I Like You Graphik

THE HIDE OF SHERE KHAN

2012-01-27T10:44:00.000-08:00

As you may already realize, when it comes to anthropomorphic storytelling, I'm a bit of a fan.

I'm going to try and keep myself on track this year by focusing on some illustration based on Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book stories. We'll see how that goes.

Here's some evidence of that, in the form of the Tiger King's hide.

WINTER /// 2012

2012-01-16T16:21:00.000-08:00

Winter in the west is confusing. PERMAGREEN is the made up word that comes to mind.

Happy winter to the web-based-log readers,

Chris

Winter /// 2012 (81.4 MB)

01 . Wounded Lion . Going Into The Unknown

02 . Blouse . Into Black

03 . The Men . Bataille

04 . Crystal Stilts . Dark Eyes

05 . Woods . Who Do I Think I Am

06 . Nicolas Jaar . Space Is Only Noise If You Can See

07 . Grimes . Genesis

08 . Wilderness . Living Through

09 . SNOWMAN . ∆ (A)

10 . Tubeway Army . My Shadow In Vain

A YOUNG WOMAN OF EXTRAORDINARY PERSONAL BEAUTY

2012-01-09T08:47:00.000-08:00

Drawing practice // January 2012

SLOW DANCE

2011-12-16T09:58:00.000-08:00

My favorite logo work is the type where I'm constantly asking myself, "would a cult put this over the door of their compound?"

New work for a couple of gentlemen who are doing party-rap right, Seattle's SLOW DANCE.

TO THE BEASTS

2011-12-08T08:04:00.000-08:00

New work for US AND THEM magazine.

My submissions to the Society6 collaborations keep turning into bloodbaths. Hopefully they don't think I'm a crazy person.

As always, prints are available through the mighty Society6.

STUEY & GRIFFIN

2011-12-06T23:04:00.000-08:00

I am trying to draw you. I have nothing edible.

DREAM BABY DREAM

2011-11-23T13:27:00.000-08:00

New work for Bolo Magazine's dream-themed issue.

I'm not sure Alan Vega would approve, but he's just going to have to deal with it.

Prints available through Society6.

SOULSTEALER©

2011-11-14T09:32:00.000-08:00

Made a new hire at the I Like You Graphik last week. The irony is that it's the prettiest thing to photograph in my apartment.

THE GUIDE TO GENTLEMANLY PURSUITS

2011-11-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

Just in time for this November's moustache grow-fest, I finally got around to making the Guide to Gentlemanly Pursuits available as prints.

Printing, shipping and (if needed) framing will be handled by those Monsters Of Merch© at Society6.

OSCAR

2011-10-19T17:03:00.000-07:00

Henceforth 2011 will be known as the "Year of Babies & Dinosaurs & More Babies".

Here's the poster for the Dino-nursery of the soon-to-arrive Oscar James Brennan.

I hope he doesn't grow up to ask what kind of Dinosaur that is. In my limited research, I haven't been able to find a Latin name for a sauropod with a camel's face.

Congratulations Tim & Hillary!

THE BLACK ARK

2011-10-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

All made with love. And knives. But mostly made with knives.

Prints may become available soon on Society6.

I'm not sure what I'm doing with the originals right now. Here's a detail of them anyway:

RIDING WITH DEATH

2011-10-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

Stroke of genius.

For every bad drawing, I will draw someone to blame it on.

Prints available through Society6.

AUTUMN /// 2011

2011-10-03T09:14:00.000-07:00

It started raining again, but the I Like You Graphik is going to try and hold off the gloom for as long as possible.

Happy Autumn. Thanks for reading. Enjoy the football,

Chris

Summer /// 2011 (69.4 MB)

01 . Spectrals . Big Baby

02 . HEALTH . Goth Star

03 . Dominant Legs . Hoop Of Love

04 . Clams Casino . Fakest Year Ever

05 . Quantrells . Can't Let You Break My Heart

06 . Weekend . Hazel

07 . High Places . Year Off

08 . Air Waves . Shine On

09 . Redondo Beach . He Would Make Her Like Winter

10 . Spacemen 3 . I Love You

WHITEOUT

2011-09-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

This handsome fellow just arrived in the post.

Whiteout is a short run art zine featuring an illustration by the gentleman in charge of this particular web-based-log.

Published by Society6, it's a hand numbered and embossed Edition of 100. 32 pages, 5.94in x 8.25in. And unfortunately for anyone who doesn't have one laying on their drafting table, it's SOLD OUT.

