.

Roots Swap

2012-02-04T18:52:00.008-05:00

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

2012-01-10T13:17:00.009-05:00

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

2011-12-14T19:41:00.005-05:00

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

In The Studio - Video by Brad Ogbonna

2011-11-28T23:15:00.002-05:00

John P. Dessereau from bradley Ogbonna on Vimeo.

See more work by Brad here.

Talk Shit

2011-11-25T21:59:00.009-05:00

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

2011-11-06T20:52:00.005-05:00

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

2011-10-30T18:02:00.001-04:00

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

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

Airy Water

2011-10-26T17:45:00.002-04:00

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

Nice to Meet You... Hit the Ceiling

2011-10-24T00:13:00.004-04:00

"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

2011-10-14T17:09:00.004-04:00

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

2011-09-20T02:03:00.007-04:00

"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...

2011-08-09T15:12:00.006-04:00

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!

2011-06-28T12:23:00.015-04:00

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

2011-06-27T23:51:00.003-04:00

The Paper City

2011-06-17T18:26:00.007-04:00

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!

2011-06-01T13:20:00.004-04:00

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

2011-05-04T21:54:00.020-04:00

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

2011-05-02T18:20:00.006-04:00

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

2011-03-06T22:46:00.006-05:00

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

2011-03-05T21:13:00.000-05:00

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...

2011-02-23T15:43:00.004-05:00

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

2011-02-05T00:47:00.005-05:00

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

Group Show for IHMDJ! Saturday.

2010-12-10T12:26:00.001-05:00

WWW.THEBROOKYLNARTISTPROJECT.COM

In Cycle

2010-11-19T17:18:00.003-05:00

To want something is to continually do that thing until it is proven true. Repetition. By repeating, one improves upon that task.

"Up The Ass, Out the Mouth Sketch"

In this painting I wanted to illustrate the frustration of repetition. What it feels like to run from one place to another within your skill set, chasing that goal. The physical changes and emotional burden.

"Up the Ass Out the Mouth Color Sketch"

This man below is more than running, he is regurgitating himself and his internal frustrations with the daily grind. His tie is his tongue, his watch symbolizes his rush. It is a runners watch not a dress watch. He is surrounded by his golden thoughts and caught in repetition.

"Up the Ass Out the Mouth"
2010, Acrylic on Canvas, 66in x 54in

Photo by Brock Fetch

With Text 2

2010-10-03T17:08:00.006-04:00

"Truth" - 2010 - Acrylic and Watercolor on Board

"Real" - 2010 - Acrylic and Watercolor on Board

"My Tooth" - 2010 - Mixed Media on Board

"High Mom" - 2010 - Mixed Media on Board

Asher Roth

2010-09-24T01:47:00.004-04:00

Much love to my friend Asher Roth for the support. He rocked Brooklyn Bowl last night sporting my Hustle Harder T-shirt for IHMDJ. Asher is a very talented wordsmith that is full of sincere content. He is much more than a college lover. Listen for yourself.

Asher Roth - G.R.I.N.D.

Asher Roth - I'm Eddy

Time and Glory

2010-09-20T23:26:00.010-04:00

The days merge, the nights merge and only time endures. Not as a mathematical element but as a actuality. Time is the only consistency ever. It is guaranteed that everything will change,

all the time.

The only true promise is time, regardless. It is more of a shape with depth than it is linear. It is not a plot. It grows like a plant. The trunk and branches grow up and the unseen roots grow down,

all the time.

Like Jacob in the whale we live in the belly of time. All the struggles, trials, success' and failures. All the people we trust, fail, love and hate. Every man that buys a woman time, and every woman that waste a mans time, exist in time,

all the time.

Productive time is to chase glory. Glory is the result of precious time. Hard times must be banished from your time. For every time someone steals your time, blast them with the might of time well spent. For it is important, time is all we have,

all the time.

with Jah Jah of Ninjasonik

A big thank you to my supportive friends especially Brock Fetch for once again taking amazing photos in my studio.

Much love.

