If downtown Milwaukee seemed a little sad on Sunday, it’s probably because all the work from Rogues Gallery’s first-ever group art show came down. Don’t worry. They’ll recover. The new show they’re hanging is ridiculously good. And I’ll be glad to have my special movie-themed pieces back. Wanna’ see ’em? Here you go:
TITLE: “I Want My Two Dollars” FILM: Better Off Dead If you’re confused, watch this. Marvel at his persistence. And his sweet switchblade comb.
TITLE: “Human Centipede” FILM: Human Centipede My attempt to make something incredibly disgusting seem incredibly adorable. Mission accomplished?
TITLE: “The Blues Brothers” FILM: The Blues Brothers This is me trying to sum up one of our favorite films of all time in one simple 11 x 17 panel. Piece of cake, right?
So what do you think? Should we do some more movie-themed pieces? More like the Blues Brothers piece? Do you think someone in Hollywood should make OUR version of HUMAN CENTIPEDE?
A few weeks ago, Vic and Gab asked me if I’d be interested in making some art for their next album. Considering you’re reading a blog post called “Vic and Gab – Bridges and Guns,” it’s pretty obvious I said yes. And you being the smart cookie you are, I bet you already figured out that the above image is my sketch of the front cover.
The packaging would be a basic cardboard sleeve. Nothing too complex. All they’d need from me is a front cover, a back cover, and something for the CD itself. The above image is what I came up with after listening to some of the songs, and having them tell me the basic theme of most of the tunes– losing someone to violence, and how that loss affects the lives of everyone around them. And this is what I came up with for the back:
With the front cover so loaded with imagery, I wanted to keep the back simple. I also knew we’d need space for track listing, album info, and the bar code.
Within a day of sending these off to the band, I heard back from them. They liked it, but thought it hit too close to home. The iconography was too heavy and accurate, considering the tragedy they’d written the songs about was theirs. They asked me to try and scale it back a bit, and I obliged. The last thing I want to do is making art for a band that the band can’t stand to look at.
The result?
A revised cover, a revised title, and PURPLE. No other color would do. As for the back:
I was hoping to keep that background all purple as well, but being able to read that album info was kind of important, so I brought the banner color from the front to the back side. No, I could NOT have added a white drop shadow or outer glow. Those are terrible ideas, both this time, and 90% of all other times.
Last but not least, the actual disc art:
You being the savvy you that you are, I don’t need to remind you that the green, blue, pink and gray are all part of the template, and not the actual disc. No, true believers, the actual disc is a plain white, with simple black characters of Vic and Gab, as well as the album title. I initially put the band name and song titles on it, too, but Vic and Gab decided less is more— a philosophy I can ALWAYS get behind. (Except when it comes to getting paid.)
If you want a physical copy, drop Vic and Gab a line here, or nab one at a show. You can also grab it now at this crazy new thing you’ve probably never heard of called iTunes. Once you’ve spent some serious time listening to the tunes, let me know if I did the album justice!
This is Ron Weasley, throwin’ back some Butterbeers, vibing all the fly young sorceresses in the place. A birthday gift to my Harry Potter-loving sister-in-law, who has taken to calling me “Weasley” in recent years. (Because he’s a Ginger, and I’m a Ginger, and all non-Gingers think all Gingers look alike.)
Fun Fact: My dad was childhood friends with, and lived down the street from, the guy who played The Red Skull in the 1990 Captain America movie. I’ve met him once, maybe twice. Definitely before he got the Red Skull gig, too. Otherwise, he probably would have been wearing the Red Skull mask. I know I would if I were him.
My dad does not, however, know the guy who played The Red Skull in the 2011 Captain America movie. Which is a shame, because it’d be pretty cool to say, “I know two Red Skulls.”
Anyway, ladyphant and I watched the 2011 movie the other night. Pretty good super-hero movie. The digital effects they used to make Chris Evans look small and wimpy weren’t all that believable, but you forget about that once he actually becomes Cap and gets his sweet WWII-era costume.
