Apotheosis Comics and Wizard's Wagon Now Carrying G.H.O.S.T. Agents, Night Watchman Sketchbook

Apotheosis Comics & Lounge is now also carrying G.H.O.S.T. Agents: Crimson Reckoning & my Spring/Summer 2023 Night Watchman Sketchbook! Crimson Reckoning (Cosmic Lion Productions) is a spy-fi anthology capturing the energy that some comics had in the mid-60s and throughout the '70s with an element of danger! This 9 x 13” Treasury Edition -sized comic includes several other artists and I with writer Rocko Jerome! (Ghost.Agents.Net)

The Night Watchman sketchbook is a 20 page inside preview of my own sci-fi/horror tale centered around the retiree Mick Shaw, who becomes its unwitting defender against the otherworldly threats lurking beneath Meramec Springs!

The Wizard’s Wagon was already selling both my books and is also an exciting gathering place with a ton of recommendations on what to read! 

 #outlawcomics #spyfi #scificomics #smallpresscomics #supportindiecomics #indiecomics #ghostagents #comicbookhistory #CosmicLionProductions #stlcomicbooks #TheNightWatchman #apotheosiscomics #meramecsprings #localcomicshop

G.H.O.S.T. Agents: Crimson Reckoning: 100% Funded/Kickstarter Success

Cosmic Lion Productions and everyone on the G.H.O.S.T. Agents: Crimson Reckoning team surpassed their Kickstarter crowdfunding goal by $1,427.00! Off to the printer we go- my first published work in comics! Thanks to everyone who got behind this, an honorable mention to writer Rocko Jerome, who gave all. Grateful!

 #makemorecomics #indiecomics #supportindiecomics #spyfi 

#spycomics #cosmiclionproductions #ghostagents #outlawcomics 

Gallery Event Sept. 30th

Gallery Event- Sept. 30th 6 - 9 pm

Bake The Studio

119 E. Saint Louis St.

Pacific, MO 63069

Smaller Is Better Showing at Norton's Fine Art

I have three figurative pieces in the 2014 Holiday Show "Smaller Is Better" at Norton's Fine Art on Nov. 22nd. I was surprised to win the Bruce Zuckerman Memorial Award last year, and had a nice time enjoying the other artists' work. Please join us from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. for the opening reception! Full of small, affordable pieces of a wide variety of art, this group show may be your chance to find that special something for the holidays that no one else will be giving...

ABOVE: Finishing up Untitled, 2014 for the Smaller Is Better Show

11 x 14", acrylic on masonite

Concrete Ocean 5th Year Anniversary Exhibit

 

I can't say enough good things about my years of working with Bryan Pease at Concrete Ocean, from my inclusion in his group showings, to my two-man shows with fellow artists Jeff Sass and Dale Wilke. Bryan is a tireless defender and promoter of the working class St. Louis artist, and extremely talented artist in his own right. Please come celebrate with us all this Friday:

Concrete Ocean 5th Year Anniversary Exhibit
Friday, Oct. 10th  7-11 P.M.
2257/2259 S. Jefferson Ave @ Shenandoah
St. Louis, MO

A Ticket Inside the Missouri Botanical Garden

Recently completing the project management for presentation of photographer Jack Curran's exhibit at the Missouri Botanical Garden, I found myself inspired to visit the St. Louis landmark and document it myself. Jack's large format black & white images are far beyond my skill level and tools, but photography distracts me more and more as time goes by, and I get a lot of compliments on them. My parents took my siblings and I to the Garden during many summers of my youth, and though I can't recall the last time I'd been, it was like returning to those days upon my arrival. See the video I produced from some of the 500 + shots I took on Sunday morning at my ShawArt Films channel...

Her Night

"Her Night"  2013
11 x 14"
acrylic, mixed media collage on masonite

I actually finished work on this a year ago, along with a couple other mixed media collages on masonite I was working on simultaneously, before stopping to paint a few acrylics on paper. Collaging matboard and magazine scraps onto my paintings began many years ago, and is a process I always seem to come back to- using found element always creates a surprise in results I don't achieve in the same way when drawing or painting with convention media. The female in tight gold dress was the catalyst for the implied narrative, finding the houses at sunset and extravagant chandelier scraps thereafter to furnish the setting. Her hipshot stance frames the doorway, confidently announcing the evening to come belongs to her.

