Emily's Strange Days Blog
Emily Illustrator Nix Turner Art Exhibit
 Nicomi "Nix" Turner, senior illustrator for Emily the Strange, proudly debuts her solo work at the upcoming In Vein show at Gallery Extraña, 2912 Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, CA. Nix's paintings illustrate an earthy, somewhat dark interpretation of beauty through a skillful and romantic combination of women, animal skulls, veins, birds and flowers. The show will open on July 11, from 7 to 11 pm, and continue through August 30, 2008. Music for the opening will be provided by San Francisco's Beno + Minnie.
Nix's day job is senior illustrator for counterculture icon Emily the Strange, the odd 13-year-old girl with the ubiquitous black cat quartet. So Nix is able to translate some of what makes Emily so popular into her paintings outside of work. What's obvious in her art is her love for anatomy. "My mother taught college courses on anatomy and physiology. I would help by drawing anatomical illustrations for her students' tests. And I was always fascinated by phlebotomies, and watching the students draw each other's blood." What inspires Nix? "My home is decorated with anatomical charts and botanical illustrations from the eighteenth century. I have a skull collection that I base a lot of my work on – I've got bobcats, birds and foxes. I really see the beauty in a perfectly formed skull." Gallery Extraña co-director Aimee Friberg said, "Through careful linework and a choice color palette, Nix calls attention to what lies just beneath the surface of the skin, while reminding her viewer of the darker side of beauty. Gallery Extraña is very pleased to be showcasing what this talented artist does off the Emily clock." Gallery Extraña 2912 Telegraph Ave. Berkeley, CA 94705 Opening Friday, July 11 7pm to 11pm Continuing through August 30, 2008 ABOUT GALLERY EXTRAÑA Gallery Extraña was founded by Emily the Strange creator Rob Reger and artist/curator/filmmaker Aimee Friberg. Its mission is to showcase contemporary, emerging, and mid-career artists primarily from the Bay Area, with a special focus on talent from the East Bay, where the gallery is situated. Gallery Extraña is committed to exhibiting eccentric, "strange," and off-center work, and seeks to promote local and underrepresented talent. Outside of featured shows, Gallery Extraña hours are by appointment only. 
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