The above drawing is something we did to warm up one day last year, probably around the same time the movie was coming out. We like making Captain America look everything but chisel-jawed and stoic, as is apparent by this other version of him we did a while ago. (Sorry, Cap!)
Bethany Shady, a.k.a. “Sidekick22,” is an author. She wrote a children’s book called Matilda Turnip’s Endless Belly Button, and a novel for grown-ups called The Interview. (Click here to learn more about ’em.)
Jorge Garcia is an actor who’s appeared in a number of films and TV shows, including Becker, Curb Your Enthusiasm, How I Met Your Mother, and a little show you’ve probably never heard of called LOST.
When LOST was still on the air, the two of them had a great podcast called Geronimo Jack’s Beard. which I’d listen to every week because:
a) the two of them were hilarious, and
b) it was kind of cool to hear one of the actual show’s lead actors talk about what HE thought was happening, and what was going to happen.
Now Jorge’s on a new show called Alcatraz, playing the distinguished Dr. Diego Soto. Click here to watch the trailer. Then click here and subscribe to the new podcast he and Sidekick22 are doing about the show, called (appropriately and hilariously— or “hair-iously”) Diego’s Soul Patch. That shiny drawing up there is the podcast’s official artwork. Yes, I’m mighty excited to have my doodles affiliated with a show I’ll no doubt be nerding out about for seasons to come.
Check it out, then let them (and me) know what you think!
If you live in Milwaukee, you know 91.7 FM WMSE as one of our three public radio stations. They’ve been around almost as long as I have, are manned by actual humans 24 hours a day (hardcore!), and are funded by the people. That last thing? That’s why they have lots of fundraising events. And the best among them always seem to revolve around food.
This Friday, October 7, they’re having their annual Food Slam event. It’s one night a year where you can buy a ticket, sample deliciousness from roughly 30 local fooderies, and bid on silent auction items that, in the past, have included custom-painted toilet seats, Green Bay Packers tickets, a giant robot sculpture, and art from yours truly. For the last few years, I’ve been trying to make it music-related, since, you know, it’s a radio station and all. Last year, I painted Nina Simone. The year before that? Jim Carroll. And this year?
One-of-a-kind hand-painted vinyl records that were too scratched to play anymore. No, they aren’t actual Ramones or Devo records. No one would ever part with those. But it’s not the actual record that matters anyway.
If you want these? You have to attend the Food Slam. Or, find someone who IS attending, and have them bid for you. Get more Food Slam info here. See you Friday!
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Last week, Nate (The 5th Goonie who also hosts some great events at Jackalope Lounj) texted me to make a flier for his Thursday night giggity with DJ Black Mix. He let me loose to just do what I do. (Take note, people interested in hiring me.) So with the help of some old timey etchings, a copy machine, and my own scribbles, this came out. Made me realize how much I prefer a limited palate.
A few years ago, our pal James commissioned the above graphic for a birthday present, for his then-derby girl wife. (She is no longer a derby girl. She is, however, still his wife.) It was part of a redone poster, to commemorate her first-ever bout. And being the shameless self-promoter I am, I posted the finished product online, for all the world to see.
This led to many a Brewcity Bruiser seeing it, which led to them OMGing it, which led to them very kindly asking me to lease it to them for a t-shirt a few years later. Which was this year. Specifically: last weekend.
At their 2011 Championship Bout, Milwaukee’s all-female flat track roller derby league sold these shirts in VERY limited edition— only 100 were allegedly printed. And by the end of Saturday night’s ridiculously enjoyable bout, EVERY LAST ONE OF THESE SHIRTS SOLD OUT. (Sorry, folks!)
