The Good, The Bad And The Monkey will be among the four ChetArt pieces chosen for the 2012 Toy Joy art show. Artwork by the Toy Joy staff and 30 local guest artists will be represented, along with fellow Austin Craft Riot members Erin Mason Flynn, Lauren Hemphill and Mamus James Judd.
Reception will be held at Tom’s Tabooley, Thursday August 9th from 6-10. Show runs through September 1st.
Woodland Wisdom is a limited edition, hand bound book showcasing illustrations and haiku poems by Chet Phillips, based on a selection of Aesop’s Fables. This hard cover book measures 10″ x 11.5,” bound by Julie Sullivan of Dancing Cat Bindery. This “Sew Boards” binding style has covers comprised of Japanese Asahi brown and green book cloths. Each copy of the edition of 5 is signed and numbered.
(Click “The Dog and His Reflection” spread to enlarge)
(Click “The Rooster and the Jewel” spread to enlarge)
I’ll be represented with 4 pieces in the upcoming annual Toy Joy art show here in Austin. More details to follow soon.
With the third year of exhibiting at San Diego under our belt, we were proud to have our best year ever. The crowds were very responsive to the my new offerings and our stock of Simian Playing cards was depleted early on Saturday. We loved our new location at the end of the aisle and hope to make it our permanent home for the future. If you’ve never attended the event, it’s hard to describe the enormity of the exhibits hall. I’ve tried in the past to capture it with one photo, but it’s just too large. With so many sections representing different industries, the hall could be described as a country with individual states within. The Small Press area is certainly a world of its own with an seemingly endless well of creativity. The folks that inhabit it are passionate about what they do and eager to share with the world. I recorded the G-4 coverage of the event and, though I haven’t watched it through yet, I suspect as with previous years, Small Press didn’t make the cut among all the coverage of TV, film and other corporate giants. Truly a shame because that’s where so much of the inspiration springs forth. What follows is one last round of photos of various sections, some more fun costumes and a tribute to some new friends we had the pleasure of meeting in our area. Paperwork completed for 2013 and already anxious to return!
Day 3 of selling on the exhibit floor brought a truly special moment when one of my personal heroes, April Winchell, a.k.a. Helen Killer of Regretsy fame walked up to my booth for a visit. April has been an incredible champion of my work, heaping high praise and support of my work in the past. She and her husband John presented me with a signed copy of their Regretsy’s Big Book of Fabricated Folktales From Finland and in turn they walked away with a set of Simian Playing Cards and a Bubbleshard Commemorative Badge. They were both so gracious and kind to me and the visit really was brimming with a radioactive level of awesomness. Thank you April and John!
The day was packed with an amazing amount of costumed creativity. I managed to capture some of the more clever and bizarre versions from the comfort of my booth.
These courteous and forthright gentlemen of steam were kind enough to pose with their ChetArt purchases. Huzzah! The second full day proved more successful than the first with a steady stream of sales throughout the day. We’re actually starting to see stock levels of some items we brought dwindling down before the big weekend approaches. We were happy to meet new fans and to be greeted by familiar faces from past years. What follows after the break are some shots from the exhibit floor, a sampling of fun cosplay and a line up of Batmobiles from the outside exhibit at the end of the day.
(Click all pictures to enlarge)
Preview night was a big success for us, with lots of sales, visitors to the table and a potential wholesale deal in the works with a local company. What follows are a few shots on the floor moments before the thongs descended. Looking forward to our first full day of fun.
San Diego welcomed us with cool breezes in the upper 60s as we settled in. As preview night approaches, the ChetArt booth is set up and ready for the crowds. (Pictures soon to follow.) In the meantime I took a cautious stroll through the forklifts and mountains of unpacked boxes scattered throughout the exhibit hall to see what’s ahead for the next few days. Here’s a small sampling of pictures of the work in progress. Be sure to click on the pictures for a larger view.
