Last Drawing!
I finally completed my last drawing for the book, The Clock Without A Face (to be released in May 2010 and published by McSweeney's). It's for the back cover. That dark spot in the center is where some sort of teaser text will be dropped in before it goes to press.
Below is the text description from a pre-order page on Amazon (mine and the other two author's names aren't on it because it's supposed to be the actual note/sketch book of Gus Twintig, the narrator in the story). [I'm told that the McSweeney's site is a way better place to order the book once it's out in Spring - because Amazon kind of gouges the publishers (and authors).]
This is true: 12 emerald-studded numbers, each handmade and one-of-a-kind, have been buried in 12 holes across this fine land. These treasures will belong to whoever digs them up first. The question: Where to dig? The only path to the answer: Solve the riddle of The Clock Without a Face. The call comes in from the shadowy Ternky Tower: 13 robberies, one on each floor, all the way up to the penthouse, where obnoxious importer Bevel Ternky has been relieved of the legendary Emerald Chroniker, his priceless, ancient clock. Readers must conduct their own investigations, scouring detailed illustrations for hidden clues and knotty puzzles. All the answers can be found within these 13 floors: whodunit and how . . . and where they are now. Twelve treasures sleep in the soil. The race is on!
Drawing experiment work kit
Here's my little cigar box fetish kit I drag along with me to work on drawing orders (explained here). Not included in this photo (but fits in the kit) is my 12 half-pan watercolor kit.
Alphabet City Prints are now for sale online
The sale page for my prints is now live at X-ING Books
Custom Drawing Experiment II is over
The last and final test for my Custom Drawing Experiment II is over. Below are the directions and the form I used for 6 days. Some of the resultshave been posted here. Thanks to all who participated!
This experiment will be open for one-week only (ending on 12/08/09 at 12:00 am EST). I'm taking orders for a 5" x 5" custom watercolor drawing on Fabriano 140 lb. 100% cotton pH neutral paper with graphite and archival watercolor. Simply choose things listed below for me to think about while I make your drawing. Once you complete and submit the form a link to pay via secure Google Checkout will appear. Once your payment goes through, you should have the drawing in about two weeks. The cost is $125 with free USPS Priority Mail shipping within the U.S. (there is a $13 fee for orders outside the U.S.). If you have a question that isn't addressed on the FAQ's page, please contact me. Some drawings from this experiment can be seen here, and those from the last experiment are here.
Alphabet City Prints have arrived
These are the same as what's in the book - but available individually through X-ING Books. First shown at Adam Baummgold Gallery in watercolor.
X-ING Books sale page is up now
Alphabet City Book - first look
I just had the first competed copy delivered today. It's an edition of 26 book of (26) of my letter drawings - letterpress, stencil color and hand bound by X-ING Books. Available soon. NOW for sale online. Individual signed and small number run prints of each letter also available soon now.
Some images from Drawing Experiment I
Results from Drawing Experiment I can be seen in the gallery here. If you think you might be interested in Drawing Experiment II - which might happen as soon as Dec. 1 - please sign up for my mailing list.
24-Hour Custom Drawing Experiment
Yesterday, starting at 7:30 am, I conducted an experiment which ended at midnight. I created a form (see below) and did minimal publicity which included emails to a bunch of random people in my address book and a post on facebook. Now it's time to start filling those orders - which I plan on posting here as I send them out. If you would like to know when I post the next round, please sign up for my mailing list.
Some completed images from the experiment have been posted.
Alphabet City
So after many delays - the book and/or individual letter prints (each signed and numbered) will finally be available at the end of November. Please sign up for my mailing list if you would like notification on availability. I'll probably put together some sort of price list email announcement).
Open Studios 2009: October 15-17
The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, whose web site I created and maintain, and who gives me my studio in midtown Manhattan, is hosting it's annual Open Studios event in two weeks.
Opening Reception: Thursday, Oct. 15, 6:00-10:00pm
Open Studios: Friday, Oct. 16, 6:00-9:00pm
Open Studios: Saturday, Oct. 17, 1:00-5:00pm
Complications and Delays
Bad news - the elusive Alphabet City book will not be appearing at the Book Art Fair this week. Huge disappointment - I hope to see it soon.
The Book Cover is Complete!
The book will be bound on left, short side - and as you turn each page - the floorplan below will be revealed. 13 floors in all.
Book Progress....
I know it's pretty lame - but I'm not supposed to post any sketches for the upcoming book I'm working on. BUT - I'm very excited because aside from having the meat of the pages all inked and ready for watercolor - the cover design has been (after lots and lots of rejected sketches) decided upon - and I'll begin penciling it tomorrow morning. The book will be called The Clock Without a Face and is being published by McSweeney's in May 2010. The brilliant Mac Barnett wrote the text and Eli Horowitz is our royal editor.
NY Art Book Fair
My new Alphabet City book, published by X-ING BOOKS, will finally debut at the NY Art Book Fair at PS.1 on Oct. 2-4. I'm working on the text for the covers now.
The Best Show on WFMU with Tom Scharpling
I've listened to this show on WFMU for almost 10 years now - it's by far my favorite thing to listen to in the studio. I think people call it long-form comedy. I haven't missed a single show since I started listening.
