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Eclectix Gallery, Best Bay Area Gallery of 2009!

2009-05-08T12:16:00.001-07:00

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Wow, huge congratulations to Patricia at Eclectix Gallery in El Cerrito, CA! Her gallery was awarded Best Art Gallery of 2009 for the Bay Area - in a voting that included over 21,000 voters.

Eclectix was the first gallery to give me a chance to show my work. I've since moved on to work primarily with my indie game crew Stolen Goose making iPhone & Flash games (that's why I don't update here so much) but I'll always be indebted to Patricia for helping me get started.

By the way, she's an wonderfully honest and straight-forward person to do business with and I absolutely recommend showing your work at Eclectix Gallery if you get the chance.

10082 San Pablo Ave El Cerrito CA 94530

Tel: (510) 364-7261

New sketch art book by Deth P. Sun Available!

2009-02-16T02:32:00.000-08:00

Rowan Morrison gallery just recently released a new limited edition art book by Deth P. Sun called "I See It All."

I haven't seen it in real life yet, but there are images floating all over and it looks great! It's a reproduction of a book of Deth's sketches.

It has 128 single sided pages with hundreds of drawings... It's a real quality printjob, too, with rounded corners... 7x10 on recycled paper.

It's available direct from Rowan Morrison here:
http://www.rowanmorrison.com/iseeitall/

It's a perfect coffee table book, or a book to keep with you at work to look at as a great escape from day to day stuff. Awesome. I'm definitely getting one!

Read the plan, make the vote. Change America.

2008-11-02T20:33:00.001-08:00

Today my family and I waited four and a half hours to vote. That's crazy, but please don't let this stop you.

Please vote.

And rather than preaching at you about who you should or shouldn't vote for, I'm just going to ask that you skip the lies and manipulation of the media & talk show hosts and just go straight to the source to read one of the best plans ever offered for getting this country back on track.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/

And before you think "these people are all the same" -- just think how much better things might be now if Al Gore had won the 2000 election instead of Bush.

This is an important election.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/

Just check out that plan & make it to the polls. We gotta turn things around for ourselves, for our children, and for the future of this great nation.

PS. At that link, be sure to CLICK the headings that are important to you. Each one links to a very detailed, precisely specific plan for that issue.

Economy? Go here:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/index.php

Foreign policy? Go here:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/foreign_policy/index.php

Healthcare? Go here:
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/index.php

Or you can find your issue & click the heading here: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/

Ben The Illustrator

2008-09-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

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Ben The Illustrator is world renown for his Speakerdog project (I made one for Series 5!) but his best gift to the world is some of the most delightful, colorful, and wonderful illustrations I've ever seen. I'm a huge fan of the guy and I'm always excited when he posts new work like his new collection: "Wish You Were Here"!

The Colours I've Been Dreaming Of

by Ben The Illustrator

His work has an intensity of color that makes me think of Takuya Murakami - but his work is generally more accessible and more fitting to have in your home. (And I mean that in a good way!)

I Carved Your Name With A Heart Just Up Above

by Ben The Illustrator

He just released a new collection of 12 prints called "Wish You Were Here" and they are NICE. Affordable, too... and made with authentic UK quality! Here are a few more of my favorites!

The Places You'll Call Home

by Ben The Illustrator

Today Is The Greatest

by Ben The Illustrator

There Will Always Be
by Ben The Illustrator

You'll find a bunch more in the set and they're all beautiful, so visit Ben's links below to view the rest of the collection!

Ben The Illustrator QUICKLINKS: BenTheIllustrator.com, Wish You Were Here Art Site, Wish You Were Here Online Store

Deth P. Sun "I see it all" at Giant Robot New York!

2008-08-23T04:45:00.000-07:00

Yikes, I'm late getting this posted... but don't miss this show! The reception is TONIGHT, August 23rd at Giant Robot in New York!

The show runs from August 23 to September 10th, 2008... Reception is the 23rd - tonight! - from 6:30 to 10pm. That's at Giant Robot New York, 437 Easy Ninth Street between 1st ave & ave A in the East Village... New York, New York 10009, 212.674.GRNY

You can check out the work that will be at the show by clicking HERE! Amazing... over 160 pieces in the show. Congratulations Mr. Deth P. Sun, that's quite a body of work.