COMA SUMMER

2011-09-21T17:32:00.000-07:00

Fall City // August 2011

It wasn't until I opened up an envelope of photos yesterday, that I had any awareness of being outside this summer.

There's more proof here.

A Better Promise // July 2011

Wenatchee // June 2011

Victors & Spoils // August 2011

BAST & BASTET

2011-09-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

I created this collage for Super8 Magazine shortly after my last visit home.

The kid on the right is my grandfather. A man with no particular feline qualities. And who was never much of a mask-wearer. A slightly misleading image, but one I'm very happy with.

Much thanks to Marco Nicotra & Giovanni Rizzo for letting me be a part of their project.

I AM THE CENTER OF YOUR WORLD

2011-09-06T09:49:00.000-07:00

I Am The Center Of Your World // September 2011

I LIKE YOU 2.0

2011-08-22T12:20:00.000-07:00

The I Like You Graphik has retired its old website today.

The balloon race around the world took over three years to complete. Who won? Well I can tell you who didn't win: Adobe Flash.

New website is up now.

GOD BREATHED AND THEY WERE SCATTERED

2011-08-04T10:54:00.000-07:00

Look what just showed up in the mail.

Were you waiting for someone to finally create artwork that references early 1980s video games & late 1500s English military campaigns at the same time? Well then you have incredibly specific tastes AND you're welcome.

New work for BOLO Magazine. Big thanks to Marco Nicotra.

Prints available through Society6.

POST-ROMAN

2011-07-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

The perfect gift for any Vandals or Ostrogoths on your Holiday shopping list.

New prints available through Society6.

COLOSSAL DEATH

2011-07-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

Colossal Death // July 2011

SUMMER /// 2011

2011-07-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

Another gift for our beloved web-based-log readers.

Hugs & Happy Summer,

The I Like You Graphik.

Summer /// 2011 (84.7 MB)

01 . TV Ghost . Wired Trap

02 . Brandy . I Wanna Be Down (UMO Remix)

03 . Holy Ghost! . Wait & See

04 . Crocodiles . Groove Is In The Heart / California Girls

05 . Savage . Don't Cry Tonight

06 . Crystal Stilts . Through the Floor

07 . Tropic of Cancer . A Color

08 . Glass Candy . Animal Imagination

09 . Mobroder . Rush (Nile Delta Remix)

10 . John Maus . Hey Moon

"WAKE UP, DUDE"

2011-06-25T21:09:00.000-07:00

My submission to Whiteout, a limited edition magazine published by Society6. If there's any wood in the vicinity, please give it a knock for me.

Prints available here.

DINOSAURS AT WOODLAND PARK ZOO

2011-06-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

I've seen my share of confounding briefs but found the headline, "DINOSAURS AT WOODLAND PARK ZOO", especially troubling.

It turns out the dinosaurs were animatronic and tour zoos nationally as a special exhibition to increase summer patronage. Here's all the stuff I did for it:

Dinosaurs at Woodland Park Zoo // Print

Dinosaurs at Woodland Park Zoo // Outdoor

Dinosaurs at Woodland Park Zoo // Transit

Agency: WONGDOODY, Seattle
Copywriter: Matt McCain
Creative Director: Mark Watson
Animation & Editorial: World Famous
Sound Design: Clatter & Din

THE SHAKY STATES

2011-06-09T23:41:00.000-07:00

San Bruno // May 2011

Alamo Square // May 2011

1st & Harrison // May 2011

Elliot Bay // January 2011

The Quiet Life // November 2010

Royal Quarters // May 2011

SIFF /// 2011

2011-05-30T18:22:00.000-07:00

This year I had the opportunity to work on the design program and advertising campaign for SIFF 2011. To Northwest film buffs SIFF stands for Seattle International Film Festival, a 24-day blitz of over 400 films, now in it's 35th year.

For this years campaign, we took films that have had their premiere at SIFF to celebrate everything that the acronym has stood for. Everything from "Somewhat Intense Family Feud" (The Empire Strikes Back, 1980) to "Stomach Incubates Furious Foreigner" (Alien, 1979 World premiere).

After about 6 months of work we've just unleashed everything from the festival trailer, animated bumpers, logo treatments, outdoor advertising, posters, and pretty much every type of collateral material you could think of.

