KID DRAGON CONTEST!

Interaction is what it's all about, right?  Well, I want YOU to interact with us!  So here's the pitch:  All of you crazy photographer/shutterbugs out there - I want you to use your artful eye.  By doing so, as long as you follow the easy steps which I'm about to explain, one of you will receive a generous prize from TLS.  What is the prize?  Why, it's Joe Ledbetter's Pico and Wilshire and Buff Monster's Destroyer!  A prize worth $245.00!

What do you need to do?  Easy!  Walk into the Kid Robot LA store and take a picture (or pictures) of the Kid Dragon - it's 5' tall, long, crazy looking - can't miss it!

  Then:

1. Go to a computer
2. Like The Loyal Subjects on Facebook - www.facebook.com/TheLoyalSubjectsCo
3. Post your artful pictures on our Wall
4. We will randomly select a winner for the Grand Prize
5. Be Stoked!

How easy is this?  As easy as burning toast!

BURGER BUNNY MANIA! IN MANILA!

Here's to a posthumous post.  It's not as though I intended to post news past it's newsworthy, "in the moment" date.  I suppose any TLS news is relevant to me - even after the fact.  However, one not to give excuses (I learned well from my parents), I'll have to make an exception.  What's the excuse?  Jet Lag!  While we were in Manila, I was trying to keep everyone up via Facebook and Twitter and never had the time to sit down and blog.  Mainly, because we were running around like crazy people and every chance Big Boy and his crew got, they were shuffling us off to eat and shop.  I must have gained 5lbs.  Serious.  I gained five pounds.  This weekend is for the gym, and of course, the Super Bowl.  Ironic.  Whatever I do at the gym tomorrow and Saturday will be reversed come Super Bowl.  Ok, enough side tracking.

Here's a play by play on the event.  As most of you know, it took place on January 22nd at Secret Fresh in Manila, PI.   What is Secret Fresh?  Secret Fresh is, well...it's Fresh!  Fresh - like in a "B Boy" way.  It's a killer spot, ran by great people.  It's a store that is part of a larger complex called the RONAC ART CENTER.  Cool stores, restaurants and a full  Pro Regulation basketball court.  After pounding myself with unhealthy food, I would sneak off and shoot a few hoops.  Big Boy caught up with me and while I was shooting - he bet me $1MM, payable to me, if I made a half court shot.  I made it on the first try.  No kidding.  Still waiting for the check.  Tic Toc Tic Toc.  Hmm.  This was my David Choe Facebook stock moment but only $199MM less.  Trying not to lose sleep over it.  =)

So, back to Joe and the Burger Bunny release.  Wow!  Amazing event!  Great turnout, great eats, great people!  The Bunny sold out before the event and Joe spent a generous amount of time signing, sketching, chatting it up - basically, being an all around awesome dude and the Secret Fresh attendees were definitely happy to see him.  

What's next?  Kid Robot color way Bunny (so I've been told) and maybe a Frozen one...

You'll have to stay tuned!  If you have seen, felt or obtained the Burger Bunny - it's insane!  Really.  A wonderful piece of art that will blow your socks off!  I think there are a few socks that have been blown off already.

WORKING ON 2012

It's a new year.  We have over a dozen projects in the cooker right now.  Here's a quick little list:  Gary Baseman, Craola, Hasbro, FriendsWithYou, Joe Ledbetter and more!  It's been great organizing the year with our factory team in China.  Our partners are getting ready for the New Year - Year of the Dragon - I decided to pop in before everyone went on break to organize and smooth out the details.  First up - Joe Ledbetter - Burger Bunny Wood 10" collectible (expect color ways *hint hint*).  Next, Joe Ledbetter Bop Bag inflatable - Looks a lot like a 60" tall Burger which you can punch feverishly at pesky calories.  Also, Sam Flores 5' tall Kid Dragon (would it look good in gold?) - you'll find out!  Gary Baseman - the Buckingham Warrior - Wow!  This piece is epic.  10" tall of Baseman brilliance and coming this April (stay tuned for pics).  Next for this first quarter - remember Joe Ledbetter's Fire Cat?  Thought about ever owning a 50" tall one in fiberglass?  You'll find out this April/May.

We're in the airport now, leaving for Manila, Philippines where we'll join Joe and Big Boy from Secret Fresh.  I've been told the Burger Bunny had sold out days ago and the fans in Manila are going nuts awaiting Joe's arrival.  It feels good to be working with our team and retail partners, even though we're so far away from home, nonetheless, we still feel at home.  2012 is stacking up to be a great year and what greater way to kick it off than a 50 piece 10" tall Wood Bunny release starring Joe Ledbetter.  I'm happy to be here.  I'm happy for the experiences.  For the relationships.  For the opportunities.  Life is amazing.  Carpe Diem.

GRAY KID DRAGON EDITION IS HERE!

