found my shortcut and used and abused that mindset till I graduated from art school.

Q: What kinds of places have you lived in or visited that have then had a strong effect on your style and perspective?

A: The places I've visited have trumped the places I've lived. There is a certain vulnerability in being an outsider visiting someone else's home that I have found very inspirational. My main inspiration for my modern icons came from visiting places like Israel, Jordan and Egypt and seeing how much history is a part of everyday life. From the Middle East, I took away the sacred quality of beauty that illuminates the image and the story. On the flip side, I lived in the U.K. for a short period of time and picked up the idea of having an aggressive sense of humor and the pride to produce truly original work. Inspiration is always around. Virginia is my home.

Q: You have your hands in a lot of different creative media. When we first met in 1997, you were playing a lot of music, and studying graphic design. How does this multifaceted approach influence/inform your creative process?

A: I like making stuff, whether it's a collection of paintings or chocolate chip pancakes. I've never understood the concept of "being a jack of all trades, but master of none." To me that's like saying that I understand the world, but I've never left the country. From a conceptual side, understanding the crescendo of a song or the climax of a documentary only enhances the creation of a painting. A painting is a multi-faceted piece of work that demands a beginning and end to its story.

From a business perspective, I would encourage young artists who are stepping into the game to get savvy with their promotional skills. No matter how good you are, where you're from, who you know, etc., you have to represent your work well. That is key.

"Can You Do The Birthday Cake?", Mixed Media on Wood, 9"x11"

Q: You and your father show work together at Gallery 5800 in Richmond. Can you tell us a little bit about the gallery and your association?

A: My father and I had an exhibition together in October 2009 titled, "Barber vs. Barber." My father John Barber, in my opinion and others', is one of the best contemporary realism painters in America today. His use of color, light and technique is extraordinary. My iconic work was starkly different and gaining momentum in galleries throughout the U.K. We decided that exhibiting together would be a great collaboration as father and son and it resulted in a very powerful show. The best comment that was made about the "Barber vs. Barber" show was, "I have my money on Barber." That was one of the proudest nights of my life. We are both represented by Gallery 5800.

Q: Can you briefly touch on some of the common themes in your artwork?

A: I bookend my work with happiness and depression and let everything else fall in between. Life is complicated for every single human being on the planet, and I find that simple fact beautiful and unifying.

Everyone wakes up in the middle of the night with racing thoughts and no one holds a golden ticket. I like to chronicle everything I experience and let my work amplify my fears, dreams and hopes.

Q: Why do you choose to work with the media used in your work? How do you think this enhances your work in ways that other methods could not?

A: Experimentation. I have shot paintings with shotguns, splattered them with bleach from a toothbrush, buried pieces in the backyard and dipped them in month-old coffee. I would say in the last ten years, six or seven out of fifty experiments actually worked. It was fun though.

Now, I do have a "secret formula" to how I create my pieces that leaves the audience guessing. I find great pride in that. I also heavily respect painters who use a traditional method of oil, acrylic, watercolors etc. It simply didn't work for me, so I had to create a witches' brew for me to be satisfied.

"Look, I See What You Mean From A Totally Different Point of View", Mixed Media on Wood, 9"x11"

Q: Your artwork has unique and often times humorous titles. The title, “Hook, Line and Naughty Sinker” evokes some giggles from our patrons when they read it. Can you touch upon the relationship between the images and titles and how they can influence one another?

A: It kills me when I see a beautiful painting by an artist titled ironically, "untitled." Paintings are layered as much as thoughts behind them. My work is based on connecting with people. Being obscure or above the audience is boring to me. I want people to understand the painting, with a little bit of a love nudge, and then everything is open to interpretation.

Q: Your current show “all the ways i’m leaving you” runs until October 31 at Gallery 5800. Give us an overview of the show and what you’d like the viewer to take with them.

A: "all the ways i'm leaving you" was an exploration into kinetic landscapes which represent the moments and the decisions made before a true story begins. The collection was actually a challenge for me to create. I worked this year on several specific paintings for commissions and auctions, which is how I prefer to paint, but it's so rewarding to be able to step back and see a unified collection.

I wanted every viewer to take a second, erase the world and relate to these moments on their own terms. I'm proud that the red-wagon piece, "i'll show you yours and you show me mine," went to a collector who said it "captured his childhood." It doesn't get any better than that.

