I’ll be exhibiting new canvas works, limited edition prints, tees, and bringing my dastardly Pulp Street duo to this one night event. In conjunction with RAWmy work will be on display at iMUSIC for an evening of creative madness. The night consists of presentations from Seattle’s leading and emerging creative talents from every angle. RAW coalesces into a indie music performance, a vast visual art gallery, stand-up comedy acts, a fashion show, and gathers a huge crowd to come imbibe on the best local art on the scene. To purchase tickets to the event please visit my BEERY RAW profile where you can also find more information regarding the organization and my portfolio of music, video, and art.
As an American kid who grew up on all the staples such as peanut butter, Star Wars, and kick ball there were other interests that seemed to feed my odd sense of humor and insane lust for bizarre art. That fundamental grain of lampoon was powered by the satirical genius of MAD magazine. MAD offered the most attractive parodies of all popular culture and life such as movies, politics, entertainment, celebrities, public figures, and wonderfully original illustrations imbedded in brilliant article styled cartoons. I wasn’t nerd enough to be impressed with super heros so naturally Mad was my comic book of choice where I could get all the unadulterated, yet PG-13, filth. Aside from some of the more popular segments such as Spy vs Spy the main attraction for me was the inside of the back cover. Here was the coup de grâce to blow the minds of MAD-maniacs, the MAD Fold-In.
For Urban Light Studios MAD Magazine Tribute show I devised a contemporary Fold-In of my own to pay homage to the satirically creative virtuoso, and creator of the MAD Fold-In Al Jaffe.
A Mad Fold-In consists of a single drawing, with a paragraph of text underneath, and a panel across the top with a question. Each Fold-In also features instructions on how to manipulate the Fold-In, as well as a picture illustrating the procedure. Under the instructions are two arrows labeled “A” and “B”. When the paper is folded so that points “A” and “B” are touching, the remaining unobscured text underneath the picture becomes the answer to the question, and the picture itself changes into a fresh image reflecting the new text, as the middle 50% of the drawing vanishes. The Fold-In reveals a hidden picture and answer to the question at the top of the page. Each Fold-In is wrapped in visual trickery and typographical genius leading to a sort of double entendre of ironic witticism.
The headlining question is: “What exclusive academy accepts young musicians who lead fast lives only to further heighten their star status?”. The main image appears to be a red-carpet event set at a stage adorned with a large Grammy surrounded by a crowd and several standing musicians . The headline continues with “Year in and year out the awarding of young star-status achievers occurs just before a new rash of the hot-n-new step up. The music industry will always exploit famous talent. And yet, one group of brilliant miserables rise high without a drop of aid from anyone and pay a price. Fold in page as shown to see just what group makes legends of the world’s most popular and addictive icons”. The next line of deceptive clues appears at the bottom to say “Twelve nominees a year for rock is plenty. Several artists talent can only be proven with a euphoric ceremony. Clues about who flys next is the hubbub.”
It would appear that the forward answer would be the Grammy’s. The stage is set and the red carpet is rolled out to the five artists in the foreground. However, hidden in the composition are other clues and paraphernalia to hint at the underlying answer to the decoy query. More evidence is laid out right in front with the five musicians who face the stage. Here stands Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Amy Winehouse. The Fold-In reveals a new image that turns the stage into a skull, the columns into a syringe, pills stacking, and a hidden bong. My favorite element of the folded image is perhaps the locking arms of Amy Winehouse and Kurt Cobain, the more recent of the pictured musicians to die from drug related addictions. The true ironic answer at the bottom unveils: Twenty-Seven Club.
For the exhibition there will be a large display canvas of 27 Club for the masses to enjoy. Along with the exhibit piece I have created post card renditions that will accompany the show for patrons to fold-in and enjoy as they view the original display piece. There is a collector’s edition of prints that will be sold exclusively through the gallery opening night and online. Only 27 of these primo 11×17 prints will be offered, all hand signed and numbered. It is going to be an amazing show with an extensive group of talent and not one to be missed. If you can’t make it to the show, enjoy the interactive display above and feel free to contact me directly to buy your very own limited edition print of the 27 Club. Al Jaffe would be proud!
After completing the stencil work to go large and raw with the Abroham Bling-con concept I spent some time perfecting the design and updating it graphically. A few pertinent elements that really enhanced the designs principle such as the spread wings on the floating dollar signs and layered patterning of diamonds were lacking in the “off the cuff” live-painted rendition. If I were shooting for editorial illustration based on the greediness of Illinois politicians precisely I would go the extra mile and add the Chicago city skyline with silhouettes of the Sears Tower and John Hancock center. Either way the quote goes something like “Abraham Lincoln with Bling on?” Limited edition prints are available for purchase. Please contact me directly to purchase.
