Phil Lewis gathered the county's top surrealist, psychedelic artists for epic group show
Jun. 9—Prior to the pandemic, it wasn't uncommon to find DJs spinning at Phil Lewis Art, a gallery that used to be the locale of pre-concert bashes and lively exhibitions.
After two years of not hosting big events, Phil Lewis is throwing an epic group show at his Pearl Street space. "Bring it on Home," will feature the work of over a dozen Colorado-based creatives.
"It feels incredible to be opening our doors for community events again," Lewis said. "The last few years have been challenging. The ever-changing landscape of policy surrounding public gatherings created an atmosphere of uncertainty. I am delighted that we have come through to the other side, and I cannot wait to bring the art-loving crowd together to celebrate the incredible talent here on the Front Range."
Friday's event, from 4-8 p.m., promises a variety of work from recognizable names, drinks from Avery Brewery and beats courtesy of DJ @__silentletters.
From German-born Martina Hoffmann, whose stunning work is like portals to other realms, to Lyons-based Android Jones, a "digital painter" whose art has been projected on the Sydney Opera House and the Empire State Building, the amount of skilled creators taking part in this show is vast.
"These artists are phenomenally talented, "Lewis said. "I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to showcase their work. Especially all at once, under one roof."
While the show's title may conjure memories of Led Zeppelin's harmonica-driven tune "Bring it on Home," for Lewis and participating artists it has even greater significance.
"Each one of these artists has shown work here in the past, prior to 2020," Lewis said. "This show is a homecoming of sorts, to celebrate the community we have all missed so dearly. These artists are friends of mine, and I am honored to be part of such a potent group of creatives."
Among the brilliant visionaries is Bryce Widom, an artist whose eye-catching chalk-art depictions of ethereal goddesses and female warriors have graced the interiors of Mountain Sun Pub and other eateries under that umbrella.
Back in 2020, he had a show at Phil Lewis Art — only to have a global health scare cut it short.
"Opening night was wonderful, a packed house that had to be told something of the like in the late evening hours, 'You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here,'" Widom said. "And the very next day was the beginning of lockdown and the kibosh on my show. So I'm excited not only to be returning my work to Phil's walls, but alongside a dozen or so powerhouse local artists."
With incredible intricacy and precision, Widom transforms blank canvases into scenes that are otherworldly — yet simultaneously have the power to resonate with viewers. A palpable mystique radiates from his work that manages to blur the lines between life on Earth and some far-off land. Spiritual, sensual, even biblical, his captivating pieces are something to behold.
"Most recently, I've been inspired in my artmaking most by painting more directly from the feeling inside of me," Widom said. "A world prior to words, before thought, primordial. Raw."
Widom is self-taught, and his journey into artistry wasn't without self-doubt.
"Truthfully, I was doing what I could to find a different path, as my mom is an artist, and I couldn't be sure that the path of the artist was of my own making, something from the deepest core of me," Widom said. "But the artist's fate pursued me through the years, with three successive girlfriends each giving me a full set of colored pencils, of their own volition."
The frequent gifts of art tools left Widom questioning his path.
"By my third set, a young part of me felt that I might be cursed, and I was puzzled and annoyed," Widom said. "Eventually, my art career kicked off while I was working as a cook and waiter at the Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery — that's when I started making chalk art. From there, bands like Yonder Mountain String Band and The Motet began commissioning me to make artworks for them."
To this day, Widom stays busy with commissions and has been featured in collections around the world.
"I couldn't seem to halt the work coming to me — or my enjoyment of making the art," Widom said. "Still, the question of whether or not I truly am an 'artist' has haunted me through the years, and only recently have I put it to rest. Whether I never paint again, or paint 'til my last breath, I have finally admitted the truth to myself — I am an artist. Creating, destroying, creating again. It's who I am, it's what I do. Case closed."
Also showing work will be Ellie Paisley, an artist who moved to Boulder from Maryland five years ago with her artist husband Aaron Brooks — a creator of "expressive surrealism" who will also be in the show. Brooks's work can be found on hats, dab mats, pins and elsewhere.
"Baltimore had a very grassroots community-based art scene that really welcomed anyone and everyone to be creative," Paisley said. "Here in Colorado, there is definitely more of a sense of competition in the art scene. Artists move here to make psychedelic painting a full-on career so the pressure is higher. Grateful to have found community in a place like Phil Lewis's gallery of artists who enjoy working together and uplifting each other in Boulder."
Paisley has worked with Zane Kesey, son of "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" author Ken Kesey, on several projects — including adding artwork to the Further Bus, the decked-out vehicle once home to Ken Kesey's "Merry Pranksters."
Like many psychedelic artists, Paisley found her groove in setting up easels at music festivals across the country and painting as musicians jammed.
"The first live painting I can ever remember doing was for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong," Paisley said. "This was years ago when the band had just got together. They played an all-night set, and I remember having so much fun. Very cool to know how much the band has grown since then, playing Red Rocks and major festivals."
She's painted for The Wu Tang Clan, Ice Cube and has been the official painter for the Dead and Company after parties across the country.
"I really focus on happiness in my artwork," Paisley said. "Color, symmetry and patterns are all tools I use to make my audience feel good. We have gone through so much collectively as a society. All I hope for is that my pieces make people smile and connect."
Paisley will have two pieces in the show. She will also be live painting during Friday's event.
"I am most excited to see my fellow artists and friends at the show," Paisley said. "A lot of the creators I haven't seen since before the pandemic so I'm excited to reunite. I have collaborated with Phil on a few pieces in the past. It's always an honor as he is one of the artists I really look up to."
Lewis got his start vending at music festivals and has been enlisted by numerous bands — including String Cheese Incident and Sound Tribe Sector 9 — to design poster art.
An avid music lover, he strives for his in-house events to capture the same revelry and joy found at concerts.
"I am mostly looking forward to reconnecting with so many friends and fans from the art community," Lewis said. "One of my primary goals with opening this space was, and continues to be, hosting community events centered around the live music and festival culture, that has fostered such a strong bond between artists of all mediums."
After Friday's art show opening, Lewis looks forward to welcoming patrons and creatives to his gallery more often for events.
"I am actively booking through the summer and beyond," Lewis said. "It is a dream come true to be building this community of artists. It's humbling to be connecting with people who have inspired my own artistic journey and who are now showing their work in my gallery. It's awesome."
Attendees are encouraged to RSVP on Facebook.
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'Bring it on Home' artists
@abrooksart
@android_jones
@brycewidom
@chris_dyer
@dela_artist
@Ellie.paisley
@johnspeaker
@kris_davidson_
@martina_hoffmann_art
@pascal.ferryhf
@randalrobertsart
@smileboulder
@sweet_melis
