Monster with Cat Drawing in Prismacolor Pencils

Every once in a while, someone contacts me with an idea that possesses an appropriate level of weirdness. If you are in a line of work which requires you to create based on a client's requests, then you know that many ideas are...let's say "different", than what you would create on your own. This is the main reason that I put down my tattoo machines a few years ago and made the complete transition to drawing and painting. Let's face it: there are a lot of bad ideas out there. I'm not saying that all of mine are great. In fact, I beat my ideas up all the time. Just ask my wife. Many of them either end up in the trash or in a folder that I go back to when I need a fresh perspective, but you learn to take the bad with the good.

Now before I go any further, if you have ever pitched a commission to me and I accepted it, then I am not talking about you. If I did the commission, then I liked the idea. Furthermore, if I did not do the commission it doesn't mean I didn't like your idea. Most if the time I say "no" it's because I really just don't have the time or I'm in a funk and know that you wouldn't get my best work.

This Cat and Monster piece was pitched to me by a collector who already had a couple of originals from me. She was familiar with my style and her sister is a fan of my monsters. I was asked to create a monster based on another one I had done in the past, and she asked if there was any way I could add a cat. This was all the direction she gave so I was free to play around with it. The image above is what I came up with for her. It's a 9"x12" piece made with Prismacolor pencils on illustration board.

If you feel so inclined, follow along on Instagram for in-progress pics and giveaways.
~Bryan

Adopt-a-Monster #3

If you owned a wagon as a kid and had access to sloped pavement you probably tried racing the wagon at some point. I've flipped quite a few in my time. These dangerously exciting experiences, combined with my early love of Robert Williams, R. Crumb, and Ed Roth, have given birth to this little illustration. If this guy is still available for adoption, you can get him HERE.

Live fast, ride hard,

Bryan

Mini Monster Paintings

If you have a Facebook page you've probably been tagged in some sort of challenge at some point or another. I was recently challenged by a fellow artist to create three pieces of art a day for five days. I replied that I was lucky to finish three in a week, but decided to shoot for three in one day and see how it went. Although they are very small pieces, I pulled it off with a few fuzzy monsters painted on wood. They are now available for adoption in my online shop at http://www.bryancollins.etsy.com

Purchase at http://www.bryancollins.etsy.com

Due to commissions, upcoming exhibits, and life's distractions I won't be continuing the challenge, but at least it pushed me to produce these three new works.

God bless ~ Bryan

It's Cozy Up Here

This painting titled "It's Cozy Up Here" has just made its way back to my studio after being exhibited at Art Whino and is now available in my online shop HERE. Let me know if you think I should paint more monsters. I've mostly been doing them in ACEO (2.5"x3.5") size lately.

Bryan

Mystery Monster 06 Video

One half of the June 28th Mystery Monsters are colored! I recorded the 6th of 12 being made and posted it on my YouTube channel in time-lapse. This is a little more than four hours of coloring condensed into just over 6 minutes.

This and eleven other original monster drawings will be released on June 28th, 2013. See this post for more details.

12 Mystery Monsters on June 28th

The time is near. On June 28th, 2013 I am releasing a dozen mystery monsters with madness on their minds. Each original monster is full-colored pencil on 2.5"x3.5" (baseball card size) illustration board and come in an archival acrylic frame. Each colored monster comes with an original blue sketch of a different monster, so you get two unique original drawings together at one time. The blue sketches are being randomly matched with the colored monsters, then packaged up and sealed. After that, no one will know which monsters are in which pack. You will receive a randomly pulled package, making them mystery monsters! They will be priced at just $75 for two drawings (one colored and framed and one blue sketch on bristol), two monster pin back buttons, and a bookmark! No limit per person, but no advance orders or holds are being accepted this time. Make sure you mark your calenders for June 28th!

12 Custom Monster Dunnys

This dozen custom Dunny set was commissioned by one collector who turned me loose on a monster theme. He also sent me three bags of whole bean coffee to help keep me fueled in the creative process. If you would like to talk about a commission for yourself or a friend, send an email to bryancollinsart@gmail.com or check out my SHOP to see what pieces are currently available.

