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5th Annual Roots Picnic Art

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Sat, 05 May 2012 15:20:00 +0000

2 weeks ago, under a strict deadline, I was again picked to create an illustration for The Roots Picnic festival. This year I wanted to focus on the enormity and hierarchy of the band. The Roots, in many respects are the organic and musical backbone of contemporary hip-hop, and I wanted the piece to hint at there importance and longevity. For some reason, I found making them into a totem pole fitting. It was almost like making a shrine, or a myth about The Roots crew. Here are some reference images and sketches.

New Sketches, for New Pieces

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:45:00 +0000

These are snapshots from new sketches I have been working on for a new series of paintings, to be finished during the summer.

1.21 Gigawatts Magazine.

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:02:00 +0000

I am a contributing artist.

Roots Swap

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:52:00 +0000

A few months ago The Roots made a change in bass. Meaning that my image needed to be updated for an upcoming T - Shirt via Okay Player. Here is how that went.

Enter Mark Kelly on Bass...

Exit this guy...

Mark Kelly sketched...

Mark Kelly colored in photoshop...

Mark Kelly printed then painted...

Mark Kelly scanned and placed into position...

Mark Kelly textured, toned and color corrected into place...

Done.

Southern Comfort

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:17:00 +0000

Out of about 100 submissions, I am a top 10 finalist for a painted billboard competition here in Brooklyn sponsored by Southern Comfort's 100 proof beverage product. Here is my submission...

The ideas for the image came from a combination of resources and ideas. Southern Comfort was created by a bartender in New Orleans aka "The Crescent City". New Orleans is also the birthplace of jazz and brass band. I used the elements to create an uplifting illustration for the working class created brand and gritty city.

I bounced around different ideas, here are some sketches...

There will be voting via twitter and facebook soon... I could use the help friends! There will be an event next week January 18th at The Knitting Factory in Williamsburg with special drinks, music, and art... for more info click here.

"Nice to Meet You" Sketches

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:41:00 +0000

Nice to Meet You - Acrylic on Canvas w/ Buttons - 2011 - 30 x 40in

In The Studio - Video by Brad Ogbonna

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:15:00 +0000

John P. Dessereau from bradley Ogbonna on Vimeo.

See more work by Brad here.

Talk Shit

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 02:59:00 +0000

There was just too much of me that could not resist making a piece about people just talking, and talking and talking and talking...

Sketch 1:

Sketch 2:

Sketch 3:

Sketch 4:

and talking...

Talk Shit - Acrylic on Wood - 2011 - 24 x 18in

Details:

Roots + Okay Player + Rocksmith Tees

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 01:52:00 +0000

Last summer, I had the pleasure of meeting random people with my painting across there chest. This was in Philly at the 4th Annual Roots Picnic, the artwork was commissioned by Okay Player and Rocksmith. Good times.

LOL, Up the Ass

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:02:00 +0000

LOL - Acrylic on Wood - 2011 - 24 x 18in

Up the Ass - Acrylic on Canvas - 2011 - 30 x 40in

Airy Water

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:45:00 +0000

Airy Water - Acrylic on Canvas - 2011 - 66 x 70 in

Nice to Meet You... Hit the Ceiling

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:13:00 +0000

"Nice to Meet You" - 2011 - Acrylic on Canvas with Buttons - 30 x 40in

They want something for nothing. They are your friends when your on top, and strangers when your down.

"The Glass Ceiling" - 2011 - Acrylic on Canvas with Buttons - 30 x 40in

Once we give up on blind ambition, and intangible desires the definition of wealth will change.

Run to Work Mix

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:09:00 +0000

Run to Work Mix by Johnsville

Tracklist:

Changin' - 6th Borough Project
Free To Take Me (NIKKO Blend) - Kingdom (forthcoming)
???
Raise Your Weapon (Stimming Remix) - Deadmau5
Mushrooms (Justin Martin Remix) - Marshall Jefferson vs. Noosa Heads
Ask For - Chllngr
Be The One - Brenmar
???
Are You That Somebody? (Cedaa Remix) - Aaliyah
Sipslow - Mess Kid (forthcoming)
Wooo Riddim (Instrumental) - S-X
Brave (Dark Sky Remix) - Kelis
???
Cool S#@! - Spank Rock

Please share with your friends.

Money Hand for Money in Hand

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 06:03:00 +0000

"Money Hand" 6 x 8in - Acrylic on Board - 2009 - Black Frame

For Sale, email Info@johnpdessereau to enquire. 20% of profit goes to planting tress via The Nature Conservancy. Because it really does grow on trees. Shipping in and out the U.S. no problem, but not included. Negotiable.

It's Been a Long Time...

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:12:00 +0000

I have been spending most of the summer following the news and painting. In July my dear friend and photographer Anita Brathwaite visited me, saw some of my new work and took these photos.

RESCHEDULED: Crusin, July 16th 2011!

