Leave Miley Cyrus Alone Please!!

By now, it is pretty common knowledge about the pictures that Miley Cyrus took for Vanity Fair magazine. If you have not seen the pictures, they are below.

Miley with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus
(photos courtesy Vanity Fair website)

For those of you who don't know who Miley Cyrus is -- she is the alter-ego of the character Hannah Montana, one of the highest rated shows on the Disney Channel. She is also the 15-year-old daughter of singer Billy Ray Cyrus.

The photos, taken by respected photographer Annie Leibovitz, has caused a stir since they were made public. Many parents, understandably, have taken the teen to task on her photos. Many are very upset with the semi-nude photo of her that was taken. Many people also made the assumption that Miley's parents were not present at the photoshoot (they were). Many are also saying that Miley has lost her role model status because of the pics.

The Shadow has this to say to all: GET A LIFE PEOPLE!!!!

Miley has appropriately apologized to her fans for the raciness of the photos. Annie Leibovitz released the following statement on the photos:

Miley and I looked at fashion photographs together and we discussed the picture in that context before we shot it. The photograph is a simple, classic portrait, shot with very little makeup, and I think it is very beautiful.

The Shadow agrees. Miley knew what she was doing and the photos are very tastefully done. And she will be America's darling again within a week or so.

The Shadow would say to the parents who have hounded Miley since these pics came out: While The Shadow can understand your feelings in terms of how your young daughters may perceive these photos -- if you don't want your children to see them -- DON'T LET THEM SEE THE MAGAZINE. The Shadow also doubts that many girls in the 6-14 age range are reading Vanity Fair.

Let this one go people.

See Voodoo Cabaret This Weekend at El Rincon!!

The Shadow received the following notice today from Gisela Tangui of Voodoo Cabaret:

Gisela Tangui and The Voodoo Cabaret

Voodoo Cabaret lead singer Gisela Tangui

Channeling spirit thru African beats and soulful songs.
The month we will feature Master Djembe player BoloKada Conde and Master BelaFon Mohamed Kouyate from Guinea and Master Ngoni Player, Yacouba Diarra from Burkino Faso, West Africa. Wizard keyboardist, George Kharabadze from Georgia, Russia. Gisela Tangui singing original songs inspired by Orishas and Loas and KQWST DJ spinning good peoples music.

When: Saturday, May 3rd, 2008
Where: El Rincon, 2700 16th Street @ Harrison
Doors: 9pm, Live Music at 10pm
Cover: $10-$25 - Sliding Scale

The Shadow Attends Mission Open Studios

In what will probably be the final Open Studios that The Shadow will visit before October, The Shadow had a chance to visit with the artists in the Mission District of San Francisco last weekend.

Some of the artwork available during Mission Open Studios

The Shadow had the opportunity to visit the following studios last weekend:

• The Blue Studio, 2111 Mission Street
• Workspace Ltd, 2150 Folsom Street
• ActivSpace, 3150 18th Street
• 1890 Bryant Street Studios
• CELLspace, 2050 Bryant
• Art Explosion Studios, 744 Alabama Street

Some of the artists with their work during the Open Studios

Mission Open Studios is probably the best known of the Spring Open Studios event in San Francisco. Over 350 artists get together and usually plan the ultimate weekend for showing their work. There may even be a few extras here and there.

Some of the extras included:
Top: A duet playing music in the studio of Natasha Dikareva
Bottom: Two dogs play in another studio

New to the mix this year is a new space -- ActivSpace, located at 3150 18th Street. This space is still growing but should be ready by Open Studios in October. But there are artists there now who are definitely worth a visit.

Work by Kristin Grahn at ActivSpace

One artist in particular caught the eye of The Shadow. Lisa Chou at Art Explosion promised The Shadow that she would do a quick watercolor work inspired by us. That work is below.

Top: Artist Lisa Chou with The Shadow in front of one of her works
Bottom: Work by Lisa Chou inspired by The Shadow

The Shadow would like to thank all of the artists he has seen in the past three weeks during open studios event and definitely looks forward to October.

More work from Mission Open Studios

More pictures are available here.

The Shadow Celebrates Five Years with Varnish Fine Arts

While sitting in the art studio of Mark Harris, The Shadow learned that Varnish Fine Arts Gallery was holding their Fifth Anniversary party that evening. So, after a quick dinner, The Shadow made his first visit to Varnish Fine Art Gallery.

Some of the works on display at Varnish

Artists on display at this show are:

• Jennybird Alcantara
• Chris Anthony
• Attaboy
• ana Bagayan
• Beth Borjarski
• Chris Buzelli
• Ben Carpenter
• Vance Cearley
• Elizabeth Dante
• Albert Dicruttalo
• Bob Dob
• Ron English
• Kevin Evans
• Ron Garrigues
• Charles Glaubitz
• Nemo Gould
• Ben Harris
• Archie Held
• Al Honig
• Carlos Huante
• Grant Irish
• Jordin Isip
• Jung Han Kim
• Craig La Rotonda & Kim Maria
• Sharon Leong
• J.P. Long
• Mr. Lucky
• Michael Maes
• Chris Mars
• Stephanie Morgan
• Skot Olsen
• Kevin Peterson
• Karl Reichley
• Jen Rogers
• Dan Romo
• Ruben Rude
• KRK Ryden
• Isabel Samaras
• Kristen Sard
• Wayne Shaffer
• Dylan Sisson
• Winston Smith
• Kerri Stephens
• Thomas Wargin
• Robert Work

Artist Elizabeth Dante with her work at the reception

This was The Shadow's first visit to Varnish and he has to say, this is quite a space! It is very conducive to showing art and hosting great parties (they have a great wine bar there).