Featured in the New Big Boi and Yelawolf Video

2010-09-02T09:41:00.002-04:00

Swagger

2010-08-30T22:53:00.005-04:00

Here is the cover art to Udachi new single Swagger. When I was asked to illustrate the record, I immediately knew that I wanted to work with the text. The word and letters were too much fun to ignore. I felt Robert Crumb's classic "Keep Truck'n" cartoon below captured the essence of the word. Not to mention a great opportunity to visually remix Crumb. I decided to take shape of the Crumb piece and mold the text into it. Illustrating a confident stride and swagger.

In relationship with the music, the single and the remixes revolve very much around pulse and stride. On some of the tunes the beats per minute go into a double time and change in stride, like a walking pace to a jogging pace perhaps. Check out the tune for yourself here.

Below are 2 variations of the cover that were not selected.

A Decade of Self Portraits

2010-08-11T13:18:00.008-04:00

In July I had a little bit of a reflective period. I was questioning several situations I found myself in. I was unhappy with a handful of interactions I was having with friends, was stressed about money and felt a bit on the outside. The details are unnecessary. I decided it was time to paint a self portrait. Too look at myself. I dug though all my works to find as many self portraits as I could. I pinned them to my studio wall and just looked at them for a few days. When I started painting the newest one, I left the older ones up. Probably one of the most honest moments I have had in a long time.

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Interview for Working Class Magazine

2010-08-02T21:10:00.003-04:00

Click the image above to link to the interview.

With Text

2010-07-23T11:07:00.006-04:00

The biggest criticism I get is that my work is too all over the place. That I have to many styles and that I am not going in a singular direction. I have been told that it will haunt my artistic future, will keep me from getting real recognition and that my work will never be truly defined. If this is true, so be it. I do not move in a singular direction and my ideas come in servings and not in one full course meal. I am not interested in following a rhythm of those before me. When folks say things like "there is nothing new under the sun" or that "everything has been done" they are lying. Furthermore, if my work is not new or original at least my approach is.

Progression is a innovate way to plan, approach, and execute a new idea. People are great at feeding off each others energy, if everyone is standing around saying "the world is going to end" then it probably will. The power of literature, math, science, art and music must be respected and seen as a launching pad to progression. In some of images below I attempted to illustrate that desire to think progressively as I have defined it. In others I simply had fun with popular culture and text.

This fall my good friends at IHMDJ will be releasing some of these drawings on T Shirts.

Edition of 100 Handmade Vinyl Record Covers. Part 2 The Back Side

2010-07-13T00:28:00.009-04:00

Part two of making the Dubbel Dutch record sleeve art was a bit more simple than part one, the front side. For the backside I decided to make a two layer line drawing of clouds into a silk screen.

I find clouds to be very interesting. They are these massive playful nothings that decorate the sky. If the sky were a table the clouds would be a vase with flowers sitting on top. They have so much personality and life, which is strange because they are intangible items. I can spend days watching them inch ever so slowly along. It be cool to follow one around the world.

Anyway, I transferred the drawing onto a screen and hand pressed on each record. I decided to use a bright pink because it balances the purple of the record and the gray of the sleeve. The color also looks like candy which I felt was appropriate for the playful drawing. I thought it help the clouds feel light and youthful.

I enjoyed having all the clouds pined to my wall. I found that guest could just stare at them for long periods of time.

Lastly yet again, I have to thank my friends at Palms Out and photographer Brock Fetch for helping make this project happen.

Edition of 100 Handmade Vinyl Record Covers. Part 1 The Front Side

2010-06-28T23:53:00.014-04:00

Since moving to Brooklyn from The Bronx in 2006, I became a avid follower of Palms Out. They are a fantastic music website and an up-and-coming record label. I had the pleasure of working with them on music ventures in the past, and on art ventures more recently.

One of their artists, Dubbel Dutch, just made a vinyl for his single, "Trollsta". I made the artwork for its digital release a few months back...

Boody B, one of Palms Outs creators, suggested that I make the cover art for each of the 100 pressings of Dubbel Dutch's tune. He and I both agreed that if someone was to buy the record on wax, that person was most likely a true fan and a sincere collector of music. We decided to take it a step further and make each record an individual piece of art. In short, I was handed 100 records and creative control of the project.

I approached the project from two angles; the front and the back. For the front, I wanted to create a surface that was visually beautiful, colorful and textured.

