The Living Room: Where Zombies are Born

The Living Room Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA held an Artists’ Reception for their October Exhibition on Saturday October 5th featuring the work of Keyaira Lynn Daniel, Andrew Ozkenel, and Shane Izykowski. The dark hues and macabre subject matter of the collection brought a delightful smile to those who entered the gallery as it all seemed a fitting preparation for the upcoming Halloween Season. To enhance the bizarre mood of the reception, music was provided by Ritchie Murder, a Zombie Make-Up demonstration took place along with a photo booth session featuring the Zombies who were made up, and an Art Raffle offering an opportunity for those present to give the venue a financial treat in sport of all it does for the arts while gaining something frightening to take home with them.

The evening began with music performed by Guitarist Ritchie Murder who belted out one joyfully delivered song after another. Applause and laughter met the performance as a variety of tunes were played which included a number of original pieces along with some holiday classics such as “The Monster Mash” which was written by Bobby “Boris” Pickett in 1962 and was banned by the BBC on the grounds that the song was “too morbid.” However, this humorous song was re-released in the United Kingdom in 1973 and has become a perennial holiday favorite in both countries ever since; including those who heard it in The Living Room Gallery.

Soon after Ritchie completed his kick ass performance, the featured artists took to the stage to prepare their assortments of deadly appendages and makeup to be applied to some living souls. The models who agreed to make the transformation so they could be at one with the undead were Sonia Leticia, Sean Turrell, and Jarred. Many watched in horrific amazement as beauty embodied in the models’ human features moved toward the grotesque until they finally had become beautiful again as the skills of the artists and their visions of the horrific became apparent to everyone present.

This was followed by an Art Raffle in which works created by the featured artists were offered to those who would purchase a ticket and place in in a cup indicating which item they would like to have a chance in winning. Excitement filled the air as one set of numbers were read out and the holder of the ticket was revealed. A demonstration of exuberance the winners made as they collected their piece proved to be contagious as those who witnessed their good fortune shared in their delight.

The excitement of the evening continued as The Zombie Photo Booth began taking in its first victims. The willing meals of the models who were transformed into the living dead eagerly stepped into booth in order to have their photograph document their being bitten and having their entrails devoured by these ghouls. By the looks upon the Zombies’ faces, the cuisine seemed even more satisfying than the Sub sandwich provided by Vinny D’s www.facebook.com/VinnyDsDeliCatering or the cupcakes provided by a friend of the gallery. Laughter filled the room as camera flashes captured one image after another to be immortalized on The Living Room’s Facebook Page and other areas at a future date.

As mentioned earlier, the art being exhibited in The Living Room Gallery for the month of October was created by Keyaira Lynn Daniel, Andrew Ozkenel, and Shane Izykowski. Ms. Daniel presented a variety of pieces in different mediums in the exhibit. They ranged from images done in Acrylic and Colored Pencils to three dimensional pieces such as Jewelry and bottles. Although the work maintained the macabre flavor of the show, Ms. Daniel’s visions often touched upon a fantasy world that could easily welcome a child into its eerie realms instilling either a soothing or chilling effect upon his/her dreams. Yet, for those who viewed the work awake and with the lights on, the beauty of each piece delights those who experience it. You can learn more about Keyaira Lynn Daniel (aka Keyaira Lynn Von Dred) and her art from her Facebook Profile at www.facebook.com/keyairalynn.vondred.

Andrew Ozkenel also followed the macabre flavor of the exhibit with pieces created primarily through the use of Acrylic, Markers, and Color Pencils. The descriptive images found in comic books and graphic novels can be found in Mr. Ozkenel’s work as each piece visually communicated a thought, a concept, or an emotion expanding the viewer’s perception of reality through the image’s voice. Many of the communiqués of these images had a haunting effect that continued to remain in the viewer’s psyche long after he/she discontinued his/her gaze at the piece as its darkness purifies the soul. You can view The Art of Andrew Ozkenel and learn more about him from his Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Art-of-Andrew-Ozkenel/211671165635811?ref=br_tf.

The photography skills of Shane Izykowski has become almost legendary throughout the Monroe County, PA area with his images appearing in numerous local magazines and galleries of great prestige. Mr. Izykowski is not only the curator of The Living Room Gallery but he also (along with Stephanie Troiani) co-owns and co-curates the newly established Prime Gallery at the Stroudsburg Studios located in Stroudsburg, PA. Although Mr. Izykowski has brought a great deal of recognition to area artists, including some who have never been able to present their work in a gallery setting before, he has never been a featured artist in any of The Living Room Gallery’s exhibitions until now. This long over due remittance was redeemed as the walls of the gallery became frightfully alive with the images Mr. Izykowski created.

Although Mr. Izykowski is well known for his skills as a photographer, a number of pieces created for the canvas through the use of acrylic paints were also presented in the exhibit. Faces of animals and children emanating from the artist’s own hand added to the lexicon of understanding and appreciation of Mr. Izykowski’s artistic skills. Although the considerable talents of Keyaira Lynn Daniel and Andrew Ozkenel were quite evident in their work which enhanced the experience of everyone who sought deepen their relationship with they spooky aspects of the upcoming season, Mr. Izykowski’s work redefines the horrific and macabre aspects of not only of the season but of the shadowy traits of our nature as well. You can learn more about Shane Izykowski and his work by visiting his Facebook Profile at www.facebook.com/shaneizykowski.

The Living Room Gallery’s Artists’ Reception for their October Exhibition featuring the work of Keyaira Lynn Daniel, Andrew Ozkenel, and Shane Izykowski is the first of a series of three events the venue and The Sherman Theater will present during its celebration of Halloween. The second will be the wedding of Keyaira Lynn Daniel and Andrew Ozkenel who will “Tie the Dreaded Knot” just prior to The Sherman Theater’s Annual screening of the film titled, “The Ricky Horror Picture Show” on Saturday October 26th at 11pm. There will be a Monster’s Ball Reception honoring the couple in The Living Room beginning at 7pm. The public is invited to attend.

The third event will be The Living Room Gallery’s next exhibit which will be a group show whose theme is “Things that go Bump in the Night” inviting local artists to participate. The Artists’ Reception will be held on Saturday November 2nd beginning at 6pm featuring a Halloween Party and a costume contest. The work will continue to be on display until November 30th. Submissions of work will be accepted on Friday November 1st from 6 until 9pm. The Living Room Gallery’s October exhibition featuring the work of Keyaira Daniel, Andrew Ozkenel, and Shane Izykowski will continue to be displayed until October 30th. You’ll be able to find more photograph taken during the October Artists’ Reception in The Living Room 2013 Part 4 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151751090710421.1073741841.636000420&type=1.

The Living Room is located on Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA next to The Sherman Theater who owns the building. The Art Gallery is organized by members of The Living Room Art Committee. Please Explore The Living Room Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Living-Room/123978921059378 for more information about the venue, what it offers to the community, and how to participate and become involved with the art related work it does.

In addition to their exhibitions, The Living Room presents a weekly Open Mic Nites which occurs every Sunday Evening beginning at 6pm. Musicians, Poets, Writers, and anyone who would like to share their talents with an eagerly accepting audience are welcomed to participate. There is occasionally a featured band or performer scheduled each week that enhances the enjoyment of the event. You can learn more about The Living Room Open Mic Nite Series at it’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OpenMicAtTheLivingRoom?ref=ts&fref=ts.