/  by Michael Arthur

bogleech:

Hey, how come we never talk about Charles Addams?

I barely ever see compilations of his work for sale.

I barely ever see his cartoons being blogged.

His tumblr tag is sparse as hell.

So many people have no idea that the Addams Family began as recurring characters in what was basically "The Far Side" of the 1940’s and 50’s.

He invented the Addams Family and he barely gets any credit.

And seventy years later his jokes feel as fresh and sharp as ever.

/  by Michael Arthur

Pascal, Lauren and I wrote this song called Brother To Brother with my brother Ben. Wrote it from scratch in the morning from a line and a lick. Then Pascal, Lauren, Chris, Therese, Alex, Josh, Jason and Mike (who ran out to get a guitar) arranged and recorded it with Ben, Al and Mike at Dubway. Al and Mike made a rough mix so we could hear it all before dinner. It was like a reality show.

/  by Michael Arthur

Here’s a bunch of pictures of Balthrop, Alabama from tours and practices and shows. Drawing along with Balthrop is the best thing I get to do. We’re playing Joe’s Pub on Tuesday, November 19. If you’re in New York, you should come.

Help us raise money for our Permanent Collection Acquisition Fund! /  by Michael Arthur

societyillustrators:

The Society has set up an online auction through Paddle8. All proceeds benefit the acquisition fund of the Museum.

Visit now to bid on your favorite pieces including this one by Milton Glaser titled Metamorphic Flowers, 1990.

image

or this one by Paula Scher titled Silent Night, 1988.

/  by Michael Arthur

joespub:

Michael Arthur (Inklines) here with the big wind down to our first search for artists who want to come and draw at Joe’s Pub.

Today’s submission arrives just before the closing bell from Brian Russo, an artist I actually met a while back when we both spent a day drawing portraits for Times Square Art Square, an endeavor to replace billboards in Times Square with actual art. Dreamers, that’s what we are.

Anyway, Brian’s art is whimsical and fun—as is he. He has an almost cartoon style and uses it beautifully in The Perfect Cheese, a book he’s currently working on and sharing via his website. Check out the drawings above and click here for detailed notes about each drawing.

/  by Michael Arthur

Hey, look. It’s a blast from the past with Balthrop, Alabama! Here we are at BTR doing a private show and interview for the gang over at Serious Business. If you haven’t heard, we’ll be playing a show at the world famous Joe’s Pub next Tuesday. I’ll be drawing live on the big screen and the big band’ll be playing live on the big stage and the more of you who come the bigger the audience. Plus, if you like to draw, we’re encouraging everyone to draw us while we play. Or just watch, if that’s what you’re in to.

/  by Michael Arthur

joespub:

Michael Arthur (Inklines) posting again this morning to share some art and some big news about the upcoming Balthrop, Alabama show at Joe’s Pub!

First up, a group of sketchbook drawings from W Doucette’s Tumblr feed. My favorite thing about this batch of drawings is how well you can view the process of the work here. From rough pencil sketches to cleanly inked lines, the drawings here show a journey of exploration. I especially love how—in the Hirschfeldesque portrait of Joe’s Pub favorite Meow Meow at the top—you can see where the ink lines begin and the pencils end. A good sketchbook is a place to explore and play, a private rehearsal room for ideas and risks. And that’s what live drawing is all about! I hope W Doucette will join us (as our guest) on Tuesday for the big show.

Which brings me to the big news about the show. The kind folks at Stillman & Birn, who make a wonderful line of sketchbooks, reached out to us and offered to donate new sketchbooks to all the participants of Tuesday’s show. I’ve been using some samples of their paper lately and it’s a real joy to spread the wealth to some other sketchbook artists!