Get the Lead Out

Kathy Olivas

Black Maria Gallery in LA is opening "Get the Lead Out" this Saturday night, August 2nd, at 7 PM, and it looks to be a great show. The show will feature sketches, pen & ink drawings, watercolor and some sculpture. From the press release: "This exhibition will give light to the artists’ process. Gallery goers will be privy to seeing how a finish painting, illustration or sculpture is born and develops. According to Zara Zeitountsian, the gallery director, 'Seeing how a finished work comes together will give the viewer a greater appreciation of how an artist creates. Making art and the artistic process more accessible and tangible to the public is something that the gallery is deeply committed to.'”

The show features a great roster of artists, including Bwana Spoons, Kathy Olivas, Brandt Peters, Jeremiah Ketner, Jen Lobo, Julie West, and many many more. And what's more, curator Ally Takeuchi will be donating a portion of the proceeds to organization Lunch for Life, a charity that raises awareness and research dollars towards a cure for neuroblastoma pediatric cancer.


Jeremiah Ketner

"Get the Lead Out" at Black Maria Gallery

Get Your Design On - UPDATE 8-1-08

If you live in Japan, Korea, China, Honk Kong, the UK, or Manhattan, you've probably been to a Uniqlo store. Referred to by many as The Gap of Japan, Uniqlo offers basic clothing at low prices. One of the things Uniqlo does very well is design t-shits. Often hiring well-known artists (like Amy Ruppel) to do designs, Uniqlo puts out hundreds of t-shirts per year for about 16 bucks. In Japan they even have UT Stores, which are Uniqlo stores that carry only their popular tees and sell them from vending machines (what else?). Now it's your chance to design one of those shirts and walk away with enough yen to buy 2000 UT shirts!

For the last five years, Uniqlo has sponsored its UT Grand Prix, where it invites Japanese citizens to design a shirt which it will then sell in its stores. This year that contest is open to entrants worldwide, and the prize is 3,000,000 Yen, or about $30,000! The rules and regulations, as well as the t-shirt templates are on the UT Grand Prix website. Go make some beauty and make PopDrawer proud!


Amy Ruppel Uniqlo design

CORRECTION! Oops. Our bad. We accidentally identified the above image as Amy's Uniqlo design when in fact it was a design she did for ReForm School, a print which is now completely sold out. BELOW is her t-shirt for Uniqlo. Sorry Amy!



Uniqlo UT Grand Prix T-Shirt Design Contest

Summer Salon, Part II

Tasha Kusama

Sloan Fine Art in the Lower East Side of Manhattan is opening the second in its four-part Summer Salon series tomorrow (Wednesday, July 30th) -- two-week group shows featuring a liberal mix of new and veteran artists. This fortnight brings a group of breaking artists at very reasonable prices. Expect works from Diane Barcelowsky, Tasha Kusama, Julia Marchand, Jason Redwood, Stefan Saffer
and Trevor Young.

Make it a night. The gallery will host a casual, mini-reception from 6 to 8 pm, creating the perfect opportunity to meet friends for a drink before heading out to dinner. The perfect summer evening.


Julia Marchand

Summer Salon, Part 2 at Sloan Fine Art

For the Kids... or Not

These days the lines between kid products and adult products are getting pretty blurry, as blurry as, say, smeared chalk. Vinyl art toys that you won't let you kids get near, for instance. Well here comes another product intended for kids that will probably take root in plenty of childless homes. A company called Chalkals has combined two recent wall design trends, namely wall decals and chalkboard paint, into chalkboard decals. At Modern Dose, they offer two cool designs -- owls on a branch, and UFOs. The decals are black and chalk-able, and go for $65.

Thanks to Minsun for this link!

