Still working on a few things, so until then..  a few (rough looking) Skeletor rejects.

I’ve been meaning to do this for a long time, but am just now getting around to it..  better late than never, right?  I’m going to be putting together a bunch of original drawings and sketches to be sold on Etsy!

Almost everything will be $40 and below.  Look for it in the next week or two..

Apologies for the lack of updates recently, I’ve been doing a little traveling and working on a million small projects at once.. which usually results in nothing being completed for a long time.

Among the things on my “to do” list is cleaning up my studio and making room for new work.  So I’m holding another SALE on some of my paintings (with a few pieces to be added soon), with all work under $350.  Yay!  See it HERE.

If you have any questions/problems purchasing, please email me at kiersten@youfail.com

I’m very sad to hear about the passing of one of my favorite illustrators of all time, Nick Dewar.  1973-2010.

An old piece I did for a silent charity auction, where each artist was given a blank deck to work on.  All proceeds went to benefit a skate park in Knoxville, TN

The differences between living in Chicago and Brooklyn.

I ‘ve received a few emails regarding my He-Man pieces (thank you, thank you!) , so I thought I’d post an update.

Yes, both pieces have SOLD, but I’m looking into the possibility of getting prints made.  If interested, please email me at: kiersten@youfail.com and I’ll add you to an email list for any updated info.

image via Gallery 1988

I’ve been ridiculously excited about this ever since I was invited to participate months ago..  Opening on January 8th, Gallery 1988 LA presents their 4th annual tribute show, this time honoring He-Man and the Masters of the Universe!!

Being a super-ultra-mega fan from 1983-85, followed by a brief few months in ‘86, where I thought I might actually be She-Ra, you can imagine the fun I had painting these.

This is how I envision He-Man and Skeletor spending their days off;  trimming the bowl cut and getting a root canal.. a very evil one.

Trimming the Bowl Cut, Flashe on wood, sealed in resin

Skeletor Gets a Root Canal, Flash on wood, sealed in resin

*UPDATE* I ‘ve received a few emails regarding these pieces (thank you!)..  Both pieces have SOLD, but I’m looking into the possibility of getting prints made.  If interested, please email me at: kiersten@youfail.com and I’ll add you to an email list for any updated info.

Please join me in welcoming my side project –in collaboration with Wes Cox– THERSIC

The word thersic has been in Wes’ family for generations, a made up term used most especially by his great grandmother.  A thersic, best defined as a “treat”, was often given as a special reward to a well behaved grandchild, or as a small surprise gift to a dear friend.

We still have a ways to go before we finish our actual site, but we decided to launch our blog in the meantime.  We’re hoping to cover everything from our design projects, to other artists/designers, to things we think are just interesting or pretty.

Welcome to the world, THERSIC!

I just returned home from an amazing weekend spent in Miami eating good food, hanging with great friends and checking out an endless sea of art and design.  I literally took hundreds of photos, but here are some of my favorite pieces below..

More photos after the jump..

read more »

Rejected editorial sketches for a strange article on an ordinary performance of Swan Lake.

See more sketches after the jump.. read more »

For these people, places, and things for making this year a remarkable one!  THANK YOU, I am truly grateful.

I’m a little sad not to be heading to the Midwest for Thanksgiving this year, but I do still intend on doing LOTS of cooking and spending the long weekend working (and eating leftovers) from the comfort of my studio.

Have a very HAPPY and SAFE Thanksgiving everyone!

Studio photo by Jason Rodgers for Sadie Magazine

Along with countless other projects, Wes and I have been slowly working on expanding our small side business, THERSIC, which is still in the earliest stages of development.  We eventually hope to include all sorts of cool design, paper and home goodies, from artists around the world, along with one-of-a-kind refinished pieces.

Until we officially launch our site  (which may be a while), I thought I’d occasionally post a few teaser pieces on my blog.  This first piece comes from Dwelling–a line of rings we’re doing–and it’s the prototype for our over-sized, McMansion ring (complete with a microscopic-sized yard) done in sterling silver.

It’s big, it’s gaudy, it’s a mini-eyesore!

For more info on Thersic, or to be put on the mailing list, please email me at kiersten@youfail.com

This is from a while ago, but I’m working on a large piece right now that won’t be done for a few weeks..

This was for a magazine doing a piece on people who considered themselves “asexual” (they do relationships, but not IT), while living in a world full of sexually charged everything.   So I sent my sketches off to the art director and received an email back saying (and I quote), “These  look great, but could you possibly add some more whimsical looking dildos?”

Floating the sea of naughty

See the other spot and sketches after the jump. read more »

Yesterday was my birthday, as well as my brother Justin’s (we’re not twins, I just like stealing attention away from him), and it was definitely a good one..  I got some work done, ate lots of Mexican food and was given the UGLY CAKE!

