Monkeys Love Bananas

Fright Night...

2011-12-10T17:22:00.005-05:00

It's been a long time since I've seen a really good scary movie...I've had to settle with American Horror Story...and not to say it hasn't been great, but it doesn't make me check the closet or under the bed. Hope you enjoy.

-J

Night of the Purring Dead

2011-10-27T23:02:00.003-04:00

Just a little mood setter for Halloween. Started this zombie cat whilst watching The Walking Dead....okay, gotta go toilet paper some houses....Cheers

-J

Your attitude sucks!

2011-10-18T21:03:00.004-04:00

Had a little time on my "vacation" to do some animating. I put together this little animation test from a VO I found on an animation site. I took the voice over from the list and came up with an idea and characters... et voilà you've got what you see here.
Hope you enjoy the best 6 seconds you'll have since you left facebook.

For more fun quick animations from another site and the originator of this concept:
11 sec animation club
It's mostly dominated by 3D animation nowadays but still lots of fun.

Cheers,
-J

Candy Cane Strut

2011-07-25T22:47:00.004-04:00

A little test animation I whipped up for Betty and Yeti. Looped 2x for double the fun...or not...

-J

Twit Twot Tweet Tweet

2011-06-15T21:08:00.004-04:00

So I came across these little guys...while doing one of those random walk-abouts through my old files.
I thought it was a bit strange when I realized I made this like 5 years ago. Not that I have a shot in hell of retrieving any royalties from Twitter for the "tweeting" little blue bird. But I can fantasize, right?

Cheers,
-J

Yeti like candy!

2011-06-07T21:47:00.003-04:00

So it'll be summer in a couple weeks and I don't why I'm posting this, but here it is. I have so many unfinished pieces, I'm not quite sure why I gravitated to this one on the list but here it is. I just finished it up. Hope you like it!

Have a cool one.

-Joe

Show Update

2011-05-30T15:00:00.004-04:00

Here's a little update for anyone that wasn't able to get to the show back in April. Be sure to check out FOE Gallery in Northampton, MA for great subculture art, designer toys, kaiju and kawaii!
FOE

-J

A Little Tease

2011-03-30T19:12:00.002-04:00

Just a little snippet from my upcoming show with the designers from work. I'll keep everyone posted on the event that will be held at FOE Gallery in Northampton, MA starting in 11 days.

FOE Store & Gallery is a new home for subculture art, designer toys, kaiju and kawaii in Western Massachusetts.

Keep it greasy.

-Joe

It's right there, under your nose!

2011-01-25T07:41:00.004-05:00

Cut off your nose to spite your face.
Keep your nose to the grindstone.
Can't see the nose in front of your face.
Paying through the nose.
Keep your nose clean.
Don't be so nosy.
and....
Up your nose with a rubba hose!

-J

This is Sparta!!!

2011-01-18T21:18:00.005-05:00

Today's blog post courtesy of 300 and a dirty martini. Just a little doodle in the new sketchbook.

I've got a show coming up with all my work peoples, so hopefully I'll be posting with more frequency than as of late.

I'll post the details of the show when I know more. Have a great week!

-J

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

2010-08-22T23:34:00.006-04:00

So I'm not sure who lives here, but by the looks of things, they haven't been around for a while. I started this piece a ways back but finished it up today...courtesy of the 24 hours of non-stop pissing rain that still continues as I write this post.

It was either get creative or another Law & Order marathon...I think I chose wisely. Hope you do too....now where did I park that ark?!!

-J

Raaaaar!!!

2010-07-29T22:27:00.012-04:00

So I've finally surpassed my record for lack of posts...I think it was 3 months...this is now almost 4..anyway...
I started my new job in January and have been surprised that all this time has passed and I never seem to do much personal work. Is it life? Lack of time? God forbid admitting that my energy level is going down.

When I took my new job I had almost no 3D software experience. I surprised myself this week when I realized that I'd spent the last two weeks working either in Maya or Zbrush every day to complete my work. Don't get me wrong, I don't know shite when it compares to the experts. And I won't be getting a job animating anytime soon, but it really is kind of cool that I can add it to my work process.
I really love learning new things.