Chalkboard Decals at Modern Dose

For Grownups Only

Apparently we're way behind the curve on this one, but reader Retro Audrey pointed us in the direction of Dr. Sketchy's last week and we can't let this one go. Three years ago artist Moly Crabapple (currently showing in a group show at Ad Hoc Gallery in New York) founded Dr. Sketchy's, an "anti-art event" in New York that has now expanded to 50 locations worldwide. The events, which occur bi-weekly (at least in the Brooklyn location), are titillating takes on the "natural" art class, where a model poses nude for a group of art students. But at Dr. Sketchy's burlesque, glam, and girlie models pose for the artists in various states of undress in a party atmosphere that includes "ridiculous art contests (best incorporation of a woodland animal? Best imagined costume?), comedic skits good music and flashy prizes." And of course, liquor is served. Preferably absinthe.

Been to an event? Send us a sketch and we'll post whatever we get. As long as our ISP doesn't censor us.


Art by Molly Crabapple

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School

Molly Crabapple's Official Site

Common Threadz

After the materialistic blow-out that was the Comic-Con, we feel a little giving back is in order. And in true consumerist tradition, we found an organization that gives us something for giving to someone in need. Common Threadz produces a line of limited edition t-shirts with designs donated by talented artists for adults and children. And for each t-shirt purchased ($38), Common Threadz donates a school uniform to a child in need in Africa or India. Why is a school uniform so important in these poverty-stricken areas? Because "in many developing countries not having a school uniform means that you are not allowed to go to school, or that by not having one you wear the stigma of having AIDS. For something so simple as a uniform it seems senseless that orphans and vulnerable children are missing out on the chance of an education and the joy of forming friendships with kids their same age... In Africa alone, millions of children have never set foot in a school because they cannot afford the required uniform."

In addition to the donation of the uniforms, Common Threadz raises awareness and funds for a multitude of other charity organizations. Each t-shirt is dedicated to a different cause, and designed as a reflection of that cause. So with each purchase, you help two two causes in one fell swoop. Genius.

Buy a t-shirt from Common Threadz and feel like Mother Theresa, Albert Einstein, and a fashion maven all at once.

(Thanks to Urban Baby for the link).



Common Threadz

Comic-Con Report Coming Tonight

Stay tuned! The email will probably go out before we're done with the Comic-Con report, but if you're in San Diego and want to see what we saw and liked, tune back in tonight to PopDrawer.

Here's a sneak peak. OY!

New Dork City! San Diego Comic-Con Report

It was a meeting of the San Diego Dorkestra, myself included, as thousands upon thousands descended upon the historic Gaslamp Quarter in the yearly geek-fest ritual known as the San Diego Comic-Con. This year, for the first time, the Con sold out every day, and is now just way too crowded, unless you enjoy the scent of 40,000 men and 100 women closed up in a cramped space appealing, in which case what are you doing reading this at home when you could be in Right Guard heaven?!

But ah, we love it so. And every year more and more great artists show up selling originals, prints, toys, t-shirts, and their souls. (They know I'm kidding. Right?) The Con continues through Sunday, so here are our favorites in case you are lucky or stupid enough to be heading there this weekend.

So little to say, so much space. Strike that, reverse it. Where to begin? How about...

Elvis Stormtrooper!



And flanking either side of the King of the Empire, Gary Baseman and Nathan J (AKA Nathan Jurevicius). I bumped into them at the Last Gasp Publishing booth (#1616), where Gary was signing copies of his book "Dying of Thirst" and others. While at the Con, Gary will also be releasing Pink Hot Cha Cha! Baseman will be selling and HAND-SIGNING 100 of these impish creatures at the Super 7 Booth #4729 on Saturday, July 26th at 4:00pm. Gary will also be showing his new Mimobot flash drive at the Mimoco booth #4938 on Saturday at 2 PM. Stop by and say PopDrawer sent ya'.



Meanwhile, the ultra-fantastic Nathan J has just created an awesome new piece, The Monkey King, for who else, Munky King. He will be at the Monkey King booth (#4539) on Saturday from 3-4:30. (And while you're there, don't miss Yoskay Yamamoto's freaky but beautiful Koibito toy.




