Thank you, Neil Armstrong, for your courage and famous footstep.
Tag: digital
Austin Craft Riot Summer Show
Next Saturday from 11-7 marks the first summer show event for the Austin Craft Riot. I’ll be there with a booth chock full of signed prints, limited edition books, trading cards, magnets, buttons and more. Visit the ACR blog for an ongoing series showcasing the wealth of creatives that will be represented.
2012 Toy Joy Art Show
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.
Data Never Sleeps
Toy Joy Art Show
I’ll be represented with 4 pieces in the upcoming annual Toy Joy art show here in Austin. More details to follow soon.
San Diego Comic Con 2012- Wrap Up
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!
ChetArt at San Diego Comic Con
Click to Enlarge
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!
Rayguns & Robots! Show- Ltd. Art Gallery
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.
ChetArt Father’s Day Gift Guide
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.
Simian Playing Cards
-Now available: Simian Playing Cards from ChetArt-
New from ChetArt—it’s no ordinary deck of cards! Presenting a collection of lively monkey and ape characters exhibiting a vast range of professions and historical simian significance. The plastic coated, casino quality, standard poker deck is enclosed in a decorative tuck box. The custom designed card back has a distinctive monkey flavor. Each of the 54 cards (includes 2 jokers) has its own individual monkey portrait. Many of these figures will be included in the upcoming “Monkopolis” limited edition book. Perfect for playing card collectors, game players and simian aficionados.
With characters like Baron Andrew Oolong the Ghost Hunter, François Hyperbarique the Sub-Aether Explorer, Major Manny Minuscule the Micro Militiaman and Captain Uther Wigglesgig the Zombie Whisperer, playing card games has never been more monkey-licious.
Custom art card back and a selection of cards fanned. (Click images to enlarge.)
Here’s a sneak peek preview of the card set.
(Click and then enlarge-click a second time for a preview of the full deck)
Purchase Your Simian Playing Card Sets Here
Year of the Dragon
Happy Chinese New Year. 2012 is the year of the dragon.
Marco Calcinaro
Marco Calcinaro’s caricature work ranges from full blown color to expressive line work as evidenced by this great portrait of Frank Zappa.
Brodie’s Gift Guide
Brodie’s 2011 ChetArt Holiday Shopping Guide
First, a bit about me:
8 year old rescued male orange tabby
Official ChetArt mascot
Lives with: 2 sentient cat food dispensers and female gray tabby Lily
Hobbies: Extreme sleeping, gecko hunting and watching insurance commercials
As the days grow colder and approach the holiday season, fewer and fewer geckos are to be found. Due to this frustrating lack of hunting opportunities, I grudgingly turn to my duties of gift recommendations from the ChetArt online shop. Here you will find an abundance of gift ideas for every member of the family.
For him:
Choose from a variety of outrageous monkey portraits, flavored both Steampunk and Sinister. If your guy digs the comic books, then consider Chet’s tongue-in-cheek interpretation of Victorian Steampunk superheroes and villains with the Union of Superlative Heroes and Order of Nefarious Villains. My personal favorite?…. Feline Fräulein, Mee-yow! Available as individual portraits, card sets and an awesome, hand bound limited edition book. Also check out his large assortment of Tiki portraits. There’s even a special two-fer listing to brighten up his Tiki bar or man cave.
For her:
The ever expanding series of cats (and dogs) as personalities from the literary, artistic and musical realms is sure to have one of your favorites. With the likes of F. Scott Fetchgerald, Harpurr Lee (mmmmm, mockingbird…), G.R.R. Tolkien, Labrador Dali, Corgi O’Keeffe, Mutt Jagger, Janhiss Joplin and Michael Catson the list keeps going of fun portraits to gift. Chet also has a huge assortment of humorous cat (and dog) portraits as well as a series of Japanese Styled pet portraits. My personal favorite is this portrait of me doing what I do best.
For the kids:
Nothing fills a rainy afternoon or snowy holiday break better than getting lost working on a coloring book. (O.K., maybe sleeping 12 hours is better.) The Monkey Color! coloring book fits the bill for offering a creative challenge alongside simian silliness. For kids and adults alike, the Monkey Memory Match game will both challenge your memory and give you a craving for bananas.
Stocking Stuffers:
Give the affordable gift of trading card sets, each with both a collection of whimsical portraits and funny biographies for each. Cat (and dog) artists, authors and musicians, Steampunk Monkeys, Society of Sinister Simians, World War Monkeys, Superlative Heroes and Nefarious Villains all await to fill the imaginations and force out a chuckle. Trouble holding down your banana peels? Consider the monkey paper weight, created with hand stitched leather.
