MR. BUNNY #2

Following up on the madness of a 24 hour Bunny love fest!  That was cool, right?  I'm fairly certain everyone was able to grab what they wanted.  If not from our site, from the host of amazing and awesome retailers who we love to call our polyamorous life partners.  We heard some very kind kudos being thrown out to the divine Rotofugi and My Plastic Heart.  It's great that the base  supports the pillars because without the pillars and without all of you, we're lost at sea.  We certainly feel challenged to create better pieces and we're definitely trying to evolve with all of your tastes.  Hopefully we all sail up stream together, in this case, to a Chaos Bunny paradise masterminded by Joe Ledbetter.  

Happy shopping, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and let's turn this motha out!

Pssst.  One last thought or tid bit of insider info.  There's a Bunny who jumped ship.  Last we heard he sailed off over the great Atlantic to a very liberal European port town to have a little fun.  Keep it Fresh.  Keep it Minty.  We may have to follow the trail.  Might get lost ourselves =)  If we do, don't bother sending help.  We'll be swimming mightily towards greener pastures.

www.theloyalsubjects.com

MR BUNNY. #2

$125.00

This Wednesday, Noon PST at 

www.theloyalsubjects.com

Also, check with your favorite retailers for availability -

BAIT, Yoyamart, Rotofugi, Minty Fresh...and more...

Ships before Christmas.

ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING

Wow, did that just happen?  Did Elvis really leave the building?  Did we start the morning with almost 100 Lava Bunnies and end up with a bunch of empty boxes, some crusty donuts, a lot of hand shakes and a bunch of smiling faces?  I think so.  I'm pretty sure that just happened.  Nice.  That feels good.  

Conventions are crazy, even the ones in your own backyard.  We're in Atwater Village and Designer Con is in Pasadena.  Maybe a 15 minute drive from our HQ.  Closeness to proximity doesn't matter, it's still chaos.  We're ripping apart the warehouse, bubble wrapping our fixtures, getting our samples ready, making sure our loyal customers are being communicated to, packing up 17' long trucks - it's a massive effort for just a 9 hour show.  And it's only 1 day.  And it's fun!  This is just the tip of the iceberg.  We have Toy Fair coming in February.  A secret release this January in Amsterdam.  Another secret release this coming March in Beijing.  Comic Con in San Diego!  It's nuts!!  And it's all Joe Ledbetter related!  More Nuts!  Side Note - You can never use enough emphatics.  Really, the good ole exclamation mark is king.  Simple, yet effective.  People are intuitive.  Intuition created the exclamation mark.  A perfect union of design and expression.

Enough of the side track crazy train.  Let's talk about Designer Con!  Everyone happy?  I know, not everyone but we will make it our mission for you to be stoked!  It's my goal to make sure that whoever lost out on this round will be included in the next.  We are democratic, we are loyal, you are our subjects and we are yours.  We're one in the same and we know it's you guys who make us tick.  It's you guys who prop us up and believe-you-me, we are grateful to our very core.  We are never lost on that point.  We were excited to meet our friends, familiar faces and new faces, all celebrating the return of Lava Bunny, Joe's first intro into the art toy scene way back, several years ago.  It's great that The Loyal Subjects were able to produce a very identifiable and unique design, one which has resonated with a really great core group.  Even greater, it's amazing the great group of collectors who have connected with Joe Ledbetter through the years. It truly is fantastic and everyone feels blessed to have the support from all of you.  Art with an impact.  Can't get any better, can you? 

Congratulations to all of you who were able to score one, meet Joe and have Joe sign your prized Bunny.  Congratulations to Joe Ledbetter for being fierce, dynamic and truly an all around great guy!  And for kicking so much butt last Saturday!  Let's keep the momentum going.  Word on the street is, there's another Bunny going up on the market.  Something about a leak Monday?  Perhaps it'll be on sale at www.theloyalsubjects.com on Wed?  So I've heard.  Keep them ears and peepers peeled.  we got your back!

jc

MR BUNNY LAVA

Stay tuned...Nov 3rd.  Pasadena.