Jeff Soto

The amazing and gracious Jeff Soto was spotted hanging at the Murphy Design and Art Books (booth #4833).



He was signing his brand spanking new book "Storm Clouds" and Lucky 13 Calendar and he had some surprises up his sleeve. Well, in his art portfolio. Hot off the press original screens (one of a kind, mind you!) and sold-out limited edition giclees and artist proofs. PopDrawer managed to snag the long sold-out stunning print "Thunder Clouds over a Flower."




Scott Morse

Scott Morse goofed off in his own booth (#4800), where he was fighting off his crowd of fans while simultaneously painting and selling some Con Exclusives, including original art from his archives, a set of limited prints from his upcoming book "The Ancient Book of Sex and Science (a collab with Lou Romano, Don Shank, and Nate Wragg), sketches, t-shirts, and two new exclusive Red Window books. Don't miss him!




Tim Biskup

Okay, Tim isn't "officially" at the Con this year. But I spotted him slinking happily through the aisles, getting recognized everywhere he went. But while he may not be doing any signings, his company Gama-go is there in force (booth #4738), selling everything under the sun, including a huge wooden Deathbot and an exclusive Gama-go tee-shirt for both guys and dolls. (Full disclosure -- I did not snap this photo myself, I stole it from their website).




Tara McPherson

Tara McPherson had a great corner booth (#4922) that was hopping, and full of awesome merchandise -- posters, giclees, toys, tees, and Tara McPherson herself. (Didn't get a snap of the artist in the flesh however, as the crowd was ginormous).




The Grass Hut Gang

Unfortunately, I missed saying hi to Bwana Spoons, as he was taking a sightseeing day in San Diego, but happily, I did encounter Metal God Martin Ontiveros. Grass Hut is perched at booth (#4963) and is selling all kinds of goodies from their roster of great, including Martin, Bwana, Scrappers, Apak, and Le Merde. Bwana will also be at the Gargamel booth (#4739) Saturday
and everyday there are new customs at the Grass Hut Booth.

Bonus! Check out the Hot Wheels pavilion at booth #3445! They have 20 or so mini-buses customized by a crew of artists, including Bwana and Martin. See the pic below and try to guess which is which...




Joey Chou - Favorite Discovery

Strolling down aisle 700, I happened upon booth 734, that of Joey Chou, and there I stopped. For quite a while. Joey Chou, an artist and a gentleman, and an Art Center of Design graduate, was stopping the show, in the best way.



His prints and t-shirts were clever, sharp, and lovely. And his new book "Crazy by the Letters" which is soon to be seen in an Urban Outfitters near you, had me enthralled. "Crazy by the Letters" is a modern day Edward-Gorey-ish compendium of children and their alphabetical neuroses. Sample pages - "Edward has Encorpresis" (involuntary passage of feces in inappropriate venues), "Foster is a Frotteurist" (non-consentual rubbing and touching of other folks), and "Maggie has Munchausen's Syndrome" (feigning illness to gain attention).



Often retro in technique but modern in concept and message, Joey's art had me smiling through the next three aisles. I bought more from him than any other artist or vendor.


Esther Pearl Watson, Mark Todd & Jordan Crane

These three auteurs shared a booth with Secret Headquarters, stock full of art, comics, and tees. This was one of my favorite spots, and I had a nice chat with Esther, Mark and Jordan. Their new stiff is outstanding. Don't miss it.




More Great Fake Movie Art

PopDrawer readers may recognize the name Fleet Street Scandal. We first covered the awesome movie concept and poster art of Kevin Dart and Chris Turnham back in February. The Fleet Street guys are hanging at booth F-9, and are selling some exclusive new Comic-Con prints.



And right next door to them (at F-8), another great team of artists who dabble in fake movie posters and other ephemera. Brothers Josh and Justin Parpan were wowing the passing crowds with their collection of prints, toys and tees. This quartet is a must-visit.




