Interview with March Artist Shannon Perry!

Tonight (Friday, March 8th) is the opening of Hanz/Haus! 

This show, open until mid-April, features work by artists/musicians/housemates Shannon Perry and Lelah Maupin.

Shannon will be showing drawings and sculptures of hands.

Lelah will be showing drawings and paintings about Spruce House.

Set up at Cairo

Check out this interview with Shannon and come to Cairo tonight!

Can you tell me a little about your inspiration for this show? 

Over the last couple years, I've been doing a lot of hand-related art, so this show seemed like a good opportunity to bring that recurring idea into fruition in a more solid way.

Do you prefer collaborating for art or going solo? 

Well, when it comes to making music, I'd say I like to collaborate, but visually, I usually fly solo. I'm not sure if that's because I prefer it that way, or if it's just been the way things have worked out so far. I'd certainly say I'm open to collaborate on things; I certainly do a lot of collaborative type work when trying to create custom work for tattoos. People tell me what they want, and I try my best to create something I can be proud of that they like as well... Does that count? :)

What brought you to tattooing?

I bought a tattoo kit off EBay years ago because I didn't want to pay high prices to get the simple line-type tattoos I tend to cover myself with. I figured I'd save money, and that I was decent enough at drawing to pull it off.  It worked for a while until my left side started to become disproportionately covered. Eventually I enlisted Lisa Orth to help me with my right side, and we hit it off. I told her about my home tattooing, and she asked me if I'd ever thought about taking it more seriously, as she had seen and liked my artwork. It was an awesome opportunity, and I had to take it. I graduated from my apprenticeship last week, and I'm very happy to now call myself a tattoo artist!

How is it better/worse than other creative mediums? 

It's better because it feels like there's a lot of room to play with what kinds of things people might typically get as tattoos. It's worse because tattoo culture can tend to dampen the perception of the art. I think it's cool though. I love incorporating my sense of humor into my work, and I like to take simpler, less "serious" pieces more seriously. I like a real sketchy, hand-drawn style.

Is there something you would never tattoo on an individual (other than the obvious hate-speech or discriminatory images/phrases)?

Oooh, that's a tough question. I'm very lucky to have a lot of friends with great taste, so I'm not often confronted with what I would consider to be awful ideas. I'd really have to take it on a case by case basis. I haven't yet turned anyone down based upon my personal taste, but I've only been doing this for under a year, and I haven't been asked to do anything real extreme yet.. We'll have to see...

You, like many artists, work in the service industry. What is the worst service industry job you've ever had? 

I'm happy to say that I just quit my service industry job, and I'm going full time tattoo artist at Alleged Tattoo! The worst food service job I've had was at a Greek restaurant, that shall remain nameless. The owner suggested I wear more make-up. I would say that Red Robin was the worst, but I had a lot fun wearing the bird costume.

Join us for drinks and good conversation.

Hope to see you there!

CAIRO 

507 E Mercer 

98112

Growing up GNR: Marielle Stobie

Cairo is proudly premiering Marielle Stobie's first-ever photography show, titled "Strange Days", on April 12th. 

"2012 has saturated my life with metal music and over-the-topness. This collection is what I've been capturing in those moments." -Marielle Stobie 

 For some context and a little insight into Marielle's work, I interviewed her last week about her memories of learning how to shoot a gun as a child, her all-girl metal bowling team, and moving to LA.

Marielle also dressed herself in some over-the-top Cairo digs, which were of course photographed.

Be sure to come to the opening on APRIL 12, featuring the artist's work, a psychedelic music set by Ozen, and friends a-plenty. See you then!

Here are some photos from our shoot: 

Earrings: Shannon Perry

T-Shirt: Silkscreened at Cairo

 Earrings: Pamela Davis (MuchoDesign)

Clothing/Necklace: Vintage

 Top: Vintage

Gems: Sold at CAIRO!

 Boots: Vintage

Personal Style: Pleather pants and GNR

For more photos, head to Cairo's Tumblr.

The interview: 

 Tell me about "Strange Days", the theme of your newest collection. 

When I was working on the theme for this collection, I was thinking about my photograph of Leatherhorn, and that song ("Strange Days" by The Doors) popped up in my head. That is my favorite piece of the show.  I didn't  want the theme to be too goth or too metal, but that is where a lot the context is. It's definitely a dark show. I wanted to focus on stuff that makes me think, and that puts me in a weird head space. The rest I want the audience to make their own mind up about.

How does the song "Strange Days" encompass the vision you are trying to capture? 

I think it really ties them all together. A lot of the images are pretty random. It's really a reflection of that wintertime feeling. Everyone hibernates and isolates themselves here in Seattle when its cold…It evokes kind of an eeriness in the Northwest. People get strange here. I am not a diehard Doors fan by any means, but I felt that song is really fitting. 

What you inspires to take pictures?

I am really inspired by 1970's photo lookbooks and annuals. Some can be hippie nonsense, but some are really creative.  

Who is someone you would love to work with, locally or otherwise?