Instinctively, I wanted to create four variations of the A side of the records. Perhaps so that once someone buys the record, he/she only owns a quarter of the full art composition. I was also interested in directing a pattern and a rhythm to the sleeves. I would also use four colors that I felt in the music. I started by painting the original grey-colored sleeves four different colors. 25 were blue, 25 bright green, 25 white, and 25 were left grey. I then interchanged some of the colors by splattering the other three paints over each other.

Next, I took peach house paint and dripped it on the white and the grey sleeves. On the blue and green ones I let the paint free fall onto the sleeves.

Next, I made silk screens of the drawing above. I considered the music and shape of the vinyl, as well as the composition of the record. The record consists of one song and a handful of amazing remixes. I was intrigued by the fact that it was such a unified project. Like hands shaking over and over and over via sound. I made two different screen colors. Lighter green for the dark blue and white background, and deep purple for the grey and green backgrounds.

I have to thank photographer Brock Fetch for taking the time to visit my studio and take the amazing photos in this post and the previous post. This project was very complex and detailed. It integrated music, art, photography, and business in a way I have never before experienced. I enjoyed collaborating with such talented and lateral-thinking people for these records. I will be posting about the B Side of the records soon.

LIAR

2010-06-26T15:30:00.012-04:00

If you look at a "Billiards" sign, in the middle is the word "liar". One day last summer that revaluation inspired me. There is at least one pool-hall in just about every neighborhood in New York City. I could not help but see "liar" everywhere.

One particular sign by Union Square caught my attention. It was like seeing the devil in the face.

This painting is deep. I remember feeling torn about it while making it. At times working on it I felt empowered, as if I was concurring a universal subject. Fighting a social disease. Other times I was flat out depressed. Being miserable and trying to paint perfectly strait lines for the four letter word. Having that image just stare at you is heavy. That is where, I think, this piece is where the piece is beautiful. An ugly word painted in summery neon colors, sour and savory.

I actually painted it twice. I sold the first version to a dear friend that gets the big picture. This is the original below.

The first one has a special charm, but I wanted to make it glow. I readdressed the math in the image and properly sketched it out, and made it happen.

There is nothing worse than being a liar. We have all been one, and will be again at some point in our lives. If you think differently, your lying. It is gross, we do it for business deals, favors, advances, status and whatever else we desire. We lie in our words, actions and even thoughts. In most cases it is to display a desired situation or result. Like the fish dad caught, was more like 6 inches and not as wide as his arms.

Where "liar" really interest me in, is in how it has the power to change perception and mislead inspiration. One would actually think some of these rappers are drug dealers. Or that Republicans and Democrats are in disagreement. Lying is such a powerful force, it is where we loose good friends and make great enemies.

We are being lied to all the time. I am sure I am being lied to right now, I know I am, so are you. Keep your head up, make mends. Honest.

Interview for Love is The Law Magazine

2010-06-18T10:05:00.003-04:00

This great publication based out of London called Love is The Law Magazine interviewed me about 2 of pieces for there "Animals" issue. It will be going to print in London soon, I am not sure if it will make the states. Regardless it was cool to be included.

1. Could you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind the images featured in this Issue of LitL?

Sure, I made both pieces in the winter of 2009. About a year ago. The piece of the horses and the jockeys was a submission to MTA (Mass Transit Association) here in New York City where I am from. They put up illustrations on the train for strap hangers to enjoy. I have yet to hear if they are picking it. The other piece of the older man is Charles Darwin as a gorilla holding a finch that is evolving from an amoeba in the water. I sent that one to National Geographic and have not heard from them also. Go figure.

2. Would you say you subscribed to Darwinism? (natural selection -- Survival of the fittest; evolutionary theory)? What are your thoughts about this?

I am surprised that in 2010 we are still debating this. Evolution is real. Think about why we call them wisdom teeth? Primates have them. When it comes to the idea of "Survival of the fittest" I totally believe in it. Eat or be eaten, and I am hungry.

continued...

Delux Mural

2010-06-05T08:53:00.008-04:00

Over the last two weeks I have been working on a mural at Delux a popular salon in Williamsburg Brooklyn. Talented stylist and dear friend Sabrina Rowe thought it was a good space for me to work and a great way to add to the establishments vibe.

