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.

"Original Energy"

"Original Energy" / 18 x 24"
watercolor, acrylic & ink on canvas

Here's another new piece for 2013. This one was inspired by a few lines from the Walt Whitman poem, "Song of Myself."

"Bust a Travis Bickle when I feel that I'm getting pushed. Don't step to me, cause you're gonna get mushed."

- King Gum Crosland

Works Available In Titmouse Show at Gallery Nucleus

Below is a preview of the 3 new works I'll have available at Gallery Nucleus, as part of tonight's Titmouse Gallery Exhibit & Book Release for The Mook: Volume 2. If you're in the Los Angeles area, please come out and show some love. It's bound to be an incredible night for art.


And if you live too far to make it, never fear! You'll be able to preview and purchase art online, via Gallery Nucleus' web store. Just visit this link: http://www.gallerynucleus.com/gallery/exhibition/353 

"Watch ya step, kid! Yo, ya best protect ya neck!"

-King Gum

Titmouse Book Release & Exhibit at Gallery Nucleus!

This Saturday night, Gallery Nucleus presents the Titmouse Mook Volume 2 Release Gallery Show! The event marks the release of the second installment in   the animation studio's titillating, hardcover art & comics anthology series, The Mook. Many artists from Mook past, present & future will be in attendance. And copies of the new Volume will be available at a special, discounted price, for one night only.


I'm proud to say I'll have 3 of my new 2012 works on display in the group exhibit, alongside pieces from mega-talents like Jim Mahfood, Dave Johnson, Robert Valley, Paul Harmon & many more.


If you'll be in the Southern California area, come on through for what's sure to be an amazing night of tripped out cartoons, creators & fine artistry!

Titmouse Mook Volume 2 Release Gallery Show
Gallery Nucleus / 210 East Main St / Alhambra, CA 91801

Release Party: Saturday, April 7, 2012 / 7pm - 11pm

www.gallerynucleus.com / www.titmouse.net

"At my crib, I got three barbecues. One I keep upstairs for daily use."
- King Gum Crosland

Holiday Art Sale!

Just in time for Cyber-Monday, I've launched my HOLIDAY ART SALE! I'm offering a selection of original drawings, sketches & paintings. Available works include:

• Color sketches from JARFACE
• Football art from my Gridiron series
• Watercolor & ink drawings from my Dangerous Women series
• and more!

This is a landmark event, as I rarely sell my original sketches. It's also the first time I've ever offered my football artwork for sale. And everything is reasonably priced, with some pieces going for as low as $55. You can't beat that with a bat!

So whether you're buying a gift for a loved one or simply treating yourself to a new piece for your own collection, nothing says "You're the bees knees," quite like original art! Visit DaveCrosland.com to check out the work and make your purchase today!

* All prices include shipping in the USA.
* Please inquire for International shipping quote.
* Contact hiredmeat@gmail.com with any Holiday Art Sale questions or concerns.

"If you wanna make a snowman, I'll help you make one, 1 - 2 - 3! And if you wanna take a sleigh ride, the ride's on me!"

- David C.

"8-Bit Champions" Paris Art Show

The Autumn Society recently invited me to participate in their first exhibition in Paris, France -- 8-Bit Champions! I submitted my collage & acrylic piece "Super," inspired by the original Super Mario Bros arcade game.


You may remember this painting from IAM8BIT in Los Angeles circa 2008, as well as the recently released SUPER IAM8BIT art book. Long story short, "Super" just happened to be the required size for the show (12" x 12"). It seemed demanded by kismet that I pack up my little Fire Mario, and ship him off to join the fracas in France.

The Autumn Society presents:
8-Bit Champions
La Flaq Gallery
36 rue Quincampoix / 75004 Paris, France
*opening reception Thurs, Sept 15 @ 7pm*
More info online

If you live in the Paris area, stop by the opening reception and show some European love!

"We got the mother & the kids. We got the guy & his date. We all gettin' mad. We all gettin' late."
- Dave Crosland, aka King Gum

"Mountaineer"

"Mountaineer"
9.5 x 24" / acrylics on wood panel

"Neither Rain Nor Sleet"

"Neither Rain Nor Sleet"
7 x 10" / acrylics, collage & pastel on wood panel

"Night Game"

"Night Game"
7 x 10" / acrylics & collage on wood panel

Tecmo Bowl-Inspired, for SUPER IAM8BIT

This is my entry in SUPER IAM8BIT, titled "Running The Gridiron Gauntlet." It's inspired by the raw brutality of one of my all-time favorite NES games, Tecmo Bowl. To inquire about purchasing, please contact the fine folks at www.iam8bit.com.

My work will be debuting at tonight's opening reception, alongside works from over 100 artists, reimagining their 80's gaming fantasies. Prepare for some visual thunder, people!

SUPER IAM8BIT
2147 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
*Opening Night Extravaganza: August 11, 7-11pm*
www.iam8bit.com

"You thought it was gunshots, the way my boombox knocks. Before you see me, you hear me comin' down the block."
- Dave, aka King Gum

Submerged in IAM8BIT

photo by Jonathan Drake

As some of you may know, I illustrated the poster for this week's SUPER IAM8BIT exhibition. And I'll have an exciting piece of art hanging on the walls. But the fantastic crew at IAM8BIT also asked me to come in and art-bomb the bejeezus out of their lovely new space. So between Sunday and Tuesday, I got to rock on two immaculate Galaga arcade cabinets, two doors and an entire flight of steps. SO much fun!

