Ana Benaroya

Rejected drawings + drawing drawings

2012-01-29T18:55:00.000-08:00

Below are some rejected drawings for previous illustration jobs...and some drawings that were just for fun. I think they are still pretty good in their own right even if they weren't chosen for publication! Enjoy :)

NYT Op-Ed - ANXIETY

2012-01-29T08:02:00.000-08:00

I completed this illustration for the New York Times Op-Ed section this past week. It was for a special column that focuses on anxiety...and the particular woman who wrote this autobiographical column suffers from some SERIOUS anxiety. I got anxious just reading it!

Read it HERE!

I've been working on a large illustration assignment for a magazine...nearing completion. I'll post it up here in the next week! So keep an eye out :)

new painting

2012-01-13T06:37:00.001-08:00

This painting was inspired by a girl I saw in a meeting I went to. She had the most unique face and body and I just had to document it...so I made a tiny little thumbnail sketch from life and then went home and created this (exaggerated) version of her. It's always interesting to me when inspiration will hit...it comes so randomly and unexpectedly...but it's very exciting when it happens.

This is gouache on neon poster board.

Glass Face

2012-01-12T19:45:00.000-08:00

Acrylic and gouache on tracing paper.

Limited edition Prefuse 72 poster

2012-01-09T16:28:00.000-08:00

I printed up a limited edition Prefuse 73 poster I designed a while ago. Grab one before they are gone!

18" x 24" 3-color screenprint of 2007 Prefuse 73, School of Seven Bells, and Blank Blue concert at the Ottobar in Baltimore, MD.

Signed Limited edition of 40.
Printed on French Smart White 130 lb cover stock.

BUY HERE.

NYT Townies - Dive Bar Edition

2011-12-29T12:18:00.001-08:00

Here's another illustration I recently completed for the Townies section of the NYT. This time the story was about a little girl and her father and a dive bar in Queens. Some really great characters in this story...makes me wish this bar was still around because I'd want to go check it out!

Click here to read the story.

The red faced businessman

2011-12-20T05:09:00.000-08:00

There was a red faced businessman who walked past my window every morning on his way to work. His eyes would always be fixed to the pavement in front of him and his slick black hair would shine, even in the winter. I'd wonder, how does he get his face to be so red? Maybe he was born from a mother with a fiery temper. Or maybe his father was an Olympic champion underwater breath-holder. I never would get my answer.

He'd always wear the same drab grey coat with the same drab grey pants. They only emphasized the brightness of his face. I'd drink my coffee and stare out the window and hope that one day he would look up and see me. For some reason I believed if we made eye contact, I'd come to a revelation.

happy holidays!

2011-12-16T12:54:00.000-08:00

Get ready to cELEbRaTEEEEEEE.

NY Times illo - Townies

2011-12-15T06:56:00.000-08:00

I recently completed this illustration for The NY Times for their Townies section (exclusively online). This particular section features stories from New Yorkers who write about their experiences living in NYC. The story I illustrated was about this woman who grew up in the Lower East Side with artist parents, and was surrounded by the squalor that was the LES. She later went to a private school in the Upper East Side and longed to fit in with the culture uptown...but eventually came back to Lower Manhatten, realizing the UES was a bit boring!

The article was well written and provided a lot of great imagery for my illustration...though I have to say I didn't sympathize too much with the author...I WISH I could afford to live in any part of Manhattan...and wish I had the luxury of giving up a rent stabilized apartment, haha. Either way...I recommend reading the article! Click here for a link.

Seattle Weekly cover

2011-12-14T18:44:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite clients to work with, Seattle Weekly, asked me to create the cover for this weeks issue. The feature article is actually a series of articles...each author talks about their favorite CD and how that artist (and that CD in particular) changed their lives.

The art director wanted the cover to look like a high school student's (or young adult's) notebook...decorated with random sketches and words...and ink stains. I never really approached a finished illustration like this and it was very enjoyable! I'm sure this will affect my future work.

Anyways, enjoy!

