Quid Squid

Kraken Specimen 1a.

2012-02-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

More info to come soon....

Tweet Tweet

2011-11-29T16:30:00.000-08:00

So I gave in and started a Twitter account. If you are interested in following me go ahead follow @keithnoordzy

Here is something I did for the Zhu-Zhu Pets website last year. Also, check out the ninja sneak game and water cannon games, I did all the art for those...

GPK@1988

2011-09-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

Tonight. GPK. Gallery 1988.

Old garbage is now my new garbage

2011-08-08T09:24:00.000-07:00

Since it was somewhat announced, or hinted to (pretty obvious what it will be)

here are my 2 prints for the show.

Adam Bomb

Tommy Tomb

Here are the originals (yes I know the original Adam Bomb has him hitting a button...this is before video games and controllers)

G4TV does C4C5

2011-07-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Check out the video from G4TV covering the Crazy 4 Cult 5 opening.

Video Games - E3 2012

Crazy 4 Cult 5

2011-07-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

Check out what just came in the mail...

That's right, there's a Crazy 4 Cult book, and I am in it. Page 8, right up front. You can pick your copy up tomorrow at the gallery for Crazy 4 Cult 5 or at the book signing on Sunday at the gallery.

For those of you not in LA, you can always order your copy from Amazon.

And don't forget that in between those two dates, on Saturday, is the Harry Potter Tribute show at Gallery Nucleus.

My piece "All Roads Lead to the Shrieking Shack" is available now as part of an auction for the show. Check it out here as well as all the other awesome work up in the auction.

Kiki & Jiji

2011-06-26T17:29:00.000-07:00

My other piece for Crazy 4 Cult 5, coming up in less than 2 weeks, is inspired by the Studio Ghibli film Kiki's Delivery Service. Looks like Kiki decided to take a little vacation without Jiji.

Jiji Waits

Crazy 4 Cult 5 is full of horrors

2011-06-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

Crazy 4 Cult 5...

"The only thing more terrifying than the last 12 minutes of Suspiria are the first 92."

My new piece inspired by the great 70's italian horror film Suspiria. If you have not seen this one, I suggest you add it to your Netflix right now!

and as an added bonus for this years show, the Crazy 4 Cult book will be released (which my 2 previous Kevin Smith pieces will appear) with a signing by artists the following Sunday. Check out the fliers for both below.

up next, Kiki's Delivery Service...

Wet Hot American River Rescue

2011-06-10T11:59:00.000-07:00

Come check out the Wet Hot American Summer themed shot TONIGHT at Gallery 1988 in Venice. Apparently the director and some of the cast will be there for the opening, should be lots of fun.

the Gods Made Heavy Metal

2011-05-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

If you are in Chicago Saturday June 4, be sure to check out the Heavy Metal event of the decade! OhNo!Doom is having a metal tribute show including food, music, and artwork inspired by the metal.

Here is my piece inspired by Manowar (who may be cheesy, but are freakin amazing!)

Manowar Kills

For a better look at the actual piece click here

This will be a small digital print run of 15. Most of the prints will be for sale at the gallery and the few I have left over will go on my etsy.

FREE PRINTS!!!!!

2011-04-28T13:14:00.000-07:00

Click the links below to go to available artwork.
Etsy
OhNo!Doom

Any questions please email keith.noordzy@gmail.com

**New original artwork will be added to the etsy page in the next couple days, so check back**

the Boy Wizard/He Who Must Not Be Named

2011-04-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

another submission for the Harry Potter show at Gallery Nucleus.

neither can live while the other survives

Goodbye Chicago!

2011-04-06T09:33:00.000-07:00

Chicago was a fun town with some great things to see. Was a bit cold for Norm, but he braved it to check out the amazing Field Museum's dinosaur exhibit and Lincoln Park Zoo. He made lots of new friends (if you don't count the taxis) and hopes to come back someday soon.

Show at OhNo!Doom went over really well and people seemed to really enjoy "Norm the Alligator in the Time of the Dinosaurs." Hopefully I will be able to get more copies printed as soon I find a more cost effective way of making them. If you are interested in getting a copy when I am finally able to make them email me or leave a comment here so I can let you know when they are available.

