Introducing BLACK LABEL - 25 Years in the Making!

Well, today's my birthday, and I am THRILLED to have it! My god, 25 years old. What's that line from that Megadeth song "Of Mice and Men"? "At 25 I was surprised / That I was even half alive / somehow I managed to survive!"

On top of that, I am pleased to basically announce a bunch of things at once!

First off, I am pleased in ways you can't even begin to imagine to announce the new "Black Label" line of products! "Black Label" has, in my life, always stood for quality and brilliance, and the best of the best! Also, I love the Lamb of God song "Black Label" as well. The Black Label emblem has been in the works for over 10 years, and I finally created the one I like the most and works the best. You can read all about the piece on Deviant Art.

Next, I am pleased to announce that the new LARRY WEST PRODUCTION SHOP is now up and running! What is it, exactly? The purpose of the shop is to basically connect all the shops I own to on pipe-line that's easy to navigate and highlight new products and lines that I have available! Zazzle, Cafepress, and Board Pusher are all here! Look for new partners, special offers, and original artwork and prints to come REALLY soon!

Finally, I'm pleased to note that I am now officially old enough to run for either Mayor of City Council in Philadelphia. So corrupt and inefficient politicians beware! Next year could get interesting!

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=--=-

PS: Also, yes, there hasn't been a ton of news-news or updates lately. That will change. Trust me, I've got plenty to say about the Eagle, Harry Reid, and Health Care!

Logo for the City of Philadelphia 2010: A Graphic Design Odysee

What a long, strange trip its been!

OK, its not. Actually, it was a really short one, but incredibly fun! On New Years Eve, I found out Technically Philly was having a contest to see what design should be submitted the city to replace the much-despised current logo that was revealed last year. The deadline was 4:15pm the following Sunday. I had an idea in my head for a project concerning American Patriotism and decided to tweek it and use it for this instead.

After a lot of hours of work and tweeking, I finally got something I thought was perfect and sent it off!

Feel free to check out the logo here on DeviantArt!

Sadly, I lost, but to something really good. Congrats to Sara DeMarco on winning!

I still love my logo, and I wanted to make the most of it. So feel free to check out the full line of products on my shop on Zazzle.com.

LAST DAY to SAve on Artwork by Philadelphia's Own Larry West!!!

EVIL SCREAMING MONKEY BRAIN! by LuvataciousSkull
Browse the poster designs at zazzle.com

SWINE FLU - Beware The Pandemic! by LuvataciousSkull
Browse Swine flu Posters

The Chosen Mousepad by LuvataciousSkull
Make computer mouse pads at Zazzle

You're Life In Flames by LuvataciousSkull
See other Evil T-Shirts

Philadelphia Artist Larry West (OK, that's me) is having a sale on all his artwork that ends today though Zazzle.com! This includes 40% off all posters, 25% off all mousepads, and 15% off all t-shirts!

Check it out, and support the arts in Philly!

DIE HIPSTER SCUM!

DIE HIPSTER SCUM! by LuvataciousSkull
Shop for a t shirt on Zazzle

I have a personal disdain for Hipsters, and so do many, many, many, MANY more.

Feel free to spread the hate with this shirt.

* I do not advocate the killing or hurting of Hipsters or anyone. The shirt is meant as a joke.

50% OFF ALL MY ARTWORK!!!!!

Hey, have you wanted to buy one of my pieces of art but never thought you could afford it? Today is your lucky day!

Zazzle.com is having a 50% off sale on all posters TODAY ONLY! On top of that, FREE SHIPPING!

So hurry up and buy some!!!!

CHECK OUT THE FULL SELECTION OF POSTERS HERE!!!!


buy unique gifts at Zazzle

What I Learned about Philadelphia on First Friday

In a previous post, I outlined, in very blunt terms, what I thought about the Philadelphia Art Scene and why, in turn, I despised it.

Last night I did my 3rd First Friday and my second of the year, and it was really interesting seeing people react to my art. I was surrounded by basically what you would expect: Framed photos of buildings, silk-screen t-shirts with abstract designs, and hand-made prints. Across the street from me was Geek Boy Press, setup not too far from Brave New World's comic book shop who was holding the "8-Bit and Beyond" show for the Autumn Society.

Then... there was me.

I was set up next to Christ Church, mainly because it was the last spot I could get on the lower-half of 2nd Street. Since my pallet is mostly primary colors... well, it's hard to miss me. I had all my prints mounted and on display, and the star of it all was my "False Messiah" piece hung in the recessed side of the church, creating a sort of alter for it. Reaction was generally positive, and whenever anyone asked what the piece meant, I was able to explain it pretty easily. I was a showman through-and-through, doing my best to sell myself and personality to people who were interested in my work, giving out my card and whatnot.

It was refreshing. The previous month I felt largely ignored, but looking back, it was largely because I wasn't on a good side of the street more than anything else. Getting positive feedback is good, ad even negative works well. I had some lady say, "You suck!" because of my Obama piece and then run off. Coward.

