Kurt Halsey returns to LAlaland!

Artist Kurt Halsey Frederiksen has his share of dedicated fans, as evidenced from his tremendous popularity, and us at Okee Dorkee are of no exception.


So you can believe our excitement finding that the always thoughtful and clever Mr. Frederiksen will be returning to one of favorite Los Angeles galleries, G1988, for a second solo show!
You may remember his first solo gallery at G1988 the previous year where I provided extensive coverage of his art and meeting the talented artist. If eye-ailment permits*, he will be present in the shows opening reception on July 15th, 7-10pm Tuesday night. From July 15 onto August 8th fans will be able to catch a glimpse of his new paintings, drawings, prints, installations and other works!


sketch via g1988.blogspot.com & kurt halsey

The G1988 blog revealed a sketched layout of the gallery submitted by Kurt, showing evidence of mixed media works. Beyond drawing and paintings, there will be park signs, painted records and plush cats (our condolences btw to another one of his cats) displayed throughout.

Listen to your heart and tune in as we'll be seeing you at Melrose!

previous posts:
Video of Kurt Halsey at work, sketching my portrait!
Kurt Halsey's meet and greet at G1988!
Kurt Halsey Fredericksen's "A Subtle Existence..." at G1988
See all posts of Kurt Halsey Frederiksen

Artists go cult-film crazy at G1988!

The Crazy 4 Cult art show will begin this Tuesday July 17th at Gallery 1988 Los Angeles where over 50 different artists will be presenting over 100 art pieces inspired by classic cult films! Some of the artists include Shepard Fairey , Greg "Craola" Simkins, Joe Ledbetter, Kathie Olivas, Kurt Halsey Frederiksen, Plasticgod, Luke Chueh, Matt Dangler, Christopher Lee, Roland Tamayo, and many, many more!

Who better to host an opening reception for an cult classic-inspired art show than Silent Bob himself, cult film director extraordinaire Kevin Smith?! He will be joined by Scott Mosier (producer and film editor for most of Smith's films) along with many cult classic film personalities and Hollywood guests including Donnie Darko's Richard Kelly and Shaun of the Dead's Edgar Wright for the opening of the show. Here is a video of Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier speaking with Leo Quinones on the Film Freak Show on 97.1 Free FM talking about Crazy 4 Cult:


Here's a small preview of the kind of works to expect from the show:

Jeff Mcmillan unleashes a cavalry of cult film characters on canvas


A stylized version of Edward Scissorhands by Craola (Greg Simkins)


Kathie Olivas contributes a very cute rendition of the very spoiled Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

A great poster by Christopher Lee is going to be available at the show!

Check here to see Gallery 1988's ongoing contest where you could win the poster signed by the artist and maybe even some of the individuals represented in the poster plus artist proofs of prints by Greg "Craola" Simkins and Matt Dangler!

Artist Reuben Rude has created limited run of 25 CRAZY 4 CULT commemorative Big Lebowski/The Dude Circus Punks, available first for those who attend the opening!

According to the Gallery 1988 blog, G1988 will be opening a new website at Crazy4Cult.com in July 20 offering a new place to order prints and new releases from the show.

Keep your eyes open and your ears peeled for upcoming coverage on this very awesome gallery!

Video of Kurt Halsey at work, sketching my portrait!

Previously, I wrote an article about the June 2nd Kurt Halsey Frederiksen meet and greet for his solo art show "A Subtle Existence..." at Gallery 1988. In addition I have a video of Kurt at work drawing the sketch of yours truly!

Note the unique way he holds his pencil. In the video I didn't want to interview him too much as to not disturb him working but I asked him if he considered attending the San Diego Comic Con (he wasn't) and how amazed I was by the sight of watching my favorite artist make a rendition of me (very amazed). Overall Kurt's high caliber of talent and friendliness was a pleasure to witness in person. Enjoy!

The end result:


Here's a couple of 35mm photos from the experience:



I'm still an elated individual from this whole thing. 'Til the next artist endeavor!

see previous posts:
Kurt Halsey's meet and greet at G1988!
Kurt Halsey Fredericksen's "A Subtle Existence..." at G1988

Kurt Halsey's meet and greet at G1988!

On June 1st and June 2nd, Kurt Halsey Frederiksen had two days of fan meeting and greeting at Gallery 1988 for his solo art show "a subtle existence, all the meanings in our moments shared." He previously was unable to make an appearance on the show opening due to an eye ailment (good to see him doing well, no pun intended) but rescheduled this LA appearance for his much appreciative fans. I made it up to LA for the Saturday afternoon signing to meet Kurt Halsey!

Kurt's fans were just as ecstatic as I was to meet their hero as he signed work, traded smiles, and sketched on little post-it notes.

I'm grateful to have the chance meet Kurt - his artistic talent is only exceeded by his friendliness. We had a little chat and I let him know how much I appreciate his unique art.

He signed the hand-embossed Flowers print (limited out of 50) available at the gallery.

He was also nice enough to sketch me, faux-hawk, chin-hairs, and all! To have your favorite artist create a rendition of you is awesome beyond words!

My parents, fellow rabid collectors and also Kurt Halsey fans after exposing them to his work, got some mementos of their own:



Umbrella, Picnic Table/ Swings, and Constant Consistency postcards, available at the gallery.

Plus a really cool bird sketch!

He even had "Swingsets and Park Kisses" fliers just like the one that makes up his collage Untitled (Concert Posters)!

Stay tuned for more: a video of Kurt Halsey's drawing the aforementioned sketch of yours truly and 35mm photos as soon as they're developed!

*If you were unable to catch KHF's work in person, he will be selling some of new stuff at Art Star Gallery & Boutique, PA including the Umbrella poster which was initially sold in G1988.

Also still available (and on sale!) is a 5 poster pack featuring 5 of his works as well as his 2007 calendar! Show him some support!

see previous post:
Kurt Halsey Fredericksen's "A Subtle Existence..." at G1988

Kurt Halsey Fredericksen's "A Subtle Existence..." at G1988

Kurt Halsey Fredericksen 's solo art show "a subtle existence, all the meanings in our moments shared," is currently being showcased at LA's Gallery 1988 until June 15.

Lined within the gallery walls are almost 50 "untitled" paintings, drawings, and collages that cleverly depict the heartfelt sensitivities of relationships. Kurt Halsey's endearing work has developed a following with his unique character illustrations and ideas relevant to anyone who has loved and lost.

I made it out to LA this last Saturday and the gallery was my first stop, just before going on a Melrose vinyl toy hunt! Some favorites:

Untitled (Big Yellow Snow)

Untitled (Never Enough Kisses) and Untitled (Triple Post-It Notes)

Untitled (Big Pimpin')

Untitled (Concert Posters)

Untitled (Lake)

Untitled (Evergreen Miles)

Untitled (mini orange firefly) and (mini green firefly)

Untitled (Constant Consistency)

Untitled (Night Bat)

Untitled (Cute Chicks) and Untitled (Airport Sketch)

Untitled (Hug Behind)


Unfortunately, Kurt Halsey was unable to make the opening reception for his show (see G1988's blog). To compensate to his adoring fans, he will be having a meet and greet this Friday June 1st from 6 to 9pm and on Saturday June 2nd from 12 to 3pm! Kurt promises presents- I'm there!

Speaking of presents, Guitar Player and Flowers are available as prints, Umbrella as a poster, and a half-dozen of them are available as collectible postcards (I got Picnic Table/Swings)!

Click here to see the rest of Kurt Halsey's work in my photo album!