XADAMDX

For Sale: Hollowed Out Robot

2012-01-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

"Hollowed Out Robot" - 5" x 7" - $10

I never got around to selling this guy somehow. I'd like to sell it off cheap, a little bit of spring cleaning! BUY IT!

Today's T-shirt - Comadre

2012-01-26T23:00:00.000-08:00

I've still never seen Comadre live; I mail-ordered this shirt as a thank you for the free music they have put up online. Somehow, whenever they play, I'm busy. Probably because I'm a dad. While I've never seen them, I have seen their earlier bands, Anti-45 and HeartCrossLove.
I really like the weird pig illustration on the front, and the "Swine Flue Was An Inside Job" bit, which sounds totally conspiracy theory-ish, and I get asked about it nearly every time I wear it. At least I didn't order this shirt. I'd be fighting with rednecks and republicans every time I put it on.

100 DINOSAURS - CLUES #44 & #45

2012-01-26T22:04:00.000-08:00

These were the clues I drew for recent dinohunts. I think the first two I've posted over there, but the last one, with the tyrannosaurus rex eating the Keith Haring man hasn't been posted before. I never really understood the big deal about Keith Haring's art until I watched a documentary about him recently.

Today's T-Shirt - 5733 Lee Harvey Oswald Assasination

2012-01-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

I've always been pretty intrigued by the whole JFK assassination. In high school, I really wanted to have a band called "Frame 313" (I'm definitely not alone in this, as a quick google search brings up several different bands). When I went to Dallas on tour, and realized I was only a few miles from the Grassy Knoll, I took a walk down there to check it out before the show. I even pulled up a few pieces of grass to tape into my journal.
I almost ordered this shirt years ago from the fiftyseven-thirtythree online store, but they were out of my size at the time. This was also at a time when I was trying to get more color into my wardrobe, since I have a plethora of black t-shirts. Then, a few years later, I wound up being placed right next to their booth at the SF Zine Fest. I shared with them that I had been fan of that shirt, and the next day they brought me the last one! It's a little bit of a funky fit, and my wife hates it, so I barely ever wear it.

Happy 1st Birthday Kaiden!

2012-01-25T15:47:00.000-08:00

I was sent these photos a while back so that I could see how the poster I did for Kaiden's first birthday turned out. It's fun to see everyone's well-wishes written all over this. Hopefully this is something that Kaiden will enjoy looking at for years to come.

Looks like someone had an awesome first birthday! Happy birthday lil guy!

Today's T-Shirt - Night Watch

2012-01-24T23:43:00.000-08:00

(I'm doing this because Dani is doing this: wear a different t-shirt every day until I run out.)

I was given this shirt outside a show I played in Philadelphia at the Theater of the Living Arts. Some poor kid was working promoting the release of Night Watch on dvd by handing these out. I had to agree to have my picture taken with it, and I had a clean shirt to put on after the show! The main thing I really like about this shirt is that it is printed on a cheap brand of shirt that is really thin, and dried out easily after shows (I sweat a lot onstage).

I Love Scolari's Good Eats

2012-01-24T16:19:00.000-08:00

Scolaris - 6" x 12" - NFS

If you come to visit me or my family, chances are 9 times out of 10 if we go out to eat, we are going to Scolari's. It's a small spot nearby with a killer menu, and the genius of it is that even though they have limited seating, they are partnered with the bar next door, so you can have your food brought to you over there! I usually get the special burger of the day. I've ordered things besides the burger before, and its always good, but it always leaves me wishing I had gotten a burger. I decided over Christmas break that I wanted to paint something for the owner, since not only has he's been busy with his new business, and he is also a new father of twins! Basically, he never sleeps. I felt like he needed to know his hard work was being appreciated by a random patron.

Today's T-Shirt - Yaphet Kotto

2012-01-23T19:55:00.000-08:00

(I'm doing this because Dani is doing this: wear a different t-shirt every day until I run out.)

I randomly saw Yaphet Kotto at 924 Gilman when I went to see a friend's band play. I was watching the drummer set up, and he pulled out the hugest cymbal I'd ever seen and put it on the crash stand. Then he moved it to the ride stand, and put an even BIGGER cymbal onto the crash stand. They then proceeded to blow my mind.
I bought this shirt off of Brian, who I use to print shirts to this day. DESA was getting ready to leave for a UK tour, and we had made the decision to wear only red and black on stage (as a nod to our record "Year In A Red Room"). I liked the design on the black shirt better, but I needed another red shirt. I also took a pair of red paints (that barely fit) on that tour.

For Sale - "Where the Robots & Dinosaurs Are"

2012-01-23T11:45:00.000-08:00

"Where the Robots & Dinosaurs Are" - 12" x 6" - $50

Music Monday - The Pillowfights / Final Round

2012-01-23T09:20:00.001-08:00

(click to download)

In the last two years my band Gnarboots has played at least a dozen shows with the Pillowfights, or maybe it just seems that way since there singer Dani is literally at every show ever. They played their final show December 17th, along with the Albert Square, who were also playing their last show. Gnarboots was asked to play (mainly because of this song, I think) but we unfortunately could not make it. I had a similar image to the one above in my head for a flyer, but someone made a flyer before I could. I noticed that there was no album cover for this release, so I hope they will accept this at their official album art.

