It's never too early...

...to start brainstorming Christmas card concepts. Last holiday season, a lucky 30 or so of you were treated to one of these babies:





This holiday I think I'll take a more hand-drawn approach.

If anyone is interested in receiving an extra special holiday greeting from me please forward your address to v_rodrigues_lima@yahoo.com.

Don't worry, I don't live in a cabin, nor do I have easy access to highly explosive materials.

Par Avion

Les Blanks at the Echo Curio

Bound to be a sonic assault. The magnitude of this bill is gonna make my brain Rodney King.

Sweet, glorious capitalism.

Wear your affiliation on your shoulder. My latest crop of eco-totes at Forever 21.

The Voyeurs/The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra/The Hectors at Que Sera

A solid night of music in the LBC, another variation on theme.

Some fun stuff that went nowhere...

Some retro-inspired hang tags for your perusal. I'm pretty much on-board anything vintage, so illustrating this project was a dream. :)

The News (minus the Huey)

I tend not to get too personal on this blog; I'm not very self-indulgent (except for the art-making bit) and I find it hard to talk about myself and even harder to think that anyone cares to hear/read what I say/write, but despite all this, I bear news.

The last few months, work-wise, have been good to me. All the accessories/paper goods/textiles I've designed while at Forever 21 are best-sellers (as in most of these products have no less than an 85% sell-through on average.) The peace tote I designed sold out both online and in-store, and a second delivery has been ordered due to how high demand is. The matryoshka tote started off shaky and picked up steam. All of it is a little (a lot) surreal, so much so that a few weeks ago I was waiting to get in to the Rose Bowl Flea Market when I saw a neo-folkie with the aforementioned tote slung over her shoulder. So, so weird.

PSUEDO-BUMMER ALERT: So, I realize that as a commercial art-maker, I'm pretty faceless. Most, if not all the people who buy what I've designed will never know my name, but somehow, (surprisingly) I feel satisfied enough that it's rendered a non-issue. Bittersweet, yes.

As is apparent by the last few posts, I've been doodling for a few local bands. In a word? Gratifying. Over the past few months I've been lucky enough to meet a few creative/passionate folks who have taken a chance on me and for that I'm glad/thankful/honored/indebted. I believe firmly in schools of mutual help and there's nothing better than creative folks helping each other in turn.

Lastly, there's talk of inclusion in a few gallery shows, one being in conjunction with fellow alumni as part of Asia Eng's solo show at Alphacult in January. Excitement!

That's it for now kids! I promise a less text-laden post next time. Scout's honor.

Marvelous Toy Record Release Poster

You know where I'll be come FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2008.

The Voyeurs-Alterknit Lounge

Another flyer for the Voyeurs!

Marvelous Toy

Flyer for amazing local band Marvelous Toy. Seriously, whether you're L.A. based or just passin' through, if you have a chance to catch this band live, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT MISS OUT! Check out their music HERE.

For Love of Trees

Bag! You're It!

This last weekend while perusing the Rose Bowl Flea Market I came across my first product sighting: this neo-folkie girl had my matryoshka print tote slung over her shoulder.

I had always expected to run into someone toting around one of my bags but I never expected it to feel so odd. Very, very surreal.

I'm just not used to it yet, I guess.

On a related note, I think the "Keen on Green" eco-tote I designed for Forever 21 sold out on the website. More weirdness.

I wanted to post a picture of it but apparently it's been pulled from the site.

International Pop Overthrow

Another poster for the ever-so-talented and entertaining duo, the Voyeurs!

In stores...or not.

The following bags sold out at 3 of our local stores, that I know of. That's sorta neat.


This one did not fare so well, but the print's still cute, I think.


I also have a few panties out in stores right now, one of them being the following:

The Voyeurs

Just a little flyer I drew for a great band (and fine gentlemen), The Voyeurs.

Check 'em out at www.myspace.com/wearethevoyeurs

Float On...

For the Birds...

Newness!

Hunka, Hunka

The photo isn't fantastic, but it'll have to do for now.

Underneath/Below/Beneath

So, I completed "Hunka." I'm horrible at naming things, so "Hunka" is obviously its tentative title. I'm only referring to it as that because so far everyone who's seen it has referred to it as such, so "Hunka" it is, for now. For those of you not in the know, I'm talking about the old-school arcade painting I did, which is, for the record, the first painting I've ever completed, like, completely.

Anyone who's ever seen me prep a surface for painting can tell you that I'm rather persnickety about it. There is a definite method to the way I lay down paper as there is to my collecting the materials I collage into each piece. So, I've been asked, why the Hughesian dedication to collaging when all I do is paint and draw completely over it?

Truth is, I know exactly what lies under all the matte medium and Mod Podge and paint and varnish in each of my paintings. I could itemize every scrap. It's a secret to everyone but me, and I'd prefer to keep it that way.

It's because I'm cruel, and unusual, ya know?