Lots of events tonight…In Downtown LA, starting at 2pm and running till 6pm, CB1 GALLERY hosts new exhibitions at its new location 1923 S. Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles. 90021 http://www.cb1gallery.com

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In the mid-Wilshire area…Our Pick of the week takes place at KM Fine Arts Los Angeles (814 N. La Cienega Blvd., LA 90069).
 
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Close by…

Get ready for a GREAT art party. See my Huffington Post article about Sona Mirazaei.

The art of Sona Mirzaei will be featured in a solo exhibition, titled “Abstract Expressions P.II” at the Rebecca Molayem Gallery from 7-10pm.

The event will feature appetizers from Goal bar & grill as well as Kah Tequila and wine.

“I met Rebecca at her gallery on Robertson and Beverly several years ago back in 2009 and have kept an ongoing relationship since she has moved to her new gallery location on 3rd st and Sweetzer. We both are looking forward to this exhibition of Abstract Expressions P.II and the start of 2015. This is our first time finally working together and I know it is going to be great!”

Sona recently created fifty new artworks. “This new addition to my series In Search of Splendor builds the journey that I take every time I pick up a brush or palette knife so I solely just worked on abstract pieces while ensuring that each has its own unique character and overall theme.”

See image: Octavian, by Sona Mirzaei

The Rebecca Molayem Gallery opened around six years ago on Robertson Blvd., then moved to its current location. The gallery has presented eight solo shows as well as several group shows. Molayem said when viewing artist’s work, she looks for the style of the work, along with consistency. She said it also needs to be esthetically compatible with her work and the type of work she presents. Although Molayem often exhibits the work of other artists, she insists “I am an artist first and then a gallery owner.”

To find out more about Sona Mizaei’s art, see http://www.sonamirzaei.com/

RSVP to mrebecca@sbcglobal.net

Where: Rebecca Molayem Gallery, 8304 W. 3rd St., 90048
When: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Phone: 323-944-0553
Website: RebeccaMolayemArts.com

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Close by…Artspace Warehouse (7358 Beverly Blvd., 90036), throws an art party from 7-9pm. http://www.artspacewarehouse.com

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Los Angeles Art Association hosts an artist reception for “B/W” an all-media exploration of black and white contemporary art juried by Laura Watts, Honor Fraser Gallery. In addition to the B/W group exhibition, LAAA will present solo exhibitions by Kelly Berg (see image), Isabella Kelly-Ramirez and Richard Slechta.

In her recent series Phenomena, artist Kelly Berg’s paintings ride the edge between beauty and destruction. Through the use of acrylic paint and metallic wire mesh, Berg creates textured gestural surfaces with accents of delicate enameled line work. The paintings invite the viewer into mysterious cataclysmic scenes taking place in both familiar and faraway landscapes.

Isabella Kelly-Ramirez’s new work, All the Missing Pieces will feature an installation of nearly 30 recent collages, curated into an intimate installation of self-reflection.

With Crosscurrent Junction, Richard Slechta investigates the boundaries of photographic abstraction through a hybrid of painting and photography.

On view: January 24 – February 20

What: Opening reception
Where: Gallery 825 – 825 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90069
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 310.652.8272
Website: http://laaa.org

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1301PE (6150 Wilshire Blvd, LA 90048), hosts a reception from 6-8pm. http://www.1301pe.com/

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In Silverlake…(later in the evening)

SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS is pleased to present an exhibition of work focused on provocative skateboard graphics and the pioneers that hurled skateboard artwork into the counter culture limelight.

This exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of the gallery, established by Shepard Fairey, Alfred Hawkins, and Blaize Blouin in 1995.

Curated by author Seb Carayol and Erica Overskei, Agents Provocateurs brings together a selection of decks and fine art by artists including: Andy Jenkins, Alyasha Owerka-Moore, Ben Horton, Cleon Peterson, Donny Miller, Ed Templeton, Marc McKee, Mark Foster, Michael Sieben, Nil Ultra, Sean Cliver, Todd Francis, and Winston Tseng.

The opening reception will begin with a book signing by the curator and featured artists from 7 to 8 p.m. followed by an artist reception.

RSVP needed to rsvp@subliminalprojects.com  – complimentary valet

What: Opening reception
Where: Subliminal Projects, 1331 W Sunset Blvd., LA 90026
When: 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm (7-8pm-book signing)
Phone: (213) 213-0078
Website: http://subliminalprojects.com/

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Or in Westchester…there’s another one from 4-6pm at OTIS Ben Maltz Gallery, Otis College of Art and Design, (9045 Lincoln Blvd., LA 90045) http://www.otis.edu/ben-maltz-gallery

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Head West to Santa Monica…Bergamot Station offers a few art parties…

Craig Krull Gallery celebrates the art of Don Barchardy. The exhibition will include a selection of Hollywood portraits from the past 50 years.

