Jeff Soto- News Archive
Past Events:
*September 8, 2007- Storm Clouds- New work from Jeff Soto. September 8th - October 6th 2007. Jonathan Levine Gallery, New York City. Opening reception Saturday, September 8th, from 7-9pm.
For more info go to www.jonathanlevinegallery.com
•September 6, 2007- "Fighting 4 Dreams"- A group show at 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco, CA. Reception begins at 6:30. For more info contact Maxx242
•August 16, 2007- "Those Damn Yanks"- A group show curated by Marsea Goldberg at Leonard Street Gallery in London. Artists include For more info contact Leonard Street Gallery.
*July 26-29th- Comicon San Diego- I will be at Booth #4933 with Murphy Books. Various Soto goodness will be available and I'll be around to sign things. I'll be releasing the last colorway of the Terrarium Keeper the Orion Egg, a new giclee, the "Hope" zine, and Murphy will be releasing "Jeff Soto's Lucky 13 Calendar". I'll also be found at the Igloo Tornado booth where I'll have a new screenprint for sale. I don't know if that booth will be labelled Bodega Books, Sparkplug, or Global Hobo...
•Most news will now be on my blog at http://jeffsotoart.blogspot.com/.
9-20-06 I'm going to be barricading myself in the studio for the next 2 months. I have been so busy with things (moving, birthdays, various art projects, taxes, internet difficulties, travelling, blah blah) that I haven't had much time to just sit and make art. So I'll be doing just that for awhile. I cleared out most of my ongoing projects, I'm going to let some things slide, and just disappear into my magical lab for a while. Time for experimentation, soul searching and taking risks. It's time to let the phone ring, let the emails pile up, leave the computer off for weeks and get the hands dirty. Time to consume intense amounts of caffiene, listen to loud music and go to sleep each night itching to wake up and feel the creative surge all over again. It's time to make some art.
• "Cold Ice Age" November 18, 2006. Solo show at BLK/MRKT Gallery, Los Angeles. For more info contact http://www.blkmrktgallery.com/
• "Natural and Unnatural: Imagining Landscape" Aug 27-Oct 29, 2006. A group exhibit at at the Hunterdon Museum of Art, Clinton, New Jersey. For more info go to: http://hunterdonartmuseum.org/
8-1-06 We just launched Potatostamp.com the new home for Jeff Soto stuff. Check it out: www.potatostamp.com I'm hoping to have lots of good things available- new prints, toys, and we're working on some shirts and other goodness.
• "Fighting 4 Dreams"- August 19th, 2006. 7-11pm. Art from Maxx242, Regino Gonzales, Steve Daily and Jeff Soto at Verses store in Temecula, CA. This is a show to launch my friend Maxx's new art studio, Fighting 4 Dreams. There will be a box set available with shirts and prints from each artist. Go to www.fighting4dreams.com for more info. Please note- I won't have any originals for sale at this event, and unfortunately it is on the same day as our one year old's first birthday party. I will try to make it to the opening but cannot promise anything.
7-18-06- Comicon is right around the corner. Get yer cameras out and get some shots of slightly overweight Catwomen and chubby bearded Jedis! This will be my tenth year going and the first time I'll actually have something to do besides walking around and geeking out. I will be signing and doodling in copies of my book and will be there for the debut of my new Terrarium Keeper 8" Egg Qee colorway, the "San Diego Egg". For those who can't make it and want the new Egg, I will have about 30 for sale sometime next week. Please check my website for more info. Hope you can make it..
7-07-06 The whole month of June flew by. Seriously, it was like someone snapped their fingers and July happened. Jeez. I'm starting a blog and I hope I don't neglect it as much as my News page here. Here it is: Jeff's Bloggity Blog. I always like reading people's daily happenings so I'm jumping into the bloggin' myself. Got a shipment from Toy2R the other day, the three colorways of my Terrarium Keeper Qee Egg. Unfortunately I have to keep quiet about what they look like until they're revealed by Toy2R in the next couple of months. Here's a pic of the boxes. I'll have about 30 pieces of each colorway for sale so keep an eye out. Speaking of which, very soon I am launching potatostamp.com which will be my online store. It's in the works right now and almost finished, just a few tweaks here and there.
5-27-06- Just finished a painting for the upcoming show at Redletter1 in Florida. My newest piece ("I Guess Riverside is Okay", 24" x 24", acrylic on wood, image below) will be on display and for sale. The show starts June 3rd (also my birthday, man it came quick this year..). I wish i could go out to Florida for the opening, would love to see what Regino comes up with, not to mention Mu Pan, Saber, Shawn Barber..looks to be a great show.
