Friday, December 14, 2012

Wedding Cakes

Ohai, there's this thing that I do that some people have asked about: I make customized wedding cake toppers. So far, everybody has wanted a mini version of themselves. I will ask you to send me your favorite photos and pics of what you'll be wearing and any relevant color swatches or reference images (are we including your tattoos? Will you be zombies? or in formal wear?) and I make you out of paper clay. Here is the most recent cake-topper for my friends Wes and Erica:
If you would like something like this for yourself or a friend, email me! To cover costs of time and materials they are $200-$300 depending on the design and the size.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Murals, Post-its, Anti-Canvas, Farewells

This probably should have been 4 separate posts. But it's the end of the year, everything is crazy, and there's no time. So you get ONE GIANT BLOG. Carl Sagan: eat your heart out (or turn over in your grave. Whatever.) Space Creeps and Tasty Treats, the mural I painted with JOSHR and Trace Mendoza, is finished. In fact, it’s been finished!! But we’ve been busy. So. This is the story.
We invited the lovable and talented Trace Mendoza to our office to discuss repainting the side of Wahoo’s Fish Taco on Bristol and Baker in Costa Mesa. We loaded up the van and blacked out a Jason Maloney/Bigfoot/Bwana Spoons mural to make way for our outer space adventure.
Friendly photographer Ricardo Apparicio stopped by and snapped those pretty photos of us working up there^^^. (See more of his work here) We will get a real fancy photo of the finished wall soon. Maybe. It’s really long.
I had the pleasure participating in and wrangling artists for the 2012 Anti Canvas Event in Hawaii. This is where rad artists put their work on board shorts and auction them off for a charity of their choosing. I chose Kokua Hawaii as my charity. If you're in Hawaii this weekend, go see it!
I'll be in the huuuuuuuge, super awesome, super communist Post-It Show 8 at Giant Robot. Opening Saturday, December 8, from 6-10, all pieces (over 2000 of them….) are on 3”x3” post-its, and they’re ALL $25. Even when they’re painted by Audrey Kawasaki and Souther Salazar. Don’t miss it. Unless you’re coming to see my band that night at the Prospector in Long Beach…. Last thing: 225 Forest is having their final art show this Thursday night. It has been a pleasure curating and hosting shows there this year. I'm grateful for the opportunity and am sad to see it close. If you're in Laguna, stop by! Back to work....

Monday, November 12, 2012

Last Weekend/This Weekend

The Phone Booth Gallery Live Paint was a ton of fun! I got to paint with some friends. The work from Saturday night's event will be on display for the duration of the Dave Rankin show. If you're into it, stop by PBG and check it out! My painting was won by talented artist and cool dude David Coyne (pictured below with thumbs up).
Looking forward to Saturday's opening of WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS down at AR4T! Still working on my piece, but it's coming along pretty well. Be sure to come out on Saturday and say hi! (process and mess shots below)
WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS opens Saturday November 17, 2012. 6-9 pm. AR4T is located at 210 North Pacific Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Lastly, I am getting in the car right....NOW! To paint the Wahoo's on Bristol with JOSHR and Trace (pictured stretching). We should be out there all week painting space ships. If you get a hankering for a taco, you know where to go!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Live Paint! Murals! Art Shows!

Hey friends! Got some good news and fun stuff coming up. If you’re in Long Beach this weekend, stop by Phone Booth Gallery on Saturday from 5-10 for the opening reception of Dave Rankin’s “Sea, Snakes, and Spikes.” PBG is hosting a Live Painting & Art Raffle at the same time. A $5 ticket could win you a fresh, original painting from one of 7 local artists (one of them: meeeee). I got to see some of Dave’s pieces while picking up my panel for the live paint. He’s a little tricky to find on the internets, and his work is really stunning. So come see ‘em! (below: Dave Rankin's "Eel Charmer")
On Monday I’ll be starting another Wahoo’s mural with two rad dudes: JOSHR and Trace Mendoza. I’m super excited to paint with these guys. We’re repainting the Wahoo’s on Bristol in Costa Mesa, and the wall is….huge. It’s gonna be a ton of fun. Expect to see some process shots of that next week! We're rolling over a Jason Maloney/Bigfoot/Bwana Spoons mural (pictured below)...so we'd better make it awesome.
On November 17th I’ve got some NEW work in a great show down at AR4T. Chantal de Felice, lovely talented artist/writer/jeweler extraordinaire, is guest curating WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS: a wonderland of installation and unique works that transition from city scape to nature and worlds beyond.
Not only am I stoked to show in such a cool gallery, but I’m exhibiting with some of my very favorite artists and humans including Yevgeniya Mikhailik and Nancy Chiu. If you’re reading this, you are probably familiar with their work. If you’re not, go look right now! They are two of the most talented and beautiful women I have ever met. Prepare for mega art crush… Anyway. Here’s an interview I did with Chantal about the show. Come out on the 17th!
Messy studio shot of works in progress mentioned above.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Live Paint Raffle @Phone Booth/Ebay Dreams Come True

