“Coin Operated” (a.k.a. Lil’ Cthulhu) measures approx. 4″ x 3″
New in the ChetArt shop: Vinyl stickers that showcase 2 images from the “Childhood” book and print series. Both are printed on high quality vinyl, appropriate for either indoor or outdoor use.
“Big Wheel Turning” measures approx. 4″ x 3.5″
Steam Ark is an alternate universe of Victorian, Steampunk flavored animal characters. Each group is comprised of a particular type of animal: Aerie Clan- Birds, Simian Clan- Monkeys and Apes, Woodland Clan- Forest Creatures and Predator Clan- Big Cats. 52 individual portraits of characters from each Clan are represented in a casino quality, plastic coated poker deck. The card deck sports a custom designed red back. 2 jokers and 4 additional suit cards are also included.
Click the images below to enlarge.
The Steam Ark trading card set delves into the lives and occupations of the inhabitants of a Victorian Steampunk alternate universe. 52 cards in all, each has a full color portrait with name, affiliations, Clan motto, rank, specialties and quote on the reverse. Cards measure 2.25″ x 3.75″ and are printed on 100 gloss stock. Presented in a Japanese styled paper portfolio. The set showcases 4 Victorian Steampunk animal Clans: Predator (Big Cats), Simian (Monkeys and Apes), Aerie (Birds) and Woodland (various woodland animals.) The set serves as a companion piece to the Steam Ark playing card set.
Below is a sampling of cards from the set. Click the images to enlarge.
48 Page Book– 20 Color Illustrations with Text and Haiku Poems
“Childhood“ is a hand bound book of Japanese styled illustrations paying homage to nostalgic activities and toys. Each image showcases playful parodies of a variety of characters from films, TV and pop culture. This 48 page book contains 20 full color illustrations. Haiku poetry and reflections on youthful amusements accompany each piece of art. Written, illustrated and designed by Chet Phillips with binding created by Julie Sullivan of Dancing Cat Bindery.
The book measures 8.5″ x 11″ printed on 80 gloss text. Front and back covers are richly textured 100lb. Espresso cover stock with a window on front cover revealing a peek to the interior orange cover stock page. Each cover is gold foil stamped with Japanese characters (translates: childhood) and is sewn with a Japanese stab binding technique using green ribbon. The last two pages translate the Japanese titles and text within each illustration.
Gold foil stamp and cover window showing through to orange interior.
Character parodies represented in Childhood:
(Click Image Previews For More Info)
(Examples of the illustration’s translations, all available in the back of the book)
Father’s Day is just around the corner. Shop from hundreds of items in the ChetArt online store for fun images Dads will love.
Previewed above, starting top left: Monkey Trek Monkey Wars Breaking Bad
The Big Lebowski Sanctuary Lord Cthulhu MST3K Attacks! The Wagging Dead
Hero Complex Gallery, in collaboration with Trailers From Hell, presents an event honoring the work of film legends Roger Corman and Joe Dante.
From the “Kings of Cult” show page:
HCG is proud and honored to present this pop-art tribute to the two legendary directors and Trailers From Hell Gurus, Joe Dante and Roger Corman. All artwork in the show will pay tribute to the entire body of work of both directors.
This tribute will begin with a double feature screening at The New Beverly Cinema of Joe Dante’s Matinee (1993) and Roger Corman’s The Masque of the Red Death (1964) on May 23rd at 7:30pm. Joe Dante and Roger Corman will be in attendance for a Q&A prior to the show along with other special guests.
The events will continue the next night at Hero Complex Gallery for the opening of the Kings of Cult exhibit, on Saturday May 24th at 7pm. Joe Dante and Roger Corman will be in attendance. Original props from their classic films will be on exhibit as well.
My two contributions honor Joe Dante with “Gremlins” and for Roger Corman, “The Pit and the Pendulum.” I saw Mr. Corman’s Edgar Allan Poe inspired film as a kid. Vincent Price’s speech at the end of the movie before the pendulum was put in motion was the essence of pure madness and horror.
Along with framed versions and signed limited edition print runs of each, there will also be a batch of 4″ x 4″ “Gremlin Speed Demon” vinyl stickers available at the opening.
With executive producer backing from Joel and Ethan Coen, the limited episode TV series “Fargo” is set to drop later this month. With new characters and crime to explore, I’m hoping the flavor of the original will shine through. Headlining the cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman and Colin Hanks. The movie “Fargo” is one of my favorites by the Coen brothers, mixing humor and darkness together for a truly original recipe. The trademark dialogue and catch phrases drew me to creating my tribute to the movie with Marge Gunderson, the sharp and level-headed protagonist, as the centerpiece.
Learn more about the upcoming series via the FX Networks web page.
Guzu Gallery in Austin presents its “Strange Beasts 2” show with a tribute to Godzilla, the king of the monsters. Each artist was asked to pair Godzilla off with the foe of their choice. My contribution, titled “Boss Battle,” matches Godzilla with King Kong for some fierce two player combat. Reception is Friday March 28th 7-10PM Click Here For The Austin Chronicle story
“Ka-Pow!”
Ltd. Gallery in Seattle will be presenting their “Mint Condition Issue #3” art show with a reception on Friday March 28th. The theme is all things comic book related with a tip of the cape to Emerald City Comicon just down the street from the gallery. My contributions are a Napoleon Dynamite/Batman mashup and a selection of famous superheroes as chimps. After the reception all the unsold pieces will be available in the Ltd. Gallery online store.