Joe Sorren, masterful color!

2008-07-15T00:19:00.000-07:00

Joe Sorren with Patricia Arquette from supertouchart.com

Joe Sorren is one of the best and most successful artists of our age... and he has a new blog that I highly recommend - he's been posting an intimate view of how he paints! It might surprise you how organic his process is - maybe that's how his work has so much LIFE!

artwork by Joe Sorren

Joe Sorren has always been known for his unique and masterful control of color. His early work managed bold, bright colors - and lots of them - without ever falling out of control. Stunning work. Since then he's refined his use of color for an even more harmonious palette. In the fairly recent pieces I show here you see his gentle characters & peaceful world with color schemes sure to have universal appeal.

artwork by Joe Sorren

His characters remind me of one of my favorite animals - a deer. I think it's something in their eyes - something innocent and warm.

artwork by Joe Sorren

This piece has a composition that somehow reminds me of da Vinci's Last Supper painting combined with a composition that might come from a classic Picasso --- yet somehow more inviting and delightful than either of those artists ever accomplished, in my opinion!

artwork by Joe Sorren

His work is very popular and his paintings are selling for a bit beyond what most of us could afford - but definitely check out a Joe Sorren art show and consider getting his limited edition prints. Brian Patenaude has a couple and he says they really capture the color and texture of his originals as much as a print possibly could - really high quality works of art themselves.

*** UPDATE! Joe has a blog entry showing a print he's working on with Pressure Printing to be released later this fall. Keep an eye out for that one!

artwork by Joe Sorren

Sometimes I look at Sorren's work and think to myself, "Wow, I wish I could live in California." And then I realize - I do! I guess I'd like to see the world through his eyes, though, as my world isn't nearly so pretty or inviting. Perhaps that's why I find his work so magical to look at.

* The above images are from a gallery at Joe Sorrens website. Click HERE to see the rest! They are just lovely - and you can zoom right up on them and see the surface texture of his paintings.

Joe Sorren QUICKLINKS: website, blog, wikipedia, interview@tasteslikechicken, interview@webesteem, interview w/ Josh Spear

Patenaude Update: A Shiny Squirrel Exclusive

2008-07-07T01:21:00.000-07:00

I checked in to The Shiny Squirrel store today and saw Brian Patenaude has a new exclusive duo set of prints available! "Floating Dooleeg & Parligan"

These are SO cute & sweet. I could see them hanging near my breakfast nook, useful as a great gift, or even for decorating a childs room.
They're only $15 each at The Shiny Squirrel! A great deal not to be missed. I have 3 of his prints hanging in my house and I can vouch for their quality - beautiful colors on just the nicest thick fine art paper. Each one is signed and has a geniune handmade feel...

Ashley Goldberg a.k.a "AshleyG"

2008-07-06T00:52:00.000-07:00

Ashley Goldberg is an internet art phenomenon. She's a "Rockstar of Etsy," with Etsy.com a website similar to Ebay shops where people sell their arts and crafts. She's one of the top sellers second only to TheBlackApple as far as I know.

To fully understand her success - just view her Etsy shop. At the time of writing she's had 6,990 sales - and most of her prints go for at least $20 a piece. Nice.

AshleyG is an example of a successful artist that used a simple formula for success combined with a little luck. Here's the basis of her success as I see it:

Art that resonates well with a wide audience
Great marketing & promotion
A consistent "mass appeal" image carried through with her interviews, website, and blog
Being a part of some other entities success (Etsy consistently promote her work and she consistently promotes Etsy, creating a cycle of success.)

If you view her blog you'll see Ashley Goldberg "appeals to everyone" and offends no one. Go back to election day - she mentions voting but doesn't tell you who she voted for. This succeeds commericially by not turning away anyone away from her blog with divisive issues... But my criticism would be that she's not honest enough - I'd rather know who she's voting for, and her opinion on every other issue of the day. I won't read a blog that is so commercial-centric as to not give honest opinions... But what do I know? She's sold about 100 times the art that I have.

Another aspect of her work is - it often looks like anyone could do it. But sit down and try, post it online, and then see how few people buy it! There are nuances to her work that create an ILLUSION of simplicity -- but the fact is, she has a style that people want to hang in their homes. She has the sales to prove it.