I got to be honest - When the delivery truck showed up with the shipment, it was like Christmas Morning.  David and myself unloaded the shipment, cracked open a few boxes and I swore, I saw lights from heaven shoot out of those boxes.  Not suggesting any religious under, over or even middle tones but the unveiling of the Large Format Kid Dragon was somewhat a moving experience.  We had labored over the production of these beautiful replicas for months, obsessing over each detail.  The Kid Dragon was first featured as a figurative painting from Sam Flores.  We wanted to retain that ethereal, melancholic and painterly aesthetic that is Sam Flores.  I believe we achieved it.  It's as if the two dimensional image covered in its harmonious layers of paint jumped from the canvas and into a three dimensional reality.  You need to see it to believe it.  And you can, by going to the Kid Robot Store in LA.  The Kid Dragon is featured right in the center on an equally lucid, under lit incandescent, triptych platform.  It's truly a beautiful sight.  Take one home.  Inquire with Kid Robot about availability and enjoy the physical representation floating quietly and lucid through the walls and floors of your living space.  Certificates of Authenticity designed and signed by Sam Flores accompany the piece.

BURGER BUNNY

Joe Ledbetter has a brilliant imagination.  Most notable when it comes to his mutations on one of his most beloved character - Mister Bunny (Bunny, Mutant Bunny, Colossus Bunny) - it goes by many names, nonetheless, each mutation is as delicious as the previous.  

Delicious?  Literally.  Burger Bunny.  Need I say more?  Two all "something" patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, tomato on a sesame seed bun?  Which can hop?  Mind blowing.  You'll have to catch him if you want to eat him.

This delicious and seemingly happy beast stands 10" tall, is made of wood and is an edition of 50.  In case you are uncomfortable eating that patty next to the cheese, feel free to rearrange the order - because, you CAN!  How cool is that!?  Perfect for any OCD burger enthusiast. 

The Burger Bunny will come packaged in a wood box and is only available through SECRET FRESH/FRESH MANILA.  The Loyal Subjects and Joe Ledbetter will be on site to launch the Burger Bunny in Manila this coming Jan 22nd, 2012.  Stay tuned!  Any interest in buying one?  Contact Secret Fresh.  Word has it, they are only releasing 25 pieces for non Domestic sales (meaning, anything outside of the Philippines).  Happy hunting/eating...it's Burger Wabbit season...

Ronac Art Center from Ronac Art Center on Vimeo.

LOVE BITE

Original Illustration LOVE BITE - Charcoal and Pencil on Paper.  137cm x 96cm, 2002

Mark Parker - CEO NIKE

- "Laurie Lipton's incredible drawings are mesmerizing blends of scale & detail, horror & humor, fantasy & reality.  Laurie uses her passion for the pencil, immense skills & tremendous imagination to bring her very personal visions to life in deeply compelling & richly detailed compositions."

I met Laurie Lipton through a mutual friend (thank you Sean Sorensen).  I was familiar with her meticulous and masterful pencil drawings.  Mind blowing.  You can calculate all adjectives when describing Laurie's renderings; patient, confident, deliberate, soft, hard, fluid, coarse, intense, illuminate, disciplined, unwavering, free, hysterical, horrifying, honest, enlightened, transformed, comedic, absurd and existential.  Her work has been shown all over the world and frequently finds its way to the homes of several prestigious collectors - like the one who was kind enough to lend a quote on Ms. Lipton.

I thought it would be a great idea to work with Laurie - work on something more achievable, more attainable to a wider range collector, however, still maintaining its collectability and hopeful appreciation.  The original Love Bite sold for tens of thousands of dollars - I wanted to present an option that was under $300 but had the same feel as an appreciating art multiple.  Thus, the Love Bite print.  The print is 24" x 34" (BIG).  The giclee is printed on archival rag paper, each hand signed and numbered by Laurie Lipton.  Only 213 are in existence. 

About the print:  The image might be jarring but its intent is brilliant.  Playing on the age old Grimm's-esque Tale - "You're so cute, I could just eat you!"  I'm sure that every child had an aunt that said that.  This is a fantastical literalism, although laced with humor and intense observation (look at the nails on 'ole granny)!  Everything is very deliberate, and in the throws of preemptive drama, creating unique narratives to whomever is viewing the piece.  The juxtaposition is the satire.  

Available for $199 HERE.  It's worth it. 

 

 

SAM FLORES - GRAY KID DRAGON 5' FIBERGLASS

KID ROBOT EXCLUSIVE!

Kid Robot will have the Gray Edition of the 5' tall Sam Flores fiberglass art multiple.  Who more fitting than Kid Robot?  The barometer for all emporiums supporting collectible pop and fine art!  The 5' tall large format Kid Dragon is beautiful;  It's lucid, elegant, haunting, sophisticated, surreal - it's a great piece of sculptural art - enhancing any physical space. 

