Artist Bio (courtesy Daniel Franzese/World of Wonder):

The World of Wonder Storefront Gallery reopens on April 25 with the group show "depARTed," with works themed to celebrities who "inspired before they expired." The show's curator, actor Daniel Franzese, introduces you to Trevor Chowning, one of the contributors:

Trevor Chowning spent his childhood scouring the pages of Interview magazine for articles about his two earliest passions, art and cinema. Despite the idyllic setting of his youth, rural Indiana didn't present many opportunities to explore either of those interests. Forging his plan early on to experience the allure of big city life, he began a career in entertainment by promoting music as an agent and talent manager for musicians, including Grammy-nominee Larry Tee and Johnny Cash's legendary band.

Trevor was one of the first friends I made when I moved to LA. I met him when I was seeking representation for speaking engagements. We quickly began inspiring each other to explore different places in LA. He always had a crazy story about every Hollywood landmark. It's fitting now that I can introduce him to you at the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery – exactly the kind of fun, inspiring, and weird place that makes Hollywood what it is.

Chowning is one of those artists who create pieces that make you want to tell all your friends about them. People still ask about his Lindsey Lohan costume that the tabloids all picked up on from the Storefront Gallery's "Hollyween" show, like here and here. Damien Hearse, a hearse covered in rhinstones, was his take on Damien Hirst's platinum skull covered in 8,601 diamonds and made people scream with delight. His art is always ready to evoke an emotion. Over the years, Trevor expanded his personal art collection and this love of art has inspired several new possibilities for the always restless entrepreneur. He is currently the lead designer for the esoteric jewelry line Apples and Arsenic and now represents a collective of painters and fine artists.

Trevor's love of kitsch and passion for classic Hollywood is reflected in his current artwork. While he still considers Los Angeles home, he enjoys creating jewelry designs and artwork in his Oregon studio and back on his family homestead in Indiana.

– Daniel Franzese

Trevor often utilizes highly traditional methods, materials and techniques in the creation his art.  In fact, for one piece titled "Honoring Bunnicula" he used the miniature feathers from an antique hummingbird specimen to serve as the prismatic pupils of the rabbit.  He says of his style of art, "I know this pisses a lot of other artists off, but I don't take art too seriously.  To me it's simply a matter of taking a passing thought or flight of fantasy and putting it down in a tangible form so other people can see what goes on in my own head.  I liken it to waking up after a vibrant dream that you're dying to tell your friends about, followed by that sense of frustration we all get by not being able to translate those images into words.  With art, you can paint or sculpt exactly what you imagined.  I suppose I'm more of a translator than an artist."

Trivia:

• He was born in the same Indiana small town as another famous artist, Robert Indiana.
• He was once the Manager for Johnny Cash's band.
• He has a Pit Bull named Cooper that he rescued from a Beverly Hills animal shelter.

Press:
TMZ
Defamer
LA Weekly
World of Wonder

Group Shows:
1999  Yesfest Indianapolis, Indiana
2002  The Homestead Gathering New Castle
2005  The Homestead Gathering New Castle
2006  The Homestead Gathering New Castle
2007  Holly-ween World of Wonder Gallery-Hollywood, CA
2008  DepARTed World of Wonder Gallery-Hollywood, CA
2008  Dial "M" for Madonna World of Wonder Gallery-Hollywood, CA
2008  Hollywood D.C.-Lights, Camera, Election! World of Wonder Gallery-Hollywood, CA