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.
It has been well over a year since I have created or published an issue of "Sketches of Fishtown". After the second book release, I just needed a little bit of a break. I also worked on some art shows and other projects. I will be publishing these drawings and anecdotes as often as I possibly can. I started the project back up because this one is very special to me. John Bosak was my gal Joannie’s uncle. I initially drew this portrait for Joannie’s mom for Christmas. But before I even knew Joannie, Johnny was always good to me. A few years back, when I would be sitting alone bartending on an empty Wednesday night, Johnny would see me through the window, come in, and keep me company. He also asked me to draw a congratulatory picture of his son for this paper a few years back, when his son came home from the military. John Bosak had character and a great sense of humor. He was unique. Drawing John’s portrait reminded me of why I started this project eight years ago - because Fishtown, with all of its unique facets, history, and people, is a place worth remembering. It’s a place worth celebrating. If you have a memory, an event, or a person worth remembering and celebrating, please share your words and photos: sketchesoffishtown@gmail.com.
Opening Reception: April 1, 2011, 6pm-9pmIf you've ever broken bread with Anthony Pedro you may have noticed a distant look in his eyes, a twitch to his ear as if listening for an approaching storm. Anthony Pedro is in fact a Haunted Man. Down through time blows a wind carrying with it the whispering of grasses and the sad song of flora and fauna long since fossil fuel. He hears this, whether or not he chooses to, and is bound to record it in pigment and oil. The cacophony of teeth in flesh and cackle of nearby hyena keep him up late on tempest wrought nights. The banging of kettledrums and guttural chant is so loud he might as well be standing white knuckled on a steamer, bobbing silently on the Nile or Amazon.
Anthony's pockets are always bulging, filled with a strange array of tools and charms, lest he be ill prepared for when Gia comes crashing through the wall of sleep, the thin veil of time, and confronts him with all the tooth, tusk, and tal...on of his nightmares. He collects bones and hides, but what we don't see is the phantom flesh and sinew that collects and writhes, bleating, howling his name in the horrid tongue of the bush. Even when at peace, his hands twitch and move as if caressing an unseen rifle stock, carved with ornate fetishes and beasts on a drunken night around a campfire in the Burma jungle. Anthony has long since followed the ignis fautus into the misty woods and never returned. Anthony Pedro is a Haunted Man.
Photo by Mr. G
Mr. G has been on a creative tear lately, channeling all his energy to art shows, shirt designs, sign designs and all kinds of stuff. His hands haven't stopped moving in months. You can CLICK HERE to see some of the Apparel and Art he's been making and selling at The Lodge.