If only everyone could have one, the world would be a much more dream like, peaceful place.  Alas, there are only six and I'm sure each one will find a safe home. 

Each multiple will come with a Certificate of Authenticity created by Sam Flores.  I feel like such a proud papa.  Really, I do.  This piece is to die for gorgeous.  A perfect compliment to any art collection.  Contact Kid Robot for more info.

WRECKS AND DAZEY LAVA EDITION

To all the loyal Joe Ledbetter fans in this brilliant, fantastical world - Joe brings you yet another Lava Edition!  This one coming from Joe via Analog Playset.  Analog Playset is Tony Thaxton's project, drummer of Motion City Soundtrack.  Joe happens to be fans of the band and the band, fans of Joe.  Just so happens that Joe Ledbetter had created the key art for MCS' last studio album, 'My Dinosaur Life'.  The art centers around the Wrecks and Dazey characters - a loveable Tyrannosaurus Rex and his pollinating bee pal, Dazey.  Fitting and apropos Darwin statement, even if unintentional - out with the dinosaurs and in with new - i.e. the bee and it's pension for pollinating and redistributing opportunities for life.  Poignant.  See, there's a lot going on behind the doors of these artist's minds.  Just have to take a peek.

Wrecks and Dazey Lava Edition is an Edition of 99 and is available for $110.00.  A 6" set?  A "friggin" steal my delicious friends!  Now, there are only six pieces left.  So, HAPPY HUNTING!  Buy them HERE!

OCCUPY LOVE!

I have two different brains (figuratively speaking).  Those who know me well, know that I definitely am a student of the world.  My interests turn into experimentation, eventually turning into love, passion and a trust for the process.  I have a range of interests in somewhat of a hobbyist's exploration, looking to refine; literature, politics, art, music, history, and the natural - living - universe that surrounds me.  You get the point.  This blog isn't set up to be an essayist's etymological porn chest, but every now and then it's fun to explore past the expectations and invisible boundaries that press up on the hallowed walls of The Loyal Subjects (which is certainly an extension of myself and certainly dons generalities of my personality).  

There's a lot to be said in regards to certain decompositions that have been evolving for the last 40 years.  Eventually, the weight becomes too much to bare and that proverbial house of cards will start collapsing.  As we are seeing today with certain inequities, Corporate bullying, the credit and housing markets surrendering to breaking points, etc. 

As more and more people are disenfranchised with certain systems and "promises" failing to meet expectations, it is almost certain that some people will voice their concerns.  Eventually pushing back.  It's what we do.  This is what we are seeing from the OCCUPY Movement.  We all have our opinions on what this OCCUPY concept means and how it's being executed - I certainly have mine.  In the positive action there are also components of negative action and reaction pouring from boiled over frustrations.  OCCUPY LOVE is an action and  reaction.  The idea - LOVE is the foundation for everything in our human multiverse - it's the foundation and structure for; intelligence, education, compassion, dignity, respect, selflessness, generosity, symbiosis, understanding, growth and enlightenment.  If it's so, that we all need to be reminded how we can all benefit and grow, possibly redefining what it means to show compassion - perhaps the OCCUPY LOVE shirt is just a very small reminder and subsequent flicker of luminosity - an undeniable message.  15 additional values fortify the spine of the shirt.  The idea is to absorb the strength in these values.  A portion of our proceeds (around 33.33% adjusted Gross) will go to the Children's Literacy Intitiative - an amazing foundation that builds and enriches young lives.  Please participate with us.  We sold 600 shirts in just a few days.  We want to see this permeate all willing minds.  Available in Men's and Women's in both Black and White for a mere $25.00.  If you wish to purchase one, go HERE.  Thank you.

FriendsWithYou - MR. TTT BOP BAG!

I always had a fascination with those old school bags - you know the ones - those stand up punching bags we had when we were kids?  They essentially were big inflatable Weebles (bc Weebles never Wobble...or something like that).  I think I had a Mickey Mouse one.  I would channel my sugar high and I would start getting medieval on that sucker!  Here I am, 30 some odd years later, still thinking about that sugar high and still down for those bop bags.  So, I made one!  With FriendsWithYou!  A perfect fit, right?  Super happy, experiential and sculptural art with plumes of happy go lucky feelings oozing out of it's rainbow spectrum.  Seemed to be a good fit for me.  FriendsWithYou already had established themselves as the premiere inflatable artists.  If you were at South Beach for Art Basel in the last four years, you may have seen a giant, happy floating creature - that would be FriendsWithYou.  

The Mr. TTT Bop Bag stands 50" tall, has a sand weighted base and he/her/it can take a good walloping!  Only 250 made and retailing for $90.00.  I think we only have four left so sorry about this SUPER LATE BLOG POST.  Boy, I kind of suck.  Maybe you can grab one of the four that is left.

Buy it HERE!