BELOW IS A LIST OF KEY POINTS REGARDING THE ABOVE IMAGE. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THEM SUCCINCT. AFTER ALL, WHO FEELS LIKE READING COLOSSAL BLOCKS OF TEXT ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON?<EXPECTATION=SILENCE!>
If you are still unconvinced that…
finding and purchasing this Dunny and shirt > putting pants on + emerging outside of the confines of your home + transporting yourself to Kid Robot
…watch this video!
Tricia’s poster party is over. The end. Archives. History. Gone with the wind.
Are you hungover? I am.
In case you want to re-live the past (I do), Click here & scroll to take a trip down poster-party-memory-lane, or just use this post as a kind of poster party table of contents!
Tricia & I thought it would be fun to bring the poster party to a close with a summary which embraces and connects all of our wonderful poster party artists. In Tricia’s brilliance, she came up with the following:
Pete Cardoso recently acquired some notable Elvis recipe magnets, and a wall of Kevin Mercer‘s home features a velvet Elvis. Kevin Mercer loves Robert Rauschenberg, whom Tad Carpenter strongly supports. Tad Carpenter happens to be inspired by Golden Books, which Mike Laughead cites to describe his design aesthetic. Perhaps as wee tots, Mike Laughead could have compared Ninja Turtle sketches with Leia Bell (and Sean of the Bubble Process). Leia Bell and Mike Klay cosmically both own a few Jay Ryan prints, which (if the stars were super aligned) might be the same prints. Mike Klay is inspired by the Pacific Northwest, which Sean might also enjoy since he is currently obsessed with the woods. Sadly, Sean does not get to see his teammate, Rez, very often (Rez described this unfortunate situation as QUOTE “SAD< CRYING RIGHT NOW>”) because he lives in Brooklyn, New York. This great state happens to be where Jason Munn made his best recent purchase: Japanese design books. Whew.
To recap:
That’s it! Stickers & Donuts may be slightly hibernated (I know, that’s grammatically & scientifically incorrect) for a week or two, as our editors (all two of us!) have to take (1) GRE and (1) LSAT. But we do have some fun things planned (ie Tricia’s first currently obsessed! How to dress like a poet!). Yay!
So, Tricia just completed her AMAZING series on poster artists (see all the poster party posts here! scroll!). I’m not just saying they’re amazing because they’re on Stickers & Donuts. They actually ARE amazing. From the posters, to the interviews, to Tricia’s hysterical pop-references (if you only looked at the pictures seriously go back and read the posts!) — I loved every bit of it! In fact, I was jealous of the superiority of Tricia’s interviews to some of my recent posts. (A pink laptop bag? Come on Maria, you can do better than that in the midst of poster interviews! Although, it is a pretty sweet bag…)
That being said, I love all of these artists and am going to squish on into the fun with my two cents (slash 142 dollars).
There was one small problem with Tricia’s posts. She made me want to purchase A MILLION PRINTS! After a little research, I soon learned that I COULD own a poster from each artist for less than $145 (plus shipping & framing, see the receipt I invented below). As you can see from the image above (posters not to scale, frames from my favorite free stock photography site), this is a really good deal. If you have a new apartment, you might want to consider decking-out your place in these guys.
Below are the EIGHT poster-party prints I choose simply to prove that you can own art, and it can be lovely, and it can not cost you hundreds of dollars! Go, look! (more…)
The end! The end! The end is here! Before you take off your party hats (…and start digging into that party fruit) (oh michael scott!) one last exclusive interview with…MIKE LAUGHEAD.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A MORE ADORABLE GENE SIMMONS? Fact. Mike Laughead is foremost an illustrator. However, he also designs posters (which is why he is being included in our series) with his friend Tyson under the name…wait for it…wait for it…MIKE TYSON. Har har. Although Mike Tyson Design has not designed an extraordinary number of posters (PS what a strange sentence…Mike Tyson…posters…), it has released some rad-a-ma-tazz prints. Quite (cannibalistic-y) fierce.
Ratatat
2 color screen print
This Ratatat poster was my computer background for four months. The scarfy banner that is tangled up in the beard is great! This poster reminds me of Día de los Muertos (perhaps it’s the cool skeleton?), which is coming up soon. ALSO, THE (semi) KNEE SOCKS ARE SUPER TIGHT. I love stripped knee socks! I even wear my old soccer ones for shit and giggles. Sometimes. When I’m nostalgic for my youth.
One of Mike’s strengths is his ability to integrate halftone effects! For those curious kiddies who dream of one day creating their own photoshop compositions with halftones, Mike has an ultra-helpful halftone tutorial on his website. In ADDITION to that, his website includes a pictoral guide to his illustration process! Wee!