Books:
Browse through a selection of hand made limited edition books sprinkled throughout almost every section of the shop. With Superlative Heroes/Nefarious Villains, Tikis, Sinister Simians, Wrestle Pets, Mysterious Circumstances and Googie signs, there’s bound to be a perfect gift for the reader. Sadly, no field guides for hunting geckos.
Seasonal Gifts:
Spoiler alert!: The Mayans predict our collective litter boxes will be cleaned for good next year. Why not enjoy a bit of visual fun, displayed on your wall or desk with the Literary Pets wall calendar (4 postcards included!) or the Wrestle Pets and Monkey Business desk calendars. It’s not too late to send those holiday cards out either. Consider the lighthearted and colorful “Penguin Jingle Bell” card pack of 6.
To Browse All This And More, Click Here
ChetArt Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale
Now through Monday take advantage of 15% off your entire total of items purchased in the ChetArt online shop. With over 500 items to choose from, gift ideas range from stocking stuffers to high quality limited edition books. Or treat yourself to some ChetArt foolishness at a discounted price. Shop early and save now.
To receive your discount enter the following code during your checkout:
MONKEYBRAIN
(Example shows how to find your coupon code link. Discount not applied to shipping costs.)
~Click Here to Visit the ChetArt Store~
Jingle All The Way
The ChetArt booth set up and ready to go, moments before the doors opened to throngs of shoppers at this year’s Etsy Dallas “Jingle Bash” show.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to visit and shop at yesterday’s 4th Annual “Jingle Bash” show sponsored by Etsy. We experienced a solid round of shopping all day long. Though it felt like sales were equal from past shows, at the end of the day we surpassed all other past Etsy Dallas events by almost double the success. Couldn’t have done it without so many friendly and supportive local shoppers.
It was great fun having good friends stop by to show their support and meet and make a whole new set of friends. The sale of a “Simon and Barkfunkle” signed print was one particularly fun standout moment. The buyer has plans to gift the print to her good friends…Paul Simon and his wife Edie Brickell.
MichaelO
The artist known as MichaelO takes photo manipulation up a notch with his artful, digital additions.
Ernesto Priego
“Gentlemen, I put my pants on like you: one leg at a time. Except, once my pants are on I make gold records…..I gotta have more cowbell!”
Great character study of Christopher Walken by Ernesto Priego.
Googie Sign Prints
Just added to the Etsy shop, a selection of whimsical “Googie” styled sign illustrations available as 8″ x 10″ signed and matted prints.
-Visit Here To See More From The Series-
San Diego Comic Con 2011- Day 4
Peter Mayhew with his purchase of my “Hairy Trinity” print.
Another day of great sales with the added bonus of two great events. The first was the purchase of my signed print titled “The Hairy Trinity” by the wife of Mr. Peter Mayhew, a.k.a. Chewbacca. (Peter has recently undergone surgery and wasn’t able to walk the convention floor.) Shortly after the purchase I visited Peter’s signing booth to thank them both for the purchase and was invited to take a picture of Peter holding his print.
The second event was the purchase of one of my new Superlative/Nefarious books by a gentleman that showed an intense interest and asked several questions about the project. As we wrapped up the sale he presented his business card and identified himself as a project executive with Imagine Entertainment, the company founded by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. So perhaps my book will eventually work its way through the studio’s intricate project review maze.
More photos from the day:
Thank you Harry
The recent release of the final chapter of the Harry Potter saga has caused me to reflect upon how J.K. Rowling’s magical creation affected me over a decade ago. In the spring of 2000, Warner Brothers was furiously at work on production for the first film episode. In conjunction with filming they were putting together an official style guide to distribute to merchandisers so that all the various products to follow would maintain consistency in their look. I was approached by an L.A. design firm that was working directly with Warner Brothers to contribute my digital scratch board style to a long list of preliminary designs. The task was an enormous undertaking: create over 50 finished pieces in a week.
Among the endless hours of work that week, one of the highlights was receiving a fax with J.K. Rowling’ signature next to her visual take on how she envisioned the sorting hat should look. The studio’s version was more of a puffy Disney-esque style that was changed to a leaner, pointy classic witches hat version.
(Upper right) Warner Brothers initial sorting hat design request that I worked up. Fax received of J.K. Rowling’s sketch of the sorting hat on the left and my version of the finished approved version from her on the lower right.
After the first batch was completed and approved, I received additional requests over the next few weeks that brought my total contribution to over 100 pieces. After the first film’s release, the marketing of products shifted dramatically from using illustration to using movie stills and photography. Before that happened there was a magical window of time when a trip to a (now defunct) Warner Brothers store in the mall yielded tables and racks full of items that sported my efforts on the project.
