It is hot in the city, very hot. So I imagine lots of skin at the Haunch of Venison opening tonight, which is perfect because my paintings are all skin. Haunch was nice enough to ask me to do a project along side Alexandra Grant, Doug Argue and Bill Fontana. Since the paintings are a peek into the most intimate of moments I figured why not also offer a peek into the often unseen activity and energy that ends up bottled in the finished works. All the chemist mixes on the table and splatters on the studio floor, the paintings living for awhile cozy, shoulder to “shoulder,” before their new roomier homes. The only studio witness, roaming, in form of trusted Labrador. The dreaded rolling of largest works (all went well thankfully). Paintings arrive at the gallery wrapped in a teasing gauzy haze of glassine and plastic. Propped against walls looking very much like the bodies they depict. The couple painted here are “putting on a show” so here are a few behind the scene shots.

Warm congratulations to Terence Koh who’s currently en route from China to Gotham with something very special in tow: a newly adopted baby boy named Bei Bei, born in February of this year. The artist took a trip to Beijing to finalize his adoption papers and we truly couldn’t be more excited for the happy Koh duo. Mr. Koh is also planning a bash in New York to toast his newest pride and joy.

Kelsey Brookes is a former biochemist whose work exhibits an interplay with figure, abstract forms and text.

Mickalene Thomas immortalizes Naomi Campbell with the help of Swarovski crystals in honor of supermodel’s 40th birthday.

Photos of Terence Koh and Tokyo cherry blossoms.

There always comes a time for the very first dinner party, and ART RUBY’s premiere big bash took place this week in New York. We happily hosted an evening at The Lion to celebrate Richard Phillips, one of our very favorite artists who’s having one hell of a spring. Phillips co-curated Your History is Not Our History exhibit with David Salle (that closes at Haunch of Venison on Friday) and is part of the group showing at the Swiss Institute that will unveil on May 5.  Both Salle and our honoree made it out to West Village last night and even playfully posed with a custom crystallized Moët et Chandon bottle that celebrated their superior wrangling skills and many sleepless hours. Phillips’ better half Josephine Meckseper (who’s a big hit at The Whitey Biennial this time around) was of course there to support her favorite man.

In fact, it was a big night for golden artist couples like Rachel Feinstein and John Currin and Lisa Yuskavage and Matvey Levinstein all came by to toast good friend Phillips with pink champagne, lobster bisque, pan seared sea bass and filet mignon. Others gallery certified guests at the tables of yet unopened eatery included Tom Sachs and Gagosian’s Sarah Hoover, Sean Landers,  Les Rogers, and frequent Art Box contributor Todd DiCiurcio who was accompanied by his lovely wife Megan. There was table hopping, appetizer sharing, and lots of mutual admiration.

Beyond the artists and the gallerinas, other ART RUBY supporters included actress Melissa George with director husband Claudio Dabed,  Jimmy Choo czarina Tamara Mellon, Waris Ahluwalia, Emma Hall, Casey Fremont, Lorenzo Martone, designers Claude Morais and Brian Wolk (of Ruffian), Prabal Gurung, and wild card dinner seatmate Oksana Baiul. Yes, the one that beat Nancy Kerrigan when you still owned a Walkman in 1994.  Artistically inclined surfer and model pair of Danny Fuller and Tori Praver fully enjoyed their dessert of Art Ruby velvet cupcakes and Phillips’ sweet toast to his buddies and our little site.  Until the next dinner and honoree, we hope you enjoy our favorite images from last night’s event.

Wojciech Seweryn, a respected artist in the Chicago area, was among the 97 people killed when the airliner crashed in western Russia.

Mariko Mori’s “Primal Rhythm” will involve two sculptures in Okinawa, Japan, to be activated by sea tides and celestial movements.

Jeff Koons’ new car will be the 17th in BMW’s fabled “Art Car” series.

Vollis Simpson, a 91-year-old, is the creator of some of the most recognizable works of outsider and visionary art.

The Royal Academy of Arts has opened its doors to established and unknown artists to submit work for its 242nd Summer Exhibition.

Kirsten Dunst sings in Takashi Murakami’s video, that was a part of the Tate Modern’s exhibition “Pop Life: Art in a Material World.”