“The Dark Chimp”
“Wonder Chimp”
“Captain Chimp”
To celebrate passing the milestone of 5000 sales, the ChetArt online shop is offering a storewide 20% off sale. (Limited time offer. Sale ends without notice.)
Hero Complex Gallery presents the “King For A Day” art show, a tribute to Stephen King’s full body of collected works. A portion of the proceeds from the show will benefit Mr. King’s charity, The Haven Foundation. The Haven Foundation is a non-profit service that benefits freelance creatives of all types that find themselves unable to work due to disease or accident. Opening reception is Friday March 21st, 1-10PM. Online link to follow once the store link is up.
Above is my contribution to the show titled “Fury,” a signed giclee limited edition of 5. Inspired by Stephen King’s “Christine.” Beyond the scrapyard and into a dark region of hell, a second life for the demonic Plymouth Fury “Christine” is re-imagined as a coin operated ride for fiendish tykes.
The “Strange Beasts 2” art show will showcase a variety of artist’s work with the theme of Godzilla vs. the foe of their choice at Austin’s Guzu Gallery. ChetArt will be represented with a limited edition of 25. Stayed tuned for more as the reception date draws near.
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A group of ChetArt images were used in the set design for Ender’s room in the film Ender’s Game. (see previous post) Along with the purchased images, (Space Race Monkey on display behind Asa Butterfield’s head,) the set designers also included the promo pieces I sent along (Society of Sinister Simians postcard and Union of Superlative Heroes trading card.)
(click image to enlarge)
If you’re in the Austin area on Saturday, come on over to the Austin Flea event and take care of all your Valentine’s Day shopping. 40+ ultra-talented artists will be presenting their handmade creations, including ChetArt. Located at Opal Divine’s Penn Field from 11AM-5PM. Skip the stale gas station box of chocolates for something truly unique and fun. (We all know you’re better than that.)
More info here along with a list of vendors.
Top 5 Reasons to Attend Saturday’s Austin Flea:
1. 40+ artists offering amazing handmade creations.
2. Complete your Valentine’s Day shopping early, allowing you to concentrate fully on your plans for world domination and/or cleaning out the garage.
3. Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve and the Super Bowl are over. The Austin Flea fills the void with fun until your celebration plans ramp up for Canadian Heritage Day.
4. The sad gas station box of chocolates just won’t do it for you.
5. 4 out of 5 doctors say it’s good for your heart to attend. (the fifth is sullen, heartless bastard that takes joy in nothing.)
I had the pleasure of supplying 16 portraits of famous literary figures in the guise of dogs for “Classic Poetry for Dogs: Why Do I Chase Thee.” The talented Jessica Swaim expertly expands on my series concept Literary Pets series trading cards with her own hilarious character bios. In addition, the book is filled with her outrageously clever poems with a decidedly canine twist. She has a wonderful talent for crafting puns. Published and beautifully packaged by Gibbs Smith, it’s 88 pages of fur-faced fun for dog and poetry lovers alike.
(Click examples below to enlarge)
(Click Image to Enlarge)
Ltd. Gallery in Seattle will be opening its CATZ! show with a reception Feb. 1st. 6PM-10PM. I’m proud to be a part of the event with 2 pieces. The Star Wars mashup “Grumpy the Hutt” (pictured above) and my feline version of tom cat Daryl Dixon pays tribute to The “Walking Dead” and is titled “The Wagging Dead.” (below)
Norman Reedus poses with his copy of my Wagging Dead print at Austin ComicCon
Get your copy of The Wagging Dead here
“Who You Gonna Call” signed tribute print
Marking its 30 year anniversary, “Ghostbusters” busted on to the pop-culture landscape with insanely humorous vengeance. With Ivan Reitman’s skilled direction and the comic genius of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis leading the pack of a stellar cast of actors, it was an instant classic. It was a true movie-watching pleasure, experiencing all the twists, turns and punchlines in the theater in 1984. Above is my tribute to the film, including some of the iconic imagery and quotes.
“It’s Pronounced Fronkensteen” signed tribute print
Mel Brooks is responsible for creating some of the greatest comedic tag lines and phrases in film history. One of his best achievements, in my humble opinion, is the visual recreation of James Whale’s “Frankenstein,” titled “Young Frankenstein.” The beautiful black and white feature paid loving tribute to the original with nuance and care, (not to mention inclusion of the original “Frankenstein” lab equipment) all the while delivering non-stop slapstick, puns and sight gags in true Mel Brooks form. Premiering 40 years ago, it has stood the test of time with its immense silliness.
“Case of the Mondays” signed tribute print
Anyone who has ever worked for a corporation or big company can relate to the cult classic “Office Space.” Director Mike Judge, also known for “Beavis and Butthead” and “King of the Hill,” transformed his “Milton” character to the big screen in a live action comedy. Even though the movie is centered on the plight of Peter Gibbons and his Kafkaesque struggles against TPS reports and his boss, Bill Lumbergh, I chose the soft spoken sociopath Milton as the centerpiece for my tribute of this unique and clever comedy.
Hero Complex Gallery’s next show is titled “Imagined Worlds.” The theme encompasses works inspired by the films of Guillermo del Toro, Terry Gilliam, Stanley Kubrick, David Lynch & Ridley Scott. I’m honored to be a part of the event with 2 Stanley Kubrick themed entries, “A Clockwork Banana” and “Dr. Strangemonk.” Opening reception is Friday January 17th, 7-10.
It’s the last weekend of holiday shopping before Christmas at this year’s Blue Genie Art Bazaar. ChetArt is represented with signed prints, card sets, coloring books and nightlights. Shop from 140+ artists in this unique venue through Dec. 24th.
