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The jury is back and ChetArt will have 5 pieces included in the 2013 Toy Joy show.
Toy Joy is an Austin institution, offering up a slew of wild and crazy fun. This is my second year to exhibit for this fun venue. Show details to follow soon.
The 2nd annual Austin Craft Riot summer show was a big success. Loads of crowds passed through the Austin Music Hall to shop, eat and enjoy the great music. The ChetArt booth was designed with a hands off approach this time around. I floated in the background, allowing elbow room and privacy for folks to pick and choose their favorites. There are so many amazing people in our newfound home of Austin and I was honored to meet them over the weekend and receive their great support. A big thanks to the ACR board members, planners, volunteers and to all who came out for this great event.
This weekend marks the 2nd annual summer show event hosted by Austin Craft Riot. 70 vendors anchor 2 days of art, music and food trucks at the Austin Music Hall.
ChetArt will be represented with a booth full of signed prints, card sets, books and more.
Two new additions to the series “Steampunk Monkey Nation” portraits with gear. The ladies are represented with Penelope Lavinia Obscura, an espionage agent and mechanic Calpurnia “Flywheel” Camberforge.
Prints of both available in the online shop.
Dave and Tracy over at HenNChicks combine bright graphics with pop culture standards.
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I scored a great collection of signed prints and books from my fellow Small Press and Independent Press vendors this year. With lots of empty walls begging for decoration, this will kick off a great gallery collection of San Diego Comic Con talent. Follow the links below to see more from these great talents and get your own art gem:
Brittney Lee Josh Shalek Paul Friedrich Mike Yamada Bill Robinson Dane Ault
Beautiful line work and a rich imagination from artist and author Llyn Hunter. I’m proud to own her latest creation.
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I’m so happy to have this wonderful collection of the latest offerings from our good friends Cesare and Kirstie of Curio & Co. We can’t wait to brighten up the walls of our house with their beautiful prints. Their latest book offering, Frank and His Friend, Special Collector’s Edition Vol. 1 is chock full of great humor and imagination.
Introducing the new series: Steampunk Monkey Nation character portraits with gear. From a strange and simian-based alternate universe comes this collection of figures from all walks of life and occupations. These portraits attempt to shed light on what it takes to survive and engage within the world of Steampunk Monkey Nation. Beginning with these three notables, Mordecai “Gunny” Gundersonne, Samson Meriwether Riddlewitte and Gabriel Warwick Thorncastle, others will soon follow to join the ranks.
San Diego Comic Con 2013 was a great experience with high energy fun, over the top creativity every where you looked and record breaking sales for us. We enjoyed seeing our fellow Small Press vendors from years back and meeting many new creatives. We had lots of return buyers and fans visit us and purchase some new offerings, along with a visit from Bob Leeper of Nevermore Evermore (see his Nerdvana Comic Con reporting HERE) and Don Thompson of Blurppy fame. We enjoyed a surprise visit from our good friend David Patton and his family and he was kind enough to take a picture of us in our booth. (above) Celebrity sightings were sparse, but did see Stan Lee signing across the aisle from us and Molly C. Quinn wandering by and posing for fan pictures. Frankly, we kept our heads down so much with transactions there’s no telling who may have walked by the main aisle next to us. We were proud and happy to see and sell alongside our great fellow Small Press friends Dane, Ashley and John of Monkey Minion Press, Paul Horn of Cool Jerk, Matt of Mincing Mockingbird, Ryan Claytor of Elephant Eater Comics, Paul Friedrich, George “Geo” Davis and Bill Robinson of Flimflammery. Elsewhere on the floor we were happy to spend some time with Cesare and Kirstie of Curio and Co. and see Daniel and Dawna of Steam Crow, both with amazing booth designs.
Below are lots of pictures from the event.
Hopefully the view of the Ender’s Game pavilion from our hotel room is a lucky sign that my artwork will make it through film editing and show up on a wall in Ender’s room.
Our location in the Small Press area.
Video pan area indicated in red to give a perspective of the enormity of the room.
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These dapper gents really liked my Steampunk Monkey Nation portrait with gear prints.
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ChetArt will be represented at this year’s San Diego Comic Con in the Small Press Area, Booth O-01. “The Land of Kaiju” limited edition alphabet book, card sets and prints will be available. Find lots of monkey-centric items as well, with Simian Playing Card packs, “Lights! Camera! Monkeys!” postcard sets and print plus some brand new Steampunk Monkey Nation prints.
The insanely creative silliness of the Monty Python troupe went a long way in shaping how I view the world today. Among their enormous television and movie accomplishments, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” remains the gold standard for their strange and silly form of genius. The hallowed British legend was never quite the same after viewing Patsy’s clacking coconuts diligently following behind a prancing King Arthur on his “air horse.” This print pays tribute to some of the many brilliant quotes and icons from the classic film. The print is available in the ChetArt Shop Here.
