Harry Potter Tribute Exhibition

Gallopin' Gorgons!  I think I'll need some sort of Veritaserum to determine whether my mind is caught in an illusory state of reality or a surreal dream.  Anyhow, I just received notice today that Gallery Nucleus accepted my art submission to their Harry Potter Tribute Exhibition in Alhambra, CA!!!  It'll be strange to see a price tag associated with this piece since I normally give away or donate all of my commissioned artwork to family, friends and charity.  Either way, I'll be most excited to see other INCREDIBLE pieces from inspirational artists!

Come join me at opening reception on July 9, 2011 (7:00 pm-11:00 pm)!  

Gallery Nucleus

210 East Main St.

Alhambra, CA 91801

Promotional Flier/Poster by Ben Zhu:

Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare (S.P.E.W)

Harry Potter + Art from amazing Artists = PURE MAGIC! 

For those who haven't received the chance to explore Gallery Nucleus's "Tribute to Harry Potter," I highly recommend checking it out.  There are several fantastic and inspirational artwork saluting the Wizarding and Muggle world alike. As a hard core Potter fan (who unintentionally ends up embarrassing friends by showing up in full costume at HP book releases, movies and the movie exhibition), the aforementioned concoction seemed absolutely divine.

In celebration of all things "Harry Potter", I hope you enjoy a preview of the following piece. It depicts Dobby passing through the Great Hall in order to return Hedwig to Harry. Upon encountering Harry in the Gryffindor Common Room, Dobby introduces the "Room of Requirement." As described in the "Order of the Phoenix", Dobby happens to be layering a majority of the hats, scarves and socks Hermione had knitted for her S.P.E.W efforts.

Only recently, I decided to submit this piece to Gallery Nucleus for consideration.  Regardless of the outcome, creating this piece was a humbling and phenomenal journey in itself.  In the end, that's all that matters. 

Excerpt from 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix': 

Dobby the house-elf was standing beside the table on which Hermione had left her half a dozen knitted hats. His large, pointed ears were now sticking out from beneath what looked like all the hats that Hermione had ever knitted; he was wearing one on top of the other, so that his head seemed elongated by two or three feet, and on the very topmost bobble sat Hedwig, hooting serenely and obviously cured.

...Surveying Dobby more closely he noticed that the elf was also wearing several scarves and innumerable socks, so that his feet looked far too big for his body.

"Er...have you been taking all the clothes Hermione's been leaving out?"

Exchangeable Curiosities: Sketchbook Tour Arrives in Seattle!

The Sketchbook Project made its premiere at Form/Space Atelier Gallery in Seattle from June 10-12, 2011. Lo and behold, I... *drum roll* was (unsurprisingly) unable to make it.  Nevertheless, here's a look at the sketchbook  that was submitted back during January 2011.

The book is entitled "Exchangeable Curiosities" and is based on the theme, "trading forever."  In a nutshell, the sketches follow various accounts of colorful characters as they set on the adventure of trading curiosities in life.  The different art styles and medium represent two separate narratives that eventually merge near the end.  Given certain time constraints, all of the pages were rushed efforts...but I hope this sketchbook brings you as much amusement and joy as it brought me during the creation process!

Feel free to flip through the pages.

Open publication - Free publishing - More art

I encourage you to join next year! Registry for the Sketchbook Project 2012 is already open, so get your creative juices flowing and hop aboard!  Forget about perfection; just have fun with the process.  It doesn't matter whether you finish or not--just as long as you enjoy drawing, painting, etc.  Art should be shared, supported and celebrated as a community.

Awesome recording of the Seattle event courtesy of Mighty Moss (thanks). Wish I could've checked out all of those amazing sketchbooks in person!

In the meantime, the Sketchbook Project 2011 Tour is still ongoing until  July 31, 2011.  Looks like all all of the all of the submitted sketchbooks will be en route to the Hyde Park Art Center at Chicago, IL next.  It sounds like these books are on display at the Brooklyn Art Library in between the tour dates (before permanently remaining there on August 5, 2011).

Another reason why I love my colleagues...

Doesn't get any wittier than this (whether it's attributed to his British sense of humor or not):

Ladies/Gents,

If, like me, you're a socially inept engineer whose interaction with other homo sapiens, on anything but purely academic levels, is a perennial concern: fear no more. In past millennia the omnipotent they discovered a depressant which, used recreationally, diminishes activity of the Awkward Gland thereby catalyzing free conversation and fuzzy relaxation.

The drug will be available over the counter at Linda's Tavern at 707 E. Pine this afternoon after COB (vanguard departing the lobby @ 1700hrs). For the pregnant, chemically intolerant and those clinging to the temperance movement, it's a perfect opportunity to gloat in our incorrigible rosy faces.

Best wishes for your weekends if you're unable to join.
Captain of Vice, RH.