If You're in New York...

I'll be in this giant group show full of small works. Perfect for a small New York apartment. Up there is one of my 3 pieces. I'll post the other 2 next week! Press release is below along with an impressive list of contributing artists.



Small Favors

March 27, 2010 - April 14, 2010

Reception: Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

Giant Robot Gallery
437 East 9th Street
Between 1st Ave. & Ave. A, in the East Village
New York, New York 10009
(212) 674-GRNY (4769) | grny.net

Giant Robot is proud to host Small Favors, a group art show featuring small works.

The Big Apple is a place where people have to pay big bucks to live in not-so-big spaces. But who says bigger is better? It's the little things in life that mean the most, and Small Favors is a group show centered around small, affordable works for people who want to support the arts but don't necessarily have a lot of wall space. Artworks created for this show can be in any medium, but most are no larger than 5 inches by 5 inches--a perfect fit for cozy city spaces.

Contributors will include the following:

Selina Alko
APAK
Jashar Awan
Jordan Awan
Sean Boyles
Sasha Barr
Aaron Brown
Jeffrey Brown
Jon Burgerman
Ako Castuera
Kris Chau
Louise Chen
Shawn Cheng
Alex Chiu
Josh Cochran
Allison Cole
Molly Crabapple
Eleanor Davis
Jennifer Davis
Michael Deforge
Morgan Elliott
Grant Falardeau
James Benjamin Franklin
Matt Furie
Mark Giglio
Tim Gough
Matt Haber
Tim Hensley
Lizz Hickey
Patrick Hruby
Jay Horinouchi
David Horvath
Martin Hsu
Mari Inukai
Jordin Isip
Yellena James
Levon Jihanian
Marc Johns
Mr. Kiji
Dan-Ah Kim
James Kochalka
Stephanie Kubo
Jesse Ledoux
Abe Lincoln Jr.
Jack Long
Justin Lovato
Sara Antoinette Martin
Aaron Martinez
Jeffrey Ashe Meyer
Mika Mood
Tru Nguyen
Grant Reynolds
Julia Rothman
Julianna Parr
Sidney Pink
Sean Qualls
Deth P. Sun
Zack Soto
Rodger Stevens
Ric Stultz
Gary Taxali
Daria Tessler
Peter Thompson
Elisabeth Timpone
Jeremy Tinder
Joe To
Aiyana Udesen
Jing Wei
Chelsea Wong
Lawrence Yang

Disappointing news

Didn't know where else to post this (from Wikipedia):

"Mavis Beacon" is not a real person; the original photo of Mavis Beacon was of a retired Caribbean-born fashion model named Renee L'Esperance who was introduced to Les Crane in 1985, the former talk-show host, while he shopped at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. Crane, who was then a partner in Software Toolworks, invented the name. Her first name was taken from Mavis Staples, lead vocalist for the Staple Singers, and from beacon, as in a light to guide the way.

IMAG0094

snake people

Interviewed by Hurley

I was recently interviewed by Hurley.com. It was a separate phone interview from the video a few weeks ago. I think that they really touched on some cool stuff and I come off looking pretty artistic or whatever.

The really cool part is that the story was reblogged on juxtapoz.com, with the title "Robert Williams and Levon Jihanian" which is pretty good company.

Year of the Tiger at GR2

The above image is a piece I did for the Year of the Tiger show at GR2. The weird coloration of the tiger might be familiar to you, because the tiger is "Cringer" from the Masters of the Universe cartoon series from the 80's. The panther in the drawing is his evil counterpart, "Panthor". In the cartoon, Cringer was a talking tiger and the ultimate coward. When he was shot by a lazer beam which bestowed upon him a "Power", he became "Battle-Cat" and donned a helmet and a saddle and was aggressive and brave, however he seemed to lose the ability to speak. I wanted to depict Cringer without the helmet and saddle, because I was always bothered by the sublimation of Cringer's intelligence, independence, and identity at the hands of his master. In the scene above Cringer is Cringer, and he has held onto his ego, for better or for worse, and has harnessed his inner power which comes from his love for his friends. No lazers required.