Birthday Cake Hall of Fame

The best part of the day though was that my bro announced that he and his long-time lady, Kelly, are gettin’ hitched!  I’m officially declaring 2010: Essenpreis Weddingpooloza!

nerdy-love

It’s one of my favorite days of the year..  the annual, the anticipated, the notorious American Illustration/ American Photography book release party!  Comparable to Christmas, it brings together some of my favorite creative people and everyone eats, drinks, and blabs without boundaries..  this party never disappoints!

I was so excited to have one of my best friends, Courtney Wotherspoon, in town from Toronto for the party..  Both books looked amazing this year, showcasing the most talented in the fields.  I am honored to be included in the book for my 5th year, with these two pieces seen HERE.

party party

the talented Miss Wotherspoon and I acting respectable beforehand

For more info on the books or to enter, visit the AI-AP site HERE.

I spent the weekend in Georgia enjoying the weather and eating until I dropped!

One of my dearest and most talented friends, Drew Degraff, could use your thoughts and prayers.  His mom was in a terrible car accident late last week and it’s going to be a very long recovery..  Please think about him, his family, and his Mama.

On a happy note, here is a couple of my favorite pieces of Drew’s..  mind be blown!

Superheros and Villains, 2009

To see more of Drew’s work please visit HERE.

I’m super excited to announce that Wes and I are gettin’ hitched!  That’s right, my finger is officially BEDAZZLED!  Woooooooo!

I’m nothing close to a fashion blogger, but Alexander McQueen’s new Spring/Summer 2010 collection will be inspiring my work for months to come.  I’ve always admired his work, but this season just blew me away..  the dresses!  the shoes!  the hair!  the music!   I’m in love.

Forget about the one-piece, V-neck, silver suit with moonboots, I hope this is what we look like in the future!

If you have 15 min, I highly recommend the full show, it’s epic!  Watch it HERE

I had the sketch for this posted yesterday, but then remembered that I never posted photos of the finished Coach bag..

A Monday-morning-I’m-still-sleepy sketchy.

I was recently invited to participate in SMart: A SMod Art Show at Gallery 1988, which celebrates the release of Kevin Smith’s new book.  25 artists were each assigned a SModcast episode (or a portion of one), to base their piece on.  SModcast is a hilarious weekly podcast featuring Kevin and long time friend, Scott Mosier, and is definitely not for the easily offended.

I received a segment of Episode #37, entitled Jennifer Connelly Remake, which basically explores the possibilities and scenarios if Jennifer Connelly decided to remake the life of Scott Mosier.  I can’t do this episode any justice by writing about it, so if intrigued, listen to it HERE.  It’s a super long episode, so you can skip right to it starting at: 29:00 min.

click for detail

Flashe on wood, sealed with resin 30in x 15in

The show opens Friday, October 23rd, at Gallery 1988 LA and will feature awesome art and Kevin Smith himself.

Artwork based on the best of Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier’s SModcast is coming to Gallery 1988 LA!  My piece to be posted soon..

Hello Fall, you have been missed.

A midweek sketchy.

I’m finally using the Twitter account I set up over a year ago!   Follow me HERE.

Monday morning blues distraction.

Nature hats!

NOW OPEN!

Dublin-based film critic, John Maguire, sums up this amazing show best by saying,  “Taming Light is a group exhibition of new painting, photography and illustration paying tribute to one of the pre-eminent filmmakers of the 20th Century, Stanley Kubrick.”  Showing at the Light House Cinema in Dublin from October 1st-31st,  the exhibition is organized on a not-for-profit basis and admission is free.

I am really excited about this show (my piece HERE), I wish I could jet to Dublin right now to see it in person!  Stop by if you’re lucky enough to live in the area, or view all the art on the brand new site HERE.  Below is my favorite piece from the show, by the incredibly talented painter, Fransis Matthews.  It makes my eyes pop and my brain buzz:

Overlook Hotel, Francis Matthews

Round #4.

Editorial rejected sketches.

Your daily dose of rejected sketches.

I have a large stack of various drawings and sketches that I have saved throughout the years (I have a small problem with collecting things)..  Occasionally they’ll be made into finished paintings, but some never see the light of day.

For the next couple of weeks I’ll be stuck indoors working on a painting, so I thought it might be a good time to post a few of these little guys.

I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again:  I had an AMAZING time at Coach during Fashion’s Night Out last Thursday!  It was also fun to see & meet some of my favorite fashion bloggers (Keiko Lynn, Clothes Horse, Coquette, nitro:licious, etc), who were also guests of Coach for the night.

Read the long version of my night HERE.

Below are a few pictures from the event, then a few of the 10 min bags I worked on, and finally the bag I did for Coach’s archive.

click to enlarge

10 minute totes:

Archive bag:

detail:

A huge thank you! for everyone who came out to see me at Coach and supporting Fashion’s Night Out Thursday night.  I had so much fun!

More pics coming soon, but until then have a great weekend!