Today's T-shirt - Brilliant Red Lights

2012-01-22T17:00:00.000-08:00

(I'm doing this because Dani is doing this: wear a different t-shirt every day until I run out.)

I stole this shirt out of the Brilliant Red Lights merch bin when we were sharing a practice space in East Oakland. I was sometimes practicing with their other band, Compassion in Action, at the time. I think I have wore this shirt about 3 times total. The amount of ink on the front makes it a little uncomfortable to wear.

Sock Drawer Robot

2012-01-22T13:42:00.000-08:00

I found this drawing in my sock drawer yesterday. I have no idea how it got, among the old wallets, keychains, pocket knives and other brick-a-brack. My only guess is that past-me wanted to surprise present-me with a funny little robot drawing.

I scanned him and colored him in just for the heck of it:

Today's T-shirt - Three Mile Pilot

2012-01-21T23:25:00.000-08:00

When you play in a band, and like music a lot, you wind up with a ton of shirts. My friend Dani is going to wear a different t-shirt every day until she runs out of t-shirts. I have a stupid amount of t-shirts (I even got rid of a bunch of shirts I had stuffed into a bean bag chair years ago to try to revive it) and since I'm now working from home, I wear t-shirts every day. I'm going to do the same exercise in ridiculousness... it'll at least keep me posting something new on here daily!
Today, I put on my Three Mile Pilot shirt. I got it at their San Jose show three years ago, right before their new album came out. I was really stoked to see them, since I didn't get into them until years after they had broken up. Their album "Another Desert, Another Sea" has been in constant rotation since I picked it up in 2001. I like that the design is really simple, and that it's not a black t-shirt.

I have so many black t-shirts.

Music Monday - The Weeknd / Echoes of Silence

2012-01-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

(click to download)

For Sale - "You OK?"

2012-01-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

"You OK?" - 10" x 10" - $35

I Drew This: Buffalo (x7)

2012-01-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

BuffaloBuffaloBuffaloBuffaloBuffaloBuffaloBuffalo are a female-fronted pop-punk band from Santa Cruz. My friend Elijah is the drummer, my friend Casey is the singer, my friend Alec is the guitarist... and even though I have seen them play twice, I've never met the bassist, because Adam filled in, both times!

Elijah asked me to draw some art for his new band, and I sort of shrugged it off because homeboy is in a ton of bands. Then I heard them, and thought they were good, and I really like ridiculous band names.

SOLD - "Are you sure this is the right way?"

2012-01-09T10:30:00.000-08:00

"Are you sure this is the right way?" - 10" x 10" - $50 (SOLD)

Music Monday - The Caps / Live in the Windowless Room

2012-01-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

(click to download)

Every time I listen to these dudes, I remember why I started playing music: to play whatever loud-ass music I want with my friends. These guys (all of whom are still teenagers) are super fun to watch live, and I would go to one of their shows than all of the crap bands that pack 21+ bars here in the bay.

All Ages 4 Life.

H.E.L.P!

2012-01-03T15:41:00.000-08:00

Do you like punk rock?

Do you like robots?
Do you like my paintings?

Do you like babies? Specifically, my baby?

Do you have some extra cash that your grandma sent you for the holidays?

Check out the video below, and see if this something you would be interested in!

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;D&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Destroy Nate Allen Kickstarter! Click to Donate!!

Music Monday - 100% / EP2

2012-01-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

(click to download)

Happy 2012. Here's some new jams from 100% to start your year off right. I drew a logo for them a while ago, hopefully they'll make a sticker or a shirt out of it someday:

Three Little Pigs - SOLD

2011-12-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

"Three Little Pigs" - 12" x 6" - SOLD

Commission: Velociraptor reading a book!

2011-12-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

(I didn't used to sketch out my paintings. I've found that it makes the actual painting go a lot faster.)

(Snapped a quick photo before handing it off! paint)

This was a really quick commission I completed for my friend Jake in time for him to give it as a Christmas present for his girlfriend. I did this commission as a trade for some guitar effects pedals. If you're looking to have me do some commission work but you are short on cash, remember, we can always work out a trade!

He wanted a painting of a Velociraptor, which is his girlfriend's favorite dinosaur, reading a book. I got a little worried: Did I know my wife's favorite dinosaur? (It's the Brontosaurus, I guessed correctly).

What's your favorite dinosaur, and what would you like to see it doing? Leave me a comment, and I will draw the one I like the best!

I Drew This: Bobby Joe Ebola / Tornado Rider / Emily's Army Poster

2011-12-29T09:30:00.000-08:00

I drew this up for a string of shows that Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children Macnuggits are playing with Tornado Rider and Emily's Army. I bet you didn't know this, but dinosaurs love ice cream.