You can view more of Joshua Barber's work on JoshuaBarberFineArt.com

Hello Brooklyn!

2010-10-25T21:57:00.022-04:00

The Pons family took a quick jaunt to Brooklyn, NY last week to visit some old friends and show our boys a bit of our old neighborhood from years back. Below are some snapshots from our trip!

Carroll Street: the old crib in a neighborhood of brownstones...

Southern Hemisphere (Australia) meets Northern Hemisphere (North America): thunder is made.

We took the kids to the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Store to stock up on items.

Grand Army Plaza with some Richard Meier thang going on around the bend...

I miss Prospect Park - awesome tunnels and such...

The "international four" (left to right): Loochie Loo, Mad Cappy, Monster D, and Lady ZD...

We stopped by DUMBO on the way out to check out some paint on walls...(some call it art!)

Diego was too inspired and got up on that right quick with his personal stash of markers...

Thanks to Wendy and Adam for a memorable trip - we hope you enjoy the rest of your trip around the globe.

Fundraiser for Fredericksburg United Methodist Church Preschool

2010-10-22T16:28:00.005-04:00

PONSHOP is holding our first fundraiser for the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church Preschool. We are donating 10% of all sales (including class and workshop fees) to the Preschool, as well as offering two 45-minute workshops for children who are 3-4 years old. Anyone can participate, even if the children do not go to the preschool and older siblings are welcome to sign up for a class too.

What: A 45-minute workshop teaching your children how to create their own ceramic mask and decorate with ceramic paints while exploring hand building techniques with ceramic artist Scarlett Suhy-Pons.

When: Saturday November 6th, two class sessions are available:
10:00am-10:45am
1:00pm-1:45pm

Cost: $12 per student

Where: PONSHOP Studio in Downtown Fredericksburg, 712 Caroline Street.

Class Limit: 6 per session

To register: call PONSHOP at 540-656-2215

Kick off your holiday shopping season by enrolling your child in a class! 10% of all sales that day will be donated to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church Preschool.

PONSHOP in the Local Press

2010-10-21T10:54:00.008-04:00

Adam Desio, "Controlled Chaos" (detail) , Acrylic on Panel, 36"x36"

October's Show was featured in a recent write up in the Freelance Star's Weekender Section. Click Here to view the story. PONSHOP is excited to exhibit select work from featured artists: Adam Desio, Rob Landeck, Joshua Barber, Ginger Huebner, Jeremy Gann and many more.

November First Friday: Stencil Release Party

2010-10-20T16:32:00.019-04:00

Nov. 5 2010: We are celebrating November’s First Friday event with the release of the the PONSHOP Stencil Kit I’ve been working on over the past couple months. This “Do It Yourself” book includes six original graphic designs - ten stencils all together ranging from “beginner” to “expert.” Stemming from the excitement over our “Street Art” class exercises, the stencil kit acts as an extension of the course as well as a first-time tutorial for beginners.

I’ll be giving a live demonstration throughout the evening, cutting stencils from the kit and spray painting samples for the crowd. We will also open up the Public Wall in the garden of the PONSHOP that evening and encourage all you stencil artists to stop in and hit up the wall with your own favorite stencils - BYOP means bring your own paint and creativity...

We invite any of you to the public wall of our shop where you can stencil, paint, and draw. Guests have an exclusive evening to participate with their own of spray paint, markers, stickers, wheat paste and more.

In the gallery, featured artists for November include Joshua Barber (mixed media), Rob Landeck (mixed media), Ginger Huebner (mixed media), Adam Desio (acrylic and photography), Reuben Strangelove (illuminated media), and Jeremy Gann (mixed media) as well as Scarlett’s most recent ceramic creations. We are also excited to premiere local artist Bill Harris’s exclusive series of block prints.

Blue Q Bags

2010-10-15T16:18:00.007-04:00

We have new bags from Blue Q that are made from 95% recycled post-consumer material. In addition 1% of the sales from these bags goes to the conservation work of the Nature Conservancy. These reusable bags are great for every day use while remaining durable and looking great. We have three sizes: large shoppers, mid-sized zipper pouches, and coin purses in a variety of funky designs. (Prices: $15, $8, and $6)

To find out more information about Blue Q, visit their website or come in to the PONSHOP to see the new merchandise.