…section four of a particularly CHARMING Mike-comic, Unicorn Girl. Mike is inspired by comics, and has quite a few on his website!
What a lovely way to end! Mike Laughead is a brilliant illustrator, who has impressive credentials. From designing winning shirts for Threadless and La Fraise (like Threadless, but foreign) to book covers for Scholastic (see above!), Mike’s work transcends age demographics and geographic boundaries. His compositions are best described as playful and cute, always full of bold lines and saturated colors. Mike goes into more depth about the Mike Tyson Ratatat poster, and his describes his passion for Meximelts after the jump. (more…)
On this penultimate day of S&D’s poster party, I present to you the great KEVIN MERCER.
Spoon
2 color screen-print
As previous poster party posts suggest, I think overprints are magnificent. One of the most special aspects of screen-printing is the capability to create overprints! I love the layers of color, and the partial opacity of the ink. This exclusive get-to-know-Kevin-Mercer is an extra special treat, because HE IS A MASTER OF OVERPRINTING. The above poster was inspired by the Spoon song, “My Little Japanese Cigarette Case.” The asiany lion is slickity slick! It reminds me of Chinese New Year parades and lion dances.
TV on the Radio
3 color screen-print
THIS POSTER IS OUTRAGEOUSLY AWESOME, and proves his strong command of complementing colors. Hardly afraid of using S&D-bright colors, Kevin creates wonderful compositions full of stellar textures and graphics.
Arcade Fire
4 color screen-print
Kevin’s compositions have an exalted aesthetic, and are characterized by delicate hand-sketches.
(left to right) Fortune Magazine illustration, book jacket design
Those who want further affirmation of his heightened sense of style and unarguable talent should take a peak at his commissioned pieces. Kevin has done work on behalf of large clients, and has demonstrated great versatility. Above are samples, an editorial illustration (for FORTUNE MAGAZINE!) and a book jacket. Wee!
In 2006, I received a CD sampler from Polyvinyl Records (note visual above). I immediately fell in love with the CD sleeve. Not only do I get to listen to a band with “Boris Yeltsin” in its name…I get to own a pretty CD case too? Woah. TOO MANY COOL POINTS TO COUNT. Thus began my obsession with Kevin Mercer. Kevin designs under the alias Largemammal Print, his delightful design company. Although Sydney Bristow may be able to survive a North Korean(<insert any other minority here, because TV shows like playing the racist card..cough cough 24 ..cough>) firing squad, in terms of impeccable art, she has nothing on Kevin. Learning more about Kevin Mercer is only a skip-it count away.
Ever since last week’s introduction teaser, I’m sure you’ve been wondering, “who is that glorious male adjacent to a giant elvis chicken? He must as cool as Skeeter Valentine.” Well worry not, little one. You are about to meet the elvis chicken man. Pete Cardoso.
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
2 color screen-print
…HOW ADORABLE. Three years ago, Maria and I (and another editor of the Public Journal) watched the fourth editor leave our upstate-new-york-cafe-meeting on a moped. With her boyfriend. What followed this event was an echo of “sighs.” This poster reminds me of that panda-precious moment.
Elvis Costello: 3 color screen-print
I love, love, love this. The colors are great and the portrait of Elvis is perfect. Oh and I love Elvis Costello! Triple score! (Confession: I started listening to Elvis Costello when I became a Gilmore Girls watcher. I was a wee young one who had big aspirations to be as cool as Lane Kim.)
(clockwise) The White Stripes: 2 color screen-print, The Living Things: 3 color screen-print, The Hold Steady: 6 color screen-print, Low: 2 color screen-print
What I find especially exhilerating is his female illustrations. They remind me of women on 1950s sewing patterns! In his White Stripes poster, he uses the iconic White Stripe color pallete, but makes it his own! And The Living Things poster is so vivid! Serial Killer Housewife? I think so. The contrast in texture in the ultra glamorous Low poster is great too! On one final note, I really hate the Hold Steady, but I love this poster (and Art Brut). I once saw Art Brut sing Smiths songs in a tiny kitchen! (LEGIT.)
Death Cab for Cutie
3 color screen-print
Ever since reading a very interesting article in Monday’s New York Times about the Babar exhibit at the Morgan Library & Museum, I keep thinking about elephants (remember “The Elephant Show”?!). This Death Cab print is so wonderfully illustrated! The golden curly swirls add a great, delicate touch to an otherwise wrinkly animal. (Not that there’s anything wrong with wrinkles).