Weekend drawings

2011-12-04T19:22:00.000-08:00

Did these for fun with my friends this weekend. We all gave ourselves a challenge: to draw what one of the other people usually draws, and to add a "punk" theme to it. I was given the challenge of drawing punk creatures...since my friend Marina usually draws creatures. She had to draw, sexy punk women (my friend Ahu usually draws women) - while Ahu had to draw punk muscular men (something I usually draw). Confusing, maybe...but fun!! I think we came up with some pretty cool results. Below, are mine.

Society of Illustrators 54

2011-12-01T13:11:00.000-08:00

I'm a little late in announcing this, but my Cotton Club Revival poster for Lincoln Center was accepted into the SOI 54 Advertising show!!! I'm super excited to get this piece in and to attend the show in March! Hopefully I'll see some of you there. :)

doodles

2011-11-30T19:52:00.000-08:00

I did these today for fun...I like how they came out!

A buncha new stuff!!

2011-11-28T12:38:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the long delay between updates...been super busy between the holidays and some new jobs! Below is a personal piece (the one with the cat) - a piece for a biking magazine, and a number of spots for an article on cereals that failed once put in the market.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!

The Cloudy Collections 2012 Calendar of Impending Apocalypse

2011-11-07T19:16:00.000-08:00

This is my contribution to The Cloudy Collections freshly released calendar. It's a collection of 12 3-color screen prints, one for each month. I got to do my birth-month: March! I hope you enjoy my take on the end of the world :)

To see the rest of the collection and/or purchase it, click here.

Fab.com Pop-up Shop

2011-10-30T20:02:00.000-07:00

I designed this t-shirt for Fab.com's first Pop-Up Shop. The theme for the collection was "BRIGHT" and this is what I came up with!

Insanity

2011-10-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

Made this crazy drawing last week...spans across three 8.5" x 11" sheets of paper. The whole drawing started with the cat on the left and just kept expanding to the right...I didn't plan anything ahead of time or have any pencil under-drawing. I definitely want to make more work like this!

Dirty Durty Diary

2011-10-19T20:06:00.000-07:00

I did this series of comedian portraits for The Dirty Durty Diary, a high-end/luxury/fashion/art/lifestyle magazine. Their most recent issue was all about comedy, so I was asked to create portraits of some of the featured funnymen and funnywomen. I don't ever really listen to stand up comedy, but for this assignment I thought I should probably hear some of their jokes before I went ahead and drew them...and I actually really enjoyed it! Bill Hicks was my favorite....his little bit on marketing is too good not to share:

JC HALLOWEEN GRAVEYARD PARTY!

2011-10-13T07:46:00.000-07:00

I designed this image to be used both as a flyer and a graphic for a totebag for the upcoming party/concert in Harsimus Graveyard in Jersey City! Bands will be performing as other bands and there will be food and general creepiness!! I really really have been wanting a leather jacket with spikes and studs and patches...if anyone knows of a good place to get one, let me know. I've considered making one myself but I don't trust myself not to destroy a leather jacket.

Murakami Competition

2011-10-10T10:41:00.000-07:00

NOWNESS.com is having a competition to illustrate any one of Haruki Murakami's books or short stories...which is super exciting for me since he is one of my favorite authors. I chose his short story, "On seeing the 100% perfect girl one beautiful April morning." I submitted the drawing directly below, although did the first one kinda as an experiment/study. That one was done completely on the iPad...something difficult for me, but very fun. If you are curious to read the story, click here.

Yellow Bird Project

2011-10-06T15:27:00.000-07:00

I designed this t-shirt graphic for the Yellow Bird Project, a charity that invites bands to design/sell t-shirts and have the proceeds go to a cause of their choice. This time around they are asking illustrators to design tees and the proceeds will got to the Yellow Bird Project, so they can keep afloat and allow these charities to keep getting $$ from their other tees. When it's up for sale I'll re-post and let you guys know! :) For now, enjoy.