PONSHOP Sketchbooks

2010-10-14T22:00:00.010-04:00

For those who keep sketchbooks (and all you young artists better have a sketchbook!), we've got the perfect addition to your arsenal: PONSHOP sketchbooks include original stenciled designs on hand stitched books: (25) 7.75" x 5.5" sheets with cover. $25 each.

Each book is signed, titled and numbered by artist Gabriel Pons. Come by the shop and check 'em out!

"Splinters" Show in Richmond

2010-10-08T14:55:00.016-04:00

October's "First Friday" in Richmond ushered in the much-anticipated "Splinters" show at 212 West Broad Street. Glide Skateboards owner Brian Lopez teamed up with Richmond artist Hamilton Glass to showcase over sixty skateboard decks custom painted by regional artists. PONSHOP co-owner, Gabriel Pons, contributed several decks. His "Glide" custom is titled "Her Way of Praying#1" (below).

"Splinters" was sponsored in part by: Blueberry Delight, Art 180, Main Art Supply, and Spaghetti Project.

The show included some friends of PONSHOP too: Toni Hitchcock, Icy Grape Incident, Jeff Gulick, Hamilton Glass, Sean Donlon, Jeremy Simmonds, and Robb Burch.

Live Painting wall in effect...

Custom Glide deck by Sean Donlon

While in Richmond, I had a chance to peep the newly located Spaghetti Project (321 Brook Road, RVA)

A Few Of Our Favorite Things: October 8, 2010

2010-10-08T14:11:00.004-04:00

We’ve just received a new batch of handmade feather earrings from “Bones & Things,” a designer based out of Oakland, California. The earrings range in color and design, some accented with reds and blues, others with more basic tones. Our intern Sarah’s favorite has long white feathers that hang down around the shoulders, topped off with an actual bone around the earring’s hooks. Bones & Things earrings are quickly gaining popularity, so be sure to stop in soon to grab a pair! (prices starting at $28)

We also have new soap scents from the 8^th Street Soap Kitchen, located in Washington, DC. These soaps are handcrafted with all natural ingredients that will refresh and moisturize your skin. The one that smells like fresh baked pumpkin pie is our intern Michelle’s favorite this time of year because it complements the fall season. If you want to smell like a “Stud,” we’ve got a soap for you that’s infused with essential oils of cedar. Have trouble getting out of bed in the morning? “Awake” with its three different mint varieties would be a great addition to your morning and a new reason to get out of bed. There’s even a “fido-friendly” soap that’s safe for dogs. A scent for everyone and as the creator’s will tell you, “Good. Clean. Fun.” ($8 each)

Skate to Create: September 2010

2010-10-06T15:11:00.011-04:00

September's Skate to Create students managed to get their work done ahead of schedule, which earned them some time on the public wall in the backyard. In three 1.5 hour sessions, they designed their deck graphics, cut stencils, and sprayed their boards. Good work gentlemen, below are some pics:

Hunter (above) got a shot at some freehand spray painting while Tyler (below) hit up the wall with markers...

Check out Tyler's "monster" deck (above).

Hunter cut up one intricate stencil and used it twice for a drop shadow effect.

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the summer and through the fall. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

Adult Mixed Media Workshop: September 2010

2010-10-06T15:11:00.009-04:00

This was one of the first adult mixed media classes held at the new PONSHOP location and I was really happy to work with such motivated and enthusiastic students. Using a variety of media including acrylic, paper collage, and stencils, they took on their own projects in a studio environment.

Shellie translated a graphite sketch of a cityscape into a mixed media collage.

Donna was interested in layering paper collage as a background and then drawing and cutting her own stencil form.

Shellie's work in progress (24"x24")

Donna used two layers of stencils as well as acrylic paint to complete her piece.

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the summer and through the fall. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

Street Art: September 2010

2010-10-06T14:56:00.010-04:00

September was the return of famed PONSHOP student Finn. Along with fellow student Daniel, they did up some great work using spray paint and stencils.

Finn used a haiku inspired by summertime as the basis for his piece.

Daniel utilized two stencils to render this bird in flight.

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the summer and through the fall. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

Drawing Workshop: August 2010

2010-10-06T10:32:00.005-04:00

My man Rama took a drawing workshop that got him back into using pencils and paper. In this 3-session class, we did a number of exercises that helped train the hand and the eye. Below are some snapshots from our last session.

