The Gallery: Michael Rippens

(In this new column, "The Gallery," Amy Chase will be uncovering and highlighting the work of a number of artists who are hot, deserve more attention and whose work is apartment ready. Welcome, Amy!)

With AT recently going bi-coastal, I figured we would kick off this column by introducing you to a fantastic LA/NYC artist -- Michael A. Rippens.

His images often begin from photographs, which he then pares down and/or manipulates their context – knocking the shades of grey into two or three colors. I’m a fan of his portraits, especially those of people watching television, bathed in that unmistakable blue glow. You can see the complete series on his website.

All of his work is exquisitely crafted, involving the painstaking process of cutting away the image to create a stencil for spray enamel on plexi. Sometimes he fashions the stencil out of wood or plastics to create the piece itself. If you like his work – buy it now. I guarantee it will be untouchable in a few years.

Here is work from 2000 to 2005. Curious to see more, take a look at his website: www.rippens.com.

Comments (7)

LOVE the piece that appears to be die-cut from wood.

And I've always loved a good bi-coastal anything.

Looking forward to more art columns!

posted by patrick (the other one) on 2005-09-30 17:03:12

welcome Amy,
Nice! I like the idea of featuring local artists. LA gets passed up for art vs the New Yorkies big gallery guys. we're the bastard step-children out here.

if I can nominate 2 artists I came across this summer at the Art Walk at the Brewery...so in love with both of these men, well their work anyway.

1. Dave Lefner the master at Linoleum Block Prints and Collages.
when I say master...get ready the skill to pull his stuff off is true mastery. studio 212 at the Brewery

2. Scott Yeskel beautiful city scapes. his ability to capture light is just stunning. transports you to San Francisco in a second [he previously lived there] www.scottyeskel.com

posted by rs on 2005-09-30 17:03:57

rs. I love Scott Yeskel! I bought one of his L.A. freeway streetscapes a few months back.

posted by Enrique on 2005-09-30 18:08:58

Only question I have is where can I buy this cool shit? Does anyone know?

posted by Django on 2005-10-01 11:03:46

I too love the die cut wood piece and went as far as emailing him to see what the prices were. Haven't heard back from him yet.

posted by ManuChao on 2005-10-01 18:38:27

So nice to see old friends turn up in unusual places...

If ever there was an artist who deserved a shout out, Michael is the one. Such a sweetheart.

posted by Patrick (the splatric) on 2005-10-02 00:10:12

Hooray, Amy Chase! I'm confident about these artists cuz I know you'll do us right!

posted by Karen Euler on 2005-10-26 14:56:03