December First Friday presents Cósmico: The Art of George Hage

Cósmico is a new series of works from North Carolina artist, George Hage, which is an exploration in the vast nature of digital mediums using foundational shapes like straight lines and circles to create optical landscapes representing the infinite nature of the universe. The series is about energy, movement, and infiniteness. 

Additionally George will be hanging several of his illustrated works. Obsessed with music and comic books at a young age, he continues to uniquely infuse these passions into his artwork and design and has had the opportunity to design works for the Carolina Hurricanes, Trophy Brewing Co, Hopscotch Music Festival, and much more including several creator owned projects.

George's pieces will be available to view and purchase throughout December. The First Friday event will be December 7th from 6pm-9pm. George's work was recently featured in Walter Magazine here. You can also see more of George's pieces on his website here or on his Instagram @thegeorgehage.

November First Friday: Artwork by Courtney Marie Tayler

This November AlterEgo is proud to display artwork by Courtney Marie Tayler. Tayler’s intention is to redirect our awareness, and help us to appreciate becoming present in the moment.

“Mindfulness, the act of being more present, is a recurring theme throughout my body of work. In our fast-paced world, it can be easy to be swept up into a web of technology. The intention of my artwork is to redirect our awareness, and help us to appreciate becoming present in the moment. My art process is a mixture of both drawing and painting. While in art school, I found myself being strongly influenced by artists such as Chuck Close and Kehinde Wiley. I admire the technical aspects these artists use to paint in a naturalistic and contemporary style. I learned how to work from photographs, and practice a photorealistic attention to detail in my own work.”

— Courtney Marie Tayler

Tayler's pieces will be available to view and purchase the entire month of November. The First Friday event will be November 2nd from 6pm-9pm. See more of Tayler's pieces on her website here or on her Instagram @CMTaylorartist.

October First Friday: Dan Woodruff's "Problem Children"

As spooky season is upon us, AlterEgo is proud to present Dan Woodruff’s “Problem Children” for the month of October. Woodruff is best known for his oddball characters, which he creates from bits of over-produced advertisements.

“Having worked in the advertising industry for the past 16 years I just want to make something unattractive when I get home. My work is about all the quirks and blemishes; I embrace the things Photoshop removes.”

— Dan Woodruff

Woodruff's pieces will be available to view and purchase the entire month of October. The First Friday event will be October 5th from 6pm-9pm. See more of Woodruff's pieces on his Instagram @dan_woodruff.

Wella Trend Vision 2018

Hair styling is an art, and Alter EGO is a place for artists.  While sometimes our art is expressed in every-day livable styles, trendsetting is in our blood.  

This is what we live for.

Butterface. A new exhibit from Nathan Wellman.

For the month of May, Alter EGO is stoked to unveil Nathan Wellman's collection, "Butterface." His work contains a clear emphasis on butterflies invoking a feeling of transformation and self reflection. It is a combination of portrait photography, painting and illustration, all playing with color! Here's a sneak peak:

One of These Images is Haunted.

Brandon Spence (a.k.a. Hoop and Stick) is back at Alter EGO for April 2018! Come see his new images Friday April 6th 6-9pm or anytime during the month of April.

“I’m just some guy who makes pictures out of also-pictures. They may or may not be meaningful. One of them is cursed by an ancient and terrible god, but that’s to be expected.”

— Hoop and Stick

Susan Peters, March First Friday

Susan Peters is an emerging NC artist you don't want to miss.  Her portrait of the human experience is both enlightening and liberating, a story of success and failure, of love and loss.  While her subject matter, like a mood, is various, her ability to capture your breath is consistent and encourages a appreciation of the life we are given.  www.AcrylicArtistryNC.com

Susan Peters Artist Biography:

I am originally from Woodstock, New York and have always been creating something. From the early years of finger-painting on rocks in the creek bed behind my grandmother’s house to present. After a long hiatus from painting, I have returned to it originally as a cold weather hobby, but after creating the first acrylic painting, I was immediately hooked. I started looking at everything around me in detail, noticing colors, shapes, light, and shadows.