Everything was completed at WONGDOODY Seattle in collaboration with the amazing talents at Oh, Hello and Clatter & Din.

Here's a little sampler:

SIFF 2011 // Poster

SIFF 2011 // Poster Details

SIFF 2011 // Film Bumpers

For the bumpers before the festival films began, we made up our own acronyms and produced them with film genres in mind. We had the best intentions of making them all family friendly. However, when you're making short films, seeing a corpse or two is almost inevitable.

SIFF 2011 // Transit

SIFF 2011 // Windows

SIFF 2011 // Coasters

SIFF 2011 // SIFF Lounge Interior

SIFF 2011 // Light Poles

SIFF 2011 // Pacific Place

THE NOON GUNS

2011-05-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

The Noon Guns (Front), May 2011

Every now and again I scan the drafting table, point at something and say, "done".

This isn't science.

The Noon Guns (Back), May 2011

SUPERHEROES // SF

2011-05-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

Society6 did a pretty amazing job with their Superheroes show. Though all I could do was laugh when I walked into D-Structure last weekend.

The silver lining to discovering that your first piece in a group show has been hung upside down is that your art career can only improve from there.

It was an honest mistake. Those guys do great work. Hopefully I'll get an opportunity to exhibit with them again soon.

Check out more photos of the show opening here.

A TINY MAN'S GUIDE TO THE UNIVERSE

2011-05-02T17:57:00.000-07:00

A poster for an audience of one. And he can't even read yet.

I created this poster for my good friends Chad and Kim, who are moving from Chicago (with baby Ben in tow) to Seattle this week.

Welcome!

Detail (Home)

Detail (Family)

Detail (Stella)

Detail (Ben-)

Detail (Welcome)

FEDERAL CITY

2011-05-01T20:11:00.000-07:00

Bulbul // 2011

Gallery Place // 2011

Folkewall // 2011

SPRING /// 2011

2011-04-30T15:09:00.000-07:00

I couldn't find any purpose for a few images I was experimenting with after spending a few days at home. It's not likely that many projects will ever come up that require a combination of my family photos with thirty year old astronomy magazines, no matter how awesome they look.

But I suppose traveling mixtapes will always need covers.

I'm headed down to San Francisco this week for the opening of the society6 Superheroes show at D-Structure gallery. If you're in town, drop by to see 46 professional artists and one gangly amateur.

Spring /// 2011 (74.5 MB)

01 . Peaking Lights . Key Sparrow

02 . Belong . Perfect Life

03 . Iceage . New Brigade

04 . Woven Bones . If You're Gold, I'm Gone

05 . King Tuff . Staircase of Diamonds

06 . Women . Bullfight

07 . Cocteau Twins . Lorelei

08 . Gardens & Villa . Orange Blossom

09 . John Maus . Believer

10 . Dead Ghosts . I Want Your Love

NO ONE TO EAT HERE, ORCA

2011-04-17T23:38:00.000-07:00

"Very well," he replied. "Good day, talking boat."

The Orca is easily tricked. His teeth are, like, way bigger than his brain.

FILE /// PHOTO

2011-04-17T23:34:00.000-07:00

Go Lions.

ADORATION OF THE MAGI

2011-03-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

Adoration of The Magi, I

Adoration of The Magi, II

I just finished a few collages for my good friends, The Ewalds. They took a while to complete but I'm pleased with how they turned out. There was a lengthy search for the perfect rose garden for an Oregon manger scene.

In the context of art history, The Adoration of The Magi was often what fancy Italians called a Bravura piece. It would feature the compositional complexity of crowds, foreign beasts, and rare objects like jewelry and whatever the hell 'Myrrh' is. The story demonstrated the virtuosity of an artist.

On the other hand, my versions show off how well I can get around technical skill and still come out looking good in the end. I don't know what fancy Italians call that.

Adoration of The Magi, I & II

Adoration of The Magi (Anders)

Adoration of The Magi (Detail)

EL CIELO

2011-03-10T18:31:00.000-08:00

El Cielo (City of Industry)

El Cielo (LAX)

El Cielo (Venetian)

El Cielo (Daniel)

El Cielo (Plastic Kingdom)

El Cielo (Ghost Impala)

I developed 10 rolls of 120 last weekend. Now I'm sifting through a year's worth of holga shots. Obviously, there's more to come.

NO STANK YOU

2011-03-09T09:17:00.001-08:00

So that's my best attempt at drawing an oral lesion. I realize it brings up a few questions. Such as:

1 – "Do oral lesions have horns?"

