ULTRA Mini Zine in Progress

Tim Mantoani photographed a large collection of Japanese toys today, representative of the original "Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot" and "Ultra Man." These two programs were influential in my childhood and stirred up the imagination, which happily pushed me into the arts. And as a result, Tim's photography and Joel Nakamura's arwork will be featured in my latest mini zine entitled, "ULTRA."

Jump in the game and check out "ULTRA," a celebration of Japanese pop-culture at booth 4833 featuring Mark Murphy and Jeff Soto.

Comic-Con Booth 4833 : July 22-26

Photography by Tim Mantoani

Comic-Con San Diego 2009 :

Wednesday, July 22 — Sunday, July 26

Booth No. 4833

Featuring Murphy Art Books and Jeff Soto

Visit Booth 4833 at this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego where original artwork by Jeff Soto and Mark Murphy will be made available and high-quality art books featuring: Ray Caesar, Jeff Soto, Kathie Olivas, Bob Dob, Mark Murphy, Martha Rich, Jonathan Viner and more.

Mark Murphy will be featuring 40 original fine art pieces and a 36 page “zine,” entitled “Tax Me.” “Tax Me” is a stylized, editorial take on the current state of our economy and all of its consequences. All of the original paintings will be made available for acquisition.

+++Sponsor+++
www.planetillogica.com : create : participate : contribute

Fine Art by Robert Connett

Scribble08 Film Premier and Art Exhibition
Thursday : JULY 23, 6:30PM – 11:30 PM

+ Scribble08 art exhibition features 25 Artists curated by Mark Murphy.

+ Scribble08 art film features a 48 minute art documentary film featuring Claytons, M Rich, J Soto, J Sorren, T Biskup, C Garcia, K Christy and music by Tim Biskup, Joe Sorren, Jason Holley, MANUOK and more :

Location : Wonderhaus : 1600 National Avenue : San Diego : CA : 92113 : www.wonderbreadhaus.com

+++Description+++
Please join us for a premier event featuring a new documentary art film “Scribble08,” art exhibition, live music, cash bar, food and great friends : RSVP for this great event held at a Andy Warhol styled warehouse space minutes away from the San Diego Comic-Con convention hall : RSVP today and jump in : Live music features MANUOK : Scribble08 DVD will be made available for the first time :

+++Featured Artists+++
Jesse M Balmer + Glenn Barr + Tim Biskup + Cathie Bleck + Matthew Bone + Marc Burckhardt + Collin Christian + Sas Christian + Kevin Christy + Christian and Rob Clayton + Robert Connett + Tony Fitzpatrick + AJ Fosik + Femke Hiemstra + Hiru Kurata + James Jean + Chris Mars + Jeff Soto + Gary Taxali + Thesis + Mark Todd + Damon Soule + Esther Pearl Watson + Kent Williams + Martin Wittfooth

+++Sponsor+++
www.planetillogica.com : create : participate : contribute

Fine Art by Marco Wagner

Planet Illogica Extravaganza and Art Exhibition

Friday : JULY 24, 6:30PM – 12:30 AM

+++Description+++
Please join us for a major art happening that delivers fine art, live music featuring Taylor Bates composer of “300,” “Watchmen,” cash bar, food and great friends : RSVP for this great event held at a Andy Warhol styled warehouse space minutes away from the San Diego Comic-Con convention hall : RSVP today and jump in :

Planet Illogica Extravaganza featuring art, music, fashion and great friends. Live painting on nude model by Ron English.

Location : Wonderhaus : 1600 National Avenue : San Diego : CA : 92113 : www.wonderbreadhaus.com

Fine Art by Chris Ryniak

+++Featured Artists+++
David Van Alphen : Jonathan Bergeron : Chris Buzelli : Bob Dob : Molly Crabapple : Amy Crehore : Steven Daily : Brendan Danielsson : Leslie Ditto : Travis Lampe : Jason Limon : Travis Louie : Lola : Tim Mantoani : Dan May : Mike Maxwell : Brandi Milne : Joel Nakamura : Kathie Olivas : Nathan Ota : Brandt Peters : Luke Ramsey : Chris Ryniak : Erik Sandberg : Raudiel Sanudo : Mijn Schatje : Nathan Spoor : Matt Stallings : David Russell Talbott : Jon Todd : Joe Vaux : Marco Wagner : Jeni Yang

Fine Art by David van Alphen

+++Sponsors+++
www.planetillogica.com : create : participate : contribute

Ninthlink : Hash House A Go Go : Sushi On A Roll : Just Taste It Catering

Fine Art by Joel Nakamura

Travis Lampe Interview

Chicago based artist, Travis Lampe, is a gifted storyteller who captures the nightmares inspired by children’s storybooks and bedtime stories. Travis has been featured in exhibitions in Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles and Art Basel Miami. The following is an interview that introduces you to the imaginative world of Travis Lampe. Enjoy.

mm : Your work captures the nightmares imagined from children’s storybooks : Did you read storybooks as a child? And is there a story or group of books that inspired you to pursue this further in your latest collection of work, “Best Loved Tales of Misery and Woe, Etc.?”