Why I like Twitter

2011-12-28T11:58:00.000-08:00

I used to be really opposed to Twitter. I didn't see the point of blurting out every stupid idea that popped into my head. However, I've changed my tune in the last couple of months. First off, its a great way to figure out where all the rad food trucks in the bay area are posted up at any given time. Second, it's pretty rad to be able to drop a line to one of your favorite musicians. Lastly, it comes in handy when you forget to document art that you just sold!
I posted this tweet during the Alameda Holiday Fair:

A couple of days later, I received an email from the nice person who bought the paintings! Along with some picture of the paintings:

As it turns out, they also won the painting that I had entered into the raffle, "Extra Parts?!"

Looks like it found a good home!

Twitter is also a good way to find out when I am going to post new clues for the dinosaur painting scavenger hunt I've been doing. If you don't already follow me over there, or if you were like me and didn't see the point of Twitter, maybe now you could give it a second chance.

Music Monday - Freddy Ruppert / Sickling EP

2011-12-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

(click to download)

This is what I will be listening to this week while I draw. These are instrumental recordings by Freddy Ruppert, of This Song Is A Mess But So Am I and Former Ghosts. I grew up listening to a lot of the same electronic/industrial music that influenced these songs, so while being brand new songs to me, they wind up also being nostalgic.

I Painted This: Robot Unicorn

2011-12-14T10:30:00.000-08:00

Robot Unicorn - 10" x 10" - SOLD

This was a recent commission. I was asked, "Could you paint a Robot Unicorn?" I could, and I did!

ARRRRH! AVAST!!

2011-12-13T09:30:00.000-08:00

(click to enlarge)

I completed this commission recently for the 1st birthday of a little boy who has a pirate themed bedroom. I'm guessing that the birthday party will be pirate themed as well!
One of my favorite books growing up was the Peter Pan book I had that was put out by Disney and Golden Books. I loved the illustrations, which I felt like you could actually step into even though they were relatively simple. I used that as the basis for what I was trying to achieve with these illustrations.
My favorite illustration from this project is the clubhouse surrounded by water. I wanted something that mirrored the lost boys clubhouse from Peter Pan, without being exactly the same:

Sorry, you are not a winner. Please try again.

2011-12-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

"Extra Parts?!" - 10" x 10" - NFS

When I participated in the Alameda Holiday Fair last week, the vendors were asked to donate something to the raffle. I wasn't sure which painting I wanted to put into the raffle, so I just painted this while I was at the event! I took a picture of it while the paint was drying and hustled it off to the area where all the prizes were staged. Goodbye, little robot!
So, if you like this painting, sorry. Someone who attended wound up taking this painting home that day. You can't win unless you show up!

(I am available to paint commissions though, and I could even have it done in time for a christmas gift! interested? Send me an email - xadamdx@gmail.com)

Music Monday - Big Kids / Phone Home

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

(click to download)

I posted the first album from Big Kids a while ago, and now I'm posting this one. I think these guys are the perfect soundtrack to doing anything in Oakland. Riding your bike, drinking coffee, making art out of trash, smoking crack... all things people do in Oakland, right? If you like the first album, you'll dig this one too.

Your Friday Awesome: I QUIT!

2011-12-09T13:25:00.001-08:00

I have had really bland office jobs for the past ten years. I wound up in this line of work because when I would be home from tour with my band, I would do temp work. In Oakland, that meant working at a Kaiser office doing data entry, so my resume was full of office experience. When band-life slowed down, I found myself working full time in office jobs that held no interest for me.

This week, I say goodbye to that chapter of my life. I have quit my full time office job in San Francisco to be a stay-at-home dad, and to focus on being an artist. It's a little scary to be stepping away from a steady paycheck, but I have a bunch of money squirreled away in savings, I have reduced my spending to almost nothing, and I'm working like a madman to secure commissions. All while making sure my son is fed, changed and well rested. Oh, and I'm trying to keep the house picked up. Busy busy!

So, I'd like to officially announce that I am available to do illustration work, layouts for you next release, poster design or a painting you'd like to give someone for Christmas! Send me your commission requests!

I'll be posting some of the completed commissions I have done recently, along with some other pieces that I need to sell.

Also, It's my son is six months old today! He is getting so big!

EVENTS!!!

2011-11-25T11:40:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow I will be selling zines, paintings, and prints at the East Bay Zinefest, put on by the Rock Paper Scissors Collective. If you missed the SF Zinefest this year, this would be a good chance to come check out some art (and music, if you feel like sticking around for the late part of this.) I will be there from 12-4pm.

Next week:

I'll be performing at this with GNARBOOTS. Wanna get up close and personal? Come to this.

The very next day, I will be selling my art at this:

I'm planning on having hand-painted christmas ornaments to sell at this show! We will see how that turns out. I'll be busy painting, drawing and illustrating all next week.

Hope to see some of you at these events!