God bless,
Bryan Collins / Color Chemist

Red Leopard Saber Tooth Dunny

Since February 2009, every custom toy I have made has either been a blind-Box (Beast Buddies), a commissioned piece, or for a particular exhibit. For the first time in over three years, I am releasing this single custom Dunny available July 9th, 2012 at 5pm EST through my Etsy shop.

The Dunny will come as seen in the photo, with it's own "Color Chemist" box, three pin-back buttons, and a sticker. This is the only piece I plan to make under these circumstances for a while since I still have commissions and exhibits on my plate. I had actually started this piece last year and put it on the back burner. In order to clean up some unfinished projects, I got up extra early a few days in a row and got this piece finished.

Remember to check www.bryancollins.etsy.com at 5pm EST on July 9th, 2012 to grab this piece.

God bless,
Bryan "Color Chemist" Collins

Hand Painted Skateboard Decks

"Man For All Colors"
Acrylic on maple skateboard deck
Approximately 32"x8" - $300 HERE


"From Above"
Acrylic on maple skateboard deck
Approximately 32"x8" - $300 HERE


"Singing a Chorus of Color"
Acrylic on maple skateboard deck
Approximately 32"x8" - $300 HERE

God bless,
Bryan A. Collins

www.bacstudio.com
Twitter - @useeverycolor
Facebook - www.facebook.com/bryancollinsart
Shop for art at www.bryancollins.etsy.com

Pencil Drawings

I just thought I'd put together a list of a few pencil drawings which I currently have available. The links to each are below the photo, or you can just click the ones you like to get more information on how to purchase. As always, you can email me at bryan@bacstudio.com with any questions or requests.


Purchase at http://www.etsy.com/listing/76901810/untitled-ace-01-original-drawing



Purchase at http://www.etsy.com/listing/76900531/untitled-ace-03-original-drawing


Purchase at http://www.etsy.com/listing/76898268/untitled-ace-05-original-drawing


God bless,
Bryan A. Collins

www.bacstudio.com
Twitter - @useeverycolor
Facebook - www.facebook.com/bryancollinsart

Custom Kathie Olivas Scavenger

This is the custom Kathie Olivas Scavenger I recently had the pleasure of creating for a client. The client sent me a blank red Scavenger and said he likes the color green and anything with tentacles but other than that I could do what I wanted. Here's what I did.



Acrylic on 3.5" tall vinyl Scavenger.

God bless,
Bryan A. Collins

www.bacstudio.com
Twitter - @useeverycolor
Facebook - www.facebook.com/bryancollinsart

Mystery Drawings 005 and 006

I have two new mystery drawings to share with you. Continuing my new series of spontaneous 5"x7" pencil drawings, these two were created when ordered from my Bigcartel Shop. This means these two drawings are spoken for, but you can have me make one for you if you're up for a surprise. Just click HERE to get one.


Mystery Drawing 005


Mystery Drawing 006

God bless,
Bryan A. Collins

www.bacstudio.com
Twitter - @useeverycolor
Facebook - www.facebook.com/bryancollinsart

Two New Prints

Some of you have asked, so I have just made open edition prints available of "El Gato Rojo" and "The Camera Man Said 'Smile'". Each one is 5"x7" and printed on bright white acid-free card stock, then signed in the bottom corner. These prints are in stock and ready to ship. More details are in the individual listings. Click the image or the link below it to place your order.


"El Gato Rojo" - www.etsy.com/listing/70163363/el-gato-rojo-5x7-signed-print


"The Camera Man Said 'Smile'" - http://www.etsy.com/listing/70162158/the-camera-man-said-smile-5x7-print

God bless,

Bryan A. Collins

www.bacstudio.com
Twitter - @useeverycolor
Facebook - www.facebook.com/bryancollinsart

Two New Monsters

As promised, I have been concentrating on 2D pieces again and only working on custom toys when commissioned to do so. I've also been trying to cut back on my time with the Playstation 3 at night, as it was starting to suck up my creativity.

