Strawberryluna

New poster released: The Detroit Cobras!

Don’t mess with these badass ladies. Just, effin’ don’t.

2-color, hand screenprinted poster for The Detroit Cobras.

2-color, hand screenprinted poster for The Detroit Cobras.

Yeah! Kitty kitty. This is my all hand screenprinted poster for the awesome, kickass band The Detroit Cobras‘ show with Dex Romweber Duo on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at Mr. Small’s Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA. I got to catch the show last night and they were fantastic! Even with singer Rachel Nagy admitting to feeling under the weather, the band was hot and ON. We loved it. Thank you Detroit Cobras! They are still on tour, so do catch a set if they are in your town.

So excited to once again do a poster for some of the most kickass ladies of ROCK, the awesome Detroit Cobras. This feline of a poster is a 2-color, multi-layered print with blood red and midnight black inks. The black is slightly transparent, allowing repetition of awesomeness to show through. See it? Yeah, that’s right pal. Edition of just 80. Size: 16w x 22h inches. Paper: acid-free & archival Cougar 100 lb White, cover weight.

Here are a few process photos of this poster as I printed, with more over on my Flickr page too.

1st color, red, flooded and ready to go.

1st color, red, flooded and ready to go.

First color red, bloody red, flooded in the screen and ready to print (pull). “Flooding” is a lighter pressure pass of ink with a squeegee across the stencil and is the way to get enough ink across the screen to fill the stencil and allow for one perfect print pull with the squeegee.

1st color, red red red, printed, down and done.

1st color, red red red, printed, down and done.

Below is a close up of a freshly printed Detroit Cobras poster showing the red underprinting a slightly transparent black, allowing the red to show through.

Close up and angular to show underprinting.

Close up and angular to show underprinting.

This limited edition Detroit Cobras poster is trimmed, editioned, signed and ready to go. Look for these (and many other awesome posters for the band) on the rest of their tour this summer, and also at my website here.

Venus Magazine interview; Spotlight on women in rock posters

Miss Amy Jo

Miss Amy Jo's take on poster art & artists. (Click for a larer view.)

So, wow. When the extremely rad, Chicago-based Venus Magazine contacted me at the end of the winter about doing a feature on women in the rock poster scene, I was floored. But, also, in true strawberryluna fashion, pretty sure that not a whole lot would come of it. I mean, come on, Venus is a great magazine dedicated to women, art, music, culture and the places where they collide. It seemed too cool to be true.

Well, I was wrong. Happily. After talking on the phone with Christine Bejasa for about 45 minutes one very grey, dreary and cold Pittsburgh afternoon, I was pretty excited. And now, I can share my stokage.

Some things that I said about posters...

Some things that I said about posters...(Click for a larer view.)

Profiling Miss Amy Jo of Minneapolis, Judge from Chicago, and myself, strawberryluna, straight outta Pittsburgh, the article was a fun read and definitely sheds some light on not only what’s it’s like being a working rock poster artist, but in being part of a larger world of printmakers, illustrators and designers making a go of this weird life. For larger and easier to read images head over to my Flickr site here!

Th art & words of poster artist, Judge.

Th art & words of poster artist, Judge. (Click for a larer view.)

The article is on news stands now, in the summer 2009 issue of Venus Magazine. If you like it, and dig the issue, consider a subscription. I promise, this magazine never fails to be rad.

Thank you Venus Magazine! Keep rockin’ the awesome!

New art print released: Coffee, Thee & Me

Do you love coffee?

new 3-color, hand screenprinted art print, "Coffee, Thee, & Me"

New hand screenprinted, 3-color art print "Coffee, Thee, & Me"

Do  you love things that good, sweet, fair and even? What about best friends and love? You better! Otherwise where’s the fun in life?

This is my all hand screenprinted art print done for a traveling print show and Fair Trade coffee benefit organized by Mugshots Coffeehouse* in Philadelphia. These bestest buddies are my all hand screen printed art print with sun-orange, warm red-brown and elephant grey, hand mixed and non-toxic water based inks. Hi friend! Edition of 80. Size: 16 x20 inches (40.6 cm x 50.8 cm.) Paper: acid free & archival Cougar, White 100lb cover weight.