Here's a dinosaur I sculpted....minus the outer spikes.

-J

D-Oh Double Gee!

2010-04-11T15:28:00.004-04:00

So I've been really busy with work since starting the new job a few months ago. But I've had some time recently to get back some fun arty things. Maybe even some actual painting!!!

I've been working on some more character designs for this animation seen in previous posts. This is an update to the fat dumpy dog character. I thought it would be cool to kill two birds with one stone as they say and try out this cool Flash tool call the Bones tool. It's a great way in Flash to add real life articulation to objects. I used it on the swingin' tails of Donut the dog!
Click this link below.
Waggin' Tails!

Have a great week!

-J

Addams Family Highlights

2009-11-08T20:55:00.009-05:00

Here are a few highlights from the last show at MAC650 Gallery for those of you that didn't make it. The first two were created by yours truly. The first is oil on canvas followed by a digitally painted piece.

The third one is from my partner in art crimes, Joseph Dinunzio and the next by Joey Marsocci.
Sorry I didn't have time to post the other artists but I don't have any good pics of their work.

Have a great week.

-J

I Love Brains.....

2009-09-29T21:24:00.007-04:00

Friday night is the night!...it's the opening for the Addams Family Gathering Show!
My partner in art crimes, Joseph Dinunzio, and I are putting on another show at the MAC650 Gallery. I hope you all can make it.

This year's theme is, of course, The Addams Family. This is a fine collection of artists and it looks great. Should be a fantastic show and the opening will be kid friendly if anyone wants to bring their little ones. Yes, there will be libations for all.

For directions please visit: MAC650.blogspot.com

Have a great week!
-J

Fiddle Dee Dee

2009-08-26T17:08:00.005-04:00

Since the show is coming down Friday I thought I'd post these for those of you that weren't there.
One is a rework and the other is new for this show.
Peace.

-J

Mother Nature

2009-06-15T21:35:00.012-04:00

Mother Nature can be cruel and her toll on our collective psyche has been relentless here in the northeast. It has been a record rainy season. Five days of rain and an afternoon of sun has been the status quo. With June 21st approaching, it is highly probably we will never see any spring whatsoever. I will soldier on despite her utter disregard for my love affair with sun and blue skies.

I digress...Recently Joe D. put up photos of some old abandoned places he use to visit a decade ago and they brought me back to my childhood. We used to journey way out past the tobacco fields where the woods would begin and civilization seemed to disappear. I remember one particular occasion we found a car in the middle of the woods, something from the fifties or early sixties if I do recall. We pondered who pushed it out there and why.

I realize now that Mother Nature answers to no one. At some point in time, maybe there was a dirt road. A road which had long been obscured by her unending desire to regrow and change the landscape without regard for the squatters on her world.

Panda-monium!

2009-05-27T21:40:00.007-04:00

Awwww....for me?!!

It's been a long while since I posted. That's a phrase I say a lot...well, every month anyway. I've been really busy at work.

I come home at night and it's been presenting some serious challenges, both with my energy and with the limited natural light.

Wish I had something esoteric or insightful to say but I've got a couch waitin' for me.

Enjoy the Pandas!

-J

P.S. Watch this little video!

Hide and Seek

2009-04-24T09:52:00.006-04:00

Nothing better than a little hide and seek in the woods as a kid. We would go play outside for hours lost in the trees. Good times. The other day was a really grey day and I just felt like painting something grey. I really like the way it came out. It's a little tribute to Coraline if you haven't seen it. Go rent it when it comes out, or read the book.

Since I have been working digitally I have realized that my pieces aren't looking the same on everyone's monitors. So this one may be a little more saturated than I wanted, but that's life! There are a few drawbacks to computers. So I guess you will have to come see them in person.

I will be showing in August at the MAC650 gallery and co-curating in October for the Addams Family Show. I am very excited about this one. I have a couple of ideas already that need to be sketched out.

Have a great weekend!

-J

Here Kitty Kitty...