TL : I read a lot as a kid, but this show isn’t inspired by any particular story from the past. It’s about how the malaise of the present can get so intense that it actually ruins previously happy childhood memories. A feeling probably triggered by the current grim atmosphere. Then I take that and try to put a light spin on it .…Exaggerated sadness is funny to me for some reason.

mm : Do you have a favorite piece from this current exhibition or do all of the pieces complete one story being told? Please explain :

TL : I most enjoyed making the sculptural pieces like “1:6 Scale Magnus,” “Anders” (the rat head) and “Prize.” Because I’m crafty. I also really enjoyed painting “Rat Herder,” “Rainbow Drooper” and “Love Proof.”

The paintings in the show are but snippets of parts of a collection of ne’er-been-told tales. So if you pieced them together you still wouldn’t have the whole story. What links the snippets is that they’ve all been spoilt by the backwards creeping stain of woe…

mm : With Comic-Con just around the corner, are you planning on any special toy releases or signings?

TL : Unfortunately I won’t make it to Comicon this year. But if things work out I will have a prototype design of a sweet new platform toy on display. And yes it’s sad.

I’ve got plenty of other projects in the works, too, but due to delays as a result of the economy, I’m not sure that several of them will be done in time. Bleh.

mm : What is next for Travis Lampe and what subject matter would you like to feature in your works over the next few months?

TL : Next I’m taking a small break and travelling to Italy and Slovenia, both of which I highly recommend.

Soon after I get back I’ll be taking part in a group show at Merry Karnowsky Berlin, which I’m excited about.

As far as subject matter for upcoming stuff, it’s hard to say. I often start out with a plan and end up veering off in an entirely different direction. Right now the images in my head are of half buried creatures with lots of arms and legs, but I’m not sure where that will take me…I’ve been reading a lot of Lovecraft lately, so maybe that’s where the images are coming from.

mm : Where can people learn more about the imaginative world of Travis Lampe and do you have any other exhibitions or projects that you are working on?

TL : I have an interview in the next issue of Hi Fructose Magazine (vol 12) due out in July! In it, I reveal all. Questions such as "why all the sad stuff?" are answered in detail.

There's also my interview on Vimby.com: http://www.vimby.com/video/art/us/all/detail/10170

I suppose a person could most successfully stay on top of my comings and goings by signing up for my newsletter at this shortcut link: http://eepurl.com/bJF-

Otherwise, there are my websites, some of which have been recently updated: travislampe.com
fantasycryland.com (merchandising arm of my enterprise): teardrips.com

A link to the work in my current show at Roq La Rue

Kind thanks Travis for sharing your thoughts before you head to Europe. Travis will be featured at the www.planetillogica.com release party on Friday, July 24 on the wall and in fashion. Check it out.

Tax Me Zine at Comic Con booth 4833

Comic-Con in San Diego is fast approaching and this year should be plenty of fun. Jeff Soto and I will be at booth 4833 listed under Murphy Art Books. I will be featuring 40 original art pieces and a new zine entitled, “Tax Me.”

“Tax Me” is a collection of pen and ink drawings that foreshadow our near feature fate for an increase in tax. Believe me, I am not a fan of these state and federal government measures and have chosen to exercise my opinion through visual storytelling and a large body of work.

“Tax Me” looks to question the Obama administrations depiction of the United States economy with terms like: toxic assets, tax Czar (Kenneth Feinberg), government oversight including: reform, streamlining, regulations and extend a helping hand…no more corporate jets, monitoring bonuses, monitoring executive pay while taking over GM. Interesting series of events with more to come.

Stop by booth 4833 at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con and say hello to Jeff Soto and I. Check out the “Tax Me” art collection and feel free to pick up a piece for your tax free collection.

INSPIRE Guest No. 2 by Adobe

All this week, I will be the second featured guest for an online publication created by the Adobe Experience Design team, INSPIRE. INSPIRE is a brand new forum programmed in Adobe Flex, that looks to celebrate the XD programming community while promoting User based content.

Thankfully, I was invited by my good pal Chris Heimbuch to participate and write 6 articles about eBooks. Well, let’s just say eBooks took a turn, and evolved into a new publishing concept that I am proud to introduce, “wePublishing.”