In the meantime, if you are interested in purchasing an original piece from the book (as well as a few more that were in the show), click the image below to be taken to the gallery store.

Today is the day "I'm going to see the DINOSAURS!"

2011-04-02T09:51:00.001-07:00

Yup, the day has come, and Norm has been looking forward to it for as long as he can remember. The museum downtown is having their grand opening tonight from 6-10p, so come meet Norm and enjoy the show.

All info can be found at OhNo!Doom

Norm in the Time of the DINOSAURS

I've also been trying to keep a big surprise, but for those in attendance you will be able to see Norm's adventures with the dinosaurs in his own children's book. That's right, I made 4 copies of "Norm the Alligator in the Time of the DINOSAURS" and one will be available to look through during the time the show is up. All the Norm pieces in the show are the originals to the book and for sale, unfortunately the book is not for sale at this point. If anyone knows a children's book publisher you should tell them all about it so Norm can travel the world and meet many new people. (HINT HINT)

Tomorrow is the big day!

2011-04-01T08:50:00.001-07:00

That's right, tomorrow is Norm's big day! Show is hung and waiting for all the visitors OhNo!Doom can hold. So, if you are free between the hours of 6-10p and live in Chicago you should come down and enjoy the story that Norm has to tell. As you can see Norm was up all night hanging the show and making sure everything was just perfect, so he needs to rest before the opening.

Sleepy Egg

Tomorrow

Chicago

2011-03-31T16:18:00.001-07:00

Norm has landed in Chicago, no need for pterodactyl air. Tonights entertainment...

Monster Jam

Fly Pterodactyl

2011-03-30T17:33:00.001-07:00

I leave for Chicago tomorrow to attend Beast Friends at OhNo!Doom, and if by chance I happen to miss my flight I have a back-up plan.

Pterodactyl Getaway

Hanging with the stegosaur

2011-03-29T18:35:00.001-07:00

Dinosaurs like to play too. What a perfect combination.

Stegosaur Play

Norm loves his Dinosaurs

2011-03-28T20:58:00.000-07:00

Day 3 meaning 5 more days until Beast Friends opens at OhNo!Doom in Chicago.

You know what Norm's favorite things in the world are??? DINOSAURS!!!

Norm and His Brontosaur Toy

Smallest dinosaurs ever

2011-03-27T18:41:00.001-07:00

Second image to get you ready for Beast Friends this coming Saturday at OhNo!Doom

The Dinobytes were a friendly bunch and millions of years later they can still be found together.

Dinobyte Fossils

One week till OhNo!Doom

2011-03-26T22:04:00.001-07:00

Only one week until Beast Friends opens at OhNo!Doom in Chicago. I will be in attendance with my very beast friend Kali Meadows.

From now until the opening of the show I will be posting an image a day...so here you go

Monster Sing-along
(this is my version of one of Kali's monsters for the show. I know you can't wait to see her version of Norm she did!)

Beast Friends Forever!

2011-02-18T11:41:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars because Beast Friends with Kali Meadows will open at OhNo!Doom in Chicago on April 2nd. Tons of new pieces and a very special appearance by Norm the Alligator that no one will want to miss! If you are in the area come check it out.

UPDATE on the Garbage Pail Kids set...looks like it will be released as a birthday present to me...look for the set February 23.

Garbage Pail Kids

2011-02-14T09:47:00.001-08:00

Look for packs of Garbage Pail Kids Flashback Series II in the months ahead. I was one of 5 Gallery 1988 artists selected to create 200 atombomb sketch cards to be randomly inserted into the packs. I don't have much information, but as soon as I hear more I will post what I can.

Here's some more info http://members.tripod.com/garbage_pail_kids/

just a couple of wavy lines...

2011-02-10T22:44:00.000-08:00

Been planning on keeping pieces for my April show under wraps, but I just can't help posting stuff. Here is an in-progress image of my newest piece before I add the color. I like it as it is, but for it to fit with the rest of my pieces it needs the color. Anyways, enjoy Norm's trip to the museum.

and for all you facebook users out there, I have a new page just for my artwork.

stay tuned for some big stuff coming in the next couple weeks...

New prints availiable NOW!