Ahoy friends! Before you scamper off to enjoy your weekends, let me remind you of a certain ebay listing...of a certain creepy baby coffin...that ends on Monday. Here's the link again if you're interested in bidding on/scoring something I made for pretty cheap. I get half the money from the sale.
This fantastic matrix of paintings over here is a recap from the 2010 Phone Booth Gallery live painting raffle. Guests bought tickets for $1 each to try and win one of eight cool 24"x24" original paintings. Good news for you: WE'RE DOING IT AGAIN. Saturday, November 10 from 5-10 PM, Phone Booth Gallery is hosting the opening reception for Dave Rankin's "Sea, Snakes, and Spikes" along with a live painting raffle. Come by to lay eyes on Dave's awesome sea creatures, and bring a few bucks for some tickets. You could win a WET original painting from rad Long Beach artists David Owen, Jenny Messock, Kevin Bannister, Mariya Suzuki, Nick Marquez, Ryan Milner and me. Here's a nice little montage of my painting at the 2010 live paint, as documented by my dear, talented BFF.F.F. Sara M. Lyons. She's a whiz with the Photoshop. I promise not to paint barf this year!!
Phone Booth Gallery is located at 2533 East Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90803

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Follow ups and News in General

Hey! Here's a bit of everything to keep you (the internet) in the loop. Heads up: this post is reeeeeal link-y...so go ahead and click on things. I'm sending you all over the place. JOSHR and I finished our mural down at Wahoo's in Laguna Beach. We had a blast working on it and have loosely discussed inviting everybody down to drink a beer in front of it. We'll put a pin in that for now... Enjoy this ridiculous video the amazing YB made of the whole thing.
View this video at Hurley.com This weekend, the fabulous lady-art-group I belong to: Splendor Device, is having another lady-show down at the young and good looking F+ gallery in Santa Ana. (F+ is run by two incredible artist/humans Micah Kersh and Amy Kaplan. Check out what they're doing.)
Finishing School Flunkies opens Saturday, November 3 from 7-10 PM 661 Poinsettia St. Santa Ana, CA 92701
As advised by the wise and hilarious Ryan Calimlim and Shaun Redsar, I've made a Facebook page for my art. You are encouraged to go "like" it. It will serve as a strictly professional page (as professional as I get...) unadulterated by emotional outbursts and drunken weekend recaps.
Lastly, this little dude I made is on ebay right now. RIGHT NOW. RIGHT. right. now. While that's not my ideal venue for selling work, it's a chance for you to get something I worked really hard on for pret-teee cheap.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Wahoo's Fish Mural on PCH!

It's safe to say that I have the best job in the universe (for me). Yesterday, I wrapped up a few days of painting with my good friend, artist, coworker, all-around weird and talented human, Josh Grelock. Find more of his art under JOSHR. We painted "Hurley Clam Jam" on the outside patio of the Wahoo's Fish Taco on PCH in Laguna Beach. It was super fun and we did whatever we wanted. If you're in the neighborhood, pick up a taco and feast your eyes on our collaboration. Stay tuned for a photo without a giant disruptive shadow...

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Library Sciences at APE this weekend!

We are wrapping up the 2nd issue of Library Sciences for APE this weekend in San Francisco! Library Sciences is a collaborative, hand-made, lo-fi, audio zine created by me and my best friend Miss Sara M. Lyons. Go check her out. She's amazing. Each issue of Library Sciences comes with a cd of 6 original songs (3 from me, 3 from Sara with some overlap) and an accompanying illustrated booklet on a theme. We sold out of Issue One at LA Zine Fest in February, so we've made a bunch of those and debuting Issue Two. Here's what it looks like when we record:
Sara's set up is on the left, mine on the right. This issue's theme is (loosely) self-actualization. But there is still a song about a dream dog, so don't take it too seriously. If you're in the bay area this weekend, stop by and say hi! We're tabling with the incredible and long-legged Kelsey Short! (that's a link too, so click it!) While you're clicking, here's our reverb nation. Take a listen.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Monstoberfest at Rothick Art Haus

