Featured Artist: Chris Zahner

Meet Chris Zahner (aka November Studios) from Boston, Massachusetts. Not only is he a terrific artist, he has wonderful taste in others' work (so make sure you check out some of his favorites). “Since I was a kid I've been painfully shy, so I looked for other ways to express myself. My parents always encouraged my brother and I to find something we loved and do it to the best of our abilities, so I decided to draw. Making drawings didn't necessarily come really easily for me, but I enjoyed the challenge and decided to stick with it. An activity that requires solitude is perfect for an introvert.”

Kathy by Chris Zahner

Chris currently only sells his wonderful art on Etsy, though the exposure Etsy has given him has led a few galleries to contact him about showing his work! “I also run a blog called The Flopslump which highlights artists, designers and occasionally architects that I deem interesting. Too many blogs remind me of watching someone’s vacation slides, but not this one. Although the blog isn’t directly about myself and my work I would argue that it’s about me in the sense that it’s an exploration of my tastes.”

Rick by Chris Zahner

Chris’ favorite medium is paper. “My works revolves around my love of paper. From the old paper that I use in collages to beautiful printmaking paper I draw on, everything starts with paper. Paper allows me the flexibility to cut it, paint it, add to it, layer it, sand it and whatever else I decide.  Most of my pieces begin with a grid-like collage. A blank sheet of white paper has always intimidated me, so the collages give me something to react to. An unsuccessful drawing can always be collaged over with new paper. It gives me a degree of freedom when I make work because I never fear screwing up.”

I-wonder by Chris Zahner

Chris finds his inspiration from the “unlikely hero.” “It's a celebration of outsiders, nerds, the socially awkward and the beauty found in those people. Much of the work is soaked in nostalgia because it provides me with an opportunity to reinvent these people's lives. I choose my subjects from old yearbooks and discarded family photos turning bookworms into stars and the meek into bad-asses. I’m able to retroactively change the perception of my subjects.”

Star by Chris Zahner

In addition to being an artist himself, Chris is also a collector. He owns pieces from Paul Yanko, Jason Byers, Derek Hess, Todd Leech, Kathy King, and Dana Depew.

Stewart by Chris Zahner

Finally, Chris shares a strange bit about himself. “I was looking through my music today and realized the Cannibal Corpse albums are followed the Cat Power albums when viewed alphabetically. That range in taste made me think there was something weird about me.”

Weird? Maybe… Wonderful? Definitely.

Donut by Chris Zahner

Make sure you check Chris out… and buy something while you’re at it!

Etsy http://www.etsy.com/people/NovemberStudios

The Flopslump http://chriszahner.wordpress.com/

Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszahner/

Change of look

Yes, it's now generic looking, but that darn background was slowing things down. Please forgive the generic look for now =)

Coming soon, as soon as I have a chance to catch my breath, will be a new featured artist that I'm sure you'll love.

Featured Artist: Jasmine Worth

Meet Jasmine Worth from San Diego, California. "I have always had a passion for art, and I feel truly blessed to be able to share my art with others." Jasmine obtained a BFA in Illustration from the Laguna College of Art & Design in Laguna Beach, CA, and has studied at Two Ateliers.

Mother by Jasmine Worth

"I've been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. My mother still has a drawing I did of Fred Flintstone when I was 3 years old. I've always been influenced by cartoons and books, I am an avid consumer of both." Jasmine says that she loves both watercolors and oils. "The two are so different. I usually work in oils for my professional work, but I still love to use watercolors whenever I get the chance!"

Suspended by Jasmine Worth

Jasmine makes her living selling her art. She says that websites such as Etsy have been good to her, that she sells in galleries, and in art shows. "I will be showing with C.A.V.E. Gallery in Venice Beach in May and November, and I will be doing a featured show with La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Hollywood August 5th, I will also be in the La Luz de Jesus 25th Annual Master's show in October, which will be accompanied by a book. I have several other shows in the U.S. and London scheduled throughout the year." For a full list, please see her website at: www.jasmineworth.com/shows.html.

Whiplash by Jasmine Worth

Jasmine lists her favorite artists as Odd Nerdrum, Michael Hussar, Dan Quintana, Sean Christopher, Kevin Peterson, and many others. "I have a piece by Travis Louie, who is a wonderful artist and a good friend. I also own works by Mary Louise Silva, Dark Vomit, James Geiger, and several others. I really enjoy collecting art, and I hope to continue to expand my collection."

Wishbone by Jasmine Worth

In her spare time, Jasmine is an avid reader and collector of dead things (don't worry, she doesn't kill them herself). "I like to read. A lot. I own a freakish amount of books that are piled (literally) floor to ceiling."

Fearful Symmetry by Jasmine Worth

Make sure you check Jasmine out. She's got some great stuff!
Etsy
and
www.jasmineworth.com

Featured Artist: Tim Hooper

Meet Tim Hooper of www.MrHooperArt.com from Nashville, Tennessee. "When I was a child I thought people lived inside the radio where they played music, read the news, and made commercials. When I was six I broke my sister's transistor radio open to see the people who lived inside. I was disappointed to find only tiny transistors and a circuit board. But I was not nearly as disappointed as my sister when she saw what was left of her radio."