I recently was asked to give a presentation of my art to a local elementary school. They wanted me to demonstrate a painting. With a limited time schedule, I was only able to lay down some basics. I started the piece you see below and after the presentation, took it back to the studio and finished up.


"The Camera Man Said 'Smile'"
7"x9" acrylic on canvas

A couple of days later I wanted to get another monster out of my head so I challenged myself to do something I don't think I've ever done; Start and finish a painting in one session. Even though the panel I chose to work on was only 3.75"x3.75", completing any type of project in a single sitting is very difficult for me. However, despite the challenge, I overcame and created the piece you see below.


"Little Black Star"
3.75"x3.75" acrylic on panel.

Both of these guys are sold, but I have another monster painting in progress. It's a piece that I am trying to work on between commissions so it may be a while before I get it finished but when I do, I will post it on this blog.

Comments welcome!

God bless,

Bryan A. Collins

www.bacstudio.com
Twitter - @useeverycolor
Facebook - www.facebook.com/bryancollinsart

Beast Buddies Mini Munny

My series of 100 custom Dunnys called Beast Buddies was a surprising success, and randomly packed into the 100 blind-boxes were 16 golden tickets. One of those tickets awarded it's collector with a free custom monster Mini Munny. The ticket was found and the custom Munny you see above was the prize.

My goal with this piece was to give a generally encompassing idea of what the Beast Buddies series was all about. Trying to create one piece that represents 100 pieces was a challenge and essentially impossible, so I focused on creating a multi-eyed monster that would fit in well with the concept that spread throughout the diverse span of customs that were all created as Beast Buddies.

Like all of the Beast Buddies, this pieces was painted with acrylics on vinyl. If you would like to inquire about having a piece commissioned for your collection, please email bryan@bacstudio.com to begin discussing your ideas.

Comments welcomed!

God bless,

Bryan A. Collins

www.bacstudio.com
Twitter - @useeverycolor
Facebook - www.facebook.com/bryancollinsart

Monster Jamungo B.U.D.

For the second year I am participating in the Squad 19 - Toys In The Attic fundraiser for Toys For Tots. This year, Squad 19 gave twelve artists a 9" Jamungo B.U.D. for customizing. This montage of monster elements is what I did with mine.



The customs will be shown at Gallery 122 in Minneapolis, MN on Friday December 3rd. During the exhibit you will be able to bid on the customs and view them in person. But it gets better! If you can't make it to Gallery 122, you can still place your bids on ebay the week prior to the exhibit. Make sure you are on my email list (sign up at the top right of this blog) to be notified when the auction goes live.



The artist roster for customs is:
Bryan Collins | bryandrinkscoffee.com
Brock Davis | itistheworldthatmadeyousmall.com
Jason Goad | ingoadwetrust.com
DC Ice | dcice.com
Frank Kozik | fkozik.com
Jeff Lamm | greasebat.com
Punchgut | punchgutstudio.com
Jeremy Regan | twitter.com/reganomics813
Ryan Seitz | on Flickr
Dan Springer | skulluxe.blogspot.com
Steve Tenebrini | stevetenebrini.com
Chuck U | chucku.com

Artists offering up prints for the fundraiser are listed at www.toysintheatticshow.com/2010-show/



Here are more details:
Toys in the Attic 2010 will take place @ GALLERY 122 this year. Gallery 122 is located @ 122 8th Street SE in Minneapolis

Opening Reception will be December 3th and will feature limited edition/signed and numbered prints and custom toys from Local and National artists benefiting Toys for Tots.

Guests are asked to help out children in need by bringing a new (unwrapped) toy* to the show. In return, you’ll get one** of the event official poster prints designed this year by Minneapolis artist DWITT.

*No military based toys such as guns, please / **While supplies last.

If you forget your toy, there is a suggested donation of $1-$5 at the door. All toys and door donations go directly to Toys for Tots.

The Art
Artists are invited to create a limited edition of toy-inspired art prints for sale at the event – each print is numbered and signed. Additionally, custom toy artists will be creating pieces that will be available via Ebay auctions ending the night of the opening (details to come).



You can also follow me on Twitter or Facebook at the links below and when the auction is live you will find me posting the links there.


