Go get this month's issue of Wired Magazine (July 2009), turn to page 24, and you will see the small drawing above that I made for an article about beer. Needless to say, I was very excited about this commission. Oh, and get next month's issue as well — I did a drawing for it too.
Just a quick update: I've got more books available in the shop now. After selling the first batch in 24 hours (yikes!), I thought I should order more. And as I did before, I will draw a small picture in each one I ship, and sign it. So if you missed out the first time, head on over and pick one up from the shop.
Alright, I couldn't resist posting another lightning bolt drawing. I've got more. Sometimes you just need to get it out of your system.
Ink & watercolour on paper, 8x10 inches, original drawing available in the shop.
I'm on a lightning kick these days. I think lightning bolts just might replace mustaches this year as the go-to image for irreverent humour. I've got another 10 drawings about lightning bolts, but I don't want to be pigeon-holed as 'that guy who draws lightning bolts on everything'. I'll have to space them out.
ink & marker on paper, 5x7 inches (original is available in the shop SOLD).
I'm really excited to have a drawing made into a t-shirt by the brilliant folks at Turtlehead (use discount code "marc johns" and get 20% off until June 10th). They've done shirts by Keith Walsh, Adam Cruikshank, Will Bryant, Will St. Leger, David Shrigley, and many other terrific artists.
To be honest, I've been hesitant to do the t-shirt thing. I don't want to get to a point where I am drawing for the purpose of making products. But I like Turtlehead's approach. Besides, any organization that has worked with David Shrigley is tops in my books!
Get the Famous People's Teeth t-shirt (use discount code "marc johns" and get 20% off until June 10th)
Check out Turtlehead's other great shirts
Hurray! Boxes of books have arrived, and they are now available in the shop ($25 + shipping). I made a small, signed drawing in each copy. And each book has a different drawing.
Here's a book with a drawing on the left-hand page:
I've had a number of requests for signed copies, and I'm happy to be able to finally offer them. I've only got about 45 copies available, so if you want one, get over to the shop. I'll be upfront and say that you can buy it for cheaper at some shops and various online booksellers, and their shipping rates are much less than mine. I may be the author, but I can't compete with the big guys!
Barnes & Noble has the book in their stores now. They placed a great order and really believe in the book, so go support them. Thanks B&N! I'm also super excited that Urban Outfitters and the MoMA in New York (2 locations) will both be carrying it.
Get it from an online bookseller
If you can't get to a store, you may want to pick it up from an online bookseller. The book is now in stock or at least will be soon. Here's some links to shops. If you know of any other online retailers who carry it, let me know in the comments and I'll add them to the list.
Barnes and Noble
Amazon - US
Amazon - Canada
Amazon - UK
Amazon - Germany
Amazon - Japan
teNeues - buy direct from the publisher
ink and watercolour, 8x10 inches (SOLD Available in the shop)
So why a rain cloud, you may ask? Tattoos often depict "bad" things, like skulls, daggers, snakes, and such. so I decided to do my own innocuous version of "bad" -- bad weather.
Ever since Luis emailed me the photo of his tattoo I've been thinking about body markings. I don't have any tattoos myself, but I often write things on my hand as reminders, and I find even these mundane pen marks fascinating. I think there's something interesting that happens when you write or draw on yourself. My three year old went through a phase where he liked to draw and paint all over himself (mostly hands and arms, sometimes feet). He'd start with painting or drawing on paper, but would gradually move on to body parts.
I think I'm going to start to draw on my hands more...
Ink and watercolour, 8x10 inches (original is SOLD available in the shop).
I've always been fascinated and amused by the way things are marketed and sold, and the way we are led to believe that bigger, faster, and more expensive is better. Quite often it's not the case, with marketers selling the same product at two different price points. We know it happens, but we still fall for it.
In University I studied both Fine Arts and Business, and graduated with a double major. I am truly intrigued by how commerce works, but I am often inspired to portray how it fails us in my drawings. Of course, I like to point it out in an amusing way, because I believe that's more effective. And what usually makes it amusing is the fact that it's true.
(I may add to this post later, or write another one about the foibles of consumerism and all that. It's a recurring theme in my work that I haven't really put into words yet).
Amazing. Holy crap. I am honoured. I received an email and the photo above from Luis, letting me know that he had the deluxe carrying case for an ampersand drawing tattooed onto his forearm. He told me he has two other tattoos—one of a Banksy stencil, and one of a Shel Silverstein drawing. Terrific company to be in, that's for sure. Luis, I'll say it again, I am truly honoured.
I've had a number of emailed questions about tattooing recently, so I thought I'd answer them here: if you are thinking of having one of my drawings tattooed onto yourself, you have my permission (I'd be flattered!), but I'd love it if you could email me a photo that I could share on my blog. And if you've already committed one of my drawings permanently to flesh, then by all means send me a pic. That would be most awesome.
Ink on watercolour paper, 5x7 inches. (SOLD Available in the shop)