Freshly printed and available on my website here.

_________________________________________________________________________

Beans & Screens, screenprinted art print Coffee Show 2009 Important Details:

*Mugshots Coffehouse in Philadelphia is a part of the Independents Coffee Cooperative, both working collectively to raise $16,000 for the Peruvian farmers who grow the coffee sold as their house coffee (Independents Peruvian Select). The farmers are undertaking an ambitious project to build a solar powered drying facility (to dry the beans after they are harvested). This will allow for the farmers to improve both the quality and quantity of the coffee they grow, by protecting it from the frequent rains in the region. 100% of the profits made through the show at Mugshots will go to Cooperativa San Fernando, a farmer-owned organic coffee cooperative located high in the Andes Mountains near Cusco, Peru.

Beans & Screens traveling show dates in Philadelphia, PA:

Opening June 26th 2009 – Green Line on Locust – Green Line Cafe

August 2 2009 – Kaffa Crossing – Home Page

October 4 2009 – Metropolitan – Metropolitan Bakery : The Art of Old World Baking

November 1 2009 – Mugshots Coffeehouse, Manayunk – Mugshots CoffeeHouse & Caf :: Homepage

December 6 2009 – High Point Café @ the Allens Lane Train Station – High Point Cafe

Januray 31 2010 – InFusion Coffee & Tea – InFusion Coffee & Tea

February 7 2010 – Mugshots Coffeehouse, Fairmount – Mugshots CoffeeHouse & Caf :: Homepage

All 25+ artists’ prints will available through Mugshots online when the show opens at: the Mugshots Coffeehouse  website here.


Gig Posters Volume 1: Rock Show Art of the 21st Century, new book!

It has finally arrived!

Gig Posters Vol. I book, chock full of 101 poster artists

Gig Posters Vol. I book, chock full of 101 poster artists

Freshly published and totally incredible. I’m so proud to be a part of this rad book, as is taken from the imaginations of, and containing the work and words of 101 working, contemporary and kickass rock poster artists from around the globe. All compiled into a nifty book format. Just for you! Each poster artist talks about their work, influences and process as well as providing a full page format, perforated page tear-out poster. It’s a lot of awesome, and not just because I’m in it. In fact, I would venture to say despite the fact that I’m in this book.

Published just this May, you can now find this fantastic book at booksellers everywhere. Or, you can order a copy from the following websites:

Directly from me, at my website here, NOTE: personalized and autographed by me, just for you, with a bonus set of stickers, over 15 designs in all.

Directly from the author at Gigposters.com here. NOTE: BONUS ART PRINTS (While Supplies Last!!):
Order now from GigPosters.com and receive an exclusive limited edition screenprinted art print by Jay Ryan! Jay has created 3 different 10″x13″ art prints for the book release. The first 900 orders get free art prints! (300 of each) *Order the 3-pack to assure you get one of each art print!*

Directly from the publisher, at Quirk Books here.

Directly from the publisher, at Chronicle Books here.

Publisher’s description: 11×14 inches, paperback, 208 pages.

Since 2001 Gigposters.com has been the Internet’s first and best resource for rock-show poster art; their massive online database showcases more than 90 000 posters from 7 000 different designers including all of today’s top poster studios. Gig Posters Volume I highlights the 700+ best examples in their collection including 101 perforated and ready-to-hang posters for bands such as Radiohead Wilco the Decemberists the Shins Arcade Fire Sleater-Kinney and TONS more. Packaged in an oversized 11-by-14-inch paperback, Gig Posters Volume I is a spectacular compilation of rock show art (and one hell of a cheap way to decorate a dorm room or apartment). Author Clay Hayes is the founder and proprietor of Gigposters.com. He lives in Alberta, Canada.

