MPS Industries Blog 2.0

The Death Ray is Included with the Property

2011-05-22T14:57:00.000-07:00

Channeling Looney Tunes backgrounds and "Soon I Will Be Invincible".

I miss your old place on Titan

2011-05-14T20:47:00.000-07:00

I really need to let my brain wander more often.

From Above

2010-03-14T16:35:00.000-07:00

A small doodle I worked up.

Overkill

2009-01-06T17:58:00.001-08:00

Man, it's been far too long since I posted some artwork. Busy, busy past few months. The new job at Ultra Creative is going great, freelance projects are done, and the holidays are over. Everyone at MPS Industries central is doing fine. I hope to have a lot of new artwork to share in 2009.

Nordvik the Goat Boy

2008-10-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

A small sketch utilizing some new, painted textures.

Ghosts of Autumn

2008-10-04T20:37:00.000-07:00

A very small sketch, but I need to do more small things.

That rhymed. How amusing.

2008-08-31T19:55:00.001-07:00

You can't run away from your own head

2008-08-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

Finished this up a little while ago, but I've been too busy to post much. Started a new job two weeks ago, and I'm having a blast.

Composition and Color Study

2008-07-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

Got a chance to play with some shapes yesterday and built this weird little flower. Amanda and I have a small amount of flowers around our townhome, some planted by the association and some that are ours in pots. We've been spending a lot of time tending them recently, removing dead blooms, weeding and pruning the herbs. The biggest surprise this year has been how well our herbs have done. I really should have had more uses for thai basil in mind before I planted it, the thing is monstrous.

Earlier in the week I went to the Farmer's Market by the University and picked up a bouquet of wildflowers for Amanda and delivered them to her during my lunch hour. (Because I'm smooth like that.) I've had flowers on my brain this week, so it's really no surprise I drew this.

"...and we'll settle up underneath the old hanging tree."

2008-07-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure which one I trust least.

Don't I?

2008-06-26T21:53:00.000-07:00

Trying to get back into the swing of things. My goal in the next few months is to establish a coherent, beneficial relationship between my digital and organic, hand-drawn work. Recently, I have begun to feel that one style will suffer over another, and as a result I end up unable to concentrate and produce meaningful output. By regaining a sense of play and experimentation I hope to make strides into increasing my ideas for editoral illustrations and comics.

Plus draw more wicked cool robots.

Caption This

2008-06-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

Award-winning horror writer Mike Arnzen is having a caption contest over at his blog. The best captions for my illustration above can net you autographed horror novels, comics, and Respect from the Internet.

Sketchdump/Mixed Emo

2008-05-05T08:34:00.001-07:00

This sketch has been stagnating for a while. Initially, it was part of a larger piece, with plenty of complex background elements and weird color choices. I would peek in on it every few months to see what I could do to make it workable. Eventually I realized that all of the background (and some of the character) was crap. So I just decided to toss the background and re-work the character into something I liked. I tossed his formerly stumpy legs and gave him a lankier frame with a little bend to it. It worked, I dig him now.

Sketchdump/Small House

2008-05-03T18:53:00.001-07:00

I have a lot of unfinished sketches and illustrations I want to complete. This is one sketch that I always liked but never finished up until tonight. I need to make myself draw things I don't usually draw more often. The simplicity of this house really makes me happy.

The Red Mask

2008-04-21T07:49:00.000-07:00

Created for the Noir theme running through SFG! right now. I'd like to draw a scene or two from this imaginary film if I have time.

Return to Flatland

2008-04-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

Been having a good time sketching lately, here's an editorial doodle.

Weight of Seeing

2008-04-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

An editorial spot doodle put together on a rainy Sunday with the help of too much coffee.

And as a heads up, I'm now on twitter.

PROVERBS FOR MONSTERS Wins a Bram Stoker Award!

2008-04-01T13:52:00.001-07:00

PROVERBS FOR MONSTERS, by Michael A. Arnzen has won a 2007 Bram Stoker Award in the category of Superior Achievement in a Collection. This is Mike's fourth win and am I thrilled to have played a small part in his victory. Creating the cover and interior illustration was a return to my hand-drawn style after a long hiatus in the digital realm. I do foresee more hand-drawn, organic work on the horizon. (Maybe even some comics...)