2009-04-17T10:21:00.007-04:00

This one started out in a very organic way. I wanted to do something dark with someone peeking in a hole. Turns out that hole was a old log. What's in a old log? spiderwebs and perhaps a cat that's hiding...they like to do that you know. If you can't find the cat, there's a good chance it's under the bed or in a closet.

I didn't have time to paint this up and I probably never will, so here it is.

Have a great weekend!

-J

Obie the Alien Space Cadet

2009-04-09T09:41:00.006-04:00

I was totally lost on what to draw the other night. It was another day of my mind being creatively drained by the day job.

I was really lacking inspiration and then I looked over and what was sitting there beside my monitor?...none other than, Obie the Alien Space Cadet. He's a vinyl toy, my friend and LEGO creative, John McCormack produced last year. This is my interpretation of his character as this Emo, affected, too cool for school alien. Hope you like it.

For you toy collecting geeks out there, John's toy is available for sale online courtesy of Devil's Head Productions. Here's a link for pics and more info on Obie.

ToyCyte-Obie the Alien Space Cadet

-J

Making More Prints...

2009-03-20T10:27:00.006-04:00

raindrops keep fallin' on my head...
Just letting everyone know that I will be making more prints of this piece from my fall show. It's called Totoro the Protector, inspired but the Miyazaki classic My Neighbor Totoro. If you're interested send me an email. Large 10 x 17 inches for $100US and small 7 x 12 inches for $40US. + shipping.
Archival ink on acid-free artist's paper.

Have a great weekend everybody!

-J

ABCDEFG

2009-03-06T17:31:00.006-05:00

Many artists out there have had a friend or family member ask them to illustrate a children's story they wrote. I'm no stranger to this request. The fact that I haven't done it doesn't mean that I didn't feel the stories were great. My sister Tori and a friend named Jordan have penned a couple of nice stories. Fact of the matter is, I just haven't had the time.
This piece is in honor of these requests. I know it has nothing to do with either of those stories mentioned but it has that old-school children's book feel. Hope you enjoy.

As they say on "Sesame Street", this one is sponsored by the letter "C"!

-J

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

2009-03-04T17:49:00.008-05:00

So I had the impetus to do one more winter posting before Spring. I hate winter by the way, for those of you that don't know. Snow is pretty cool but the cold...I know, I know, you can't have one without the other. In a perfect world...

Some of you may remember the little holiday short I made that stars the incarnation of my shy niece. I decided to do a background piece of Betty's hood. I might do the Yeti's soon.

Have a great week and let's all do our part to get the economy started...I might even pray.

-J

You can watch the short here.

...with a Ukulele

2009-02-27T16:11:00.004-05:00

I had some downtime and put this little animation together.

It's a work in progress. I didn't have time to finish up the lip-synch on the ukulele character but I'm putting it up anyway. If we waited until everything was "finished" before we showed it, well, the world would be a lot less interesting.

-J

Ukulele - animation exercise from monkeyslovebananas on Vimeo

Knitting Factory

2009-02-26T10:55:00.003-05:00

Started this the other night and finished it up pretty quick yesterday. I began the piece in B & W but as it evolved, I added color. Hope you like it.

-J

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

2009-02-22T19:41:00.004-05:00

The circus is coming to town.

I was thinking of drawing a train and this piece sort of developed over a few hours. I might tweak the values a bit but I'm pretty happy with the result.

Have a great week everyone. I hope this one is just as productive as the last.

-J

Bad Kitty

2009-02-14T19:18:00.004-05:00

No News is Good News

2009-02-10T21:47:00.005-05:00

Years ago I created this character of a post-apocalyptic newspaper boy and his pals. I guess it's like Kevin Costner's The Postman but cooler and more fun. Well, in my mind anyways. For this post, I decided to do a landscape of his journey.

Walk-a-saurus!

2009-01-29T19:37:00.005-05:00

I was sitting in my studio the other day watching people walking their dogs. I was noticing that thing they say about dog owners looking like their dogs...or is it the other way around? Well it seems to be true in my neighborhood. Why dinosaurs?...because they're really cute. At least the hervibore ones are.

Meg and the Honey Pot

2009-01-12T20:45:00.008-05:00

It's been a while since I posted. It's really hard to get back into a routine that allows me to paint or draw since the holidays. Hopefully more posts to come this month.