Designers included in Volume I:

3d Glasses, Adam Turman, Aesthetic Apparatus, Alan Forbes, Allen Jaeger, Amy Jo, Andrio Abero, Andy Vastagh, Beyond The Pale, Billy Perkins, Bobby Dixon, Bongout, Brad Klausen, Brian Ewing, Budai, Burlesque of North America, Casey Burns, Cricket Press, Crosshair, Dale Flattum, Dan Grzeca, Dan McCarthy, Dan Stiles, Daniel Danger, Delicious, Denny Schmickle, Diana Sudyka, Dirk Fowler, Drew Millward, Drowning Creek Studio, DWITT, Eleanor Grosch, Emek, Engine House 13, FarmBarn Art Co., Firehouse, Furturtle Printworks, Gary Houston, Gregg Gordon, Guy Burwell, Hero Design Studio, Invisible Creature, Ironforgepress, James Rheem Davis, Jamie Ward, Jared Connor, Jason Goad, Jay Ryan, Jay Vollmar, Jeph, Jermaine Rogers, Joanna Wecht, Johnny Crap, Jon Smith, Josh Rickun, Judge, Justin Hampton, Justin Kamerer, Largemammal Print, Leia Bell, Lil Tuffy, Little Jacket, Lonny Hurley, Lonny Unitus, Luke Drozd, Lure Design, Malleus, Mark Pedini, Mat Daly, Methane Studios, Micah Smith, Michael Michael Motorcycle, Mig Kokinda, Mike King, Nate Duval, Patent Pending, Powerhouse Factories, Powerslide Design Co., Print Mafia, Rob Jones, Ron Liberti, Ryan Nole, Sasha Barr, Scrojo, Seripop, Squad 19, Stainboy, Steve Walters, strawberryluna, Tanxxx, Tara McPherson, The Decoder Ring Design Concern, The Heads Of State, The Little Friends Of Printmaking, The Small Stakes, Thomas Scott, Tim Gough, Todd Slater, Vahalla Studios, Zach Hobbs, Zeloot

Thoughful oversized, yet lap-fitting dimensions of the new Gig Posters Vol. I book.

Thoughful oversized, yet conveniently lap-fitting dimensions of the new Gig Posters Vol. I book by Clay Hayes.

President George Washington; New art print released!

United States First President, General George Washington, 8 color screenprint

United States First President, General George Washington, 8 color screenprint

  Mr., General, President George Washington. He was a complicated man for exceptionally complicated times. Farmer, general, slave-owner, politician, surveyor, patriot, Mason, husband, stepfather, and the United States very first and formidable first President. A man who didn’t belong to a political party, nor believed in them. Kind of difficult to imagine these days, isn’t it? Unfortunately. 

Mr. Washington here is a new hand screenprinted art print, done for a print exchange and upcoming show at fellow printmaker Leia Bell’s gallery called Signed & Numbered Gallery in Salt Lake City Utah. The show is called “All The Presidents Men”, features 44 prints from 44 different artists (one for each US President, should you be keeping count. “All The Presidents’ Men” opens on Friday January 16th 2009 during the SLC Gallery Stroll and there will be another party to celebrate the actual inauguration of our 44th president on Tuesday January 20th 2009 from 1:00 until 7:00pm. 

My new print for this show & exchange is available now, and I have just a few since half of the run is part of the show and the print exchange with the other participating artists. Mr. President here is an 8-color hand screenprinted print with process Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK) inks, with lots of overprints to make 8 magic colors out of just 4. Gotta love overprints in screenprinting! Edition of 100, with 47 going to the show and the print exchange, so I have just a few for sale. Size: 9.5w x 13h inches. Perfect for framing. Paper: acid-free & archival Cougar 100 lb White, cover weight. 

Growing up in Philadelphia, just a couple of blocks away from Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell and many other colonial landmarks that were a part of the making of the United States, I was quite excited to get the chance to do a portrait of our first President. Thank you Mr. Washington.

Super fun Year End Exhibition Art Show at AIR

 

AIR community print studios.

AIR community print studios: 518 Foreland St. Pgh. PA - 412-321-8664.

