Thursday, June 13, 2013

"Go, Team Venture!"

"Go, Team Venture!" / 11 x 14.5" / watercolor, acrylic & ink on paper



With their new season airing right now, The Venture Bros has been coming up a bunch of conversations. And in a funny coincidence, I just happened to be working on a Venture Bros illustration, this week.

I've only seen the very first season, plus a handful of random episodes from later seasons. One of these days though, I'll have to sit down with the DVDs and catch up. Even with my limited knowledge of the series, this is still one of my favorite current cartoons. I mean, damn, how can you NOT like a cartoon where the characters actually age & develop, from year to year? And as a child of the 80's, I'm a total sucker for all the Johnny Quest, Scooby-Doo, classic cartoon homages they toss in there.

"Someday the grapes will be wine, and someday you will be mine."
- Dave C.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

IAM8BIT Entertainment System Opens Friday in Los Angeles!

"Robot Rock" / 12 x 16" / acrylic & collage on canvas 



This week marks the opening of iam8bit Entertainment System. Being the annual flagship, video game-themed exhibit of the iam8bit gallery, this show promises to be a real treat! My submission is the above piece, dedicated to Rockman (aka Mega Man). It was totally inspired by the epic summer after the 7th grade, when I spent days on end trying to beat Mega Man 2 on the old school Gameboy. DAMN, were those games difficult. Even for the insane reflexes of an adolescent!

I actually began this painting back in 2008, as part of my series of pieces dedicated to Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda & Donkey Kong. The rough collage, drawing & underpainting of "Robot Rock" (previously titled "Mega") sat in my studio, untouched for 5 years. That is, until this group exhibition gave me a renewed purpose to see it through to completion.


iam8bit Entertainment System features 80 artists from around the Earth, fulfilling their retro gaming fantasies. The opening reception takes place Friday, June 7th, from 7-11pm. For more info, visit www.iam8bit.com.

"I own the first Nintendo Power, with the maps of Zelda, help me conquer in an hour!"
- Dave C.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Alphabet Attack! Series 4 Has Begun!


Awww yeah! I just launched Series 4 of my daily illustration blog, Alphabet Attack! Tune in Monday through Friday to www.alphabetattack.blogspot.com for a brand new, black & white, word-themed drawing each day!

"Corrina, Corrina. Gal, where ya been so long?"
- Dave C.