6/2/14

So much going on this week!

Today marks my very first day as Class of 2016 in the MFA Visual Narrative program at SVA. Super excited and nervous and eager to see how my working method and storytelling evolves over the next two years. Also looking forward to meeting new folks with different approaches to telling and presenting stories. My first (most likely intense) week back in school will be followed by two events this weekend…

You'll find me and the rest of the Three Armed Squid gang selling silkscreen goods and comics at the Grand Comics Festival this Saturday from 11am-7pm. I'll be debuting my Uncanny Alien Raver postcard set, featuring 7 delectable mutants heroes and villains.

Right after GCF I'll be high-tailing it to Grumpy Bert's for the opening reception of Life on Mars, featuring work from Apak, Monica Ramos, Scott Albrecht, Brendan Monroe, Evah Fan, Andrew Bell, Ramiro Davaro-Comos, Theo Ellsworth, Michael Hsiung and myself! I'll have two pieces appearing in the show, one of which I've posted for your viewing pleasure above. Prior to the reception, special guests will speak about the current happenings on the planet Mars. Seating is limited, so shoot an email to bert (at) grumpybert.com to secure your spot! Special guests include Miriam Kramer (Staff writer, Space.com), Caleb Scharf (Director of Astrobiology, Columbia University) and Chris Patil (Mars One Project candidate). I'm sad to miss this discussion but hopefully I'll be able to get the cliff notes version when I arrive. Don't fret if you can't make it; the show will be up through July 13th.

5/8/14

TCAF poster by the grotesquely talented Michael DeForge

I'm heading to Toronto, Canada this weekend for TCAF! This marks my first time visiting Canada AND going outside the US. Color me excited to get my passport stamped! You'll be able to find me on the 2nd floor at Table 220, which I'll be sharing with good friend and fellow squid Estrella Vega

I'll have issues 1, 2 and 3 of Three Armed Squid on hand, as well fresh goodies from the silkscreen oven: TCAF exclusive Alien Raver Pancake Pin-up prints and a second edition printing of my book Narwhal.

The 2nd and 1st printings of Narwhal side-by-side

See you soon, Canada!

11/14/13

Working hard and taking names! I'm assembling this little guy as we speak. Alien Raver: Mad Tea Party is the second in the Alien Raver in Wonderland series (check out the first here). You can nab a copy at the Degenerate Craft Fair on December 14th and 15th.

10/10/13

Many thanks to my friend Ann-Marie, who stuck with me all day and took this lovely picture of my table!

Last weekend was the Locust Moon Comics Festival, held in Philadelphia, PA (or as the highway signs like to say, Phila). It was held at the Rotunda, an old church in the University City part of town. It was an unseasonably warm day, which got warmer as the place started filling up. Luckily, the Locust Moon staff handed out water bottles throughout the day. I must have drank my body weight in water!

Aside from the constant sweating, I had a really good time. I was glad to see some familiar faces in attendance and make some new friends in the process, including Andrea Tsurumi, Pat Dorian, Dean Haspiel, Gregory Benton, Mike King, Boyoun Kim, Sue Jean Ko, Frank Reynoso and Alex Eckman-Lawn. I only regret not being able to walk around at a leisurely pace to see everyone's work! The Locust Moon crew did a really job putting the festival together. Hopefully I will return next year with some comic debuts (and a portable fan, just in case)!

I'm also working on a new Alien Raver in Wonderland mini-book. This one has Alien Raver attending the Mad Tea Party with his "friends" standing in for the Hatter, March Hare and Dormouse. You can follow my silkscreen progress on Instagram or Twitter!

9/18/13

Some of my silkscreen books and Llama Salutation greeting cards will be on sale at Grumpy Bert's table this Sunday at the Brooklyn Book Fest. If you find yourself in the area, swing on by and say hello to Bert!

7/25/13

As promised, I debuted a new Uncanny Alien Raver painting at the SVA All-Staff Show last week: Colossus!

The X-Man Colossus possesses the mutant ability to transform his entire body into a form of "organic steel", endowing him with superhuman levels of strength and stamina. He's the most selfless member of the team, always putting himself in danger to protect others. Colossus frequently puts on variety shows for his X-Men teammates, juggling a variety of large objects, including a dozen watermelons at a time. Afterwards, he later uses the remains to make watermelon juice for everyone.

Keep a look out for more Uncanny Alien Raver members in the following weeks!

7/19/13

Last night at the SVA Gallery

A BIG thank you to all who stopped by to check out the show! Minah Kim did a great job of curating and putting everything together. All the yummy food and beer provided was also very much appreciated. It's so interesting observing people reacting to your work. If you weren't able to make it to the reception last night, fear not! The exhibition will be up until July 24th.

7/15/13

Good news everyone: I'm part of the School of Visual Arts All-Staff Art Show! The exhibition, featuring over 60 works of art by SVA's administrative staff, runs for a week at the SVA Gallery. I'll be displaying 4 of my Uncanny Alien Raver paintings, including a BRAND NEW PAINTING! The reception will take place this Thursday, 6-8pm. I hope to see you there!

7/11/13

I've been working on a couple of projects this month that aren't ready to be revealed, which accounts for my lack of activity on ye old blog. Amidst all this busy-ness, I've taken on felting! Thanks to my friend Diana, I've been learning how to felt little creatures to life, including this turliphant prototype. It's so much easier than I imagined (I suck so horribly at all other needle-involved crafts)! Once I get the hang of it, I'd like to make a small run of Alien Raver felt toys.