Music Monday - Leer / EP

2011-11-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

(click to download)

I hope that someday when my son starts a band with his friends, it sounds like this.

SOLD - "OH NO!"

2011-11-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

"Oh No!" - 8" x 8" - $40

Music Monday - Loma Prieta / Life/Less

2011-11-14T10:08:00.000-08:00

(click to download)

During the '89 Loma Prieta earthquake, I was in front of my parents house in Gilroy, decorating for Halloween. When the ground started shaking, I immediately hit the deck. I realized I was directly under the front window of the house, which thankfully didn't shatter. I could hear everything falling out of the cabinets inside, and worried that the brick facade on the front of the house was going to fall down on me. When the whole thing was over, nearly every chimney on the block had been knocked down.

This album pretty much sounds like that earthquake.

Flyer - 12.12.2011

2011-11-11T10:44:00.001-08:00

Here's the next flyer in the adventure of Bertie (that's the name of the robot). It's part of a series of flyers I am doing for the band Destroy Nate Allen. Nate said I should make my signature bigger, so I made it bigger on this one.

Music Monday - Comadre / Mixtape #5

2011-11-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

(click to download)

This was originally released to raise donations to send over to Japan to help with their whole earthquake/tsunami situation, but it's now available for free.

FOR SALE: Domed-Robot Painting

2011-11-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

"Domed-Robot" - 6" x 8" - $50

Happy Day-After-Halloween!

2011-11-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

The day after Halloween has always felt super weird to me. All of the pumpkins are shriveled, the costumes have been packed away... and Dia De Los Muertos happens! Skulls everywhere! Not scary skulls though, pretty skulls! Nothing against the holiday, but it always feels like it's a day late to me.

Happy Dia De Los Muertos, everybody!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

Music Monday - Duke Nukem Forever / Hunger Pains & Homesick

2011-10-31T06:30:00.000-07:00

(click to download)

Happy Halloween!

You Should Buy This: Winter Stroll II Print

2011-10-25T16:07:00.000-07:00

Winter Stroll II - Limited run of 25 - 8.5" x 11"

What better to go with your "Winter Stroll" print than this! Limited to 25 copies, hand-numbered and signed by me, printed on heavy card stock. $5!

Flyer - 11.18/19.2011

2011-10-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

Here's the next in the series of flyers commissioned by Destroy Nate Allen. Looks like Bertie is in for a surprise!

Music Monday - The Weeknd / Thursday

2011-10-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

(click to download)

I was really hoping this record would reference the Morphine song "Thursday" at some point, since The Weeknd's lyrical themes seem to mirror the main topic of that song. Alas, it does not.
Still a killer album though (and it's free).

Flyer - 10.29.2011

2011-10-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Here's what I'll be doing around Halloween this year. Maybe I should try carving a pumpkin like this and wearing it on my head for the show!
I really like drawing this character, although I don't have a name for him (pumpkin head is already taken). If you think of a good name for this crow-footed, scarecrow-bodied, jack-o-lantern headed killer, please leave it in the comments below.
I'll try to post a few more drawings of him before Halloween to get myself in the spirit!

Flyer - 10.23.2011

2011-10-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

This little guy is going on an adventure through the next series of Destroy Nate Allen flyers.

Music Monday - Gnarboots / Happy Birthday

2011-10-17T08:00:00.000-07:00


(click to download)

This soon-to-be classic mixtape is just a little under a week old. Why "classic", you ask? Because HAPPY BIRTHDAY, that's why! What better way to celebrate the day you were born than with new songs about that very subject! We couldn't include the original Happy Birthday song, due to copyright issues, but this picks up where that left off!

Music Monday - Di Bravura / Mane Horse Split 7"

2011-10-10T09:00:00.000-07:00


(click to download)

During a Gnarbo ots set in San Jose, I was crowd-surfing (I am far too large to be crowd-surfing) and this dapper young lad was also crowd-surfing (he is the correct size to be crowd-surfing).
We high-fived.
I later found out that he is the vocalist for a group from Sacramento called Di Bravura. I think they are really good. Lots of screamy vocals, noodly guitars and weirdness. The other half of the split is Mane Horse, who I know nothing about, other than they have a far more accessible sound than Di Bravura. Four great songs from two totally different sounding bands.

Flyer - Victory And Associates / These Things are Facts! 2011 NW Tour

2011-10-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

Conan from V&A booked the pAper chAse a while back in Oakland, and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen. I made this for his band as a thank-you for booking that show (actually, he just asked nicely, and I had some free time). If you live in the bay area, you should check out the show on the 8th. Moon Eater are really killer. They sound similar to Hot Snakes (and I went to high school with the bassist, although I didn't know that until after ). The Third Victim of Abigail Rutledge is Mags from Yaphet Kotto's new thing.