This collage won the Bruce Zuckerman Memorial juror's cash award at last weekend's Size Matters Holiday Show at Norton's Fine Art on Big Bend. Though I've sold a lot of paintings, I honestly can't remember the last time I won an award for my work, so that was an unexpected honor. With so many artist's pieces on the wall, it felt special to be singled out for "Her Night". The upswing in my 9 to 5 career and other creative endeavors had taken a great deal of attention away form my painting in the last year, but this humble accomplishment made me feel I should perhaps get back to exploring that. A nice crowd of art lovers in the gallery on that unseasonably cold November evening, and I enjoyed meeting new people to talk about art with.

"Her Night" is displayed for sale until Jan. 11th, so call Mary at Norton's Fine Art if you need the perfect holiday gift for that diva in your life  :)
314-645-4040

Size Matters Holiday Art Show

Join me and over 25 other artists for the annual Size Matters Holiday Art Show at Norton's Fine Art on Sat. Nov. 23rd, from 5 - 8 PM! The pieces submitted for this juried exhibition were restricted in size to satisfy the need for fine art on a holiday budget. I haven't participated in any art shows in over a year, and will be showing three of my new mixed media collages from the last year, all 11 x 14", framed and ready to hang at great prices. Special thanks to Dick Blick for the generous goodie bags we received for participating in the showing- visit them today for all your art supplies!

The Proposal, 2012

11 x 14", acrylic/mixed media on board

Art Movie: SLAM, New East Expansion & Beyond

It was a  beautiful day at the St. Louis Art Museum this past Saturday to explore the new East Expansion- so much so that I put a little movie together to share with all you art lovers...

Designed by architect Sir David Chipperfield, the new East Expansion increases the the Museum's public space by 30%. It's very modern, like the work newly housed within it's walls. Many of my old favorites from the Museum's color field, abstract expressionist, and minimalist works have taken over the new building, including Donald Judd's untitled series of aluminum and Plexiglas cubes from 1969. Fascinating!

Also of monumental interest was this site-specific tangle of stone arches between the existing architecture and the new expansion. Totaling over 300 tons, Stone Sea by Andy Goldsworthy was hefty crowd of sculpture, sandwiched between the glass of the opposing buildings, like some creature on display in a terrarium. Upon exiting the main level south doors, the sculpture can be viewed from the top.

Enjoy the movie, and be sure to visit St. Louis' world class art museum whenever you get the chance. There's no admission fee and it sits in a great spot within our very beautiful Forest Park, overlooking the Grand Basin near the Jewel Box, the History Museum, the Zoo, & the Muny. 

Art Movie: Tony Renner, Works On Paper @ Urban Eats

I made a little movie on the spot this past Sunday of artist Tony Renner's showing of works on paper at Urban Eats in South St. Louis, a place we have both shown together in the past. The pieces were a sampling of Tony's evolving working methods on paper in a variety of medium  from the last five years, and future plans are mentioned at the end of the video. Coming into the arts somewhat an outsider just a few years ago, Tony immersed himself in art-making, poetry, and music with an open mind and enthusiastic output that is still refreshing to me. See Tony's work through April at Urban Eats Cafe, 3301 Meramec, St. Louis, MO. Enjoy...

Art Movie: Passanise @ Bruno David

I've felt like I wanted to do some art movies on YouTube for awhile now but was unsure where to start. Gary Passanise's October show at Bruno David was a sort of happy accident, in that I often have my camera function dial on the wrong setting from pulling it in and out of my pocket while on the run around town. The snippet at the beginning of this was perfect, captured while trying to get a decent shot of Gary next to his canvas on opening night this past autumn. I added some shots of the four huge abstracts the artist painted on industrial drop-cloths, some music, and Voilá! He did a gallery talk a month later that I hated missing- I lead a busy life. Gary was very gracious at the opening however, sharing his experience and some insight on his working method and thought processes in making the new works. I posted about Gary this summer when I made a quick painting if him- the Director of Painting at Webster University and founding Executive Director at the Santo Foundation, Gary is an accomplished artist represented by Bruno David Gallery here in St. Louis.

Art From The Heart!

"Handle With Care" 2010
acrylic/mixed media on canvas
16 x 20"

You can bid on this piece at the upcoming 3rd Annual Art from the Heart... a wonderful evening of music, wine and art! Friends of Kids with Cancer is devoted to enriching the daily lives of children undergoing treatment for cancer and blood related diseases. "Our mission is to be an advocate for these special kids and provide them and their families with the recreational, educational, and emotional support needed throughout the long hours of chemotherapy illness and isolation." Please join me in support of a cause that is close to my heart:

Thursday, September 27th, 6-9pm.
Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis
13700 Manchester Road
Manchester, MO 63011
314.822.7681

*Support the Friends of Kids with Cancer Art Therapy Program
*See over 70 pieces of professionally framed art celebrated by kids in the Art Therapy Program for Auction
*Feel the emotion expressed by these wonderful young artists
*Taste the fine wine and hearty appetizers
*Hear the beautiful music of the Poor People of Paris
*Bid on the children's art and silent auction items

Register online today!!