I enjoy using bright colors in my work, and enjoy painting a variety of subject matter, as well as using varied techniques. Depending on my mood, I can go from painting flowers and animals, to abstract figures, flow art, and resin.

I consider myself to be an emerging artist, as I am just starting to display my work. To date, I have displayed my art throughout North Carolina. I currently have a painting in the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina for the “State of the Art: Art of the State” show. I also display artwork with Local Color Gallery located inside 311 Gallery in Raleigh. I am a member of the Fine Arts League of Cary, Visual Art Exchange, and the Durham Artists Guild. I have work in private collections in North Carolina, Tennessee, New York, Massachusetts, Alabama, and California.  

In addition, I have had artwork published in the online literary magazine, The Charles Carter.

I also enjoy practicing hot yoga, riding my Tennessee Walking Horses, and traveling with my family.

Feeling Blue, A New Exhibit by Taylor Lee

"When creating my latest pieces, I was inspired by color and by the geology I've seen on my road trip around the United States. From Chicago to Seattle, down to San Francisco and then through Utah, I've seen many indescribable displays of beauty in landscape. Mountains, forests, storms, fog, just to name a few. Geology is concrete, grounded, and tangible. It feels like the opposite of color - color walks, speaks, moves, and breathes. Color is a wild animal that I cannot hope to ever fully understand, just as I cannot hope to really feel the earth's crust moving beneath my feet. Seeing the two come together, like the way the mountains go purple in Utah at sunset, has taught me to see the world differently, and to never stop chasing the sublime." - Taylor Lee

FLASHBACK! JOSH MCBRIDE, 2018 FIRST FRIDAY!

Alter EGO is stoked to announce the return of Josh McBride for the very first FIRST FRIDAY event of 2018!  Join us on Friday January 5th for Josh McBride's FLASHBACK, a special exhibit of his personal collection and favorite pieces.  Josh started painting graffiti at just 13 years old.  He painted everything in sight while growing up in Durham, but now paints murals all over the country professionally.  McBride paints canvas on request.  

We've had many requests to purchase his canvas over our front desk from our private collection, but we will never part with it!  If you want one of your own, or if you just want to ring in the new year with the Alter EGO family in style, join us for First Friday in January!

"Regenesis", Artwork by Julia Sawyer

Julia Sawyer discovered her passion to create when she was old enough to hold a brush. She maintains a long lasting love affair with acrylics due to their versatility and capacity for experimentation. For Julia, inspiration often originates from day to day life. Challenges are welcome because they bring about growth and provide an arena for honing her skills.

“Regenesis” is a body of work created during a period of personal and professional renewal and rebirth. This exhibition displays new pieces of art, experimentation with different mediums, color schemes, and application methods. Geared towards organic abstraction and experimentation, the progression of pieces highlights the creative process throughout the series.

From Farm to Wall. Meet July's Artist.

Dave Greway's medium is found objects, and he creates clocks.  If you are obsessed with the dimension of time like we are at Alter EGO, then join us Friday July 7th for the opening of his exhibit "From Farm to Wall."  www.DaveGrewayDesigns.com

Things We Said, A 26 piece collection. Opening Sat May 27 at Alter EGO.

This Saturday from 3-6pm at Alter EGO, Artist Taylor Lee is unveiling a collection of 26 pieces, one for each letter of the alphabet.  Each title, from "Please Don't Go" to "Before I Met You" evokes pivotal points in a relationship.  "Things We Said" honors those often painful moments. Taylor is currently preparing for an artist residency in Puebla, Mexico, independent projects in San Ramon, Costa Rica, and a gallery opening in Urbana, Illinois. Visit her Instagram @taylorleepaints for daily updates on her work and to follow her adventures abroad.  