I’m going to post a few detail shots, though, because this might be one of the most impressive print jobs I’ve ever seen. It’s no secret that we love Orchard Street Press— specifically Whitney, who we’re convinced is actually some sort of screen-printing genie. He’s done incredible work for us in the past, on our Mucca Pazza posters, and our recently released Angry Canvas Bags. But this thing? He pulled so much texture out of it. It’s about as close to the actual texture-heavy paintings as you could probably get with screens. So, if you ever need something printed, know that we very highly recommend Orchard Street with all our ever-loving hearts.
On to the details: All four, in all their splendid glory.
The Crazy 8s!
Maiden Milwaukee
Shevil Knevils
Rushin’ Rollettes!
Check out the subtle yellows he managed to screen in— just like the painting!
Another close-up shot, to see more of that REALLY subtle yellow.
I tell you, in person, this thing is a true thing of beauty. And not because it’s my painting. They just did that great a job printing it.
Extra special thanks to my cell phone, for having a decent enough camera to shoot these photos. Maybe I can hire it out to anyone in need of product photography, make a little money on the side.
Did I mention I was a teacher for two weeks this past April? I was. At an elementary school, no less. The kind folks at Oriole Lane School here in Wisconsin hired me to be their visiting artist-in-residence. I was asked to develop a curriculum for grades K—5, and spend two weeks teaching said curriculum. There were three projects, divided among the grade levels (K & 1, 2 & 3, 4 & 5), all using stuff people were going to throw away– old cereal boxes, scratched records, and the sleeves each record came in. And there were bigger lessons taught, too. But we’ll get into those in a later post.
A few days ago, a selected panel of judges drove out to the school and judged the projects we made during those two weeks. And tomorrow, as part of the school day, there will be an awards assembly to announce the winners. I personally don’t know who won, yet, but I wanted to contribute to the prize packages each kid will receive. So I bought them all sketchbooks:
No, I didn’t buy them like that. I had to spruce them up. Some quick stencil cutting, a lil’ mid-afternoon spray-painting, and we were off to the winner’s circle.
I hate that Utrecht slaps their logo on the sketchbook. So tacky. But the spray paint covers it well enough. And my idea was to have a little monster and a word bubble that the kids could write their own names in.
But this wasn’t special enough. Not for MY students. So each book has a personalized first page from yours truly. The first batch are the “best of” for each grade, and the judge’s choices:
I got bigger sketchbooks for the “Best Overall” and “Best Overall (Runner-Up)” category:
One last thing: After a day or two of teaching, autograph requests started happening. It’s a very weird thing to be asked for an autograph, but a FLATTERING weird thing. And I will never tell someone “no” when it comes to that. At the very least, it will let me show off my fancy penmanship.
But rather than sign autographs after each class, I promised the kids I’d bring them something the day of the assembly. So I sat down, pen in hand, and filled a page with doodles of all the things that seemed to pop up in class, as conversation, or as subject matter during end-of-class drawings I’d make for the kids on the chalk board. I called my magic pals at Clark Graphics, had them print up 500 of these bad boys, and tonight, I’ll be sitting in front of the television, signing all of them:
I feel like March has been a very, very long month. Not in the sense that it’s boring me to tears and I wish it would end. Quite the opposite, really. Every day’s been action-packed, and I’m hoping April proves to be the month I learn how to nap. Lord knows I need to.
But no naps shall be had until after Saturday, April 2. The above image was created to promote April 2. Specifically, the event HAPPENING on April 2. It’s called the WMSE Buy Local Bazaar (duh), and is essentially the radio station’s way of teaming up with Our Milwaukee, and celebrating local businesses, artisans, food growers/makers/sellers, and other people actually contributing to the local economy. When you buy from local businesses, more of that money goes back into your community than when you buy from a big box chain. Which means we’ll be able to pave these streets with gold a heck of a lot faster.
We’ll be there, doing something very special on the spot, and hopefully selling our first ever piece of practical merchandise.