Roky Erickson
3 color screen-print
Now for something different! Pete does a glorious job capturing the psychadelic-santa-claus that is Roky Erickson, and portraying him as a cracked out Genie. One of my favorite baristas (who will no longer make me my americanos womp womp) first introduced me to Roky. This led to many youtube videos, and my now familiarization with Roky Erickson.
“you tell us. which one has the astigmatism?”
(clockwise) The Flaming Lips: 3 color screen-print, Modest Mouse: 2 color screen-print, Explosions in the Sky (2): 4 color screen-print, Explosions in the Sky: 3 color screen-print
…so I didn’t know what an “astigmatism” was until the acuvue twin commercial. It inspired me to question, “well do *I* have an astigmatism?”…leading to an inevitable google search. Good advertising? I suppose so. Anyways, HAPPY SMALL STAKES DAY!!!!! The Small Stakes (aka Jason Munn)’s elegant work has earned him mad cred in the art and music worlds. As a result of this attention, Jason’s work is easily recognizable and has popped up everywhere. Unlike those pesky Chuck E. Cheese bucktoothed animals, Jason’s cotton-crisp graphics and well-balanced compositions are too beautiful to bop. There are various themes throughout his work, including eyes (above!)…
(clockwise) Broken Social Scene: 2 color screen-print, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists: 2 color screen-print, Wilco: 3 color screen-print, The National: 2 color screen-print
…birds (the broken social scene bird: NATURAL SELECTION is a bitch. oh but those poor Wilco birds: :(…they look like peeps that have been smeared on the bottom of a shoe)…
(clockwise) Matt Pond PA: 2 color screen-print (a 2 poster set), Feist: 2 color screen-print, Animal Collective 2 color screen-print
…frilly feathery swirls…
(clockwise) Built to Spill: 2 color screen-print (part of a 2 poster set), Why?: 2 color screen-print (also comes in silver!), Battles: 2 color screen-print, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: 2 color screen-print (part of a 2 sided poster)
…CLEVER TYPOGRAPHY…
(clockwise) Damien Jurado: 2 color screen-print, The Magnetic Fields: 2 color screen-print, Nada Surf: 2 color screen-print, The National: 2 color screen-print.
…and Escherian tessellations/op-art fun! In 9th grade geometry class, the teacher made us write papers that connected a personal hobby to geometry. I was really into op-art at the time (I went to geometry nerd camp and we drew op-art all day)…HOW CONVENIENT. So maybe I was a cheater. At least I was honest. And smart. There was a kid that chose tractors. No comment.
In this fifth installment of S&D’s poster party extravaganza, I am honored to present to you the illustrious Jason Munn. Jason has had the opportunity to work for a diverse set of clients including Against Me! (2005′s album design? That was Jason.), Chronicle Books, Death Cab for Cutie, Feist, Little Otsu (a S&D favorite! remember our post on notebooks and planners?), New York Magazine, Patagonia (nature!), and Random House. Furthermore, his work is on permanent display at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. HEAR FROM Jason and LISTEN TO ME RATTLE ON LIKE A PROUD BABY MAMA after the jump. Click Clack. (more…)
Based in Portland, designer Mike Klay seamlessly fuses his passions for drawing and halcyon Pacific Northwest landscapes.
Closing In – art print
2 color screen-print
Beautifully pensive, his latest prints, “Closing In,” capture the satisfying sight of tree-canopy-filtered light. Furthermore, these GLOW-IN-THE-DARK (oh em gee), and thus prove that not all fluorescent posters have to be of psilocybinic mushrooms (Made by sexually-unsatiated Spencer’s gremlins. Which work to the monotonous hums of Family Guy. The more you know. Shooting star!).
The Early Thaw – art print
3 color screen-print (WITH METALLIC BRONZE)
I love how the sun rays are represented in this print.
Mountain Goats
3 color screen-print
…edelweiss!
Simian Mobile Disco
3 color screen-print
This mad baller Simian Mobile Disco poster was chosen as a GigPosters Poster of the Week. The faint background of advertisements looks great behind the ultra-glamorous girl. And I love the movement in her hair! Super hair commercial-worthy.
Minus the Bear
2 color screen-print
…morbidly delightful.
I am delighted to present to you MIKE KLAY MONDAY (tight shit). I love how his work gorgeously reflects his life spent surrounded by West Coast scenery, and his use of clean, strong graphics. He has had the chance to work for a wide range of clients: from Wilco to many local Seattle businesses. Plus, he sent one of a stupendous photo of himself to S&D.
..as one S&D reader commented, “the totally rad mustache middle-picture-man is rocking.”