MEGA FIRE CATS

Mega is a misused term.  Mega this, Mega that.  Mega Savings.  Mega Cola.  Mega Mart.  Enough of Mega already.  Until, Mega is used properly, intuitively, sparing, for the exact moment where the letters M E G A actually mean something when pronounced.  It's as if you're almost afraid to say it.  Just a whisper will do.  With the right intent, Mega conjures Mega.  What is Mega?  Mega is the calm before the storm.  It's the quiet rolling rumble of the earth and dirt beneath your feet.  It's the water rippling, echoing across the surface.  And it grows.  And grows. And grows.  Until you are confronted with MEGA.  You become paralyzed.  Swallowed by Mega's Meganess.  It's too late.  You're a goner.  

M E G A   F I R E C A T!

This is Mega.  Standing 4' tall nearly 6' across (with the flame).  This Mega beast is more than a beast.  This is a mega piece of art. Produced by The Loyal Subjects and created by Joe Ledbetter.  The Fire Cat is one of Joe's prized and cherished characters.  Now, it's a formidable art sculpture and very rare.  The Mega Fire Cat will be releasing into the throws of panic'ed earth in less than 30 days.  There are several color ways; Red (Ed of 7), Ice (Ed of 4), Mono (Ed of 5) and Lava (Ed of 3).  That's right.  Just 19 MEGA Fire Cats.  If you're lucky enough to get your hands on one, you too will finally know the meaning of MEGA!

Available through www.3dretro.com, www.toykio.de and www.baitme.com - happy hunting =).

PS  If you strike out, we have only 1 left.  Coax it out of our hands if you dare.  sales@theloyalsubjects.com.

SIGNED KOSTOPOL WARRIORS

Do you like signed things?  I do.  How about from a famous artist who has three Emmys in their possession   Well, that sounds interesting.  How about if this artist is Gary Baseman and things bearing his signature historically go up in value?  I think that's a yes.  Also, his paintings sell anywhere between $7.5k - $35k.  I think that's a double yes.

The Loyal Subjects loves to give the gifts that keep on giving.  In this case;  Gary Baseman's Kostopol Warrior.  Signed!  Some with original art/doodles!  This is huge.  This is worth buying.  This is taking a piece of pop art home with you permanently.  What a deal!  So I bet you're asking yourself, "well, how do I get this?"  Easy.  Buy a Kostopol Warrior on www.theloyalsubjects.com and you'll probably be lucky enough to be one of the few people who gets an actual signed Kostopol Warrior.  I wish I had one =.(

Even though I own the company, I'm sure I'll have to wait just like everyone else to see if I can score a signed Gary Baseman piece.  Please FATES, look upon my meek existence mercifully and bless me with good fortune!  I think I'm trying to apply the "Secret".  I just asked the Universe for one.

How about you?  Will you ask the Universe for one?  If you do, the Universe will say in a large omnipresent voice "GO TO www.theloyalsubjects.com AND PURCHASE A KOSTOPOL WARRIOR.  GIVE YOURSELF A CHANCE TO SUCCEED AND YOU'LL MAKE NEW FRIENDS."  I love that omnipresent voice.  It's so powerful.

Good luck!

The event recaps always take a second to recollect and document.  Trust us, it isn't a procrastination vice.  It seems that way since we're always a week or two post event before we're able to collect our thoughts and the pictures we want to share.

The Loyal Subjects had the opportunity a little more than a week ago to co-host a signing with the very generous brand, Bait.   We are certainly grateful for Bait's hospitality and the amazing job the Bait crew did organizing Gary Baseman's first Buckingham Warrior signing (the Kostopol Warrior).  I would personally like to thank Kevin Cao for bringing this together.

The Buckingham Warrior is a deeply personal project for Gary Baseman, and, we at The Loyal Subjects back his passion 100%.  The signing was fantastic.  There were fans from around the world and everyone who participated was satisfied - expectation met!  Below is an interview Gary gave to CNN reporter Chris Marrow.   Gary gives an intimate view inside a deeply personal experience. 

The Kostopol Warrior is $120.00 and available at www.theloyalsubjects.com (only 250 made).