William Howard Taft by Tim Hooper

Tim has been creating art since he was a child and has been a self-employed artist since 2001. "I paint with acrylic more than anything else...I actually like to draw with ink more than anything, but I rarely do those any more...Most of my ink drawings never see the light of day. I usually do them for my own enjoyment and give them to my wife."

Pipe Smoking Bear by Tim Hooper

"Since 1997 I have been known as Mr. Hooper. It started as a joke when I was in college, but it became a pseudonym or sorts over time. Years ago when I did comix and graffiti I used different pseudonyms, but this one has stuck with me the longest. Probably because it is my name."

Return to Monchichi Village by Tim Hooper

Mr. Hooper sells through his website as well as on Etsy, has shown in several galleries in the U.S. and abroad, and he travels and sells in art fairs. He lists his favorite artists as Robert Crumb, Howard Finster, The Clayton Brothers, Joe Coleman, Mark Ryden, and Pablo Picasso, and finds inspiration in B-movies, bad sci-fi, memories, old photos, historical figures, dreams, and everyday life.

Andy Kaufman with an Eightball by Tim Hooper

Make sure you check Tim, aka Mr. Hooper out. Great stuff!
www.MrHooperArt.com
and
Mr. Hooper Pop Surrealist Art on Etsy

R.I.P. Jackie the Jokefrog

Jackie the Jokefrog 2009-2011

The namesake for this blog, my website, and paintings has died. Jackie the Jokefrog died today after about a 10-day illness. =(

Featured Artist: J. Spencer Shull

Meet J. Spencer Shull from Columbia, South Carolina. “It's the capital of South Carolina, but the arts community is not really up to par. (We) would love to move to a bigger city with more innovative thinkers.” He and his wife Kelly run an art collective named Jellykoe.

Garden by J. Spencer Shull

“For the most part, I am a self taught artist. The majority of my work falls under the umbrella of pop surrealism and lowbrow. Some of my creations have been turned into creepy/cute plush creatures thanks to my talented wife Kelly.” Spencer has been creating art for many years but only recently became serious about selling and perfecting his style. “I am 29 years old, and the older I get, the more I've stopped caring about what other people think….I'm glad my paintings have been so well received, but at the end of the day, I'm glad that when I look at them, they make me happy too.”

The Studious Homunculus by J. Spencer Shull

Spencer paints on a variety of materials: wood, antique books, bottles, cigar boxes, and more. “I like the idea of turning something that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill into a work of art that someone can hang in their home and cherish.”

Where Pies Go To Die by J. Spencer Shull

Spencer sells his work at various art festivals around the United States, has his first gallery show coming up in April, and sells online at www.jellykoe.com. He lists his favorite artists as Mark Ryden, Edward Gorey, Gary Baseman, Andy Warhol, and Salvador Dali. “Our walls are currently adorned with work by Jason Levesque, Deona Fish, Gus Fink, and Chris Hamer. We also have a ton of Mark Ryden in almost every room…I have a picture of Andy Warhol with a quote reading ‘Art is what you can get away with.’ I find so much truth in that.”

Mooseboy by J. Spencer Shull

Spencer says he’s a “perfectionist to a fault,” and that he “will sketch out an idea four or five times. I want all the shapes and colors to fill the space just right…I draw inspiration from a lot of social issues and stereotypes. I also like to imagine things that I've never seen but would like to see. I try to blend child-like naivety with harsh reality and adult concepts. I love dark humor and a lot of it creeps its way into my work.”

Yum by J. Spencer Shull

Make sure you check Spencer out:
www.jellykoe.com
as well as on DeviantArt, where I first found him

Featured Artist: Leif Erik Johansen

Meet Leif (Erik) Johansen from Asheville, Nortrh Carolina. Erik is a self-taught artist who enjoys experimenting with a variety of materials. "I like to take a playful and unpretentious approach to my art. I chose to paint because it's a way for me to express myself in a way that is not easily put into words."

Happy Couple by Leif Eric Johansen

Erik has been painting since he was a child and says, “I have a proclivity towards twisted abstract characters, but as I continue to experiment and learn new, invariably I come up with new ideas and new styles which I hope gives me depth and diversity as an artist. Furthermore, I have never wanted to ‘typecast’ or ‘pigeonhole’ myself as a particular type of artist...I like to leave room for growth and learning.”

Link by Leif Erik Johansen

You can find Erik’s work in various places, such as his website leiferikjohansen.com and Terra Bistro Restaurant in Vail, Colorado. He’s working on a solo show at Hollingsworth Gallery in Palm Coast, Florida, as well as displaying his art at Zambra Restaurant in Asheville. 

The Secret by Leif Erik Johansen

Erik lists his favorite artists as Picasso, Miro, Jesse Reno, Erik Otto, and Blaine Fontana. He considers commissions, so be sure to contact him.

The Conformists by Leif Erik Johansen

Check out Erik:
EleMentalStudios on Etsy
and leiferikjohansen.com