2011-02-07T15:24:00.000-08:00

Buzz, your girlfriend...

2011-01-17T07:23:00.000-08:00

Just finished up this piece for a show coming up next month. Inspired by the John Hughes film "Home Alone."

WOOF!

All Roads Lead to the Shrieking Shack

2010-12-09T10:37:00.001-08:00

Gallery Nucleus is doing a Harry Potter blog (similar to the Where the Wild Things Are blog from a year or two ago) which will eventually have a show next year. Here is my submission for the blog.

Coupon code KRAKEN

2010-12-01T09:35:00.001-08:00

the not so happy tree

2010-11-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

And all the info you need to know...

Nerri

2010-10-10T21:05:00.000-07:00

Tokyo can wait...

2010-09-20T18:14:00.001-07:00

I would consider myself a pretty big Godzilla fan...Gojira for the perfectionists.

So, here is my new piece for the upcoming Monsters vs. Robots show at OhNoDoom! in Chicago. A duel of the ages as Godzilla faces off against Mecha-Godzilla in an epic game of checkers.

Sale of Godly Proportions!

2010-08-30T21:54:00.000-07:00

The show God's & Monsters show at OhNoDoom! is done and over...And if you would like to pick some pieces up at a cheaper price, well now is your time!!! All the pieces left over from the show are now 15% off. This discount won't last long, so hurry up, there's still a few pieces left.

Some news coming up of EPIC proportions too...so stay tuned!

new store

2010-07-05T08:54:00.001-07:00

I have a new store in the form of an Etsy account. Check out the links to the right or use this nifty little button below to check out the store. I put some prints up for some very affordable prices.

Funny till the end

2010-06-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

Finished all my pieces for a show coming up in July. The theme for the show was to make my spin on any comic strips, but put them in a different situation than their norm. 2 of my pieces are based on Peanuts and the 3rd on Hagar the Horrible...but their futures don't look so positive. Hope to see you there...

Linus and the Sea Squid

the Last Stand of Charlie Brown

Hagar's Horrible End

iPhone 4 wallpapers

2010-06-24T15:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some iPhone 4 formatted wallpapers for you to use behind your app icons or login screen.

Right click either image and select "Save As" to save the file to your computer.
On iPhone hold finger over image and save the file into your photos.

...coming soon...

2010-06-02T20:10:00.001-07:00

Hagar's Horrible End

2010-05-18T12:30:00.001-07:00

My first completed piece for a show at AWG in Culver City coming up in July. Show is called "Off the Strip."

Gods for sale...

2010-05-08T09:11:00.000-07:00

anyone interested in purchasing pieces from the Gods & Monsters show at OhNoDoom! can do so by clicking on the image below...

hello Chicago

2010-05-01T21:52:00.000-07:00

Norm Joined the Navy...but missed the boat to Chicago

2010-04-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Gods & Monsters at Oh No Doom!. Everyone should go.

Due to an important last minute family related issue I had to decide what was more important at the time, so I will be unable to attend the opening. I apologize to those hoping I would be there, but it was something that could not be rescheduled. I do hope everyone understands and please know I do hope to make it out to Chicago sometime. Maybe for another show? hmmmm?

Here's a new Norm image...

Last of the Greeks

2010-04-09T21:13:00.001-07:00

Last 3 pieces for Gods & Monsters at Oh No Doom! in Chicago.

Herc vs. the Hydra

Release the Kraken

Clash of the Kraken

G&M poster

2010-04-06T14:34:00.001-07:00

Zeus' head in the clouds

2010-04-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

Zeus, God of Thunder

Gods and Monsters

2010-03-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

Medusa, Beheaded

All greek to me...

2010-03-20T18:00:00.000-07:00

First 2 pieces for my show at Oh No Doom! on May 1 in Chicago.

the Calydonian Boar

Charon, Ferryman of the River Styx

Ferryman of the River Styx

2010-03-15T17:22:00.000-07:00

Ash is having a design contest to do a shirt for their upcoming tour. Here are my submissions:

Skeletor atop his throne

2009-12-12T18:57:00.000-08:00

Here is a piece for an upcoming show at Gallery 1988 in January. You have seen the progression shots, now here is the final piece.