Accessories is still available!

2008-03-11T07:32:00.001-07:00

It may be off the homepage, but my Woot shirt from yesterday is still available for purchase. Follow the friends, family, and Internet Acquaintances link.

Accessories is available today at http://shirt.woot.com!

2008-03-10T06:26:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to announce that “Accessories” is the shirt of the day at http://shirt.woot.com. This six-color, screenprinted garment is printed on an asphalt American Apparel t-shirt and is available for the low price of 10 US dollars during the first 24-hour period. Shirt.woot.com gets around 75,000 visitors a day and the initial printing runs can and do sell out. This artwork is licensed exclusively to Woot and will not be reprinted anywhere else.

I had a lot of fun working with Woot on this design and I'm really pleased with the result. It makes me smile and I hope it has the same effect on you.

I will have a “friends, family, internet acquaintances” link to send out after the initial offering, but the shirts cost a little more after that, so I advise you to get the deal today.

Hole-in-the-Head-Ed Returns!

2008-02-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

He's kind of weird,
But not insane,
Just a little bit odd,
For he has no brain.

Oh Ed, you're a goofy fellow. Never fails to make me smile.

A simplified version of this image is available as a t-shirt from Bountee. Along with a few other of my designs.

PROVERBS FOR MONSTERS Nominated for a Bram Stoker Award!

2008-02-19T12:17:00.000-08:00

PROVERBS FOR MONSTERS, by Michael A. Arnzen has been nominated for a 2007 Bram Stoker Award in the category of Superior Achievement in a Collection. Having illustrated the cover and the interior pieces of this collection I cannot express how pleased I am for Michael. He has not only been an excellent teacher but an inspiring collaborator over the years.

Mask Study #1

2008-01-27T20:01:00.000-08:00

Go ahead, try it on.

KLOR the Space Neanderthal!

2008-01-20T13:23:00.000-08:00

It's not easy being a neanderthal...from space...even if you have an atomic club.

Dudley, Malcolm and Wayne

2007-12-31T07:00:00.001-08:00

The weekends are made for doodling. Now that the holidays are winding down I'm going to try to post new stuff a little more consistently. I am excited for 2008.

Oddica #6 - Revenge!

2007-12-03T20:02:00.000-08:00

Oddica has released a new issue of their free, online magazine featuring the above illustration of Otto, along with new work by Malota, Ray Frenden, and an awesome cover by Erik Abel. If that wasn't enough, Oddica is also having a big Holiday sale allowing you to stockup on fresh t-shirts for yourself or loved ones.

Proverbs for Monsters Book Cover

2007-11-26T19:45:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled to announce that Michael A. Arnzen's newly-released Proverbs for Monsters features a cover and interior illustrations by yours truly. Michael is an award-winning author and Proverbs for Monsters is a full-length collection of the best short horror stories and poems of his career so far. These illustrations are a return to my hand-drawn "creepy" technique and I had a blast working on them.

Michael and I collaborated on Gentle Monsters and I am honored to be a part of this important collection of his.

above these things

2007-11-18T10:17:00.001-08:00

Another doodle with this guy. It's not terribly dynamic but I like the contemplative nature of it. Giant Robots have feelings too. I think he needs some friends.

i would prefer you choose the flower

2007-11-12T20:31:00.001-08:00

Just a small doodle.

i don't know the things i want

2007-10-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

Taming the Business Illustration Monster

2007-10-02T18:47:00.000-07:00

Full page feature illustration for IBM Systems Magazine. Lots of fun, and got some good art direction from the guys at MSP Publishing.

Good Day Sir! (Bigfoot and Yeti edition)

2007-09-23T17:37:00.001-07:00

A little something I put together for the Cryptozoology challenge at Illustration Mafia. As a kid I was really into Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and Yetis. These days, I tend to think actual discoveries of furry lobsters are a little more interesting. I'm going to try to do some more crypid art this week if I get a chance.

