N.C. talks details:
"I knew I wanted to finally try a split fountain for a poster, and the sky for this one offered the perfect opportunity. Once again, Lady Lazarus crushed the printing on this, and I’m stoked on the results. The poster design came from one of many shower-sketches where I take a long hot shower and ideas just seem to come. I jot the ideas down on one of many waterproof sketchpads on the shower wall, to capture them as quickly as possible. There was something about the interaction between a bird and a hot air balloon rider that caught my mind’s attention. I wanted to figure out a way to illustrate that narrative, and the Tumbledown Festival seemed like the perfect opportunity.The posters are all seven color screenprints which include the aforementioned split fountain two-tone fade in the sky. Each print is hand signed and numbered. The band commissioned a variant for their VIP ticket holders, and he’ll have a select SMALL handful of those available for purchase as well. Total versions include the main show version, the VIP, and my artist variant in subtle pinks and purples. Each version will also be available in limited quantities on holographic rainbow foil.
There's nothing like enjoying a cold beer while listening to your band. Live music is one of the true gifts of this life and a cold brew is the perfect compliment...especially during the summer! Despite releasing a few of their own beers, I thought it would be interesting to have a whole line of 311 taps. I was also thinking about the show Cheers. It's one of my favorite sitcoms and one of the things I associate with Boston. I thought a vintage style bar (that was consistent with the feel of the theme song) seemed appropriate. There's also a uniquely close knit community of 311 fans and it has that sort of "everybody knows your name" connection, so that made sense as well.On sale now at www.stateofshockstudios.com
Also, to be perfectly honest, I designed this print with the variants in mind...which is something I rarely do. I wanted to be able to achieve a realistic metallic effect with the holographic foil properties. I think each foil looks great in this regard, in it's own unique way.
After many years living in Boston, I recently relocated to Los Angeles. When I first got into town, I was staying in a very temporary housing situation near Hollywood. And it felt temporary. Everything felt temporary. I felt unmoored for the first time in a while, I had no place I could really call home, and it was unsettling. Everywhere I went I felt like the astronaut in my paintings, exploring a world that seemed familiar but which I didn't totally understand.
I had left Boston because I was sick of shoveling snow. I mean, there was a lot more to it than that, but I did really hate it. The winters had become increasingly intolerable. Whether that was a short term trend or part of a larger environmental shift, I couldn't say. I landed in Los Angeles in October and the mountains above Malibu were on fire. The mountains here are beautiful. The ones back home are much smaller, although they burn less frequently, I guess. I had moved very far from home, and for a little while I felt like I was just one more person pushing my way outwards, filling up the available space.
The winters will probably keep getting worse, and the fires will too. I wonder what will happen when they stop getting worse. Will we still be around? How many animals will be left? Maybe the winters in Los Angeles will be more like Boston, or maybe Boston will be more like Los Angeles. I hope the Walrus will have some place they can call home. Maybe it'll be here in LA. The mountains here are beautiful.
"He couldn’t understand why nobody else saw that bird as a serious problem. This print was designed using the harmonious color palette and style inspired by Japanese woodblock prints. Taking things so personally, and having our own agendas, we create stories that the other is not aware of. At the same time, we can rarely see how we impact those around us. From a larger perspective, the things that seem important and outrageous are out of our control, and not that bad, really. Try convincing that cat though." - Arna Miller
It was a real thrill to make a poster for the mighty Phish from Vermont playing at the fabled and storied Fenway Park in ye olde Boston City. I lived in Boston for a few formative years in the late 80's and first saw Phish in 1989 at a small club just up the hill and westward from Fenway Park. I felt a sparkling energy coming off the stage way back then in that intimate 500 capacity venue. I knew they were up to something. It was undeniable. They were Wizards. Mad Scientists. I have to say it feels like a dream returning after 30 years and seeing them in Fenway Park and having the honor of making this piece to commemorate the occasion. This one is very special to me, and I really hope you enjoy it. It's a seven layer screen print with three metallic inks. The original pen and ink and hand drawn supplemental layers are possibly the most detailed and balanced work I've ever done for a poster. Thank you to everyone who braved the heat and made the effort to grab one at the pop up shop.