This Saturday is the 3rd annual Monsteberfest at Rothick Art Haus. I made a stuffed friend for the show, and a huge mess in my house. see below.
Unfortunately, I will not be in town for the opening, but anybody who is within driving distance to Anaheim this Saturday should do themselves a favor and check it out. Irene Mendonis, adorable spritely fabricator extraordinaire, has curated a killer show for you. While dropping off my little dude at the gallery, I got to see a ton of really cool work from the other artists. A fair amount of what I saw was painting, but I did lay eyes on a particularly bitchin' papier mache sculpture of a 2-headed girl. Gonna have to check and see who made it. Here's my dude:
She/he/it is made of various plush, with a string of innards you can pull out of the chest cavity including lungs, a heart, a liver, large and small intestine. The empty cavity is lined with pink ostrich-skin plush. The cheeks are felted fleece, claws, ribs and teeth are vinyl, and eyes are flocked buttons. This dude is about 40" tall and 28" wide. Pretty silly. Monstoberfest opens Saturday, October 13 at 7 pm. Rothick Art Haus is located at 170 S. Harbor Blvd, Anaheim CA 92805

Friday, October 5, 2012

Backward and Forward

Creepy Cruisers was a TON of fun last night.  Thanks, everyone, for coming out.  Thanks, artists, for making such fun pieces.  Be sure to stop by and check out the show if you're ever in Laguna Beach this month.  The coolest candy store ever is just next door if you need another reason to get over there.  Matthew Hodges, of the dudely artist collective 29 made this little video (with and exceptional soundtrack, I might add) of the evening:


Well done, sir. 
This Saturday I've got some work in a show called INTER-VIEWS, curated by Daniel Rolnik, at CURIO in Venice beach.  Here is a link to the sales site for the event:
http://www.curiobyafn.com/interviews.html
The event is October 6th, from 7-11 pm.  Curio is located at 324 Sunset Ave, Venice CA 90291.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Creepy Cruisers this Thursday

It's happening!  This Thursday, 6-9 pm at 225 Forest Ave in Laguna Beach.  Come down.  Carpool (parking sucks).  Eat snacks.  Have a blast.  There's a super cool band called the Vooduo playing a couple of sets and over 75 original works of spooky art on skate decks.  I'm sharing mine now as I will be too busy hanging/prepping the show to share later.
See you Thursday!

Friday, September 28, 2012

Creepy LA's annual Coffin Hunt

So once a year, Creepy LA hides baby coffins painted by artists all around the city like an out of control Easter egg hunt. I made one along with Sara Hasse to represent Splendor Device (our totally rad, totally female art collective.) While I'm not sure on all the details..stay tuned...I wanted to share what I made. Sara's will be super cool and semi-related to mine. You are going to want to find BOTH of ours. Here's the outside of mine....
and here's the inside...
This puppy is made of wood, paper clay, acrylic, gold leaf, satin, and polymer clay. Come out and win it!!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Creepy Cruisers, comes closer. c...c......c....

Hey! So the boards are rolling in for this show at 225 Forest in Laguna and I'm too excited not to share some of them.
Left to right: Anthony Azour's "Misunderstood" - acrylic. Chris Lim's "They're Among Us" - mixed media, Monster Kat's (I truly, truly, truly LOVE this woman. Give her all of your money and hugs. You will not regret it.) "It's Tar Time For Mister Tomistoma" - clay, acrylic and resin, DALEK's "Untitled" - tape and paint pen. that one especially cracks me up because DALEK is probably the #1 user of 3M blue tape. The man deserves full sponsorship.
This one is mine. I'm holding out to show you the finished piece in hopes of enticing you to come out for the opening. (Why by the cow, right?) It's acrylic on wood. duh. Titled "Best Hair Class of '62: Charlette Di Pino". CREEPY CRUISERS opens October 4th from 6-9 PM at 225 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Inter-Views at Curio

Daniel Rolnik, LA's most adorable art blogger (this is an OFFICIAL title conferred upon him. I'm completely serious.) is guest curating a show at CURIO in Venice. Inter-Views features hand-picked works by local artists that Daniel has met during his adventures as a prolific contributor to the Los Angeles art scene.
CURIO is owned and operated by the tremendously talented painter Anne Faith Nicholls. I visited her gallery while returning one of my favorite paintings of all time to her ("The Battle Within." Go. Now. to her website and lay eyes on this thing.) The gallery was a perfect collection of art that I can only describe thusly: A dollhouse of Abraham Lincoln's home, as modeled by Wes Anderson. If that confuses you, just go check out the space. You'll get it.
Anyway. I will be showing part of my museum of procrastination ON WORK AVOIDANCE: A Comprehensive Exploration of First World Time Mismanagement. The final, most extreme method of procrastination, Pseudocide, will be on display. Inter-Views opens October 6th from 7-10 pm at CURIO STUDIO & COLLECTION. 324 Sunset Ave, Venice, CA 90291

Monday, September 17, 2012

Monstoberfest 3!