Ooooooh yeah! This one is going to be a rad fun time. It’s experimental, and if you know anyone from the AIR studios (Artists Image Resource, where I print) then you know this is going to be a funfest. 

What: The AIR Annual Staff & Volunteer  Art Show, Party & Exhibition. Over 32 artists’ current work will be on view ranging from print, sculpture, painting, photography, sound and video installation.

When: Saturday December 13, 2008 from 7:00pm –11:00pm

Where: AIR, Artists Image Resource, 518 Foreland St. Pittsburgh, PA 412-321-9664, on Pittsburgh’s historic North Side.

More What: Fresh music, fresh food,  a fresh new exhibition of experimentally focused pieces created just for this show by the AIR staff & volunteers, an Open House. It takes a village to run a community arts co-operative and members of this tribe are showing off their hot stuff on Saturday. And you are cordially invited!

Cool extra stuff: DJ Mary Mack, DJ Sean MC and the duo of Hoof & Beek will be spinning music throughout the evening – food and drink will be provided – admission is FREE. This event is not to be missed and we look forward to seeing you!

see works by:
matt cummings  / howard booth  /  andy english  /  ian short  /  kerry gaydos /  katyana gradler  / matt forrest  /  mary tremonte  /  hunter blackwell  /  meredith hertel  /  strawberryluna  /  jenn pascoe  /  erin foley  /  ryan emmett  /  rachel maran  /  jamie adams  /  sabrina adams  /  josh troy  /  gene marsh  /  mike hegedus  /  carolyn kelly  /  budai  /  kristine synowka  /  amos levy  /  nathan mould  /  julia kennedy  /  lizzy devita  /  tresa varner  /  bill rodgers  /  robert beckman  /  nick fredland  /  ashley brickman  /  shaun slifer

Here’s a little mock-sneak peak at my piece. Note the “mock” adjective as this is an installation yet to be installed. Digital print, with tissue paper & yarn (to be added), hung low on the wall with the pond set onto the floor. I will post photos of the finishing and installation process and post them next week. 

"Spring Spiders", 3D print mock, part 1

"Spring Spiders", 3D print mockup, part 1

spring-spider-installation-waterblog

"Spring Spiders" 3D print mockup, part 2.

For more information about AIR and this show or the resources available to artists through AIR please check out my home-away-from home’s website. Hope to see you at the show on Saturday!

“Jolly Good” Group print show at Bluebottle Gallery, Seattle, WA

“Jolly Good” holidays to you and yours! Super excited about this show. 

Blue Bottle Gallery in Seattle, WA - Jolly Good print show

Blue Bottle Art Gallery in Seattle, WA - Jolly Good print show

The excellent-cool folks at the Bluebottle Art Gallery & Store in my favorite-not-home-city, Seattle, WA are putting on a fantastic holiday art print show called “Jolly Good” which features the work of over 30 screenprint artists from all over the US. And best, they invited me to join in the fun. Yes huh!

The “Jolly Good, Group art print show” will run from December 2nd, 2008 – December 31st, 2008. The opening reception for the show will be on Saturday Dec 13th from 5 – 8 pm, so please join in the fun for drinks, snacks and cheer! Blue Bottle Art Gallery & Store is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle at 415 East Pine Street.

My newest, fresh off the presses art print “Winter 2008″ will be available making it’s debut at this show and will be available for view and purchase, yep. Other participating artists include Cricket Press, Tad Carpenter, Nate Duval & a slew of others that make up the 30+ artists. The artists have entered 2 -5 prints into the show and all prints will be available for purchase. I’m sending 5, wassssup?!

Please note that as “Jolly Good” is designed to be a cash and carry show, to allow for holiday purchases, prints will be going fast while the show is up. All art prints are priced under $100, many in the $25 – $50 range.

Bluebottle Art Gallery & Store also runs an email preview list that you can sign up for here, which allows you to get sneak previews of art work before the general public. It’s a cool gig!

"Jolly Good" art print show info

Bluebottle Art Gallery & Store is an independently owned & operated art gallery and curated boutique shop of handmade goods run by the lovely husband & wife team of Andrea & Matthew Porter. We’re tickled holiday red to be a part of this show. Cheers!