Ashley Goldberg is a great example of the modern DIY art style - do it yourself. She makes her own prints at home. She mails them herself (with assistant of her man "Drew".) They work together to fulfill orders, respond to emails and make marketing & promotion deals.

In a lot of ways - she's an artist of the future. Ashley Goldberg found a way to succeed without gallery support to the point that galleries began contacting her requesting to show her work. Brilliant.

Ashley Golderg "AshleyG" QUICKLINKS: website, blog, etsy shop, exclusive prints @ The Shiny Squirrel

Is Obama really about change?

2008-07-02T23:11:00.001-07:00

Eric Nakamura has a neat entry in his blog about Shepard Fairey tonight. Since Eric mentioned the Obama poster Fairey did (below) I thought I'd post up a random sampling of Obama art that has appeared everywhere.

(by Shepard Fairey)

I voted for Obama in the primary and I will vote for him in the election. At the time of the California primary it was tough since Hillary & Obama were damn near identical on all the issues... But his campaign won me over, in part, with consistency.

by Date Farmers(link?)

I first voted for him to become senator when I lived in Illinois -- and his positions have been constant since way back then. Hillary's positions on various important things all changed just in time for her election run.

by Christopher Cox(link?)

The constant shift of direction in Hillary's campaign was creepy. One minute she tried to convey the feeling of "Hope" that got her husband elected --- and the next minute she ran those dark Republican "fear" style commercials. That made her seem shifty and unpredictable.

by Xtrapop

I see a lot of young people getting REALLY excited about Obama. As I said in my response to Eric Nakamura's blog - I feel like Obama won the peoples' minds with emotion but still favors big monopolistic business in his policies... As of now, if you dig into the fine print I don't see any REAL change. I just hope he's holding some back in order to get elected.

by Munk One

One example is how Obama talks about solving our economic problems by "educating Americans to get the high paying jobs." That's great, but why isn't he talking about bringing home manufacturing jobs in order to create a wide range of good paying jobs for people of all types?

As of now, even high paying education-requiring jobs are getting outsourced.

Why don't we bring a WIDE RANGE of jobs back home. High-end jobs are great, but we need manufacturing jobs, construction, textile, etc.

Photo by Kyle Oldoerp(link?)

These days we can't even make a missile without parts from Communist China . These so-called free trade agreements have done nothing but left foreign nations with excess US dollars to turn around and literally buy America.

This has been so drastic that our nation can't even run anymore without foreign aid. Japan is our bank. China is our bank. We've gone from being the world's greatest LENDER to the worlds largest BORROWER. This can't continue indefinitely. And when it hits the fan - working people like you and I will feel it the most, and there will be pain. It's time to wake-up and do something about it *NOW* before it's too late.

If you think this is boring, wait 'til it affects you. I bet it already is... Look at the gas prices, the rising cost of food - skyrocketing debt, increased competition for available jobs, increasing cost of healthcare, massive inflation they're hiding by playing with numbers... I could go on and on. But instead, just visit EconomyInCrisis.org and look at Foreign Ownership of US Industries. THIS is the consequence of "Free Trade Agreements."

by Sam Flores

Great. We can get DVD players for $30. But now WAL-MART is the nation's #1 employer. Low wage jobs with no benefits. Go back to the early '80s --- GM used to be the nation's #1 employer, and those jobs had great healthcare benefits and pensions... Times have changed. We've shifted from a government that represents The People to a government that represents Big Business. We have a representative democracy, but do YOU feel represented by our government? Do you even know anyone who does?

So yeah, let's vote for Obama. He's our best option. But let's not get caught up in the IDEA of change --- let's get him in office and then hold his administration's feet to the fire and make them represent *US* instead of Big Corporations... for a REAL change.

Eclectix Gallery: The Sniff Show (Friday July 5th)

2008-07-01T00:02:00.000-07:00

OPENING DAY: July 5th, 2008 @ Eclectix Gallery
ARTIST RECEPTION: July 18th, 2008 from 5 to 8pm

Don't spend all your money on July 4th because what should be an amazing art show is opening at Eclectix Gallery in El Cerrito, CA on Friday! (SF Bay Area)

It's called "The Sniff Show: Out Of The Fill!" and features a group of guerrilla artists known for their art-ifying of "The Albany Bulb." Apparently this "bulb" is a land mass jutting into the bay in East SF and it's chock full of giant found-object art, paintings, and sculptures. These guys made art out of whatever they could find washing up on the shore, and now they have a show at Eclectix with some great art you shouldn't miss!