2 – "What am I? A doctor?"

Last week, the Washington Department of Health launched the latest iteration of its anti-smoking website. The I Like You Graphik was asked to create a few delightfully disturbing illustrations for the No Stank You campaign. Click on any of the images to visit the site.

Agency: WONGDOODY

CD: Josh Brantley & Matt McCain

AD: Matt Ballew

NERD /// FIGHT

2011-02-27T15:46:00.000-08:00

That's my submission for the D-Structure San Francisco x society6, Superheroes show.

I spent a little too much time over a lightbox on this one. Just ink drawing over a few recent collages (included at the end of the post). Hopefully it was worth the vision loss.

Prints available through my society6 store. Also available in torso and iPhone-wrapping form:

And (as promised):

Superheroes (Study One)

Superheroes (Study Two)

A RECORD YEAR FOR RAINFALL

2011-01-14T20:26:00.000-08:00

Above is the cover of what is now in the (hope to Christ/knock on wood) capable hands of the US Postal Service.

This is my contribution to The Sketchbook Project: 2011. My given theme was "A Record Year For Rainfall". It will go on tour this spring/summer all across the United States. Afterwards, it will permanently be on view at The Brooklyn Art Library.

Huge thanks go to Chad Verly for the professional rebind job.

The Shedding Path

Mount Tacoma

Plastic Ark

The Rape of Niketown

Kamchatka (Study)

Second & Niagara

God Has (Gurgle)

You Can't Be Alone

Softer Skulls

Final De Archipielago

I took a quick family portrait before I went to the Post Office.

FOREST /// FUNERAL

2010-12-31T17:59:00.000-08:00

Forest /// Funeral (figure 1.)

Forest /// Funeral (figure 2.)

The result of spending 15 hours with JetBlue yesterday.

I had done some preliminary sketches for these after a visit to the Saint Louis Museum of Art a few months ago and never found time to finish them. They were inspired by decorative priming flasks in their collection.

Prints will be available through Society6.

DRAPE YOURSELF IN NEGATIVITY

2010-12-14T09:57:00.000-08:00

I Like You (The Shirt) and The Guide to Gentlemanly Dress are now available through the Society6 Shop.

"OMG! Details!?!"

Alright, alright. Calm down, web-based-log readers:

The shirts are in. Finally, the I Like You Graphik can start a softball team.

All I need to do is hire seven employees.

Maybe eight. I'm not sure if we'll need a designated hitter.

CHAMELEON-AMERICAN

2010-11-16T09:44:00.000-08:00

In the RACE section of most forms, he would check OTHER.

GLOOMWARD /// BOUND

2010-09-30T20:39:00.000-07:00

In just two weeks, the I Like You Graphik will once again move its worldwide headquarters. The Midwest Experiment has officially come to a close. This time (the royal) we will return to Seattle, where all this angst-ridden, hand-drawn, horseshit got started a few years ago.

As you read this, Copic markers are being packed into cigar boxes. Job offers are being signed. And driving playlists are being committed to cassette tape. The first one can be downloaded below:

Gloomward /// Bound (66.32 MB)

01 . Meridian Signals . Taos Hum

02 . Crocodiles . Sleep Forever

03 . Women . Eyesore

04 . Colleen Green . Worship You

05 . Car Crash Set . Fall From Grace

06 . Minks . Funeral Song

07 . Gary Numan . Me! I Disconnect From You

08 . College . The Light Of Your Dress

09 . Soft Moon . Breathe The Fire

10 . Trash Kit . Sun Spots

It's all terribly exciting.

THE GUIDE TO GENTLEMANLY PURSUITS

2010-09-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

Week Twelve: Asteroid Eradication

I didn't get to post anything last week while I was in Portland. Though inspiration did strike while making a visit to Ground Kontrol.

I hope you've enjoyed The Guide to Gentlemanly Pursuits. It's been an excellent summer project, but it's going to have to go on hiatus for a while. I need all the time I can get to work on new projects. As always, thanks for checking in.

THE GEOLOGY OF SLEEP

2010-09-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

Don't tell me you haven't been in this situation before. The woman steering continental drift asks you to hold her purse for a while. What can you say? Her job seems perfectly logical.

Then you start to wonder. How long has she been standing here?

