Episode 010 - Hector Acuna

Today I am not in the gallery, but kind of am.. Recently, one of my best friends in the world, MJ Coyle, moved his design and art studio into our building on East 10th Street in Indianapolis. Even though we both own & operate two different businesses, MJ and I have worked together almost daily for years now. MJ is best known for all of his interior design work on HGTV’s Good Bones, but fun fact, a lot of the artwork featured on the show for years, was created by him. MJ has been super busy the last few months, not only filming, but preparing his largest collection of artwork he’s ever created for an upcoming solo exhibit in my gallery that is opening on November 3rd. Today, I’m in MJ’s studio to talk about his upcoming show. MJ, its great to be in your space.https://www.mjcoylehome.com/home

Hectors Plein Air Instagram: - https://www.instagram.com/hectoracuna.pleinair/Hector’s Studio Work Instagram: - https://www.instagram.com/hectoracuna.studio/

Today in the gallery is Noblesville, Indiana painter, Stephanie Spay. Stephanie is best known for her figurative oil paintings that often have a compelling & thought provoking narrative to them. The last few years she has been crushing, winning all kinds of prestigious awards and just in the last month has taken Best of Show at the 99th Annual Hoosier Salon along with winning an award of Excellence at the 2023 OPA Eastern Regional exhibit held in Alabama.

Today in the gallery I have Master Roycrofter and tonalist painter, Shawn Krueger. Shawn built his career based out of Grand Rapids Michigan but is actually a native Hoosier, having grown up in South Bend.  Shawn has worked with many of the country’s premier galleries and in recent years has started exhibiting his work in Indianapolis.

Today I am not in my gallery, I am in the studio of accomplished Indianapolis artist and really good friend of mine Johnny McKee. Johnny’s roots in Indy go all the way back to his training at the Herron School of Art in the early 90s. Since then he has touched so many different corners of our art scene, from his early studio at the Ferris Building to the Indianapolis Art Center to running the Ashland gallery for 10 years in Broad Ripple and now Johnny has been at the Harrison Center for 8 years. Johnny has a major exhibition opening next month and to dive into what this show is all about.Johnny’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnymckee/?hl=enhttps://www.harrisoncenter.org/Check out https://www.ViningGallery.com to see images of Johnny’s studio and artwork mentioned in this episode.

Brad is a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, Davis' paintings aim to uncover and uplift the discarded and overlooked within his urban surroundings. The city's rich history and character manifest themselves in the architecture and inhabitants of his daily life, thus providing the platform for his work. Layers of urban decay give insight into the city's past and work to form a residue of existence that can often mimic the painting process. Through sensitive and careful construction, he utilizes methods of traditional oil painting and an aesthetic pulling from American painters such as John Sloan, Edward Hopper, and Thomas Eakins. https://www.instagram.com/braddavisartist/https://www.braddavisartist.com/

Today in the gallery is a very good friend of mine and one of the best designers in our city, Aaron Scamihorn. If you have lived in Indianapolis for any amount of time, I can almost guarantee you have seen one of his projects. From product packaging, to branding, to gig poster design, to all kinds of illustration, and even muraling. Aaron does it all! I cannot wait to learn more about what Aaron is up to and what brings him into the Gallery today.Here are links to many of Aaron Scamihorn websites and projects: http://www.ronlewhorn.com/https://www.etsy.com/shop/RONLEWHORNhttps://www.afterschoolskate.com/https://www.instagram.com/lsrlab/?hl=af

Cole Gallery - https://www.colegallery.net/

Kate and I discuss her upcoming solo show in Vining Gallery opening on November 4th.https://www.vininggallery.com/https://kateorrfineart.wixsite.com/katenorrfineart

In so many ways, Roy reminds me of myself. Roy is an Indiana farm kid that graduated from Purdue University without the intent to ever become a full time professional artist. Yet 11 years in to painting full time, I can confidently say Roy is one of the best impressionist painters living in the midwest.To learn more about Roy check out his website at: https://www.royboswell.com/