Smash That Kraut Sour!

I'm updating the blog shop to include the original 2004 English language Rex Steele: Nazi Smasher trade paperback, which was previously available at www.monkeysuit.com. Monkeysuit is officially shutting down, a sad day indeed. Without Monkeysuit Matt Peters and I probably would have never gotten Rex out there. But I'm hopeful the New York based anthology will make it's triumphant return someday.



The book is 132 pages glorious black and white throughout, published by Monkeysuit press in 2004.
Not very many remain of this edition, and it contains some material that will probably never be reprinted.

Here's what's inside:
"Countdown to Annihilation" The original Rex Steele story that was first published in the anthology Monkeysuit vol. 1 in 1999.



"In the Bosom of Terror" The second Rex Steele story first published in the anthology "The Bride of Monkeysuit" in 2000.
This is the story that was adapted for the animated short film by Alex Woo released in 2004.



"Operation Mother's Day" The Third Rex Steele story originally published in "Viva la Monkeysuit" in 2001.



Quite a rarity, "Menace of the Pinheaded Goons". This story is unique to this volume and has never been reprinted (and possibly never will). Written by Matt Peters, plotted by Matt and myself and illustrated by our very talented friend Stephen DeStefano. This is a faux vintage Rex story found in a fictional archive.



Also unique to this volume is an extensive collection of pin ups, other artists interpretations of Rex Steele. Some of the artists include Bill Wray, Kasu Kibuishi, Ricky Nierva, Mike Wieringo, Dice Tsutsumi, Enrico Casarosa, Jackson Publick, Dean Yeagle, Mark Andrews, Mo Willems and Ronnie del Carmen.



And lastly the volume ends with a section devoted to my sketches and developmental drawings which contains some drawings that are in the French volume and some that are not.



I am hoping to reprint the full color French edition (with it's two additional stories) in English eventually, but at the moment there is no guarantee.

Also, this book will ship from a different location than my pin up books, so I'm afraid combination orders with the other books on my blog will be impossible.

Thanks!

Penny Farthing Part II

As promised, the final.

And the color study.


I'm really enjoying working on colored paper. It's great starting with the mid tone, you can work from mid to light and mid to dark instead of light all the way to dark. And colors are pretty much automatically unified.
I think it's some kind of pastel paper. It tears up easily if I erase but it absorbs color nicely and I can get some really subtle grads on it.

Penny Farthing

I've been working on a sequel to my Le Frou Frou piece lately as a wedding gift for some good friends.

Here are most of my early sketches, my first impressions on the idea.


Here on the right is my final sketch, on the left is the final tight figure drawing.


This is the final comp with all the elements. As well as a shading study.


I've actually finished the piece already but didn't want to post it until the gift was given.
I'll post the finish soon.

Under the Wire

I just managed to finish these two color sketches for the Totoro Forest Project "Forest Hero" tickets. Just in time too, the auction is tomorrow. For those who don't know the highest level or "Hero" level tickets sold for the auction get a copy of the book of the show as well as an original piece of art. Here are some other great examples by Dice Tsutsumi, Ronnie Del Carmen, Enrico Casarosa and Scott Morse.

Calling All Artists ... Come in Artists...

Last year I posted a call to artists who might be interested in donating art to the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society for their yearly art sale fundraiser called "Purr-casso". The turn out was wonderful, artists from all over the world contributed pieces that made a huge difference to these animals lives.

Well another bigger and better Purr-casso is on its way and it's going to need contributions. Here's the details.

DEADLINE FOR ARTWORK: October 25, 2008

Submission details:

Step 1: Email: stutfield@yahoo.com or claytonja@sbcglobal.net
Include the following information:
1. Name/Phone Number
2. Medium (painting, photo, quilt, etc.)
3. Size – approximate
4. Number of items
5. How it will be displayed

Step 2: Mail or deliver artwork to BEBHS--October 25, 2008
Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society
Attn: Cindy Shelby
2700 Ninth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710

Attach to your art work:
1. Your Name
2. Company Name (if applies)
3. Phone Number
4. Address (if applies)
5. Email Address
6. Website
7. Title of piece (if applies)
8. Price of artwork(s)

Portfolio Book:
1 page – 8 ½ x 11
Bio and Photo of artwork
Contact info.
Attach business cards

PLEASE NOTE:
1. Send artwork framed, or in a manner we can easily display to the public.
2. Your art work will be stored in a safe and secured warehouse near the Hollis Street Project.


The event itself, "Purr-casso Art and Craft Gala" will be held on:

Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008
12-4 PM
Hollis Street Project
5900 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA

The event will consist of a silent art auction in addition to a normal craft fair. There will be some great art to be had here, as long as all you artists out there are willing to contribute!

Official info from the Purr-Casso blog:
And some more goodies on Bill Robinson's Blog:

Here's the piece that I contributed to last years show.



This year I'm hoping to do at least a couple.

Totoro Update

Tickets have officially gone on sale for the upcoming Totoro Forest Art Auction Benefit Event to be held at Pixar on September 6th. The price of each ticket includes a copy of the amazing Art of Totoro Forest Book, a $40 value.

Here's the breakdown:
Forest Friend - $100 regular admission + book.
Forest Sponsor - $200 includes admission + book + signed limited edition print
Forest Champion - $300 includes middle VIP live auction seating + book + signed limited edition print + gift certificate to Blowfish Sushi
Forest Hero - $500 includes front VIP live auction seating + book + an original drawing by one of the artists

Tickets are on sale HERE. There are a limited number of tickets so if you're interested act quickly. All proceeds will be donated to the Totoro Forest Foundation!

The shop is open!

Or re-open I should say, to include my new book "Bookplate Betties".
So Belle du Jour, Bookplate Betties as well as the limited edition of Bookplate Betties are all available for purchase here on the blog. You'll find the "add to cart" buttons to the right. Purchases are PayPal only.

I've revamped the shop to make international shipping rate application easier. The shop seems fully functional but if you have any troubles or find a bug let me know.