New works by Paul Torres for our current show "Notes from the Overground"

Contact Sandra @ 323.256.6117 or semastroianni70@yahoo.com for information regarding purchasing, layaway (art financing) or commission work.

Show runs August 8 - September 27, 2009

UPCOMING EVENTS: Saturday, August 15, 2009 - 9pm - Live Music ** iTom Lab and Hurt Model**
(music curated by Federico Hudson) - $3 donation at the door

Saturday, September 12, 2009 - 7-10p NELAart.org Second Saturday Gallery Night

Saturday, September 19, 2009 - 9pm - Live Music ** Trinitron Meets The Mars People, Hurt Model, and Clevis **
- $3 donation at the door

Sunday, September 27, 2009 - 3-6p - Closing Party

Hours: Tuesday - Friday 12p-7p, Saturday 11a-5p, Sunday 11a-4p

Venice Beach - AVAILABLE

Texas Cool Guy - AVAILABLE

Redhat - AVAILABLE

Pimp - AVAILABLE

Check Up Anyone? - AVAILABLE

Notrica's Market - Giclee on canvas - AVAILABLE

Mtn Bar - AVAILABLE

Cowgirl Cafe - AVAILABLE

Jena - AVAILABLE

Musicians - AVAILABLE

Furtrapper - AVAILABLE

Day Off - AVAILABLE

Clubbing No.12 - AVAILABLE

Clubbing No.3 - AVAILABLE

Bohemian Chick - AVAILABLE

Biker girl - AVAILABLE

Girls Night Out - AVAILABLE


14 Miles - AVAILABLE

Works by Walt Hall from the current show - "Notes from the Overground"

You Mean You Think Someone is Following You - AVAILABLE

The Sad Bear - AVAILABLE

The Casino Goer - SOLD

Panel 676/677 - AVAILABLE

Oh Good, She Said Company - AVAILABLE

Longview - AVAILABLE

Heartstrings - AVAILABLE

Fun with Our Friends - AVAILABLE

Dressing Up - AVAILABLE

But It's Gone - AVAILABLE



An Outdoor Day - SOLD

Contact Sandra @ 323.256.6117 or semastroianni70@yahoo.com for information regarding purchasing, layaway (art financing) or commission work.

Show runs August 8 - September 27, 2009

UPCOMING EVENTS: Saturday, August 15, 2009 - 9pm - Live Music ** iTom Lab and Hurt Model**
(music curated by Federico Hudson) - $3 donation at the door

Saturday, September 12, 2009 - 7-10p NELAart.org Second Saturday Gallery Night

Saturday, September 19, 2009 - 9pm - Live Music ** Trinitron Meets The Mars People, Hurt Model, and Clevis **
- $3 donation at the door

Sunday, September 27, 2009 - 3-6p - Closing Party

Hours: Tuesday - Friday 12p-7p, Saturday 11a-5p, Sunday 11a-4p

"On Parade/22100" - AVAILABLE

"Oh, Papa" - SOLD

"Nursery Rhymes" - SOLD

"No Peeking" - AVAILABLE

"Hello, said Mr. Worm" - AVAILABLE

"Hold On" - AVAILABLE

"Flight School and the Case of the Sonic Detector" - AVAILABLE

"Father's Day" - AVAILABLE

"Exploring the Animal World" - SOLD

"Don't Worry" - SOLD

"Counting Sheep Again" - AVAILABLE

"Chop! Chop! Part 2" - AVAILABLE

"Bucky Beaverton and the Red Letter Day" - AVAILABLE


"Birds vs. Robots: The Struggle Continues" - SOLD

"Arbor Day" - AVAILABLE

"Anyways" - SOLD

"Oh, good, she said" - SOLD

"All Around the Memory Tree" - AVAILABLE

"A Hymn for the Forest" - SOLD


"Wrist Pulse" - AVAILABLE

"What is Nostalgia?" - AVAILABLE

"Two by Two" - SOLD

"Time Flies and So Do I" - SOLD

"Three Rides for a Quarter" - AVAILABLE

"They Sing a Song for Every New Bird" - SOLD

"The Playgoers/Underneath a Black Moon" - AVAILABLE

"The Signal Core of Partisan Group 4" - SOLD

"The Nature of the Air" - SOLD

"The Forest Medic" - AVAILABLE

"The Rise and Fall of the Designer Robots" - AVAILABLE


"Recording the Fleeting Days" - SOLD


"Rain, Rain, Go Away" - AVAILABLE

"Notes from the Overground" - The Art of Walt Hall and Paul Torres

Playing All August and September at Cactus Gallery.....