Skeletor Atop a Throne of Skulls

NotCot

2009-12-11T15:07:00.000-08:00

My Man-made Disaster pieces are featured over on NotCot.com right now (thanks Jackson for pointing this out). Check it out:

Paper Pushers

2009-12-11T10:20:00.000-08:00

Paper Pushers show is up for everyone to see.

Gallery 1988: SF - Paper Pushers 2009

Paper Pushers: tomorrow

2009-12-10T10:37:00.001-08:00

Paper Pushers show is tomorrow. Here are the pieces (I am including the prices in case anyone is interested in making a purchase).

Man-made Disaster: Study i -$300

Man-made Disaster: Study ii - $200

Man-made Disaster: Study iii - $300

Man-made Disaster: Study CLASSIFIED - $300

I've seen the edge of the world - $350

the Mastermind (Contemplation) - $400

Norm on Tricycle - $200

Lionel in Wagon (Oooh look, a snail!) - $200

If you are interested in any of the above pieces please sign up for Gallery 1988:SF's newsletter and contact them. Gallery 1988

Rollin' with Norm and Lionel

2009-11-16T10:45:00.000-08:00

Final 2 pieces for Paper Pushers are completed. Here are Norm and Lionel on their wheels...

Norm on tricycle

Oooh look a snail!

the Mastermind (contemplation)

2009-11-14T12:22:00.000-08:00

Norm Fan Art

2009-11-02T09:42:00.000-08:00

Norm received an envelope full of fan art this weekend, here is a peak at my nephew's interpretation of Norm the Alligator.

-William Antonio (Age 5)

Paper Pushers

2009-10-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

Here is the postcard for the Paper Pushers show in San Francisco on December 11. Show is at Gallery 1988 SF. If you are in the area, you should stop by and check it out.

This will be my second time showing there, but I hope there will be more to come. Wish I could make it up for this, too. Oh well, maybe next time.

Sorry to the lonely tree

2009-10-26T10:35:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I forgot to post one of the tree images I scanned this weekend. And not just any tree, he's a lonely tree at the edge of the world.

Case Studies

2009-10-25T08:34:00.001-07:00

And here are 2 from my show back in January.

the Wishing Tree

Old Souls

torpedo ride

2009-10-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

One more image for the Man Made Disaster series. Ever wonder what happens when a torpedo doesn't hit it's intended target?

that's one big jellyfish

2009-10-21T09:44:00.000-07:00

Another image in the series I am now calling "Man Made Disasters".

Giant Squid vs Nuclear Submarine?

2009-10-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

Here is the second part to my giant metal robot squid vs. whale piece I posted yesterday. Posting all the pics so you see them together.

Norm enjoying a nice day out for a bikeride

2009-10-19T10:02:00.001-07:00

Here is a piece I've been wanting to do for a little bit now. This will be accompanied by Lionel in a wagon.

If you are wondering why I've been taking photos with my camera instead of scanning them...it's easier, faster, and my scanner is not too big...better images will come soon.

Giant metal squids?

2009-10-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

Another new piece today, this is actually part of a 2 part piece where it will have a dueling side...you will have to wait to see the other half.

Waiting on the edge of the world

2009-10-17T22:17:00.000-07:00

Realized I am getting close to a deadling for a show due in November, so here is the first of a few that I will be turning in for Paper Pushers in San Francisco...

out for a walk

2009-10-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

Started on my companion piece to the skulls piece. Inked the character, but still have a bigger part to complete. Here is what I have on it so far. No I have not abandoned the other piece, they are going to use the same color palette, so I will be painting them together.

Monster Colony logo

2009-10-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

I just finished up a first attempt on a logo for a friend. Based on their description and a rough sketch this is what the my final product looks like. They seem to like it, so hopefully it actually is final...

Extinctasaurus Rex back from extinction (well sorta)

2009-10-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

I did a show earlier this year where I received a wooden Illazilla and had to customize. I instantly knew what I wanted to do...so for those of you that missed out on Extinctasaurus Rex, here he is in his glory/demise. You may also head over to http://www.hippoe.com/page4/page37/page37.html to make him your very own for $250. If you would like to see other pieces from the show check out this link

Color Studies

2009-10-05T13:46:00.001-07:00

Tried a couple color studies, not sure which background I like yet. Any comments?

