Crowd Control

I've got a new illustration in this week's LA Weekly (page 70) for an article about the crowded and chaotic Coachella 2010. Here were some of my ideas:



1. A tsunami of people, a la Hokusai, about to pummel a band member (or, alternatively, a crowd-surfer).
2. A can of "Coachella"-brand sardines, with people packed tight and scrambling to get out.
3. A crowd so packed that the fences surrounding it can barely contain it.
4. A busy image with ticket scalpers, tail-gaters, and a sea of people.
5. An audience so big and crowded that they could practically touch the performer.
6. A scene at a neighboring copy store, where scalpers are photo-copying tickets while a line of people eagerly await to buy them.

Number 3 was chosen for the final. On a side note, I noticed that when I have to draw several people for a single piece, a lot of them end up looking like or are inspired by my friends. Do you see any kinda-familiar faces?



"Packed Fresh in Indio"
Ink, acrylic, and gouache on paper
12.5" x 7.5"
[ADs: Darrick Rainey and Jason Jones]

They ended up printing it in black and white, so unfortunately it doesn't feature all the crazy colors that the concert-goers are wearing, but I guess if you're reading this then that really isn't a problem!
The issue is out now, check it out!

Worst hair day ever.

Friend and fellow illustrator Thomas Lynch and his buddies at Cartoon Network are independently publishing a book about fabled creatures from around the world, and I was lucky enough to be invited to participate. Thanks Thomas!

After researching a lot of really cool-looking and interesting creatures, I for some reason was really drawn to the kami-kiri of Japan. It was said to sneak up on a woman at night and cut off her hair, supposedly to delay her (doomed) marriage to a spirit disguised as a human. Creepy!





"Kami-kiri"
Ink, acrylic, and gouache on paper
12" x 8.75"

The project is still in the works, but I'll make a new post about it when the books are ready. I'll be selling some copies of the book myself, so stayed tuned!

Along the shores of LA-LA Land

I've got a new illustration for my "LA-LA Land" column in this week's LA Weekly (out Thursday). Here are sketches, followed by the final piece:




The first idea was simply a young lady sun-tanning, with her towel serving to frame the piece. The second idea featured a monster made of garbage emerging from the shores of Santa Monica (anyone who's been there knows how dirty it can get).
Finally, this last sketch is supposed to be like a B-movie poster poking fun at hipsters.

The second sketch was chosen, so I came up with this:



"It Came from Santa Monica"
Ink, acrylic, and gouache on paper
12.5" x 7.5"
[ADs: Darrick Rainey and Jason Jones]

Thanks Darrick and Jason!
Be sure to pick up the issue when it's out this Thursday!