Artist of the Month series launches: Karina Jimenez, Feb. 1–27

Starting February 1, Gallery on Main launches its "Artist of the Month" series of exhibitions with a selection of works by local artist Karina Jimenez. Her works will be on view through Monday, February 27.

Join us for an opening reception at Gallery on Main on Friday, February 3 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Meet the artist, see her works on view, and mingle with other artists and art lovers. Refreshments will be served, and admission is free and open to the public.

Karina Jimenez works in a variety of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture and special-effects makeup art. She recently completed her Associate's degree in fine arts at Raritan Valley Community College. While a student, her work was selected for a number of juried exhibitions and awards, including The Morris Museum's statewide Fresh Perspectives exhibition in 2014.

A self-described "hobbit lover" and "tree climber," Karina says that she's much-inspired by "the dark and witty mind of Tim Burton, the stories in J.K. Rowling's magical head, and what seems to be mostly nature," and that she enjoys challenging herself by experimenting with different mediums.

Following the inaugural exhibition featuring Karina Jimenez, throughout March Gallery on Main's "Artist of the Month" series will feature photographs by Emiliano Gonzalez.

Find of the Week: Photos by Jacko Vassilev

We are thrilled to have recently met and acquired several black-and-white photographic prints by Jacko Vassilev, an internationally acclaimed art and press photographer who has actively working in the field since 1983.

Born in 1951 in Stara Zagora in Bulgaria, Vassilev's work has been widely shown around the world in museums and galleries, institutes and private collections. His photographs are included in the permanent collections of the International Center for Photography in New York City, the European Center of Photography in Paris, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. Since 1996, Vassilev has been residing and traveling around United States documenting the North Americans in a book of portraits, soon to be published. We were honored that he recently visited Gallery on Main.

Stop in and see the powerful Vassilev photos we have available, which were taken in Bulgaria, Romania and the U.S., respectively.

Black-and white photos © Jacko Vassilev.

Find of the Week: Thirsty monkey wind-up toy, 1949

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Just look at that face. But wait, there's more! This vintage, wind-up mechanical "Thirsty Monkey" toy was made by Alps Japan in 1949. The toy is in perfect working condition, with a nice strong winding mechanism. So fun to watch in action —  his tail starts twirling, he pours his glass, and takes a drink. It is in excellent aesthetic condition, with nice bright, clean clothing, shiny plush fur, and beautiful colors. The only minor flaw is a few stains on the clothing, which doesn't add up to much. The body is made of tin, with plush "fur" and tail, and a plastic cup and bottle. This very unique and attractive toy will make a great addition to any vintage toy collection. And who doesn't love a good monkey? (We do!)

Thirsty Monkey measures 6½" high x 3½" wide & deep. See him in person and witness him in action at Gallery on Main. To see additional photos showing condition and details, visit our Etsy shop.

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Photo © 2016 Gallery on Main

Find of the Week: Vintage mahjong set, ca. 1920s

Antique Chinese mahjong set in a beautiful rosewood case with dovetail joints, which is trimmed in brass and embellished with Chinese characters painted in green.

The front door of the case slides up to reveal the drawers that contain the game pieces. The set includes 148 tiles, 120 sticks, a small box containing 4 dice, and a small round container with 4 round chips in it. 

To see this piece and other vintage games first-hand, visit us at Gallery on Main. You can also see more details on this mahjong set, including additional photos, and even purchase it online at our Etsy shop.

Call for Entries: Artist of the Month exhibitions

Visual artists are invited to submit their work for consideration for Gallery on Main's new Artist of the Month exhibition series, which will be on view beginning February 2017.

Different artists will be selected to have their work showcased in the Gallery, the front window, and on www.GalleryOnMainSt.com for an assigned month. Each exhibition will start the first of that month, and will run until the end of the third weekend. Each artist chosen will be encouraged to have an opening reception, which will be open to the public on the first Friday or Saturday of the month. Gallery on Main will advertise the event on social media and through press releases to area media outlets.

Inclusion in Artist of the Month is at the discretion of Gallery on Main and availability of space. Not all artists considered can be selected.

To enter your work for consideration: Please email us at least 3 different images of your work including artist name, title of the work, medium, dimensions, and price. If you are selected and if your work is sold during the time it is displayed at Gallery on Main, the Gallery will receive 40% of the sale price, and you as the artist will receive 60% of the sale price. Only work that you are willing to sell is eligible for the Artist of the Month call for entries.

Please send your submissions to info@GalleryOnMainSt.com with the subject line: Artist of the Month.

If your work is chosen, we will contact you to discuss the details.

We look forward to seeing your submissions!

Find of the Week: "Aspens" limited-edition photographic print by Dana Benner

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Hand signed and numbered, #3/100. On fine-art paper. Image 20" x 16", paper size 24" x 21".

Find this and other beautiful photos by New Jersey-based artist Dana Benner at Gallery on Main. Visit us today to see them firsthand!

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Photo © 2016 Dana Benner

Visit our new Etsy shop!

Check out some of the really cool items we just added to our new Gallery on Main online store. If you live locally and want to pick item up, no shipping charges.....just let us know before you buy online. We will be adding new items on almost a daily basis.

For your convenience, you'll find a link to our Etsy shop right on our website, in the navigation bar on the top of every page.

Find of the Week: Victorian-era parlor pump organ, made in NJ

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Victorian-era parlor pump organ, in a beautifully carved mahogany cabinet. Manufactured by S. D. Lauter Co. in nearby Newark, New Jersey, 1887.

In beautiful condition and good working order. Includes the original bill of sale! addition to this striking instrument, we have a number of great turned-wood piano stools of the period to choose from, including ball-and-claw foot types. Find these and more Victorian furniture as well as other conversation-piece instruments at Gallery on Main. Visit us today to see them firsthand!

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Photo © 2016 Gallery on Main