This is for my niece Meg who likes to bounce like Tigger. We were playing with this noisy interactive Tigger game that was referred to as the dumbest toy by a few adults. Well, Meg and I had a good time anyway.

Have a great week.

-J

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

2008-12-02T15:43:00.006-05:00

I have been having a lot of fun with the characters from my "We Wish You a Yeti Xmas"...They have been the subject of many of my sketches as of late.

I've wanted to work on a B&W illustration for a while but didn't have any ideas. This sort of developed from a black background with a moon plopped onto it. I guess the impending death of nature and the first snow the other day prompted this spurt of creativity. Chalk one up for snow!

Hopefully everyone had a great Thanksgiving...I personally feel like I ate and drank just the right amount. I need another 4 days off though as I'm sure all of you do too.

Have a great week.

-J

A Very Yeti Xmas

2008-11-20T18:14:00.006-05:00

So here are the first character roughs that I did. I was planning on doing a holiday animation card for the holidays this year. Most likely animated in FLASH unless I get really ambitious and do it all hand drawn. I want the backgrounds to look really crisp because, as many of you know, awful FLASH backgrounds are playing everyday all over the internet.

Well, today is November 20th, and here I am thinking I am going to finish it before the end of December. Wish me luck!

I'm not sure these are the final characters but it's a start in the right direction. It's a story about a shy little girl who makes a new friend. Betty is loosely based on my very shy niece Meg.
Check back for more updates.
Have a great weekend!

-Joseph

Twinkies and Robots Exhibition

2008-11-10T15:01:00.005-05:00

Just wanted to thank everyone who came down Friday night to the MAC650 Gallery. You made the night really successful and of course a lot of fun!

I loved the feedback on my new work. Sorry I couldn't spend more time socializing with you but I had art to promote. Hopefully I will post a video and pics soon for those of you that didn't make it.

Here's a peek at what you missed. This one is titled "Sailing the Seven Seas of the Magical Wish Granting Flying Twinkie Fish"

Check back soon.

-J

Treehouse

2008-10-01T17:01:00.003-04:00

I built a fort!

I did this little project to hone up on my perspective skills. It's a treehouse in 2 point perspective...what's 2 point perspective you ask? well, check out this little video I made of the process. The horizon is the faint red line going across.

I apologize in advance for the faint lines. The drawing was 30 inches across and when it was shrunk down it lost some of it's line integrity.

I didn't get a chance to add the climbing ropes, rope net and dumbwaiter, but it does have a fireman's pole. Come on up, if you know the password!

Take it easy...

Click Here to see it.

Tomorrow is Friday...

2008-09-18T16:18:00.004-04:00

Here is another background I just did of a window in a bamboo hut. Same retro feel as the last post.
I'm not sure who lives inside this bamboo hut....maybe a family of tree sloths?
Maybe it's on a beach somewhere warm waiting to be inhabited by a lucky individual who dropped out of the ratrace to just be.

J

Babalu Baby! Babalu........!

2008-09-17T17:53:00.004-04:00

Just a little retro background painting I did.
There's also a little mood music for you of Big Ricky and Little Ricky. Awesome.

-J

Bouncy Little Friends

2008-09-16T17:21:00.004-04:00

Ever wonder what your little friends are up to when you're at work all day?

I had some downtime yesterday and did this little animation. Hope you like it.

-J

Click here:

http://www.monkeyslovebananas.com/bouncy.html

The Saddest Day All Year

2008-09-12T10:58:00.003-04:00

You can feel it in the air and Sept. 21st is right around the corner. Fall is almost here.

Get out there and run through the sprinkler one more time, grill a good steak(meat eaters only) or just have a great cocktail...always recommended.

...back to work.

"I'll take my chances in the barrel, Leon!"

2008-09-02T09:36:00.004-04:00

Deez guys, let's call them Leon and Eugene, are attempting to make a quick getaway...

Just a quick one for today. Gotta get back to work.

Joseph

Fortified with Iron!