Event 

“This year I’ve been thinking about the differences and similarities between everyone. We come from different countries, different religions, different age groups, different races, different economic backgrounds...yet we all live the human experience. This exhibition will celebrate and honor the moments that overlap. This collection is comprised of 26 pieces, one representing each letter of the alphabet. The title of each piece will start with a letter from the alphabet, and the title will be something that we’ve said to someone else at least once in our lives. All humans, no matter how different, have probably said these things. From, “Please Don’t Go” to “Meet My Mom,” we can all relate to the important moments in our lives that are captured with these words.
”

— Taylor Lee

Nathan Wellman: Graphics & Photography

Don't miss Nathan Wellman this Friday, April 5th @ Alter EGO.  Born in Wake Forest, North Carolina, Nathan Wellman began refining his artistic interests from an early age. As a talented and disciplined illustrator he very quickly turned to new mediums, experimenting with painting and graphic design. After graduating from Wake Forest Rolesville High School with a double focus in art and design, Nathan went on to study at The Living Arts College where he earned his Bachelors Degree in Interactive Media Arts. While attending the school he held the positions of Student Ambassador, Publisher for the Student Government, and Co-President of the Photography club, Photograffiti. He is a six time Addy Awards Winner, taking home Silver and Bronze in 2011, two Bronze in 2012, and a Gold & Silver in 2013. Nathan is also the 2012 winner of "The Robert F. Lauterborn Scholarship for Advertising".

Mathew Curran is back! Nov. 2nd @ Alter EGO

This Friday: Anne Atkinson's Photography

Anne describes herself as a “professional treasure hunter”, which is very telling of the way she captures her photographic subject matter. Whether combing the cobblestone streets of fishing villages along the Amalfi Coast in Italy, or rummaging about a farm’s junk pile in rural North Carolina, Anne’s gift is finding treasures in simple things. A self-taught photographer, Anne started her career as a photo stylist first in New York City and then in Denver, Colorado. But she turned her focus to working behind the lens when she gave birth to her first favorite photography subject, her son, Evan. Fourteen years later, Anne’s favorite photography subjects also include natural abstracts, architectural elements and street art. Her newest venture is in mixed media, where she infuses her photographic images into abstract collages using handmade paper, paint and ephemera.

Anne lives in downtown Raleigh with her husband, Ken, her son, Evan, two dogs and an occasional cat.

Rock it 'til Your Wheels Fall Off! First Friday

This Friday rock it 'til your wheels fall off at Alter EGO! See Graffiti by the world famous VanillaGorrilla and hear DJ F4CEPAINT lay it out on the 1's and 2's.  Be there or be square!

First Friday: "Abandoned Spaces"

Erin Woods lives with a creative passion and curiosity about the world. After graduating from Elon with a degree in Painting and Fiber Arts, she has made Raleigh her home. Read on from Erin regarding her opening of "Abandoned Spaces" at Alter EGO:

"I can remember going on adventures with my dad, as a kid, through rural parts of Maryland. We would explore old tobacco barns and abandoned spaces. There was always a lot of mystery surrounding these structures and I would wonder about their stories. Like an archaeologist uncovering clues about the past, there is a great amount of excitement, imagination, and wonder present when I seek out these spaces. I take my role as an observer very seriously and never manipulate any of the scenes in my photos. What you see is what was left when and where I found it. As well as being visually interesting, I hope to convey a story and evoke emotions that will help the viewer imagine what might have happened." - Erin Woods

See Mathew Curran November Only @ AE

Mathew Curran - Stencil Art Show - 11.04.11 from Chris Rief Photography on Vimeo.

Miss Mathew Curran's Opening on Nov 4th? You'll still be able to view the collection through December at Alter EGO. Stop in anytime. Thanks to Chris Rief Photography for shooting and publishing this video.

Mathew Curran - Stencil Art Show - 11.04.11 from Chris Rief Photography on Vimeo.