Chalkboard at Satis

2011-09-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

I was given the opportunity to design and hand-letter a giant chalkboard at a local restaurant in Jersey City called, Satis. It's a European bistro that serves fancy foods in a somewhat casual setting. When I spoke to the owner, he wanted to have a bunch of Latin phrases up on the wall instead of a menu, so customers could read and inquire and have a discussion about it. This is my first time doing a job like this, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. This chalkboard was huge - about 9 feet by 5 feet and at least 6 feet off the ground. So the majority of it had to be done while standing on a ladder...much more difficult than I expected. I have so much more respect for any artists who do ceiling paintings or murals...it is so physically exhausting and hard to reach places! Anyways, I am pretty proud of how it came out and that I was able to fit everything in the space without too much planning. Enjoy! :)

Love on the Run

2011-09-22T22:11:00.000-07:00

Recently I was asked by a friend to design a cover to a book they wrote (her name is not Elizabeth Cole, if you are wondering). The story is a romance/mystery/suspense novel of sorts that takes place in the midwestern/desert. I tried going for a woodcut effect with this drawing...

SCREENSHOT!

2011-09-20T07:15:00.001-07:00

I don't know why but I love when people take screenshots of their computer screens and share them. I feel like it's a peek into their diary or something...but obviously not as personal. Maybe I'll start taking more screenshots...

Depression

2011-09-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

I recently did this piece for the Globe & Mail on a write up about depression. In the wake of the two suicides of Canadian hockey players, the writer spoke of her own experience with depression and how it should be taken seriously as a real disease and not viewed as a sign of weakness. It was really well written and heartfelt... read the article here.

Tattoo Design

2011-09-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

I designed this tattoo for another Ana who lives in Brazil. She told me she wanted an astronaut alongside some lyrics from the song, below. I am honored that she would want a tattoo designed by me...and cannot wait to see photographs!

Red Hot Chili Peppers

2011-09-07T07:04:00.000-07:00

I proposed these two designs for the Red Hot Chili Pepper's performance at the MTV EMA Awards. Sadly, these did not make it past the presentation, and they decided to go with a photo ad (booooooooorrrrrinnnnggggggggggg). When are people going to realize that illustration is a million times more interesting than photography?!? Haha anyways...enjoy!

In the Name of Love

2011-09-04T19:20:00.001-07:00

goache painting on neon pink paper. wasn't able to color match the scan exactly...much more vibrant in real life.

UNION SQUARE TOMORROW

2011-09-02T18:57:00.001-07:00

Come stop by Union Square in NYC tomorrow where my friend, Ahu Sulker, and I will be selling copies of Egg on Bread for $3, along with some original work! Hope to see you there :)

Bittersweet

2011-09-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

Here are two pieces I made recently just for fun...I made them about a month or two apart but I think they have some similarities and make sense together. Also wanted to share a video/song I recently discovered and love! Watch it below.

The Art of Science

2011-08-30T08:21:00.001-07:00

I was asked by Julia Rothman to contribute to her upcoming book, The Art of Science, where illustrators are paired with scientists to help answer questions the common person might have about the way the world works!

I illustrated the question, "What happens to time as it approaches the speed of light?" - and the question itself was answered by my dad! A fun little collaboration. I still don't quite understand the answer...but basically it seems that time will get quicker as you approach the speed of light, but only from the point of view of an observer from Earth. So, time will always seem to pass at the same rate to the traveller, but back on Earth time will be going much more quickly. Or something like that.

Anyways...enjoy!

Coca Cola

2011-08-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

painting in progress

Sale at Fab.com!

2011-08-22T05:35:00.001-07:00

For the next two days prints and originals of my work are available on Fab.com!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!!

The Stranger - Music & Books

2011-08-19T08:32:00.001-07:00

This was a little illo I did for The Stranger. The article was about a concert where musicians were invited to perform songs inspired by books.

The Day to Day

2011-08-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

Goache on neon paper.

Posters with Jazz at Lincoln Center

2011-08-19T06:39:00.000-07:00

So I had the honor of working with Jazz at Lincoln Center on a series of exploratory posters for some of their younger concert series. I'm still working with them on another project as we try and figure out the proper style and technique that I should use for this particular market. It's an interesting process since there are many departments involved, so I've been forced to think about markets and age-groups in a way I never have to with editorial work.