Haunted Memories

There's Haunted Mansion fun to be found at booth 430, resting place of Edward Allen's Haunted Memories, an artist specializing in lenticular paintings that change from antique portraits to visions of hell, depending on where you stand, literally. Words can't really describe -- just check out the images below.





Purveyors of Cuteness

Got a lady in your life who keeps the Con at arm's length? A baby or four whose formula-covered clothes need a little sprucing up? There was plenty of adorable-ness to go around, with one of the cutest being the Pea at Conduct Happiness (booth #4830). Yes, the Pea. The Pea is featured on a number of tees in various circumstances with text underneath reading "Pea in the Pool" (where the other vegetable stare horrified on the pool deck as the Pea lounges on a floatie), "Pea in Bed," and "Pea Standing Up." I see Paul Frank getting nervous...



Close behind on the Ador-a-meter was Bored Inc.'s collection of Japanese-inspired creatures (booth #115), including Stinky Poo! (is a potty-pattern emerging?) Selling plush toys, tees and prints, Bored Inc. is sure to please the cute-lover in your life.




Poketo

The booth of fine art purveyors and sellers of prints, tees, wallets, and plates (Yeah. Plates.) Poketo was one of my favorite stops (both #4634). Stocked to the gills with fresh art by Oksana Badrak, Andrew Holder, Leah Chun, Peskimo, PCP and so many other greats, this booth was rocking the Con. Stop by and tell Ted and Angie that PopDrawer sent you -- they're great folks.




Nucleus

Probably the best collection of prints was to be found at Nucleus Gallery's booth. With art from the likes of Jon Klassen, Scott Campbell, Junko Mizuno, Mari Inukai, the selection is awesome. And mind-boggling. Nucleus has something like over 500 prints!


Jon Klassen


A Paper Tiger

Online retailer of art prints A Paper Tiger continues it's great run of print releases with two new ones coming out at Comic-Con. Tessar Lo's "Kirin," an edition of only 50, and Scott Belcastro's "Lost in the Forest, Lost in the Thicket" with an even smaller edition of 30, are both released at the Con. But if you miss them there, some will be available online as well.


Tessar Lo


Is there more? You bet there's more. So much fantastic art this year. But frankly I'm tired from rolling around naked in my new pile of Comic-Con t-shirts so I'm signing off. But thanks once again to Eric and Zared for securing me a pass this year, who will be receiving very cool token of my undying appreciation shortly.

P.S. Find mistakes in here. Too bad! I'm tired. leave me alone.

Mark Ryden and Marion Peck Book - Still Available

The new children's book Sweet Wishes is still available at Porterhouse. Written and illustrated by Mark Ryden and Marion Peck, the 56 page book is hard covered, full color and measures 11.25" x 9.5". There are two version available - the $20 open edition, and the $300 special edition, which comes in a two-pieced pink satin box. Included in the set is the Sweet Wishes picture book, a DVD of the Sweet Wishes movie and a Sweet Wishes bookmark. This special edition book has a vellum page that is signed by the authors and numbered.

That special edition won't be around long...

Sweet Wishes by Mark Ryden and Marion Peck

Bwana Spoons and Grass Hut at the Comic-Con

Getting excited about Comic-Con. Man, am I a geek.

And can't wait to visit the Grass Hut booth at booth 4936. Bwana Spoons will be there, along with others greats from the Grass Hut crew. Here's Bwana's schedule at the Con:

* I'll be at the Grass Hut booth 4936 Friday
* I'll be at the Gargamel booth 4739 Saturday
* New Globby Guts tee in galaxy blue
* Everyday- new customs at the Grass Hut Booth
* Friday- Jelly Factory Resin Blind Box 12noon at the Grass Hut booth. * Saturday- Signing and Globby + Secret release at the Gargamel booth.

Don't miss out on your Jelly Factory Resin Blind Box! (Huh?)

