Sorta Halloweenish Post

Ok, I lied. It's just a mildly creepy older piece that I felt never got enough love. So go on. Love it, people.

Jeffro's ArtUnleashed 2012 Submission - "How Deep is the Ocean?"

If you were to do a search of the word "Mermaid" on this blog, you would see that I have done several variations on this theme and image. This actual image is a recreation of an envelope I drew for Joannie back in 2009, except much much larger. This piece is 14"x11". I used different colored inks, markers, and colored pencils on 98lb Mix Media paper.

Initially, the seed of this idea came from a sketchbook drawing by one of my favorite artists - Heinrich Kley. I can't find a good version of the image online, but click here to see a small one. The idea of the deep sea diver fascinates me. Something about walking the floor of the murky depths, being alone out there, but still being tied to home. It's romantic to me.

Once again, music has played a part in my work here. This piece is entitled, "How Deep is the Ocean", named after an Irving Berlin song. I love Billie Holiday's version. But lately, I have been loving the version by Doc Cheatham and Nicholas Payton. I am pretty sure that album was Doc Cheatham's last. He was so awesome.

Anyway, this piece will be on display and for sale at this year's ArtUnleashed event, a fundraiser for the University of the Arts. I have been teaching at UArts in different capacities for several years now. I have also been working full-time for the past year in the Advancement office, working to raise funds for the school. It was an honor to be asked to be in the show. My work will hang on the walls with Arnie Roth. There will also bee a nice group of friends participating in the show, like Chris Patchell, Kyle Margiotta, Christine Larsen, and Paul Palcko. I am really looking forward to the event.

Mythology and the Forgotten Gods Show - Tonight at Phantom Hand

TONIGHT and the next few weeks, Phantom Hand (located at 6th & South in Philly) will be hosting "Mythology and the Forgotten Gods", a group art show curated by Anthony Pedro. It's a great show with an awesome group of local artists. Please see the showcard below.


Here is my (Jeffro's) Minotaur piece for the show. I drew it with a borrowed pencil at Bob & Barbara's listening to Kelvin, Rich, and Lucky during Wednesday's jam session. I was lucky to sit alongside fellow cartoonists James Kaminski and Michelle Miller with the legendary Bob Dix behind the bar. I finished the inks at the bar, but a swarm of Wharton students came in around 10:45 and grossed the place up. So I had to finish the colors on my lunch hour yesterday at Paolo's Pizza on Pine Street.


Tonight's show will be especially celebratory, because we found out this week that Phantom Hand has been granted an extension in the gallery space for being an 'exemplary member' of the Arts on South program. We will now be in our current location regaling you with art and assorted hand-made sundries and occasional free beer and baked-goods until mid-August.

Jeffro's Norris Street MixTape Show in June

On June 16, I have an opening for an art show based entirely on some of my favorite songs and song lyrics. Music is a huge part of my cartooning. I would have to admit that I get a lot more inspiration from music than I do visual art - because I can draw and listen to music at the same time. It gives my hand a rhythm. I hope to have at least 30 pieces in the show.

There will also be limited edition screen print and giclee prints for sale. Plus I will be giving away free crazy mixed CDs with each purchase. I want to keep the originals fairly small in size, so the art is affordable to working class people.

The working title of the show is called "Norris Street MixTape". My Dad always had music on in our house when I was a kid. So I figure this all starts there on Norris Street. This is the first piece I started for it, but I am going to add color, and I will probably turn it into a large screen print to sell at the show. I drew it in my Moleskine. It's based on Nick Lowe's awesome song, "The Beast In Me", which he wrote for his then father-in-law Johnny Cash. Cash recorded it on his first album with Rick Rubin, "American Recordings". That is hands-down the best version of the song. It's my favorite Johnny Cash song.

This one is kind of a dedication to my lady Joannie and her family. I drew most of it at the kitchen table when hanging out with her and her sister and their friend. I finished the inks and colors in McGlinchy's Bar. It's based on Little River Band's "Lady".

I don't know what it is about this song, but they must have played it when they were kids at a really happy time in their lives. Every time it comes on at a party, everyone in their family stops what they're doing and sings along - Joannie's Mom, her Dad, all of her sisters. They LOVE this song. I didn't really know this when I was growing up, but I like it. It makes me realize how you can tie music to certain memories. It also makes me realize how important music can be in affecting people's emotions.

Masthead is an awesome gallery and print studio, run by Shawn Hilemen. It's a really great space located at 340 Brown Street (near the corner of 4th & Brown) in Northern Liberties. http://mastheadprintstudio.com/

Joannie's Valentine - 2012

Joannie's 2012 valentine. She wanted Tomer Hanuka's Valentine's Day print, but he was all sold out. She asked me to redraw it, and I said, "No way! but I will do something similar." The final is an 18” x 24” color, archival giclee print that will hang in our kitchen. I had it printed by my man Chris at Gicleetoday. Dude does awesome work! Apologies to fellow Meathauser Tomer for biting the concept. To see Tomer's prints (including the one I ripped off), please CLICK HERE.

Ron Hextall - Happy Birthday, "Famous" Nick!

Drawing for my nephew, "Famous" Nick's 13th birthday - his all-time hero, Ron Hextall. Nick wears Hextall's number. A couple years back I had the privilege of designing the logo for his hockey team's jersey:


Happy birthday, brother!