Day at the studio

2011-08-02T12:06:00.000-07:00

Honey, Loving You is the Greatest Thing

2011-07-25T18:47:00.001-07:00

Been really enjoying Spotify recently...I'm kinda overwhelmed with all this music suddenly available to me!! First thing I did was make one giant Belle & Sebastian playlist and started listening through the whole thing...it's been a while since I listened to all their albums. They are probably my favorite band of all time...

I started drawing this while listening and then suddenly heard the lyrics "honey, loving you is the greatest thing" and it seemed very fitting for the drawing...so I added that in. The music video to the song is below.

Urban Outfitters Moodiness

2011-07-20T18:26:00.001-07:00

This is a mixed media collage...using goache, acrylic ink, printed type, and cut out photos from Urban Outfitters most recent catalog. Somehow I got onto their mailing list and they sent me one in the mail...and it inspired me to create this moody hipster collage.

Dapper Man

2011-07-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

This was done with goache and painted on neon orange paper.

I've been thinking a lot of men's suits recently and fantasizing about being able to create really funky colorful ones (which a woman could wear and would be flattering on). Sadly, I don't know anything about sewing or clothing-making, so I resorted to painting one.

Even though I'm a woman, I'm far more obsessed with men's fashion and always wish I could wear most of the men's clothing I see. I don't just because I enjoy wearing well-fitted clothing and obviously none of it comes in my size. Although, I have to admit, I love the women's clothing that I saw in the Alexander McQueen exhibit at the Met (I went twice). In particular I loved the body suits/armors and jackets he created. Below are a couple of my favorites (pictures taken from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's website). I WISH I could wear this stuff...and I wish this kinda stuff was available to regular people like me.

I realized what I love about how McQueen dressed women was that he did not sexualize them or try to make them beautiful. The women who wore his clothing looked powerful and sometimes even ugly...I couldn't help but view them as a real people (as opposed to a beautiful object, to be lusted after).

I felt very emotional looking at his clothing..and incredibly sad, thinking about how he is no longer here to make anymore.

First day in my new studio!

2011-07-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

Spent some time in my new studio yesterday...it was really relaxing! It's nice cause I don't have my computer there so there are really no distractions...I love being able to hang up multiple pieces at once and go back and forth between working on them. And not having to worry at all about making a mess. Or cleaning up!

Vivian Girls Mixtape Design

2011-07-14T06:24:00.000-07:00

I designed a mixtape cover and interior for a mix tape by the Vivian Girls released by a music magazine. It was really awesome to get to design for a tape...never thought I'd get to do that! My approach to this was to use only type and somehow convery summer fun (which isn't hard considering I usually use really bright colors anyway, haha).

Hopefully I'll get a copy of the tape and then I'll take some photos and post those as well.

PERSIST

2011-07-14T06:17:00.001-07:00

I don't usually post things on my blog that isn't something I created, but I read this letter this morning and just felt like I had to share it! It is by Austin Madison, a Pixar animator (he animated Rex, the green dinosaur in the Toy Story series). It is definitely worth a read, even if you are not an artist, I think his words apply to life in general.

You by Carol Ann Duffy

2011-07-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

A friend shared this poem with me a while ago, and I absolutely loved it. I found out about Carol Ann Duffy's poetry several years ago and became a big fan. I think the simplicity of the words she uses and what she says is so beautiful and perfect.

I've been fixated on writing recently and incorporating that into my artwork, both my own words and the words of others. There is something really therapeutic about it.

Arm Wrestling

2011-07-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

Listening to Ellie Goulding's cover of Your Song and this image came to mind. Did this real quick but I like it.

Nylon GUYS

2011-07-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a portrait I did of Michael Rappaport, the director of the new documentary/film on A Tribe Called Quest. This was probably the most awesome art direction I ever had on a job....I was told just do what I do and don't even bother sending a sketch. I wish more art directors were bold enough to do that! I always believe the best work is done with the least art direction/meddling possible.