God bless,
Bryan

www.bryanallencollins.com
Twitter - @useeverycolor
Facebook - www.facebook.com/bryancollinsart

Teddy Troops Space Monster

Space Monster Teddy Troop
Acrylic on 3.5" vinyl toy
SOLD

I just finished up this commissioned 3.5" Teddy Troop. The collector asked for the piece to be done like my Beast Buddies but of course I took it a step further. Since the Teddy Troops are slightly larger than the Dunnys, and the helmet has a lot of workable surface area, I was able to do quite a bit with the details.

Email art@bryandrinkscoffee.com to inquire about commissions.

Beast Buddies 13 through 16

My series of 100 custom Beast Buddies are going strong. Here's a montage of numbers 13 through 16 and their stories. Get your Beast Buddies at www.bryancollins.bigcartel.com or on Etsy at www.bryancollins.etsy.com while they last.

Clockwise from top left -

Zikka
There is no question as to whether or not the Zikka bird still exists, because we caught one! After we wrestled him from the mouth of a savage python, he told us he is the last of his kind, and our intervention stopped the total annihilation of the species. Once we were safely out of the jungle, the Zikka asked that we take him back with us and find him a place he can live safely and be near a good supply of peanut butter. Apparently the rest of his kind died off from a lack of nutty protein.

Zed Rebra
It is a perilous endeavor, wrangling Beast Buddies, and anything that can make our expeditions go a little smoother we will consider. While trying to track down a guide who wasn't trying to lead us to the remote clans of headhunting tribesmen, or swindling us out of every penny we had is our possession, we crossed paths with a Sherpa who had an interesting array of strange gear-packing companions. He loaned us his red zebra, aka Zed Rebra, and we headed out. Upon our return he told us that Zed had never looked so happy. He told us to keep him, and find him a good home.

Camaroon Goliath
The largest frogs know to mankind are in the Camaroon region of Africa. They are big enough to eat a fawn. It sounded like a great place to hunt for some Beast Buddies. What we were not prepared for was the undiscovered subterranean creature you see here. Lured out with some yummy bacon strips and hot jalapeno-scrambled eggs, this guy was easily caged into a Beast Buddies box and sent to his new home.

Duck Billed Wanderer
After stumbling across the completely unknown Salsa Spiro Beast Buddies in Mexico, we were back on track hunting the Duck Billed Wanderer. The locals told us the best way to find him was to leave a trail of bread crumbs. Not for us to find our way back home (seriously, we have GPS systems, you know) but so that the Wanderer would come across the trail and follow it to us. Upon luring this beast to our camp, he kept us entertained for hours with stories of his travels and silly songs that echoed an influence of Jacob Dillon and the Wallflowers. He lives free, waddling across the globe with no destination, waiting for adventure to find him. If he happens to wander out of your sight, just build a crackling campfire, whip out an acoustic guitar, and use the trick with the bread crumbs. He’ll be whistling his way back sometime.

Bryan
www.bryandrinkscoffee.com

Beast Buddies 1 through 4

Here's a group shot of the first Beast Buddies. I have decided to paint 100 of them, and I'm giving away FREE stuff with them, too. With a random number generator ( Random.org ) I have designated 16 boxes to hold a secret Golden Ticket. If you find a Golden Ticket when you open your Beast Buddies, you have won a FREE 8"x10" signed print ($12 value), a FREE limited edition T-Shirt ($18 value), or a FREE hand painted Munny! ($150 value).

Since I know which Beast Buddies will come with a Golden Ticket, and I know how many I have made and sold, I also know that NO Golden Tickets have gone out yet, so your chances of winning keep getting better!

Buy Beast Buddies at www.bryandrinkscoffee.com in the SHOP or on Etst at www.bryancollins.etsy.com

New Daily Sketch Blog

I was inspired by my friend and studio mate, Oscar Woodruff, to start a daily sketch blog. Even though I paint or draw every day already, I tend to get caught up in the work-side of art and don't put aside enough time to just draw for the sake of drawing. This new daily sketch blog will provide the incentive to keep that going. Check it out at www.astheysleep.blogspot.com and sign up for updates.