LAURIE LIPTON - SUPER TALENTED MINDBLOWING ARTIST

A few months back, we (The Loyal Subjects) released a mind melting 34" x 24" print with extreme render(er), Laurie Lipton.  The print is called "Love Bite".  It's insane.  "Love Bite" is printed on an archival cotton rag paper and is an edition of 213.  We have a couple left.  You should buy one.  Laurie is going to be extremely famous.  The prints are rare.  Everything is pointing to you collecting one.  Stop oscillating over Facebook stock.  

Do what's right.  I did.  

Buy it now - www.theloyalsubjects.com

 

TLS x JOELEDBETTER x KIDROBOT EVENT!

The Loyal Subjects would like to personally thank Kidrobot and their superstar team of experts  for their efforts, support and diligence. 

Extra extra thanks and bountiful swells of gratitude also go out to Joe Ledbetter for creating/concocting this awesome, monstrous, masterpiece.

Pleasantries aside, the Friday night event at Kidrobot was awesome.  The Loyal faithfuls certainly were served up with heaping helpings of veggie delight, all in the form of a mutant Veggie Burger Bunny.  Imagine seeing one of these bouncing around on your front lawn.  Furreal!  That's frightening and surreal combined.  It's not a word so don't look it up.  Perhaps we'll get a mention in Urban Dictionary for this "good ole college try".

Kidrobot LA had 12 on hand and then "poof"!  Much like the bunny in the magicians hat - Gone!  Don't sweat it though, more are available through Kidrobot June 7th so keep your eyes peeled to their retail stores and online.  Happy hunting!  

PS  Vinylpulse Jack was on hand to record the night's activities.  Always give VP a looksie for the "on the ground" activities involving TLS.

BUCKINGHAM WARRIOR GOES HOME

On the eve, before the Buckingham Warrior ships out to our supporters, customers and retailers - I get to stand back and reflect about what a fun life we all have and how insignificant are our troubles that we choose to own? 

When I first started working on the Buckingham Warrior (a project that has been earned through mindfulness, labor, care and patience), I thought "Wow, what a great design!  This will definitely work!"  I was concentrating on the nature and spirit of manufacturing a collectible.  The design turned me on and I thought our customers would be excited to see this unique character come to life.  Fortunately, it seems they are.  However, it was a "B" to "C" concept; a great idea that fits right in with our brand identity, and complex enough to create conversation, ultimately landing in customer's hands.  It turns out the project, in spirit, is much more complex, much more layered and emboldened with a righteous spirit.

Gary Baseman is unique.  He has been a pioneer in our community, a feverish personality, a champion of our realm.  His fabric is art.  He also is woven to certain strands of great and significant circumstance.  Events which reshaped the lives of many, desperately wounded the world community and events so atrocious, they are deprived of any semblance of light.  Gary's parents are immigrants from Poland.  A country that was destroyed by Nazi Germany, preempting WWII.  Gary's father was a local fighter.  A man who took up arms, not part of any great or greater army but as a civilian fighting for respect and thwarting an evil injustice.

The Buckingham Warrior is the allegorical representation of his father.  Along with it, a mythology adhering to his father's legacy.  

Recently, Gary stopped in Rome.  He created a provocative mural in an area known as Q44 (The Quadraro in 1944) - an area where thousands of liberal minded civilians were rounded up by the Nazi and fascist soldiers - either killed or sent to camps.  Gary's powerful image of the Buckingham Warrior, a character infused with the spirit of righteous intent and protector of his fellow brothers and sisters, stands as both watchmen and reminder.

I'm proud to have contributed just a small bit to the memory of Gary's father and to those who suffered nameless.  I say this with pure humility and respect.  The Buckingham Warrior is a true and unveiled hero - even if just for all of our imaginations.

Available @ www.theloyalsubjects.com

POOL TOYS AND HYDRATION - BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!

Spring is upon us.  I love Spring.  It's a prelude to Summer.  Summer is my favorite season.  I couldn't imagine a world without summer - the renewal of life, the radiant sunshine, pool parties, surf trips, beach days, long days, warm nights...  What fun.  What memories.