I know very little about dream interpretation. I've read that the content of our dreams reflect what preoccupies our brain in waking life. At least in this case, I don't really believe that. I think my subconscious is telling me not to eat Sriracha so close to bedtime.

That's my favorite part.

We were speaking eye to eye and when I looked down: telephone books.

So I guess my subconscious has a sense of humor.

THE GUIDE TO GENTLEMANLY PURSUITS

2010-08-31T22:36:00.000-07:00

Week Eleven: Vintage Habitations

THE GUIDE TO GENTLEMANLY PURSUITS

2010-08-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

Week Ten: Wrinkle Protection

Humble and helpful. A perfect gentleman.

THE GUIDE TO GENTLEMANLY PURSUITS

2010-08-15T18:27:00.000-07:00

Week Nine: European Liberation

A gentleman of great historical import.

THE GUIDE TO GENTLEMANLY PURSUITS

2010-08-08T14:41:00.000-07:00

Week Eight: Savage Decoration

THE GUIDE TO GENTLEMANLY PURSUITS

2010-07-30T07:07:00.000-07:00

Week Seven: Proper Nutrition

THE GUIDE TO GENTLEMANLY PURSUITS

2010-07-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

Week Six: Paternal Motivation

"Sex-crazed" is such an ungentlemanly term.

THE COMMUNICANTS

2010-07-22T10:52:00.000-07:00

The Communicants, I (Cozumel)

The Communicants, II (Reynard)

The Communicants, III (Otocyon)

Prints available here. Orders will be handled by the mighty Society6.

MOUND // CITY

2010-07-20T09:07:00.000-07:00

Mound City (James) // July 2010

Mound City (Handbag) // July 2010

Mound City (Saint Charles) // July 2010

Mound City (Imaginal Processes) // July 2010

A few dispatches from the aforementioned Rad Summer Mobile Command Unit©. More here.

That last shot is a view of Cameron Fuller's piece, From the Collection of the Institute for the Perpetuation of Imaginal Processes at the Contemporary Art Museum Saint Louis. Part of the Great Rivers Biennial 2010 that wraps up August 8th. I'd recommend stopping by before then.

THE GUIDE TO GENTLEMANLY PURSUITS

2010-07-13T12:26:00.001-07:00

Week Five: Emergency Preparation

Mount Hood could teach that whiny Saint Helens a thing or two. With awesome power comes gentlemanly responsibility.

THE GUIDE TO GENTLEMANLY PURSUITS

2010-07-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Week Four: Group Levitation

THE GUIDE TO GENTLEMANLY PURSUITS

2010-06-30T07:18:00.000-07:00

Week Three: Friendly Competition

You two play nice.

NAMING DAY ON TELEGRAPH HILL

2010-06-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

Naming Day On Telegraph Hill (One) // June 2010

Naming Day On Telegraph Hill (Two) // June 2010

A few experiments from the weekend. Forgive me, San Francisco. That parrot hardly qualifies as 'feral'.

LAPLAND

2010-06-24T13:21:00.000-07:00

Created with found paper from the streets of Venice, CA. Miraculously, I finished this piece without contracting hepatitis.

THE GUIDE TO GENTLEMANLY PURSUITS

2010-06-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

Week Two: Undersea Exploration

THE MAGIC HVAC

2010-06-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

The Magic HVAC // June 2010

Summer is slowly creeping over MT TANTRUM in the form of triple-digit temperatures, tropical panoramas (pictured), and a fantastic soundtrack:

Wild Nothing - Summer Holiday

Wild Nothing - Chinatown

Seriously, I need to practice drawing the AC/DC logo. It feels like a yearbook could be put in front of me at any moment.

Have a RADSUMMER. NVR CHNG. L8R.

-Chris

THE GUIDE TO GENTLEMANLY PURSUITS

2010-06-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to honor the sections of old growth forest I've likely destroyed, The Guide to Gentlemanly Pursuits will be an experimental feature for the summer. The rules are simple:

1) Collect all napkins and meeting notes.

2) Draw a moustache on every doodle.

3) Present the best of the week.

Week One: Conversation

A RECORD YEAR FOR RAINFALL

2010-06-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

My materials and theme (see post title) for The Sketchbook Project 2011 arrived in the mail yesterday.

Yes, America.

Here's the deal, the project was created by Brooklyn's Art House Co-op and will take thousands of Moleskines on a US gallery tour next year. Afterwards, each book will enter the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Art Library.

