YATTA! A CHUN-LI FAN ZINE

A few months back I was asked by Chad Edwards to participate in his annual Childhood Revisited show. It's basically a bunch of local illustrators making work based on their influences as kids. There's a lot of MKE illustration heroes in this show; Dwellephant, Jimbot, Little Friends of Printmaking, Matty Cipov, etc; so I was really excited for the opportunity to participate!

"YATTA!" cover page - 8.5"X11" - 2010

"YATTA!" inside cover page - 8.5"X11" - 2010

One of my first major influences as a little one was Street Fighter II (on the Genesis!). I was obsessed with this game. I was inexplicably drawn to Chun-Li, the lone girl character in the game, and thus played as her a lot of the time. For the gallery show I set out to make a single piece that glorified the awesomeness of Chun-Li's Spinning Bird Kick, the glory of her rapid-fire kick attack. I had made a lot of random sketches and things in preparation for this piece, so much so that I ended up just making a fan Zine dedicated to Chun-Li - the pages of which are posted below!

The zine starts with a little intro, and a comic showing how I used to teach my friends how to draw using Chun-Li as an example!

Of course the majority of the content consists of little inside jokes relating to the Street Fighter series, so the audience for this project is pretty specific. But if you've played the game, I hope you enjoy the references! Below are some photos of the installation at Childhood Revisited, and a little promotional video for the zine made by Lovesick Robot press! The Zine is available for purchase at the LovesickRobot.org store.

photo by Chad Edwards - 2010

APPENDIX

Earlier this year, I had my appendix removed. It was extremely surreal for me to undergo surgery on this mysterious organ I had never thought twice about. However, evidently, when your appendix gets infected, it can explode and kill you. And that is what's called "Appendicitis."

graphite on paper - 8.5"X10" - 2010

The routine surgery went off without a hitch, and i got a solid week of glorious recovery time. I would have loved see my mangled appendix in person (dare I say, keep it?), of course I had no such luck. Instead I received a blurry, nasty photo of my useless, formerly life threatening organ. I thought it was interesting that the only evidence I had of my appendix, besides my swollen, shaved belly and a few scars, was this vague photo that gave me no real information as to what had been inside me for 24 years. I had no real sense of scale nor any indication as to what it should have looked like in its healthy state.

acrylic on board - 40"X 30" each - 2010

The idea that I had no information on my appendix before it was removed, and little more information after, was interesting to me and I wanted to somehow convey that feeling of bewilderment. I made sketches and paintings of the photo of my appendix, photos of me in the ER and my stomach before and after the operation. I then disassembled the paintings, and re arranged them using a random number generator.

graphite on paper - 10 1/4"X8 1/4" - 2010

The resulting images show the "before" experience and the "after" experience.

"APPENDIX- before" acrylic on board - 30"X40" - 2010

"APPENDIX- after" acrylic on board - 30"X40" - 2010

In addition to providing a light into my own experience having my appendix removed, I am interested in conveying the multiple meanings of “appendix.” Not only does the word refer to portions of various internal organs and systems, but it is also used as a space for additional information at the end of a written document or narrative. The information in the appendix, while not necessary to understand the general idea of the body it is attached to, helps refine and contextualize the main structure. This idea reflects my stance on my art making in general. While this work may not be considered "Illustration" in the traditional sense, it still attempts to evoke an otherwise abstracted emotion to the viewer. If anything, I feel making work like this informs my imagemaking ideation and creation.

As an illustrator and designer by trade, I am interested in processing information through narratives and figurative images to be communicated to an audience. Yet there are some instances where it is impossible to create an accurate, concise visual statement based on the amount of information the artist has. I went through surgery to remove an organ I had hardly paid attention to. I had sparse knowledge on that part of my body, and having it removed through surgery did little to change this. This work presents my experience of processing all that was left of my lost organ; not knowing it before and not knowing it after.

I made this project for the Milwaukee Artist Resource Network annual Mentor/Mentee exhibition at MIAD earlier this year. I was lucky enough to have the awesome kathryn e.martin as my mentor this year - her advice and critique was invaluable!

Childe Roland Tunnel Piece

I have so much to put up on here I'm not even sure where to start. What a crazy few months... seasons! So much to new work I haven't even had time to format for updating my blog! Since the last post was for my solo exhibit at Hot Pop gallery entitled Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came, it's fitting I should start my rolling series of updates with related works made since then!