I think we (TLS) subconsciously make seasonal product.  I do.  It might not be deliberate but it sure seems that way.  Case in point - the Joe Ledbetter Water bottle - in time for Coachella, Spring, the renewal of activities, Beach days and your general all around hydration needs.  It's perfect!  And it's so cool.  Only $20.00 on www.theloyalsubjects.com and ready to ship now.  It's reusable, washable, aluminum - with a really cool screen printed graphic.  I want 10 for myself, unfortunately, I started a business to sell my wares, not hoard them.  Thus, I offer it with great humility and concern for your hydration needs, and, with an equally great conscious for your eco conservationist sensibilities.  Boom!

Next - Gary Baseman's wildly famous alter ego, TOBY.  We turned him into a very cool Jeff Koonsian like inflatable.  And he's huge.  T H I R T Y S I X I N C H E S T A L L.  I've been told that's big.  It is.  Be the coolest at the pool - what better pool condiment than a very cool, famous art object that floats?  And, it's 20% off from now to the end of Coachella on www.theloyalsubjects.com.  Bad A$$.  

Let's all heed great concern for each other's cool points and health.  Get on the bus, we have some good gets on the way to your destination!

THE LOYAL SUBJECTS COACHELLA (tiny) CAPSULE COLLECTION!

I started in music.  I played drums for nameless bands.  Seemingly forever.  But a "fun" forever.  Eventually, after a day of music fits and tantrums, I thought of an idea - "Let's create characters like the Lil' Homies but instead of 'Homies', they'll have Mullets.  I'll call them Mullet Heads!"  That's a good abbreviated and condensed way of describing how I plunged into this industry.  Music has always been my first love.  The arts.  The arts are my love.  But music permeates.  I still play, just not on stage.

I remember heading out to Indio a decade ago.  Even before that, I remember Pearl Jam playing the Polo Grounds.  It was an "F" You concert, flipping the bird to Ticket Master.  Pearl Jam escaped the long Ticket Master grasp and headed beyond their reach - thus the Polo Fields in Indio.  That show(s) proved that concerts worked at that location.  Cut a few years later (post Lollapalooza culture festival explosion), Goldenvoice - the genius micro promoter outfit which had a hand in every punk rock show extending from San Diego to Santa Barbara from the mid 80's on - held a concert in the desert.  It was amazing.  My friends and I had a great time.  For the next few years we named the show "Rock and Roll High School Reunion".  It seemed that every musician that I had met along the way (and vice versa) was at the show.  It was great.  It still is great.  Bigger.

All things being said, that feeling and those people were my family.  Those were amazing times.  That's why I jumped at the chance to have my own micro product offering in the famous Coachella Boutique.  A sure shot from the mainstage to the back of the venue.  Couldn't miss it if you tried.  

I knew that Joe Ledbetter would be the perfect fit (no pun intended) for the T-Shirt.  And he is.  Joe's mascot, Mr. Bunny pitches the perfect concert going narrative - a fun time, a little delirious and knocked off the planet.  Brilliant.  I then had the idea to create a map - like the ones at Disneyland.  Although I wanted to use the genius collage and "all things connected" universe as demonstrated by the brilliant Jon Burgerman.  He knocked it out of the park.  The poster is almost 6' wide and printed on archival paper (this one definitely goes up in a frame).  It's a true treasure map, illustrating famous facets of Coachella lore past and future.  Take a real close look.  There are some amazing nuggets that I'm sure a well versed Coachella-ite will recognize.  So that is where we stand.  Unfortunately, both pieces are only available at the show but fortunately, you'll have to go and have the time of your life to have access to them.  Not too bad a predicament. 

BURGER BUNNY INFLATABLE!

When I was a kid, maybe three or four years old, I had these full length heather blue Mickey Mouse Club pajamas (with footies and all - possibly even the trap door butt).  The "footies" had this rubber texture that adhered to the bottoms.  I guess three year olds need some good gripping traction.  All things being said, I had a matching inflatable Bop Bag, which was Mickey Mouse, and advertised the good ole' MMC.  I loved that bag.  It looked cool.  I loved the texture.  And it was fun to punch.  

