illustration. dogs. liza. oakland.
The t-shirts and hoodies from the Santa Monica – Venice Xmas Run arrived. Cool, huh? Notice that I did not type the word “Christmas”. That is because there’s a War on Christmas in this country (as evidenced by the lights and baubles and wreaths and whatnot on every single street corner in every single town). Apparently Chrissmess turns me into Snarky Mike Snarkerson!
Hope your Chrissmess is lovely and warm!
Thanks to Mick Hodgson and Ph.D, a Design Office.
xm
Kids (and those of you Kids with Kids),
Dog Dreams is like The Little Kid’s Book that Just Won’t Go Away!
We’re excited to invite you all to the re-grand-opening of Dog Dreams (v.2) brought to you by the kind folks at Gingko Press and The Oakland Museum. This is the second printing of Dog Dreams (you can see a gaggle of images from Dog Dreams here). The first printing was only 100 copies and those sold out, like, RIGHT AWAY, so I was more than thrilled when Gingko Press offered to do a second printing. This is the same book, mind you, we scanned in the letterpress prints and used those to construct the pages for the new book but this one was printed 175% larger (it’s 7″ x 7″!) and is has been pre-tested to work beautifully as both a board book and a chew toy.
Apparently, it tastes delicious.
Here’s a sneak preview of the new version.
And a video of me talking about this thing:
You might ask: “Michael? Will you and Andy and Suki be getting up in front of the gathered to embarrass yourselves again with tiny drums and a ukelele and badly-sung novelty songs about dogs?”
The answer, my friends, is blowing in the wind. And that answer is YUSSS.
What: Dog Dreams v.2 Opening!
When: Sunday, December 4. Starts at 2pm, ends when my pen runs out of ink.
Where: OMCA Gift Shop. The Museum is FREE that day. The address is 1000 Oak St. Oakland, CA 94607, and it’s very close to Lake Merritt Bart.
Who: YOU.
Why: BECAUSE WE LIKE YOU.
So. Come see us, grab a book, laugh at us. We don’t care. We like it. In fact, it’s ‘free day’ at the museum, so you can just come and laugh at us without buying a book and the whole thing will cost you NOTHING. Hey, it’s hard times! We understand! If we can momentarily distract you from the constant buzz of police helicopters overhead, then we’ll be happy campers. If you’re looking for a giftie for the holidays (I started to itch all over while typing that last bit), these puppies are priced to move. I will be signing books as well.
Another question: “Will this event be kid-friendly?” Yuppers. Most of my kid’s book events thus far have been in the evening, when our precious little darlings turn into flesh-rendering wildebeasts, so here’s your chance to bring ‘em out when it’s not dinnertime. Plus, you can take them to the museum and the cool gardens and let them run around. BONUS.
See you then?
x,m
Dear Friends Who Are Wearing Sweaters,
I’d like to cordially invite you all to my very first Studio Sale at the new silkscreen studio (*Inky Oxnard) in West Oakland. I’ve invited some amazingly cool (and talented!) friends to join me: Isabel Samaras, Dave Warnke, Jim Winters, and Lloyd Dangle.
This is going to be EPIC, people.
The sparkly wonderland of gifts that will await your arrival: screenprints at ridiculously low prices, lovingly printed teeshirts, framed pieces, a few pieces on wood from Super Furry Animals, landscapes, Squirrel Plates, stickers, books, paintings on canvas, wood, and cardboard. There will be gifts to fit every budget. We will make it worth your while, people. PLUS there will be snacks. Oh, yes. You read that right. Snacks.
This is Inky, welcoming you to the studio. Go ahead, have some hooch! If he had arms, he’d hug you. Inky’s had a hard year.
Isabel Samaras is bringing:
* Collector Porcelain Plates (think Hamilton Mint but much, much cooler) of the image “Nutz!”, both signed/numbered limited editions and “seconds” with slight damages at huuuuge discount!
* Fabulous books and postcard books that can be signed and personalized! (Including: “On Tender Hooks“, “Isabel Samaras Postcards” and “Devil Babe’s Big Book of Fun!”)
* Limited edition signed and numbered jigsaw puzzles!
* Signed button sets!
Jim Winters will be selling his stunning silk screened landscape prints:
Dave Warnke is hard at work on some goofy gumdrop paintings. Yes. You can have one. Don’t eat it.
Lloyd Dangle is a master of all things comic:
And here’s a print you might like. These things will be priced to MOVE, people.
Have we enticed you? Will you turn away from Facebook long enough to come visit and have some cider? It will be hard, I know, but I have confidence in YOU!
The Deets:
Inky Oxnard’s Holiday Frenzy
December 11, 2010. 11 am – 5 pm
3264 Ettie Street, Oakland, CA 94608
xm
* Inky Oxnard is Andy’s Porn Name.
Dear Fans of Dressing Up and Acting Like a Goofball:
your national holiday is quickly approaching! Time to get out the pumpkin carving tools, fake spider webs and strobe lights! Time to stock up on pounds and pounds of delectable sugary sweets! Time to watch Let Me In and clutch your friend’s arm in the theater! The midnight hour approaches – can you hear Miss Gulch flying through the air?
We’re getting excited over at Chez Wertz because Falltime is Here. And that means cooler weather, falling leaves, and beautiful orange afternoon light. And Orange = Halloween.
This is a poster design I just finished for Carl and Larry, who, out of the kindness of their hearts, produce “The Driveway Follies”, an amazing Marionette Show and Yard Haunt in the Glenview district of Oakland, CA. Larry spends all year (literally) on this show. The puppet show has gotten so popular that they’re doing the show on both the 30th and 31st of October.
The poster is meant to be a two-parter: the top bit can be shown separately from the bottom bit. I’m thinking of perforating the posters like two giant stamps. It will be printed with orange, blue, and glow-in-the-dark inks. Get out your blacklights from Spencer’s gifts! 17′ x 24′. I’ll have them available for sale soon in the shop.
In Other Halloween News: The Argyll Adventure Tree is doing our annual Halloween radio show this coming-up Thursday, on the 7th of October, from 5-7 pm. You can listen in here. You can listen to 2009′s Halloween show here, and 2008′s show here.
Now I must close, and go meet the ghosts who’ve come out to socialize.
Have a safe & happy All-Hallow’s!
xm
hey kids,
if you’re seeing the snow falling on your screen, you’re in the right place. happy holidays!
the poster i did for the camper and cracker kids are up in the shop for your shopping pleasures. in fact, the shop is just brimming with poster-y (and book-y) holiday goodies.
if you’re interested in a poster for xmas, make sure you get your order to me by the 16th of december at the latest, else the poster won’t arrive on time! i can’t guarantee any orders made after the 16th will get to you, and i don’t want to see any moist eyes on christmas when the kids realize that santa didn’t bring them the two-headed praying mantis print or the zoodiac zodiac book they asked for. they’ve been good kids! even though they gave the cat a haircut and dressed it in a diaper, they’re still good kids. and you! treat yourself! brighten up that cubicle with something made with love by hand.
so click on over to the wertzateria shop for some hand-made home-made goodness. just be sure you do it by the 16th.
xm
