Volcanoes for Beginners & Slaphappy

Amanda Visell

Amanda Visell lives in the Los Angeles area by choice. She paints cartoony pictures and makes things. She did not go to school for this. Her artwork has been seen in galleries and museums nationwide including an exhibit and exclusive merchandise line at Disneyland USA. She continues to create original artowrk along with toys, books, apparel, limited edition prints and sculptures, all while perfecting her design for the ultimate home robot.

About the Exhibit

“I had a concept for what I wanted my next exhibition to be. My last show, Tic Toc Apocalypse, was created in response to me feeling like I was sort of erupting. ”

“So after the volcano bursts and scorches the island then life starts again. Thats this show. It’s the gods and titans that build the earth. The sun is created and eaten by llamas so the moon gets some alone time. Humans are born and fight and hang with monsters. Life starts over, its young and wild. Had to be metal. Old school metal sand casting. Right out of the volcano. ”

“I started each metal sculpture as a wood/polymer clay sculpture. I have made metal sculptures in the past, I can weld and dodge hot things, but to execute exactly what I wanted I got the help of Fully Visual’s Jamie Mathis. He was instrumental in putting this show together and guiding me towards designing specifically for this medium.”

— Amanda Visell

Michelle Valigura

Michelle Valigura lives in southern California where she writes, sculpts and sews. Her original artwork can be viewed around the country in galleries and at Disneyland USA. She has a product line made by Switcheroo which has been featured in a number of publications such as Bust magazine, the LA Times and Dot Dot Dash.

About the Exhibit

“Since I was a little girl I have always been fascinated by the way things are constructed. I jump at any opportunity to see how something is done. Recently I had the opportunity to visit with David Weidman and his wife to see their studio and collection of years of prints and some really amazing ceramics. I found both of their works a huge inspiration and immediately started to experiment with block printing and ceramics.”

“When mapping out the basic idea of a new show I spend days looking through books, going to museums and musing through antique stores. I often work on several different things at once and slowly I can feel a theme come together. In the past I have been using what were familiar materials to me like wood and fabric. Slaphappy is my first foray into the wonderful world of ceramics, while some familiar themes such as two-headed animals and mustaches are still very apparent, new more free flowing shapes and tones are defiantly infused into my newest works.”

— Michelle Valigura

This exhibit ends on July 31, 2009. Exhibit pieces will ship within 10 days of the end of the exhibit. Thanks!