The show opens tonight (sorry for the late notice, my blog was broken). See the press release below:



Group art show opening Year of the Tiger at GR2 February 13, 2010 - March 10, 2010 Reception: Saturday, February 13, 6:30 -10:00 GR2 2062 Sawtelle Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025 gr2.net (310) 445-9276 Giant Robot is proud to host Year of the Tiger, a group art show celebrating year 4708 on the lunar calendar. Pieces will include illustration, oils, pencils, prints, watercolor, sculpture, and other media - all dedicated one of the most powerful but also most sensitive animal in the Chinese zodiac.

Hurley Feature

They just posted a feature of me and my art up on the Hurley web site. I have little to say about this other than I'm embarrassed at my lack of eloquence, and I probably should have run a comb through my hair... I am overall pretty proud of it, though.

HOLIDAY COMMERCE

In the spirit of the holiday, I'm posting about some terrific spending opportunities for you, the consumer. The first bit of news is that I have opened up an "Etsy" store. I have enrolled in a printmaking class, which gives me an opportunity to create prints. Printmaking is something I enjoy very much. It's been great to learn more about lithography, a printing process that I wasn't very familiar with before. I'd like to post more about my class later, because printmaking is very interesting and widely misunderstood. But to get back on track. The image above is a print for sale on my Etsy store. Here is another print for sale.



You can find these prints and more here.



The other bit of news is that I will be in the Post-It Show 4 at the GR2 gallery. This is perfect if you want to pick up some beautiful and horribly underpriced artwork. $20 per post-it and it's cash and carry, which means you take it home with you once you buy it. Make sure you get there early because the good stuff will go fast.

Post-It Show 4 at GR2, December 5, 2009 - January 13, 2010
Reception: Saturday, December 5, 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm




'Tis the season... TO SHOP!!!!!!!!

ljihanian Etsy store
Post-it Show 4 event page on Facebook

Marseille la Porte d'Aix rue du Bon Pasteur 3

I am really liking the graffiti in Marseille.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles has become such a blur to me now, that I look up places of interest based upon friends recommendations and realize these are all places I have been. One gets the sense that Los Angelenos have a rolodex or catalog of hangouts but it's more of a hazy drifting dream.

More Danger Country coming eventually but at the moment I am working on another comic called Exodus from the Spiral City. That's the tentative name anyway.

If your name is Scott Fortier and you ordered a drawing from me, please contact me.

Danger Country #007

Sharklops on Threadless

An old drawing of mine has been posted on threadless.com as a contender for $2500 in cash and prizes. Go ahead and click there and vote on it if you like it. I would consider it a personal favor! Thanks!

Danger Country #006

Danger Country #005

Danger Country #004

Danger Country #003

Danger Country #002

New Strip: Danger Country

Starting today I'll be posting up a new serialized comic strip story, occurring twice a week. It ties in with a larger form graphic novel set in the same setting. Hopefully I'll stick with the schedule and you'll like the story. Any way, I'm pretty excited about it. Here's the first strip!

Flock it up you Flocking Mother Flocker

Flock it up all over the place, indeed. If you're going to be anywhere in the northern hemisphere between March 27 and March 29, you need to experience the Flock Yeah II Moped Rally: Bird is the Word: A Moped Rally: Held by the Latebirds of Los Angeles. You don't need a moped to partay but it helps! Check out this promotional video, which is the undisputed most badassiest moped rally promotional video ever created. Then, register at the website: thismorningsbonerparty.com.


The Los Angeles Latebirds - Flock Yeah II from Brian Sowell on Vimeo.

Year of the OXXXXXXXXXXX

The drawing above will be a part of the Year of the Ox show. It is my largest crosshatch piece yet. Here's the info for the show.

March 14 - April 15, 2009
Reception: Saturday, March 14, 6:30 -10:00

GR2
2062 Sawtelle Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
gr2.net
(310) 445-9276

Giant Robot is proud to host Year of the Ox, a group art show celebrating year 4707 on the lunar calendar. Pieces will include illustration, oils, pencils, prints, watercolor, sculpture, and other media-all dedicated to the hardest-working animal of the Chinese zodiac cycle.

Blogg links

the two best things on the internet are on Jeff Soto's blog. The first thing is his non-boring report on Art Basel, and the second thing is the amazing and hilarious video of his daughter, Shannon.