Top: Scene from the reception
Middle: Work on display at the reception
Bottom: The Shadow with his new (and very attractive) Wine Steward, Layla

The Shadow spoke briefly with Varnish's director, Jennifer Rogers, who informed him that this could well be the last anniversary party at Varnish. The building that houses the gallery is slated to be demolished to make way for the new Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco. The Shadow will keep you posted on this.

Top: Scene from the reception
Middle: Another work on display
Bottom: The Shadow with Varnish Co-Director Kerri Stephens

This exhibit will be shown through May 31, 2008. Varnish is open Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. (ish) and Saturdays from 1-5 p.m. The wine bar opens at 5:00 p.m. Varnish hosts many private events Tuesday-Thursday nights so it is a good idea to call them to see if it is a good idea to go on any of those nights (they will not plan private events on Fridays). The Shadow also needs to tell you that, because Varnish has a permanent wine bar on the premises, no one under 21 (including children and babies) can be admitted to the gallery.

Another work at the exhibit

Varnish is located at 77 Natoma Street (between Mission, Howard, 1st and 2nd Streets). They can be reached at 415-222-6131.

More pictures from the reception are available here.

The Shadow at SOMA Artists Gallery

After leaving GarageGallery, The Shadow went to see his friends at SOMA Artists Gallery as he completed his tour of SOMA Spring Open Studios.

One of the works at the gallery

Artists in residence in this gallery are:

• Louis Bording
• Barbaralynn Brodsky
• David Bryant
• Trudy Evard Chiddix
• Flora Davis
• Renee Eaton
• Faye Eisenberg
• Nancy Ewart
• John Fitzsimmons
• Kat Flynn
• Keiko Fujimoto
• Jeremy Garza
• Tama Greenberg
• Jana Grover
• Kate Handwerger
• Mark Harris
• Rebecca Kerlin
• Mike Kimball
• Lois Llewellyn
• Cynthia Lubarsky
• Margaretha Miglo
• Sheila Nichols
• Nanci Price Scoular
• Suzanne Radcliffe
• Linda Sanders Colnett
• Anne Subercaseaux
• Deloris Thomas
• William Ulrich
• Melissa Wagner

Artists Mark Harris (top) and Keiko Fujimoto (bottom) were among the artists available during Open Studios

This is one of the studios that The Shadow enjoys visiting each open studios, and the work that is there never fails to impress him.

More works of various media by participating artists

The Shadow wishes to thank all of the artists at GarageGallery, SOMA Artists Studios, East Side Editions and 210 Studios for welcoming The Shadow during Open Studios and we look forward to seeing all of you again in October.

More pics are available here.

SOMA Spring Open Studios at GarageGallery

It is now Open Studios season!

The Shadow went to several studios parties on April 18 and visited two studios on April 19. The Shadow's first visit was to GarageGallery.

One of the works at GarageGallery

Artists showing at this gallery are:

• Alan Mazzetti
• Liz Mamorsky
• Susan Tuttle

More works at GargageGallery

Garage Gallery is located at 655 Bryant Street.

More pics from the gallery are located here.

The Shadow Views Transformations

At the invitation of artist Charlotte Kay, The Shadow ventured to the San Francisco First Unitarian Church's Kings Gallery to view at photography exhibit entitled "Transformation" by the photo critique group Illuminata.

Works by Kay Taneyhill (top) and Roxanne Worthington (bottom) at the exhibit

The members of Illuminata are:

• Kay Taneyhill
• Roxanne Worthington
• Charlotte Kay
• Adrienne Defendi

Works by Charlotte Kay (top) and Adrienne Defendi (bottom)

These four women came together to offer advice and support to each other and their photography pursuits. And judging by what The Shadow saw in this exhibit, these women take their work seriously.

Posing with their work are (top to bottom): Adrienne Defendi, Roxanne Worthington, Kay Taneyhill, Charlotte Kay

You can view this exhibit through April 28, 2008 at the San Francisco First Unitarian Church, 1187 Franklin Street (at Geary) in San Francisco (ring for entry). Viewing hours are Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Top: Scene from the Reception
Bottom: Members of Illuminata (from left): Adrienne Defendi, Roxanne Worthington, Kay Taneyhill, and Charlotte Kay

More pics from the reception are available here.

The Shadow Visits with Cheryl McDonald

The Shadow's good friend Cheryl McDonald contacted us the other day to let us know of a solo show she is doing in a restaurant in the Castro District of San Francisco. The Shadow, on a beautiful Sunday morning, went to Squat and Gobble to join Cheryl and friends for brunch and to view the show.

Top: Artist Cheryl McDonald poses with one of her works
Bottom: Cheryl enjoys a mimosa with friends

The Shadow has featured Cheryl's work on this blog before. Cheryl has a very good eye and can make pencil drawings look like full photographs.

Two of Cheryl's works at the exhibit

Unfortunately, this show has just ended. However, Cheryl is represented by ARTWorkSF and her works can be purchased through them. You can also view more of Cheryl's works by clicking on her name under the artists links.

More pics are available here.