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:23:00 +0000

Saturday July 16th, come sail around New York Harbor on the Clipper City Tall Ship, with myself and the ever so talented Jasmine Solano, as your DJ's for the evening. Jasmine and I are super excited that the good folks at Good Peoples, invited us to launch there summer disco cruise series. Cheers Lady Liberty and dance around the New York City skyline.

The Clipper City docks out of Pier 17 by the South Street Seaport

at 11:30pm sharp and sails from 12am - 2:30am.

$20 advanced tickets available here.

Please enjoy and download "Boat Cruise a Mixtape" as a preview;

Boat Cruise 2011 Mix by Johnsville

Tracklist

Gorillaz - Empire Ants (Corporate Edit)

Poolside - Do You Believe

Neil Oliver - Dream On (The Revenge Edit)

The Black Seeds - Mangi Mangi [Wild Bill Rickets]

Yacht - Psychic City (Classixx Remix)

Sade - Hang On To Your Love (Matthew Kyle For Love Mix)

Homework - Lenny

Cesaria Evora - Angola (Carl Craig Remix) [Lulu Rouge Edit]

Chic - I Want Your Love (Todd Terje Edit)

Hercules & Love Affair - Painted Eyes (Original Mix)

G.Q. - Lies

Phonique - For The Time Being [Feat. Erlend Oye]

The Weeknd - What You Need (Adam Port Edit)

From the Sketch Book

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 03:51:00 +0000

The Paper City

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 22:26:00 +0000

The Paper City - 2011 - Acrylic on Paper - 22in x 22in

To attempt to explain this painting in a written format is going to be difficult. It is a collection on thoughts I have been wresting with over the last month or so. This piece is not an attempt to explain those thoughts to you, but rather a exercise to understand how I am feeling, for me.

I feel that all implications are that The United States was once a great nation of ideas and inventors. We have always "hoorayed" about achievements and have made better attempts to merge interest with innovation. If going to the moon was a big FU to the world in idea, we still went up there.

Monumental issues are gaining momentum only second to personal interest. the idea of "getting mine" is tearing us apart, as a generation. It is like we are a bunch of blind "men" trying to build a city out of the paper of our interest and not minding the values of the people before us. Do those men on our money mean anything? Were they the same? I just do not know if the leap into the future is disregarding a selfish past or reflecting on a great ideology that once was.

Sketch 1:

Sketch 2:

Sketch 3:

4 Annual Roots Picnic Posters!

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 17:20:00 +0000

Today I will be spending the day signing 150 4th Annual Roots Picnic posters. The posters will be available via Okayplayer soon. Thanks again to The Roots and my friends at Okayplayer.

Be sure to get your tickets, here

Also, sign up for Okayplayer's email list for a chance to win a special limited edition poster, signed by both The Roots and myself.

Roots Picnic 2011 Part 3 - Finish

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Thu, 05 May 2011 01:54:00 +0000

After having about a month and a half worth of work not make the cut, I was empty handed and facing a deadline. The artwork for the festival needed to go in an entire different direction, fast. With some helpful input, I decided to remix 2 paintings I made before.

Dead Businessmen - Acrylic on Board - 2009 - 7 x 7.5 in

Dead Businessmen 2 - Acrylic on Canvas - 2010 - 70 x 70 in
The interesting bit about these pieces is that they were remixed by me already. I sampled Fernando Botero.

Fernando Botero - Dead Bishops - 1958 - Oil on Canvas

This is how the process went...

Roots Picnic 2011 Part 2 - The Failed Attempt

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Mon, 02 May 2011 22:20:00 +0000

This is the rejected flyer, with sketches for this years Roots Picnic. I was attempting to make a bank note inspired image. It was a ton of text that I could not handle in a coherent manner. It was a great exercise although and a learning lesson about playing ones proper lane.

More about the finished version soon, but here is a tease...

Roots Picnic 2011 Part 1 - The Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 03:46:00 +0000

It has been a distinct pleasure to be doing the artwork for this years Roots Picnic Festival this summer. This is the announcement flyer. I had 48 hours to create it kick off the festival.

These are sketches...

I am currently working on the official work. More to come.

Warren G and Nate Dogg - Regulators

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 02:13:00 +0000

R.I.P. Nate Dogg. Strangely enough Nate passed while in the mist of me working on this commission. I submitted it as a T Shirt design that unfortunately did not make the cut. I think it is a pretty funny cartoon anyway. I did however submit other works that were picked for the project I can discuss in better detail later.

This is the entire song "Regulators" as a comic strip.

Here is a little help for those who might not be familiar...

Bummed...

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:43:00 +0000

Late last year I had the privilege of getting really frustrated about a girl. I decided to dig deep about it.

All better now.

Power

noreply@blogger.com (John(sville)) — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 05:47:00 +0000

This painting took over 3 months to complete. Many things were different then.

Power - Acrylic on Canvas, 60in x 60in, 2010 - 2011
Photo: Brock Fetch