The Ladykillers

EVER a man driven by vision, Jessie Domingo passionately promotes underground culture. He accomplishes this primarily through his Web site, atypicalLIVING.com, which covers the art, fashion and events of the scene.

But not long ago, Domingo wrote a phrase -- "roses and revolvers" -- "and I was drawn to it, I couldn't let it go. I knew I had to do something with it." He thought about drawing something. He thought about painting. He even considered creating a fake rock band and recording music.

When an artist friend suggested an art show, "it was a light-bulb moment," and "Roses and Revolvers: The Ladykillers" was born.

The monthlong exhibit is an all-female show that features the work of 16 underground artists. Domingo approached women he knew or those whose work he respected and asked them to create something based on the title.

"I wasn't restrictive at all ... and what they turned in was amazing. Many of (the artists) took their work to another level for the show."

As is typical of events Domingo involves himself in, the exhibit doubles as a benefit. "No sense in doing events if it's not helping someone," he says. This time, the beneficiary is the American Cancer Society.

"Roses and Revolvers" is housed at 939 McCully St., across from Chef Mavro restaurant and adjacent to Mauna Kea Gallery. The venue shares space with a screen-printing business run by a friend of Domingo. The ever-enterprising promoter saw it as a "win-win opportunity."

"It was a stroke of luck," he says. "He has plans to turn the (gallery) space into a retail location, so I cleaned up the shop to get it ready and he let me use it for the show."

"Roses and Revolvers: The Ladykillers" runs through the end of September. To view the exhibit, e-mail Domingo at jdomingo@atypicalliving.com for an appointment.