I came back home to a bunch of hits on my website and some e-mails. I've gotten a few requests to do gallery shows in the coming months, some for interviews, and from people who liked my work and wanted to buy prints. Working since February on my art show in May was a big deal and June was a fairly quiet month in comparison. In a lot of ways, it was the only month I had off and now I'm doing as much stuff as possible.

I wrote in the pass that the Philadelphia Art Scene annoyed me for one reason or another and, in reality, I now see what the problem is. I learned that it isn't the art scene that's the problem. No, that isn't it. The problem isn't with the galleries, either, and I'm willing to admit off the bat that I haven't tried to do a "gallery" gallery show yet since I don't have the money to get Gicelle Prints and a lot of fancy things. No, the problem is with what certain people think is "good" when, in reality, they seem to be out out touch with what people like.

People like a pop-artist who will tell them to their face that the person they admire suck and is willing to actually be himself. Who knew?

Now You're Playing With POWER!

I did this piece for an upcoming art show called "8-Bit and Beyond", which is being held by The Autumn Society of Philadelphia, a group of illustrators from Philly and the surrounding areas. It was really humbling to get to do something for it, and I was really psyched to get it done! My friend posed for this and, well, it was a ton of fun! Mixing illustration with pop-art techniques and elements of 80's graphic design... good times!

Special thanks to everyone who supported me in this, and I can't believe what I went through to get it done! From taking risks by just doing the sketching and seeing what happened, inking it a lot more loosely than I normally do instead of being incredibly rigid, the adventures of going to Center City to get a reduced copy only to realize I left the original on the copier and being forced to get it back, to coloring it.... Just so much fun!

Also, feel free to check out the piece and buy a print from DeviantArt.com!

I Don't Want to Be the "Angriest Man in Philadelphia" Anymore

I don't want to be so angry anymore.

Back in December, I met someone who was awesome and great. She was smart, funny, and more than anything else, just a great person to be around and know. We became friends fast, and for the last 6 months, shes been the single greatest supporter I could have. In a lot of ways, if it wasn't for her, I don't think I would have accomplished 90% of what I have. Her support is just amazing.

Last March we had a photo shoot at my house. I was trying to get her to act angry, so I faked how I looked when I get mad. She was actually kinda shocked since I'm such a nice guy. She's mentioned it from time to time since then.

On Friday we hung out in New York City. I was having a great time, something happened, and I got angry for the first time around her. I went to a store to cool off, and someone blocked my way into the store trying to get me to buy their CD. I don't mind, but they were right in my way. As my friend joined me and we left the store, I was able to calm down... until the guy came at me again. I snapped and yelled at him, full tilt. He finally left us alone.

We sat in a park and talked and everything seemed OK. We went around Manhattan having fun and pulling pranks, and we soon got to Times Square. When we did, someone else tried to sell me their CD. I told them "No thanks", and then they got personal. It got even uglier, my friend having to hold me back.

She was quiet the rest of the night and took a cab home from the bus station. I took the train.

I haven't heard back from her since.

I thought about why. I thought about it a lot. I talked to the only other person I can talk to about these things and they were, surprisingly enough to me, the bluntest I've ever seen about this. I already knew the problem, and I'll share this with you. Maybe you're in the same spot as me, or maybe you're close to it and you don't realize it.

I've said I hate people. I don't like when they make fun of me, I don't like when they stare, and I don't like how they act. The reality was that it was never about them; it was always about me. I'm not happy with myself. I haven't been happy with myself for a long time. In turn... I'm always angry.

I thought I was showing my friend who I was; the reality was that I wasn't. I was showing her the ugliest side of me, the one I hate the most, the one where I'm not happy with myself or anything. The side of me that is nothing but anger and rage.

And I don't want to be that guy anymore.

Being angry all the time doesn't work. It doesn't help. All it does it make you worse and worse and worse. If you bottle it up, if you don't handle it right, it doesn't just go away. Instead, it festers and feeds and transforms and turns you into something you know you're not! It turns you into something you're better than!

It turned me into a monster. I saw the monster, dead in the eye... and I don't want to know him anymore. I don't want to be a monster. I want to be a man.

Its not for her sake that I do this; its for the sake of myself. Its not for all my friends who have either never seen that side of me, and its not for all my friends who have and were scared off. Its not for the people who care for me, or the people who will or did. Its for myself, for the sake of my well being, for the sake of being a better person!

I don't want to be the "Angriest Man in Philadelphia" anymore. I just want to be a man.




PS: I'm also asking that all my friends who see this please give me a hand with this and please offer some encouragement with this. This is something I can really only succeed in with some help.

THE YOUTH IS REVOLTING! - The Art of Larry West

Just wanted to post a reminder that my show is in a little more than 3 weeks! Mark your calenders!