Opening on June 7th at Ltd. Gallery– “Over the Line!” is an art show tribute to Coen Brothers films, curated by Chris Jackson. I’m honored to be included with my entry “The Dude Abides.”
Rick Murphy beautifully stylizes Seattle.
The TV series “Firefly” and the subsequent theatrical release “Serenity” by the brilliant Joss Whedon introduced a fresh sense of humor, action and unique moments of pure creativity to a devoted fan base. As with all the best shows, when it ended it felt like saying goodbye to close friends for the last time. This tribute combines memorable quotes from both the movie and series. Find this and the following pieces available in the ChetArt online shop.
Joining the previous Coen brothers series tribute comes “O Brother Where Art Thou?,” a comedic treatment of Homer’s Odyssey set in Mississippi in 1937. On top of the acting and storyline, the lush cinematography and collection of folk songs have found a special place in my brain and heart.
When I picked up William Goldman’s novel “Princess Bride” back in the 70’s, I quickly realized I had discovered something special when I came to the first “commentary” in red ink. That same sense of fun hit me years later when Rob Reiner brought the twisted, tongue-in-cheek fairy tale to the big screen. This collection of quotes pays tribute to both the book and film for creating moments of perfect humor.
Sheldon Cooper, played expertly by Jim Parsons on the TV series “Big Bang Theory” is the quintessential nerd. Despite his chronic need to point out the mental shortcomings of those around him, he always finds a way to make you like him. This portrait pays tribute with a variety of quotes by and about him.
This Sunday, Tribe Comics in Austin will bring together a great collection of creatives at the annual Nerd Cave Showcase. I’ll be there selling card sets, prints and magnets. Event runs 6-10 PM.
If asked to choose my favorite style of movie direction I would have to choose the Coen Brothers because of their consistently outlandish writing, characters and imagery. They grabbed hold of my imagination for the first time with a Blood Simple screening in New York City back in 1984. Then in 1987 I had the privilege of sitting in on a press and critic’s screening of Raising Arizona. Without any preconceived notions or trailers to prepare me, I was blown away with the comedic timing, wild characters and insanely clever dialogue. From then on each of their movies were at the top of my must-see list. In honor of their genius, I’ve created a series of some of my favorite Coen Brothers characters along with famous quotes and icons from each movie. The series includes The Big Lebowski, Miller’s Crossing, Raising Arizona and Fargo. Each is available in the ChetArt online shop.
Introducing Land of Kaiju, a collection of Japanese-styled monsters created by Chet Phillips. Kaiju translates to strange beast or monster and has a long and glorious history in pop culture and on the silver screen with the likes of Godzilla, Rodan, Gamera and Mothra, just to name a few. Chet Phillips explores this fascinating world of humongous mutants and irradiated creatures with his collection of whimsical beings that are part animal, part fantasy and all in-your-face fun. Available in a portfolio of trading cards, signed 11″ x 14″ prints and in a limited edition (50) alphabet book. The first 10 copies of the book edition include a beautiful custom Japanese box.
Each pack of cards is presented in a paper portfolio (signed on the back) with gold foil stamp on the label and red “Chet” Haragani red stamp designed by Sachi Greene of StampsbySachi. The card front sides display the monster portrait with a distinct Japanese woodblock flavor and the reverse provides the point of origin along with physical characteristics and historical information of each creature. Each card measures 3.25″ x 4″ and are printed on sturdy 14 pt. uncoated cover stock.
26 monsters represent each letter of the alphabet with a clever twist. Using alliteration, the repetition of a particular sound, each creature’s description follows the pattern of the letter of the alphabet represented. For instance, for the letter D: “Diredragon dominates and destroys daredevil dandies with dark determination.” The book measures 9.75″ x 8.5.” Each copy of the edition is printed on heavy, bright white 48 lb cover stock, bound in a Japanese-styled binding design using beautiful Chiyogami paper and silk thread by Julie Sullivan of Dancing Cat Bindery.
The first 10 of the edition of 50 are encased in a hand crafted Japanese box decorated with Chiyogami paper, purple book cloth and bone clasps.
View a short video of the book with box below.
This series of superhero posters by Marko Manev exemplify mystery and noir.
Discovered through Etsy, a producer at The Rachel Maddow show contacted me for usage of my “Three Billy Goats Gruff” piece to illustrate a point in one of Rachel’s segments.
Fellow Austinite Rob Osborne has fun with a variety of pop culture references. Be sure to check out his hilarious yoga series.
For a limited time, shop from the entire line of goods available in the ChetArt online store and receive 20% off your entire purchase. It’s monkey madness! Signed prints, trading cards, playing cards, books, 2013 calendars and more to help brighten the new year.
