New artwork posted on my website

I started painting on small 4 x5” pieces of foam core because… well, I was running out of room to be honest. Big art can be a big problem if you can’t find a home for it. So working small is the way to go, at least for me, at least for now.

These started off as individual works. The first one (upper right) was started sometime during the pandemic. Bottom right was second, top left was third. Just making shapes, lines, excitement, imagery that might be associated with the circus arts. It wasn’t until the end of the year that I finished the bottom left. But once it was completed I noticed that they all related to one another (it wasn’t really on my radar at the time). Perhaps this is my take on the year 2020. Only now, right before the holidays, I was able to see it.

So here’s to hoping that things will pick up in 2021: to a better life, peace, prosperity, and a better understanding.

“Four topics, one conversation”, enamel paint on four pieces of foam core, 5 x 4” each.
Check it on my website: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/#/mixedmediaartworkseamusliamobrien/

Sculpting and scenic painting for new Aritzia Super Puff Pop Up in SOHO, NYC

New work up at Aritzia’s Super Puff Pop Up in connection with the Brooklyn fabrication studio, New Project.
Located at 560 Broadway, (corner of Broadway and Prince St, NYC)

I had the opportunity to sculpt and paint the mountain diorama located within the boutique store. Below are some pictures showing the process in creating the work. I believe the whole project took about 4 weeks to complete. ”Aritzia is an innovative design house and fashion boutique. We conceive, create, develop, and retail fashion brands with a depth of design and quality that provides compelling value. We pride ourselves on creating immersive, human, and highly personal shopping experiences, both in our boutiques and on our website - with a focus on delivering Everyday Luxury”

Forbes - You Can Do More Than Shop At Aritzia’s Pop-Ups Thanks To Drake And Jay Z’s Grammy-Winning Designer

Sheets of insolation foam were adhered together and attached to an elevated platform. The rock shapes were sculpted using a reciprocating saw and a kitchen knife.

Once the shapes were established, we painted a joint compound mix over the entire surface to fill in gaps and give the rocks more definition.

Color is added. Shadows and highlights help to create definition. (I would sprinkle snow on top occasionally so that I could see how the work was developing)

A completed boulder…

Snow and branches are added last, the final touch!

The completed project after install.

My daughter checking out the massive yeti at the end of the diorama.

New mural painting at Hydra Studios in NYC (Opening Soon!)

New mural paintings up at Hydra Studios in connection with PB Paints and KCC Design and Build. Located at 120 Wall Street in NYC, “Hydra Studios is a modern approach to wellness, helping you restore what daily life takes out. Optimize your body, health, and mind by reserving private rooms for mental and physical wellness.”

The design for each mural was provided by the client. You can’t see it in these photos but each color has a stippled surface to give it a more vibrant effect.

Sign painting for local speakeasy Tooker Alley (Brooklyn, NY)

Outside seating for NYC restaurants became permanent in September 2020, offering a mix of sidewalk seating and seats along streets closed off to vehicular traffic. Tooker Alley, located at 793 Washington Ave in Brooklyn, NY, recently extended its seating into its neighbors sidewalk area. So I was hired to expand the sign painting I did over the summer.

The idea and design was based off of Tooker Alley’s store signage… which I painted back in 2014. But admittedly the barrier does have a Beetlejuice sort of vibe to it. What can I say? For a stylish bar, black and white seems to be the way to go in my opinion. (coincidently, it strangely mirrors the sidewalk crossing and street signage) Across the street from the Brooklyn Museum, stop by and check it out… support small business!!

“The spot achieves a rare quality in an era of paint-by-numbers cocktail lounges: The intensely personal Tooker Alley generates a genuine human pulse.” Timeout NY

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

New hand painted sign at the studio

New sign painting on a scrap piece of wood. Inspired by the pre-code horror comic book “The Hand of Fate.” Not sure why this particular comic title got my attention but it did. Maybe it was the bright colors? Regardless, the text seems somehow appropriate for this particular time in my/our life.

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

New hand painted sign at the studio

New sign painting on a scrap piece of wood. “(Half) Truth” is inspired by our recent outgoing president. Soon to be posted on my Saatchi Art gallery site. Stay tuned!!

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

New hand painted sign at the studio

Sign painting on a scrap piece of wood. 8 x 12” Inspired by the ‘Strange Tales’ comic book title page by Marvel Comics.

“Strange Tales is a Marvel Comics anthology series. The title was revived in different forms on multiple occasions. Doctor Strange and Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. made their debut in Strange Tales. It was a showcase for the science fiction/suspense stories of artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, and for the groundbreaking work of writer-artist Jim Steranko.”

I will be posting this sign on my Saatchi account in the coming days so please stay tuned!

