rebirth of the blog
I love the work FLUNK - hence my sketchbook doodles last week. Also appropriate for the comeback of my blog because of the frustrating failures of social media.
Social media, for artists at least, is terrible. It’s been dying for years, which bis why I’m bringing back my personal blog. If you’re interested in what happening in my studio - I’ll be posting new images, progress photos and news items right here on teplin.com.
Nuclear Option assortment
Introducing the “Nuclear Option” Assortment: a radioactive riot of fireworks engineered for those who think safety warnings are just decoration. Crack open this box and unleash “Clean Energy,” a reactor-sized fountain guaranteed to melt your expectations, alongside “Rocket Ricky,” who’s got more lift-off issues than a doomed space mission. The malfunctioning Geiger Counter's “Meltdown” control panel promises a chain reaction of chaos, while an arsenal of mutant rockets and flashcrackers ensures the fallout will leave the ground contaminated for at least 200 years.
Holy Smokes Assortment
Introducing the "Hail Mary Spectacle"-an assortment where reverence meets riot. At the heart of this explosive collection stands Mary herself, presiding over a congregation of pyrotechnic misfits ready to turn any gathering into a full-blown miracle. Surrounding her are an unpredictable cast: from the unruly Damn Devil to the bewildered Stupid Horse, each firework offers a unique burst of chaos and awe. Light the fuse and let Mary lead your celebration in a procession of color, noise, and unforgettable spectacle-because sometimes, you need a little divine intervention to truly bring down the house.
Stupid Horse MYSTERY box
Ready to roll the dice on chaos? The Stupid Horse Brand Mystery Box Assortment is a riot of color, noise, and wild surprises-no two boxes are ever the same, and you never know what kind of pyrotechnic oddities you’ll pull out next. Each assortment is packed by the unpredictable minds at Stupid Horse, mixing classics, cult favorites, and sometimes even the rejects or random shit they find on the factory floor. If you crave variety, unpredictability, and a celebration that keeps you guessing until the last fuse is lit, this is the box for you.
Stupid Horse Disaster Parade assortment
This is the ultimate Stupid Horse Brand assortment, featuring a lineup of fireworks meticulously designed by their team of creative pyrotechnic obsessives. Every piece in this collection-from the wildest flashcrackers to the most offbeat novelties-showcases the brand’s signature blend of inventive design, bold visuals, and explosive fun. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill fireworks; each one is crafted to surprise, delight, and leave a lasting impression, reflecting the artistry and playful spirit that sets Stupid Horse apart. If you want a display that’s as unique and imaginative as it is unforgettable, this is the set to light up your night.
Maximum Overblast Assortment
Crank your night into overdrive with this EXTREME fireworks assortment-each piece is louder, weirder, and more unhinged than the last. Launch into chaos with Pyro Surge, detonate your patience with “FUCK this SHIT,” and watch Warrior Weirdo fumble his way through a gladiator meltdown. From explosive beds to fire hydrants gone nuclear, this set doesn’t do subtlety-it does maximum mayhem, every time. For thrill-seekers only: side effects may include ringing ears, scorched lawns, and a party that goes down in legend.
NEw studio garb
URINE STYLE Action suit - The Flow Rider, a high pee-formance jumpsuit for 2025.
Revised artist statement, Winter, 2025
In my work, I excavate the delicate territory between childhood wonder and the edges of danger - a space I first discovered in my own backyard experiments with fireworks and homemade potato cannons. These early adventures weren't merely acts of rebellion; they were my first encounters with the profound questions that continue to drive my artistic practice: Where does play end and peril begin? What transforms a hazard into an opportunity for discovery?
Growing up unsupervised I was drawn to testing boundaries, and each experiment, regardless of outcome, taught me about risk, consequence, and the joy of discovery. These revelations were fundamental to understanding cause and effect and calculating risk while maintaining childhood curiosity.
To capture these moments and explore these complex themes, I work with drawing, watercolor, and India ink, creating works on paper that range in size from intimate 5" x 7" drawings to larger pieces reaching 8 feet wide. I also construct inert "fireworks" from paper, fuse and glassine. These sculptural elements, devoid of any explosive potential, serve as metaphors for the controlled exploration of risk, the excitement of potential chaotic energy.
Today, my artistic practice serves as a bridge between these formative experiences and my adult understanding of their significance. Through my work, I seek to capture that precise moment when a child's eyes widen with potential, when the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. My pieces often incorporate elements that seem to teeter on the edge of reality - familiar objects reimagined through the lens of youthful imagination, where everyday items become portals to fantastic possibilities.
The tension between safety and discovery remains a central theme in my work. I'm fascinated by how children naturally navigate this balance, often with more wisdom than we give them credit for. My drawings and sculptures frequently play with scale and perspective, creating environments that evoke both the physical and emotional landscape of childhood experimentation.
In an age where formative years have become increasingly structured and risk-averse, my work stands as a testament to the value of unscripted discovery. It celebrates those precious moments of independent exploration that shape not just our understanding of the physical world, but our capacity for creative problem-solving and resilient thinking.
Through my art, I invite viewers to reconnect with their own memories of childhood daring, to remember the electric thrill of pushing boundaries and the profound learning that comes from testing limits. Each piece serves as a reminder that growth often happens in that exhilarating space between caution and courage, where curiosity leads the way and discovery awaits those brave enough to explore.