Don Bachardy has created thousands of portraits…all  from life, never from photographs, at his studio in Santa Monica Canyon, where he still lives and works today.

See image: DON BACHARDY, Tilda Swinton, 2014, acrylic on paper, 29 x 23″

Don insists that the work is always about the collaboration between the artist and sitter, and creating a likeness from life. It is not about “celebrity;” all of his sitters sign their finished portraits whether or not they are famous.

The list of his Hollywood sitters includes Natalie Wood, Jack Nicholson, Henry Fonda, Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, Laurence Olivier, Montgomery Clift and most recently, Marion Cotillard. He was even commissioned by Angelina Jolie to have her portrait made in the nude at various stages of her pregnancy.

On view: January 24 – February 28

What: Opening reception
Where: Craig Krull Gallery (B-3) Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave, Santa Monica, 90404
When: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
Phone: 310.828.6410
Website: http://www.craigkrullgallery.com

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Patrick Painter, Inc. debuts a solo exhibition featuring new work by Los Angeles painter John Sonsini.

Enjoy an artist reception tonight. Refreshments will be served.

The exhibition will showcase new pieces in the artist’s on-going dialogue with expressionistic portraiture.

On view: January 24 – February 21

What: Opening reception
Where: Patrick Painter, Bergamot Station, B2 2525 Michigan Ave. SM, 90404
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310 264 5988Fabien Castanier Gallery, 2919 La Cienega Blvd., Culver City, 90232
Website: http://www.patrickpainter.com/

One more art party takes place at Bergamot, at CoproGallery (#T-5) from 8-11:30pm. http://www.copronason.com/

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Also in Santa Monica…

THE POACHING WARS is a documentary photo exhibition on the struggle to stop rhino and elephant poaching in Africa.

Frank af Petersens is a Swedish professional photographer with a background in Africa. He has spent several years documenting the rapidly escalating poaching crisis.

Killing Africa’s rhinos and elephants is now a multi-billion dollar industry, controlled by groups with links to terrorist organizations and global criminal networks. Rhino horn is highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine, and is worth more than gold in Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia. 1,120 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa in 2014, a dramatic increase from 13 rhinos killed in 2007.

On view: January 24 – March 29

What: Opening Reception
Where: Gallery 169, 169 West Channel Road, Santa Monica, CA 90402
When: 5:00pm – 8:00 pm
Website: http://gallery169.com/

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One more in Santa Monica…

Join P32 Gallery as each artist presents their own Spiritual Journey through color in self-aware abstract paintings. 

For everyone, the Spiritual Journey is unique. It is a reflection of ones personal growth, creative expression, and spiritual awakening.

On view: January 24 – February 28

What: Opening reception
Where: P32 Gallery, 3129 Pico Blvd. SM 90405
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: (310) 457-0619
Website: http://www.p32gallery.com/

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In Venice…

De Soto Gallery holds an opening for In Position, an exhibition of photographs by Amy Elkins and Jona Frank.

Left: Amy Elkins, Lucas, Age 12, 6th Year in Royal Danish Ballet School, Copenhagen, 2012, archival pigment print, editions variable. Right: Jona Frank, Kyle, Wirral Boxing Club, 2013, archival pigment print, editions variable.

Both artists will be present for an opening reception on Saturday, January 24 from 6pm to 8pm.

On View: January 24 – February 28

What: Opening reception
Where: De Soto Gallery, 1350 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, Ca 90291
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 323.253.2255
Website: http://www.desotogallery.com/

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In Culver City…

Corey Helford Gallery features a group exhibit titled “Freaks And Americana: An Exploration of Big Top Culture.”

See image: by SHAG

The exhibit will feature artwork by over 30 amazing artists from all over the world. Participating artsits include Annie Owens, Beau Stanton, Billy Norrby, Brandi Milne, Bumblebeelovesyou, Carlos Ramos, Colin Christian, David Stoupakis, EINE, Eric Joyner, Greg Gossel, Hueman, John Wentz, Melissa Forman, Michael Hussar, Michael Mararian, Nouar, Ron English, Sas Christian, SHAG (Josh Agle), Sylvia Ji, Tom Bagshaw, Yosuke Ueno, Carol Liu, Nicomi Nix Turner, Luke Chueh, Sarah Folkman, Selena Wong, Jasmine Becket-Griffith, and Stephen Ibbot.

On view: January 24 – February 7

In the Valley…Fabien Castanier Gallery (2919 La Cienega Blvd., Culver City, 90232) throws an art party from 6-9pm. http://castaniergallery.com