I tried to keep the colors masculine and tied them into the colors that A Tribe Called Quest often used (black/red/green). I enjoyed working in texture with my linework in this piece...it is something I will definitely do in the future again.

Hand Lettering

2011-07-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

Doing some experimental hand-writing...and writing. Listening to music and catching bits and pieces of what I hear...change it a bit...mix it up.

Roots n' Blues n' BBQ

2011-07-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

I'm proud to finally present the poster I completed for the 2011 Roots n' Blues n BBQ Festival, which will take place on September 10th and 11th in Columbia, MO. I not only got to design and illustrate this poster, but I was invited to actually attend the festival itself, along with a bunch of friends. I'm really looking forward to going and getting to listen to all the bands I listened to as I drew this poster (as well as eat delicious BBQ food).

There is no job I love more than doing a concert poster...especially when the people I get to work with are super nice. If you're interested, they did a little feature/write-up about me on their website...click here to read it.

new painting

2011-07-07T18:12:00.001-07:00

goache + collage

Summer Myth

2011-07-05T07:16:00.000-07:00

I submitted this to Jillian Tamaki's competition (theme: summer myth)...and ended up being a runner-up! Not bad.

Build me up...

2011-07-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

Some lyrics from my favorite song, Earthquake, off of SSION's new album...available for free download here.

Red Nailz Did

2011-06-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

I did this illustration last week for Canada's Globe and Mail. The story was a short little autobiography about this old woman who always hated her hands and always bite her nails. No matter what she did she could not stop this bad habit...and she was always ashamed of her hands. She would be envious of women with beautiful hands. Hands hands hands!

Finally, by random chance she had to paint her nails red for a play she was in...and she discovered that this made her finally stop biting her nails! AND, even better, she fell in love with her hands and was proud of them.

It was such a genuine, heart-warming story...my little summary does not do it justice.

LGBT Creative Series Interview

2011-06-21T16:24:00.001-07:00

I am proud to be part of a series of interviews on the blog, "The Fox is Black". Bobby Solomon, the creator of the blog, wanted to showcase successful gay creatives in the design and illustration world - to show that gay people aren't only like the ones you see on tv or in parades.

Enjoy the interview by clicking here.

Ooh Ooh

2011-06-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

I painted this a while ago as a present for a friend's birthday. I also bought a frame and painted that as well.
I used goache and india ink.

Who Will Survive In America?

2011-06-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

A new painting in my florescent paper series, also inspired by the lyrics of a song. I feel like I'm getting somewhere with this new technique! I am very excited.

That's Not the Shape of my Heart

2011-06-10T15:37:00.000-07:00

Another goache painting done on florescent paper. Again, inspired by song lyrics. Perhaps this is a theme that will continue.
This is also for sale, inquire if you are interested.

First iPad painting

2011-06-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

Downloaded Brushes for the iPad today and here is my first wonderful little painting entitled, "Creepy Ass Man".

Enjoy!

Wash that Man Right Out of my Hair

2011-06-05T19:17:00.001-07:00

This piece was inspired by a song I heard on the radio today...the words up top are lyrics to the song (as you might have guessed).
I used white gouache and black india ink on florescent yellow paper...unfortunately the neon-ness of the yellow did not scan well.

This piece is for sale - if you are interested, email me.

Bloomberg View

2011-06-02T05:55:00.001-07:00

I did an illustration for Bloomberg View, an online op-ed site entirely separate from the Businessweek magazine. It was pretty exciting to do something that was only going to appear online. The article is by Susan Antilla, who wrote in 2002 a book about the culture of sexual harrassment in the financial world, called "Tales from the Boom Boom Room." This piece is basically a follow up to the book - saying that things have not gotten much better. What a surprise! It's very interesting (and depressing) - but I recommend reading it.

Click here to read the article.