Atlantic City Weekly cover by Jeffro

A fella I used to work with named Craig hooked me up with this gig to do an illustration of Jay-Z and Kanye for the cover of Atlantic City Weekly. People who know me know I am about as hip-hop as Leon Redbone. However, I do love Rakim, A Tribe Called Quest, N.W.A., and a lot of hip-hop from my youth. There is a lot of new stuff I like too, like Aesop Rock, and Wu-Tang and local guys like Black Landlord.

In spite of the fact that I am as gangsta as Alan Alda, I thought this was a great opportunity not only for exposure to a new audience, but also to stretch my legs as far as content is concerned. So I was happy to do it.

New Artwork! With Giraffes!

How 'bout a non-Poets post for a change? Here are a couple illustrations I'm working on for a children's book by author Missy Hodges.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from Coffeeroll

YAT 2011 - Yard Art Banner for New Orleans FRINGE Fest

I will have a 5' x 3' Banner in the New Orleans FRINGE Festival's YAT Yard Art Tour in November of this year.

PLEASE CLICK HERE to see the full size finished design and read more about this piece.

Original Sketch by Jeffro

OMG! There is a sun outside!

Its been a while since I have last posted. Been under forced blackout in the cave, cooking up new crap. So, for you're approval, a few new illustrations done for the CityPaper.


See what else is bubbling in the sauce here.
Also, Tumblr it up here.

Unveiled

In an attempt to do more editorial-type work, I have been keeping an eye out for stories in the news that I find particularly interesting...France's new Anti Veil Law is one of them.

If you're interested in seeing the story, here's CBS's take. I caught it Monday night on NBC's Nightly News, but couldn't find the clip.



Alternate color and original ink at my blog.

Out 2 Dry Art Show, Artwork Needed.

It's baaaack!

That super-fun kewl art show “Out 2 Dry”.
(Please note the wacky word play for our second go-round!)
Here's the deal give us your sketchbook pages, your prints, your unsold masses
and we'll hang 'em all on the walls of Brave New Worlds Comic Shop in Olde City.
No frames, no mattes, just a couple of clothes lines with artwork clipped to them.

Last year's romp proved very successful.
The gang at BNW has offered to forgo commissions on artwork priced $20 or less and paid with cash. (Anything paid for with credit cards they have to take a lil' $umthin' ) We are also setting a price cap no artwork over $50.
So get us your stuff soon.

Here's the vital info
- Type of Art: Sketches, limited edition silkscreen prints, small paintings and inked pieces. (Just no digital prints please)
- Art drop off: Get your stuff over to BNW by Thursday, March 3^rd, 6pm sharp.
- Please label your stuff on the back with the following info:
Name
Title of piece
Price
and number them in order of importance.
(We are hoping to get a bunch of stuff from everyone and we want to sell it all right off the wall. So, we'll be hanging a couple of pieces you drop off at first, then when stuff is sold we'll be replacing it. We'll be sure to hang everyone's #1 and #2 and save their other pieces for later in the show.)

- The Opening will be: Friday March 4^th, 6pm to 9pm.

Lastly, this is an “Open Invitation”. A lot of folks have asked about participating in Philadelphia Cartoonist Society events. So if you're reading this consider yourself invited, this is to be one of many meet n' greets for the PCS in 2011.
(Our only request is no current students participate. Sorry.)

Please e-mail us if you would like to participate. You can drop your work off at the shop anytime. Just tell Brian or Rob that your with the March PCS Art Show, they know the drill.

Looking forward to seeing everyone and meeting some of you for the first time.

Take care.

Above and below are pics from last year's event (courtesy of Concetta) to give you an idea of the layout. More information to follow.

*Disclaimer: The PCS reserves the right to exclude any and all artwork(s) for any reason; space restrictions, content of art, etc...

UARTS Summer Pre-College Illustration Classes

This summer, I have been teaching at University of the Arts' Pre- College Summer Institute. I was asked to teach two Illustration classes. In my opinion, it's been one of the best courses I've taught. The students created custom logos, spot illustrations, and gig posters using traditional and digital illustration techniques. I am really impressed with the students in this program. Not only are they electing for more school in the summer, but they come to work.

Working with these students has made my summer. Their ambition and work ethic is inspiring. I find myself energized when I come home to sit right down at the desk and draw or take my sketchbook out to a park. These classes have been a great reminder of why I love to teach and why I love to make art.

My 9 AM Class:
My 1PM Class:
Here are links to some of their Art Blogs...

http://rainof1985.blogspot.com
http://unbuonfiglio.blogspot.com/
http://lestempsjeune.blogspot.com/
http://rudyinc.blogspot.com/
http://granolabarr.blogspot.com/
http://artedehannah.blogspot.com/
http://thisartkid.blogspot.com/
http://artsfartsndoodles.blogspot.com/
http://unlogic-theblogofkings.blogspot.com/
http://mutebat.blogspot.com/
http://morganbickmore.blogspot.com/
http://astridalbert.blogspot.com/
http://kristenhaines.blogspot.com/
http://ccsbaskingturtle.blogspot.com/

Great Opportunity for PCS memebers!

One of our newer members, Kristin Grossi, has put together an awesome opportunity for some of our gang. She has helped to create the Outdoor Craft Store, a craft show debuting in downtown Swarthmore this September! She wanted me to let ALL of our members know that there is still plenty of room for applications, the previous deadline has been extended. Interested members should just shoot her an email at: