Interview - Shoutout LA

I did a short interview with Shoutout LA a little while ago and it was just published. Check it out!

https://shoutoutla.com/meet-frank-j-stockton-artist/
(The link opens in a new window, but the entire interview is pasted below)

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We had the good fortune of connecting with Frank J. Stockton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Frank J., let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’m inspired by people who take the initiative to see their creative projects through.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Ten years ago, I was an editorial illustrator living in Brooklyn when I saw the paintings of Philip Guston for the first time. The raw imagery and tactile surfaces shocked me and I knew the moment I saw them that I was born to paint.
A series of abstract paintings based on the neighborhood of Park Slope earned my acceptance to grad school at UCLA in 2012. I was in over my head for the entire first year — it was like learning a new language. I can’t overstate how much I learned from fellow grads like Brooks Turner, Kim Truong, Emily Sudd, Paul Sepuya, Sarah Sarchin, Anthony Miserendino, Calvin Marcus, Ravi Jackson, and Bridget Beck, and from professors like Patty Wickman, Lari Pittman, and Roger Herman.

Most of my work uses line and color to depict fantasy and/or doomsday scenarios. I trust my intuition and in the collision of ideas above all else.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This summer I’m showing some new drawings at a gallery called Iris Project in the Venice Walk Streets, a pedestrian-only neighborhood with no city streets between homes.

I have a three year-old on the West Side, so my favorite spots are all outdoors and family-friendly. Burton Chase Park is right on the water in Marina Del Rey. It’s got a lot of grass, walking paths, and is nestled into the arena. There are lots of sailboats to look at, and plenty of sea lions lounging on the surrounding docks. The UCLA Sculpture Garden is also a wonderful place to explore. There are dozens of beautiful sculptures to look at and lots of grass and shade. Solstice Canyon is an easy hiking trail in Malibu that features the ruins of an old mansion nestled up against a waterfall and creek. You have to arrive really early because there aren’t enough parking spots.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife Vanessa reminds me to celebrate the victories, big and small. I couldn’t do it without her.

Website: www.frankstockton.com

Instagram: @fjstockton

Twitter: @frankstockton

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrankJStockton

Other: https://foundation.app/frankstockton

Iris Project Gallery: https://www.irisproject.com/

James Iveson at Southwillard - Slideshow Review

This review was originally shared to my Instagram Stories Feed.

Nixed Index - 2019 Summer Exhibition at George Caleb Bingham Gallery in Columbia, MO

Another artwork starring the Scout, You're An Eagle Now is on display in Columbia, Missouri, this summer. Nixed_Index, curated by Nathan Halwel and Wilson Minshall of the University of Missouri's George Caleb Bingham Gallery, features work by "...13 emerging artists whose work visually engages with themes of reproduction..." I've written a little bit about this series already on Instagram, which you can read about, here.

Venice Family Clinic Art Walk & Auction 2019

I donated a small painting for the Venice Family Clinic Art Walk & Auction happening on Sunday, May 19. The Scout is an fragmentary image of an Eagle Scout borrowed from a vintage greeting card given to me as a gift. The Scout is the protagonist of most of my work from 2018. I think of him as a young Odysseus or Luke Skywalker, even. He's the archetype character from Campbell's Hero With 1,000 Faces, imperfectly shaped by hand. The Scouts was a rite of passage for many of my peers where I grew up. I was never a Scout, but I used to draw for the magazine.

Here's a link to the Paddle8 auction page where you can view and bid on works. All proceeds from the auction go to the Venice Family Clinic, which is a boon to the rapidly changing Venice Beach (and American) landscape. It's important that people like us contribute to the betterment of our fellow humans today, more than ever.

Laura Owens at MoCA Los Angeles - Slide Show Review

This review was originally shared to my Instagram Stories Feed.

Sarah Awad at Night Gallery - Slideshow Review

This review was originally shared to my Instagram Stories Feed.

You're an Eagle Now - Studio Preview

On July 23, 2018 from 7-10 pm, I will host a casual viewing party of You're An Eagle Now, an installation of paintings to be exhibited at the Seattle Art Fair next month. Food, libations, and a box fan will be provided to help keep you cool. Kindly RSVP if you would like to attend

Big House Opening at Denk Gallery

As if becoming a parent wasn’t enough excitement, my solo show, Big House, opened on January 20th at Denk Gallery in the Downtown L.A. Arts District. The opening had great energy and featured an open bar, which kept spirits high. Vanessa was even able to make a brief appearance. In addition to Big House, Denk is also displaying a fantastic group show, Shift, of the esteemed artists Iva Gueorguieva, Karen Carson, Kim Dingle, and Elisa Johns, in the front gallery space.

Denk is a relatively new gallery, but already has an impressive roster of artists that includes the likes of Tim Hawkinson and Folkert de Jong. It even has its own parking lot, which will come as a relief to those of you inclined to stop by (please stop by!). The show is only up until February 17th, 2018. www.denkgallery.com

Click here to view works available for purchase on Artsy.

Exhibition Announcement: "BIG HOUSE" Solo Show at DENK Gallery

Hi everyone,

I’m delighted to announce that an upcoming solo show at Denk Gallery in the Downtown Arts District of Los Angeles opens soon.

January 20 - Feburary 17, 2018
Denk Gallery http://www.denkgallery.com/exhibitions/frank-j-stockton
Opening Reception: Saturday, January 20th from 7-9pm

SUMMER 2017 OPEN STUDIO RECAP

On June 11, my studio mates and I hosted our first ever Open Studio event to share recent and in-progress artwork with the public. We garnered a solid turnout, and response to the work was enthusiastic all-around. We all agreed that the experience was a success and look forward to hosting another in 2018. I would like to offer my personal thanks to those of you who were able to attend.

AMERICAN GENRE: CONTEMPORARY PAINTING EXHIBITION AND SYMPOSIUM

American Genre: Contemporary Painting at the Institute of Contemporary Art at the Maine College of Art in Portland, ME is a survey of contemporary art exploring the role of three historical painting genres as a framework of knowledge for understanding and contextualizing contemporary painting practices.

Swimmer, oil on un-stretched canvas, 57.5 x 72 in., 2017 (cropped)

When I attended the show’s opening back in July, I felt a tremendous sense of humility and gratitude to see my painting, Swimmer (2017), hanging alongside the work of some of my favorite painters working today.

On Friday, September 15th the Institute will host a daylong symposium and panel discussion featuring a handful of participating artists and writers, along with the critic Barry Schwabsky and the show’s curator, Michelle Grabner.

For further information on the show, click here: https://www.meca.edu/event/american-genre-contemporary-painting-exhibition/ For information about the symposium on September 15, click here: https://www.meca.edu/event/ica-meca-american-genre-painting-symposium/