A big pile o' skulls

2009-10-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

Inking and detail is finished. Next up, color studies...this could be the hardest part of the piece. Halfway to the finish though...

When I close my eyes, all I see are skulls...

2009-10-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

Started inking and putting some detail in.

That's a lot of freakin' skulls!

2009-10-02T10:03:00.001-07:00

Well, done with the linework, and a lot of skulls. Now onto inking, here comes the fun part...

More Skulls

2009-10-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

More work on my new piece last night. Added more skulls. Can't wait to start inking this one :)

Skulls, Skulls, skulls

2009-09-30T09:45:00.000-07:00

Started on a new piece last night, here are some images. Will have more information in the future, but not just yet. Click on the images to see a larger view.

Kraken and Whale could be yours today!

2009-09-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

keithnoordzy.bigcartel.com

There are a bunch of new pieces for sale in the store this morning. These are mainly pieces from the Kraken & Kraten show I did with Aaron Kraten back in January. You will see a bunch of new Kraken Attackin' pieces along with his new best friend Whale of a Tail.

I have a bunch of new stuff in the works that I will be bringing to you shortly. Hope you enjoy the new pieces...enough to put them in your apt/house maybe?

Pieces priced to move!

2009-09-24T15:50:00.000-07:00

I have a pile of paintings sitting at my house and another friend's house. I decided I need to start getting rid of some of these...some fall cleaning of sorts. Anyways, head over to my store and see if there are any pieces you are interested in. I have lowered the prices on some of them drastically.

http://keithnoordzy.bigcartel.com/

If anyone is interested in any pieces on my website or blog as prints please contact me. I will be selling 13" x 19" prints on high quality paper for $75 (the 2 prints for sale in my store are already framed for this same price. Only 1 available each on those though, so get them while you can.) Just email me with the piece name and I will get back to you.

Email: keith.noordzy@gmail.com

"Now Playing" is Now Playing

2009-09-18T15:49:00.000-07:00

Just to let everyone know, the movie poster show at Gallery 1988: San Francisco is up online now. I prices my piece relatively low, so if anyone is interested in picking up their own Beverly Hills Cop poster with his new partner of Kraken Attackin' head on over to http://1988playing.blogspot.com/ for more info. Some really great pieces in the show too, wish I could have made it up for he opening. It's been a couple years since I was last up in SF, so it might be time for a visit shortly.

Enjoy the pieces, I had a lot of fun doing this one.

I never use Facebook

2009-09-17T11:15:00.001-07:00

I have made it easier for people to follow my posts by making it so anything I post here is also posted to Facebook. Anyone reading this should go to the bottom of the right column and follow it so I don't look really sad being the only person following my own blog :(

a banana in the tailpipe

2009-08-23T23:21:00.000-07:00

Have my first show at Gallery 1988: San Francisco coming up in September. If you remember last year I did a show at the Los Angeles gallery where we painted on album covers. This show is similar, but movie posters. I received the Beverly Hills Cop poster to customize, and here is the result. Wish I was able to make it up for the show, but I cannot. Maybe next one.

The next show after this will be Paper Pushers at G1988:SF as well, and then the He-Man show at G1988:LA. I'm really looking forward to doing my pieces for both of these shows.

I saw District-9 the other day, and before the film they showed the Avatar trailer. I really do not get why people are calling this revolutionary or the future of film. The cg in D-9 looked so much more realistic than anything in the entire Avatar trailer. D-9 cost a fraction of what Avatar cost to make and took less time to make. Avatar reminded me of the first Final Fantasy film, which isn't too promising.

Crazy 4 Cult 3D - the end

2009-08-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

G4 posted their coverage of Crazy 4 Cult 3D this year. I did a small interview, and you can even get a rare glimpse of my long-time friend Lauren Gregg who came out from Georgia for the show (her stuff sold, mine didn't).

Video Games - E3 2009 - Movies

2 more shows for the year coming up:

Movie poster show at Gallery 1988 in San Francisco
Paper Pushers at Gallery 1988 in San Francisco

and then coming in January I will have 2 pieces in the He-Man show at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles. looking forward to all 3.