It’s almost time again for that most magical of events: San Diego’s International Comic Con. I’ll have a presence in the Small Press area again this year with an end-of-the-aisle spot–booth O-01. With Oni Press on one side and the super talented Dane Ault of Monkey Minion Press opposite, there will be tons of creative energy emanating from our little geek-sphere. Along with 9 different trading card sets and 4 limited edition books and signed prints, I’ll be displaying the new “Monkopolis” limited edition book, Simian Playing Card sets and the “Monkopolis” laser engraved wooden badges. Lots of other fun items, big and small, await your viewing and buying pleasure. If you plan to attend, please stop by!
New image available in the ChetArt online shop: “Sanctuary” depicts familiar super characters presented in a crossover setting in the style of a Japanese print. Raging radioactive monster roams in the background.
(Graphic in upper right reads: “Vacation Day.”)
Available in 2 sizes signed by the artist: 8″ x 10″ with white border and no mat plus larger version in 11″ x 14 mat.
(Available online and at SDCC 2012- Small Press Booth O-01)
(Click for larger view)
Following a brief retirement, the first series of Literary Pets returns to the online shop for the third reprint due to popular demand. These famous literary figures transformed into dogs and cats are represented in a trading card set fashioned after turn-of-the-century cigarette cards. Each portrait card has a brief summary of accomplishments on the reverse, chock full of vitamin “pun.” This set of 20 cards measures 2 1/4″ x 4″ each and are printed in color both sides on 100 lb. glossy cover stock. Set is packaged in hand crafted paper portfolio with library card styled enclosure.
Card sets and individual signed portrait prints are available in the online shop.
In honor of the brave efforts of two members of “Monkopolis,” these commemorative badges have been produced. Elijah Bubbleshard (top) was famed for his heroics on the battlefield atop his military grade penny-farthing. Corporal Bubbleshard showed bravery beyond measure during the famed “Battle of the Bulging Sprocket.” Archibald Scorchplate served as an expert pilot during wartime then focused his efforts as a test pilot. Among the many devices of war he tested were the Sonic Doom Jet Pack, Screaming Rocket Gloves, Rhesus Roulette Torpedo Jet and the Wingless Wonder Explosive Torpedo Dragon Drone.
These 2 inch square black lacquered maple badges have been laser engraved by Ink It Labs to two different levels of depth. The reverse of each badge’s display card has additional info about the exploits of these two brave simians.
Each badge has its own sturdy pinback clasp, allowing you to further honor these heroes by displaying proudly on your lapel, hat, messenger bag or velvet lined museum quality display case.
Introducing the latest limited edition book from ChetArt: Monkopolis. This field guide of sorts presents a collection of 35 monkey and ape character portraits along with amusing and informative biographical information. Interspersed throughout the book are additional illustrations representing some key moments in some of the character’s lives. Robots, ghosts, vampires, spies, magicians, zombies and so much more. You can also discover these characters, including additional royalty figures, displayed on the Simian Playing Card Set.
This soft bound, signed limited edition of 100 measures 7.5″ x 5.5″. It is sewn by hand and features a bronze, wood-grained textured paper cover. Inset Lenticular label offers a colorfully bright and cheerful dapper monkey tipping his hat in true Victorian gentlemanly form. End papers are high quality olive Thai reversible paper and interior pages are printed in full color on 100lb matte book paper. Each copy of the edition is signed and numbered by the artist. Click Here to view a sneak peek video flip through of the book.
(Click the two binding photos above to enlarge.)
Below is a small selection of pages from the book:
In honor of the valiant efforts of the Monkopolis characters Elijah Bubbleshard and Archibald Scorchplate, two commemorative badges have been produced. Each measures 2 inches square and are laser etched, black lacquered maple wood with sturdy metal clasp.
What do you get when you combine the awesomeness of the bat with the flavor of the Victorian goggled Steampunk world? Why the Steambat, of course. Austin, Texas is world renowned for its bats. So with a Steampunk treatment, the town’s winged residents take on an additional level of weirdness mixed with turn-of-the-century fun.
This “Dapper Darksinger” is available on a variety of apparel, tote bags, (flying) mouse pads, coffee cups and more. Choose with or without the “Austin, TX” designation.