“Screenprinting 102” art print show in Charleston, NC

Once again, independent music store 52.5 Records in Charleston, SC is showing some mad love for the screenprinting community! 
Screenprinting 102 poster by Chuck Keppler

"Screenprinting 102" poster by Chuck Keppler

This time with a focus on art prints by local and national printmakers. Rad! “Screenprinting 102″ is the second annual screenprinted art show at 52.5 Records (hence the collegiate title) and I’m thrilled to be a part of it again. Pieces in the show are from artists from around the country and will be available for sale as well. Quite affordably too I might add. My newest, fresh off the presses art print “Winter 2008” will be available for view and purchase, yep.

“Screenprinting 102” opens on December 5th 2008 from 7-9pm and will run through January 3rd, 2009. 52.5 Records is located at 561 King St., Charleston, SC. 

Participating  artists include: Leia Bell,  Johnny Pundt, Chuck Keppler, Cricket Press, Adam Turman, Crosshair, Jason Goad, Pete Cardoso, Jason Cooper, Mike Klay, Aesthetic Apparatus, Lon Unitus, Nate Duvall, myself and others to be announced shortly. A good handful of these artists will be at the opening too. Keep your eye on more information here.

We love you 52.5 Records!

Edinboro University’s “Interlocution” Art & Graphic printmaking show

Poster by Jay Ryan of The Bird Machine 

 

Poster by Jay Ryan of The Bird Machine

 

“Interlocution: The role of printmaking as a catalyst within graphic design and illustrative aesthetics.”

I am proud to be a part of this show at Edinboro University in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. The Interlocution show opened on November 5th, 2008 and will be up and available to the public until November 25th, 2008 and runs concurrently with the “More Than a Book” show.

“Interlocution” is, in the gallery’s own words: A printmaking, poster, and design show organized by John Lysak and Laurie Godfrey of Egress Press and Research. This show continues the dialogue between Graphic Design, Illustration and Fine Art Printmaking in terms of design, process, and stylistic content.

Print, poster and design work by select artists:

Toulouse Lautrec
Arthur Wesley Dow
Gustave Bauman
Oskar Kokoschka
Takashi Murakami
Bill Fick
Tom Huck
Jenny Schmid
Jay Ryan
Diana Sudyka

and many more…including me! I know, RIGHT?! 

“More Than a Book” is, in the gallery’s own words: A selection of handmade books from the collection of Lafayette College’s Experimental Printmaking Institute. Also Included are books from a cultural exchange EPI initiated with Costa Rica, Mexico City, and the University of Manchester, England. This exhibition redefines our preconceived notions of artist books, with over 60 pieces from selected artists.

If you are in the Western PA area while both of these amazing, international shows are up please do yourself an art favor and check it out.

AIR October Benefit Parrrtaaay!

AIR. It’s a good thing right? We all need it to breathe. But, like many printmakers regionally (that means in the Pittsburgh area) and internationally (that means, you know, the whole globe) need AIR too.

AIR is the stuff we inhale, but it is also short for Artists Image Resource, the community co-op studio where I print all of my work. AIR is a not-for-profit, large, flexible use working artists studio with gallery spaces, screenprinting, etching, lithography, and letterpress studios and more.

Being not-for-profit means that my home away from home relies on donations and grant based funding to survive, hence the big October Benefit bash!

On SATURDAY OCTOBER 18 — OPEN HOUSE EVENT AIR’s annual fundraising event helps provide support for all of AIR’s programs and projects. This all day, kid-AND-adult friendly event includes hands on printing and art making activities as well as lots of bands, music, performances, food, refreshments and an exhibition and RAFFLE of work by artists and staff.

For a $10.00 entry fee at the door you can come and go all day, explore various printmaking processes and technologies, enjoy food and drink, experience performances, bands and music. For more specific information or call 412 321 8664. AIR is located on Pittsburgh’s historic North Side, at 518 Foreland Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212