DJ Dancing!

Here's a couple of images I did for fun recently. Wanted to experiment with lighting. The bottom one is actually an updated, colorized version of a comic panel from "Freedomland NYC", the series I did for the SciFi (oops SyFy) Channel back in the day. I love illustrating anything involving music, look for more in the future.

Japanese Snow Monkey Drinking Hot Tea (Proceeds to Japan RED CROSS)

Last November, I got this image of a Japanese snow monkey drinking a cup of tea in my head and I had to paint it. Had such fun doing so that I figured a series was in order and plotted out two others. The original idea was inspired by international superstar illustrator Aaron Meshon's "French Onsen" painting, the one where a Japanese bulldog is sitting outdoors enjoying a steam bath. So cool. That got me thinking and the above paintings were the results. Thanks Aaron!

I've spent the last couple months setting up a print shop and retooling my portfolio and website. I purchased the best printer I've ever had a month ago, a Canon Pro9000 Mark II that prints up to 13x19" and uses 8 dye color inks. Really spectacular quality.

Last Wednesday, I relaunched my Etsy shop online with a whole slew of new prints, including the Japanese snow monkeys and on Friday morning disaster struck in Japan. I actually met up with Aaron that afternoon to talk shop about the illustration biz. He's been really helpful and supportive of my work since we met at the Nuts-n-Bolts Conference last year at The Society of Illustrators. His wife and family is from Japan so we talked about it for awhile, thank God everybody was ok. Then he launched an Etsy shop over the weekend and decided to donate all sales from that French Onsen painting I mentioned from before, seen here.

As a result, and once again inspired by Aaron, I've decided to do the same with the above top 2 prints. I guess it just felt wrong to, at this moment, be selling, for profit, imagery to that is so unique to Japan in their time of need. It was a sign, the universe talking.

Hence, proceeds to the Japanese Red Cross. That's the personal back story. Below is the official release.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69737120/japanese-snow-monkey-drinking-hot-tea

http://www.etsy.com/listing/69738323/japanese-snow-monkey-drinking-hot-tea-2

Japanese Snow Monkey Prints - 30$, plus S&H. Edition of 100. 11" x 17" for easy framing. Printed on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 310 gsm heavy stock paper with Archival Inks. Signed, packed, and shipped by Patrick McQuade.

Nothing beats a hot cup of tea when it's cold out, even if you're a macaque.

See Shop Announcements for further details. Smaller and larger sizes available.

***PLEASE NOTE: 100% of profits after cost will be donated to the JAPANESE RED CROSS or other Japanese disaster relief agency.***

Buy prints, help Japan!
Please help me spread the word if you would. Share it around the web.

The BOWERY RIOTS!!!

Giving a face lift to some previous illustrations. This one has come a long way since my first pass in 2009. I think I've leveled up, video game style, in the past couple months. Got a lot of work docked and ready to post. Be on the lookout!

"The spirit, soul, and energy of the Speakeasy are vibrant in New York City’s The Bowery Riots. With a “for the people” passion and strong political interest, the sextet plays an incredibly eclectic mix of punk, soul, and rock and roll. Heavily routed in the turn of the 2oth century and the hustle of the big city, The Bowery Riots are a unique amalgamation of sound and style. Their songs are filled with garage rock influence, mixing in three part female/male harmonies, horns, and harmonicas for a riotous good time." - EXPLODING IN SOUND

Here's an illustration of The Bowery Riots, a band that my friend TJ is in. I promised him an illustration a while back and figured it was time to deliver. TJ's a good guy. We met a while back playing softball for the Welcome to the Johnson's (JOHNSONS!) in The East Village Softball Association. He is a kick-ass shortstop and a devastating lefty bat, played minor league ball somewheres in fact. Ask him about Oil Can Boyd.

The Riots are really taking off!! See them LIVE. They're great, check 'em out!! Rockin out NYC!

You can listen to The Bowery Riots
here
and facebook 'em here if you'd like.

Oh, also check out Shock and Awesome with TJ and the Tux, a weekly radio on East Village Radio. Politics and rock-n-roll.

CHECK OUT THIS LINK FOR AN UPDATED VERSION of the Illustration!!
HERE