January 2007

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Red Thread Expectations

(sold)

January 31, 2007 in Art - Recent Work, Japan | 11 comments

Red Thread Expectations cut-paper art by Patrick GannonThere’s a nice belief among the Japanese that everyone is connected to the person that they are destined to be with by a thin, invisible red thread.

Go ahead, take a moment to get comfy with “red” and “invisible” describing the same object. You can’t beat a good paradox.

I’ve always liked this red string of fate, just as I’ve always had a soft spot for the idea of soulmates. Destiny’s a funny thing, tho. It doesn’t always play by our rules, and alot can happen while you’re waiting for fate to untangle itself.

Illustration Friday: Red

The Temptation of Gleek

January 25, 2007 in Art - Recent Work, ` | 2 comments

The Temptation of Gleek cut-paper art by Patrick GannonWho could forget the daring adventures of that blue-skinned simian powerhouse, Gleek? Certainly not I! Like all true heroes, the saphire simian must come face-to-face with his greatest temptation (and no, it’s not blue bananas). Without Zan and Jayna to help him, can he possibly persevere?

Click the image to see it bigger. Wonder Twin powers ACTIVATE!

Illustration Friday – 80′s (Donkey Kong!)

January 18, 2007 in Art - Recent Work | 11 comments

Donkey Kong cut-paper art by Patrick GannonGrowing up in the 80′s, the good ol’ cathode ray tube burned a million images into my young, impressionably squishy brain. The worst offenders were the video games. I read once that they steal your dreams. It’s no lie. Play for long enough and all you’ll see when you close your eyes is pixelly goodness. Today’s games with their fancy graphics and cinematic cut-scenes and plots can’t hold a candle to the primary-colored power of Pac-Man, Joust or Pitfall!.

monkey faceDonkey Kong is right at home in the 80′s. He also fits my own personal theme for Illustration Friday this year. He’s had a bit of a makeover in the past few years, but I prefer his original flat charm to the new version with his three-dimensional pompadour.

Click the image to see gorilla-sized Kong.

亥年!!! The Year of the Boar Nengajyo

January 11, 2007 in Art - Recent Work, Japan, ` | 4 comments

Year of the Boar (inoshishi) nengajyoWelcome to the Year of the Boar. The custom in Japan is to send out New Year’s greeting cards (nengajyo to friends, family, business contacts. Beginning last year, I am trying to come up with a new design for each of the animals of the chinese zodiac (you can see my Dog Year Nengajyo here).

Traditionally nengayo designs are light and loose, often using gorgeous Japanese fude brushwork. Paper (and my own art style) lends itself to a denser, more colorful style of art. I also try to squeeze in a bit of concept where I can. I wanted to give this piece a cool and wintry feel, while at the same time implying the rebirth that comes with spring – hopefully in the same way that the boar will bring prosperity and renewed life. The bamboo is used as a symbol of flexibility and strength and as such is auspicious, as is the red sun.

The boar itself (inoshishi) makes a great, bold image. Of course, being born in the year of the boar might make me slightly biased. With a little math, you can figure out my age now. Any guessers?

An-Burger! (TWSNB no. 11,137)

January 5, 2007 in Japan | Add your comment

An-BurgerThe ad-line reads “甘くて、ほかほか、チイーズ入り!”, translating roughly into “Sweet, Hot, with Cheese!”, which made me want to run right into the shop and scarf down a couple of these An-Burgers. A steamy mix of Anko (red bean paste) on a bed of margerine and topped with a slice of cheese, this burger is the winter offering from a major fast-food joint in Tokyo. It comes as a relief that every person of every nationality I’ve shown this photo to has had the same reaction.

The An-Burger is the latest entry in “Things Which Should Never Be”, where it will hang its head in shame next to pizza with corn on it (which I consider a crime against humanity).