The project was very difficult. The wall was very large, and there was a strict time table. After spending time in the space and meeting the staff I brainstormed ideas. I decided that wanted to take myself out of the picture. Meaning, I wanted to illustrate the energy of the space and not spike my flag in their soil. My solution was to play a cover song. I felt like painting a classic bouquet of flowers with my own twist.

The opening for the mural is tonight around 9:00 pm at Delux on N4th and Roebling St in Brooklyn.

Dobbel Dutch - Trollsta

2010-06-01T19:14:00.002-04:00

The record I did cover art for...

more about it coming soon...

Group Show

2010-05-31T02:27:00.011-04:00

Ninjasonik is hosting an art show, opening June 3rd in Dumbo, based around there vinyl release of "Someone's Gonna Get pregnant." I along with 39 other artist and designers were invited to create a cover for the record. I have seen some of the pieces and I am not surprised that many are amazing.

Here is the press release,

More about the show.

Here is my submission,

I figured most of the submissions would be based around sex, babies, pregnancy. I wanted to add an element of negligence. What is more irresponsible than a pregnant woman smoking?

Photoshoot in The Studio

2010-05-14T04:54:00.010-04:00

I Recently linked up with an amazing photographer named Brock Fetch. I asked him to snap some shots of two of my bigger pieces so I could add them to my website. He went above and beyond the call of duty. Here is what it looked like.

I snapped this one,

The post before this one has some of his photos as well. He is someone to keep on the radar.

No Ceilings

2010-05-04T02:59:00.014-04:00

"No Ceilings" is a painting I finished about two weeks ago. The inspiration behind it came from a few different places.

Firstly, on a frustrated and tipsy night, a horrible headache beat me down. I had some sort of stress migraine. It was tax time, my personal life was exploding, inspiration had left me, my 27th birthday was coming, and had been boozing steadily for a week. I was not on my A game. My head had hit the ceiling. I grabbed a marker and made this crude drawing on my desk before passing out. For the next few weeks, I had no choice but to see the sketch everyday.

A few days later I found an add in a magazine for some dress shoes. I thought the shoes were beautiful and wondered how much they were. I questioned who would wear such nice shoes. I taped the add on my wall. Like the table drawing, I saw it everyday. The shoes became a symbol of wealth and power. I thought about what wealth and power meant. In someway we are all slaves to the two principles.

I wanted to paint the shoes. They were shoes an old rich dude would wear at a golf members brunch, while his employees were slaving in a gray office making him more money. I felt like a boss would wear those shoes. A boss who was in control of many people. We all answer to one or more of those guys in some respect.

With the shoes and sketch fresh in my mind, I then turned to some reference materials. In searching for help I came across, as I usually do, my Keith Haring book. The image below caught my attention. I am pretty sure it is a painting is of a gay orgy, but I internalized it as something else. The piece contained the "little people" I needed to illustrate the crushing power of the boss' shoes.

My next step was to take the three ingredients, stir them in my imagination and draw. I made a few sketches and called it a night.

That night I had dream. I saw the entire sky in a box, just floating in plexiglass. It was both terrifying and beautiful. That next morning it all came together and I started painting "No Ceilings".

Ninjasonik

2010-04-20T21:50:00.003-04:00

I would like to congratulate my friends Ninjasonik on the release of there first major album. Today is a historic day for them and the many people that support them. I know they worked very hard. This painting is titled "Ninjasonik, Everyone is Listening". If they're not they should be. (Click image to enlarge)

Ninjasonik - Daylight Remix

Artwork for Roofeeo

2010-04-11T20:12:00.012-04:00

My good friend Jah aka. Roofeeo is an amazing musician. He plays drums, DJ's, and produces beats. Over the last or month or so I have been creating images for his website, mixtape and events. It has been quite the challenge. I had to make several pieces that incorporate both text and images in a simple coherent way. I wanted to craft a signature style just for the project, thus offering his talents a visual stamp.

I essentially created a font, pallet and portrait for the project. By doing so the text, color and obviously the image collide in one place. The idea being if you think "Roofeeo" you may not just think about him as a musician with your ears, but with your eyes as well. I am sure there will be more Roofeeo related images soon.