I recently was asked to do some live painting at a festival in Decatur, Illinois. I had just finished up shows in Chicago and was coming back through the area in good timing to connect with some local artists and organizers at this annual celebration. With a trunk of paints and swag it deemed a necessity to not pass up dishing out the dirt with a little fun in the sun so to speak. The roster of artists also doing live painting were a mash-up of illustrators, designers, stencil and collage artists, comic book enthusiasts, and character designers. Each given a 4×4 foot panel with custom easels to go big and get seen amongst the roving crowds. I decided to take this opportunity to make a very street oriented piece that spoke volumes to the masses through iconographic elements.
As a native of Illinois I am extremely familiar with the political debauchery, Chicago city-gangsterism, and economic hardships of the state. This comes as no shocker to anyone who knows the recent scandals involving nefarious politicians, constant greedy hands in the tax-payers pockets, state tax inflation, and the firing of corrupt governors such as the JFK-wannabe Rod Blagojevich for counts of wire fraud, attempted extortion, and conspiracy to solicit and accept bribes. Anyone who lives in this long state knows that the faithless system of corruption runs so deep that the state of the state is itself way beyond repair and welfare in jeopardy for the struggling lower and middle classes statewide. Thinking about the ideals that governed the state long ago and the juxtaposition of where the wounds scar now brought about the conception of Abroham Bling-con.
To be clever and make a statement is what street art is all about. Abe Lincoln is the State of Illinois political icon who represents proud and true characteristics of the American establishment such as honesty, peace and compassion, sincere religious conviction, and social humanitarian positivity. He is one of the country’s most enduring symbols of democracy and statesmanship. Lincoln is the Illinois State symbol and rides high in the state slogan “Land of Lincoln”. In fact this is the very reason for my choosing this infamous President who empowered the civil rights movement and emancipated the South from the tie to slavery. Lincoln embodies all that is patriotic and especially the American devotion to freedom which has apparently fallen to the wayside through the cracks of infidelity in the hardened grime that is Illinois politics. This systematic failure of the economy of the state knows no bounds in terms of class, race, and is rooted in the cold black heart of the wealthy, unethical so-called elite.
Abroham: Lincoln dawns an afro representing the largest minority group in Illinois. The states suppression of blacks as a minority is obvious. Drive through any inner city slum or metropolitan areas and witness the unchanging affairs of the minority communities to witness an atrocious irony. Again, the corruption of the state does not pick and choose at will but spans the entire infrastructure of citizens. It so happens that the African American demographic gets hit hardest.
Bling-con: It wouldn’t be completely street if there wasn’t a big gold chain attached. Seriously though, a massive gold chain with the American Dollar sign attached says “Illinois State politicians control the money and are greedy to show it off”, like when they need to take their personal jet 300 miles in the same state and use tax-payer’s dollars to justify their comforts. Lincoln had to be defaced with the gold grill as well. I figure this reflects the ‘gansterism’ that is engrained into the political culture of Chicago. Some words just work out to the advantage of the creative writer. With ‘con’ at the end, Bling-con becomes synonymous with crime, deception, fraud, and furthers the mockery of this portrait of the state. Last but not least, the golden devil horns emerge from the fro. These horns of course symbolize the greed and evil associated with the entirety of the theme. Not to mention depict the more sinister side and expression of the face of Abroham.
The rest of the panel is duped out in a Japanese style sun burst (for the Illinois war veterans) and some blinging gold dollar signs flying away for symmetry. I had considered tying in the Chicago city skyline on the shoulders and some added wing elements to the dollar signs but figured that the portrayal had gone far enough for viewers to get the meaning. However, I did get a few comments that ranged from trivial questions of passerbys to one another such as “Abe Lincoln with an afro?” to less intellectuals who just didn’t get it and asked harshly “Why did you give him evil horns?”. For the record, I love the state I grew up in. I am proud of Lincoln and what he means to so many Americans. This is a piece to invoke feelings that the political big-dogs would rather see suppressed. My intention here is to create a dialogue and get people talking, not to slander Abraham Lincoln or the resident citizens of Illinois.
I’ve had several offers on the original. It is not for sale. However, collectors and buyers will have a chance to buy a commissioned edition if they so desire. Interested parties must contact me directly.