3-6-06 Winding down from my trip to NYC. NY is always very fun, but this time felt like work the entire time. Everyday I had something to do. I did a talk at Parsons which was really cool (despite the bad AV cables at the start), everyone made me feel very comfortable. You wouldn't think NY is friendly but yeah, people are pretty nice out there. My show went great. They do good work over at Jonathan Levine, he's assembled a very professional team! It was cool but I felt drained when I got back. So now it's time to relax a bit, take in the sights and sounds, hang out with the family and take a small break from making art.
I do have a few projects going on- getting back to work on the Walker with Critterbox. Working on last minute details, packaging and colorways. We're still looking at Comicon 2006, even though it will be close. The Gumivore Egg I'm working on with Toy2R and Ox-Op should be available on my site soon. They are in the USA already, so I should have them for sale very soon (the first colorway anyways...hehe).
12-29-05 Nothing exciting going on- I'm locking myself in my studio with the phone off the hook to paint for my February show in NYC. Apologies in advance for anyone trying to call or email, I might be getting back to you after mid February! In other news, people have been bombarding me about the Walker toy after the Juxtapoz ad came out this month. I don't have any info because I've been busy with other things the past few months and haven't had a chance to talk to Critterbox. Our plan was to release it at San Diego Comicon with several other colorways being released the following 12 months, so I'm assuming that's still the plan. I've also had some questions regarding Toy2R rumors. I have been working with them on an 8" Egg Qee called the "Terrarium Keeper". That's about all I can say about it, well I guess I can say that I've seen the finished prototype and it looks pretty sweet. Check the Kidrobot forums for more info....
12-8-05 Thanks to everyone who came out to Subject Matter for my book signing last week. Man, there sure were a lot of you, I hope no one minded the wait in line. Thanks again for coming out! I have another signing on the Potato Stamp Dreams Book Tour tonight at Gallery 1988 in Hollywood. After that it's Giant Robot on December 17th. Then we're taking a break and setting up some signings on the East coast next year (NY, RI, maybe Philly?) Some details below:
•Jeff Soto "Potato Stamp Dreams" book signing. 12-8-05 at Gallery 1988 in Hollywood. 7-9:30 http://www.nineteeneightyeight.com/
•Jeff Soto "Potato Stamp Dreams" book signing. 12-17-05 at Giant Robot 2, Los Angeles. 6-8pm. http://www.gr2.net/
Also check the new stuff in the store.... screenprints, Limited book set, more prints, some fun stuff I think...
11-23-05 Potato Stamp Studios is in full effect! Finally got my office set up, even have a small fridge here. Now gotta get to work! Thanks to all who came out to La Luz de Jesus for my very first signing ever. I was nervous a little but it turned out great. It was a lot of fun and I got to meet some pretty nice people. There are two more book signings in the Southern CA area this year, two in L.A. and one in O.C.
11-11-05 Studio is almost finished, just need to set up the office space. To those who have called or emailed me, I'm doing my best to get back to everyone. Until I have my computer set up in the office I don't always get a chance to check email every day, and haha, I have over 200 emails flagged for reply! Dang. I have my first ever book signing at La Luz de Jesus coming up this weekend, if you're in the area stop by.
•October 22nd 2005- Keep a Breast show at The Lab. This is a show of breast molds that artists are invited to paint on which are then auctioned off to raise money for breast cancer awareness. The show is at the Lab101 gallery located at 530-B Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA. Here is a link to the site where you can bid on the art- Keep-A-Breast
10-18-05- Busy as hell. New baby, new studio, new prints, new projects, new contact info, a few shows..... been a crazy last couple of months. Someone said our baby Shannon made it into Juxtapoz but I haven't seen it yet. Pretty cool if it's true. She's getting all smiley and cuter by the day. Been working on moving into a studio where I'll have some room to really spread out and work more efficiently. Found a nice 1000 sq. ft. office/industrial space that is gonna work out perfectly. It's been a pain in the ass- lots of cleaning, rewiring, lighting, setting up insurance and utilities and internet and phone lines, security system, not to mention moving all my junk out of my parent's garage- ugh. But it'll be well worth it very soon. Check for new contact info, my studio number has changed.