Crazy 4 Cult 3D Kraken style

2009-07-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

Crazy 4 Cult 3D is coming up this week! Huge list of artists with some amazing pieces, just like is expected every year. For my second piece I referenced one of my favorite films, the Goonies.

"Yeah, the octopus was really scary!" explains Data towards the end of the film. Ever wonder what he's talking about? The deleted scenes, or if you watch it on the Disney Channel, will clear that up.

So here is Kraken Attackin' doing his best to portray this scene in the Goonies...well sort of.

Crazy 4 Cult 3D is this Thursday night at Gallery 1988 with special guest Weird Al Yankovic! (I'll be there getting my Weird Al boxset "Al in a Box" signed!) Opening reception is from 7-10.

crazy 4 al

2009-06-26T10:11:00.001-07:00

Crazy 4 Cult (in it's 3rd year) is coming up next month and the special guest will be Weird Al Yankovic, being that it is the 20th Anniversary of UHF. So here is my first painting for the show, "Al of the Dead" compiling UHF with my all-time favorite horror film, Dawn of the Dead. I might need to take a better shot of it, but here you are for now.

i heart it too

2009-06-22T13:58:00.001-07:00

Someone liked my Extinctasaurus Rex custom wood Illazilla enough to heart it at http://weheartit.com

check out the link below so you can heart it too and let people know you are a fan :)

http://weheartit.com/entry/490205

a Quid of Squid

2009-05-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

i purchased a new domain last week, so now you just need to go to www.Quid-Squid.com. you can still use the old url, but it will just take you to the same place.

now, i just need to make some header artwork.

me and mr belding

2009-05-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

i know i haven't posted much lately, just been taking some time off. need to start my Crazy 4 Cult 3D pieces soon, so expect those in the near future. in the mean time, here is a photo of me and Dennis Haskins, AKA Mr Belding from Saved By The Bell, at the Idiot Box show last month.

still for sale

2009-04-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

I have a couple pieces up for sale in galleries right now, click on the links to check them out and make a purchase if you are interested.

Kraken Transportin' customized IGW Bear

Extinctasaurus Rex customized wooden Illazilla

Kraken in a Kraken in a Kraken in a Kraken in a Kraken customized wooden nesting dolls (will have a picture of this up soon)

also have the "Play Along with the Snorks" piece up at Gallery 1988

Kraken Transportin'

2009-04-08T10:21:00.001-07:00

Here is my piece for a show in San Francisco coming up this weekend. Flier and info is located below. Patrick runs Rocketworld, he gave me my very first gallery showing.

Swim along with the Snorks...

2009-03-23T10:05:00.001-07:00

Completed my piece for the Idiot Box show at Gallery 1988 this weekend. I originally had a couple other pieces in mind, but I was unable to complete those...hopefully there will be an Idiot Box 2.

Anyways, here is my Snorks inspired piece. Enjoy. I will have a couple other pieces coming tonight or tomorrow or soon.

work work work

2009-03-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

So you might wonder what i do when i'm not drawing squids and dinosaurs and whatever else it is i draw. i work...i work like crazy...and many hours, too. i work at a video game company in Pacific Palisades as the Lead Graphic Artist in marketing...yup, not just a graphic artist, but a lead graphic artist ;) i do the newsletter, animated comic, all the flash banners you might see online, and whatever other promotional stuff we need. i enjoy my job, i get to do stuff i love...and they like my art :) my boss owns my Taking Tree painting from last december. i work with some good people too.

we have a game coming out in a couple weeks called Freaky Creatures. so if you would like to see some of the work i've done to promote it check out the images below.

click here if you want to order it, the more people that buy it the longer i get to keep my job and the more drawing i get to do :) so yeah, i'm posting a link. it's $10 till friday.