Free Download Gyptian - Hold Yuh (Roofeeo)

Social Networking Prints Now Available

2010-03-29T21:43:00.010-04:00

This is an limited edition of 6 high quality lithographs. They are 18 x 24 in, on high quality paper. Each one is hand signed twice and numbered. The framing is Plexiglas and plastic.

Thank you everyone for your continued interest, support and encouragement.

To inquire about purchasing one of these prints please email,

info@johnpdessereau.com

New Black Everything

2010-03-13T02:51:00.004-05:00

All Black Everything - 2010 - Acrylic Paint on Black Paper

Here is the story behind this piece.

When we started the All Black Everything party, I wanted to make sure that the visual information surrounding the party implied eclectic.

So then, I took a hip-hop lyric and crammed it into a typically Rock N' Roll instrument. The piece above is the second version.

A Must See...

2010-03-10T18:30:00.001-05:00

I have not seen it, yet.

Snowscape

2010-03-10T10:35:00.001-05:00

This past week I was commissioned by a friend to do an interpretation of a picture he'd taken upstate - he's heavy into skiing and snowboarding, and found inspiration on the slopes.

At first I had no real feelings about it, nature as a subject is not something I usually paint, but after we talked about the picture a few times, I began to see what he saw…or at least I thought I did. I made some quick sketches, set up a canvas, and started painting. I tried to illustrate the air, the cold, the movement - all the elements I saw in the picture.

I hammered away at the painting non stop for three days, hating and loving it all the way, until finally I took a step back and felt -

It was flat.

So I turned to history, researched a bit. Monet, Picasso, everyone one of my books was torn open looking for inspiration until finally I found guidance from Vincent Van Gogh's painting "Pink Peach Tree in Blossom." (Above) This painting was very similar to the one I was working on in that it was dominated by white, and yet was full of color. I took this, and after several layers, my painting came to life.

In the finishing layers of the piece, I mixed in clear glitter to give the effect of a wintry shine. I finished the piece by framing it in purple.

Bye, bye.

Drawing While Marques and Jah Make Music

2010-02-24T13:15:00.003-05:00

Earlier this winter, I had the pleasure of introducing 2 very good friends who both are incredibly talented musicians. Jah aka. Roofeoo and Marques Toliver. They met up and had a jam session. It was amazing. During that time I look the liberty to sketch a bit. Here is what happened.

Valentines Day

2010-02-12T18:06:00.004-05:00

I have been thinking about love, what it feels like, what it looks like and what it means. I attempted to illustrate it. Enjoy. Happy Valentines Day. (Click to enlarge)

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”

- Mother Teresa

Music Download: Jay Z - Ain't No Love in The Heart of The City (Unplugged) (Ctrl & Click to download)

Sketches, Writings and Photos from Costa Rica

2010-02-06T01:10:00.010-05:00

I was in Costa Rica In late January, to early February, I met some amazing people, saw some amazing sights, heard some amazing sounds, smelled some amazing smells. Here are my notes from the trip. (Click to enlarge images.)

2010-01-07T02:17:00.000-05:00

I finally finished this 6ft square painting I have been working on since Thanksgiving. I took pictures of it throughout the making and stitched it together to make this video. I wanted to add an element of motion to my painting to help draw people in to my process.

One of my biggest issues with painting is that most folks find paintings to be still as apposed to a song, performance, or film which have linear qualities. That critique is also what I love about painting, it has no beginning, middle, or end. To the artist a plot might exist but not to the viewer. Paintings have all those qualities at the same time. I think one major objective of a piece of art is to convey an emotion to the viewer. The stronger the emotion the better the art. That emotion has to come from a sincere place in the artist. Eliminating shock art and hype.

For me, I am very concerned about the current state of our capitalistic culture and worry about how the financial reward system that is in place. Ultimately people should be rewarded for good via pay and not evil. Why are those who find ways to manipulate systems and value rewarded for inhumane actions?

11 for 10: 11 predictions for 2010 and beyond...

2009-12-29T23:07:00.002-05:00

1. Lil Wayne will release a mixtape from jail. He will rap over a dubstep song, and sample tracks from Johnny Cash's live from Folsom Prison album. It will be awesome.

