The “Land of Kaiju” project meets the Victorian puzzle pouch. This folded design dates back to 1782 and were utilized in a variety of countries. The Japanese version, known as a “Tato”was used to store items such as buttons and needles. Known as a Valentine Puzzle Purse in Britain, it was popular during the Victorian era, used for love notes. One piece of paper is intricately folded to act as a container for a small item. In this case the treasure included inside is an original signed ChetArt sketch card. The pouch measures approx. 3.75″ square when folded and expands to 11.25” square with colorful creature portraits and an alliterative phrase on one side. The reverse displays a fanciful moonlit battle scene and provides a container for the sketch card. An intermediate layer displays the Japanese term “Kaiju,” translating to strange beast or monster. The folded sheet is printed in color on sturdy 44 lb. cover stock.
Each puzzle pouch includes one signed sketch card measuring 3″ square.
A group of ChetArt 3 inch square “Land of Kaiju” sketch cards are marching their way to Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle. (along with a whole bunch of other stuff)
A selection of characters from the new series “Land of Kaiju” is now available on a variety of iPhone and iPad cases. For the iphone, you can choose to display on the iPhone 5 Deflector, 5 Capsule, 4S/4 Deflector, 4S/4 Capsule, 3GS Capsule and iPod touch 4G Capsule. These fearsome characters can also guard your iPad on the (Retina) Deflector and iPad 2 Deflector style cases.
The third installment of Mail Me Art is the brain child of Darren Di Lieto. The art show will be comprised of pieces created on envelopes and mailed to Darren. Mail art is a unique form of creation that’s been around for decades. Some pieces are lost, damaged or doodled on along the way, so ultimately making it to its destination is an extra factor in its form of creation. I was honored to be a part of the first Mail Me Art show and subsequent book in 2006. This time around the requested dimensions are a uniform and smaller size, thus the title of the show: Mail Me Art: Short and Sweet. For my contribution, I continued my recent theme of Kaiju, (strange beast) Japanese monsters with a wash and marker sketch on brown paper. The piece officially made it to England this week. (Darren’s scan of the envelope shown above.)
Read more about the event and see more entries on the official Mail Me Art blog.
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.
Land of Kaiju- The Portfolio of Trading Cards
24 cards in the set, each measuring a large 3.25″ x 4″ each.
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.
26 Monsters in this whimsical alphabet book with an alliteration theme.
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.
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.
Don’t let the Mayan prophecy of doom deter you from making plans for 2013. No better way to do that than choosing one of 5 ChetArt 2013 desk calendars.
A ChetArt sale, sponsored by the e-commerce design site Fab, starts today and runs for one week. 12 images from the ChetArt archives will be made available as unsigned 8″ x 10″ prints at discounted prices.
“Moriko and the Mighty Akumu” has been accepted into the 2013 “Monsters and Dames” book. This annual project is an Emerald City Comic Con charity art book that raises money for Seattle Children’s Hospital. A signed print of my entry will also be made available at the ECCC charity art auction. I’m proud to be among the 80 artists chosen from 145 entries for this wonderful showcase. My entry was inspired from an upcoming series of monster characters with a Japanese wood block print flavor. Stayed tuned for more on this project soon.
The 2012 Blue Genie Art Bazaar is almost here. I’m proud to be a part of this year’s show, offering a variety of ChetArt items available for this unique shopping experience. This Austin institution of holiday shopping, located in the Marchesa Hall, will be open 10AM-10PM, every day starting November 28th through December 24th. Over 100 artists will represent their best work for sale and I have to say, it’s a tremendous group of talented folks. If you live in the Austin area or plan to visit in December, be sure to put this great event on your list of fun things to do.
(The ChetArt wall coming together during show set up.)
Head over to the ChetArt online shop to kick off your holiday shopping with a Black Friday/Cyber Monday special deal. Free U.S. Shipping for all items. Just use the coupon code: Mayandoom during checkout.
Famous French impressionist painter Clawed Monet was born on November 14th, 1840. Known for his “En Playin’ Air” outdoor paintings that captured light at different times of day. The subjects for these studies were cathedrals, haystacks, water lilies, dead birds and half-eaten mice. (From the series “Artistic Pets.“)
Born November 2nd, 1755, Marie Apetoinette was queen of France from 1774 to 1792. Despite her initial charm and beauty she may be best known for her comments recorded at a secret, behind closed doors meeting in which she encouraged 47% of the French populace to “eat banana nut bread.”
The fine folks over at Thrillist are helping with your last minute costume needs. You can download a pdf of my “La Muerte” character mask over at their site. Wear this Lucha Libre harbinger of death head to score your share of sweets or just to scare the cat.
A new series from ChetArt explores the world of “Collective Nouns,” in which animals and creatures are grouped together by an identifier. Five groups created to date with more on the way. Each is available in the online shop as an 11″ x 14″ signed print on high quality archival paper. Clicking on each image will take you directly to the shop’s listing.
Due out next month will be Thomas Olivri’s Geek-Art: an Anthology, a 416 page book chock full of 100 artist’s samples highlighted over the years on the wonderful Geek-Art blog.
I’m proud to be included as part of this project with a selection from my Superlative Heroes and Nefarious Villains portraits. Set for a release in France on November 9th, fingers crossed for a future English translation version sometime thereafter.