I compiled all the work from the show into a 52 page graphic novel published by Lovesick Robot Press! Pick up a copy here!

Earlier this year I was asked by the awesome Chad Edwards to participate in the Guerilla Art Show, which takes place every year in a train underpass just outside Milwaukee's 3rd Ward. I has never done any real outdoor installations of any kind, so I was pumped.

Life size astronauts are my optimal form of public expression.

More updates soon!

Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came

It has been far too long since my last blog update, but that doesn't mean I've been idle! So much has happened in the last 6 months - all will be recounted at the end of this post - but I'd like to focus on my most recent project.

Shown below are some works from "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came," a series of ink illustrations based on the poem by Robert Browning. The work was made over a grueling 4 month period for display at Hot Pop design boutique and gallery in Milwaukee, WI. There are 23 new works total - here are some of my favorite moments from the project:

"One More Victim" ink on paper, mounted on board - 11"X 14.5" - 2010

Browning's original poem, published in 1855, is about a young knight on a hopeless quest seeking the "The Dark Tower," from which none before him have ever come back. As he travels through the hellish and barren landscape, Roland knows he has little hope of survival, but presses on nonetheless.

In this interpretation, Roland is depicted as an astronaut floating helplessly through a perilous asteroid field in deep space. I wasn't sure it was a good idea to stray so dramatically from the original setting of the poem, but in the end, I felt the desolate apathy of space emphasized Browning's sense of hopelessness and doom.

There is also an interesting tension that happens when Browning's difficult text is juxtaposed with a more futuristic setting, as per bellow:

"He Lied in Every Word" ink on paper, mounted on board - 22"X 30" - 2010

"My first thought was, he lied in every word,
That hoary cripple, with malicious eye
Askance to watch the workings of his lie
On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford
Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored
Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby."


"Should I be Fit?" ink on paper, mounted on board - 22"X 30" - 2010

"Thus, I had so long suffered in this quest,
Heard failure prophesied so oft, been writ
So many times among ’The Band’ to wit,
The knights who to the Dark Tower’s search addressed
Their steps - that just to fail as they, seemed best,
And all the doubt was now - should I be fit?"

You can read the full text of the poem here.


"Blind Horse" ink on paper, mounted on board - 11"X 14.5" - 2010


detail


"Better This Present" ink on paper, mounted on board - 11"X 14.5" - 2010



"Recoil" ink on paper, mounted on board - 2 pieces - 22"X 30" each - 2010


detail


"Fell Cirque" ink on paper, mounted on board - 11"X 14.5" - 2010



"The Dark Tower" ink on paper, mounted on board - 22"X 30" - 2010


"Woe of Years" ink on paper, mounted on board - 11"X 14.5" - 2010



"Childe Roland" ink on paper, mounted on board - 2 pieces - 22"X 30" each - 2010




detail

If you are interested in purchasing these original works, check out the Hot Pop Shop website.

Super huge thanks to Ric Stultz for hooking me up with a spot in this gallery (which is now booked until late 2012!). Margaret and the rest of the crew at Hot Pop were awesome to work with as well! Thank youuu!!

Below are some images of the finished installation at Hot Pop. I had a lot of help from Jackie and Brent over at Lovesick Robot with the mounting and hanging of this project!

I also created a little brochure explaining the project:

Overall I'm very happy with the work! The installation at Hot Pop will be on view until March 17th 2010, if you're in Milwaukee, WI, check it out and let me know what you think!

I'm currently working on a graphic novel version of this project, and also a serialized web version via Lovesickrobot.org. Keep your eyes peeled!

IN OTHER NEWS:

- Jackie, Brent, Tara and I (together forming the Studio Sunday Megazord) completed our crazy 9-month long project called "The Legend of En" in August 09 at the Borg Ward in Milwaukee. It was out of control, it was! By far one of the coolest collaborative projects i've been a part of.
- You can check see details of the project, along with a little "making of" documentary by Brent, here.
- You can order the Jackie produced epic 80 page graphic novel version of the project here!

- We had little time to rest after the opening of "The Legend of En" - about a month later, we found ourselves in San Fransisco at our very own booth in the Alternative Press Expo! You can see all the awesome swag we had, and even purchase some for yourself, at the Lovesickrobot.org STORE!

- Lovesick Robot Press also now has a podcast! Every week you can hear us argue about the issues YOU CARE ABOUT.