2. Water will be fought over like oil, but the new dollar will be backed by oil to distract us.

3. WebMD will be the public option for the new healthcare reform, the personal "Cadillac" plan will come with a actual Cadillac as an attempt to yet again bail out the audio industry.

4. Gmail will reach it's capacity causing Google to build extra storage space on the moon. North Korea will then "accidentally" nuke the moon for street cred.

5. Kanye West will be jailed after running naked across the South African World Cup field in protest. We will respect him for it.

6. Pfizer will make waking pills to counterbalance the sleeping pill criticism. Then Michael Jackson will return to life in an amazing Thriller performance also featuring the living head of Ted Williams.

7. Keith Richard's will have hip replacement surgery after a drunken Mick Jagger beats him after a show, thus causing public interest and a heavily anticipated Rolling Stones album. The new album will feature Lady Gaga and Pink.

8. President Obama will revert to make decisions by using his trusty "Freedom Quarter." Heads gay marriage, tails legalize marijuana. Gay marriage will win. Fox will then air a special about Lisa Simpson and Meg Griffin eloping.

9. Disney Land Mesopotamia will finally open in the former Pakistan.

10. Governor Schwarzenegger will clean California so well that the law will change so he can run for president in 2012. He will then run against Obama with the campaign slogan "I'll Beat Black" then loose because of it.

11. Besides being able to think for you in several languages the new Iphone will be able to tell the temperature of anything it is pointed at. We will be shocked and confused to find out that surrounding planets have their own global warming.

MJ Illustration Show

2009-12-21T01:14:00.005-05:00

Hey all, I am posting to let you know I have not forgot about you. For the last month I have been working on a very large painting and am very close to finishing it. While you wait check out this compilation of MJ illustrations and reflect on how awful that part of 2009 was.

Hey all, I am posting to let you know I have not forgot about you. For the last month I have been working on a very large painting and am closer to finishing it. While you wait check out this compilation of MJ illustrations.

More here.

New work coming very soon.

The Assembly Line

2009-11-18T01:25:00.005-05:00

The process in which I make work is pretty time consuming and lonely. I all in all paint things in lines. Getting gradation by laying paint lines on top of paint lines. I am not sure if it is the best way, or right way to paint but I could really care less. It is what is coming out of me. As of lately, It has been coming out of me more often and faster. Dare I say obsessive. I made this piece in 2 days and before this piece I made a recreation of the "Social Networking" illustration in 2 parts about 25 times the size. 2 of the four characters from the original piece were made on 2, 3ft by 5ft canvas'. Those pieces took about a week each not including set up.

Those 2 large paintings are up on my site here.

Anyway, here is a little bit on the process of making the Dead Businessmen piece. I already included the original drawing and the concept in the post before this one. So at this point I have a drawing. I then Photoshop the drawing to get an idea of pallet for the painting.

From there I print the now colored sketch and matte medium it down to illustration board and paint, and paint, and paint. Usual 8-9 hours a day with breaks. It is both therapy and touchier. It is both a exploration of the mind, and a mindless trance. That is the best I can explain it.

The story of this image of forsaken businessmen is not finished. I will be making a 6ft version of it this week. I have to. I have the composition, colors, and even brush strokes prepared. These men now have a story and a life. They are both the reason and the victims of there death. There pursuit of power and money both made and broke them. It is happening everyday.

Dead Bishops turned to Dead Businessmen

2009-11-13T19:48:00.005-05:00

I found this great painting in my Botero book a few days ago. It is one of his early paintings of dead bishops piled on top of each other. After studying it for a while I thought it would be great to recreate this piece with my own twist. I sketched out a drawing borrowing the composition but of dead businessmen. Two are smoking cigarettes, one is eating a hamburger, one is holding a pistol and 2 are sporting bullet holes in there heads. I am going to make a painting inspired by Botero's Dead Bishops, the drawing below is the study.

The Work of David Ellis

2009-11-13T18:35:00.000-05:00

Truck from David Ellis on Vimeo.