Your Friday Awesome - 99% Invisible

2011-10-07T11:29:00.000-07:00

(click to go down the rabbit hole)

This is hands down my favorite podcast. I can't even remember how I discovered it (although while writing this, I came across a link to BoingBoing. That's probably how I discovered it). The format sets it apart from a lot of other podcast out there. While most other shows average about an hour in length, these clock in at about 4-10 minutes each. There's no dead air, each episode is well thought out to pack in a ton of interesting information. One of my favorite episodes is about Privately Owned Public Open Spaces, information I later used on the 100 Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt.

Music Monday - Reggie Watts / Daytrotter Session

2011-10-03T11:51:00.000-07:00

(click to download)

I've probably listened to this session more times than any of the physical releases I actually purchased this year. For any of you who are unfamiliar, Reggie Watts creates music using a few loop pedals, a microphone and his voice. Oh, there's a little bit of keyboard thrown in there too, but that's hardly worth mentioning compared to all the rad stuff he does with just his voice and some effects.

Robots riding Dinosaurs

2011-09-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

I painted these to sell at the SF zine fest. They were snatched up really quick. I should have painted more of these. Well, these and zombies. Everybody loves zombies.

Flyer - 10.28.2011

2011-09-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

Music Monday - Golden Age / Cassette Culture

2011-09-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

(Click to Download)

I wasn't sure what I was going to post today, until my friend Roman posted this today. I'm about halfway though it right now, and it's real good.

Little Robot Painting #3 -SOLD

2011-09-23T15:30:00.000-07:00

Acrylic - 4" x 4" - $15

Little Robot Painting #2 (for sale)

2011-09-23T11:00:00.000-07:00

Acrylic - 4" x 4" - $15

Here's another one! Another little robot painting! Painted by me! For you!

Little Robot Painting #1 - SOLD

2011-09-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Acrylic - 4" x 4" - SOLD

Good Boy - SOLD

2011-09-22T15:29:00.000-07:00

Acrylic over spray paint - 10" x 10" -SOLD

Here's another painting I did for the San Francisco Zine Festival this year, but no one bought. So here it is for you to buy, especially if you like robots and dinosaurs, together!

I added a wrench to this painting so that it looked like they were playing fetch. I didn't take a picture.

Robot Shock - SOLD

2011-09-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

Acrylic on Spraypaint - 10" x 10" - SOLD

I painted this, based on a doodle I did on the back of a business card a while back. If someone buys this painting, I'll post the doodle. If not, well, you'll never get to see it. How's that for salesmanship?

100 DINOSAURS - CLUE #42

2011-09-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

You Should Buy This: Winter Stroll Print (SOLD)

2011-09-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

SF Zine Fest 2011 - Looking Back

2011-09-19T14:51:00.000-07:00

(my table, flanked by the GNARBOOTS backline)

This was my second year at the SF Zine Fest, so I kinda had a little better idea of what to expect. I made sure to paint a bunch of paintings in advance, printed up a bunch of different zines, and dug in for two days of creativity overload. This was the tenth year of the festival, and it was much bigger than in previous years. I didn't get a chance to walk around too much, but when I did I was completely overwhelmed with the amount of creativity being pumped out around me.
After the first day, on which I successfully sold off a bunch of paintings, I decided I should get busy painting. this was the first painting I turned out that day:

It was snatched up by none other than Bill Chartier, who played guitar in Calling All Monsters (a really awesome local indie band who, sadly, are no longer performing).

I painted this next, a robot falling out of the sky!

A nice dude named Glenn bought it, but I forgot to take his picture with it! I really like having pictures of the paintings with their new owners, since an event like this is the only time I really get to see the people who purchase my art (unless you're a buddy of mine). Sunday was kind of a blur, between a lack of sleep from being a new father, the usual madness of Zine Fest, and a surprise Gnarboots performance in the atrium.

I did manage to get a few pictures of folks who bought paintings:

Josh Ellingson continues to be a positive guiding light in my quest to become a full time artist. He stopped by my table, told me my prices were way too low, then proceeded to buy this painting from me. NICE. He also hooked me up with a Square reader, so I was able to take credit cards on the second day!

I also used the festival as an excuse to hide a couple of dinosaur paintings. My buddy Jason found this painting. You want to see it? Go look at the 100 Dinosaurs site.

Sorry if you didn't make it out this year, it was a lot of fun. If you would like me to bring the Zine Fest experience to you, you can order a bundle of zines from me here!

Music Monday - Bust! / Fuck It

2011-09-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

(click to download)

First off, the name of this album rules. Secondly, look at that cover. What a great album cover. I downloaded this on the suggestion of Joyce Manor, and I gotta say I'm digging it.

You Should Buy This: Zine Bundle!

