Who ya gonna call... Jesus-busters?

Saw this today and thought it was too funny, and I just had to share...

(Click pic to enlarge)

Jesus doesn't look to happy. I guess the thought of sitting in that containment facility gives him the hibby jibbies. There's also this masterwork (after the break):

He'll probably just smite them. After all, he's not your garden variety ghost; he's THE Holy Ghost. Booyah! I got jokes.

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Crazy Street Paintings

Yep, that's a painted street to look like a water filled chasm, and it is awesome. What would you do if you turned the corner in your car and came across that? Continue after the break for more.


Yep I think I would definitely not drive down that road.

Visit Edgar Mueller's website to see more pictures of his amazing street art.

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Going to the Drew Struzan Art Show

I'm sure many of you are reading the title and wondering who I am talking about. That's ok, his name isn't very well known. However, I guarantee that you have seen his work. And I will bet that you have enjoyed it.

Drew is an artist who has been working for several decades in the film industry, designing and illustrating movie posters. He has done work for many films including Star Wars, Blade Runner, E.T., the Indiana Jones films, Hellboy, Flintstones, Hook, and many, many more.

Here are some examples of his work...

Let me give you a little background for me. I first recognized Drew Struzan after I had watched and rewatched and watched again the movie Hook. The cover to that VHS was a striking image, a piece of art that showcased the film's many dazzling and fantastical moments. I remember thinking about that image at school waiting to return home to watch it again.

Well, on the VHS, on the painting, in the lower corner, was inscribed the name Drew. I thought it weird because it obviously had nothing to do with Hook. Then, slowly I began to recognize that distinctive Drew on other posters and VHS's. This was when I first became aware of the artist behind the posters, Drew Struzan.

Lately in the past year or two I began developing a great deal of affection for the old style of illustrated film posters and have started a collection. They mostly consist of Drew posters, but I do have others also hanging up (I enjoy movies what can I say). I currently have these posters framed (yes framed, I don't staple to walls anymore) and hanging in my home...

I learned that an exhibition of some of his work would be held at an art gallery in LA, and on the opening night of the exhibition, Drew himself would be there. I was geeking out; to get the chance to meet the man who has drawn some of the most iconic film images ever, was very exciting.

When I arrived at the gallery (after my 2.5 hour drive from Ridgecrest) it was fairly uncrowded (I was expecting quite a few more people). I went around and saw the works on display. Mostly it was Artist proof prints of his portfolio, however their were a handful of original paintings. One of the highlights for me was this...

I couldn't believe it, here it was. The poster that got me hooked on this artist, was on display. Remember, this wasn't merely a movie poster that you see in your local cineplex. This was the ORIGINAL painting. Slightly larger than a standard sized film poster, it had such incredible detail. I can't describe the pure joyous kiddy delight that sprung within me when I saw that painting on Friday night. I was that kid pouring over the old worn out VHS copy of Hook once again.

After finally prying away from the painting, I decided I would try and meet the man and give him my thanks. I hurriedly bought a book of his work so he could sign it and got in the growing line of people waiting to shake his hand. It dawned on me while I was waiting, that the majority of people here were from the art community, not strictly film buffs like myself. It was something I never really thought of but seemed so obvious, aspiring artists admired this man just as much as I did, but for completely different reasons.

I do not get starstruck, however I couldn't help but feel incredibly intimidated at meeting this man. Here he is, I am shaking the hand of the guy who has brought so much joy to the kid as well as the aspiring filmmaker inside me. I stumbled through some thanks and appreciations, as he was signing my book. When he was finished, I told him how disappointed I am that we will never see his full line up of Harry Potter posters. He conveyed the same disappointment saying "We don't get a say in the marketing, we don't make those decisions." But again I told him that it was sad the industry has turned their backs on traditional illustrated poster art. And that his stuff was amazing. He thanked me, I thanked him, and that was it.

