RETROspective: Works by Evie Yapelli at Laguna Ink Spot Gallery

Submitted by Laguna Ink Spot & Gallery:

Laguna Ink Spot and Gallery is excited to announce RETROspective: Works by Evie Yapelli, showcasing Yapelli’s watercolor paintings as well as her most recent project, found object ceramics with enamel paint. Yapelli is a resident artist at Laguna Ink Spot and Gallery, where all residents are professional tattoo artists in addition to working as fine artists in various media.

“I paint all of my watercolors using traditional tattoo flash techniques,” says Yapelli, who was formally apprenticed in Chicago, her hometown. “One of my mentors told me that whenever you’re not tattooing you should be painting, and it’s such great advice. I find that my artwork absolutely informs my tattooing, and it’s really allowed me to develop my own style.”

Yapelli’s work is heavily influenced by the American Traditional style of tattooing, also often known as “old school.” The style originated in the late 1800s and was popularized through the early to mid 1900s.

“When you think of an old timey tattoo parlor with sailors picking tattoo designs off the wall, that’s American Traditional. But my own style isn’t purely old school, it’s also largely influenced by vintage illustration.”

Yapelli’s favorite resources are from the 1920s through the 1940s, and include greeting cards, advertising, and photographs of everyday women. Yapelli’s latest project takes the kinds of figures represented in her watercolors and recreates them on found object ceramics.

“I was visiting Artists Republic 4 Tomorrow in Laguna Beach and was totally charmed by these repainted figurines by Robin Fleming. There’d be, say, a bust of Beethoven or a bric-a-brac dolphin painted up with KISS style makeup. It gave me the idea to find old figurines and paint them up like retro ladies. That’s one of the things I love about Laguna Beach, and working at Laguna Ink Spot and Gallery. It’s so creative and collaborative, and if you’re at a loss for inspiration all you have to do is take a walk down the street."

RETROspective: Works by Evie Yapelli runs throughout May at Laguna Ink Spot and Gallery, 412 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. For more info visit lagunainkspot.com, or Evie Yapelli’s website at showpigeon.com.