Beard Socks come out of the closet

2011-06-01T19:51:00.001-07:00

Some of you may have guessed it already and some of you may have been totally oblivious...but the truth is now out. Beard Sock came out of the closet tonight and there's no going back. He loves to snuggle up against his own kind. The prickle of another Beard Sock's beard against his face sends shivers up his spine. The good kind.

Love is in the air!! LOVE IS IN THE AIR!!!!!

Life or Death Decisions

2011-06-01T06:34:00.000-07:00

These illustrations accompanied an article about a pilot who managed to land his plane even though he had complete engine failure and could not longer steer his plane. Sadly a good number of the passengers still died in the landing (since he had no breaks), but the lives of many were saved thanks to his ability to think and problem solve, even in a life or death situation like this.

I was happy to be given the opportunity to do some paintings for these illustrations!

Men Eating Fruit

2011-05-26T13:07:00.001-07:00

I recently just self-published a book I wrote and illustrated, "Men Eating Fruit." It is a collection of small goache portraits of nude men eating their favorite fruits (as stated in the title). With each portrait is a short little humorous description of them and their lives.

The whole thing is playful (and a little racy) and done as my first experiment in online publishing. I ordered myself a copy and am pretty satisfied with the quality of the printing and binding! I would definitely recommend Blurb for anyone else interested.

A preview is below and the book can be purchased HERE.

Suburbia

2011-05-25T18:40:00.000-07:00

A new painting I just completed. I've been experimenting with goache recently and slowly liking it more and getting used to it.
I watched a bit of soccer this weekend while eating breakfast and was inspired to create this piece. I think I will draw more soccer players in the future.

If you are interested, this painting is up for sale at my store...click here.

El Fanzine

2011-05-19T19:22:00.000-07:00

This is part of a page layout I designed for El Fanzine, a Mexican publication. The article was entirely in Spanish and all I was told that it was about the street artist Space Invader. For those of you who live in NYC, you probably have noticed some of his pixelated tile-graffiti around the city...I know I have. Sooo...I felt a bit strange about making an illustration based on another artist's work. I wanted to do him justice without having my style be too prominent.

I came up with the idea of doing something abstract, brightly colored, and based on the idea of pixelation and the original game, Space Invaders. Believe it or not this is CMYK so it will print these colors!

This job was a nice break from what I usually do...I love getting to experiment in ways I normally wouldn't. It ends up informing my work and squeezing its way into my everyday vocabulary.

Love Letters

2011-05-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader,

These little spot illustrations are for an upcoming issue of Cicada. I was given pretty much complete creative freedom and decided to do a series of childish love letters. I had fun writing real tiny inside my miniature love letters.

LOVE,
Ana

The Artfuls Interview

2011-05-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

Check out my interview and profile at The Artfuls. I'm loving the design of this website and the color palette/typefaces. While you're there check out the other artists featured!

All Nonsek Words

2011-05-13T11:20:00.001-07:00

All the words from my Nonsek Tees, below.....the babies are my favorite.

Nonsek Remix Tees!

2011-05-09T07:12:00.001-07:00

Here is a project I'm very excited to share...I've been working with Nonsek to create a remixable/customizable set of t-shirts available for purchase. The basic gist is - I created a set of 19 words that are randomly paired up to create funny phrases (below some examples). You can pick exactly what you want or allow the wheel of chance to randomly pick something for you.
The shirts are super affordable and you're getting a personalized shirt! If you're interested, check it out here!

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

2011-04-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

Created these two t-shirt designed for the show, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."
Nice Cans will actually appear in the show, one of the characters will wear it. When I find out the episode I"ll be sure to let you know!

Polish Book Cover Contest

2011-04-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

I designed this book cover for a Polish Book Cover Contest being held by one of my favorite blogs, 50 Watts. The challenge is to take any book you love and make a Polish-version of it. I took "Sputnik Sweetheart" by Haruki Murakami. I'm hoping that my translation of sweetheart is somewhat correct...I just used an online translator. But, I guess better than not translating at all.

If you want to enter the contest, all the info is here.

