Hello Kitty Meet the Artists Party

The Meet the Artists Party at the Hello Kitty Exhibition at Royal/T was on Saturday, 7pm-11pm. Went with my co-worker's blog partner Cecy and her friend. She was going in as media to interview the artists that were there for their mommy blog and I was assisting her. Just like being her Executive Assistant for the show. Since she wasn't very familiar with the artists, and I was, I could help her out by identifying who's who and give her background info.

There was a line to get into the pop-up shop in the front and another in the back to get into the gallery. But since we were media, we got in without any line waiting. Even got to go into the VIP lounge area for free beverages and appetizers. Some of the artists were in that area chillin' out before stepping out into the main gallery area.

I got to meet so many of the talented artists that took part in this show: Camilla D'errico, Angry Woebots, Deph, Misha, Dan Goodsell, Melissa Contreras, Peekaboo Monster, Gary Baseman, Jason Han, Thomas Han, Luke Chueh, Buff Monster, Natalia Fabia and Melly Trochez are the ones that I can remember at the moment.

Live painting started earlier in the day with Peekaboo Monster at 2pm, Angry Woebots at 4pm and Camilla D'errico at 6pm. Then there was the artist jam session during the Meet event where all the artists in attendance collaborated on one canvas. Paintings were auctioned and proceeds went to charity. There was also Live T-shirt Screenprinting at the event with art by: 64 Colors, Crowded Teeth, Buff Monster, Plasticgod and Mark Dean Veca. New print releases by Angry Woebots, Camilla D'errico and Peekaboo Monster, plus some of his custom The Birds resins too.

Would have taken more pics, but I was recording some of the interviews on my iPhone. Just in case Cecy missed writing anything down. She also purchased one of the Three Apples exhibit books to get the artists to sign. They are putting it up on their mommy blog, thatsitmommy.com, as a fan giveaway prize package. I picked up 2 watercolors by Dan Goodsell. He posted a bunch of them on his blog, but the 2 that I really wanted with Keroppi and Tuxedo Sam were already gone. Those 2 are my favorite Sanrio characters. Ended up getting one with Chococat and another with Sweet Coron.

Three Apples @ Royal/T Cafe

Went to the VIP party for the Three Apples 35 Years Hello Kitty Celebration Exhibition @ Royal/T Cafe last night. Pics are not the greatest since I took them with my iPhone. I didn't bring my camera with me. The opening started at 7pm and there was a huge crowd there even before then. I got there about 7pm and didn't get in until somewhere around 8:15pm-8:30pm. Missed Kimora Lee and Paris Hilton. They left the party just before we even got in.

Place was packed with people and missed out on the goody bags just when we were about to get in too. Got to eat some Hello Kitty cake and appetizers. Other than seeing Kimora Lee and Paris Hilton, I saw a lot of the artists that contributed pieces to the show: Buffmonster, Luke Cheuh, Joe Hahn of Linkin Park, James Jean, David Choe, Gary Baseman, Angry Woebots, Tim Biskup and Tokidoki. Found out way later that Miranda Cosgrove, Dave Nevarro, Pete Wentz and Tera Patrick were there as well.

There is an Hello Kitty Pop-Up Shop in the gallery. Some items are exclusive to the show. A Hello Kitty plush doll box set ($100), 2 Hello Kitty vinyl figures ($12), plus there is the exhibition photo book with pics of all the artwork in the show ($35). Some limited edition prints of some of the pieces are available: Luke Cheuh, Gary Baseman and 4 others are available in limited amounts.

All of the pieces were amazing. There were already red dots on some of the artwork. Didn't find the price list sheet until just when I was about to leave though. Wouldn't have mattered much anyway, since the prices on some of them were way out side of my price range.

I will have to go back to the show another day when it is not so crowded. Could not spend as much time as I wanted to view all the artwork and items. Have to go back anyways to pickup that photobook. Need to save some of my money for the GR Biennale 2 show at the JANM on Saturday. The show runs from October 23 - November 15 with lots of fun events happening throughout the shows run at Royal/T Cafe.