6-30-05 - The book I've been working on with Mark Murphy just got to me and I was pretty speechless when I opened up the box and saw it. It turned out beautiful, I'm really amazed by it, and it's a bit surreal flipping through and seeing all my art. So here's some info- title is "Jeff Soto- Potato Stamp Dreams". It has 142 pages in color. Comes hardbound with a color slipcover. Filled chock full of artwork- paintings, drawing, photography, etc. There will be a special boxed edition that will come with an exclusive giclee, more details on that later. The book will be available soon, for those who can't wait I believe there will be a very limited amount available at the San Diego Comicon- check with the Critterbox booth. And speaking of Critterbox, you'll also be able to check out my Walker toy at their booth at the Con. Here's some more info on the Walker at Vinyl Pulse. See ya at the Con....
3-29-05 Nothing exciting going on, just trying to work hard so I can catch up on projects- once again I've taken on more than I can handle. New article in Lodown, check out issue #44 for some Soto storytelling. New ipod skinz coming out with Macskinz, the first design has sold out but there are two more new ones available soon. Other than that, I have a book project in the works, a Critterbox toy on the drawing board, more prints coming out before summer, and a speaking engagement at Cal State Sacramento (should be fun!). Plus, the biggie- we're expecting a new addition to the family in August! Jennifer and I are really excited about bringing a new little Soto into the world! Take care homies.
Sunday December 19th 2004- Here's a new interview: CrimesAgainstart.com I think it turned out nice. What else... oh, I tried snowboarding for the first time. Damn nearly killed myself. I rode skateboards for 10+ years so I thought snowboarding wouldn't be that hard.I sucked at it. I still have yellow/purple ass bruises from a week ago! But I'll try again. I finally got the Spring Bees prints from the printer, they look perfect. Spent last week signing and numbering and shipping out all the preorders. It was a lot of work but I got it done. Oh, and my podskinz came out! I usually shy away from doing art for (and thus endorsing) products but I really liked the MacSkinz idea and I love my iPod so I was happy to use some of my art for podskinz. Check it out here: Soto Podskinz There's only 100 being made so they're both collectible and useful. Lastly, I got to meet one of my graffiti heroes last month- none other than Seen himself! He showed up at my NY opening (Fuse Gallery with Tristan Eaton). If I look a little overwhelmed in the photo it's because I was. It didn't help that I also met Doze Green that night too!
I have some fun things in the works for 2005. I'll be working on a book of my art which I'm really excited about. I'm collaborating with Critterbox on a toy design. And there's a few other exciting developments that I can't say anything about yet. Let's just say it's pretty cool.
As we jump into the new year I want to thank all those people out there that have emailed me with their comments. I love to hear from you guys, and though I'm sometimes bad about replying, I really appreciate everything you have to say. Thanks! Good luck to everyone in 2005!
Events going on/ coming up:
“Supercalligraphic” a two person show with Tristan Eaton
November 20- ?, 2004. At Fuse Gallery. For more info call: (212) 777-7988
"Pop Pluralism" grand opening group show at Jonathan Levine Gallery, NYC. February 5, 2005. For info contact Jonathan Levine
Check back for more info!
Monday, Nov. 1st 2004- Well tomorrow is the election. I'm voting Democrat like I've done since I was 18. Whoever ends up winning will have a hell of a time since our nation is so divided. Should be an interesting night, for example if it's the same situation as in 2000 where one candidate wins the popular vote but not the electorals. If it happens to the Dems again, I hope they put up a good fight this time. If it happens to the Republicans they should accept it and bow out. Maybe it doesn't matter, they both seem pretty corrupt. It seems like our country's two party system is all about winning at any cost, even if they have to lie cheat and decieve. You'd think with the technology we have there'd be some way to really make everyone's vote count. Ah well, funk it. All we can do now is vote on Tuesday and hope it counts for something. In other news I'm excited to have have new prints in the store. I'm waiting on two of the prints (which can now be preordered), but I have the new Gumivore Love print available now.
“Ghost Town ” a group exhibit of Halloween themed works.
October 2- Nov 14, 2004. At Tin Man Alley in Philadelphia. Over 30 artists involved. For more info go to: http://www.tinmanalley.net
“ TRIATOMIC 2K4 ” a three person show
November 5-28, 2004. At Lineage Gallery, Vermont. With Jason D'Aquino and Sean Christopher. For info contact: lineagegallery@adelphia.net
“Supercalligraphic” a two person show with Tristan Eaton
November 20, 2004. At Fuse Gallery. For more info call: (212) 777-7988