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

Flash back Fridays - Sign painting for Stussy store in Manhattan

When I moved to Brooklyn (2006) one of my first jobs was at Lite Brite Neon. I might have worked there for a month or two… mainly assisting with holiday installs, but they hired me specifically because they needed a sign painter for a job at the Stussy store in SOHO, Manhattan. I believe it was a pop up shop, and for one area I had to paint a list of famous street artists names on a wall. The only one I had ever heard of at that time was Mark Gonzalez, to whom I was a big fan of growing up. I remember wanting his skateboard sooooo much. (Vision skateboards were really popular back then)

But anyway… I’m happy to say that I recognize more of the names now. Including
Wes Humpston
Neckface
123 Klan
Kaws
Gary Panter

The work was up for about a month or two, really quick turn around. And what happened to the signage?
No idea, lost in time..

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

New hand painted sign at the studio

New sign painting on a scrap piece of wood. Inspired by “Space Adventures” comic book logo.

”Space Adventures (sometimes cover-titled Science Fiction Space Adventures, Space Adventures Presents Rocky Jones and other variations for particular issues) was an American science-fiction anthology comic book series published sporadically by Charlton Comics from 1952 to 1979.“

This work is actually a remake of a sign I posted on March 15th (the original was purchased on my Saatchi Art homepage) So I decided to make a new one.

Decorate your home with a hand painted sign! (bathroom edition)

I needed to redecorate my bathroom. My wife suggested installing some of my recent signs on the wall and you know what? It works! Mix and match to suit your aesthetics.

Interior decorators… have your people call my people!

New sign painting at the studio

Hand painted sign on a scrap piece of wood. 12 x 16”
Inspired by “The Strange World of Your Dreams” by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

New sign painting for Brooklyn, NY speakeasy Tooker Alley.

New #signpainting up at Tooker Alley "Craft cocktails & elevated bar bites are the focus at this hip, intimate hangout; elevate your mind to a lower level of thinking.”

NYC offered a plan for restaurants and bars to reopen this summer by allowing them to create outdoor seating areas on their sidewalk and street. Tooker Alley asked me to design and paint their barrier space to match their look and design. A unique way to increase visibility and connect with the community.

Situated next to the Brooklyn Museum - stop by and help support small business!

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

Quarantined NYC - New sign painting at the studio

New hand painted sign on a scrap piece of wood. Inspired by Robert Crumb’s - Weirdo Comics title page.

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

Quarantined NYC - New sign painting in the studio

Hand painted sign on a scrap piece of balsa wood. Inspired by the movie poster for Plan 9 from Outer Space.. one of the greatest bad movies of all time!

Trying some new things on this sign so it is bit of an oddball, which is appropriate I guess for this type of film.

Quarantined NYC - New sign painting at the studio

Hand painted sign on a scrap piece of balsa wood. Inspired by the House of Wax movie poster…
3 DIMENSION!!

I am a big fan of B-movies of old. Something about their honesty, like.. the enthusiasm was there despite all the setbacks. But I don’t share the same sentiments with modern day B-movies… it’s hard to explain.

But anyway.. the fact is that House of Wax IS a good movie, it just didn’t have the budget to support its vision.

For more information about sign painting in the NYC/Brooklyn area check out my site: http://www.thewonderfulworldof.com/signpainting

New sign painting in the offices of La Radiant

New hand painted signage at the offices of La Radiant in Midtown Manhattan. 18.5 x 34.5”
“La Radiant is a jewelry design and production company that offers wholesale jewelry lines as well as private label services.” This is the first sign I’ve been able to paint since March due to the NYC quarantine so a big THANK YOU for the support!

It is still quiet in Manhattan but there is some movement (some businesses are open, some people walking around). So hopefully we are on the road to recovery. Fingers crossed…

Illusory Street Typography in Bold Murals by Ben Johnston

An interesting way to make ordinary text into something extraordinary. https://bit.ly/2LUE1sN

“Toronto-based designer Ben Johnston plays with color, shadow, and perspective to create typography that appears three-dimensional in his site-specific murals. “

Via https://www.thisiscolossal.com/

'In New York, A Hand-Painted Sign Renaissance Is Underway'

Interesting article about sign painting in Brooklyn, NY. The two restaurants talked about in the article are only a couple of blocks from my home.

”When people reopen, people are going to want things that feel like home. And another Helvetica vinyl sign does not feel like home. Industrial design doesn’t feel like home. So I hope that there’s more and more hand-painted signs … I think that there are a billion different ways that sign painting infiltrates our culture, and people haven’t been paying attention that much. But sign painters are still working. It’s an imperative part of how we communicate, and I think that it’s only increasing in value.”

https://www.insidehook.com/article/new-york/ihand-painted-sign-renaissance?eid=2eb4d90d478490fbc79f02bbdf60d6ff&utm_source=InsideHook&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=new-york