2011-09-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

Couldn't make it to the SF Zine Fest this year? Went, but spent so much time looking around you didn't bring anything home? Just want to support me as an artist, and keep my apartment from getting cluttered up with stuff I made?! Pick yourself up a Zine Bundle! Only 15 available, only $10! This includes:

All Robots Want To Kill You: a 16-Page coloring book featuring my robots, telling you exactly why they cannot be trusted. Heavy card stock full-color cover, suitable to give to the little one in your life to color (no swear words). I'll even draw a robot in the back if you'd like!
COFFEEBOT: Originally released as "Danger!! Lo-Tech!!!", a 20-page zine comic a few years back, this is my first completed 24-page comic book, drawn at my various office jobs as an experiment to see if I could draw an entire comic at work with no script! Printed full size with a glossy full color cover!
TALLGUY issues 1-4: my ridiculous tall format zine, featuring a slew of ridiculous interviews you won't read anywhere but in these pages! Interviews with Tera Melos, Pg99, The Fad, Turdus Musicus, Rx Bandits, Daylight, Hard Girls, Former Ghosts, Gavin Castleton, The Caps, Bobby Joe & The Children Macnuggits and more!
BUTTONS! Everybody likes 1" buttons! I'll throw some TALLGUY buttons, some old buttons with my art on them, and whatever other buttons I have lying around! Button-Mania!!
STICKERS! Actually, just labels with my art printed on them, but still! You can stick them on stuff!
SOMEONE ELSE'S ZINES! I accumulated a ton of zines at the last two zine fests through trades and just random folks handing them to me. Who knows what you will get! Consider the possibilities!
ORIGINAL ART!! I have reams of paper filled with my drawings! I have stacks of post it notes with silly pictures on them! I will stick them in an envelope and mail them to you! Are they all masterpieces? Probably not! But are they one-of-a-kind works of art that you can feel like an adult by framing and hanging on your wall!? I'd like to think so!

Music Monday - Moon / Guilt EP

2011-09-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

(click to download)

For the last several years, I found myself down the rabbit hole, following the path of Divine Nonchalance. Like many others, I followed in the footsteps of Eva Lucien, hoping that one day she would return from Elsewhere.

Alanna Nuala was Eva Lucien, once from San Francisco, now transplanted to the east coast. Had they remained one and the same person, this recording would have fit perfectly in the world of the SF Savants. Dreamy, fuzzy shoegaze that fits perfectly in that niche when you don't feel like listening to something too heavy or too lite.

Long live the queen of Nonchalance.

Flyer - 09.30.2011

2011-09-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

Nate Allen needed a flyer for his birthday show at the end of the month, so I whipped this up. Happy Birthday, Nate!

SF Zine Fest - Jam Comic!

2011-09-05T19:19:00.000-07:00

This weekend was the San Francisco Zine Festival (and if you regularly look at this blog, I already beat you over the head with that information) and I had a blast selling paintings, meeting interesting folks and even got to play a set with GNARBOOTS! About halfway through Sunday I realized I hadn't seen anyone sending a jam comic around, something I got to participate in when I had a table two years ago which I really enjoyed (though I never saw the final result)! I threw together the first half of the first panel and passed it to my left to Pat Tong (of House of Tong)... where it went from there I have no idea. If you're one of the awesome artists who worked on this, please let me know in the comments!

Music Monday - Bomb The Music Industry! / Vacation

2011-09-05T16:11:00.000-07:00

(click to download)

I recently drew a bunch of flyers for a bunch of shows these guys played in the bay area. Being a father now, I didn't have the chance to make it to any of them, but I did listen to this record a bunch.

SF Zine Fest Preview #6

2011-09-01T17:30:00.000-07:00

I just realized this painting is missing a shadow. I'm going to add that shadow when I get home from work today. Come to the San Francisco Zine Festival and see if I improved this painting by adding a shadow or ruined it forever!

SF Zine Fest Preview #5

2011-09-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

This is how I feel about my job.

If you would like to hire me for my illustration skills, send me an email: xadamdx@gmail.com

Or, just come to the San Francisco Zine Festival and buy this from me.

SF Zine Fest Preview #4

2011-09-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

I had a Rubik's cube as a kid. I peeled all the stickers off and put them back on to make it look like I solved it. Maybe that's what this robot did, but probably not.

SF Zine Fest Preview #3

2011-08-31T11:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's so exciting to be alive that you have to just jump for joy! Sometimes your artificial life feels so real you just have to jump for joy! Whoever buys this from me this weekend at the San Francisco Zine Festival is going to have to let me take a jump photo of them with this painting.

SF Zine Fest Preview #2

2011-08-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

You can't catch lightning in a bottle, but you can catch lightning bugs in a jar! Come buy this painting from me this weekend at the San Francisco Zine Festival!

SF Zine Fest Preview #1

2011-08-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

This week I'm going to be putting up some of the paintings I've been working on to sell at the San Francisco Zine Festival (which is this coming weekend). This is one of those paintings. You can expect a couple a day until a) I run out of paintings to post or b) the work week is over and I'm at the festival. If you're anywhere nearby, its a super fun event to check out, a bunch of my favorite artists will be there and it's FREE!

Music Monday - Eastern Span / TacoTruck Studio Sessions

2011-08-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

(click to download)

This is such a good band name, and such a good album cover. I'm already nostalgic for the span of Bay Bridge that will be replaced... well, whenever. They've been working on the new span for a long time, and I have to say I think it looks lame compared to the original span.