This "Sniff" band of artists will have a big bunch of paintings on panels all bridged together in series... Circus crazies, bad Santas, buring forests and garden gnomes! BE THERE! =)

LOCATION:

Eclectix Gallery

7523 Fairmount Ave.

El Cerrito, CA 94530
510 364-7261

WEBSITE: www.EclectixGallery.com

John Casey

2008-06-30T22:39:00.000-07:00

John Casey says "If you can't make it good, make it big..."

Thursday by John Casey

I first learned about John Casey when I saw a strange, giant line-art character on wood strung up high in a strange corner at 111Minna Gallery in San Francisco. It was an anomaly in the show - just a lone, huge 6 feet tall two color giant drawing on thick wood alone up in the sky. And it was good!

Wednesday by John Casey

It turns out John Casey has a mighty cool blog and he's been posting up some fresh new drawings now and then including a day/week series... Here are a few, but you'll have to catch the rest at his blog!

Tuesday by John Casey

John Casey also made a blog entry about TAG Art Gallery in Nashville closing. Apparently John is letting his remaining inventory there go at a discounted price - just visit TagArtGallery.com and tell Jerry Dale "John sent you." Click HERE to see his remaining stock!

John Casey QUICKLINKS: website, blog, bio & art at TAG Art Gallery

Jeff Soto

2008-06-30T00:53:00.000-07:00

Jeff Soto photo from art.webesteem.pl

Jeff Soto came up in the street art graffiti scene and now works out of Southern California. He has shows at the most well-known galleries including Jonathan Levine Gallery in New York.

Lets Visit The Salton Sea by Jeff Soto

Jeff Soto gets regular coverage in Juxtapoz, though I read a quote recently where he was concerned about the direction of the magazine in recent times. I think many in the scene, artists & art-lovers alike, are thinking the same thing. If you read the introduction to July '08 -- even the magazine itself is in doubt... Where is this movement heading?

Springtime by Jeff Soto

I love all of Jeff's work, but the Springtime print/poster he made for Juxtapoz is probably my favorite. I get a really good feeling from that piece - it reminds me of a very good morning. =)

Fall by Jeff Soto

Many of his recent works feature a palette of otherworldly colors that remind me of the storms I survived growing up in Texas. Anyone who's lived down south knows that "green" lighting that happens right before a storm of hurricane-like winds and tornadoes. We don't get weather like that out here in California. I look at Jeff's work to remind me of life back home. I can almost hear the thunder! =)

Riversider by Jeff Soto

Jeff has made his mark on the art scene with his surreal landscapes and unique content. He keeps a really interesting blog with insight into his personal life, and I suggest reading it for better insight into the man behind those crazy storms!

Jeff Soto QUICKLINKS: Website, Blog, Wikipedia

Brian Patenaude

2008-06-29T04:19:00.001-07:00

Brian Patenaude - photo from his Adventures site

Brian Patenaude and I went to art school together and worked as artists in the game industry at the same company for several years.

Too Much Vinegar by Brian Patenaude

Remember how old school comedians used to make fun of people in the audience? He does this to his friends with art. I remember hearing laughter & guffawing throughout the entire office. Upon opening an email sent to the entire company I found he had captured my likeness perfectly, integrating me into the game's concept art as a fat fly-covered water beast sitting naked in a pool of water!

Portrait of KRINKOWE by Brian Patenaude

Brian was legendary at our school for nearly being expelled after spatting at the feet an instructor at our school over a some kind of disagreement with his work.

A set of prints by The Patenaude from a Pikaland Pikapackage

Brian Patenaude has been successful as an artist in the videogame industry, with his most famous work being featured in games from the Jak & Daxter series. He recently crossed over from games to galleries and now has his own fine art printmaking studio. His prints are available at his Etsy store as well as the new Pikapackage from Pikaland.