6/17/13

I've finished working on a new Alien Raver comic that will appear in Quarter Moon Magazine next month (launched by the awesome folks over at Locust Moon Comics in Philadephia). I will also be participating in their Locust Moon Comics Festival in October (which is currently accepting applications for exhibitors!). This is my longest Alien Raver comic to date AND it features a new character. Now that this comic is done, I will start on a new batch of Uncanny Alien Raver paintings and post them later this summer. Hoo-ray!

A quick video demonstrating my inking process using Faber Castell PITT pens and my light box (Look ma', no lines!)

12/11/12

Working ferociously to get everything ready for this weekend's Degenerate Craft Fair! I'll be debuting TWO new books (Alien Raver: Mushrooms, edition of 36 (disregard the numbering on the picture as it seems I can't add to save my skin) and Pulpo, edition of 24.) and a new series of Llama Salutation cards, edition of 25 for each. If you aren't able to attend DCF, fret not! These will go up on my web shop in January. More updates to follow!

12/4/12

Good news everyone! My comics collective, Three-Armed Squid, will have a table at the Degenerate Craft Fair, December 15th & 16th at the Dumbo Loft (York St stop on the F train)! We'll be selling our limited edition books and other wares. I'll be debuting new work, including Pulpo, a new Alien Raver mini-book and new llama greeting cards (see below for a preview)! We'd love to see you there! Some additional incentives: FREE BEER and music on Saturday from 6-9pm and the first 50 people at the door on Sunday will receive goodie bags!

More good news! I'm having a massive sale in my web shop! Take 20% off your entire order when you use the discount code BOOJ2NOOJ at checkout. Hoo-ray!

9/19/12

The X-Man Iceman, also known as Bobby Drake, possesses the ability to decrease the temperature of water vapor in his environment and freeze it into ice. He can sculpt the ice into different shapes and structures and even convert his body into organic ice, liquid water or water vapor. Iceman was the second mutant recruited to join the X-Men by Cyclops and founder Professor Xavier. He quickly took on the comic relief role, infamous for his elaborate water-themed practical jokes. As a way to decompress after major battles, Iceman heads to his favorite northern ice sheet and ice-fishes, typically bringing back a few hundred pounds of fish.

In two weeks: Colossus!

9/11/12

The X-Man Jean Grey, originally known as Marvel Girl, possesses the powers of telekinesis and telepathy. Her powers surfaced while trying to save her best friend during a car accident. Recruited by Professor Xavier shortly after, she became the first female member of the newly created X-Men. She begins a relationship with fellow X-Man Cyclops but has been spotted making out with the much cooler Wolverine in the Danger Room. She loves to plan monthly picnics for the whole team, making her signature bacon and egg sandwiches.

Next week: Iceman!

8/28/12

The villainous M.O.D.O.K.(acronym for Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing) originally started out as mild-mannered super computer that became self-aware and killed its former masters, merging permanently with technician George Tarleton. He possesses superhuman intelligence, the ability to calculate the probability of any given event and psionic powers that allow him to mentally control others and create a powerful force field around himself. M.O.D.O.K. loves giving the Avengers a hard time, especially if he smells roasted peanuts in their break room.

Next week: Jean Grey!

8/21/12

The X-Man Beast possesses ape-like superhuman physical strength, speed and agility but is most well know for his genius intellect. Beast serves as an all-around handy man for the X-Men: a nurse to Professor Xavier on his more difficult days, Help Desk to the Danger Room, Esperanto translator, and human calculator. During the spring months, he is mostly confined to the science lab in an effort to manage his excessive shedding. Beast recently discovered his love of baking (evident by his many burns). His speciality is blueberry muffins.

Next week: M.O.D.O.K!

8/14/12

The X-Man Cyclops has the ability to emit red beams of energy from his eyes, usually referred to as an "optic blast." After nagging Professor Xavier to death, he was promoted to field leader of The X-Men. When he's not fighting in epic battles, he uses his optic blasts to make s'mores for Jean Grey (who is usually off making out with Wolverine). He is usually very cranky, since he is everyone's least favorite X-Man.

Next week: The Beast!

4/10/12

Assembling a few copies of my Alien Raver mini-comic Quilt (among other things) for the Craftacular and Food Fair this Saturday. Can't wait! You can find us on 82 Mercer St. between Broome and Spring streets. Doors open at 11am. Kim and I will be at Booth 102 (near the entrance, sorta). We hope to see you there!

9/10/11

I've been busy wrapping up a few projects (see above) and starting some new ones. Recently got the great news that my friends and I (calling ourselves the Three-Armed Squid) will have a table at this year's MoCCA Festival, so this means we'll be creating a ton of new work to fill up said table. Currently on my plate is a new (and longer) accordion book featuring a sea-faring octopus, a short comic about the perils of spring on Neptune and among other things, a very special ray gun. All this work will be serving double-duty as I'm reorganizing my portfolio for the grad school application frenzy to come later this fall.

7/26/11

My newest silkscreen print, Trinity, is now on sale in my shop! After a very long battle to get the separations registered, I'm very happy with how the poster turned out. Next up, silkscreening on wood!