Sweet Revenge - The Color Final!

So I just put the kibosh on an illustration for baking website that's set to launch next month. Sexy ladies, suggested violence and oversized desserts -- totally up my alley, right? RIGHT!

Even more exciting, for me, is the fact that this is the inaugural illustration to be birthed from the surface of my laser-pad (aka, my Wacom tablet)! I haven't used one of these things in nearly a decade, so there was definitely a re-learning curve. But, hot damn -- once I got back into the swing of drawing and painting on a monitor, I was trippin' at the disco! So. Much. FUN!

I can't wait to see what having Mr. Lazer (yeah, I've named my Wacom tablet) in my arsenal is going to do for my art from here on out. *rubbing hands together, diabolically*

Nya-ha-ha!
- Gum

Wu-Tang Clan vs. The Beatles!

Big ups to my friend, Sally - aka Fixpert - who hooked me up with this incredible mix of The Wu-Tang Clan and The Beatles! If you're a hip-hop head with a soft spot for those wacky Brit boys, then you're gonna dig this. Check out the free download here:

ENTER THE MAGICAL MYSTERY CHAMBERS

Coolin' on the poop deck,
- King muh'fuckin' Gum

Choker Pinup Sketches

My pal, Ben Templesmith, invited me to create a pinup piece for his & Ben McCool's new mini-series, CHOKER (Image Comics). I got to read an advance copy of the first issue, and it was incredible! The two Bens have done a grand job of creating a lush, well-developed world of drugs and criminals, detectives and monsters. I've been sworn to secrecy, so I can't discuss the story at all. But the sketches above are preliminary doodles for the main character, Johnny Jackson, and one of those monsters I mentioned. I'll be featuring both in my pinup painting.

The first issue hits store shelves in February. Be sure to ask your local comics retailer to order it!

Now, where's that pesky raincoat...
- King Gum Crosland

My new sketchbook, "Little Clouds"

About four years ago, I turned this old library book -- titled "Little Clouds" -- into a sketchbook. The opening inscription reads, "Started in the wee hours of January 21st, 2006." I did a few meandering pieces in it, then put it aside and forgot about it. Now, years later, I've pulled it out of cold storage and started working in it in earnest.


Above is my first finished sketch, "Glory." The book, itself, is a work of art. It's all printed on gray-toned paper. The text is hand-written, and a lot of the pages are prints of doodles, diagrams, and collages. Between all of that and my own knack for mixed-media, I'm very excited to see what sort of magic I can conjure up between it's thick covers.

Stormy seas in Oakland, today....
- Gum

Sweet Revenge!

It's been a strange, gnarled day of me battling my printer, getting attacked by a cat, and listening to incredibly loud music. If you haven't checked it out, yet -- or even if you HAVE -- you gotta dig on my friends' Jane Dope and Food One's BEAT BEE SESSIONS. Volumes 1 and 2 are online now, and are about the most incredible music mixes I've heard in years. So badass and funky... so righteous and raw.

I finally had to give up on the HP beast, and heed the call of the freelance hammer. The pics above are the linework and color study of a website illustration I'm doing for a delightful independent baker, starting up her own business. Yum!

"Baby, I am black. But only from the waist down."
- Gum

ps-- Okay... I'm actually black all over :)

Bloody Shadows

This is my second painting of 2010, titled "I Leave Bloody Shadows." Enjoy!

Hustling off,
- Mr. Gum

Under The Influence: HE-MAN

My latest painting, "EVIL," will be on display at Gallery1988LA's new exhibition, opening tonight -- UNDER THE INFLUENCE: HE-MAN & THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE! Dig the info in the press release below:

TONIGHT marks the opening a huge group show paying tribute to one of our favorite childhood cartoons and toy series of all time: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe!! Come see how 100 of your favorite artists have re-interpreted these cherished characters. ALSO... don't miss seeing the gallery transformed into Castle Grayskull!

We are also extremely pleased to announce that 15% of the Gallery profits from this show will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles.

The opening reception will be TONIGHT
Friday, January 8th from 7-10PM

Gallery1988 Los Angeles
7020 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 937-7088 / gallery1988@aol.com