In the tradition of undead work I’ve been cranking out these past few months it was inevitable that somewhere along the line I’d infiltrate the finer art of the Italian Renaissance legends. What better classic beauty to cover with decayed flesh than the timeless Mona Lisa of Leonardo daVinci. Twisting the otherwise lively effect of daVinci’s use of sfumato into the austere clear-cut inked line work is my favorite juxtaposition and cruelty of re stylization for the best of screen printing effects. The fact that the original work has survived for more than 500 years screams “time for a zombie makeover” in my book of revelled fine art iconography. Seeing as how the painting has undergone the most extensive cleaning, revarnishing, and recorded number of touch-ups ever in the history of restoration to prolong this gender-ambiguous model I find a comfort in irony to destroy the established elegance and refine her attraction in an otherwise more contemporary fashion. I can hear her moaning “Brains!”
If you’d like to see Moan-a-Lisa for sale on tees please hit the link below to cast your vote at Threadless in the Horror III. She’d make the perfect addition to any zombie collector, dark art lover, or simply an evil tee for the next Halloween!
First off big bows with clasped hands and hats off to all who came out to Raising Hell. The response and attendance was amazing. Made was packed out all night with the best of Chicago crowd. Mega huge shout outs to VIPJ and Dreas for tearing it up on the turntables. The crowd was bumpin and groovin all night! Big thanks to our friends at Arrogant Bastard Ale for keeping the hoppy ale flowing. Last but not least a giant high-five to the crew at Made for all their assistance in providing the perfect venue to pay tribute to hip-hop’s greatest!
Lots of artwork was sold and the limited prints are dwindling so if your in need of that perfect zombie rapper you need to get down to Made quick to get yours. As typical with most of my shows I’m pretty tied up talking to everyone coming through so the shots from my camera are pretty limited. If you have photos from the show you would like to post, hit me up and I’ll get them in the gallery. Below are a few shots of the hanging artwork.
VIPJ co-illin on the vinyl!
VIPJ co-illin on the vinyl!
More photos from the crowded gallery to the after party to come! Thanks CHICAGO!
I’ll have a couple of works in a new exhibit at Tasty this month from my Agents of Dawn series. The show takes an unusual approach of juxtaposing the mechanical with the organic. You’re invited to meet the artists and be the first to see the show, opening night Friday July 8th, during the party from 6-10pm.
Since March 2010, Tasty has been open 6 days a week to showcase fun & funky local urban art. Every month they curate a group exhibit, themed in sync with the selected featured artist(s). To see their entire 2011 calendar, please contact Sheri. To view art from past shows, visit their website www.ShopTastyArt.com
Tasty’s hours are 11-7 Tuesday thru Saturday plus 12-5 Sunday.
The long awaited 2011 additions to my zombie rapper series is in full effect! In conjunction with the release of 5 new undead MC’s I’ve collaborated with the amazing crew over at MADE for this summer release. We will be kicking off the event with the mix-master/spinning stylistics of VIPJ of The Cool Kids and Dreas of Heardrums Records and Galapagos4. Ice cold libations provided by Arrogant Bastard Ale and killer Chi-town BBQ for all the baller cats who come through. Come raise hell with us and celebrate the undying legends of hip-hop with style!
Raising Hell: Undead Tribute to Hip-Hop Martyrs
The theme title stems from one of the greatest of all time hip-hop pioneers Run-DMC. Being one of the very first albums I ever owned, Raising Hellis a seminal release that highly influenced my creative side at a young age. Sporting Adidas and big gold chains would forever mark the fashion styling of 1980′s urban youth breakers and hip-hop culture. Paying homage to Jam Master Jay and the ‘Kings of Rock’ was inevitably the go-to choice for representing the aesthetic of this show.
You will see quite a few of these flyers floating around Chi-town prior to the show. Funky-fresh Eazy-E for the masses…maybe more funky than fresh!
Raising Hell: Undead Tribute to Hip-Hop Martyrs
When it comes to the true pioneer, father, king, and OG of gangsta rap I bow my head and spark a tight one. Eazy-E was a huge influence on my perception of just how far you can take your craft with the freedom of speech. Pushing buttons in the world of hip-hop through streetwise ingenuity Eazy opened up the air waves for controversy. Such as any hardcore master of legitimate creativity would do, the E sought out to conquer the world of hip-hop rap with a ruthlessly independent audacity that would forever influence the minds of urban inner-city youth and remain a vital edge to the voice of the streets. Beyond all others, Eazy muthaphukkin E remains a perpetual echo in my mind and is a constant memorial to how essential staying true to yours really is. From Boyz-N-The-Hood, 8 Ball, and Dopeman to Automobile, Nobody Move, and Give Me That Nut the Eaz was king of hardcore down to tha last roach. The Compton legend will forever have’em all shouting “We want Eazy!”.