Kraken and Kraten show review (OC WEEKLY)

2009-02-26T14:56:00.001-08:00

Check out this review of Kraken and Kraten with myself and Aaron Kraten down at the Box Gallery in Costa Mesa. Remember the show is still up for you to check out until March 7.

http://www.ocweekly.com/2009-02-26/culture/kraken-keith-noordzy-aaron-kraten-box-gallery

See Creatures
Aaron Kraten’s stylish sirens don’t leave much of an impression, but Keith Noordzy’s charming sea monsters will follow you home, Sid & Marty Krofft-style

In the nifty, white-walled dimensions of the Box gallery—which serves double duty as boutique hair salon Splitends—you’re never more than a few inches from mixed-media artist Aaron Kraten’s smears of color. The twisty-twirly, finger-painted teal, green, brown and blue and the upraised surfaces of the work all beg to be stroked or, at the very least, gone over with a magnifying glass to catch all the details. Containing an overwhelming amount of visual information, his fever dream of pensive emo girls (and a few boys), tumor-like electronic equipment, buttons scavenged off remote controls, newsprint, black-and-white photos, and random digits is an Ikea instruction sheet run amok, all images and lines and numbers. While an understanding of graffiti and skateboard cultures will help sort out his influences, you have to wade through the work on your own.

But here’s the problem: Kraten’s art doesn’t really exist outside itself. It sits on the “canvas”—be it wood blocks, skateboard decks or storage trunks—and it doesn’t go anywhere. Aside from the Beatles lyrics, Naked Lunch references or Arthur Koestler titles, his art is entirely self-contained. It isn’t a jumping-off point to grander ideas or other imagery as you ponder it or view other art. It’s autotelic, a means unto itself. You walk away. It doesn’t follow.

His women are another issue. Spindle-waisted; claw-handed; fond of stripes, tattoos and tights; their faces blank, with only the occasional closed eye or pursed lips to suggest features, Kraten’s iconic leggy lasses are there to be looked at but not communicated with. The male viewer may look at them to his heart’s content without fear they’ll catch his eye or speak to him. That full Angelina Jolie mouth isn’t for talking.

Objectification? Maybe, but I suspect it’s like any fetish: something so abstract and wrapped up in personal baggage it simply can’t transcend the world of the creator’s own mind. That’s fine when you’re masturbating—and I say that without snark—but not so great if your goal is communication.

Happily, Johnny Sampson, the curator for “Kraken and Kraten With Aaron Kraten and Keith Noordzy,” loves dichotomy—his next show will be split between images of heaven and hell—so it’s a pleasant surprise after Kraten’s urban cool to find Noordzy’s work, which couldn’t be more different. His playful pen-and-ink drawings of sea life playing dress up and cavorting underwater are humorous and unique, each moment telling its own little story.

Historically, krakens were giant, squid-like sea monsters strong enough to drown whales. They’d sweep in under a ship, crush it with their enormous tentacles, and then chew on the unfortunate sailors with their large, chicken-like beaks. (Think Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy.) Noordzy’s apostrophe-like krakens grin at the viewer with a mouthful of sharp teeth, but they have more in common with mischievous children than anything lethal.

For example, the picture Kraken and Whale: BFF has the mythological enemy and a Moby Dick stand-in smiling in friendship, Kraken’s tentacle resting over Whale’s “shoulder.” In Kraken and Whale at Play, the black monster and gray whale are at opposite sides, a yin-yang swimming in the blue. A triptych on one wall—Sleepy Squid Finds New Friend, Sleepy Squid and Sleeping Friend and Sleepy Squid Is Happy Squid—in which a wall-eyed purple squid discovers a lost brown kitten, begs the question, “How is that cat breathing underwater?” But it is so sweet in its sentimental simplicity it charmed this cynical bastard.

His pictures of monstrous trees are something else altogether. Smooth lines awash in gray, these aren’t grumpy Wizard of Oz trees pitching apples at Dorothy or sacrificing their lumber to buy your love. These rotted trunks have malicious souls. In his answer to Shel Silverstein, The Wishing Tree, Noordzy has drawn a dark gash in the tree trunk, knots on either side of the “face,” the branches upheld fingers pointed at the sky, waiting to snatch and devour anything that might land there . . . and the tree’s beady wooden orbs are trained in your direction.

Screw Frog and Toad Are Friends. Give me some darkness amid that light.

To paraphrase Stephen King’s introduction of Clive Barker oh-so-many years ago: I have seen the future of children’s literature, and his name is ?Keith Noordzy.

