Mr. Chicken Wants to Get Hurt!!!

um, sometimes... ;) Naturally, this one was inspired by the classic 80's movie, "Say Anything."...I mean, hey-- ya gotta love Lloyd Dobbler. That guy was SOOOOO in love with Dianne Courte...It makes me happy that this kind of love still kind of exists in the world :)

Simple Together

this one just kills me. seriously-- it's one of my all time You Tube favorites....it's so lovely and melancholy at the same time. I think it touches on human emotions we all feel, but perhaps cannot always express...I've been watching this one for a few years now...makes me wonder...hmm....don't forget those you love, even if it hurts :) Even if it doesn't work, it doesn't mean you didn't grow...

The Notorious Alpha Chicken...

Some time back I had an idea for a "B" series...you know, something along the lines of "Miss Chicken." ...and then I was thinking perhaps there should be an "adult" series!...something along the lines of Kama Sutra chicken or something...maybe this fits into the category of B.5?....It's based on a sketch I did of Betty Page on a coffee bag...way back in WI when I was working at this coffee shop in Madison called Cuppa Jo...I randomly started sketching Betty Page because there was a cool photo of her in the paper-- and an empty coffee bag was the nearest paper like substance...I then made a chicken out of it, as this decorated coffee bag was the first thing I came across while in search of chicken ideas...so there ya have it! :)

Mr. Chicken Opens up a Can of Whoop Ass!!!

...'Cause sometimes that's what ya gotta doo!!! (and sometimes its fun to take things literally :) ...I came up with the idea for this guy a year or two ago-- glad I finally finished it! This is an original gouache painting measuring 2.5 by 3.5 inches-- it's an artist's trading card!!!! (but I framed it in an 8 by 10 frame-- couldn't help myself :)http://youtu.be/8QJiAK-s5a0

It's Not a chicken, it's a Crow!

At least for the day...thought I would pay an homage to one of my favorite movies-- The Crow :) I enjoy how darkly romantic it is...I mean, if someone comes back to evenge your death, like after death, and then wants to be with you for all eternity, even when you are both dead-- it's kinda hot!!!Hope you like the drawing! It was done in pen and ink

The Lovely Bones

I saw this movie last year. I must admit it tugged on my heartstrings in a certain way...and this song kills me. There is something about the mixture of imagery and music that can get ya every time! (makes ya wanna paint or draw)! ...or something...

The Moment I Held You Here Was the Best of All

Here's the latest chicken!!!! This one was created using graphite, and was based on a dream I had. In the dream I was standing on someone's porch. I'm not sure who it belonged to, but it was a white, wooden house, with a gray wooden floor. It was very nostalgic, slightly worn, but oddly charming and beautiful. In front of me was an empty boat, and above it was a sign that read, "The moment I held you here was the best moment of all." And then there was an arrow, pointing to a little sign of the boat. In the dream the boat was empty. For the picture I created, I added the chickens :) The whole thing kind of reminded me of the movie, "The Notebook."

La Venus de Pollo!!!

Here's the latest! It's an original gouache painting...I think it's about 4.5 by 7 or 8 inches...I will need to go back and measure ;)

Lately I've been into putting the chicken into classic paintings, so the Venus definitely seemed appropriate! I matted it up and framed it in a lovely 9 by 12 inch black frame. The original is in my studio, and up for grabs currently. I need to list the prints on Etsy! :)

Mr. Chicken is now on t-shirts! :D

Yup, the chicken is spreading his wings!!! Right now is the "experiment" phase to see what kind of chicken merchandise people are interested in. (And also which images). Here are a few t-shirts I now have available via my etsy shop, mrchicken.etsy.com. I recently acquired more shirts with a wider variety of images, as well-- (Mona Lisa Chicken, The Scream, Blue Guitar Player, Vitruvian, etc...), but I still need to photograph them! I plan on doing a photoshoot this weekend if all goes according to plan, so those should be available soon as well! (they can currently be purchased in my studio). On a side note-- taking these pics was a blast!

Mr. Chicken Has a Blue Period...

I decided on this title because it works on many levels! (if ya think about it :) Prints are available on my Etsy sight, as well as in my studio

New Merchandise at Mr. Chicken!

The chicken is now on keychains and t-shirts!!! The keychains in the pic here are currently listed in my etsy store, and there will be more arriving this week. (think Mona Lisa Chicken and Karate chicken keychains)! In addition, I will at some point be listing the t-shirts-- I just need to hunt down some of my friends to help model them-- it's hard to take pictures of yourself! The shirts are currently in my studio though :) And if you want those keychains-- just look on the right side of the screen for the Mr. Chicken Etsy link!

The Death of Me

That's what I am calling this latest surreal piece! It was created with watercolor, gouache, and also irridescent medium. I'll spare ya the details on this one, but it's basically about how you can lose yourself in relationships, or potential relationships. As humans we sometimes get so wrapped up in others, and trying to please others, that we forget about our own needs, and part of us dies. Interesting how that happens...reproduction prints are available in my Etsy shop!

Now You See Them

I just love this band! They're home base is Asheville, NC, but I saw them at the Sentinent Bean in Savannah, GA. I hope they come back! Otherwise I might have to go to Asheville for another concert. What wonderful, happy music!

Coming to a t-shirt near you!

The time has come-- Mr. Chicken is now on t-shirts! (courtesy of zazzle.com :) I am starting with a few images, but will definitely add more! I'm thinking baby onesies as well, and perhaps some doggie clothes!


make custom gifts at Zazzle

That Which Keeps me Afloat Prevents Me From Learning To Swim

Originally uploaded by mjohnso

So lately I've been a major phase of transformation...Making various changes and coming to certain realizations. I had a rather symbolic dream relating to this, and am considering creating a work of art based on it.

In the dream I was in a contraption similar to the kid in this picture. I had both an inner tube and waterwings, and was trying to swim forward. Progress was slow though, and it occured to me I might be able to swim a bit more freely and naturally, and successfully if I didn't have the "extra help" of the floatation devices.

When I woke up it seemed pretty obvious-- I need to "learn to swim" on my own...we will see how it goes...

Things That Changed Other Things: Molly :)

This is another image I created for The Sketchbook Project. It's an homage to Molly, my former dog :) She is still alive and well, but lives with my former roommate as she belonged to him first. Anyway...having a dog definitely changed things, and for the better. People often say having a dog is like having a kid. I have no kids, so I have no idea if this is true, but I enjoyed caring for her...Also, it did up the level of responsibility a bit, which I didn't mind at all-- and in fact, kind of liked. I think the best thing about having a dog is/was unconditional love. She is a sweet and, loving girl, and always happy to see people. It's too bad humans aren't more like that...