Sometimes I make stuffed animals. This has been going on for about 10 years now, and while I enjoy it very much I've never put any of them up for sale. (monsters are personal, you know?) I WILL, however, be slangin' some fluffy friends for the 3rd annual MONSTOBERFEST at Rothick Art Haus opening October 13. There are a lot of fun artists in this show, so if monsters are you're thing, throw it on your calendar!
Here are a few of my earlier monster friends, and maybe a clue of what you should expect for this show. ....athough. I do have a very fat-American habit of always making the next thing bigger and crazier than what came before. Consider yourself warned. This horrible web-cammy photo is a 2 sided monster/guardian created for my amazing brother to ward off assholes at work. The nice side is Suzanne, who is supportive and reassuring. The mean side is Kevin, who will tear jerks asunder.
Below is Mister Nancy, husband of the tremendously talented Nancy Chiu. They are now divorced as she is married to the also tremendously talented Ben Ferrell. It was good while it lasted. Mister Nancy is pretty huge in real life and he used to have a glitter naugahyde popsicle, but these things tend to wander off. I don't know who put that stupid bow tie on him, but it wasn't me.
I'll post some photos as the monsters develop. Gotta dig around for some plush....

Friday, September 14, 2012

Creepy Cruisers at 225 Forest

There are group shows, and there are f*cking enormous shows. CREEPY CRUISERS opens October 4, 2012 at 225 Forest in Laguna Beach with over 70 artists making monsters-on-skateboards. The names on the flyer are not even close to the full list. I'm making a deck along with some of my favorite humans/artists: JOSHR, Sara Lyons, Nancy Chiu, Evan Ferrell, Steve Pillai, Chris Lim, Monster Kat, Garry Booth, Gary Musgrave, Arlene Reyes, I could keep going but just GET THERE and see for yourself.
There will be a few sets from the extremely appropriate Vooduo...
and some spooky snacks from High Roller. Come out! Bear witness! October 4 6 - 9 PM 225 Forest Ave Laguna Beach, CA

Hell Hath No Fury @ Rothick Art Haus

a little late....but I'm very proud to be included in HELL HATH NO FURY at Rothick Art Haus. This is the first exhibition for Splendor Device, an all female art collective. The opening reception was Saturday, September 8.
Not only was there a ton of work by some amazing ladies, but there were FIRE DANCERS (seriously.) and some live painting by me and Jennifer King. Go check it out this month at Rothick Art Haus in Anaheim, CA.
(me looking a little high... -i'm not.)
here's a sideways-ass picture of my piece "One For Each" Acrylic on wood, polymer clay, velvet, light, and vintage frame. 23"x19"x4"

Thursday, July 12, 2012

New Work for Rothick's Anniversary Show

Rothick Art Haus in Anaheim has so graciously invited me to participate in their anniversary show opening Saturday, July 14 and running through August 4, 2012 This piece was started in January and abandoned shortly after I cut all the wood. As I am the original Last-minute-Larry (Larry is my real name.) the varnish was poured on this morning and I'm about to drive it to the gallery NOW. Naturally, these photos are from my phone and there's a ton of glare from my obsessive over-varnishing. Maybe I'll talk somebody into taking a real photo for me. Or you'll just have to come check it out in person.
"I Will Ruin This" Acrylic, wood, polymer clay, gold leaf, velvet. 8"x14"x2"
Rothick Art Haus Anniversary Show Opening reception: Saturday July 14, 2012 7-10 PM 170 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

BLACKED OUT at Hurley HQ

BLACKED OUT: a one night only event featuring artwork inspired by Phantom Fuse, the newest generation of Hurley's 4-time SIMA Award-winning board shorts. Sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon, with a live performance from Wounded Lion. Over 40 amazing artists created work in the limited color palette of Hurley's newest super-scientific-fantastic board shorts: black + one color. Participating artists included Seonna Hong, Gary Baseman, Brandi Milne, Natalia Fabia, Vizie, Pose, Caroline Hwang, Nancy Chiu, Kelsey Short, Jason Maloney, Pixxelporn, Dalek, C.R. Stecyk III, Stink, Souther Salazar...(I'm getting tired. you get the idea.) Super secret confession: I work for Hurley and organized this event. How could I not sneak in a piece of my own? Here it is.
The Best of a Bad Situation, Acrylic on shaped masonite

Creatures From the Deep

CREATURES FROM THE DEEP: A menagerie of Monsters, Mermaids and Marine Nightmares opened May 3, 2012 at 225 Forest in Laguna Beach with a live set from The Manx and sea-monster-related artwork from over 30 artists. Here's what I made:
Sailors Take Warning - Acrylic on Seashell and Mixed Media
Man's Ruin - Acrylic on Seashell and Mixed Media

Long Beach Zombie Walk

I was very happy to be invited to participate in the art show affiliated with the Long Beach Zombie Walk in 2011. As doing things in a timely fashion has never been one of my strong points....I'm just posting my piece for that now. Relax.