Now Showing

Now showing at R. Pela Contemporary Art

through March 29

For private viewings and purchase contact Robrt

602.320.8445   robrtpela@aol.com      www.rpelagallery.com

Thank you to all those who made opening weekend such a success. Paintings and drawings sold and everyone loved the Louis CK series. Of course I didn't think to take photos during the evening, but here is a photo of my latest, 'Confessions of a Mechanical Man' which references the nearly 4 years I spent wearing a scoliosis back brace during my adolescence. 

This Saturday at 4:30 pm join us at the gallery for a one hour salon discussion about the current show where I will answer questions about my work. The salon will be recorded and posted on my website in the near future.

Now at Mesa Contemporary Arts

Lisa Albinger with her image Shortbread Serenade on the banner outside of Mesa Contemporary Arts.

Valentines Day will be hopping with five shows happening at the Mesa Arts Center. Do join us!

M8K Marks show at Mesa Contemporary Arts

Reception: Friday, Feb 14th 7-10pm

Show runs through April 27, 2014

Mesa Contemporary Arts

FREE and Open to the Public • Premiering Exhibitions • Romance Inspired Artwork for Sale by Mesa Arts Center Studio Artists • Artists in Attendance • Musical Entertainment by Walt Richardson • Sweet Treats and Cash Bar

365 Artists 365 Days Interview with Lisa Albinger

Frank Juarez Gallery and Greymatter Gallery have collaborated on a project bringing the public an artist every day through 2014. Today they posted an interview with me from November.

Lisa Albinger interview

Please visit them!

Greymatter Gallery

Frank Juarez Gallery

Louis Bee K.

I intended to paint a bee with a man's head and didn't expect Louis C.K. to appear. The face began to resemble him so I just went with it. Simple and subtle. No extra fluff needed. Just like Louis. 9x12 inches, oil and collage on board After some thought I've decided to expand on this peculiar theme. Look for Louis C.K. as a variety of animals in the near future.

Jesus, the Mouse, and the Mission

Friday, December 6th marked the opening of 'Jesus! A December Celebration of the Christ' at R. Pela Gallery in Phoenix, AZ. With a juried show that included Arizona art notables and members of the clergy, I was told that a nun explained the significant meanings in my piece to the other jurors and touched on the mouse... When told this I was stunned as even I don't know what the mouse means. While painting I knew I had to put something in Jesus' hand and a voice kept saying, "A mouse, put a mouse." So I did.

At the very tail end (no pun intended) of the show, a gentleman approached me and pointed to my piece asking if he could tell me about it. People often do this and I'm open to hear interpretations. I obliged and we meandered to my piece where he asked, "Do you know what the mouse means?" I chuckled. When I told him that intuition guided me to simply paint a mouse he explained that on the facade of the Mission San Xavier del Bac just south of Tucson, AZ there is a cat on the right side chasing a mouse on the left. Indian legend says that if the cat ever catches the mouse it means the end of the world.

Now I don't expect a concrete form to move and catch another, but after seeing Doctor Who and the weeping angels, perhaps anything is possible. I froze, looked at the man and again at the mouse I precariously hung from Jesus' hand. On that note the evening ended and I was once again reminded why I love doing what I do.

Visit the Mission Church

'Now You Have a Choice' is available at R. Pela Gallery. Contact Robrt for painting information and to see more of my work.

Phone: 602-320-8445

Email: RobrtPela@aol.com

Website: R. Pela Gallery

This Friday is Collectors Night. The gallery will be open from 6-9 pm. Show runs through Dec 31. R. Pela Gallery, 335 West McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ

The Battle of La Mofeta vs. Lucky G.

I'm currently working on a piece for Modified Arts Gallery of an elk with a human eye - as though the human is wearing a mask. This is a recurring theme in my work - the idea of wearing a mask and taking on its persona. I thought to myself, 'Where did this come from? What was the first painting?' and I laughed when I remembered...

I can thank my mutant chihuahua, Lucky G, for the inspiration as one night two years ago he heard a noise out in the yard and went to investigate. In the desert in the pitch dark there's no telling what's outside. It could've been a javelina or coyote. Moments after he bolted outside I heard a scuffle and him yelping. Next thing I knew he scurried inside reeking of skunk along with a newly brandished large bleeding gash behind his ear. The wound healed in time. The smell however.. well, it took 6 months to completely get it out of his long hair.

I decided to commemorate the skunk's victory by depicting him as a Lucha Libre wrestler with my dog's blood on his nails and a halo above his head. I laugh every time I see this painting.

The Heatmeister

Hot of the easel, here is a detailed photo of The Heatmeister. It all started with The Sopranos, when someone called Tony 'the grillmeister'. My ears perked up and the light bulb above my head turned on. This will be a three part series of 12x12 inch mixed media paintings. 'The Grillmeister', 'The Heatmeister' and I believe the last will be 'The Toastmeister'. Can you make the correlation between the tip of the tongue and the heart? Then you will understand 'The Heatmeister'.