Featured Artists of the WeekSucklord, Ian Ziobrowski, Jeff Soto, Doubleparlour

  • Posted on: August 09, 2013 @ 4:05PM
  • Published in: Articles
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This week's artist's are very much inspired by the shows and conventions we got to attend lately. It's hard not to get excited about being surrounded by incredible creativity and skill every singe weekend ... also sunshine, have I mentioned how much I love the sunshine?... regardless, without much further rambling, allow me to introduce you to this weeks four inspiring artists:

Featured for Designer Toys: Sucklord

Sucklord (occasionally known as Morgan Phillips) is a matter of some debate in this house. Is he an Andy Kaufman level genius whose persona is intentionally and meticulously crafted for maximum suckitude, or is he just a lovable misanthrope who ransacked one too many yard-sales? It's all part of his entrepreneurial flaire, and just like his bootleg Star Wars figures and over-the-top shirt collars, his personality in made to provoke you. His NYC potty mouth and Napoleon Dynamite suits make for a dramatic identity that could land him in a Bravo show (and it has! Seriously!) but to know what the man's art is all about, check out the Sucklord's library items, and you'll see the bottom line: He's ridiculously prolific, his character mash-ups are clever, his blister packs are great, and his copy is genuinely hilarious. You can't fool me, geek-chic-gangsta, underneath all that lowbrow is some pretty great art. Keep an eye on his work and get some sucky treasures for yourself at supersuckstore.com and follow him on twitter @sucklord for his latest drops and silliest shenanigans (did somebody say star wars porn?) 

Featured for Custom Toys: Ian Ziobrowski

Ian Ziobrowski gets no respect. His technical proficiency as a customizer puts him on my personal top 10 list, and his range both as a painter and sculptor make for a portfolio of characters that is sometimes adorable, often hilarious, and always diverse - but in an era of continued prohibition, his running theme sometimes gets him in trouble. Ian Ziobrowski's toys pay tribute to America's favorite technically-illegal pastime, and as a result get sidelined with macramé and velvet paintings (although we all know that's making a comeback). Actually, I'm laying it on pretty thick, because obviously I'm not the only one who noticed how great his customs are. With thousands of followers on social media, his commissions list is long and he has exhibited worldwide. Most recently I got to see his Runnin' Man for the Julius Toy Art Show at Toy Art Gallery and it tied for my absolute favorite piece in the show. This week his Facebook is littered with teasers. Hulk?! Yeah, you know you're dying to see it, so keep those bloodshot eyes peeled. 

Featured for Art Prints: Jeff Soto 

Somehow I inevitably run into the same incredulous feeling at least once each time I write this "weekly" feature: How is it even possible that I haven't written about "X" yet?! In this instance X is fine artist and print designer extraordinaire Jeff Soto. I could shout my love for the Scrap Yard Power Droid print in my living room (or the Eddie Vedder print, or the Pearl Jam collaboration he did with Tyler Stout) from the rooftop, if I weren't so uncomfortable with heights and wrathful neighbors - so instead I'll shout it here. JEFF SOTO IS THE MAN! Furry, feathered, spiky, and oozing with goo, you'll find it all the in his gig posters and art prints. He recently (four days ago) launched stormcloundz.com where you can get shirts, prints and more. Check him out - shame on you if you haven't already - and follow him @jeffsotoart and @stormcloudz on all the things for more shows, updates and teasers.

Featured for Original Art: Doubleparlour

I walked into SDCC : 2013 intending to buy nothing. Truly. Although there is now more than a bit of evidence that things didn't go according to plan, there was once piece in particular that was the crack in my dam: Doubleparlour's Rielle. I circled the Dragatomi booth like a hungry falcon my eyes welling up with sympathetic tears for my new friend. I knew - I KNEW - he was coming home with me. Those beady, terrified, tortured eyes… The melancholy look is a hallmark of Doubleparlour's stlye. The duo, Ernie and Cassandra Velasco, create figures that tug at your emotions and make you uneasy, that is, if they don't make you laugh first. They come to life as you gaze at them and they take you into their crazy world with them, and all you can do is hope that none of them bites. The San Francisco-based couple never seem to stop working and the haunting wip images add a little "uuuugh…" to my daily Instagram surfing. For toothy shoes and hollow eyes, follow them @doubleparlour or visit their blog. 

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