Perhaps that's our fascination with these inflatables.  As Freud said, "Childhood Regression".  Better yet, perhaps it's more like Jeff Koons in nature.  Challenging perceptions of what is functional, mundane, obvious, interpretive - and what is art.  A physical piece, in a physical space, where the actual object itself incorporates an identity and oscillates energy.  I think it's both.  Regression Art?  Can that be a movement?  Although we are progressing?  All things here said, it's worth the discussion and bottom line, these objects are amazing in a physical space.  They literally transform a space into sculpture gardens incorporating fun, energy and aesthetic.  How cool!

When Joe first introduce the Burger Bunny through his well known Mutant Bunny Series, I knew that design had layers (no pun intended).  It was satyr, parody, clever, objectionable and embracing.  The image has great color contrast and is a narrative of a 1000 words.  What a perfect idea.  We had to blow it up.  So we did!  Into a 62" inflatable which bops if you punch it.  A sand weighted base keeps it in place.  This piece is an objet d'art.  All encompassing.  And it's only $99.00 at www.theloyalsubjects.com.  Only 300 Made!

We hope that you enjoy!

TENDER GREENS x THE LOYAL SUBJECTS x JEREMYVILLE

Back to basics.  In everything.  There's an idea that pairing down all visceral human experiences to a positive inertia develops intellectual and spiritual growth.  A sort of deconstructionist theory - where every idea, notion and action is broken down into the purity of the "moment", and either enjoyed, consumed or displayed for the betterment of that moment.  In hopes of building steps to a better and enlightened future - (all the while) conceding to rules of conscious conservation.  There seems to be hints of action towards these moments and certainly men and women giving examples, leading the way.  Understanding and exploring the "human condition" as it relates to our ideas, our place in the universe and our future existence and this plays out indefinitely through art, food, culture, and so on.

The Loyal Subjects recently had the opportunity to work with a conscious and forward thinking company - a restaurant group named Tender Greens.  Tender Greens restaurants in Cliff's Notes: Tender Greens provides a full sensory experience - taste, feel, smell, hear, see.   Most importantly, Tender Greens provides a quality dining experience - delivering  fine dining eats in a relatable, social environment.  Relatable in price as well.  What uptight establishments deliver in the $20 and $30 range, Tender Greens is delivering in the $10-$12 range.  

Conscious, moving away from "widget" like distributors and suppliers, Tender Greens core philosophy surrounds the "Farm to Fork" ideal - fresh goods pulled from the ground in the morning and arrive on your plate that afternoon.

They are a great company with an excellent product.  TLS was contacted by Tender Greens (Heidi Wahl - Marketing and Events planner) to possibly collaborate; "installing art that reaches and speaks to their core and casual customer".  We, knowing and working with all sorts of brilliant artists, knew exactly who to go to for this job.  We contacted Jeremy from Jeremyville - Jeremyville has a rich narrative with clever associations and a "glass-half-full" motif.  He's perfect for the job.  And he was!  Jeremyville knocked it out of the park.  Here are a few pics from my iPhone of some of the brilliant art that is hanging on the walls at Tender Greens.  We were happy to work hand-in-hand with some great people and it looks like we had some great results.  Please visit them on Second Ave. in Santa Monica (next to the Promenade), as well as their many other locations.  *Sorry for the blurry pics.  I will definitely swap them out for some better ones at a later date*.

 

GARY BASEMAN'S BUCKINGHAM WARRIOR

The phrase "Art Toy" is interesting.  I remembered when it was coined.  It was Jim Crawford, Co-Founder of StrangeCo who first brought the term to life.  He did it because he was having a difficult time generalizing what we do.  It's art but it isn't so exclusive or inclusive.  It's a toy but it isn't really played with (to an extent) and it's less broad in notion.  So, he came up with a term that could describe what we do in pure dumb simplicity that is dually genius.  Art Toy.  And there it was.  It was a perfect term describing StrangeCo's product line since much or all of it derived from 2D art - be it paintings, fine art or pop art in much the "indie" realm - relatively what is considered "non-licensed" to those accustomed to stocking shelves with large evergreen brands like Star Wars, etc.  We all adopted that term - believing, what we do is a combination of art, design and product.  Specifically, product derived from art springing from similar wells - painters, fine artists, pop artists, etc. - both, in a scholastic, meaningful sense and a playful, less emphatic and didactic sense.  Cut to the chase.  Gary Baseman's Buckingham Warrior is a perfect example of 'Art Toy' in scope. The project is a non deliberate gesture in familiarity - picking up with The Loyal Subjects where the brilliant Critterbox left off.  If you don't remember Critterbox, you should.  They were brilliant in their approach.  The pieces were big, beautiful and had depth.  The Buckingham Warrior certainly has these inherent traits.