Anyhow, yeah! Gnarboots played a show with this band (made up of dudes I've know from other bands) and they were really good. This was recorded in the same practice space as most of the Gnarboots stuff. Basically, this band is Gnarboots, except they are called Eastern Span.

Unused DinoClue: Milk & Cheese

2011-08-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

Rather than stealing stuff off of the internet, I prefer to make my own clues for the 100 Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt whenever possible. Unfortunately, sometimes this isn't totally feasible. The other day when I set up hunt #38 (which was in San Jose) I originally modified a picture of Evan Dorkin's Milk & Cheese that I found online, and that is the clue that appears on the site. However, the next morning I got changed my mind and decided I wanted to try drawing them myself. I used to doodle them all the time back when I read the comic books. I drew this version of Milk & Cheese, but didn't get it scanned in time to put up for the scavenger hunt. I colored it this afternoon for fun. I didn't use any reference for the drawings, so I messed up a few details.

Flyer - 09.15.2011

2011-08-23T16:08:00.000-07:00

This show is going to be LOUD. Please wear ear plugs.

Music Monday - Cerebrin / Monsters

2011-08-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

(click to download)

I've been trying to put into words how this recording sounds. Gavin from The Doormice sings on this. It's six songs, but it really it could be split up into about ten. Some of the songs change so much that by the end, you have to check to make sure you're still listening to the same song. Other songs are more sonic sculpture, patchwork quilts of layered sounds. As far as local, self-released, independent music goes, this is pretty far from the usual fare.
While the whole album has it's own actual narrative, the whole thing sounds to me like: It's the last day of getting over a head cold. You've taken too much cough medicine, and you're headed out for the first time in over a week. The collar of your shirt is cold and damp because you didn't do a very good job drying your hair when you got out of the shower, which could use a trim. You're supposed to meet a friend you haven't seen in years at a cafe across town in a neighborhood you're not familiar with, and you wind up getting off the bus ten blocks from where the cafe is supposed to be. You only wore a thin jacket, and its a lot colder out today than you had expected it to be. When you finally arrive at the cafe, it's just an abandoned building.

I also really like the cover art.

Flyer - 09.25.2011

2011-08-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

I watched Frank from VGS huff spray paint backstage at a show once.

Flyer - 09.07.2011

2011-08-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

Music Monday - DANGERS / s/t EP

2011-08-15T14:08:00.000-07:00


(click to download)

Short hardcore songs with interesting lyrics. This recording is old, but hey, it's new to me and you! Also, they have this really awesome shirt. Someone buy me this shirt, please.

Your Friday Awesome - SF ZINE FEST / Sept. 3rd + 4th

2011-08-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

I had a table at this event in 2009, I missed having a table at this last year, but this year I will be there! This is a really fun event with a ton of creative folks all in one place, and it's FREE! I plan on having a bunch of my zines available, along with new paintings, which I'll start posting here as I finish them! I have a lot of ideas for things I'd like to have available at this event, hopefully I will have enough time to put it all together... lots to do before the event!

Do you have an idea for something I should have available at this event? Any requests for things I should paint? leave me a message in the comments below.

I Drew This: Rocket Reuse Sandwich Board

2011-08-09T14:01:00.000-07:00

A while back I noticed that Blue Rectangle, my favorite local spot to pick up used books, CDs, DVDs, video games and the like (and it's within walking distance of my home!) had changed their name to Rocket Reuse. Same location, same store, just new ownership and a fresh new name. I jumped on the chance to help them with a little store branding, and hopefully I can switch out the sign every few months when I get the chance to crank out some new art. I was a little slower than I would have liked to have been finishing this (other stuff kept coming up, plus baby) but I'm happy with how it came out, and it's fun for me to walk by it when I'm out for a stroll.

(the sandwich board, Thomas and I)

Music Monday - ††† (Crosses) / EP †

2011-08-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

(click to download)

This is a project featuring Chino Moreno (Deftones) and Shaun Lopez (FAR). The first time I saw the Deftones was in 1993 at the Playhouse theater in Morgan Hill. Salmon, who were the local draw, played main support. After they played, the venue emptied out, and there were probably only about 20 people there to see the Deftones. They were totally amazing, and the few people that decided to stick around went bananas. I had bummed enough money off of my friends and random people at the show to buy a demo tape and a t-shirt. I remember handing their merch girl handfuls of pennies I had begged from my friend's car ashtrays. After the show, Chino snapped my friend's Jay's skateboard in the parking lot trying to land some trick. I actually missed the first time FAR came through town, because I was grounded for sneaking off to a Skankin' Pickle show. My friends had picked up a copy of their demo tape, and we listened to it a ton.

Flyer - 08.15.2011

2011-08-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

Music Monday / Summer of Glaciers - Never Return Home

2011-08-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

(click to download)

I listened to this while walking around San Francisco, exploring empty stretches of concrete hoping to find some artistic inspiration. Perfect soundtrack for walking around alone, aimlessly.