Originally he was contacted to do the poster for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. He was told that they wanted him to do all the posters in a similar style. He did a painting for Chamber of Secrets, which the original was on display at the gallery:

But it was rejected for this photo poster:
It is sad that the appreciation for this art has diminished so severely. The demand has all but evaported for illustrated posters. There are exceptions such as last year's Indiana Jones posters, and the George Lucas Star Wars prequels. Guillermo del Toro commissioned Drew to do posters for Hellboy, Hellboy II, and Pan's Labyrinth. Sadly, none of the final designs were used for marketing purposes. Also Frank Darabont commissioned him to do the work for the Mist, as well as Special edition covers for the Shawshank Redemption and the Green Mile.

Darabont, Del Toro, Lucas, and Spielberg are just a few of a very small handful of filmmakers that still recognize the power of an iconic poster. Drew Struzan creates that iconography with every brush stroke.

Drew announced his retirement from film posters last year.

I highly encourage you to stop by Drew's website and check out some of his amazing stuff, including the three poster collage of the Star Wars original trilogy. It is awesome.

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The Deification of Obama

"Obama raises his hand, lifts a nation."

That is a slogan that is being printed and sold by CNN. It disturbs me that he is becoming akin to Moses. Seriously, replace Obama with Moses, and it sound as though you were speaking about a nation of Jews in the old Testament. That article above makes mention that these shirts prove news-media is propaganda. But that is for another post on another day.

But it isn't just slogans printed on t-shirts. What would you say if I told you, that schools and streets were already being changed to reflect our new President. Welcome to Barack Obama Elementary School! So says this article.

And who could forget this campaign poster;

What is happening to this mere-mortal figure named Barrack Obama? Furthermore, why is this happening to someone who has been in office for a measly 10 days!?!?

Something I have noticed since Obama won the primaries against Hillary in 2008. As his campaign ramped up towards the election, and when he won the presidency, a fervor has increasingly gripped much of America. Right now, across the nation, a seemingly invincible Obama, has begun to transcend into a god-like mythic quality. Before he has even signed a bill into law, or introduced legislation, we get a poster like this:

"It's the Patron Saint Obama, here to save us from the wicked Bush Administration."

I take great offense in an image such as this. To compare the man, our new president to a Christ-like figure, is absolutely unthinkable and disrespectful. And even more so because he has yet to hold the office for two weeks.

My question is simple, how has this happened? How has a simple man been transformed into such a figure of hope and promise? And why on earth do we have things like the pictures and slogan above, when all the man has done, thus far, is talk a big talk. I sense so much empty promise with these images that it can only lead to disappointment. There simply is no where else to go. He can go no higher in people's eyes, the only place to go is down.

Can this man do wrong?

I think so. He is after all only a man. He will make mistakes, and he will make judgements that I disagree with. That is the life of a President. No president will ever make everybody happy. But I do feel that he is going to shake things up, in a good way. I am all for cutting back on excessive pay and bonuses. But I don't think you can spend your way out of a financial hole, which is exactly what he is doing.

But as far as the 'Deity' goes, as time goes on, I can only hope that this image of a god-man Obama, will come back down to earth. Because if it doesn't, all those disillusioned people who have so much hope pinned on him, will be absolutely heartbroken and betrayed when he disappoints them.

Remember, no President makes everyone happy. It is merely a matter of time before mistakes are made, opinions reversed, and dissatisfaction set in. But I suppose my point of this is: let his record speak for him. Don't let yourself be filled with a false promise of hope and change when you have yet to see it. Anybody can talk, it takes a true leader to ACT on their strong words and make those tough decisions.

All I am saying is let us wait and see, before we make him akin to Jesus.

Click the photo for the story on this sculpture.

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My newfound Thomas Kinkade fetish

I don't know why and I don't know how, but for some strange reason I have become enamored by all things Thomas Kinkade.

I don't get it. I have known of the artist and his work for years now. It is only hitting me now; I love this guy's work. (Click the photos to go see larger versions)

A self described "Painter of Light," Kinkade's paintings are nothing short of amazing. Capturing a simplistic and idyllic look, he transports you amongst the most charming of settings with absolute ease.

The paintings always seem to be caught during that beautiful hour of changing light, dusk or dawn. The windows on the quaint homes or churches, erupt with a warm glow of light that it begins to suggest real magic. Magic, in that an artist could somehow capture those quiet moments of pure beauty.

How does he do this?!?!

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