I’m including the above character as my sole means of illustrating one of the most time-consuming projects of these last few months. In April, I’ll start a two-week artist-in-residence program at Oriole Lane Elementary School in Mequon, WI. I was asked to develop the curriculum for those two weeks, which was totally weird for me, because I normally just spend my days putting arms, legs and facial features on things that don’t actually have them. And frankly, all the preparation for two weeks of teaching has been pretty intense. I couldn’t imagine having to develop a curriculum for an entire school year! Makes me admire teachers even more than I already do. (Everyone should.)
I’ll share more after the two weeks are over. Cross your fingers I don’t shame the family name.
Much to my dismay, I never got to see the play that inspired the above piece. A playwright named Patrick Schmitz interviewed a Rhode Island-sized group of theater folk about, well, theater. He turned those interviews into a play called Back & Forth. He also sent one of his questions, and every answer it generated, to an artist, to create a piece that would hang in the lobby during the show’s run. Frankly, nothing I could have drawn would have done justice to the ideas being shared, so I opted to letter as many of the answers as possible.
The play seemed to get a healthy amount of press, so I’m incredibly happy for Patrick. Here’s hoping he forgives me and all the things that popped up, keeping me from sitting in that audience.
I know I this De La Buena album already got its own lengthy blog post, but it did happen in March, and I’m trying to be thorough. If you haven’t nabbed a copy yet, drop me a line in the comments section. We can make that happen.
Last time DJ Yoda came here (the first time, actually), he played Stonefly and it was PACKED. So it made sense to bring him back. And of the THREE AND ONLY THREE shows he played in The States this time around, he came to Milwaukee on alcohol’s favorite American holiday. Surprisingly, a LOT of people stayed sober enough to make it to Moct. And once Yoda started his A/V spectacle, the dance floor was getting scuffed like nobody’s business.
This is the poster Tap The Masses asked me to make for the event. Glad they let me be funny in the copy, too. And for those of you who didn’t grow up with it, THIS is “the gas face.”
On a total side note, as I type this blog post about art, I’m watching an episode of Inspector Gadget where he’s trying to stop Dr. Claw from stealing art. Coincidence? Yes. Why am I watching Inspector Gadget? Because it’s 7:10 AM, and morning television is the worst.
This is the birthday piece I made for my friend C.J., who is one of the best humans you’ll ever meet, if you ever meet him. And I’m not sure you will. But if you ever go to a Rural Alberta Advantage show in Wisconsin, well, you will. He loves them. He’s friends with them. And when I handed him this birthday gift, it was at their most recent show here in Milwaukee. A show that had to have been sold out, because I wound up standing in the back of the venue to watch the show.
The text is from a song they didn’t play that night (click here to check it out). No matter. C.J. loved it all the same. And so did the band. After he showed them the piece, I wound up getting a handshake, a hug, and a squeal of delight from the band. High-five to all that.
KITTIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!
(Commissioned by Nick, who will be out on the road with this band again soon. Thanks, Nick!)
This is a top-secret thing that will soon be not-secret. Should be available at that event I was talking about at the top of the page, and on my site (and Etsy shop) in the near future.
Another total side note: The just showed a commercial for Robostir– a device that automatically stirs for you whatever it is you’re cooking. Are we really that lazy a species that we can’t even be bothered to stir food?
And lastly, this: for Ex Fabula’s season-ending ALL STARS event. If you don’t know what Ex Fabula is, click here. That’s what the Internet is for.
The theme was “Secrets and Lies” (duh), and frankly, coming up with this concept took me a while. But I’m glad I didn’t rush it. It’s not often you get to juxtapose a beloved fairy tale character with the kind of documents you only get to see in spy films. We haven’t really pushed this out to the public much yet, because it’s still a few months away, but I sure hope people like it.
I leave you pretty people with some music today. It seemed like every place I visited yesterday was playing Nina Simone at some point. And though they didn’t play this particular song, I’m sharing it because we just recently finished watching Luther, and it used this tune better than any other show or film has. Dig it:
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