It's Always Sunn...

COMING SOON!

ROYAL FLUSH #7
I illustrated the cover!!!!!!!

The main link to pre-order the book is here… SUPPORT THE SCENE MAN!
http://royalflushmagazine.com/merch/

I'll be at New York Comic Con • October 8-10 • Jacob Javits Center
Booth #646 – come say hi and meet the gang, as well as Mad legend, Al Jaffee and get a special Royal Flush Fold-IN poster!!
This is your first chance to buy the book in person and meet the whole team!

TALES of WOE by John Reed

updated march 2011 - digital version of "A Trunk of Vengeance"

"It feels good in my hands, heavy, shaped. Small and black, tight. Like an airport-hotel room bible..." - Shathley Q, PopMatters


Tales of Woe by John Reed came out last week. The "airport-hotel room bible" description is spot-on. That's what it feels like, a hardbound testament to this world's twisted cruelty. I don't think there will ever be a more horrible collection of true life horror stories. Well, perhaps there will be one day - the sequel? - but it will never be this beautifully illustrated. Tales of Woe! Damn, it's finally here. Sometimes, I didn't think it would make it to the bookshelves,. I did these illustrations back in the spring/summer of 2008. There was a big delay in the printing because of the economy and because it didn't comply with Chinese decency law, so it had to be printed in Singapore.

"Sin, suffering, redemption.
That's the movie, the front page news, that's the story
of popular culture - of American culture.
A ray of hope. A comeuppance. An all-for-the-best.
That it'll all work out in the end, that people get what they deserve.

THE FACT:
Sometimes people suffer for no reason.
No sin, no redemption.
Just suffering, suffering, suffering."

Powerful, disturbing and unforgettably painful.”
—Calvin Reid, Publisher’s Weekly

Here are the illustrations I created for the book. Glimpses of the horrors that await you... Head on down to Barnes & Noble or Borders,and pick up a copy to see the rest of 'em!

In fact all of the artists involved deserve a shout out! 8Pussy, Elisabeth Alba, Delia Gable, Chadwick Whitehead, Michele Witchipoo, Alex Warble, Ralph Neise, Sarah Oleksy, Walter Einenkel, Stephane Blanquet, myself, and Kiki Jones. Click on their names to visit their website.

I know all the artists, most of all the author John Reed, had a tough time bringing this book to you. Interestingly, the book was born out of a lunch-in with an editor who thought THIS was the idea that would get people's attention, that this was a book they'd want to print and put money behind. (Click here to read an interview with John.) Because pain and controversy sells and gets headlines. Because we love hearing scary tales around the campfire.

www.talesofwoe.com

"Tales of Woe is nearly two hundred pages of strange and twisted tragedy without even the slightest inclination to serve up a single happy ending. It’s a sickening look at the horrors of real life from around the globe, and while I’m hesitant to recommend it, I have a feeling I pretty much just have." - Marc Patterson, Brutal As Hell

Check it out on Amazon.

Dr. Broccoli

Once in a lifetime, there is a show so powerful, so incredible that it moves a nation...

Who is Dr. Broccoli?
Where is Dr. Broccoli?

Why is Dr. Broccoli?

All good questions that will be answered in due time. For now though, sit back, relax, flip through your fall calendar, find an open time slot and pencil in an appointment with him. You'll be glad you did.

www.doctorbroccoli.com

Tales of Woe by John Reed - preview

Hey gang! Sneak peak at artwork for a future blog post about my involvement in "Tales of Woe "(MTV Press) by John Reed. It hit bookshelves everywhere on Tuesday. Check out the site www.talesofwoe.com to get a flavor though. INTENSE! Already racking up notoriety and acclaim. It is brutal and unfortunately all true.

PEACE DAY! August 15th, 2010

A couple weeks ago, I was contacted by a mysterious gentleman called Joe Peace. He's organized a movement to take a more active approach in promoting and celebrating peace globally, and specifically on the newly created Peace Day on August 15, 2010, and every year going forward.

His words. "We are aware of the United Nations Peace day on 9/21, and we support Celebration of this day as well. It is a noble cause. However, the United Nations still remains a Political body, that has made some Political decisions that not all individuals may agree with. Secondly the United Nations has a, "Peace Keeping Force" they have tanks, guns, and other weapons. We recognize that these may be needed for defense purposes, however we feel that using Force to establish Peace....is like shouting for silence."