Hoard by Brian Patenaude

He regularly takes part in the Illustration Friday series, such as his most recent entry: "Hoard."

Teabag by Brian Patenaude

Brian never admitted it, but I always felt like I was the inspiration for this "Teabag" piece. Between this one and the one he sent out to the entire office -- I'm haunted for life. But I can't wait to see what he does next!

Wrinkles by Brian Patenaude

Brian Patenaude has an extremely consistent style, and I expect one day we'll see it not just in galleries & videogames but also in books, movies, and hopefully designer vinyl toys!

Brian Patenaude QUICKLINKS: website, blog, Etsy shop, Pikaland feature, MobyGames bio

Gary Baseman

2008-06-29T03:40:00.000-07:00

Gary Baseman photo from paintmonster.blogspot.com

Gary Baseman is an artist/illustrator working in LA. His work is very well known ranging from his Disney TV Cartoon "Teacher's Pet" to his illustrations for Cranium - just to name two of hundreds of examples of his "pervasive" invasion into pop culture. Gary refers to himself as a "pervasive artist" - meaning, as I understand it, that he can work on any medium and turn it into art.

Dying of Thirst (Yellow Utopia) by Gary Baseman

I didn't know what to think of Baseman's paintings when I first saw them. At first I thought, "What is THIS?!" but they stayed in my mind and within 24 hours I was a fan. I love his surreal landscapes with characters fritting all about doing strange things... milking each other, etc.

The Spirit of Solitude and Forgiveness by Gary Baseman

He seems like a fun guy. Every time I catch a blog entry where someone went to dinner with his crew - he makes drawings for everyone. He leaves them on tables. He draws on menus. Gary Baseman puts his art everywhere, like a kid would. Brilliant.

The Deflowering by Gary Baseman

There's a legendary story of Gary Baseman being in a panel discussion with Eric Nakamura and others taking questions from the audience. An aspiring artist asked, "How can an artist stay motivated?" Gary gave him a strange look and said, "Motivated? What is there to be motivated about? Either you WANT to do something and you do it, or you DON'T want to do something. And then you don't do it." A simple response - but to anyone who has ever procrastinated indefinitely on a project those words are genius.

Blow Toby by Gary Baseman

Dunces designer vinyl toys by Gary Baseman

His "Toby" character has a classic animation look - but with a strange twisted personality. His work has a definite sense of humor about it, but at the same time he's created an enormous body of work. His paintings are high in demand and sell for a fortune... leaving me looking forward to his new book Dying of Thirst which hasn't been released yet.

Gary Baseman QUICKLINKS: website, wikipedia, interview @ crown dozen

Deth P. Sun

2008-06-28T16:36:00.000-07:00

I get mixed up whether it was a Jack Long or Deth P. Sun Giant Robot show that inspired me to go public with my Tong Picnic universe. Truth is - it was both: I saw their shows back to back at Giant Robot and they had an influence on me I'll never forget.

Deth P. Sun (photo from his Flickr account)

Deth P. Sun is an Oakland, California based artist. (You can often see Oakland cheered on the sash of his cat hero.)

Hammock by Deth P. Sun

Deth's work features an unusual limited palette. Stark black, cool greys, MAGENTA, cyan. He takes colors most artists avoid and creates a universe of characters and adventures.

Murder by Deth P. Sun

You'll see cats looking out over dinosaurs, befriending plants, cutting each others heads off, flying in balloons, appreciating constellations --- you never know what to expect and that's part of what makes it so great!

Cat With Decapitated Head by Deth P. Sun

Something intriguing about Deth P. Sun's website is his unusual tone when commenting about his work. He has a very non-imposing tone, like he'd rather his fans just take his work for what it is and not make him write about it. Of course, this makes it all the more quirky and curious to read.

O.K. by Deth P. Sun

Deth P. Sun shares a blog with his girlfriend Marci Washington - another good artist whose art is quickly becoming well-known.

In Just Such an Old House by Marci Washington

These two are a San Francisco art powercouple! I once saw them at the mall and chased them down for a photo. Deth P. Sun was mildly concerned I might be some kind of crazy stalker, but Marci Washington understood I just have a liking for their work. =)

Marci Washington & Deth P. Sun stopping for a photo with Junkyard Sam

They share a Flickr account, and he even has some galleries of private work to enjoy if you can get him to add you as a contact or friend.