-I've been working as a full time graphic designer for Brew City - an awesome t-shirt company based here in Milwaukee!

-The Milwaukee Artist Resource Network (MARN) has a mentor/mentee program for upcoming artists in the city, and I was lucky enough to be selected as a mentee by the lovely Kathryn Martin. Her work is amazing! Katie and I will be in a group show this Spring at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, along with the rest of this year's MARN crew.

-I've overhauled my website's sketchbook section with all sorts of new stuff

-Working on some new stuff for my website, my blog(s) and some more upcoming shows as well!


Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more updates!

WSU Currents Magazine

cover image - ink, acrylic, digital - 8.5"X11" - 2009

I was asked by the awesome Brett Ayers to do some work for the Winona State University alumni magazine, "Currents." I worked on a bunch of illustrations for this one, including a cover, 1/2 page interior, and several spot images. And boy do these guys love their purple...

"Alumni in the Classroom" ink, acrylic, digital - 6"X 6" - 2009

Interior Spot Illustrations - ink, acrylic, digital- 6"X 6" - 2009

Here are some pics of the interior:

I had a lot of fun with this project, and am stoked to start on the next issue soon!

Oodles and oodles has occurred in the past few months, so here's a few updates (or at least excuses to why I haven't posted in so long!)

- Studio Sunday is having it's debut exibit "The Legend of En" opening reception on August 28th from 6-10pm at The Borg Ward collective! We've been working on this show for SOOO long, and it's going to be FLAMES!! Tell your friends! There will also be an after-party at The Bomb Shelter!

The Borg Ward
823 west National avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204

-I'll be joining my fellow Studio Sunday-ers at the Alternative Press Expo at the Lovesick Robot Press table. It's not until October, but if you do happen to be in San Fransisco around then, come say 'ello!

- Starting in August, I will be a full time designer for Brew City, a rad apparel company in Milwaukee! Super excited to work with these guys, especially their insanely talented lead designer Boris Pelcer -old school mate from MIAD!

- I will be having an exhibition in January at Hot Pop in Milwaukee!

BAD WINTER

It's about time I get around to posting the pictures/work from my first solo show at FASTEN collective (now known as SPARROW collective). The opening was on Gallery Night in Milwaukee, one of three nights every year where many of the city's galleries and shops have little art parties, which collectively mean one big city wide art-gasm! Here are some photos of the installation:

These drawings were, for me, completely different from what I had been working on for the last four years of art school. Instead of depicting a narrative, I wanted to capture how I had been feeling for the past months. The drawings are cold and representational, but there are certain moments in each that become slightly more shape driven and abstract; for the most part, I referenced quick, bad digital photos taken while walking to and from work.

Mandujano - graphite on Rives BFK - 2009

Triangle - graphite on Rives BFK - 2009


K.K. - graphite on Rives BFK - 2009


Greeley - graphite on Rives BFK - 2009


Clarence - graphite on Rives BFK - 2009


Burrel - graphite on Rives BFK - 2009

Bad Winter- graphite on Rives BFK - 2009


Austin- graphite on Rives BFK - 2009

For the show, I made a little booklet of the drawings and the comic:

It was interesting to see how the comic is experienced both on an intimate level in the book, and on a large scale in the show. The comic and the drawings are very different, but together they express a complete thought, the narrative and non-narrative balance each other out (in my head, at least).

And here's some photos of all you lovely people who came to see the show (you really came!)

mike and beki


jerod and little ms. adeline




Carl and Cynthia


it's Joan!



it's Beki!


Jackie Steffen-Bublitz


Greg of Francis Dav Fem provided audio stimulation.

A shout out to Jessica and Jerod for the opportunity and printing action! Also to Jackie, Brent and Tara for critiques and wood shop classes.

NEW STUFF:

A lot has been going on in the weeks since the show:

The kind folks at Illustrophile featured me on their fantastic blog! Thanks guys!

Studio Sunday is in full on production mode for our show in August at The Borg Ward.

Recently finished some work for the Milwaukee Fair Trade Coalition's Fair Trade Crawl.

Working on a new assignment for WSU Currents magazine (this is gonna be a big one!)

Working on brochure illustration for the Milwaukee 48 Hour Film Fest

Orlando and I drove down to Chicago to hang out with Meg and check out Art Chicago.


Will keep you posted on developments of these new projects! Thanks for reading!