I might end up collaborating with artist Peter Short and jeweler Sarah Brown, which would be awesome. I also want to collaborate with illustrators, like Stacey Rozich. 

Do you have a favorite artist? 

Stylistically, I love Man Ray.  My favorite print artist is Mœbius, hands down. And I really like Ryan McGinley for his photographs of those nudes in caves. I might do something like that when I go to LA. 

Do you have a favorite local Seattle band? 

Definitely. It's down to two… they are totally different styles. Night Beats and Black Breath. Oh, and a third! One is party music, one metal band, and for a singer-songwriter, I love Jesse Lortz.  We are just oversaturated with music talent in this city. 

How would you describe your personal style? 

I'm all over the place. I grew up thrifting and getting vintage clothes. My mom used to make my clothes when I was a kid. I've refined it for the most part these days. Beatnik/weird/hippie/metal, I guess. 

Who is your idol? What would you cook them for dinner? 

He's not my idol, but I think it would be funny to make dinner for Kyle Mclaughlin from Twin Peaks. I was watching Dune last night at work and I was thinking about how much of my life he has been a part of. I saw him at a county fair in Yakima. I would cook him a pork flank with polenta and persimmon sauce. 

Where is somewhere you have always wanted to travel to?

I want to go to South America. I want to go to Iceland, too. It's affordable and I really want to check out those hot springs. 

What is one motto you always live by?

Try to keep your cup half full. Do whatever you need to keep yourself inspired, keep yourself grounded. Life is all about perspective. Try to stay optimistic, you know? It's so easy to let yourself get down. 

What is something not too many people know about you?

I am a member of a Hesher metal chick style bowling league. We we play at the AMF on Rainier then get wasted at Montana Bar on the Hill. We all have customized denim jackets with leather. It's awesome. 

You're moving soon! How come?  

I think I've been resting on my laurels a little too long in Seattle.  I think could get more work down in LA. Seattle is awesome, and I feel like I can do any project for no money. I have a great portfolio because of friends who have modeled for me, or lent me gear.  But… I need some sunshine! I was thinking about living on Venice Beach. I never been a beach girl. 

Marielle's show will be on display at CAIRO from April 12th to May 7th. Come check it out!

new NECKLACES, new artists

new necklaces by Lummi tribe artist David Teel

 new necklaces from worn path and more...

so many... 

new terrarium necklaces

Photos from EXPO 89 & video from Ilyas Ahmed

Robert Wolfe & his artwork above

 

Ilyas Ahmed

Eric 

Devin of Flexions

someday we'll have our light back

Adam Forkner of White Rainbow & Purple & Green

Coastal Sightings and EXPO shirts (still a few left!).
Designed by Gabriel Stromberg

Pleasure Beauties

Grave Babies

Brian & Paul of Idle Times, check out Paul's podcast
"I can't believe I'm a Loser"  REAL good

One of the 20 events Shannon Perry participated in over
the weekend, seen here reading at Mixtape #4

Matt Lawson of Secret Colors & Stephanie

high fives, with O.C. Notes

DAY 1 Expo 89, the art of Robert Wolfe, & Co. Jewelry, and films by local artists

THURSDAY, December 8th

6 pm - 9pm opening reception for DIRT, new artwork by Robert Wolfe. Also during this time will be a trunk show for &. Co jewelry.

9 pm- 10pm AFTER DARK, a series of short films by: Emily Denton, Matt Lawson, Robert M. Wolfe, Christopher Ando, Robin Stein, Sean Pecknold, Jamey Braden, Shannon Perry, Carlos Lopez, Christian Palmer, and Frank Correa.

ROBERT WOLFE

BIO for Robert Wolfe written by Ruby Jay "When we are patient and take the time to listen, life opens up around us like a season in bloom. Some men are able to leave home and create a new world somewhere far away, while others never forget where they come from. “Dirt” is one of those little things you pass over or see at a glance, but the meaning is quite monumental. With a hesitance to make bold statements, it is the feeling I get when I think of what I saw in “Dirt” that sticks in the deep part of my mind to this day. Many objects will come and go out of one’s life. That is certain. Some are more important than others, sure, but the cycles of their tiny impact is undeniable. A marbled rock similar in weight to an apple is worth almost nothing, but it’s something and it’s significant. Many have passed away without ever knowing this and to me that is a great shame. “Dirt”, teach us to care. Remind us to remember, and please, “Dirt”, forgive us for our footprint."

- Ruby Jay "2011"

& Co. Jewelry

Very Special trunk show with one of our favorite and longest running designer, Meghann S0mmer and & Co. Jewelry. Come grab some gifts!

After Dark, a series of short films by local artists

Deborah's Interview by Shannon Perry, Jamey Braden & Carlos Lopez.

NIGHTVISIONS, by Christian Palmer, starring Margot Smith & Nate Quiroga

HAUNTED HORSES video for "Wands", directed by Emily Denton

NIGHT COWS, by Robin Stein

FIELD FLAIL, Margaret Jones

THE BANQUET, by Robert Wolfe

CATASTROPHE, by Frank Correa & Jesuit the Cat

NIGHTLIGHT, by Christopher Ando