Subverting paradigms and a sanctioned annihilation.

 I  took a look at my last post and it was over a month ago. What the hell have I been doing? As usual, I've been extremely busy at the art table and not everything has been about art.

  I just finished the new cover for Noisear's "Subvert The Dominant Paradigm" cd/lp that will be out later in the year on Relapse Records. The image to the left is a detail from the cover and I'll be revealing the rest of the cover once Relapse has announced the album. I don't want to give too much away, but the design has everything to do with the cover.

 I've also set up the Hell Hath No Fury cover and it's ready to be inked. I wanted to get this done before I go, but it'll have to wait until I get back.  

 Now, here is the main reason why I've been awol for a while. Starting September 29th, I will be Kylesa's tour manager for their Sanctioned Annihilation Tour (featuring High On Fire and Torche). With the impending release of Kylesa's "Spiral Shadow" I was asked by Phillip if I would like to go with them. We didn't know how we were going to work it out and finally Phillip asked if I could be their manager and merch slinger for this tour. It's not the hardest thing to do, but it is time consuming and definitely a new experience. You can find the tour dates here: www.tonedeaftouring.com/kyl.html . So, if you live in one of these cities be sure to stop by the booth and say hi and bring me a joint. 

 It's going to be a busy month and one hell of a time. See you on tour!

Productive July.

 July has been a great month for completed projects, future projects, and tons of sketching. I have to turn up the speed on getting designs finished as I have a full load of incredible projects coming up. So, I'm sketching as much as I can when I can find the extra time.

 I've sent out the Buzzov-en sketch to Kirk and will be re-working the design and trying to get it to look more ominous. There's more to come on that one.

 A sketch for a new Lamb Of God shirt was just finished and sent off for Mark's approval and ideas. It's based off of the song "Condemn The Hive" and will be another detail fest. I'll have that one inked and colored in the next few months. After that, Brian Mercer (www.mercerrock.com) and I will be collaborating on another design for Lamb Of God. I'm psyched to be working with Brian on the shirt design and can hardly wait to see what he comes up with to start the project. If any of you have been out to the Mayhem Festival this year, you've no doubt seen a few Brian's designs. It was nice to go to the merch tent and see my Lamb Of God shirt next to designs from Brian and Mike Sutfin. It's good company to keep. If you weren't able to go to the festival and wanted one of the "Choke Sermon" shirts, you can get one here: http://lambofgod.shop.bravadousa.com/Product.aspx?cp=800_30451&pc=BGCTLO79

 Speaking of Lamb Of God, I have to thank Mark Morton again for the hook-up on the concert tickets, backstage passes, and for hanging out for a while a few times during the day. Mark's a great guy and is helping me with some contacts of bands that I would die to work with. Plus, continuing to work with them is a good thing, too. 

 August 1st I'll be starting work on the cover for L.A's Hell Hath No Fury (www.facebook.com/pages/HELL-HATH-NO-FURY/335880005869?ref=ts ). The album will be titled "So Shall You Reap" and will probably end up with a massively detailed cover because the idea is has so many elements to it. I love that kind of shit though. I've been working on a sketch and a few ideas for the piece over the few days and am pretty sure that I have a solid design in mind. The cover will be the first time that I have worked with HHNF, but i've known the guitarist/lead vocalist since we played together in Sistema Nervioso back in the mid-90's. She's a good friend and I want to create a sick cover for her band. We'll see what madness comes out the sketching process.

 Also, sketched are a shirt design for Blackbird Clothing Company, 2 shirt designs for The Ocean, and looking to finally finish a shirt design for Better Than Everyone Records (I've been trying to work this design out with the idea that I was given for over a year now and have had a hard time. I need to just make something brutal and fitting). Busy, busy busy and a small vacation coming up at the end of August/start of September.

 Time to pick up the pencil and get some of this shit out of my head.