SF Weekly

2011-04-19T18:07:00.001-07:00

Did this drawing for San Francisco Weekly...about a Dance Festival going on over there this week!

American Illustration 30

2011-04-19T17:01:00.000-07:00

My socks are going to be featured in the American Illustration 30 book!! Woohoo!!

Two More Men Eating Fruit

2011-04-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

Delicious fruit.

Chrysanthemum

2011-04-14T20:38:00.000-07:00

Another tattoo design for a friend!

Fight to the Death

2011-04-13T17:40:00.001-07:00

A painting/collage I completed today.

Man Eating Watermelon

2011-04-11T20:29:00.001-07:00

Actual Objects Spring Collection

2011-04-11T08:47:00.001-07:00

A collection of vector illustrations by me is now available at Actual Objects.
CHECK IT OUT!!!!!

Summer Love

2011-04-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

A fun piece for an arts magazine "Domestic Etch." The upcoming issue has the theme of "Summer" and this was the first thing that popped into my head. Ridiculous and sexy!

Lovely is the Day

2011-04-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

A little experiment...something new. I tried doing some writing and then creating drawings around it.
I enjoyed doing this and will probably do more.

Feathertale Comic

2011-04-02T19:53:00.000-07:00

A new issue of Feathertale just came out and Ahu Sulker and I created a comic collaboration. We co-wrote the story and illustrated the comic...in a sort of "divided in half" way. I wrote and illustrated the first two pages and Ahu wrote and illustrated the second two. We of course discussed and revised each other's halves if we saw something we didn't like.

But anyways, enjoy!

Cut Me in Quadrants, Leave Me in the Corner

2011-04-01T08:16:00.001-07:00

I stayed up late working on this drawing, I got really inspired. The words up top are from an Antony song, "Epilepsy is Dancing" - I think the lyrics are very beautiful. I may decide to color this in the future, but for now, just black and white.

I also recommend watching the documentary on Keith Haring, for those of you who have Netflix. I didn't like it as much as the one on Basquiat, but still very inspiring.

The Night Bus

2011-03-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

Here's a drawing I did last night. I'm working on a series of b&w drawings in the style of a drawing a did a while back called "The Cubicle". I enjoy working in this detailed style every now and then. These drawings are going to be more narrative in nature and more about personal feelings. I hope you enjoy.

In other news, I updated my website with some new work, so check it out if you have some extra time. I not only added stuff to the top, but also within some of the categories...so click around :)

tattoos

2011-03-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

I designed these two tattoos for a friend of mine. I'm going to go with him when he gets them done! :)
So excited!

Interview with The Small Print Review

2011-03-23T14:46:00.001-07:00

I did a little interview with The Small Print Review about the year 2010.
Below is a screenshot and click here to go to the online publication.

Tattooman Framed!

2011-03-20T18:34:00.000-07:00

Someone bought a print from my online store and recently sent me a picture of the frame they put it in...I have to say I LOVE the green color choice! :)

OC Weekly - Fair Games

2011-03-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

This is the cover for this week's issues of OC Weekly, a new client! The article I was given was about a corruption scandal involving the public fair grounds being sold to private investors. Shady things were happening with politicians and local businessmen...the article itself was pretty complicated.

My idea was to draw a poster in the style of a circus/fair poster that had symbols that alluded to things in the cover story. Money exchanging hands came to mind, a ferris wheel, and some of the animals that were showcased at this californian fairgrounds.

One of my friends, Tyler Spangler, in California saw the paper and was nice enough to take a picture! He's an excellent artist in his own right, check his work out here.

Bassnectar

2011-03-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

This project has been going on and off for a while now and finally came to a resolution this weekend! I worked with Bassnectar, a one man electronica-type band to design a poster or album. Initially he had absolutely no art direction and just said he really liked my collage work, which was interesting, because I've never done that sort of work commercially before. I really enjoyed the challenge - and in fact, it was kinda a break for me from drawing!

