To celebrate the Great Showdown Original Art Auction going on right now, I wanted to walk down memory lane with all of you! The first Great Showdown paintings debuted in the first few Crazy 4 Cult shows at Gallery 1988, but the first solo exhibition collecting 200 of them came to Gallery 1988 in 2011 called simply The Great Showdowns.
And this is how it went:
2011 - The Great Showdowns
The maiden voyage of the Great Showdowns as their own experience. We started the 20 unlabeled showdowns the night of the opening for trivia and I painted Shaun of the Dead for the winner.
2012 - Return of the Great Showdowns
Surprisingly, another 200 Showdowns the following year. This was also the debut of the first book collection called “The Great Showdowns”. I painted Back to the Future 2 for the trivia winner live at the gallery.
2014 - Revenge of the Great Showdowns
This was first year of the Scavenger Hunt where I hid paintings around Los Angeles during the lead up to this show. This was also the debut of the second collection in book form entitled “Return of the Great Showdowns”. The new location of Gallery 1988 was right next to a bar, so I was able to hang out with everyone who lined up the days leading up to the opening to enjoy beverages and paint portraits. It was a wonderful time.
2020 - Legend of the Great Showdowns
This was perhaps the last time any of us were able to hang out with other human beings in person for a while since the world locked down a week later. I had a bunch of gatherings planned for the duration of this show that we had to do virtually in our locked down homes. We had large toys at this show for the first and only time. I was able to paint Pitch Perfect at the gallery for the trivia winner before we locked down.
2024 - Rise of the Great Showdowns
The return to hanging with actual people in person! This show was at Gallery 1988’s pop up space.
Thank you so much for your support all these years. Thank you, Gallery 1988! AND DON'T FORGET! The auction is going on in the Scott C Shop of Showdown paintings from these past exhibitions (except 2024)! Auction ends this Sunday, March 30th!
I LOVE YOU ALL!