5 Identities, 5 Desitinations

Amy Crehore

A great new show opens at Ad Hoc Art in New York this Friday, July 25th. The show includes the work of five fantastic artists - Amy Crehore, Jenn Porreca, Molly Crabapple, Ewelina Ferruso, and Lizz Lopez. Ad Hoc describes the show as "an art exhibition featuring the work of international emerging female artists from the realms of pop surrealism, Asian pop, contemporary folk, and a handful of other fringe contemporary art movements."

Amy, who we've featured a number of times in PopDrawer, has seven new paintings in the show, including the one above. you can view, and potentially buy the works here.


Jenn Porreca

5 Identities, 5 Destinations at Ad Hoc Gallery

Deal of the Day - Charmingwall Prints

Matthew Doubek

If only we could find enough deals to have a Deal of the Day every day. But alas, no such luck. So let's just say this is the Deal of the Day because we found it, uh... during the day. On to the deal...

Charmingwall is a gallery in New York specializing in a curated selection of open-edition fine art prints, so says the website. Participating artists include Andy Kehoe, Dan May, Erik Otto, and musician/artist Julianna Bright, and many others. Charmingwall offers their prints at an incredibly low $20.

And for a limited time only, buy any of the prints on the site and receive a bonus surprise print. That two prints for the price of one! Thanks to Daily Candy, just enter the code DCCHARMS at checkout to receive your gift print.


Wendy Crabb

Charmingwall

Spiders Hate Art

Via Boing Boing -- talented artist Matthew Woodson was recently bitten by a venomous spider. His treatment will be long and expensive. To offset the costs, he is taking commissions and selling his art.

"On Monday of last week I was bitten by a yet unknown poisonous spider on my right knee. By Tuesday I was running a high fever and unable to walk. On Friday evening I collapsed and was rushed to the ER. After a series of x-rays and a whole lot of examination, I was informed that I had a rather large abscess and cellulitis due to the spider's bite. I was sent home early Saturday morning after having my knee surgically "drained", and in more pain than I have ever been in. After a doctor's appointment this Monday, another abscess was drained and I was informed that I would need to see a doctor weekly until the wound had healed, which could possibly take up to 8 months. Within these 8 months there will remain the very real threat of the infection spreading into the bone of my knee, as well as the possibility of blood poisoning.

Any possible commission you could have for me; gifts, wedding invitations, cards, wall art, tattoos, anything. I am interested in the job. I will also definitely consider larger personal commissions, considering the work involved. I would prefer to only be working in black and white, but don't be afraid to ask about color. I haven't exactly figured out how pricing will go yet, but obviously pricing will be negotiable and varying, but for small to medium sized drawings I was thinking between $100 - $500 through paypal."

Check out his work and maybe you can help him out.

Details on Matthew Woodson's Blog

Art for Children in Need

CURE International, a nonprofit that funds surgery for children in third-world nations, is teaming with Avalisa, a company that designs and sells rugs and canvas wall art, to provide art for the hospital rooms of these kids across the world. And you can help. Go to Avalisa.com, choose any stretched wall canvas art, and click on "I would like to buy this for CURE International." For as little as $59, you can improve the recovery experience of a needy child, plus throw one in your cart for yourself. And the designs are great. Do a solid for yourself and someone in need.

Avalisa.com

CURE International

The Art of David MacDowell

David MacDowell's art has been popping up a lot in group shows this year, and it's no wonder why. Mr. MacDowell brings a wild new vision to the world of Pop Surrealism, or whatever we want to call it this month. Mr. MacDowell takes a cup of pop culture, two tablespoons of satire, a few handfuls of vivid colors, sautes it in gorgeous technique, and then throws the whole thing in blender. What comes out is a satisfying meal of funny and thought-provoking art.

Check out Mr. MacDowell's commentaries on celebrity, art, and pop culture on his website. And watch your local galleries, because his paintings are coming to one near your soon. He is scheduled for at least 5 shows in the next year, incluing Crazy 4 Cult 2, this year's homage to cult movies at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles, hosted by Kein Smith and Scott Mozier.