If you haven't signed up yet, The I Like You Graphik implores you to stop being lame.

In related news:

The I-LIKE-YOU-RAD-SUMMER-MOBILE-COMMAND-UNIT© is officially ready to leave the apartment.

CLANCY BERRY (2002 - 2010)

2010-05-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

Wag // Whine

My favorite Bassett Hound passed away this week after a bout with cancer. I made these because, in spite of him being kind of an angry jerk, I will still miss his droopy face and totally weird little legs.

Prints of these are available here.

The mighty Society6 will take care of printing & shipping. My profits from the prints will be donated to the ASPCA. If you'd rather go straight to www.aspca.org and give to them directly, that'd be awesome too. Please tell them Clancy sent you.

Sandwich // Crumbs

STANDARD // TIME TRAVEL

2010-05-14T07:32:00.000-07:00

1:10 CST

2:12 EST

Important information I've brought back from THE FUTURE:

1 - 'Pop' is called 'Soda'

2 - Jon Stewart doesn't come on until 11

3 - Everyone is aware that the Cubs stink

4 - Oprah still comes on at 4

That is all.

CANIS ADUSTUS

2010-03-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

Canis Adustus, Day I

Canis Adustus, Day IV

What? You leave out illustrated carrion in your sketchbook, you're going to attract illustrated scavengers. It's all part of the Moleskine Circle of Life©.

BUTTON.BETA

2010-03-29T20:41:00.000-07:00

The I Like You Graphik button mock-ups just arrived in the mail.

They'll go through rigorous testing until proven to make your clothing significantly more awesome. That's a GUARANTEE.

So far, we're batting a thousand.

WHEN FREE WORLDS COLLIDE

2010-02-28T18:41:00.000-08:00

As much as I've supported Apple products over the years, reading The New York Times on an iPad is nothing less than an affront to sunday morning.

AT THE FOOT OF MOUNT TANTRUM

2010-02-23T19:06:00.000-08:00

Mount Tantrum // February 2010

A few shots from the brand new I Like You Graphik campus (they look better big).

Mount Tantrum will stand as both a tribute to an exciting new addition, as well as a monument to the fallen. More specifically, those countless mechanical pencils that have been broken in half and thrown across the studio at 4 AM.

Trust me. The process of making pretty things is never pretty.

I'll post the illustrations as they're finished.

BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH GANGLY MEN

2010-02-10T18:17:00.000-08:00

The I Like You Graphik has been this past week's feature on The Studio Chronicle. Hopefully, (aside from looking like I'm wearing Henry Winkler's hand-me-downs) I haven't completely embarrassed myself.

Thanks to David Burns Smith for putting this all together.

THE DECADE IN REVIEW

2009-12-31T13:09:00.000-08:00

As readers of this web-based-log were already aware, the I Like You Graphik is nothing if not progressive. To save our readers the hassle of reading a recent deluge of horrid "Decade End Lists," we've gone ahead and summed up the best of 10 years of photography, entertainment, sports and SLAMMA JAMS© into an 800 pixel square:

Happy trails, Greg Paulus. You are now a footnote for THE AGES.

I found this while unpacking an old portfolio case this morning. There's never been enough Duke bashing on this site.

As an unironic (word? no?) aside: Thanks for checking in with me this year. I've just moved into a new studio/job/city which I promise to tell you all about at a later date. My best to you all in 2010,

Chris

OUR WORK FILLS THE PEWS

2009-11-24T12:34:00.000-08:00

Part of the half-assed series: Old Women With Things That Look Like Jesus.

File under: I'm going to be a jerk until I get an NNNNvite.

HEART ATTACK . EP

2009-11-20T11:11:00.000-08:00

Not to make your siblings look bad, but my brother recently asked me to design the cover of his first album. That's a pretty amazing project, right? Congratulations are in order, his Heart Attack EP is up on iTunes today.

He can be found here and here. While his guitar pedals can be found in my bedroom. I suppose if I want to work on the next cover, I should probably give those back.

TOPICAL DEPRESSION

2009-10-06T11:48:00.000-07:00

The blueprint for my "Rain Cloud" costume. I'm guaranteed to be the low pressure center of every Halloween party.

BROADWAY // MELROSE

2009-09-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I was walking over a stretch of Broadway carpeted in strips of fabric. A middle-aged woman looking for volunteers told me that, "the school made a mistake and cut down all of the children's intentions." I wasn't sure what that meant, but it sounded on par with "stomping on their dreams."