2008-08-25T21:50:00.002-04:00

Just working on stuff for the upcoming show. The other Joe requested that I do a piece for the back of the promocard. I kind of got away with myself here, but I really like how this came out.

I am thinking I might make prints of this for the show. Hope you like it.

-J

Which one these is not like the other...?

2008-08-18T11:04:00.004-04:00

I did this drawing last night while watching the Olympics and flipping channels. It was based on an earlier drawing of the green block character...I picture him having this deep mumbling voice..."rubble, rubble, rubble."

Posts have been, and will continue to be sporadic because of my upcoming show in November. I've got a lot of great inspiration and ideas....I'm pretty psyched up, it's gonna be a fun show.

Squid-tastic!!!

2008-07-22T20:01:00.004-04:00

Howdy Landlubbers!

It's been a long time since I posted any adventures....have no fear the squid is here!

How many of you wanted a pet squid when you were a kid???....wait, none of you?

I did this sketch for Diana's as yet un-themed blog. I'm not sure what she's gonna post. Rest assured if it's filled with the interesting things she finds on the web, then it should be worth it's weight in dubloons. All joking aside, she really does find some of the strangest things.

Under Cover of Night...

2008-06-18T10:34:00.005-04:00

...these mischievous assasins will be hiding in the shadows.
We went to go see Kung Fu Panda this weekend. I know Ninja monkeys are not Chinese, but I was inspired by the amazing scenery and backgrounds. The story is great too!

Feed them a banana or two. The Ninja Monkeys know no master, so they may spare your life.

Monkeys 2.0

2008-06-11T22:25:00.004-04:00

We're almost there...this is the final version(minus a few tweaks) for your viewing pleasure.

Thanks for visiting!

CLICK HERE

Robots Luv Creme Filling

2008-05-28T08:53:00.004-04:00

This is like a pre-show announcement/show announcement. My partner in crime Joe Dinunzio and I are organizing another exhibition of six folks this fall.

Joe wants to do another fun theme this time around. Something about robots, twinkies, his mother's brassiere and global warming. I can only image what kind of crazy stuff we will have on the walls. Stay tuned for more details.

I whipped this sketch out this weekend inbetween B-B-Q's, cocktails and coffee. I love it when I have days off with good weather.

Domo arigato!

Mind if we sit down?

2008-05-24T13:17:00.004-04:00

Diana was telling me about her surreal lunchtime experience last week. I thought it would be a good subject for a new sketch. Remember not to feed the birds!

Lapin! Lapin!

2008-05-08T20:56:00.007-04:00

This is the opening title BG for a short 'Rabbit Seasoning' I want to work on. When I get more done on the storyboards, I will start posting those. It's the story of a mischievous little rabbit who gets too friendly with his forest friends.

What a great week!

2008-04-24T17:13:00.005-04:00

Well, it's been a great week, weather-wise anyways....I decided to post another background painting I did. I have been creating some new brushes in Photoshop to get this stipple/watercolor feeling. I saw some backgrounds from Disney's Lilo & Stitch, still have yet to see the movie though. They have this wonderful soft quality to the colors. I don't know if they were hand done or not. Gonna try some more BG's soon, as I have had some downtime lately. Enjoy the sunshine wherever you are.

Rhinopalooza!

2008-04-14T18:56:00.004-04:00

Okay, just one more rhino for April.

Don't ask me why she's so sad. She has that great badonk donk.

Trying out something with a limited color palette. Hope you like it.

Spring Fever...

2008-04-10T18:02:00.002-04:00

Spring has sprung and everyone is out for a little sun including this little lady.

I had this idea a while ago about a narcissistic female rhino. She's so full of herself. I was working on this opening scene idea where the the camera pans down from the treetops through the trees and down to my little friend here. Maybe I will work on the rest of the pan background but I have so many other ideas and so little time. Oh well...

Hope you're all out processing some Vitamin D.

you'll have to wait an hour young lady...

2008-04-02T13:18:00.003-04:00

Remember those days....remember when your mom used to tell you that you couldn't go in the water for an hour after you ate...cramps or some crap like that.

Well that myth has since been debunked. I read some article about it a while back...anyway, I thought it might be a good subject for a new painting.