"Notes from the Overground" - The Art of Walt Hall and Paul Torres

Opening Night Reception - Saturday, August 8, 2009 * 8-11p
Show runs Aug 8 - September 27, 2009

Back by popular demand, our next exhibition will feature new works from two of L.A.'s premium artists, Walt Hall and Paul Torres. Both at the forefront of the art scene in Los Angeles, their styles are as unique as their narratives.

Walt Hall's ever growing series, "Fenceposts for a Better Tomorrow," continues to steer us through other worlds filled with bear figures, worms with top hats, bird riders, trees, robots and processions. His images capture your imagination and his composition creates art pieces that spike interest in all who see them.

View Walt's work at http://www.thesappystudio.com

Naturally gifted with a keen observation, Paul Torres' art embodies a rich imagination and is laced with social commentary and a soulful interpretation of everyday life. His newest works depict various themes, among them aspects of L.A. nightlife. Paul's new high low brow contemporary rococo style takes aim at the cultural, religious, and sensory flavors and underpinnings of Americana and society.

View Paul's work at http://www.paul-torres.com

YERBA MATE :: The Guarani Legend

YERBA MATE: THE GUARANI LEGEND

"In this new beverage you will find healthy company, even in the sad hours of the cruelest solitude."

Guarani tribes of Paraguay worked the land and became excellent craftsmen. They believed that the tall, fair-skinned, blue-eyed, bearded God (Pa'i Shume) who descended from the skies, unlocked the secrets of health and medicine for them. Pa'i Shume revealed the healing qualities of native plants and taught them sound agricultural practices.

One of the most important of these secrets was how to harvest and prepare the leaves of the YERBA MATE tree. The MATE infusion was meant to ensure health, vitality and longevity.

Guarani would clear the forest, plant MANDIOCA (manioc) and CHOCLO (corn), but after four or five years the soil would be worn out and the tribe had to move on. Tired of moving, an old Guarani refused to on go. The youngest of his daughters, Jary stayed with her father. This gesture of love deserved a prize. One day, a shaman arrived and asked Jary what she wanted in order to feel happy. The girl asked for nothing, but the old man said, "I want strength to go on and to help reunite Jary with the tribe."

The shaman gave the old man a very green plant, perfumed with kindness, and told him to plant it, pick the leaves, dry them on fire, put the pieces in a gourd, add hot or cold water and sip the infusion. The shaman left saying "In this new beverage you will find healthy company, even in the sad hours of the cruelest solitude."

Thus was born the "ka-á" beverage (MATE) that the white people would later adopt and call YERBA MATE in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Paraguay. In Brazil, it is called chimarrao.

Sipping the green sap, helped the old man recover and resume their long journey towards his kinsmen. The whole tribe adopted the habit of drinking the green herb, bitter or sweet, that gave strength and courage.

MATE became the most common ingredient in household cures of the Guarani, and remains so to this day. In Argentina, a TGI consumer survey reports that 92% of Argentine households consume YERBA MATE. Given the consumption rate, it is clearly a phenonmenon that spans all socio-economic levels and is a very democratic national TRADITION. Its use has also been introduced into Lebanon and Syria, particularly among the Druze minority.

Girls! Girls! Girls!

HOT show ! Exciting new line up!

"Of Mankind, Womankind, and Other Kind" RECEPTION this Saturday, June 13th

"Of Mankind, Womankind, and Other Kind" has been extended through June 30th. Thirteen originals have found a new home. Reception THIS SATURDAY, June 13th from 7-10pm.

Layaway available on all art and art objects.

GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!

Cactus Gallery is very excited to announce the next big group show, GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS! The show was curated by Douglas Alvarez and features new work by Cactus favorite, Kelly Thompson, as well as Douglas himself. This new, exciting line up to the Northeast L.A. area is sure to draw a big crowd. Over 20 artists will show who have never been featured at Cactus. Thanks for all your hard work Douglas!