Covering House Benefit

"Leslie"

digital photograph

CM Shaw 2012

My friend Leslie came back from New York for the recent 4th of July holiday, and played a benefit for The Covering House here in St. Louis at The Wine Press. I say I've rarely have seen someone play music with that much soul, though it's possible I am biased. Before the show she stopped in on the Bill & Frantz Show to talk about The Covering House's mission to help girls who have been victims of sexual exploitation and sexual trafficking, and her own recent Daughters of Cambodia album project addressing the enslavement and forced prostitution of women and children in Cambodia and around the the world. Leslie is one of the finest examples of a human being I know, and we had a ball while she was home.

There was a nice crowd gathered at The Wine Press to raise money for The Covering House, and Rebecca Ryan sang with Leslie on several numbers. It was nice to see them so pretty & happy in the setting light of the windows, and hear the reunited friends sing in an intimate setting like that.

"Leslie with Rebecca (lights)"

Digital Photograph

CM Shaw, 2012

"Leslie with Rebecca (triptych)"

Digital Photograph

CM Shaw, 2012

 

"Leslie (half full)"

digital photograph

CM Shaw 2012

I liked finding our musical friend, Bill Deschand in the background. Bill & Leslie had a band called So Say We All awhile back, and like myself & many of us who have had musical projects with Leslie, Bill is inspired by her great spirit & generosity in performance.

"Leslie (with Bill)"

digital photograph

CM Shaw 2012

Interview on The Bill & Frantz Show

I had a great time sitting in with the guys on The Bill & Frantz Show this past Saturday afternoon! Among the topics of the day were:  Bud Lite Lime vs. Miller Chill Lime, Arizona's new abortion law, California's recent Supreme Court ruling on the lunch break law, and my art! Concerning the latter, we discussed my recent Dueling Minds show at Concrete Ocean, as well as a couple canvases from past years- Enjoy  :)

A better look at Lover's Eden & Diver below, both of which are still available for purchase:

“Lover's Eden”, 2008

acrylic & charcoal on canvas, 12 x 16”

$75.00

"Diver" 2010

mixed media collage on canvas, 11 x 14"

$40.00

See more of my available works at my WORKS AVAILABLE page at Shawart.com :)  EMAIL ME if you are interested!

Daughters of Cambodia CD Release Show & Photography Exhibit!

Friday, March 16th at 8pm

Daughters of Cambodia presents

Leslie Sanazaro CD Release Show for the new album “First We Cry, Then We Laugh”

Concrete Ocean Gallery

2257 S. Jefferson Ave.

St. Louis, MO  63104

$10, kids free, light food and drinks served

There will be a photo exhibit on display for one night only from photographer Alexis Santi, featuring images from Leslie's travels in Cambodia visiting women and girls around the country.  Additionally there will be a projected photo show during the live performance of all the new music.  The band  includes an amazing assemblage of players, icluding Teddy Presberg and his Resistance Organ Trio, Dawn Weber, Eric Grossman, Rebecca Ryan, Irene Allen and more!

A local reperesentative from anti-human trafficking group Rescue Restore will speak briefly about the issue here in St. Louis. ALL PROCEEDS from the new album sales benefit AFESIP in Cambodia.. We hope to see you this Friday night at Concrete Ocean to celebrate and raise awareness for the issues of human trafficking and women’s safety around the world.

*Visit the Daughters of Cambodia website to read about my dear friend Leslie's project addressing the enslavement and forced prostitution of women and children in Cambodia and around the the world.

My Work at PHD Gallery!

I'm really excited to announce I am now showing at PHD Gallery along the historic Antique Row at 2300 Cherokee St. in sunny South St. Louis  :)   The handsome & accomplished gentleman peeking out the door pictured above is world renowned artist Philip Hitchcock, proprietor of PHD Gallery since 2007. Part of the white-hot arts district forming on the city's south side, and boasting three adjoining storefronts in a GREEN building (in both design and color), PHD features 12 foot ceilings, clean white walls, north facing windows, and a combined exhibition space of nearly 2000 square feet. Reflecting the passion and artistic vision of artist Philip Hitchcock, PHD is an alternative art space that advances challenging works by ground-breaking local, regional, and national artists.