Happy Humpday!

ooo...ooo..pick me!

2008-03-31T11:58:00.004-04:00

Monkey has the answer.

I've had the morning off so far...Ah, the life of freelance. Sometimes it's a waiting game.

Anyway, instead of watching the tele or cleaning the bathroom, I started working on a new flash character. The sketch slowly morphed into this friendly little primate.

Blogworthy?

2008-03-30T16:47:00.003-04:00

I don't know...you decide...I was home Friday night watching Animal Planet and there is this new series, Lemur Kingdom. Which reminded me of one of my past favorites, Meerkat Manor. Great show following the lives of some furry African savannah creatures.
So I was just sketching in my boredom yesterday. Before going out, I made this little guy. We'll call him Mr. Meerkat.
Anyhow...I will spend more time next time I post.

It's Spring and it's raining rhinos!

2008-03-19T23:33:00.002-04:00

I don't know....just some sketches i've been doing. This week it's a rhino baby.

Bring It On!

2008-03-05T10:16:00.004-05:00

No menacing tentacle is too fierce for the chihuahuas.

It's been a really long time since I posted anything. Been really busy. I hope this is a good comeback.

See previous posts for more on the chihuahuas.

A Little Down Time

2008-02-06T22:25:00.005-05:00

It's really hot out there and these guys need a break from their day.

I worked on this in Illustrator and brought it into After Effects to use the new Puppet tool. It's this great new effect you can use to animate still images. Hope to do more in the future. It creates this nice smooth feel like "tweening" in Flash.

Spring is almost here!

Click Here to See It.

It's Raining Receipts.

2008-01-23T10:02:00.000-05:00

It's been another good year. Thank the art gods!
But alas, with great power comes great responsibility. I have a mountain of receipts to go through.
Wish me luck at tax time!

Fun in the Snow Continues....

2008-01-13T23:19:00.000-05:00

Sledding...Yeah!!!!!

2008-01-07T22:57:00.000-05:00

Hang on tight!

Up Up and Away....

2008-01-06T23:12:00.000-05:00

I've been having fun living vicariously through this little guy.

Some more dress up.

2008-01-04T09:32:00.001-05:00

Stuck Inside?

2008-01-02T23:39:00.000-05:00

Thought it might be fun to play dress up...alla "Secret Life of Walter Mitty."

Chihuahuas Like to Sled Too.

2007-12-28T12:31:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to get one more posted before the end of the year.
Happy New Year Everyone!

Shoveling Snow Sucks!

2007-12-26T22:12:00.000-05:00

This was going to be my Holiday card but alas I didn't finish in time. Which leads me to the subject of this piece. This was my reaction to hours of shoveling snow one day after work. Then we got another storm two days later. I was inspired while watching the classic 'Frosty the Snowman.' The parents are singing about hating winter while shoveling away at the snow coming down...Maybe the next drawing will be about some wintertime fun.

Winter Isn't So Bad...

2007-12-08T18:53:00.000-05:00

Did this sketch the other day when I was in misery over the cold outside...A common complaint to those that know me. I say, "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em."
...at least in spirit anyway. Enjoy!

Go on in, the water's warm...

2007-12-03T22:05:00.000-05:00

Just a little sketch because every day it just gets colder and colder here.

Run Andrea Run!

2007-11-27T22:39:00.000-05:00

Andrea is up to her ol' tricks again...stealing presents.

Winter is Coming!...No More Bikes :(

2007-11-15T00:25:00.001-05:00

First Flash Animated Scene

2007-11-12T00:03:00.000-05:00

This is something I did a few months ago but have yet to post. I have been trying play around in flash to see what I can do.

Click Here to See It.

The Adventure Begins

2007-11-05T00:07:00.000-05:00

Climb aboard!

Know a Good Dentist?

2007-11-04T20:25:00.000-05:00

I have been really busy with my show, so regular postings haven't gotten off the ground. I hope to change that soon. I don't know who this guy is, but he's got a million dollar smile.

These Guys Are Definitely Up to No Good

2007-09-18T16:02:00.000-04:00