Flyer - 08.13.2011

2011-07-28T11:23:00.000-07:00

Rather than doing the usual draw-something-scan-it-color-it-in-photoshop deal, I opted to do something simple: Print out the information using MSWord and draw directly on the flyer with a felt tip pen. This was my third attempt, the first two had skulls. I wanted to do an illustration where I could play with the line weight, and just build the image as I went rather than trying to plan it out. I also wanted to draw something really gross.

Flashback - Potato and a Taco

2011-07-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

"Potato and a Taco" - 24" x 24"

I painted this as a secret santa present for Steven Heet when we were in a band together called DESA. It's a stupid inside joke based around the way that band dudes speak drum parts to each other. "Dookum Flakkum" being my most generally used one, "pea soup" sounding like a hi-hat closing, "bucketah fish" sounding like a drum fill ending with a cymbal crash, etc. "Potato and a Taco" was drum-speak for the beginning of our song "Breakneck", off our final EP "Revenge Body".

Last I heard Steven has this hanging in his kitchen, which probably causes a lot of concern about any meals he offers guests.

Flyer - 08.16.2011 & 08.17.2011

2011-07-26T09:44:00.000-07:00

This is a little different from my usual flyers, but: 1) I needed to get it done fast 2) I was in the middle of taking care of my less-than-a-month-old son, and 3) I had already done a flyer for BTMI last year (around the same time of year, actually) and I didn't want to re-use that image. iTunes is basically the new dominant "label" in the music industry, so I thought a play on their logo would be fun.
Here's the opposite flyer. I don't really like the color scheme as much, but I was trying to work FAST:

Music Monday / 100% - EP

2011-07-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

(click to download)

Here's a release from a brand new band that sounds like it could have been released in 1993, which means, duh, I like it a lot. My friend Ryan plays bass in this band. This band sounds a lot like Sonic Youth to me (when Sonic Youth actually plays songs). I guess what I'm trying to say is Ryan plays bass like a girl.

Drawing Challenge #5 - 10/10

2011-07-21T13:51:00.000-07:00

"Ralph, Lizzie and George from Rampage are denied admittance to Fairyland."- Andrew Juncker

Drawing Challenge #5 - 9/10

2011-07-21T13:41:00.000-07:00

"A ninja fighting a giant squid" - Alison Voss

Drawing Challenge #5 - 8/10

2011-07-21T13:37:00.000-07:00

"Shortround hungrily scooping out a spoonful of brain from La-Z-Boy-reclined Dr. Zaius while watching Wheel-of-Fish yelling,'You're so stupid!'" - Blaine Ballard

Drawing Challenge #5 - 7/10

2011-07-21T13:32:00.000-07:00

"Bigfoot and catfish.. Best friends!!!" - Dan Potthast

Drawing Challenge #5 - 6/10

2011-07-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

"I'd quite like to see the biggest cat EVER!!"- Jonathan Jefferies

Drawing Challenge #5 - 5/10

2011-07-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

"The loneliest man on Earth recreating his rendition of "The Monster Mash" using only what's lying around in his apartment." - Chris Walters

Drawing Challenge #5 - 4/10

2011-07-19T16:33:00.000-07:00

"Excuse me Senor Chicken, is this how you dance the Cha-Cha-Cha?" - Nnekay FitzClarke

Drawing Challenge #5 - 3/10

2011-07-18T21:37:00.000-07:00

"When Captain America throws his mighty shield." - Michael Kaiser

Drawing Challenge #5 - 2/10

2011-07-18T21:33:00.000-07:00

"A peacock ruling the world." - Tony Hauber

Drawing Challenge #5 - 1/10

2011-07-18T21:27:00.000-07:00

"An Octopus playing the guitar" - Joseph M. Edwards

DRAWING CHALLENGE #5

2011-07-18T15:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm on Paternity leave for a few more days, so let's use some of this time to do this:

DRAWING CHALLENGE #5!

"I'm gonna poop on all these drawings! Sorry Dad, I go off." -Thomas

Here's the run-down in case you forgot: You come up with the ideas, I draw the first 10 that arrive in the comments below. Write one line that can be illustrated (example: stairmaster rules bummertown.)
Because I'm a dad now, RULES apply to this! You need to learn to follow rules, or you need to learn to follow the rules!!! Here's the rules:

Post one idea, as a comment, below. Not several ideas. Not either/or. Don't write it on Facebook, instant message it to me, or email it to me. Even if you post the best idea ever, but you do it wrong, your position is will not be drawn! Someone else will take your place. So, think carefully and chose your words wisely.
Nothing too terribly gross, please. My son is in the room.
Please pick something I don't usually draw. This means no robots, dinosaurs, skulls, zombies.

As usual, I will draw and post all the entries. The one that I like the best I will turn into a painting, which will be given to the winning commenter FOR FREEE!

~~Ready... Set... GO!~~
All ten comments are in, so thank you for posting! I've already finished the first two drawings and I will post them shortly...