Among the five works of mine Mr. Hitchcock has taken into the gallery is the canvas pictured below, "Prince of Fire". Give him a call or stop by his beautiful gallery and get a closer look:

PHD Gallery 2300 Cherokee Street, Saint Louis, MO 63118 (314) 664-6644  "Prince of Fire" $185.00 acrylic, mixed media collage on canvas 30 x 40"

More Later!

Ginger Bay 10th Annual "Spatacular" & Friends of Kids with Cancer!

I am honored to have been asked by my pal Roze to donate art for silent auction in Ginger Bay's 10th Annual Spatacular! All proceeds benefit Friends of Kids with Cancer  :)  Friends of Kids with Cancer is devoted to enriching the daily lives of children undergoing treatment for cancer and blood related diseases. "Our mission is to be an advocate for these special kids and provide them and their families with the recreational, educational, and emotional support needed throughout the long hours of chemotherapy illness and isolation."

Saturday, September 17 · 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Ginger Bay Salon & Spa - Kirkwood

437 S. Kirkwood Rd.

Kirkwood, Missouri  63122

Call 314-966-0655 to purchase your tickets today!

I have donated an 11 x 14" canvas:
"Mother" 2010
acrylic, mixed media collage

Art Dash for City Academy, Saturday, February 26, 2011

I am honored to have been asked to participate in the third annual Art Dash fundraiser Saturday, February 26, 2011 at the Soulard Preservation Hall this year. I was given a personal tour of the new facilities this past autumn, and was impressed with their dedication to providing a quality education to children who might not  otherwise have received as such. Three of my paintings will be auctioned along with other the other artist's work for this very worthy cause- the children of our great City of St. Louis.

What is Art Dash?
Art Dash is a unique way for couples to own a new piece of art while having fun obtaining it. The evening begins with all guests being assigned to a group. When their group is called they have to “dash” to the piece they want and claim it as their own. The event will feature over 125 pieces of art, donated by local artists. Along with the “dash” there will also be a live auction featuring work by notable professionals. The cost is $250 per couple or $150 per person. All proceeds from Art Dash benefit City Academy’s unique scholarship program, which offers generous tuition assistance to 100% of the school’s families.

Preview Night
I will personally attend Preview Night on Friday, February 25 for artists and guests. Cost for the preview party is $25 per person, which includes drinks and appetizers. Acclaimed jazz vocalist Erin Bode will be the featured performer at the preview party!

End of My Residency at Urban Arts Collective...

"Sister Moon" 2010
carved PVC board, acrylic, varnish
6.75 x 14.25"


My three month residency at Urban Arts Collective is coming to an end- this weekend will likely be your chance to see it, along with the work of Tony Renner, Jane Linders, Craig Downs, and Kevin Belford. Tony will in fact be hosting his last showing at the Collective this Sunday, September 26th from 11am to 2pm- get down to see Tony’s work while you still can! Thanks to everyone who came to all the openings and share a bite to eat with us at the café- we do this because it’s what we love to do, and we appreciate your support :)

Along with the fourteen canvases I made for my run at The Collective, I also produced three carvings for the new grouping on “signpainter’s board, which is essentially a thick PVC board that can be cut and shaped with carpentry tools or even with a small handtool- in my case a small bamboo pick. I was gifted these three chucks of board years ago by my beloved painting teacher Charles SHOEmaker. SHOE said, “Here Colin, take these and see what you can do with them- it’s kinda fun to play with.” I promptly put them in my closet for seventeen years and forgot about it. While digging through stuff looking for inspiration for new work at the Collective I uncovered them and started scraping out designs- they became “Soldier”, “Soldier with Child” (pictured below), and “Sister Moon”(pictured above). I’d like to make more, but found that SHOE was giving me some scrap of REALLY expensive material, so I dunno what will come of that. He always treated me like a son, and the older I get the more I appreciate it… I wish he was still here so I could tell him, but at least I FINALLY did something with the damned boards! :D

"Soldier" 2010
carved PVC board, acrylic, varnish
8.75 x 15.625"

"Soldier with Child" 2010
carved PVC board, acrylic, varnish
10 x 16"

Thank You

Had a great time at the show on Sunday- the premises were at full capacity. Nice looking group of people- I was impressed. That made for a Sun FunDay :)
Here's a picture Hilary Hitchcock snapped of Tony Renner and I in front of one of his many great photos at Urban Arts Collective. I love it :)
Thank you Tony & Hilary for curating the July-Sept. lineup at Urban Arts, Thank you Caya Aufiero for having us there, thank you to all my family, friends, and art lovers for supporting me- I really appreciate it :)
You can see the show anytime during business hours at Urban Eats/Urban Arts Collective- see http://www.urbaneatscafe.com/ for more info