He was interested in my artwork and asked me to design a poster for the day and create a cartoon character. I was totally game. The peace sign has been use in every way imaginable over the decades. I sketched a peace sign as a radiating sun and thought it was perfect. Here's what I came up with.

Check out the site below for more details. It's really quite an ambitious venture, one that I'm positive will grow and evolve over the coming years. I'm very happy to be part of it's beginnings.

www.peaceday8-15.com

Join now! Invite your friends, spread the word!

Below is some information from the page:

"The purpose for this day is simple. It will be a day for the entire population of the world to serve and celebrate Peace.

This Peace Day is for the People by the People. We do not represent Nations, or Political ideologies. We are simply people joining together to spread Kindness and Peace.

The manner in which individuals choose to partake in this service and celebration is entirely up to each individual. The guidelines are simple. The only requirement is that individuals devote a portion of their day spreading kindness and peace through various acts of charitable service. The second portion of the day (and hopefully well into the night) will simply be a time for individuals to gather together for the purpose of celebrating the power of Peace."

"There is no way to peace; peace is the way." - A.J. Muste

http://www.peaceday8-15.com

THE BOWERY RIOTS!

"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 cool guy, not to mention a kick-ass shortstop and a devastating lefty bat, played minor league ball somewhere. We met back in the day playing softball for the Welcome to the Johnson's (JOHNSONS!) Softball Team, a place I used to tend bar at, in The East Village Softball Association. 2004 was a magical year, we won it all, underdog style. View the trophy on top the The Johnson's refrigerator and get a Pabst. 123 Rivington Street, LES, NYC.

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
Take a listen to DRUGS IN NIGHT TIME CLUBS and the smash single, THE RENT
to get a flavor of their skills and energy.
Facebook 'em here . Myspace 'em here

Oh, also check out Shock and Awesome with TJ and the Tux, a weekly radio on East Village Radio. Politics & ROCK-N-ROLL!

Nuts & Bolts @ The Society of Illustrators

On July 9th & 10th I attended the the wonderful Nuts & Bolts Conference at the Society of Illustrators in NYC, sponsored by 3 x 3 Magazine.

N.C. Wyeth

The event was put together and hosted by Charles Hively. Amongst many other things, Charles is the publisher and design director of 3x3 Magazine and Creative Quarterly. He really cares about illustration and artists and for that, he gets a big thumbs up and my respect. Thank you Charles!

The guest speakers were all fantastic artists. They all gave incredible presentations about their personal journey into the illustration field that were very insightful into the business and about their work.

Aaron Meshon

Steve Tabbutt

Left to Right - Aaron Meshon, Marcos Chin, Steve Tabbutt, Charles Hively, Nora Krug, Chris Buzelli, Sean Qualls and Paul Hoppe. Many, many thanks to them for their generous spirit! Special thanks to Andre da Loba and Nora Krug for taking the time to discuss with me the MFA program at SVA, and to Aaron Meshon for his insight into copyrighting and trademarking.

Nuts & Bolts - Class of 2010! I met a lot of very cool people over the course of the conference that I hope to keep in touch with, but many more I didn't meet that I hope to connect with online. Give a shout out if you stumble upon this!

Me, Charles and my wife Daria at the event's conclusion at Cocktail Hour.

This event was a real kick in the ass, eye-opening in so many ways. Provided me with much hope and inspiration. Thank you all - Onward and upward!

Ladies-N-Gents, Johnny Bennett!

I met Johnny Bennett in L.A. in 2001, back when I was rabble-rousing as lead singer of the infamous Spicy Rizzaks. Hazy & strange days for sure, but even then I could tell he was one cool and talented dude. During your time on the musical circuit, you meet a lot of people, some brilliant, some not so much. The thing is, with Bennett, he's the real deal, got chops. And every time he releases a new album, he proves me right.

His most recent is Gone Missing, a follow up to The Violet Hush. Gone Missing is darker, deeper than anything he's done before. With a bit of luck, it'll be his breakthrough album, and just remember you heard about him here first. The story of how it got made - replete with madness and redemption in the English countryside - is almost as good as the album. Bennett's got a serious ear for melody, a skilled voice and killer lyrics. Bottom line, it's fucking good, harkening back to when musicians actually wrote songs and played instruments. When 12 year girls didn't rule the marketplace, when albums, not singles by reality tv show contestants, got the headlines. God bless Johnny Bennett. Rock on brother!

For more about Mr. Bennett, his music and up-coming tour dates, check out his website at www.johnny-bennett.com