I spent 20 minutes tying red cloth to that fence. Those better have been some good intentions. I'm just saying.

THE PACE IS GLACIAL

2009-08-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

New work for Marek Haiduk's RVLVR.

TROPICAL ORCA

2009-08-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

Recently I've noticed that collaging has affected the composition of my drawing. I suppose I'm okay with that. Though that whale looks a little confused.

AMERICA IN MINIATURE, PT. 3

2009-08-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

Sanctuary // June 2009

Waiting for St. George // June 2009

Imitation Falls // June 2009

A perfect day at the National Zoo in Washington DC. In addition to a couple rolls of film, we left with a few souvenirs.

PARTY BLVD

2009-08-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

So while we're on the subject of how awesome Judah Switzer is...

The two of us had the pleasure of traveling to Asheville, NC to shoot 5 television spots in one weekend. We went with our amazing friend and copywriter, Natalie Taylor, whose family just happens to own the greatest party store on Earth. Without an actor in sight, the inanimate objects of Party Blvd became the stars of their 2009 advertising campaign.

Fun fact: when attempting a Latin American accent, I sound like Ricardo Montalban auditioning for Dracula.

Much thanks to Natalie, Judah Switzer, Kevin Lynch, Zig, and the families of Debbie & Mike Harris and Judy & Dusty Pless.

THE HOLY MOUNTAIN

2009-08-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

My good friend, Judah Switzer, was showing me some of the inspiration for his new video this weekend. What convinced someone (or something) to finance Jodorowsky's films is beyond human comprehension. But at least for this particular drawing, I'm in his debt.

Video - YACHT: "Psychic City (Voodoo City)"

MONUMENTS

2009-07-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

Army of the Potomac, I

July 2009

Army of the Potomac, II

July 2009

The I Like You Graphik has to put away the collage materials for a while. The rental company needs to show The Ivory Tower to prospective tenants. Consider the creative buzz around here officially 'harshed.'

THE CSS SENSATIONAL

2009-07-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

The CSS Sensational // July 2009

The I Like You Graphik is busy putting a dent in the stockpile of imagery on the studio floor. Most of pile was gathered in the the antique malls outside of Gettysburg, PA. There could be a theme developing.

Detail // July 2009

IVORY // HIGH // RISE

2009-07-14T14:54:00.000-07:00

The Ivory Tower was taken, but I think I came out on top.

I finally put together a portfolio site that combines my "legitimate work" with these ongoing personal projects. I'm always amazed and appreciative of all the kind words and support this silly work receives. Thanks.

So now that I have both time and full boxes of postcards on my hands, I'll try to get some new work up. Starting...

...NOW!

AMERICA IN MINIATURE, PT. 2

2009-07-12T13:07:00.000-07:00

Gangly Bear, June 2009

Hermano, June 2009

DREAM ISLAND (CONT.)

2009-07-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

There are times when I have to remind myself that not everything can be a finished piece. These are a few recent selections from the stacks.

MEN OF THE SPADED TIGER

2009-07-05T10:28:00.000-07:00

In 2006, I had the pleasure of working in Redmond, WA at a small start-up called Hammerquist & Nebeker. One day, the folks in charge asked my partner and I for a few self-promotional ideas.

We agreed without question. Partly in gratitude for a fun assignment. And partly in fear of being beaten up by their logo.

Posters, tigers, t-shirts, coasters, irreverence, wall murals... it's all here.

AMERICA IN MINIATURE, PT. 1

2009-06-29T20:26:00.000-07:00

Cici, June 2009

My Father, My Correspondence, June 2009

It's great to be home.

DREAM ISLAND (STUDY)

2009-06-29T20:07:00.000-07:00

Inspired by a trip to the National Zoo last week. These drawings are getting more difficult, Dream Island suddenly has tourists.

DULY NOTED

2009-05-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

Exhausted.

On a layover in Atlanta, my friend and I were greeted by this scene. We thought it would make a fitting epitaph for air travel's tombstone.

And the product placement goes on.

DREAM ISLAND, PT. 3

2009-05-14T18:55:00.000-07:00

A short tragedy told with bath rugs, headbands, and a few projectiles.

DREAM ISLAND, PT. 2

2009-03-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

I've been told that sticking to my vision is important. But I've found that lack of space, money, and access to whole salmon can easily trump foresight.