David MacDowell's Official Site

Solo Show

The webs site Worth 1000 writes "I went to an art gallery the other day. The artworks were all right, I guess, but you know what they were missing? Wookiees. There wasn't one Wookiee in sight. Also no Jedis, no Storm Troopers." So readers of the site have rectified that problem by photoshopping Star Wars images into famous paintings. And the results are great. Found on Boing Boing.



Star Wars Meets Fine Art

Smile

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for another dose of kid show stupendousness. Feist rewrites "1,2,3,4" for Sesame Street.

With no further ado...

Zared Goldfarb and Eric Kent are God-like

Thank you Zared Goldfarb and Eric Kent, two readers of PopDrawer, who have generously and selflessly given of themselves to a much higher cause -- that of the Comic-Con. Zared and Eric heard our pleas after we discovered too late that the Con was sold out, and offered us their unused pass.

Bless you Zared and Eric! You are PopDrawer gods, for whatever that's worth. (Not much, by the way). Our gratitude is everlasting.

Get a Piece of Barack

Tim Biskup co-owned clothing/art company Gama-Go has stepped into the public voting booth and cast their ballot for Yetibama! Their fantastic new design features the Gamayeti in an distinctive Barack Obama design. The shirts are $28, available for men and women, and $5 of every purchase goes to the Obama for President campaign.

Barack on!

Gama-Go

Jeff Soto Slays Us

PopDrawer fave Jeff Soto has just released a new item on his webstore, and announced another. His new giclee is titled "The Beast Within," and is an election-year political statement (at least as we see it) done only as Mr. Soto can. It's an extremely limited edition of 50, with an image size of 14" x 14". Beautiful.

Next up, Mr. Soto will be releasing his latest book "Storm Clouds," collecting his work from the past three years including work from his shows “Supernova,” “Cold Ice Age,” and “Storm Clouds.” The book will be available as a regular run and of course a limited edition featuring a custom printed box, signed book, with 4 archival prints and special touches. This will debut at the Comic-Con.

Speaking of the Comic-Con, Mr. Soto will be there this year sharing a booth with Murphy Art Books (#4833). He'll have some goods for sale including several artists proofs of sold out prints. See you there!

Jeff Soto's Online Store

Fiends and Flowers

Tiffany Liu

This Saturday Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City, CA will see an invasion of subversive cuties. A "double solo" show explores the works of Tiffany Liu and M. Mararian, featuring their darkly adorable visions. Subversive cuties have an illustrious history in art and pop culture, including Edward Gorey's tragic Gashlycrumb Tinies, Yoshitoma Nara's sulky little girls, and, well, mogwais. Mr. Mararian's Inky Dreadfuls and Ms. Liu's adorable abominations of nature do justice to this great tradition.

Tiffany Liu's show "Life, Death and the Inbetween" includes her half-human, half-flora-or-fauna creations and uncommon beasts (two-headed birds cavorting with no-headed birds, for example) populating lovely fairy tale villages and countrysides. Ms. Liu is a children's book illustrator and art teacher, but her fine art pieces display a darkness for her adult fans to appreciate and ponder.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mararian shares a background in art for children, but as a playwright for children's theater. His well-known Inky Dreadfuls are precious little children (possibly Victorian?), some causing doom, other experiencing it. His "Phobias, Foibles & Fiends" show at Corey Helford looks to continue his history of making us laugh at the horrible circumstances of his diabolical babies, toddlers, and children despite ourselves.

While you're checking out the two shows, don't forget to see Corey Helford newcomer Krista Huot exhibiting her lovely fairy tales in the loft. Another don't miss exhibit.


M. Mararian


Krista Huot

Tiffany Liu and M. Mararian at Corey Helford Gallery

Michael Mararian's Official Site

Tiffany Liu's Official Site

Krista Huot's Official Site