MetalMan Project/"I Pull Knives on People"

2007-06-01T10:03:00.001-07:00

My contribution to DopePope's MetalMan Project Volume Two. This is a very cool project centering on re-visiting art created during childhood, something I can certainly identify with.

Puttin' the Fart in Art

2007-05-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

Some days you just need to doodle.

Super-Secret Project #1 was sent out last week and is presently in the hands of The Secret Company. Super-Secret Project #2 is under construction. Life is good.

Lou, The Severed-Arm Safety Mascot

2007-05-17T14:50:00.000-07:00

"Remember kids, be sure to ask your parent's permission before using their chainsaw!"

Oh, Lou.

This was a little doodle I started a while back, got stuck, and re-discovered it. I think it's pretty funny. Might make a nice vinyl figure or something.

Website Update / Mobile Content

2007-04-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

I went and updated my website today, decked it all out in springtime colors, and added some of the illustrations I've done recently. Plus, I added a new page of mobile content, allowing people to put my artwork on their phone as a screen saver image. Enjoy.

Trio de la Muerta / Oddica #5

2007-04-07T11:48:00.001-07:00

Here is a new piece that recently saw light in Oddica #5! I have a few projects to finish up this weekend, then I can focus on updating my website and delivering some more cartoony goodness to the world.

Half Zombie/Half Mummy

2007-03-17T20:40:00.001-07:00

Originally, this was supposed to go into the next issue of Phase Magazine. But due to stress/block/madness I was unable to get more work developed around their theme of "Play". They were more than cool about it and I hope to be able to properly contribute to the next issue.

This piece is a riff on a bunch of drawings I did when I was about five. I combined movie monsters by splitting them down the middle. If a zombie is scary, and a mummy is scary, well then... clearly the two combined would be twice as scary.

I also have a piece in Oddica #4. It's the "School Picture" piece that was designed as a back-up for them in case my schedule got too hectic. Sure enough... it did. But I feel like I'm on a roll again and will hopefully have more to share soon.

Oddica #3- A Day of Losing

2006-12-12T20:14:00.000-08:00

Oddica, has published issue #3 of their e-zine, highlighting a fantastic slough of illustrators, artists and photographers. (Preshaa, Malota, myself and many others.) I highly recommend downloading this little missive of free art. Buy a t-shirt if you'd like, they have some mighty fine designs.

It's an MPS Industries Christmas.

2006-12-12T07:18:00.000-08:00

A small, holiday piece done for Augsburg College. This was the cover of their faculty and staff christmas party invites. I really enjoyed drawing this, the upward curves of the tree make me happy.

New Website

2006-11-29T07:04:00.000-08:00

Had yesterday off from work so I decided to revamp the MPS Industries website. It's still a very simple site, with my illustration work as the main focus. I still plan to post new work on my blog, as it's the easiest way to do it.

Up, up, and away!

2006-11-11T14:27:00.000-08:00

All it takes is a blanket and a pair of moon boots, and SHAZAM — I'm a superhero.

Pablo

2006-10-30T07:13:00.000-08:00

Sketched this fellow out a week or two ago, I like him.

School Picture

2006-10-29T12:03:00.001-08:00

Working weekend. I'm feeling a little manic-y though. After this post I'm going to run some errands to settle my brain down. Then try to get some more work done this afternoon.

Also, "Mengu" is in the second issue of an e-zine put out by t-shirt makers Oddica.com. There are a lot of fantastic artists in both issues. Check it out.

Punky

2006-09-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

Trying to stretch a little.

Cage

2006-09-23T13:43:00.000-07:00

More fairy-tale stuff. I like how he turned out.

Permutations of Robots: Mengu

2006-09-05T07:29:00.000-07:00

Working on finishing some stuff for a mailer. Hopefully I'll post some more stuff later this week.

Dark and Stormy

2006-08-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

Lots or rain and storms in the area today, but it appears to have settled down for now. The roof is still on the house and all is well.

As a child I was pathologically terrified of thunderstorms and tornados. Now, I can't get enough of them.

Hole-in-the-Head-Ed

2006-06-01T19:26:00.001-07:00

Another doodle from last weekend that I got to finishing up tonight.