(unknown title) by Deth P. Sun

Deth P. Sun QUICKLINKS: website, etsy shop, blog, flickr, YouTube: Art Adventures with Deth P. Sun

Jack Long: Convolvere at Giant Robot 2 / NY

2008-06-28T05:35:00.000-07:00

Spiral Tower by Jack Long

One day I stumbled into a strange little store named Giant Robot. There were art books from all over the world I had never seen before. Toys. T-shirts. Gadgets. Amazing.

Photo of Jack Long from Artbusiness.com & Eric Nakamura

And then I saw a room full of some absolutely delightful art unlike any I'd ever seen before... I walked in and Jack Long smiled in his confident but humble manner and sort of pointed to a delicious tray of cookies & Capri Sun. There was something imaginative and innocent about the whole show. (It was actually this show that inspired me to take my work public. Many artists have been inspired by Giant Robot shows, and GR is no doubt to thank for a lot of this whole art movement.)

Looking Into The Future by Jack Long

Jack Long's work is generally on the smaller side - ranging from about 2x3, 4x6, 8x10, 11x14, etc. His paintings are extremely well crafted, with each stroke so carefully applied it has a delicate, fine quality you have to see firsthand to experience. The colors are so vibrant...

Telescope by Jack Long

I watched Jack Long interact with people and I was really touched that someone could be so good at what they do - have a huge crowd of people there to see him - and yet be so friendly and easily approachable.

Inside by Jack Long

On A Rope by Jack Long

Giving Him The Spark by Jack Long

The works posted here are all available at Jack's current Giant Robot show in Los Angeles at Giant Robot 2. Click HERE to see the whole show: Convolvere @ Giant Robot. Then visit JackLong.com for more info about the artist and a nice archive of his work.

Jack Long QUICKLINKS: website, convolvere @ giant robot, YouTube: Art Adventures with Jack Long

Luke Chueh Profile (& Welcome!)

2008-06-28T04:20:00.000-07:00

Luke Chueh (www.lukechueh.com) is often credited with first using the term "post brow" in terms of labeling a genre of art. In an interview with FecalFace.com / Pirate Kat / Joshua Petker, Luke said:

"I came up with a name for the genre my work and the work of my contemporaries falls in. I call it "Post-Brow" (as in "After" Low-Brow). The reason why I kept the "Brow" from "Low-Brow" is because my work still contains several Low-Brow-isms such as its character driven / illustrative qualities, sense of humor, and sardonic counter-culture attitude. However, my work lacks a distinct, essential, white trash (i.e. hotrods, pin striping, & Rat Fink) and b-culture (i.e. b-movies, specificly of the
horror genre) elements. These are the elements that truly make 'Low-Brow' low."

With this in mind it makes sense for this opening entry to feature the work of Luke Chueh, a well-known artist in the lowbrow/postbrow scene.

Impaled by Luke Chueh

Bear With Knife Hand... Bad Idea by Luke Chueh

Self Portrait 2 by Luke Chueh

Shining Down On Me by Luke Chueh

Swarm by Luke Chueh

Luke Chueh is most commonly known for his giant canvases of his bear character, often doing something back or having something bad happen to him. (A cute bear cutting his hand off, etc.) Luke had a solo show at Copro/Nason gallery in May. His website is enormous, with huge gallery archives of his work. Click HERE to visit www.LukeChueh.com to learn more about his work!

postbrow.com

Eclectix Gallery, Best Bay Area Gallery of 2009!

New sketch art book by Deth P. Sun Available!

Read the plan, make the vote. Change America.

Ben The Illustrator

Deth P. Sun "I see it all" at Giant Robot New York!

Joe Sorren, masterful color!

Patenaude Update: A Shiny Squirrel Exclusive

Ashley Goldberg a.k.a "AshleyG"

Is Obama *really* about change?

Eclectix Gallery: The Sniff Show (Friday July 5th)

John Casey

Jeff Soto

Brian Patenaude

Gary Baseman

Deth P. Sun

Jack Long: Convolvere at Giant Robot 2 / NY

Luke Chueh Profile (& Welcome!)

Is Obama really about change?