The show is entitled “I Want my Music Video Art Show”, the theme being pretty self-evident right there in the title. This awesome show, curated by the fantastic Chris Marrs Piliero and David McDowell, will feature several amazing artists, each picking one of their favorite music videos to pay tribute in his or her respective art style.

I chose “Land of Confusion” by Genesis, mostly because it scared the hell out of my as a child. I’d seen the video countless times and the Spitting Image puppets had an amazingly disturbing quality of grotesqueness that was (and is) beautiful in its own unique way. Plus, a little bit of political satire for a video that’s still pretty relevant even today.

Land of Confusion
Acrylic on paper, mounted to wood panel, resined.
13.5″ x 19.375″ (2011)

*NCW*

*UPDATE* Prints are now available online here.

I’m pretty excited about this newest painting.

The painting is for an upcoming show: Tribute to Video Games at Gallery 1988 at the Venice location. The show also marks the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda orignally released on the Nintendo game system in 1986 (for those bad at math). For those not born in the 80s, or who just live under a rock and have never heard of video games, Zelda was one of the first Nintendo games I ever played and definitely the first one that made me really fall in love with the video game medium. I’m pretty sure beating the game was one of the first (and not last) times I was ever emotional at the end of a video game, and this was back when the games were only 8-bit. The next few Zelda games were also amazing, but I have to admit, I haven’t been able to play the last few incarnations of the series.

I’m very proud of how this painting turned out, especially as it became a juggernaut to complete on time with all the detail. In addition, I made a custom frame by hand, which was a learning experience to say the least. Let’s just say I finally got around to using a router for part of the frame, but the ENTIRE rest of the frame was carved, smoothed and sanded by hand. I may not be doing it again this way to be sure, but it was certainly a learning experience working with wood in a new way. Add the custom goldleafing and again, I would approach the frame an entirely different way in the future. Suffice to say, I’m extremely pleased with how the final product turned out.

Zelda Endures
Acrylic on paper, mounted to wood panel, resined. Framed
Original: 21.5″ x 29.25″ Framed: 31″ x 23.25″ x 2.5″ deep
(2011)

In custom handmade frame.

detail view.

For those following my Tumblr account (and if you aren’t, why not?), you’ve been able to see much of this painting as it’s progressed. I’ve been posting progress shots which have been very well received. I’ve included a mini animation that documents the various states of completion so you can see the whole process in one shot.

Process animation of  ”Zelda Endures.” Acrylic on paper, 21.5″ x 29.25″

Since the response to the piece has been so positive even before completion, I’m happy to announce that a limited edition of prints will also be available. The archival giclée prints are 19″ x 13″ on 100% cotton rag, printed with pigment inks. The edition size will be limited to 75, available at the gallery the night of the show and available for purchase online through G1988 the next day after the show opens. The prints will retail for $75 and are expected to go soon, as so many people have requested them in advance!

Hand-signed and numbered limited edition giclée archival print, edition of 75.
paper size: 19″ x 13″

Don’t miss the show this Friday, it promises to be amazing. Full details below. See you at the show!

*NCW*

I’ve finished a new painting for another upcoming pop culture show at G1988: LA, this time paying tribute to Garbage Pail Kids.

For those that didn’t grow up in the 80s, the Garbage Pail Kids were an awesome collection of illustrated trading cards/stickers made by Topps, created as a blatant mockery of the super popular insipid Cabbage Patch Kids. The cards were all illustrations of twisted, gross and cutely disturbing pudgy characters meant to show a dark side of the Cabbage Patch Kids. I was a ridiculously HUGE fan of these, and remember spending many dollars at both the corner 7/11 and the local ice cream truck on each magical pack of five GPK cards. I can still taste the inedible “gum” each pack came with, which on more than one occasion actually shattered a tooth upon chewing. The old joke was to collect the gum and chew up the cards, as it was probably much healthier for you.

As I finished up my painting, I was struck by the surreal nature of the experience. I grew up the aforementioned HUGE fan and remember drooling over the amazing art, crazy characters and awesome sense of humour in this collectible art set. To be making a painting of one of the cards for a show actually sponsored by the company that made the original cards is just mind blowing at times. I never imagined as a kid, running after the ice cream truck to buy a pack of stickers featuring gross characters, that one day I’d be painting one of my own.

Here are the original reference cards (all GPK cards came in two versions: same image, different name):

And here’s my version:

Zack Unzipped
Acrylic on paper, mounted to wood panel, resined.
14.25″ x 21″ (2011)

The opening reception is 7PM on Friday, September 2 at G1988 Gallery, the Los Angeles location. I’ll see you at the show! And, because I just couldn’t resist, how awesome would it be for this to come to pass? I’m not sure Topps would approve, but it just might blow my mind if it actually happened. For your nostalgic enjoyment:

*NCW*