Also, I will be doing some more chalk art this upcoming weekend as part of the Ordway Center's 2006 Flint Hills International Children's Festival in scenic downtown St. Paul. I only had time to take one shift on Sunday, June 4th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Hope to see you there.

Nik

2006-05-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

Finally, a lazy weekend. A little studio time with my wife right by my side. I threw together Nik, who looks a little like some sort of gremlin you'd run into inside of a German children's moral fable, while Amanda has been scrapbooking like a fiend.

Illustration Friday - Spotted, a day late...

2006-04-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

I finally do an Illustration Friday and I'm late. Ah well, it was fun.

Ho-Ho-Ho

2006-04-18T06:35:00.000-07:00

I have an interview today with an advertising agency that counts General Mills among their clients. I took the opportunity to re-design one of their properties as a creative exercise and to show as a portfolio piece. I enjoyed doing it but I'm still thinking of how I would have tackled Frankenberry.

Hulk SKETCH!

2006-04-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

Doodling a little bit. Not too shabby. I don't draw many Marvel characters, but I might have to start.

Rollergirl Poster

2006-04-13T08:17:00.000-07:00

Concept by Steve Tenebrini, Creative Director of Squad 19 executed by me.
Metalic Gold, Red/Orange and Dark Brown on creme paper 18x24
Printed by Steve Tenebrini.

Death Sexy

2006-04-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

First of all:

Digital Print on Arches Water Color Paper
Edition of Five
17 3/8 x 17 5/8 paper size
12 x 12 image size

This will be on display at the Skull Show at the Back Alley Gallery in St. Paul during early May. I will confirm the date when I've got it. This should be an awesome show, the place is going to be packed with wall-to-wall art, all of the Squad 19 artists are going to be showing as well.

How are things with you?

Not too bad really, I was slated to do some contract design work for about three months, keeping me nicely busy. Then I got yanked from that project after just a week and a half. I hope to be working next week, if not, I really promise to get the new website up and running. Cross my fingers.

Anything else coming up soon?

Some more Squad 19 work that I'll post in a day or so, and hopefully some new illustrations. Depends on how day-job intensive the next week is. But life is good.

New Robots

2006-03-14T06:08:00.000-08:00

I updated the Permutations of Robots with two new pages last night. I know, here I am updating stuff without finishing the web site. Very sad. But the site is progressing well, I've figured out all of my formatting issues. It should be up soon.

Build Your Own Monster is Live

2006-02-21T20:06:00.000-08:00

The more I play around with Flash, the more I enjoy it. I had far too much fun creating Build Your Own Monster today. I like the fact that I can build something ridiculous and post it up in one work day. Enjoy.

This is a Test

2006-02-19T12:48:00.000-08:00

Working on updating the website, and figuring out how I'm going to present the Permutations series. Seeing as how I want to add to them over time, and they'll all be vector-based I just made a little Flash slideshow. Visit it here.

Kids love ULTRA

2006-02-16T10:23:00.000-08:00

ULTRA the Multi-Alien is property of DC Comics

Just playing around, but after doing this I realized how many oddball DC characters are ripe for development of kid's properties. I mean, ULTRA the Multi-Alien is just so freaking weird. What six year old boy wouldn't love this? But as a company I can see how they would want to push their already successful brands versus starting up something from scratch.

...but still

Blog 2.0

2006-02-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

Meet the backup blog. About half of the artists I like are on Livejournal, the other half on Blogger. So I created a blogger account to comment in their blogs easier and stake out more territory in the Blogosphere. Because, there is so much demand for my work I have to share.

Permutations:

So here's the deal with these Permutations: I'm trying to channel the same obsessive energy I had when I was a kid about drawing. I would sit down and churn out monster after monster or robot after robot, just to build a huge body of work to satisfy myself. I try not to spend too much time on one particular design, and if it's taking too long, shelve it and move onto something that pours out. Then, hopefully take all of these weird ideas and transform them into something more cohesive, a kids book, posters, animation, etc.

[EDIT]...and these images run into my side bar...screw it...