"Is This Thing On? #4" @ Gallery 1988

Once again, Gallery 1988 is celebrating the art of Comedy. The past year has been a rough one for comedy from the passing of Robin Williams, to the downfall of America's once-favorite sweater wearing Jell-o salesman-turned-terrible-human-being.

So let's head into 2015 with a celebration of all things funny!

2013 saw the release of one of my favorite comedy duos from the 90's, Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar. In 2012, Conan and the Conandos unleashed their hit album "Team Coco"... and now, in 2015, Playhouse Records presents:

To purchase this artwork, click HERE

"Wish? Did Somebody say wish? Playhouse Records presents the new hit album "Scream Real Loud!" from Pee-Wee and The Playhouse Gang! Come on down to The Playhouse and join your friends Conky 2000, Cowboy Curtis, Pterri, Globey, Magic Screen, Jambi the Genie, Captain Carl, Mr. Window, Randy, Mapy, the most beautiful woman in Puppetland Miss Yvonne, Chairry, Dirty Dog, Cool Cat, Chicky Baby, and of the big man himself, Pee-Wee Herman! Everyone's invited, so come on in, and pull yourself up a chair, and don't forget, when you hear today's secret word, SCREAM REAL LOUD!"

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The 80's were a pretty incredible decade. They brought us such wonderful things such as He-Man, the weird gray death of Optimus Prime, a super creepy dad who created a robot daughter... Alf, Garbage Pail Kids, The Oregon Trail, and way more... needless to say, the 80's were AMAZING!

One of my favorite things to happen in the 80's was that Paul Reubens was allowed to bring his super-creativity from the stage to the television and make a lot of kids happy. Pee-Wee's Playhouse was (and still is) mind-blowingly creative and unique. I was obsessed with this show as a kid... My wife and I have recently been going through the series again on Blu Ray and it's really awesome how timeless this show is. If you instantly wanna feel like a kid again, just put this on (It's streaming on Netflix!)

This is a time machine. It was transport you back to the 80's and it's EXCELLENT.

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Pee-Wee not only played an important role in my childhood, but as an adult, he helped change my life forever! The Pee-Wee Herman show came back to Los Angeles in 2010.  I had gotten my hands on some tickets to see the show at Club Nokia... I had recently met this lovely girl Kristin through some friends and I was REALLY digging' this fine lady. I asked her if she'd like to go with me, She said "Heck yes!", and that was our first date... 2 short years later, that lovely lady and I would be married! So... Thank you Pee-Wee!

Kristin and I with the new Cowboy Curtis (sorry Morpheus)!

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I always like to create a one-of-a-kind framed album when I do these pieces for those out there that may want a special, unique piece of artwork. I usually try to find a record that connects to the artwork in some way. Since a vinyl soundtrack of the show was never released, I included the first album from an artist who was uncredited with singing this intro theme song:

This song WILL get stuck in your head... you're welcome. 

It's very fitting that she would sing the intro song.

To purchase this framed artwork, click HERE

"Is This Thing On? #4" opens Friday, February 20th at Gallery 1988 West. There's a bunch of really great artwork in this show, and these openings are always a fun time! Come on out and say hi!

"Is This Thing On? #4"

Friday, Feb. 20th 7-10pm (show runs through March 14)

Gallery 1988 (West)

7308 Melrose Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90046

http://www.gallery1988.com

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And remember... we all know what to do when you hear today's secret word?

Gallery 1988 - "Is This Thing On? 2: The Weird Year"

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UPDATE 2/28/13

Well, after a year of being homeless, my artwork has finally made it's way into the hands of this handsome beast (that would be the guy on the left...)

photo courtesy of Team Coco

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This is going to be awesome!

I love stand-up comedy. My parents had a great vinyl record collection, so as a kid I got to listen to some great comedy records. One in particular I remember pretty vividly was Steve Martin's "A Wild and Crazy Guy" which featured Steve Martin in a white suite with bunny ears on the cover. To me, there is no better comedy film than "The Jerk". I don't remember when I first saw the movie, but I was pretty young, and it was pivotal in shaping my sense of humor.

I've been a night person for a long time. When I was 13, I remember turning on the TV to watch a new show with a tall red-headed guy. I loved "The Simpsons" and I knew he used to be a writer for the show, but aside from that... I knew nothing about Conan O'Brien. His sense of humor was like nothing like Leno or Letterman, I was instantly a fan.

When thinking of what to do for "Is This Thing On? 2" I immediately thought of Conan O'Brien. I grew up watching Conan all through high-school, college, and then long nights of working in the video-game industry.

I always loved the characters that would appear on Late Night so I decided I had to narrow down to a manageable list. Sorry fans of Shoeverine or The Gaseous Wiener.

"Conan and The Conandos"

I had a really fun time putting this one together. I tried to fit in my favorites, Pimpbot 5000 will always hold a special place in my heart.

Here's a look at the "Tracklist":

If you get the Puppies in Melons reference, you're officially awesome!

For the gallery I've created a framed album available exclusively at Gallery 1988:

A detailed look at the record label:

As if it needed to be said, NBC really did a huge disservice to comedy with what they did to Conan. In the end though, he still has a great TV show over on TBS, and for that, the world is a much better place with Conan O'Brien.

I'll be selling a limited number of signed prints as well as the framed album. They're only available through Gallery 1988 so get to it!

To purchase a print, click here!
To purchase the framed album, click here!

Oh. P.S. This guy is going to be hosting the gallery opening:

That's right. The Man. The Myth. The LEGENDARY... Weird Al Yankovic. My first album I ever owned was a Weird Al album. My first concert? Yep... Weird Al. To say that I worshipped this guy growing up would be an understatement. I was obsessed with everything Yankovic, My parents took me, my brother, and sister to see UHF on opening night. We were the only ones in the theater and my family loved every second of it. Weird Al Yankovic is a living legend and it's going to be a dream come true to meet him. If you want to meet him too check out the details below.

"Is This Thing On? 2: The Weird Years" at Gallery 1988 on Melrose
Friday, March 9th 2012
7020 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
http://www.gallery1988.com 

Head on down to Hollywood, pack yourself a twinkie-weiner sandwich, and come see some excellent artwork from some amazingly talented artists.