If you're in the Los Angeles area, please join us for the SUPER IAM8BIT opening reception, tomorrow night from 7-11pm (info below). And if you don't live here, fret not. I'll be posting photos online for all to enjoy.

SUPER IAM8BIT
2147 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
*Opening Night Extravaganza: August 11, 7-11pm*
www.iam8bit.com

"I don't care, pretty baby. Just take me with you."
- Dave

Alphabet Attack! Series 3 - Week One

Alphabet Attack! Series 3 has begun! What started off as a daily fan art blog has transformed into an in depth, weekly process blog. See how the first of 26 illustrations, "Almost Anonymous," is progressing so far, at www.alphabetattack.blogspot.com.


"Well the Bible says it's wrong. I'm just left singing this sad song."
- King Gum Crosland

Color Ink Book L.A. Art Show Tonight!

I'm proud to say that I'll have two new drawings and one customized Rayola wooden figure in Color Ink Book's very first art exhibition. The show opens tonight in Los Angeles, at the WWA Gallery!

The Brothers Washburn Present:"Shades of Ray"
@ WWA Gallery
9517 Culver Blvd
Culver City, CA
Opening Reception Fri, July 29, 7-10pm
view online showpage

"Hunger. I want it so bad I can taste it. It drives me mad to see you waste it."
- King Gum Crosland

WRECKING SKULL Preview #3/Last Day to Pre-Order

Above is my final sneak peek of WRECKING SKULL. Just a tiny taste to go with the spoonfuls I've shared in previous posts. I mean, I gotta save something for a surprise, right?

And one last reminder: The extended pre-ordering of the book closes tonight, at midnight PST. This is your last chance to reserve a customized copy of WRECKING SKULL, complete with an original skull sketch, the "Wrecking Skull" art print, a customized envelope & more.

Reserve your WRECKING SKULL Pre-Order Pack now!

"We work, move, and hustle with the rest of the gypsies,
spoon feed these issues to a new school of fishes"
- Dave

WRECKING SKULL Presale Extended to Friday!

Folks have been writing in, telling me they don't get paid until the end of the week. So after some consideration, I've decided to extend the WRECKING SKULL presale to this Friday, July 15th. The books (and early-bird treats) will ship on Monday, July 18th.

After midnight on Friday, the pre-order doors will close for good. I'll turn back into a pumpkin, and my lovely assistant will turn back into a mouse. I can't make any more extensions after that, what with TR!CKSTER/Comic-Con week looming.

To reserve your copy of WRECKING SKULL now, complete with all the presale collectors goodies, visit my online store.

*** And remember, if you'll be attending TR!CKSTER or the coinciding San Diego Comic-Con, you can pick up your pre-ordered package from me there in person. Just be sure to make a note of it when you place your order on Paypal. Pick up instructions will be sent out on Monday. ***

"Linda wants to be alone, Linda wants to eat alone, Linda wants to sleep alone, all into the night."
- Dave
Man of The Gum

"Spring" Drawing

Just finished tweaking the first drawing for a set of prints I'm creating, this year. I've wanted to do a print series for awhile now, similar to how I did my sketchbook series back in 2010 (Deathwarrant, Jarface & Lionseatyou). Well a few weeks ago, I finally decided to go with the theme of The Seasons. So above is the line drawing for "Spring."

I'll be running a little presale on 11 x 17" prints of this, once it's colorized. So keep an eye on the blog next week, for all the details! Come to think of it, I'll be making a couple more hot announcements, this coming week. I've been working on so many hush-hush projects, it'll be nice to start sharing!

"Y con cada dia que se pase recuerdate, quien era el mas poderoso."
- El Rey Chicle

Drawing In Zee Werks

Above are some progress shots of one of this weekend's drawings. This started off as a warm-up sketch. But once the ink started flying, I had to make it a full-on piece. The image I had in mind was larger than the paper I'd started on. But once I taped on that additional sheet, there was no turning back.

"Fraudulent foe with the strength of Hercules. The way ya on my dick must really hurt ya knees "
- Gum.

"Mary Mary, Quite Contrary"

Behold, above is my contribution to Eat Your Art Out IV. This one-night gallery show -- thrown by those badass Angel City Derby Girls -- blasts off this Saturday night at Meltdown Comics, in Hollywood, CA! The artist roster is monstrous, including Jim Mahfood/Food One, Jason Shawn Alexander, Jose Garibaldi, Love Ablan and many more! For more info on the show, check the Meltdown Comics website.

My piece is titled "Mary Mary, Quite Contrary." Measuring at 18" x 24", it's a portrait of Mary Tudor, the notorious "Bloody Mary" of Old England. As Queen, she got the moniker from the outright glut of executions she employed against Protestant dissenters, while restoring England to Roman Catholicism. Ya gotta love the creepy origins of these old nursery rhymes and fairy tales. So many of these simple poems intended to entertain children are, in fact, cautionary reminders of how brutal the world can be.

I took a heap of process photos of this painting, and will post them ASAP. For now, it's back to work!

"Timing and tiger strength. Strategy will put you past."
- King Gum.