Free Sheep Foundation Breathes Life Into Belltown

I’ll be the first to say that I’m not a huge fan of Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. Sure, there are a few cool things like Shorty’s, Roq La Rue, and The Big Picture, and it was once (or perhaps soon again) the home of the legendary Crocodile Cafe. Sure, sure. But for every one of those cool things comes one annoying, expensive, hoity-toity club or restaurant. It’s probably one of the places in Seattle I’d least like to spend my time in.

Nonetheless, Free Sheep Foundation has opened up a new gallery in the husk of an abandoned building in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. The location is just a couple blocks from the Roq La Rue / BLVD Gallery section of Belltown, and they are [temporarily?] doing some pretty amazing things in this stripped down space.

I’ve been sitting on these pictures forever and this opening was earlier this month, but I hope you enjoy them, weeks later.

Static Invasion / Scntfc installation, commenting on the ‘progress’ of Seattle’s new crazy building expansion projects. Static Invasion is a group of artists that use vinyl clings to promote street art as opposed to permanent methods. Pretty amazing.

No Touching Ground installation.

D.K. Pan installation.

Experimental music takes the stage in one of the back rooms.

Click here to view more about the gallery. Hollar.

Deuce 7 at BLVD Gallery

It’s been a while since an artist has completely blown my mind — especially in the urban art and illustration world — but Deuce 7’s work did just that. They feature fantastically whispy lines, bright colors, and figures that walk the fine line between abstract and realistic. His pieces are somewhat juvenile like a child’s story book, yet ornate like the trimmings on a Gothic church. Coupled together, the result is nothing short of amazing — like a twisted children’s fairy tale.

Due to eavesdropping, I found out loosely that this piece was the result of driving past the same 7 mile Flathead tunnel in Montana over and over again. It doesn’t look exactly like this in real life. A shame. (Photo from Deuce 7’s Flickr account.)

Three pieces that took over the north wall of BLVD.

Deuce 7 takes care of people like me who don’t have money to burn with an assortment of framed little pieces that are every bit as intricate as the large ones, but cost much less — from $75 to $200.

Trust me — these pictures do not do Deuce 7 justice. Friday, July 11th, was the opening reception for his current show at the BLVD Gallery. It’ll run until August 2nd, 2008, so please, be sure to check it out.

More information at BLVD Gallery’s Website

Ghost at BLVD Gallery

On display at the BLVD Gallery now through May 3rd is work by Ghost.