Thursday, May 30, 2013

Holy Batsh*t BATMAN!



Batman is hands-down my favorite superhero of all time.  For one, he simply has the most extensively infamous Rogues Gallery of villains (next to Spiderman) who for the most part are all criminally insane.  Just as well, our protagonist Mr. Wayne is batshit crazy himself.  The cocktail of madness makes for wicked fun and I'm always eager to dive deeper into the lore and add to my collection of trade editions.  Here's the newest addition to the dOOdle ARCHIVE but certainly not my first go at good ol' bats...






Sunday, May 26, 2013

HOG HEAVEN (A Biblical Pig Roast)

Inks on Bristol / 2013
Our dear friends Miranda and Nathan invited us out to the farm today for a Pig Roast of Epic Proportions.  A sink hole recently opened up on their property so Nathan decided to put it to good use by cooking an entire pig for Memorial Day weekend! Good times, good friends and good pork!  Aurora and I got so many beautiful pictures from this perfect Tennessee day that I had to share some with you.  Here's pics from the party as well as some roast-inspired art I created when I came home!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

In Memoriam: Ray Manzarek

The Doors are certainly one of the most significantly influential bands to shape my youth.  I've been accused of being born in the wrong generation more than once in my life.  In the 90's when all my friends listened to grunge, techno and contemporary music I found myself tuned into bands from the 60's and 70's.  The Doors however are timeless and transcend all definitions and labels in music.  Ray Manzarek was a founding member of the band everyone loved to hate.  They were the Judas Priest and the Marilyn Manson of the 60's surrounded by protest and reviled by parents across the country.  Their fusion of jazz, the blues and the spoken word gave the entire planet a double-take.  The legend of their music will last forever.  That mad orchestrated jazz trip even today reveals different things to me as I revisit the albums time and time again.  Tonight was no different as I listened to Strange Days, Waiting For the Sun and some live rarities while I paid tribute to Mr. Manzarek, keyboardist for The Doors who the world lost today after a long and illustrious life contributing to the world of the arts.  Here is my portrait which I began sketching after work tonight In Memoriam for one of my favorite musicians.

Rest in Peace Ray

Portrait of Ray Manzarek (inks on bristol / 2013 / 5in x 7in)


Sunday, May 19, 2013

LiTTLE DEATHS Artists' Reception

(Cupcakes from Heather Bowker.... thanks gal!)
Last night we had our Artists' Reception for Little Deaths at No Egrets Tattoo here in Clarksville.  The Wolfman  and I got to hang out in their swank new exhibition space for a Live Painting session!  It was a great feeling to work in front of a crowd of our friends and patrons.  Thanks to Joe Melanson (curator) and the No Egrets staff for giving us such a warm welcome.  Here's some pics from our three man exhibit with Jeff Bertrand along with the painting we worked on throughout the evening...


Thursday, May 16, 2013

little DEATHS Artists' Reception THIS Saturday!

For all my folk indigenous to dirty durdy TN/KY, I'd love to see you drop by No Egrets Art Gallery Saturday night here in Clarksville for Little Deaths- a three man exhibit including the artwork of myself, Jeff Bertrand and Wolfman Bennett. The festivities are curated by Smokin' Joe Melanson who has lent his time and expertise in exposing the oddities of Southern Pop Surrealism to the public eye!  We'll be on hand for some grab-assing, autograph signing, beer chugging mayhem (and so should you.)

There's no words I could lay down about our brand of art which could rival those of local reporter Karen Parr-Moody in her article at The Leaf-Chronicle recently.  Click HERE to read about the show and watch a VIDEO interview with Wolfie and Myself!!!  Karen has taken a very insightful interest into our work the past few years and shared what she takes away from our creations with her readers.  We've never received such wonderful praise for daring to be different... thanks gal!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

TOP 10 Songs about BREAKING the LAW

Inks on Paper / 2006
Breaking the Law is one of the highest forms of activism in the land.  Without crossing the line of the law, countries would not be founded, class and race struggles would not have succeeded and man would live quite lamely under the thumb of tyranny.  Infringements upon the standards set by society have beckoned to the calling of freedom of assembly, speech and religion.

Nobody can say exactly how many laws there are in the United States.  In a two-year study conducted in 1982, the US Justice Department identified 3,000 criminal offences defined by Federal Law.  Of course, this was thirty years ago and only counted those outlined as Federal Crimes.  In 2012 alone, over 40,000 new laws were adopted by State Governments.

"The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws."  
-Ayn Rand

Here are my TOP 10 SONG of All Time in regards to Breaking the Law...

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

HIGH FIVE STAYIN' ALIVE

I really like how the extra eyes on this guy have the feel of a beer hat to me for some reason.  He's drunk on vision, which is a powerful thing and often confused with madness...
Small Tip Sharpie on Scrap Chipboard / 2013

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Chad Spann in SPACE

I had the distinct privilege of tagging along with Chad Spann to his opening at Space Gallery in Nashville's Arcade Building tonight.  His new collection of stretched canvas prints of his photography drew gawkers, gabbers and glamour from all manner of patron- indeed the panties did drop.  Here's a few pics I snapped while we were at the Art Crawl...

Chad Spann

Friday, May 3, 2013

hOOked on a FEELing




The rich and thick Tennessee air has had my vision under it's thumb these past few weeks.  A combination of allergies and dry eye give me a seasonal disadvantage in the sticky southern spring.  My left eye goes foggy so if you see me out and about, I'm not making a pass by winking I promise.  Floppy Eyes is real damnit!  I take solace that summer is knocking on the door and there are many adventures to come! Got plenty to catch...

MONSTER in my GARDEN Video!

This past Sunday, the Wolfman and I took to the scattering clouds for a much-needed dose of sun amidst a strange and wonderful Spring here in the Mid-South. (Click HERE for PiCS) I finally finished up editing the footage from our painting session where you'll also see Mr. Joe Davidson getting the annual Bennett Tomato Patch up and running!  Here's MONSTER in my GARDEN LIVE...