Friday, July 31, 2009

Animal Rights

So anyone who know me knows that I am a huge animal rights person, hence the reason I am donating a portion of my proceeds from ALL of my art shows next year to different animal rights organizations. Great Video about 200 rescued dogs finding new homes. Take some time to watch.







Check out these great organizations as well:

http://www.bestfriends.org/
http://network.bestfriends.org/golocal/chicago/news.aspx?pID=11883
http://www.northernillinoispugrescue.org/Home2.asp

Best internet video........eva.

So I have been kinda burned out and bummed on the day gig lately and I am actively seeking a new career move. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful to have a job but I am not fully using my potential or skill level. Every time I start to get annoyed, I watch this. If you don't have a dry sense of humor, you will not find this nearly as great as I do.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

I guess I work for free.

So, rarely do I discuss the annoying aspects of being a painter/illustrator or graphic designer that has work readily accessible on the inter-web, because nobody likes an artist that moans and groans...right? Well, my good friend Project Detonate got into the conversation today about being approached by shitty cry-core, emo bands, established clothing companies, non-existent clothing companies, vinyl toy brands, record labels or motorcycle companies wanting free design work so "You can get your name out there..brah" Here is a sample yet pretty accurate email composed by experiences we have both had:

"Like hey man, totally need some shirt designs for my band, we're a cry-core band from Nebraska, just go nuts, though we are in a tight budget, maybe you can do it for free, then when we get signed to vagrant records we can cut you a check, or take you on tour? whichever man let us know like totally into it, just totally let us know, toats? yeah its short for totally. so like toats! Oh yeah BTW, you will get full credit on our Myspace page and Facebook...we will also do a super gnarles Twitter Tweety Twat. I hope you are down, we are all in college so the budget is tight but we can totally hook you up with stickers and put you on the guest list."

The reason I am posting this conversation is this: I don't paint, design or draw for free. I would never have the nerve to walk into Taco Bell and ask for free Cinna-Twists with the promise of "A sweet Myspace bulletin" Unfortunately, we do not live in a world where "props" on your Facebook blog is gonna pay my mortgage.

Within the past year, I have been approached by clothing brands, record labels, toy companies, motorcycle brands, chip companies and "serious art collectors"....90% of them either wanted free work, heavily detailed work on a $40 budget or...I actually had one guy just contact me and ask me if I had any available free paintings.

Whenever I get commissioned for designs or a painting, I always go above and beyond and generally include fun little extras because I like and appreciate doing those things for people who help support me. So please, unless you are serious about hiring me, hold the smoke and mirrors for David Copperfield and the "internet fame" for that fat piece of shit Perez Hilton.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Progressing through things.




some new stuff I have been working on for my upcoming solo show at Hot Pop Gallery in Milwaukee, WI.
I think the show is gonna be called: "Rogues of the Midwest"
10.23.2009

Monday, July 13, 2009

Florida return.







I am back from Florida. The show went well, met some cool people, hung with some good friends and sold a few pieces. I will write more detailed about the show once the jet-lag wears off. I 'm totally exhausted, thanks to everyone involved. Here are some pics.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Going to Florida.



So, the time has come for the 3-man show that I am a part of with my parter in crime Project Detonate and Bil Betsovic. We will all be getting into Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on Thursday to hang & prep the show (opens on Saturday, July 11th)

After we set the show up, we are gonna roam the streets looking for interesting things to do. If you read this and live in the area, come on down...if not, all the work will be online and you can check it out via the web. I personally will have a ton of framed ink drawings as well as a handful of new watercolors.