Hug Life Heart

2009-11-11T15:27:00.003-05:00

I updated my website today and added 3 new pieces. One of these pieces is titled "Hug Life Heart." It is a small painting that I made over the course of 4 weeks. It was not particularly labor intensive but it has just kinda lived in my studio for awhile. The idea came to me after many conversations with Lauren Flax about her Hug Life tattoos. She wants to turn the name into a charity and I took the liberty of contributing.

Hearts have always interested me. I had heart surgery when I was a boy and have always felt some sort of strange special connection with my own heart. I than thought about the difference in shapes from real hearts and hearts you see on hallmark cards. I combined the two and came up with the picture below.

The most important person in contemporary art

2009-11-10T13:14:00.002-05:00

I love The Decapitator

Everyone Likes Random Images Pt.2

2009-11-04T02:58:00.005-05:00

I have been collecting images on my computer for years. I am not sure why I like some of these images, but I do. I also think that all the images have a common ground, but I can not figure out what it is. In any case, enjoy.

Second Greatest Nerd Ever.

2009-10-19T20:42:00.004-04:00

Keith Haring is to cool to be considered a nerd. I have been thinking about doing visuals for parties recently, as a way to incorporate nightlife and visual arts, in ways that are better than open mic nights and paintings in bars.

And yes that is Keith body painting Grace Jones.

Greatest Nerd Ever

2009-10-19T03:39:00.003-04:00

I have been looking at a bunch of Robert Crumb stuff recently, he is pretty amazing and one of my favorite artist. I just found this snippet from an interview on the Internet. I love how he bashes Mick Jaggor and says he hates his music. Pretty hilarious. I just got a book on him and am going to get his new Genesis comic this week. he has this amazing harshness and cold view about the world around him. I really enjoy minds that criticize present circumstance and popular option.

This video is my favorite.

I love this video.

2009-10-12T22:22:00.000-04:00

Old School

2009-10-04T03:30:00.003-04:00

I dug up these drawings I did a few years ago in my studio. I don't know what to think about them. For some reason I wont include them much in anything else but in this form. In other words this "idea" is not duplicated in any other of my work. Strange.

The Climb

2009-10-02T18:16:00.003-04:00

I did this piece in one day. I had been listening and watching the news a few days before. I had felt there was this overall sensation and interest about what the next move is for many Americans in order to climb out of the recession. The word climb had a impact on me. I had wondered where people were climbing too and what would happen if they fell. I wondered if they asked themselves that question. I mean, I ask myself about what my goals and ambitions are all the time. As time goes on I am realizing those goals are less financial and more about quality of life.

Everyone Loves Random Images. Pt.1

2009-09-24T22:43:00.002-04:00

Why Kanye Gets a Pass in My Book...

2009-09-15T19:37:00.005-04:00

Honestly, at first I thought Kanye's antics at the MTV awards was pretty disgusting. It defiantly was in poor taste. Then I saw the Jay Leno interview and looked at his eyes. I remember a time when my grandmother passed and I did not take the time to mourn. I eventually had a total break down.

Like a bad hangover, not dealing with your "shit" (for lack of a better term) will fog your brain and cause drastic behavior. Chances are for Kanye work overshadows personal life. Who cannot relate to being so busy it makes you mad? Who can not relate to avoiding the reality of the death of a loved one?

Moreover, I give Kanye a pass because, the foolishness of his MTV outburst is small potatoes compared to the genus of this outburst. (Which strangely enough Viacom won't let me add to my blog.)

Please follow the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIUzLpO1kxI

Kanye West, single handily changed the course of the Katrina disaster. "George Bush Does Not Care About Black People." That sentence comes out of Kanye's Heart past W. past Sr. and right to the face of openly racist grandfather Prescott Bush.

Perhaps President Obama, who as of lately has been acting like a old white Illuminati "jackass," (sending more troops to Afghanistan) should have kinder words for a artist who's heart and ambitions often reflect the power of the American people, especially the African American community.

Speech is still free. Wake the fuck up people.

Download Purple Crush - Lovelock Down (Kanye West Cover)

Great Video.

2009-09-04T16:14:00.001-04:00

A Taste of The Toast from Michael on Vimeo.

coke on the tip will make a b**** go Numb.

