Upcoming Art Show At Alpha Cult

The year is off to a great start. I've been invited to have a solo show at Alpha Cult in Long Beach, CA. This will be the fourth time Alpha Cult has been nice enough to display my artwork, but will be the first time I've been the main event. The Head Honcho. The Big Guy. The Main Squeeze. The you get the idea. I think they have a great format for their shows and it goes like this. They have a "headlining" artist who gets the big main wall of their gallery and the front window display. And the headliner gets to invite "sideline" artists to display on the other walls. I invited Nic Rodriguez, Neal Breton, Stenzskull, Kendra Binney, and Aaron Kraten.

I'll have the official flyer soon, but for now I have A LOT of in progress photos for you to check out. I always like "behind the scenes" stuff so I hope you do to. If you stalk me on flickr then you've already seen these. And if not then I hope you enjoy.


























































I actually have more than this available to look at on the flickr page I set up specifically for this show. If you have a minute check them out. I won't be posting any of the completed paintings until the show officially opens on Valentine's Day. It's tempting, but I think I can resist.

People Are Funny, No?

Sometimes I don't understand people. And because I don't understand them they probably think I'm a big idiot. Or maybe that I'm rude. But I assure you I am not that much of an idiot. And I am not that rude. However, if you are choosing to be a dumbass please expect to be treated accordingly. Case in point. I am sitting at my desk at the gallery and I hear voices outside.

A female voice says, "Oh, an art gallery. Let's take a look."
Then a guy walks through the door. Literally takes two steps inside and stops. He looks at me through his sunglasses. He hasn't really looked anywhere else.
Me: "Hey, how's it going?"
Tardass: "Good."
Meanwhile the lady with him has yet to step inside, but pokes her head in past his shoulder to see what's going on.
Tardass: "I've never seen this place."
Me: "Oh, really." Then, "Do you walk down Morro St. often."
"No."
Before I respond he says, "What do you sell?"

At this question my mind races for the correct response and the most appropriate inflection. I choose the route of being a smartass. And I'll tell you why. If you are capable of reading a sign outside of a retail store that says "art gallery and boutique" and after reading such sign decide to enter I am assuming it's not because of your curiosity to learn what this strange and foreign "gallery" could possibly mean. It's because you want to see what this gallery is offering. And I think this assumption is safe considering their dialogue I heard before they entered. It wasn't, "Art gallery? What's that?". It was, "Hey, an art gallery. Let's take a look."

So, back to Tardass.
"What do you sell?"
Smartass: "What do you think I sell."
Tardass: "I'm still trying to figure it out."

To myself: Really? You can't figure it out? Maybe take more than two steps in the door. Maybe look around a bit. Maybe put two and two together with the word "gallery" and the fact that there are over 40 art pieces on the wall. Oh, and those two racks full of t-shirts. Yeah, they're for display purposes only. Did you see this long shelf with over a dozen books on display? Strategically placed so the book covers are facing you? Yes, you guessed it. They are simply paperweights. We just don't have any paper that needs to be weighted down at the moment. Those other books in the bookshelf and those displayed on the table, well, they're just really large decorative post it notes. And the mannequins with the artsy t-shirts on them? They're for when I get lonely at night.

But the answer I vocalize is: "I sell everything on display here. Paintings, art books, t-shirts, spray paint, art markers."

Tardass turns and walks out.

He mumbles an obligatory "thank you" as he steps outside.

Here is a panoramic view of the gallery from exactly where Tardass was standing.




( click photo for much bigger version to give you the full effect )



What do I sell?

Seriously? So yeah, I don't understand people.

awesome!

Back in September or October (I think) I was asked about my artwork being used for a local commercial. I said yes. And I just found out that you can see it online. It's for a new awesome local business that will change the way you live. For the better. www.imwithchris.com.




imwithchris.com - 60 sec Spot from Flicker Films on Vimeo.

facebook me

New Video

deconstruction of a drawing from jeff claassen on Vimeo.



And the completed drawing.

shep

Wholly shit. Google is using a Shepard Fairey graphic for their MLK JR. logo today!






The dude's artwork is on the cover of TIME Magazine. Someone told me they saw him on the news the other day. And now the Google logo. Shepard is such a rock star.

Fetish Bubble Girls

Do you like naked girls? Do you like graffiti? Look no further because your dreams are coming true before your very eyes. Meet internationally known graffiti artist, TILT, and his infamous "Bubble Girls".











I only have two copies left. If you'd like more info or want to order a copy please visit jeffclaassen.com/store/books/pages/bubble_girls.htm


Thanks for looking! Also, if you don't like drawings on naked girls I have a lot of other books in stock now.
check em out!


see ya,
jeff

new online store

Dear Paypal,

Thanks for taking me back. It's been two years since I've had you on my site and looking back now I'm not sure why I left you. You were always kind to me and there for me when I needed you. It's stupid, I know, but I had to play the field a little and see the other fish in the pond. Once again, thanks for taking me back.

I love you forever,
Jeff




* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



Well, I finally have a paypal shopping cart back on my site. I've been a brain dead computer zombie all week photoshopping, dreamweavering and paypaling to get this "store" up and running. I still have a lot of work to do, but there is enough on there now to start telling people about it. I hope to have the complete shop on the site by the end of next week. Currently I have originals, prints, spray paint caps, art books, stickers, and button packs available. Here is a list of items I still need to add:

- dvd's
- t shirts
- hats
- krink markers
- OTR markers
- sakura markers
- coaster sets
- pillows
- keychains
- magnets
- wallets
- hoodies

So, yeah, I have a lot of work to do. There are also some items I need to add to the sections that are already on the site.

Well, time to transform back into a computer zombie so I can bleed out of my eyeballs.

Enjoy!
http://www.jeffclaassen.com/store

etsy anniversary

I totally missed it, but a day late isn't the end of the world. January fifth was the two year anniversary for my etsy shop. Not my main art one, but the one I have set up for Dayler (my line of handmade wallets).

Here's a little preview of some of the designs I have.

Etsy: Your place to buy dayler handmade wallets dayler.etsy.com

It's been a good two years. Etsy is the awesome!

Anyway, December was amazing. The gallery was super busy and I'm still on a high from it all. Things are now calming down a bit and I'm anxious to work on some new projects.

I wish you all a prosperous 2009!