“Kraken and Kraten with Aaron Kraten and Keith Noordzy” at the Box gallery, 765 Saint Clair, Ste. B, Costa Mesa, (714)-724-4633; www.boxboxbox.com. Open Tues.-Sat., 11a.m.-8p.m. Through March 7.

extinctasaurus rex

2009-02-25T10:02:00.000-08:00

a couple months ago i hinted at a show i had coming up that i was extremely excited about. only thing i showed were the blueprints for what it was. well, it turned out to be a tour of shows and i have finished my piece. here you go :)

and here is the info on the show...

Friday March 6 - 6PM - 9PM @ APW, Gallery Queens NY
Friday Mach 20 - 6PM - 10PM @ Laved, Las Vegas, NV
Saturday April 4 - 3PM - 10PM @ Meltdown Comics, Los Angeles, CA
Saturday Aptil 18 - 6PM - 9PM @ Prototype, Aiea, HI

hope to see some people out here at the Meltdown show...

birfday krakens

2009-02-24T12:06:00.000-08:00

Birthday was yesterday, had a good trip to Disneyland. Hasn't been much to update, moved into a new apartment in el segundo, and working on a couple up-coming shows. Until i have those images up, here is the amazing Kraken Kake that julianne made me for my birthday :)

ps. everyone should comment so she knows what a great job she did ;)

Kraken and Kraten - the Aftermath

2009-01-21T10:41:00.000-08:00

Kraken and Kraten was a success, there was a great turnout and thank you to anyone that came out for it! Here are some pictures, sorry they're a little late.

el Fin

2009-01-03T19:56:00.000-08:00

i finished the last of my pieces for my show with aaron kraten at the Box in costa mesa on January 17.

here are a few samples...
(images that are clickable may be viewed at a larger size)

Dead Krakens Tell No Tales

Robo-Kraken

Kraken Warrior

Whale and Kraken

Kraken and Whale: BFF

T-Wrecks '09

2008-12-29T18:13:00.000-08:00

got the invite on a show i was hoping to be part of this coming year...no info on it yet, but here is a little sneak peak before the new year...

january 17 - Kraken & Kraten

2008-12-28T13:27:00.000-08:00

2 person show with Aaron Kraten at the Box Gallery in Costa Mesa. Come see all new Kraken Attackin' and his new friend Whale of a Tail (plus some other stuff).

a special holiday wish from someone special!

2008-12-18T21:51:00.000-08:00

Kraken Attackin' would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas next week. I will be leaving to go back to florida on Saturday so I wouldn't have the time to post this while I'm away.

say hello to sleepy squid and his sleepy friend :)

2008-12-11T23:36:00.000-08:00

wee-beasties vs. beastie boys

2008-12-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

finished my pieces for the Beastie Boys tribute show at Gallery 1988 in January. should be a big show, last year they did a tribute to comic icon Stan Lee and it was HUGE! this year shouldn't be any different. so without further delay, here are the Wee-Beastie Boys...

Wee-Beastie Boys: the Early Years

Wee-Beastie Boys: the Intergalactic Years

can no one be original anymore?

2008-12-04T14:37:00.000-08:00

a friend sent this to me yesterday, it's sad that hard working illustrators don't get noticed, but those that rip off someone else's work are the first to get noticed, yet glamorized and not punished...

here are 2 links for your enjoyment...

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/12/03/emily-the-strange-is.html
http://youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com/blog3/?p=1701#comment-26548

is the world ready for the wee-beastie boys?

2008-12-03T15:11:00.000-08:00

my first show of 2009 will be at Gallery 1988 on La Brea and Melrose. this show is gonna be HUGE. you might remember last years show in tribute to Stan Lee, this one will be bigger. anyways i will have 2 new pieces for the show, that is all i can tell you now. here is the flier, if you click on it you can see the bigger version with readable text :)

Leagues are a distance across, not deep. Fathoms are a distance down.

2008-11-23T23:42:00.000-08:00

last piece for the december show at alpha cult. this one inspired by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

the taking tree meets mommy's monster

2008-11-05T19:17:00.001-08:00

here are some previews for you. the first is for the show this weekend at Alpha Cult.

Mommy's Little Monster (click to view the larger version of this...)

the second is the new piece for my show in December (also at Alpha Cult). enjoy...

the Taking Tree