Tattoo You: An amazing coincidence: two Athens tattoo artists are showcasing their artwork in two different locales, simultaneously. One of Athens’ unique strengths is the large number of high-quality tattoo parlors given its relative small-town size. Considering the reality that the individuals running these shops permanently draw on other people’s skin for a living, it’s not hard to imagine the wealth of visual talent that’s housed here—and fortunately for Art Notes, many of these folks are engaged in other forms of image production as well. Nash Hogan, of newly established Anchor Tattoo, is showcasing a small series of medium-sized paintings this month at The Grit. He brings his considerable chops to the genre of urban landscapes in his deftly executed paintings on canvas, all rendered with a sophisticated sense of specificity without becoming overburdened in detail. This lightness of touch is refreshing; several of his paintings almost feel as if they’re forming themselves in front of you. Hogan doesn’t have to look too far for his subject matter—most of the scenes depict the town of Athens itself, with some surprising results. In Hogan’s hands, the back of the Daily Grocery Co-op becomes a strong formal vertical that slowly segues into abstraction, and the Farmers Hardware building at Broad and Oconee streets takes on a life more fractious and striking than I’d ever given it in person. This is good stuff. I might just get one inked on my back.

Equally impressive are the drawings of Pain and Wonder Tattoo Studio’s Graham Bradford, currently on display at the Espresso Royale Caffe on Broad Street. They went up several days prior to my writing this article, and stopped me in my tracks during my routine “Holy shit, I need coffee before I teach; I hope I don’t get a parking ticket” run into ERC. Initially, it was difficult to tell how the images had even been made—I had to do some investigating to find out for myself. Layers and layers of wood stain have been applied to the framed wood substraights, creating exquisitely drawn images in varying degrees of browns and glossiness. The line quality of the works is to die for—such confidence and control must lend itself well to the art of tattooing. Although some of the images themselves might seem more suitable as tattoos, Bradford’s unique approach to the process, as well as his polished skill as a draughtsman, make them all the more compelling. Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks so—several of the modestly priced works have already found new homes. All joking aside, I’m much too wimpy to ever get a tattoo, but I wouldn’t mind living with one of Bradford’s pieces.

Around the Corner: A gorgeous new gallery and exhibition space quietly opened a couple of weeks ago in the Chase Park Warehouse complex, right around the corner from ATHICA. The Trace Gallery, which will feature contemporary art and craft, is currently showcasing a group show of ceramics, sculpture and works on paper in various media. I slipped by this morning before sitting down to write this, and was pleasantly surprised when (after dialing a number posted on the gallery’s front door), local ceramicist Andy Nassise emerged from his back studio to let me in to take a look around. This is, in fact, how the situation works: at this point, the gallery is open by appointment only, but being connected to Andy’s (and several other artists’) studios, someone will be around to let you in should you check it out—which I highly recommend you do. Along with several of Andy’s sculptures is a grouping of Lauren Gallaspy’s delicate and detailed miniature drawings, works on paper by Chris Hocking, elegant vessels by Jorie Berman and Ted Saupe, and an arresting life-size figure by Christina West (whose solo show in the space will be one of the first events this coming autumn).

I have to applaud these guys, not only for renovating the corner space at the warehouse beautifully, or for even undertaking such a venture given the current economic climate, but for creating a gorgeous exhibition space that will feature three-dimensional and sculptural work in an elegant manner. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for future shows in the newly minted Trace Gallery. The current exhibition has set the bar pretty high, but have no doubts that great things are in store. More information can be found at www.tracegalleryathens.com.

Up and Coming: This Thursday evening, the 18th, from 7–9 p.m., MFA candidates Charles A. Westfall and Layet Johnson will host a closing reception for their two-person exhibition, Two Bros, at the Chase Park Warehouse, in Unit 4, as part of the ATHICA 4LEASE program. Both young artists are dedicated painters, draftsmen, sculptors and conceptual artists who recently sailed across the Atlantic using Google Maps; I would say you should expect the unexpected.

This coming Friday, Mar. 19 from 6–9 p.m., is the opening reception for the annual Lamar Dodd School of Art MFA Exhibition. Always an exciting event in Athens, this year promises to be no different, as the graduating class of students continues to push the limits of contemporary distinctions between art forms and ideas. Additionally, White Tiger Gourmet is catering. Need I say more?

Athens-based jack-of-all-trades Rusty Wallace will present an exhibition of new work in the Atlanta Gallery Twin Kittens. Viewings are by appointment through Mar. 30, but Rusty will host an artist’s reception from 7–10 p.m. on Mar. 20. For more info, see www.twinkittens.com and rustywallaceart.com.

Brian Hitselberger