2009-08-31T18:21:00.004-04:00

"Coke on the tip will make a b**** go numb" is probably one of the most insane lyrics I have ever heard. Listen to "Loose" with Spank Rock (depicted above) and Amanda Blank. I had felt that that witty and filthy line summed up the genius of Spank Rock.

Josh Link...

2009-08-26T02:32:00.002-04:00

I have known Josh Link for about 3 years. He was a great man, a great DJ, and a great friend. He loved his girlfriend very much and I did not know a single person who did not like him. I spent a considerable amount of time with him last year but since I slowed down on DJing I kinda lost touch. Unfortunately I will never be able to get back in touch, nor will any of his many friends. Josh Left us yesterday.

Creating Spank Rock

2009-08-17T20:49:00.003-04:00

Here are some sketches of Spank Rock I have been working on.

Reference Materal for Spank Rock Illustration

2009-08-15T16:14:00.002-04:00

I am starting a illustration of Spank Rock, I have been on Google pulling images of his face for the piece. Here are some pictures I found...

MTA, going MY way.

2009-08-11T01:35:00.005-04:00

I have been pretty much just relaxing the last week. I like to call it a stay-cation. I have big plans for the fall and this is essentially the calm before the storm. I have been checking Atrak's blog obsessively to see if he has posted my image of him. Thus far no dice. I have also been waiting on a email from the MTA here in New York City. I have been so up my email's ass I bought an Iphone.

Anyway, A few months ago I got really interested in there "Art Card" program. That is the program that has been putting those really cool art works above the widows inside the subway cars. If you take the subway you know what I am talking about. the newest one looks like...

This one is actually my favorite of the handful I have seen. You can see all of them here. Well, after thinking long and hard I told myself that I was going to see my image on the train. It is the perfect gig for me. I grew up here in the city, have ridden the subway my whole life and I went to art school in the city. I then went ahead and created...

I then emailed it to the director of the program who is very nice and loves the piece. She sent it to the board of directors, and now I can do nothing but wait. I am considering sending a basket of fruit and flowers to the board of directors, but I have not found that address yet. Maybe il take them for drinks. I email the director every so often to check but I have not gotten that golden response yet. I will be making some sort of facebook sign up/petition for this piece and hopefully all my friends will show me love. Patience really is a virtue.

bromance with Atrak

2009-08-07T01:33:00.002-04:00

I got this email today...

"Hey man, I just saw your painting of me.. thanks!! It's really cool!
Can i post it on my blog, etc?

best,
A-Trak"

How awesome is that? I feel like a school girl.

Pushing, Stressing, Making.

2009-08-06T02:49:00.003-04:00

I mean, this blog would be worth nothing if I did not keep some sort of honestly with it. So here is a bit about how I feel it. I am pretty tired of punch, or gimmick associated with musicians in order to enter this amazing mystery club of young people who are making it in music and art, and ae incredibly popular. Granted, some are very talented. But i am finding that many are pretty lame. Complete with costumes. Obviously, I am not going to mention names. Nor is it important. What bothers me is when untalented people climb the ladder and talented people get left behind simply because of lack of networking skills. My question is how much of talent is networking and how much networking is talent. For example chances are more people will see my work because of this blog, how much of that will have to do with anything?

I am not being a hater but rather channeling some frustrations about music I am working on. I want it to be something enjoyable to the masses that are interested in, those who are more interested in the game than the music, but at the same time produce signature music that is singular and different. I have been slaving over a Ableton track for a few weeks because there is a piece of gold in it I cannot dig out.

Just a thought.

New Paintings, Coming soon.

2009-08-05T12:38:00.002-04:00

For the handful of you that have visited my site, I am sure the "to be continued..." blurb when you click the paintings button was a bit of a disappointment. The deal is, I think that I am not interested in sharing work that is not top quality. That is why there are so few images on the site in first place. I am working on new material that I am confident in. I am working on a series of large paintings that explores among others female sexuality. Here are a few shots of my newest piece. Once the weather stops being so awesome I will get back to work.

Working Kinks Out

2009-08-04T15:37:00.000-04:00

I don't have much to report at the moment. I have had a few false starts with blogs in the past, but I finally think I have a format I like. I am sketching and "internet'ing" at a local coffee spot in my hood. Here is a sketch I just did of a sugar packet and holder.