The Buckingham Warrior in Cliff's Notes:

The Buckingham Warrior is a deer named Buckingham.  An unusual deer.  He has three legs.   This three legged deer lives in the Wolyner Forest.  He is a living organism in symbiosis with the greater and vastly expansive mother to all...Nature.  Life is ideal.  Until the idyllic inertia was disrupted by a malevolent and greedy man.  This man (the Land Baron) saw the forest as a rich resource ripe for exploitation.  He and his henchmen marched into this otherwise peaceful domain and without conscious or compassion, started to destroy the forest.  Buckingham refused to submit to this painful reality.  He stood his ground and fought back.  In his struggle, Buckingham was decapitated by the evildoers.  In an act of other-wordly defiance, the deer grew several heads back, replacing the decapitated head.  Buckingham was unmovable in his righteous stand. 

The story itself is anecdotal, a fable in feel but the sentiment is rich in metaphor.  The story was inspired by Gary's own father who was a Holocaust Survivor.  The Buckingham Warrior embodies the spirit emboldened by strong value sets; Freedom, Respect, Dignity, Fairness, Bravery - and to a larger scope, including the delicacy of our own ecology.   Buckingham is a hero for the ages.

The first edition is Buckingham as the the deer living peacefully in the Wolyner Forest.  The figure boasts several points of articulation, accessories and the rich color palette that is signature to Gary Baseman.  The figure is packaged in a closed 4C box with a satin finish.  A gorgeous piece. 

The Buckingham Warrior will be available Wed, Feb 22nd 2012 at NOON PST on www.theloyalsubjects.com and select retailers for $115.00USD.  Edition - 400.

VALENTINE'S DAY LOVE!

Valentine's Day - a day to show those who you intimately care for, just how much you care.  So goes the tradition.  I haven't read up on the entire history.  My assumption is Valentine's Day is a positive emotion.  Not just another gift giving day, but a day where the gifts that you give carry weight.  Gifts that are true expressions - thoughtful, fun, emotionally connecting, romantic and so on. 

I have a few gifts up my sleeve.  I'm also making available a few gifts for those budget conscious, star crossed lovers.  Serious, our Valentine's Day Love Fest in dollar amounts is less than a dozen roses and more than a helium balloon.  Both gifts include stories and DNA that all sprang from True Love.  Magnus and Friday - A true love story.  I know, I was there when it happened.  To make things even more bizarre, the real Magnus and Friday love story happened in Rome.  After Joe created the story (on a walk around the Circo Massimo - the track Ben Hur made famous), we walked into a Basilica and low and behold, this exact Basilica had St. Valentine's skull (relic).  Unbelievable.  I'm not making this up.  It's as true as the day is long.  So, Magnus and Friday are truly dipped in St. Valentine's tender magic - literally! 

Alex Pardee's Walrus Rider is a true love story too.  It's about a stud of a young man who had the best legs in town.  The girls fell ga ga over this lad's lengthy stems.  One night, while this young man was sleeping, some beast came in and stole his legs.  Can you imagine the nerve of some people?  Well, the little dude was pissed.  He lassoed a Walrus and went looking for vengeance.  All because of love.  Love for his legs and the attention he received from the Betties.  

So, this Valentine's Day - ask yourself - are you a stud?  Are you the perfect girlfriend?  You should answer, YES!  I am!  And by committing to this affirmation, it only makes sense for you to get on over to TheLoyalSubjects.com and pick yourself up a $50.00 Walrus Rider which includes a 8" x 10" signed print from Mr. Pardee himself and either version of the Magnus and Friday sets for $40.00 each!  Serious, does it get any better? 

Happy Valentine's Day!

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!

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.

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.