Anyways, all the bottom images you see here are my attempt at getting something he liked...unsuccessfully. Up top you finally see a poster I designed for his upcoming concer in Denver at the Red Rocks. This is the final approved design. I really enjoyed the process as it was totally different from anything I ever did before.

Crazy Face Tees!

2011-03-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

I created this design a while back but now its back and available for purchase! A British brand, Young Gifted & Slack, printed up two color options, each for men and women. For the mint on black, click here. For white on black, click here.

I have a lot of updates coming...I've just had no time to update my blog!

Scholz & Friends Warsaw

2011-02-24T19:19:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago I was approached by Scholz & Friends Warsaw to work on a project for Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH). They were designing a series of t-shirts with PAH's key phrase: “Ludzie, dzięki którym świat staje się lepszy” [“People, thanks to whom the world becomes better”]. Each t-shirt would have one of the words from this phrase - and I was given at first "lepszy" then "świat." Eventually they decided to have one word per artist - and they used my version of "świat," which means "world".

I can't wait to get some copies of the t-shirt! I'll post pictures when I do.

Collage Collaborations

2011-02-23T19:32:00.000-08:00

I created these collaborations before the master inspirations below, I just haven't had time to scan them all in properly! These were a collaboration with Marina Kharkover - they are mixed media: collage and acrylic ink. You see them in the order that we created them.

Dawning of the Age of Aquarius

Vampires in Heaven

Mongol Conglomerate

Santa's Magic

Master Inspiration

2011-02-22T18:53:00.000-08:00

This past weekend me and my friend Marina Kharkover did some small paintings inspired by master works. I find this is a very fun exercise and if you allow yourself to be lose enough, you get some really interesting results. We both were trying to make original pieces that didn't resemble the originals too closely. The top piece is inspired by "Psyche Receiving the First Kiss of Love" 1798 by Francois Gerard, and the one below that is inspired by "Bathsheba at her Bath" 1654 by Rembrandt.

Seattle Weekly

2011-02-22T18:33:00.000-08:00

I recently completed a cover for Seattle Weekly's annual Spring Arts Guide. I pretty much had free reign over what to draw but then ended up tying the cover into one of the features.

fashion punk

2011-02-06T13:35:00.001-08:00

i was inspired by a photo i saw on a fashion blog i regularly check.

goache paintings

2011-02-06T11:15:00.000-08:00

I recently bought myself some really nice watercolor paper and goache. I've been trying to make myself a better painter so I've been playing around with different mediums - mostly acrylic. I wanted to try goache because it is still opaque like acrylic and quick-drying - so I could paint over anything I didn't like. Anyways, its still pretty difficult haha - here are some of my initial experiments. I'm going to keep going...I'll post my new paintings as I finish them.

Time Out NY

2011-02-01T17:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a small spot I did for Time Out NY this week - on cheap tickets for young people.
I did my best to keep this simple!

2011-01-28T20:00:00.001-08:00

MulttiClique Interview

2011-01-26T13:32:00.000-08:00

I was interviewed by an online magazine MulttiClique in Brazil. I took some screenshots and posted them below. I like how they chose to layout my illustrations. If you speak Portuguese, you'll understand my answers...they translated them from English!

To see the whole magazine, CLICK HERE.

Stickers!!!

2011-01-22T20:43:00.000-08:00

Take a look at these cool stickers I designed for Cafe con Leche - run by Roi y Ines in Mexico! Together they create some amazing artwork. On their site you see they sell their own work and also stickers by a wide variety of illustrators! I was super excited to work with them to create these - you can buy them HERE. When you buy them you support both myself and Cafe con Leche - two good causes, hahah.

Golden Globes

2011-01-18T18:31:00.000-08:00

I tried to draw some portraits while watching the Golden Globes this past Sunday. It was pretty tough, some of the actors/actresses were only on screen for maybe a minute, moving all the while. Not all the people below are recognizable celebrities (some are behind the scenes people) - but you can probably recognize three or four of them (my more successful ones, in terms of getting a likeness).

elvis egghead

2011-01-13T14:01:00.000-08:00

inspired by a photo of elvis....and turned him into an egghead.