I’ve been going over my site stats for the past few months.  Seems there’s been a LOT of people Googling and clicking on my “pinstripe skull design” and also my “Ol’ Nasty cat” images lately.  People possibly wanting tattoos of them…?  Dunno.  But it made me decide to write this post.

About tattoos.  I have a lot of them.  Some I’ve designed for myself, some not.

Regardless, I feel a sense of real responsibility after I see a person getting my artwork tattooed on themselves. It’s a huge honor. But, it also kicks me into overdrive to make sure I don’t get complacent and start churning out schlock.  I see too many other artists getting lazy and re-hashing stuff they’ve done a million times before. I don’t want to fall into that trap. People digging my art enough to make a lifelong commitment to having it added to their bodies, keeps me in check. So, to all of you fans of mine whom have, thank you.

There is a flip side to everything.  As my fellow artist bud Von Glitschka says regarding people using his art for tattoos, “For those who commission me it’s a great gig. But for those who don’t, it’s a flattering copyright infringement when they use my art without paying for it. So ask permission before you become a walking portfolio of mine.”

So, if you’re somebody who wants to blatantly steal my art to make flash sheets, please don’t.  Ask first.  I’m sure there’s something we can work out.

Now, what if you’re simply a fan and you see something of mine that you enjoy and you’re thinking of adding it to your body…?  Please, feel free to contact me.  I can get you nice, clean line art that your tattoo guy can work from.  That way you won’t have to use a cruddy saved jpg or a potentially blurry photo of my stuff which you found in a magazine.

Either way, if you DO decide to add my art to your body, thank you and please, send me pictures!

A first look at my Carnies packaging design for Brandt Peters x Kidrobot’s eerie new mini-series.

The skies darken, the wind howls, and you’re drawn to the ominous carnival that mysteriously appeared overnight in the middle of the cornfield.  The fairgrounds are populated with creatures that possess a sinister cuteness.  Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, step right up and experience the mysterious and eerie carnival inhabited by Brandt Peters’ Carnies.  Stylistically reminiscent of early 20th century animation, each of the 13 carnies in this nightmarish mini-series, including the two chases, stand at 3-inches and are colored in grayscale.

On sale now at Kidrobot

Another sneak peek progress shot of the next faux bomber panel currently in the works.  What do ya think so far?

Sorry for my lack of updates lately.  I’ve been busy wrapping up work on a massive JONAH HEX hardcover book for DC Comics.  We’re ramping up for the movie release in June.  Here’s a little info…

I just wanted to congratulate my bro Brandt on the selling out of his Dead Bunny figure yesterday at Kidrobot.  I heard it sold out in under an hour.  Pretty awesome!

Speaking of “awesome”, there was a review of Dead Bunny online at Tomopop by Leah Bayer.  She said some INCREDIBLY nice words about my Dead Bunny packaging design:

“Dead Bunny has some of the best box artwork I have ever seen. The colors are vivid, the images are eye-catching, and the art adds to the overall atmosphere of the figure. This is a box that really grabs you right from the start. I love how the edges look worn, it is a fantastic touch. Brandt’s signature creepy style is on full display. Box art is an often overlooked aspect of a figure, but the right design really makes all the difference in how you feel about the product when you take it home.”

Reading a review like that, put me on cloud 9 for the whole day.  I try to do my best to capture the “essence” of each toy or product as well as that of the creator or artist, when I design my packaging.  I haven’t seen the Dead Bunny packaging in person yet, but from what I’ve read online, it seems to be a hit.  The “edge distressing” effect on the box, which I first created for Brandt’s toy packaging when he was at MINDstyle (and which they subsequently used without my permission for their “SDCC Distressed version Black Hole V.I.N.C.E.N.T.” ) supposedly even fooled one sleep-deprived Brandt Peters fan who waited in line just to be able to snap up a copy of Dead Bunny.

Now, there’s a rumor floating around online that the blue line art of DB which is on front of the Dead Bunny box, glows-in-the-dark.  This was an option that I pitched to Brandt and Kidrobot, as a “5th color” overprint, but I never received word if KR made it happen or not.  Can anybody confirm this for me…?  I’d appreciate it!  Yet another reason I can’t wait to get this figure (and my box design) in my hands ASAP!

Some of the photos for this post were taken by Stephen Donaldson for Leah’s Tomopop review.  Hope they don’t mind.

Let me know what you think!  Enjoy!

bang, I'm dead

Yep. It’s here. I’m another year older and not really all that much wiser. All in all, it’s been a good year and I thank God for all his blessings on me and my family. It’s been a VERY tumultuous year for me.  Personally, relationally, spiritually, financially, etc…  Many times I felt like throwing n the towel and just giving up.  But we always forged ahead and did the best we could.  Came out a stronger person on the other side.  At least that’s how I feel.

OK, enough of the sappy mushy stuff…

I’ll get back on track with another artwork posts soon.

Thanks!

The first look at my new packaging design for Brandt Peters x Kidrobot’s new figure, Dead Bunny.

Dead Bunny is the soulless ringmaster of artist Brandt Peters’ twisted nightmare carnival. Limited to just 200 made worldwide, this 6.5-inch cadaverous cottontail retails for $100 and casts his cold shadow at Kidrobot stores, kidrobot.com, and select retailers on February 4th.

A little sneak peek of a new piece I’m working on. I decided to take a few hours off today and start the new year RIGHT, by working on something for myself.

I’ll post more pics when she’s finished. Stay tuned!

Well, 2010 is nearly here. 2009 has been an interesting roller coaster of a ride for us. Both professionally and personally. I just wanted give a big THANK YOU to our family, friends, our clients, those of you that read this blog, and all those of you who have supported us by purchasing my work. I wish I could thank you all in person to let you know how much your support has meant to me.

Another huge THANK YOU to all of my talented and inspiring friends who push me every day, to not only become a better artist, but also a better man and a better human being.

I hope you all have a blessed and prosperous 2010!

Sorry I’ve been lax on any updates lately. I’ve been UBER-busy and a TON of personal stuff going on as well.

Plus, I sort of wanted to wait for this update to show off the new blog / website combo. Now, my work, blog and shop are all contained in one nice little package for your viewing pleasure!

Let us know what you think!