We did a number of sketch exercises that broke down a composition into basic geometric shapes and also evaluated for light and shadow. Students are encouraged to keep working in their sketchbooks after the workshop is over. Good Work Rama - now keep drawing!

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the summer and through the fall. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

Intro To Street Art: August 2010

2010-10-06T10:16:00.003-04:00

This was Ingrid's first time designing and cutting a stencil. In this 3-session workshop, she chose her favorite sketch and transformed it into a 24"x24" spray paint piece. Nice work!

Ingrid cut three separate stencils to create her final composition.

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the summer and through the fall. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

Mixing the Media: August 2010

2010-10-05T23:02:00.006-04:00

The "Mixing the Media" workshop combined several different methods to create a work of art. Students practiced graphite drawing, acrylic painting and some spray paint methods to achieve their desired images.

Ty created a background using spray paint and then applied his illustration using glue and wheat paste.

Avianna painted her farm scene using acrylic paints and later placed her cow figure in the scene.

Congrats to the students for a job well done!

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the summer and through the fall. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

Skate to Create: August 2010

2010-10-05T22:42:00.006-04:00

The month of August brought in a new crop of students for "Skate to Create" Within three 1.5-hour sessions, we went from sketch to stencil to spray paint.

The majority of work was at the drawing table, where the students drew full scale

graphics that were then turned into stencils.

Here's the final line up. Nice work boys - now go skate!

PONSHOP offers classes in Ceramics, Mixed Media, Street Art, Architecture, and Skateboard Design for children as well as Ceramics and Drawing for adults. Our classes run throughout the summer and through the fall. For a current class schedule, Click Here.

Fredericksburg Via Colori® 2010

2010-09-30T23:19:00.012-04:00

photo (above) courtesy Jay D Anderson

September 25-26, 2010: The first annual Via Colori Fredericksburg event hit the downtown last weekend. There were dozens of artists that used the pavement as their canvas for this two-day celebration. Although Sunday morning's rain set us back a little, we managed to pull off a 100 square foot mural by Sunday afternoon. Below is a sequence of the painting. I'll be posting more photos of the other artists' pieces soon - so stay tuned.

In order to recreate the "Neptune's Daughter" image, I chalked up a 10'x10' grid to enlarge the graphic.

By lunchtime on Saturday, we had mapped out most of the line work.

The family stopped by for a quick critique and some ice cream.

End of day Saturday: my assistant Jeff covered the piece with a tarp to prevent from wind. Little did we know that we'd get an early morning shower...

Following the rain, we were able to resume by 1:30 Sunday. Diego pitched in too.

This was my first time using chalk pastels on such a rugged surface. I really enjoyed the last day, since we were able to experiment with colors and gradients.

On Sunday, some of the PONSHOP fans stepped up to help finish.

Thanks to fans and family for their help (left to right): Jeff, Jessica, Big D and Kevin.

Congratulations to all the participating artists. Thanks to the Via Colori event organizers and all volunteers. The weekend proved to be one of the most exciting and memorable events for our city and the Fredericksburg art community. To view more pictures, visit Via Colori Fredericksburg on Facebook. Click Here to view the feature article on Via Colori in the Freelance Star.

He Was Turned to Steel...

2010-09-30T19:10:00.002-04:00

PONSHOP receives clientele of all sorts. This patron bought $2,000 worth of merchandise today.

"Square City" Opening Night

2010-09-08T16:48:00.017-04:00

PONSHOP Studio and Gallery premiered its first juried art exhibition on Friday night, September 3, 2010. The “Square City” show invited artists to submit work inspired by the city within the restrictions of a two-dimensional 12”x12” to 24”x24” square. By limiting the artists to these dimensions, owners Scarlett Suhy-Pons and Gabriel Pons were able to arrange the artwork to imitate the pattern of city blocks in the gallery, so that not only the artwork, but also its presentation reflected the theme.

The juror, Bob Worthy, selected 32 pieces by 28 different artists that he felt captured and showed new ways of looking at “the city.” The pieces selected ranged over a variety of media to reflect the diversity and richness of an urban environment. During the opening, an informal gallery talk was given where the PONSHOP owners thanked the artists and patrons and introduced Bob Worthy. Worthy congratulated the artists for their work, praised their creativity, and spoke on what “Square City” meant to him. He admitted how hard it was to choose three pieces for the Merit Awards and three pieces for Honorable Mentions because of the impressive level of work that was submitted.

