Travis Louie

Artist's Statement

Travis Louie's paintings come from the tiny little drawings and many writings in his journals. He has created his own imaginary world that is grounded in Victorian and Edwardian times. It is inhabited by human oddities, mythical beings, and otherworldly characters who appear to have had their formal portraits taken to mark their existence and place in society. The underlying thread that connects all these characters is the unusual circumstances that shape who they were and how they lived. Some of their origins are a complete mystery while others are hinted at. A man is cursed by a goat, a strange furry being is discovered sleeping in a hedge, an engine driver can't seem to stop vibrating in his sleep, a man overcomes his phobia of spiders, etc. …Using inventive techniques of painting with acrylic washing and simple textures on smooth boards, Louie has created portraits from an alternative universe that seemingly may or may not have existed.

Artist's Bio

Travis Louie is represented by Merry Karnowsky Gallery, Los Angeles, California, and Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle, Washington.

Selected Recent Exhibitions: 2010 – Curious Myths, Joshua Liner Gallery, New York, New York. 2009 – Strange Grooming Habits, Copro / Nason Gallery, Santa Monica, California; August Group Exhibition, Joshua Liner Gallery, New York, New York; Kokeshi, Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, California; Lush Life, Roq la Rue, Seattle, Washington; solo exhibition, Yves Laroche, Galerie d’Art, Montreal, Quebec; solo exhibition, William Baczek Fine Arts, Northampton, Massachusetts; Overdose, Copro / Nason Gallery, Santa Monica, California; The Art of Sketch Theatre, Gnomon Gallery, Hollywood, California; Superschool, Copro / Nason Gallery, Santa Monica, California; World on Fire, Pacific Electric Lofts, Los Angeles, California.