Well reader, here is what you have been waiting for. Learn more about Mike Klay, his design company Powerslide Design Co., and his desire to sell his condo. ONWARD for the interview! (more…)
Pièce de résistance?
Pixies
5 color screen-print
…I think so. This is my ultimate favorite Leia print (and Leia’s!). I love the Pixies, and I would gladly seize up an opportunity to listen to vinyl with a snuggly dog. In my imagination, the girl is a teenage Emily Elizabeth Howard…during her “awkward years” (goodbye pink dress, hello black eyeliner)…and Clifford (bleached) (because teenagers do questionable things… like bleach their dogs).
Sweet Dreams Art Print
5 color screen-print
Leia Bell’s prints are thematically whimsical, and often feature animal interactions, human interactions, OR animals juxtaposed with humans. The animals in Leia’s prints are always really strong characters. Which is great (Hooray for nature!). What I especially enjoy, however, is her prodigious gift for depicting amazing parasitic (humans getting pwned by animals) and mutualistic interactions (Pixies girl and Pixies dog need each other to lean on…aww…).
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
5 color screen-print
HOW CAN PEOPLE CLUB BABY SEALS?!?! Answer me this, Sarah Palin.
Band of Annuals
4 color screen-print
For Leia, selecting great color pallets is incredibly visceral. Her illustrations are impressively colorful (it’s unsurprising to find a 5+color screen-prints in her collection) and she has impeccable taste. I love how in this Band of Annuals print, the girl’s coat and shoes fit in perfectly with the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood theme. 
Kilby Court’s 5th Anniversary
3 color screen-print
“Oh, knife. I love you like a fat kid loves cake.” S&D School supplies post readers know that I find violent things sort of cute (like the nerf gun pen). I THINK THIS PRINT IS GREAT. (teehee).
WELCOME TO DAY THREE. Perhaps you were a tad worried. “Gosh. Two days of the tightest designers. You most certainly are going to disappointment me today, Tricia.” Well my naive grasshoppa. You are in for a wee disappointment, because today is going to be as memorable as the Full House episode where DJ babysits a kid who sticks his head between stair railings. I would like to present (the talented, accomplished, infamous) LEIA BELL! LEIA BELL! LEIA BELL! GASP GASP GASP. Those of you who have read my previous posts know that I love critters. This past Thanksgiving, I nearly died at the Holiday Market at Union Square when I saw an ENTIRE booth full of Nepalese-knitted critter mittens and hats. A truly blissful experience, it reminded me of my first introduction to Leia Bell at a Flatstock. A whole booth of divinely illustrated critter goods? Good grief. Tachycardia.
Learn more about Leia Bell after the jump. Clickity click click. (more…)
If I was condemned to a cloistral, cylinder-blocked room…I would be completely content if I had THIS with me:
Explosions In The Sky
4 color screen-print
Every time I look at The Bubble Process’ Explosions In the Sky poster, my eyes widen and I am reminded of why I ABSOLUTELY LOVE The Bubble Process. Their level of detail is so impeccable and alluring. This graphic is completely on point with the band’s epically layered instrumentals… and the name. I mean, when I hear “Explosions In The Sky,” I expect to see something exploding. In the sky. Delivered.
Bon Iver
4 color screen-print
This latest poster for Bon Iver perfectly captures Bon-Iver-melodrama. It makes me think of beer-bellied, plaid-clad, axe-toting burly men. And sylvan-y woodland fairies. Hooray!
Pretty Girls Make Graves
4 color screen-print
Gigposters selected this as a Poster of the Week. I love the color palette, which looks AMAZING overprinted.
…fabulous non-poster things. The “be warmed” holiday cards are screen-printed and will most definitely be MY holiday cards this year (Competition. starts. now. You have from now until December to prove yourself card-worthy, FRIENDS.) The card print is reminiscent of their poster for The Thermals. The Bubble Process has designed shirts for Dave Matthews Band, Jay Reatard, and the Hush Sound. The eye in the Jay Reatard image is super creepy (and very appropriate).
HAPPY HUMP DAY!!@@#@!!! HOORAY FOR DAY 2! WHICH IS JUST AS LOVELY AS DAY 1! Based in Ohio and Brooklyn, the Bubble Process (aka Nicholas REZabek and SEAN..or SEAN AND REZ…let’s be fair) never fails to deliver visually mind popping masterpieces. The Bubble Process prints are always extremely well-designed, and full of magnifying-glass-detail. Rez and Sean graciously agreed to be pummeled with my questions. Read about how they inspire one another (puppies!), their mutual love of Dan Grzeca prints, and DEVO(+Sean) after the JUMP!