There were three Merit Award Winners. Each received an $80 cash prize. Below are the Merit Award Winners:

"Alley" by Crystal Rodrigue, image collage on copper leaf, 20" x 20"

“City Lights” by Reuben Strangelove, fiberboard and LED illumination, 12" x 12"

“Lonesome Ave” by Robert Landeck, mixed media collage on canvas, 20" x 20"

Three artists received Honorable Mentions and were each awarded $25 PONSHOP gift certificates. Below are the Honorable Mention Winners:

“Where I Came From” by Ana Rendich, oil, 15" x 15"

“Stairway to Heaven” by Michelle Pierson, photography, 15" x 15"

“Shellshock, Livestock, This is No Oasis” by Nicholas A. Candela, mixed media, 13" x 13"

Below are some selections from "Square City":

"City" by Patte Ormsby, mixed media, 24" x 24"

"Downtown City Square" by Becky Hubbard, textile, 16" x 16"

"Night Light" by Bill Firestone, acrylic on canvas, 22" x 22"

"What Lies Beneath" by Leslie Brier, mixed media,12" x 12"

In addition to these works, other featured artists include: John Earl, Bonnie Butler, Mary Mogee, Mirinda Reynolds, N.D. Jones, David Chance, Itty Bitty Press, Karen Julihn, Shannon Chance, J. Fred Perrine, Jennie Thomas, Linda Keefer, Milvi Gill, Joyce Leatherwood, Erin Kidd, Cathy Herndon, Pat Knock, and Jeff Gulick.

The opening night was a great success with a large turnout of both artists and fans. DJ Bredren rocked out on his turn tables, setting the mood for the exhibit with funky reggae music. In addition, Karma Fire performed fire eating and fire dancing in front of the shop throughout the night. She attracted huge interest with her flaming torches, something never before seen on the streets of Fredericksburg.

We would like to thank the following for their hard work in making Square City such a success: guest juror Bob Worthy, PONSHOP summer intern Kelly Penick (graphics and promotion), DJ Bredren, all of the artists that submitted work, as well as all participating artists. For more information about upcoming PONSHOP events, please email event@ponshopstudio.com. "Square City" runs until September 26.

Upcoming Via Colori® Event

2010-09-08T14:51:00.026-04:00

The weekend of September 24-26th marks the First Annual Fredericksburg Via Colori® street painting festival in downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia. Via Colori® is a modern interpretation of a centuries-old tradition in which volunteer artists create large scale pastel artworks on the pavement of city streets. This event is organized by the Fredericksburg Art Commission and includes not only volunteer artists, but performers, food vendors and other extended celebrations – all coming together to support the arts education movements in the Fredericksburg area.

The streets (Sophia/Charlotte) will be tiled and each square will range in size. The squares are individually sponsored by local businesses, organizations, or other units and the proceeds after expenses are used towards art-based education programs in the Fredericksburg area community.

This year, PONSHOP owner Gabriel Pons will be the inaugural signature artist for the Fredericksburg Via Colori® festival. He will be recreating his piece “Neptune’s Daughter” – originally a spray paint and stencil image of an aquatic goddess with the sea swarming above her.

The original piece was constructed in February 2010 and was inspired by a Pixies song entitled “Mr. Grieves”, where the lyrics include: “…what’s that floating in the water, oh Neptune’s only daughter, I believe in Mr. Grieves.” Gabriel will be challenged to recreate this piece on a 10ft by 10ft pavement square, using a soft chalk pastel. In the weeks leading up to the event he will be strategizing in terms of just how to recreate this image in both a different media, method, and at a much larger scale. Below are some photos from the Via Colori® workshop held Saturday August 21. Via Colori® artist Curtis Goldstein gave a two-hour demonstration to participating artists. Volunteer artists had a chance to experiment with the unique medium of pastel chalk on a street surface.

Pons experimented with chalk pastels during the Via Colori workshop last month. (photo courtesy Leslie Brier)

Pons will be painting a 10ft x 10ft chalk mural during the event. (photo courtesy Leslie Brier)

Throughout the weekend, festival goers are invited to come downtown to explore and immerse themselves in the diversity of the Fredericksburg art community. Via Colori® will utilize Sophia street and Charlotte street for the event.