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

WINGED KING - Oscars 2011!

The 2011 Academy Awards Best Picture Nominees!

Black Swan, Toy Story 3, The Kids Are All Right, The Fighter, 127 Hours, The King's Speech, The Social Network, Inception, Winter's Bone & True Grit all represented.

Last year I did a whole character for each movie seen here [link] but this year I got this image in my head and had to do it, a winged robot DiCaprio with boxer arms etc....

Who do you think should win? My vote goes to TRUE GRIT! (Just saw it Monday night so I guess it's fresh in my head) Jeff Bridges is the BEST. Actually no, Black Swan, or Inception... 127 Hrs. was really original, Danny Boyle is quite a director. Thought all the ones I saw were fantastic, didn't see The Fighter or The King's Speech, but heard they were great as well. And of course TS3 was glorious.

Whatever happens Sunday night at the Oscars, Hans Zimmer has to win for Best Score for INCEPTION. It's so beautiful and epic, listen to the live version on Youtube here.

Part One
[link]
Part Two
[link]

Here's a screenshot of all the files I used in creating this image. Sketches, references, in-progress, the works, it's all there!

ABSTRACT McQuade

I approach these like they are landscapes - large spaces, strange environments, John Ford-esque cinematography of distant lands. Atmospheric and emotional, each one has it's own epic to tell.

Got a tad sidetracked this week but usually that's a good thing and, in this case, I think it was. In my search for some texture for digital paintings I decided to create my own. I did a series of little abstract paintings. All are roughly 5x8'' done with watercolor & gouache.

I have a natural inclination to do this kind of work, always have ever since I can remember, scribbling swirls and such on the margins. This past year has been about honing other parts of my skill set, but I will always return to doing abstract imagery. Very freeing for me, using other parts of the brain. Click on em to blow them up bigger.

Blue Valley

detail

Before/Attack

detail

PIGS

detail

Path/To

detail

I did a series of large scale work back in the day and cant wait to return to that size, but for now this will have to scratch the itch. I am going to be compiling all of the best work I have done in this vein over the years and creating a separate website for it soon.

Johnny Bennett 2011

Here's an updated version of my Johnny Bennett portrait,
now with 100% more LENS FLARE!

Check his new vid and song below
HOTNESS!!!!!
Available at iTunes

MUBARAK, The Pharaoh of Egypt

- Click to Enlarge -

MUBARAK!
Give it up, old man. It's over.

This is part illustration/part photo collage. I took some riot scenes and combined em in Photoshop. I guess I could have drawn and painted all those people but YIKES! that woulda hurt & time was of the essence. Wanted to post today. This works really well I think though, I like the combo.

The two below are straight digital paintings.

Makeshift Triage in Tahiri Square, Cairo
Partially referenced from an uncredited photo I found on the Huffington Post.

Referenced from an uncredited photo I found on the Huffington Post.

Ok, this is the Final, Part 4. Changed the upper right hand and a couple spots.

These images are in support of the people of Egypt in their revolution for freedom and democracy. NEVER GIVE UP!

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."
-- Mahatma Gandhi

Revolution in Cairo, Part 3 - The Final! (NOT)

- click to enlarge -

(UPDATED - Not the Final - See above post)

Here's the finished painting... for now. Need to move on to other work. It's a bit looser stylistically than usual, but I'm cool with that. It think it captures the moment and that's all I wanted to do. Will probably tweak it here and there. Will re-post if any significant changes takes place.

May the sun shine on the people of Egypt in this uncertain hour. I hope their transition to a democracy is completed quickly and without bloodshed.