I'll keep working on these anyway.

THE MIDDLE WEST

2009-03-26T07:34:00.000-07:00

Diversey Harbor, March 2009

Waveland, March 2009

The Palm House, March 2009

Belmont Harbor, March 2009

After months of stern warnings to stay indoors from the National Weather Service, Chicago is slowly unthawing. On a fantastic St. Patrick's Day weekend, I walked until it got dark. I took my Holga with me... obviously. More here.

DREAM ISLAND

2009-02-27T14:45:00.000-08:00

I'm going to need a few volunteers.

Okay. Hear me out...

INVASIVE SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICA

2009-02-25T17:02:00.000-08:00

Wolves of Paradise

Maryland, December 2008

Feral Macaws of North Beach

Chicago, September 2008

CLASSIC LEMON MANEATER

2009-02-21T19:45:00.000-08:00

Cat Sound!

ST-JOSEPH'S-JUMBO-HOUSE-BUFFET

2009-02-17T18:47:00.000-08:00

Jumbo House Buffet at Ashland & Nelson.

Located in the same strip mall as the shop with my favorite name ever, "Foremost Liquors." I'm not sure foremost qualifies as a superlative. Lori? Nick?

God bless them anyway.

REYNARD///LE RENARD

2009-01-31T12:07:00.000-08:00

While doing an internship in Seattle in 2004, I stumbled upon a copy of The Story of Reynard the Fox in a used bookstore. It was an English translation of the original German poem, Reineke Fuchs by J.W. von Goethe and featured brilliant wood engravings by Fritz Eichenberg.

I've wanted to create a series inspired by this book ever since I found it. And these days what could be a more relevant topic than anthropomorphic satire of European aristocracy?

"Anything?" you ask.

Well, yeah. Probably.

I LIKE YOU: 2009 ANNUAL REPORT & FORECAST

2009-01-28T20:40:00.000-08:00

A letter to our investors,

In a shaky year fraught with financial crises, 2008 was an outstanding year at the I Like You Graphik. In the face of declining consumer spending, the freefall of US housing prices, and massive bank failures, our company is one of the safest investments of the coming year. What's that casual blog reader? What makes our company such a sure bet for growth in 2009? Well that's easy...

Illustrationomics is more than a word that we just made up. It's a forward thinking approach to business that avoids real estate, retail, and finance in lieu of drawing things. In fact, we're so confident that illustration will outperform the American financial sector in 2009 that we drew a graph about it and DIDN'T BURST INTO LAUGHTER.

A brief history:

In March of 2008, we launched ilikeyougraphik.com, an electronic portfolio of illustration and design work. That day marked a crucial shift in the direction of our company. Where before we were "fake," we made the bold move of becoming "real." The chart below details how we've outperformed many established corporations in 2008 by simply existing.

As our first year of business-blogging comes to a close, we at the I Like You Graphik have so many reasons to celebrate. We are proud to have launched a strong portfolio of illustration work. Proud to have worked with such talented friends. And finally, "we" are proud of my ability to use "the royal we," even when it makes sentences terribly confusing.

Thank you for reading. My best to all of you in 2009.

-Chris

DO YOU MEAN "LIKE?"

2009-01-18T16:53:00.000-08:00

...or "like like?"

Before posting this piece, I decided to attempt a typographic abstraction of the same image. It was just for fun, but I'm becoming concerned that my type experiments are getting a little too inquisitive.

CLANCY AND I WANT

2009-01-05T20:25:00.000-08:00

Nay, DEMAND a book deal. Look at us:

So much better than James and that giant peach of his. If a publisher shows interest in Clancy's adventures, you can look forward to such titles as:

"That is the doorbell. I am going to scream at all of you."

"You are on, or near my pillow. I am outraged."

And the beloved tale...

"You're holding a sandwich. I am going to lose my f***ing mind."

Your move, Taschen.

HOUND//HOUSE

2008-12-30T17:11:00.000-08:00

When the stars align at a Basset/Greyhound rescue, make sure you have a camera ready.

The short fellow is my parent's dog, Clancy. Look at those weird little legs. This is what happens when French hunters start playing God.

THE MODERN PROMETHEUS

2008-12-30T14:46:00.000-08:00

A quick peek into the I-Like-You-Character-Lab.™

I've yet to name the two-headed vomiting deer. Taking my cues from Mary Shelley, I'm between "Abhorred devil," "Dæmon," or "It."