Importance of scale..

Photo is me and "Colossus" a 16' painting I did for the CVZ opening in September. I'm currently setting up to do an even larger public piece for next summer. Scale is a part of art that just can't be ignored or underestimated. i mean, look what Christo has accomplished, there's an example of someone who ONLY uses scale, his art sucks, so he depends on scale. I'm truly inspired by Blu, and other artists like him, artists that really take the work to the people! Blu is rad because he uses the whole "building images out of people" thing that i do as well. the real trick is finding a place to actually put it up! if anyone has a wall for me to paint, i'm there. my head's been in animation for so long i gotta play some catch up. later.

New "Paintings" web page...

We've added a "Paintings" page, which will feature recent and available paintings currently at galleries and in my studio. Special thanks to Andrew Stein who did the photography, and our studio manager Noelle Vaccese for putting it all together. Here is a recent treatment written for an upcoming show:

Patrick Smith’s paintings use simplified human forms as building blocks for complex, patterned configurations. Some figures appear to be struggling, some relaxing, some taking advantage, others reluctantly accepting a burden. Smaller characters might carry the weight of unknowing larger figures, who enjoy tranquil contemplation unaware of those laboring beneath them. Despite these contrasts, an overall optimism emerges. These figures generally aspire to a higher level of mutual support, embodying all the complexities of individuals defined by their positions and actions, not their appearance. The figures Smith paints are iconic representations of us all: featureless, but unquestionably human. Their physical differences are limited to color and size. As I make these observations, I begin to perceive their meaning: we all are part of something larger. Smith has constructed these images to reverberate that simplistic, sublime message to the contemporary world.

Update on "Masks"

I wrote this blurb for an upcoming interview with Animation Magazine:
The studio is busy with my next independent short, "Masks", a traditionally animated collaboration with recording artist Karl von Kries, who did the score for my first film "Drink" back in 1999. I told him to write and perform a type of score that tells a bizarre visual story, and I would illustrate whatever images came to mind. Actually, I believe I told him to "consult the devil" if he thought that would make it more interesting. He went on to give me one of the most twisted and intense audio tracks I've ever heard, so now I'm animating some truly disturbing and strange animation to match. It's basically a warped "Fantasia", using experimental contemporary music instead of classical. The result has been the tightest story I've ever thought up, using imagery and animation that has really been pushing my limits as an artist. I've showed some pencil tests to a few people, and the general reaction can be summed up with the quote "that's some fucked up shit man". My producer thinks I'm on drugs, and my girlfriend doesn't trust me anymore. Look for it in 2008, I think it will stand out a bit.

More on JIM PHILLIPS

I posted an entry about Jim a month ago, I just wanted to add to that. I was just on his site and noticed some sweet original artwork for sale. The "Slime Balls" skateboard wheels graphic pictured on the left sold for $3k, small price to pay for a sub-culture icon. I also found a sweet studio visit with Jim, compliments of Andreas Trolf, who is also responsible for this excellent photo of Jim at his place.

LUPO the Butcher in Cartoons from HELL!

Danny Antonucci's 1987 classic short "Lupo the Butcher" is a new addition to "Cartoons from Hell" showing this friday at the Northampton film festival. It's cool hanging out with Danny because, outside of being awesome, his work for MTV in the early 90's influenced me a hell of a lot. After he did "Lupo", he did a series of MTV ID spots in the same style, and then went on to do the under-rated and universally condemned show "Brothers Grunt" which I thought was rad. If you can't make it to Northampton tomorrow, you can watch it on youtube here (total mutilation of a classic, but oh well). So, when I programmed the first "Cartoons from Hell" for Platform Animation Festival, i got an email from him saying "what's wrong Pat, LUPO not hellish enough for you?". here's an epic interview with Danny in Annecy. dang there's a lot of links on this post.

CARTOONS FROM HELL part TWO

I'm heading up to Northampton Film Festival this weekend to host "Cartoons From Hell", a collection of some of my favorite animated shorts of all time. The show includes a legendary line up including Danny Antonucci, JJ Villard, Bill Plympton, Hisko Hulsing, Don Hertzfeldt, Nirvan Mullick, David Chai, and newcomer Arthur Metcalf. Also screening is my latest film "Puppet". I played a similar show at Platform Animation festival this summer, it went over really well.

Is it OK to steal Street Art?

I enjoyed this heated discussion on Flckr. My stance has always been that when you decide to put your art in the street, it becomes part of the urban climate, which includes the possibility of theft, as well and regular wear and tear from the elements. This guy seemed like he could have afforded to shell out the $2k to buy one from the gallery, but whatever. BTW be sure to see my photos on Flcker, a great resource that I think everyone should use.