Shown above is my piece for Gallery 1988’s upcoming “Under the Influence: Masters of the Universe” show. Titled “Battle Bones”, it is a giclee print on canvas edition of 20, and 1/20 will come in this green hand-painted frame.
As a product of the eighties, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe was a big part of my childhood, so I was super excited to be a part of this show. One thing I love about the characters is that they are so iconic and colorful that they can be reduced to very few pixels and still read.
I’ll post more once the gallery releases info about the show, but look for the opening to fall in the first week of January 2010.
Tomorrow is the opening of The Autumn Society’s final exhibition for 2009. The show is titled “Dia de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead), after the Mexican celebrated holiday, in which families bring offerings (such as food and mementos) to remember and celebrate their loved ones that have passed away. The holiday is celebrated between October 31st through November 2nd.
The show will consist of 40+ pieces of art from the Autumn Society’s finest artists, each interpreting “Dia de los Muertos” in their own unique way. Above is my piece, “Juego Terminado” (aka “Game Over”). The game over screen in video games, signifying the death of your character, is typically a negative thing, but since the holiday is more of a celebratory take on death, I wanted it to have a positive and festive sentiment.
Dia de Los Muertos
Opening reception Friday, October 2 from 6–9pm Proximity Gallery
2434 East Dauphin Street
Philadelphia, PA 19125
As some of you know, soon after the 8-Bit Keyboard Cat video that I created with Doctor Octoroc, a very talented cross stitch artist created a pattern of my illustration. I would’ve been extremely flattered except that she was selling the pattern through her website. After some back and forth, she agreed to take it down and was even kind enough to send me the profits. With that behind us, we are actually collaborating on a few things (including a piece for an upcoming book on the nerd craft scene) and will hopefully work out a deal to sell some patterns in the future.
I did want to share a cross stitch of Keyboard Cat that one of her customers completed. This was made by Arielle Brousse, who happens to be a fellow Philadelphian.
Tomorrow night at 6pm is the opening of the Autumn Society’s “8-Bit and Beyond!” show at Brave New Worlds. You can read an interview with myself and two of the other incredibly talented artists here. In addition to the fantastic artwork, Doctor Octoroc will be providing live musical chip tune entertainment, playing music from classic video games, 8-bit covers of 80s television shows (from his upcoming “After These Messages” album), as well as some originals. There will be a “name that tune” contest too, so you just might score a copy of his latest album. Get there early!
My piece is title “Mushroom Recession” and you can read more about it here and here.
If you’d like to purchase a print, click on the add to cart button below.
Mushroom Recession Giclee print on canvas (unstretched) 10″ x 20″ / Edition of 25 / $60.00
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8-Bit and Beyond!
Friday, August 7, 2009
6:00–9:00pm
Brave New Worlds (Old City)
45 N. 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-925-6525
I was recently commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic to create a portrait of Gustavo Dudamel, who will take over as their new director in September 2009. If you are unfamiliar with the Venezuelan conductor/violinist, watch this. Such an inspiring individual, it was quite a challenge to capture his irrepressible energy.
After a recent fiasco with someone selling products featuring my Keyboard Cat illustration (they’ve since taken down the products and offered monetary compensation) and numerous requests on my Youtube page for a T-Shirt, I’ve set up a shop at MySoti where you can purchase a shirt of my design.
Play Him Off, Keyboard Cat! is a website that catalogs many of the “Keyboard Cat” videos that can be found on the internet. If you’re unfamiliar, these videos typically follow a ridiculously embarrassing, depressing, or otherwise awkward video with a cat “playing it off” on the piano. I suggest you watch this one first and then check out some of the others on the site. I recently teamed up with chip musician Doctor Octoroc to create an 8-bit version of the popular internet meme. Let me know what you think, and if you have any ideas for a future video.
EDIT: The video has since been featured on numerous blogs and podcasts, including G4 TV’s Attack of the Show. Thanks to everyone who made the video so popular!
The following pieces were chosen for American Illustration 28:
“The Next 150″, Client: Minnesota Monthly (Art Director: Brian Johnson)
Opener for a two-spread feature on what Minnesota would look like 150 years in the future. To see the full spreads check out my website.
“T.P.S. Reports”, Client: Gallery 1988
For their annual “Crazy 4 Cult” exhibition
“Stapler”, Client: Gallery 1988
For their annual “Crazy 4 Cult” exhibition
The Minnesota Monthly piece was also selected to appear in 3×3’s Pro Show 2009 annual.
I recently worked with Art Director Jamie Leary on an illustration for the cover of GRID Magazine, a local publication that focuses on living more sustainably in Philadelphia. Each issue focuses on a particular issue, and this one is the FOOD issue. They wanted a cover that communicated the idea of local farmers banding together via a co-op to take on big agribusiness. Read the rest of this entry ?