“...if you ask me, we all need to take the “e” out of eBooks and ePublishing and replace it with “we.” wePublishing is community based content that focuses our collective efforts on educating, mentoring and inspiring. wePublishing invites those who freely choose to participate, contribute and create dynamic content that compliments integrity and purpose.”

Check out the new INSPIRE website and let me know what you think. Thank you in advanced.

Images : Jeff Soto : Murphy Fine Art Books : Mark Todd + Esther Pearl Watson : Tim Mantoani : Gary Taxali

Jeff Soto : The Inland Empire

Jeff Soto, Riverside’s favorite son has traveled to London for his latest solo exhibition, “The Inland Empire,” at StolenSpace. Jeff’s exhibit features over twenty new paintings on wood panel and paper, as well as large-scale outdoor installations.


StolenSpace will feature the release of a new limited edition, hand pulled screen print by Jeff and he will be on hand to sign copies of his newly published book “Storm Clouds” by Murphy Fine Art Editions.


“The Inland Empire” is a politically charged exhibition focusing on the economic pressures on the community where he lives and how it translates on the world. Conceptually, this exhibition is the next major step that follows up Jeff’s successful museum exhibition at the Riverside Art Museum, “Turning In Circles” in December of 2008.

Pictured : Jeff in Riverside, Turning In Circles
and a commissioned painting by this kid :

Jeff’s latest installation promises to be a dynamic collection, offering a painting style that features more dimensional qualities, a new assortment of characters who fall prey to the financial pressures plaguing the US economy. When will it end?

Check out the StolenSpace website for all of the latest and greatest, as well as Jeff Soto’s blog for his first jaunt overseas. We wish you much success Jeff.

Exhibition opens Thursday, May 14th and runs until June 7th, 2009.

Tony : Fitzpatrick : Studio Visit and Hobo Series

"The Town with No Mercy" and "Oh, Canaan Land" from

the Hobo Series by Tony Fitzpatrick

Recently, I returned home from a weekend trip to Chicago and Cleveland. While in Chicago, I visited the iconic American artist, Tony Fitzpatrick at his Big Cat Press studio and art gallery. Tony is a great ambassador for the arts and actively mentors young creative minds on a daily basis. Tony encourages "knowledge-hungry" youth to thoroughly understand process, display consistent integrity and practice, practice, practice. Chaotic at times, the studio is buzzing with collectors, press, street folk and great friends.

Tony’s current artistic focus, amongst many, is completing a series of paintings celebrating the American folk tradition of the “Hobo.” Tony is orchestrating this large body of work entitled, “The Hobo’s Broken Rosary,” which features hobo symbology, alphabets, visual storytelling and passionate display.

"The Orange Beast" and "The Night Table (Safe Camp)"

Tony’s latest poetry and painting assemblages are a homage to those displaced as a result of war, economic crisis, mental anguish, ethnicity and “forever” soul searching. Tony points out in this diverse body of work, that the "Hobo Movement" erupted as a result of the Civil War, the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl and the American Homeless population of today.

Tony is a vivid storyteller and visual sociologist who honors tradition while celebrating those who came before him. Tony celebrates the ghosts of his past with found printed matter from the ages, working in concert with his collage and painting techniques. Tony’s paintings are true compositions, as they embody his love for iconic symbolism, typography, dimensional assembly and the literary guidance of prose.

Tony is a man with no formal art training; highly in tune with the body language of the streets; and who possesses a critical eye for talent. He sees the potential in those who consistently try and is happy to guide those willing to learn through immediate action. Tony delivers an old world charm, as his collectors who stop by, and while in the studio he delivers straight-up advice. And, “Yes!” Tony puts a twist of Irish bullshit in his conversations to keep you on your toes.

While hanging around Tony’s studio for two days and planning a fine art book that will archive “This Train,” I am happy to report that there will be a great amount of descriptive text that will help relay Tony’s storytelling. Each "hobo" painting features poetic verse, typically 30 words or less, icons, the hobo alphabet and symbology. 

My visit was inspired, as I painted, photographed, listened and reflected on my experience. It was an honor to witness Tony in action. Many props for the artistic support he offers to the Chicago community.

There is no doubt that Tony Fitzpatrick is an iconic artist who has consistently captured storytelling on a multitude of levels. Tony’s “Hobo Series” is a collection of images that convey a deep appreciation for Americana. This painting collection is Tony’s road map that leads you among the souls of great friends, seekers for the non-obvious, carpet baggers of dreams and the “Boxcar” wanderers looking to release their spirit onto the world.

"The Gray Angel" completed 05.11.09

“The Hobo’s Broken Rosary” by Tony Fitzpatrick featuring a new collection of fine art works, writings, poems and the Hobo alphabet.

"The Devil's Scarecrow"

Thank you Tony for the hospitality and great opportunity. You can see more of Tony's work by visiting his website and blog.