The Raw Canvas Tattoo Studio and Working Artist Gallery Helping the Grand Valley Through Art

The Raw Canvas Tattoo Studio and Working Artist Gallery is 2,000 square feet full of local artwork from member artists in downtown Grand Junction, Colorado. Not only does The Raw Canvas on Main Street display killer artwork, they also have three phenomenal tattoo artists.

Until the end of 2012 The Raw Canvas has committed to donating 20% of all art sales in November and December to 'The House - A Place For Teens'. The Raw Canvas kicked off the fundraiser for the local non-profit with The Giving Walls Art Show on November 2, 2012. Featuring local art plus local music favorites Jack + Jill, Grand River Vineyards and downtown neighbors Bin 707 Food Bar and Seeds of Revolution.

The Raw Canvas supported the 13th Annual Homeless for the Holidays with 95 Rock this month as well. Tom Eatwell from U.S. Bank will be getting his very first tattoo from gallery owner and tattoo artist Justin Nordine.

If you missed 'The Giving Walls 2012' art show in November you are more than welcome to check out all the artwork at The Raw Canvas, and peruse through the photos below.

Etched Glass by Melora Coyle

Melora Coyle not only throws down her tattoo skills at The Raw Canvas, she also does custom etched glass. From vases to shot glasses, beer mugs and more Melora Coyle will etch glass with a custom design, or something you provide.

Chaz Emmons

Chaz Emmons has been involved in art since he was young and attended school for design. He draws his inspiration from arists like Banksy and Shepard Fairey, focusing on urban art.

Jeffrey Johnson

Jeffrey Johnson is not only a local artist but is also an art instructor at Colorado Mesa University. He just wrapped up his first semester teaching something he loves to do at CMU. He hails from Evanston, Wyoming and took art classes at CMU when it was known as Mesa State College.

Josh Lownds

Josh Lownds is a local artist as well as tattoo artist. He does very cool things with spray paint bringing out objects, color and even people. The intricacies he achieves with spray paint is far from graffiti, sometimes seeming an impossible thing to create with paint from a can.

Wendy Gill

Wendy Gill creates amazing collages out of pretty much anything you can think of, and plenty you can't! Her art is inspiring and takes you in, making you wonder what was in her mind as she was creating her piece. She uses images from an array of sources as well as other media to create her truly unique artwork.

Thad Tuin (Mask)

The mask in the above photo is a piece from artist That Tuin. Thad's art has been displayed all over Colorado, Utah and Nevada. Thad says, for him, "sculpting is like an addiction". Comparing seeing sculpture to the experience of music, bringing with it joy and wonder.

Dianna Fritzler

The Grand Valley's Dianna Fritzler brings contemporary art to live with several mediums. Always sure to please with vibrant colors, she uses everything from oil paint to encustic and more. She says she is"fascinated by nature" which comes out in her art.

Melissa Pruitt

Melissa Pruitt takes photography to a whole new level. Her photography business, La Tee Da Photography, shares space with The Raw Canvas where she is also a resident artist. She takes phenomenal photos and specializes in family portraits, maternity, newborn, senior portraits, sexy shoots, modeling portfolios, business photos, weddings and much more. Her photography hasn't stayed local and has been published books and magazines.

Aaron Herrera

Aaron Herrera has a very unique style that gets you lost in his art. The longer you look at his artwork the more stuff you'll find hidden away.

Do you have a cool design or piece of art in your mind that you personally can't make happen? Aaron is happy to take your idea and make it come to life with one of his drawings, paintings or designs.

Kim Crane

Artist Kim Crane grew up on the Texas panhandle. While in Texas he was introduced to Mexican culture. In his art you will sometimes find religious icons mixed with cultural icons. Kim now lives in Grand Junction with his wife and dogs.

Arlo Dicristina

Arlo is another resident artist at The Raw Canvas and the newest member of the tattooing team. Not only does he do some sweet grey-scale tattoo work, but he brings out the color in his art. Arlo's unique pieces are sure to keep you wondering what his thoughts were while he was creating his art as he often combines concepts together into his art.

Kelly Robison

Photographer Kelly Robison brings reality and abstract to life in her photography. Kelly is always taking unique photos often leaving you wanting more and wondering what she left out of the picture. From photos of animals, people, places and objects she brings to focus the often overlooked and mundane things in life.

Sara Oakley

Sara Oakley began her career in art as an illustrator and graphic designer. She has always been an independent artist winning eight national awards and two international awards for her illustrations. She founded The Art Colony in Grand Junction in 2003 and was a big part of The Blue Pig Gallery in Palisade, Colorado. Thanks to a grant from the Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture in 2011 she was able to launch the Grand Valley Art Students League.

Julie Anderson

Julie Anderson is part of the Artist's Haven in Grand Junction, Colorado as well as a resident artist at The Raw Canvas. Julie brings texture to her art making it very difficult not to put your hands on her artwork to touch it. She uses many different mediums to bring depth and texture to her unique artwork.

Amy Kuper

Resident artist Amy Kuper brings fun and color to her artwork. Her latest collection as seen above is the Sea Animal Quilt Collection. Amy not only creates amazing, fun and colorful artwork, but also dabbles in portraits as well.

Justin Nordine

Justin Nordine has an extensive art background opening The Raw Canvas in 2008. Justin is a former art teacher who left teaching, which he misses, to become a full-time artist and tattoo artist. He has worked hard to create what is now The Raw Canvas on Main Street, first opening in the Castle Creek Offices before the big move to 507 Main Street. Justin keeps busy not only with the gallery and tattooing, but also spends as much time as possible with his awesome and supportive wife and two kids(who run him around like crazy).

Cynthia Duff

Colors come alive with the whimsical art of Cynthia Duff. As a child Denver, Colorado provided her plenty of culture and opportunity to explore the world. She has been a Grand Junction resident for nearly 30 years and is actively involved in local arts and art events.

Wendy Videlock

One of my favorite techniques comes from artist Wendy Videlock. Wendy does very cool and colorful things with alcohol inks. Aside from beautiful wall art she creates functional art such as painted light switch wall plates. Not only is she a talented artist, she also wrote the book "Nevertheless".

Tish Collins

Tish Collins takes the natural beauty of metal and makes it shine, even through it's oxidation. Her jewelry is gentle, yet it is extremely hard to resist the temptation to reach out and touch it. She brings out the beauty of oxidized metals using many different techniques to create unique pieces of hand made jewelry and art from reclaimed metals.

Piera Kllanxhja

Growing up as a young girl in Aspen, Colorado Piera has kept coming back to the state for more. She has traveled abroad to France, Spain, England, Scotland, and Italy for art but has never forgotten Colorful Colorado. Since she was young she has transformed the beauty she sees in nature into clay pieces and drawings. Piera has several art degrees as well as teaching art therapy locally in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Don't be shy when you walk by 507 Main Street! Stop in and immerse yourself in the art, or stare in the windows watching the tattoo work. The Raw Canvas is open Tuesday to Saturday 11am until the last tattoo is done and the shop is cleaned in the evening. You might be able to catch Justin on Mondays.