Just a small sampling of merchandise available below. Dozens of colors and styles available in the ChetArt shop.
Prolific and iconic science fiction author Ray Bradbury has passed away. Sad to see him go but thankful for the wealth of imagination he bestowed upon us in his long career. The world would be seriously lacking in its level of wonder and magic if not for his incredible mind.
Above is my “Stray Bradbury” tribute from 2009 series “Literary Pets 2” of dog and cats as famous authors.
Rayguns & Robots! Show Ltd. Art Gallery Opening Reception-Sat. June 16th.
I’m proud to be included in the upcoming show at Seattle’s Ltd. Gallery titled “Rayguns & Robots!,” a tribute to classic science fiction, curated by Chris Jackson of Acme Achives. I’ve contributed 2 pieces, created fresh for the show, to add to the stellar cast of creative talent. I was given the monkey back flip honor of having one my entries, “Captain Monk-o-tron 5000” chosen for use on the poster. The opening reception will be held on June 16th at 7PM and the collection will be on display through July 22nd.
The hybrid monkey robot space warrior gracing the poster is an original character I created with the flavor of 1950’s fantasy. His back story reads:
“The fearsome Captain Monk-o-tron 5000 is the result of the marriage of organic and mechanical components. A super strength robotic armature outfitted with state of the art weapons and defense system was combined with the head and brain of assassin Elijah Sprocketmark. Among the countless missions, wars and undercover operations he took part in, his proudest moment came from being part of the first wave of simian robot soldiers that invaded and ultimately conquered the planet earth in the year 2525.”
“Captain Monk-o-tron 5000” (Click Image to Enlarge)
The second entry is a tribute to Mystery Science Theater 3000. I imagined the MST3K crew, watching themselves on screen, as their alter egos attack a defenseless city, all the while throwing out satirical barbs about the cheesy special effects, bad props and awful dialogue dubbing.
“MST3K Attacks” (Click Image to Enlarge)
Both images will be presented in the gallery as signed, framed Giclée prints. A limited edition run of each will also be available. Mark your calendars if you’re in the area or check the web site after the show opens for purchase info.
With Father’s Day just around the corner, now is the time to shop for the perfect gift that says, “Thanks Dad, for your support with your worldly advice/bail bond/love.” Bypass the usual Sharper Image drudgery, such as the golf tee meat thermometer or universal remote tie clip in exchange for some truly foolish fun.
The ChetArt shop offers a massive gallery of Tiki flavored signed prints. Choose one that best represents dad or go for the “two fer” special to treat yourself with an extra.
Also available: “The Twilight of the Tiki” limited edition hand bound and signed book.
For the superhero loving Dad, choose the Union of Superlative Heroes and Order of Nefarious Villains. Available as trading card sets and a limited edition, back to back hand bound book.
Visit the section HERE for card sets, books and signed prints.
You say your Dad likes monkeys? Well, look no further for an enormous wealth of simian silliness.
ChetArt offers unique and original portraits of monkeys spoofing the Victorian Era, imaginary worlds of Steampunk and a cavalcade of historical tomfoolery.
These images are available as signed prints, trading card sets, limited edition books, coloring books and the newly released poker sized playing card set.
Simian Playing Cards—-Society of Sinister Simians Book—-Monkey Coloring Book
Hand stitched leather paperweight
Steampunk Monkey Nation—-World War Monkey—-Society of Sinister Simians
Let the monkey decide!
Caution: If your Dad receives one or more of these simian gifts, there’s a high likelihood he’ll substitute relaxing in the backyard hammock for swinging from the tree.
A visit to the 2012 spring Renegade Craft Fair provided a wealth of creativity and great artistic energy. I enjoyed meeting folks from across the country as well as a great representation of local Austin artists and fellow Austin Craft Rioters. What follows, after the jump,is a small sampling of booths from the show. Be sure and click on images for a larger view.
Thanks MailChimp, for the nice spotlight with your Online Seller series.
Thrillist highlights ChetArt today with a great feature, combining news of my playing card set with a trip to the zoo. Thanks Dan!
Click to Enlarge