Lot of Stuff In the Works!

I still have people asking about the roboto and the entire "The End Is Near!" thing. Again, when I want to, I will have a statement and an announcement. It may be sooner than you think.

I'm home sick today. Not feeling too good, and my stomach is making sure I remember that, along with my head. 

Despite that, as always, I'm still working on a million and one things. I'm working on about 3-4 illustrations, I have a logo I'm trying to get done, a book or 3 to plan and layout and finish, and a lot of other things to plot and plan and prepare. 

Look for more art this week.

SERPENT OF DEATH!!!!!

Serpent Of Death by LuvataciousSkull

This is my new piece. Buy a copy and help out someone who loves drawing weird stuff!

New Shirt Up: NUNS BEHAVING BADLY

OK, this one is fairly tame, but there is a series in the works of having nuns behaving very badly. This is the first in he series, but more are on the way!

Nun's Behaving Badly: Praying Nun by LuvataciousSkull

I Have a Sketch Blog Up!

In case you didn't know, I actually have a blog up just for sketches I've done. I'm trying to keep it updated daily, or at least semi-daily, so keep your eyes out for this thing and check on it whenever you can.

Larry West Sketch Book

Here are a few random images:

I Try To Keep My Faith Alive!

New piece I got done last night. I wanted to try another style again.

My Pepsi Redesign Attempt

OK, so since October a lot of people have been up in arms over the new Pepsi logo and have done everything to belittle it. From comparing it to ass cracks, Korean Air, and even the Obama campaign logo (which was idiotic since the Obama logo was compared to the Pepsi Logo as early as February of 2008!) I got sick of it!

I didn't mind the alteration myself; the tilt to make it a "smile" is cute and clever. The Pepsi can was becoming a lot more cluttered lately, with really crappy designs hogging up a ton of room better left to, say, breathing room. The thing became a Photoshop nightmare, so cleaning it up to a more flat vector-esq thing again is a great thing!

Now, my problem is simple: The PACKAGING is generic! It's bland, boring, uses a generic font that's unappealing for something that's supposed to have impact... it isn't "PEPSI" anymore! It's "....pepsi....", a timid little thing that is afraid of being on the shelf and wants to be second-banana to Coca-Cola.

So when the new ad campaign came out, I was kinda glad to see the logo with a font that was better! The font used in the advertising actually has some weight to it and some impact. It isn't thing and kinda airy and thin; it's bold and strong! That, to me, is what is missing in the new Pepsi packaging and the font.

So I found a font close to the one used in the ads, made a few adjustments to it, and added a background that I thought made it say "POP", or at least "Soda Pop"; I wanted the fact that Pepsi is a large part of POP-Culture to be in it.

This is just me screwing around and actually putting my money where my mouth is.



Original:




Check out more of my art here: LARRY WEST PRODUCTIONS

Another Awesome New Interview!

Actually, this interview is old by a month. It's my own fault for not posting it sooner, but with work and getting the site re-launched, I hope you can forgive me for not posting it sooner. SheVibe Magazine did an interview with me after seeing some of my pieces and I'm pretty glad to get the attention! Check out the awesome interview, "The Larry West Interview".

I've Relaunched My Website! AWESOME!

I've actually had my website finished for a bit now, at least November 1st. I've been insanely busy lately with the relaunch, the election, and a few other things.

So the website is now up and this may become my "official business blog". Thought I would add that.

Just click on the image to get there:

ARTISTIC PROGRESS!

Kinda happy about this:

I've been having a hard time just sitting down at my art desk and drawing for... well, years now. I've sketched like a mad man during that time, but I haven't had many, if any, finished pieces. Last night I tightened up 2 pieces and finished the pencils on another. I plan on starting at least 3 today and may finishing off 2 as well.

On top of that, I'm going to try and finish my web site relaunch.

:)

Back to Normal... Almost

Well, to put it simply, life for me has been a living hell for the last month. I had to do a lot of things I didn't want to, and I had to make a lot of personal sacrafices and it was just a nightmare. Really, things didn't start to spiral out of control until the last two weeks, but right now I think the worst is over.

I'm still not back to normal yet; there's a few things missing from my house that I need to get back (guitars, mostly), and I still need my Central Air fixed for winter. Apperantly, the City of Philadelphia does it for free... more on that later.

Look for a return of 8-Album Mind tomorrow. I won't list what I listened to since the last one... which is a shame since it included Slayer. Well, that's life.

Also, the website I'm working on is on hold since I need to take into account Google Chrome. A feature or two isn't working in it, so I need to fix that.

LARRY WEST NOW SELLS SKATEBOARDS!!!!!!

ZAZZLE.COM just launched a way to design and sell skateboards, and the price is actually not too bad! They offer free Grip Tape, and the ability to buy a complete if you want.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW AND CHECK OUT THE SELECTION!!!!!!





http://www.zazzle.com/luvataciousskull*/products/pt-186