As no stranger to West Coast rap and the Cali sun it is of due respect to pour out a little liquor for perhaps the most infamous of rap-game icons. Tupac Shakur has been eternally with me through thick & thin and always left me keeping my head up. Growing up a huge Digital Underground fan I was exposed to Pac at his rawest and had the chance to grow with his music through my teenage years. When I heard of his death following the intuitive lyrics and titles on his pseudonym Makaveli I knew his ghost would always haunt the imagery within my best work. There truly is not enough thanks I could give to 2Pac for being the abiding soul who helped govern my wild youth. Thug4Life!
Paying homage to the original human beatbox means blunts, candy, and big bags of chips. That’s right, I’m talking about the biggest baller of the Disco Three Buff Love. Man, he and Doug E Fresh made making beats with your mouth the illest thing next to sporting locs, gucci hats, and a pair of slick Bally on the feet. The human beatbox was synonymous with breakers, graffiti gangs, and fashioned a new co-soldier to the line of 1980′s hip-hop DJ’s and MC’s. There was a time when you not only got phat nasty beats, ill samples and raw scratching, but also had the intense pleasure of puffing cheeks and puckered lips piping out chains of cacophonous cadence. Needless to say, beyond the mega-sized characteristics of the Fat Boys the human beat box, the ox that rocks, better known as DJ Dr Nice The Power Lord Rocker – Buff Love and the trio will always represent a more innocent time when hip-hop was fun as hell and living larger than life was no cliché! R.I.P Buff Love!
You simply can’t even mention Wu-Tang Clan without going straight to the raw dog dirt-nastiness himself Ol Dirty Bastard aka Dirt McGirt. ODB was another of hip-hop’s mutants who rose from the crack-laden alleyways and drunken chambers of New York City’s Staten Island (Shaolin). Just the pure rawness and raunchy mayhem inflicted by the slurping genius-tongue of Dirt Dog reflects the sick wit and unadulterated chaos of the East Coast’s roughest boroughs. Never a dull moment with Dirty. His pervasive lyrics, gritty-growling tone, and tell it as it is nature forever grows unchallenged in the vaults of rap culture. Nuff said…mad love to Big Baby Jesus!
My favorite image out of this series is also the more rare of MC’s to have graced this planet. Not only rare in such amazing raw talent, but rare in the role of gender. Gorgeous to the very last my heartstrings pulsate for Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes. Not only was TLC a ground-breaking musical trio in the golden age of R&B/Hip-Hop are one of the best selling female groups of all time. I remember watching Left Eye on MTV’s The Cut in the late 90′s and always drooled over her athletic stature and sheer spunkiness. My “back in the day” girlfriends always had a little Left Eye in ‘em with funky doos, baggy draws, and button-nosed beauty. Just watching her move makes my mind Creep!
Big sky-shouts to the largest rapper out the Bronx Big Pun. One of the hippest cats to come out with a most original MC style, Big Punisher always left the stage smoking with fists full of merriment. I remember first hearing him on The Beatnuts track Off The Books thinking his poetic huffiness was the perfect silouhette to the toony-beat backed tracking. Always a fast paced rhymer and big lover Pun will everlastingly go down in the hip-hop annals as one of the nicest, smoothest, and well rounded lyrical masters of the era. Cruising in the hot sun with the top down blasting any Pun track will put you in the perfect state of mind. A slice of life to feed the nation of beat-heads, he went down way before his time. Play on player!
Strictly from the Houston streets comes the hot boy who was all about wood grains and diamond paint. UGK came with ferocity on the release of Super Tight. My mind was blown with “A Pocket Full of Stones” which set a tone for how the darker commercial side of UGK would contend with more mainstream rap of the 1990′s. UGK was one of the foremost dirty South rap groups to emerge and ping my radar consistently. Pimp C was sippin’ that sizzurp until the very end. The rap game will forever feel the void of of Pimp C spitting truth-daggers of flame in the eyes of all posers. Trillest of Trill!
As a young player macking to the fullest in the 90′s it was sheer necessity to have Notorious B.I.G. in the home, the club, and the car at all times. His infallible lyricism laced with intelligent snippets of his autobiography created the perfect visual backdrops for the ever-changing industry of the time. Caught up in the East Coast / West Coast rivalry in the scene Biggie Smalls became a symbol of strength and integrity for all types of youth across the nation. Big ingenuously became the face of East Coast rap and Bad Boy. When the two-disc Ready to Die hit the billboards like a nuclear bomb the revival of gangsta rap hit it’s peak. His murder will always remain one of the hardest hitting mysteries and controversies to spill over into mainstream media. Forever rest in peace Big Poppa!
The last martyr of this series is one of the most respected contributor to the game who has had a hand in creating a multitude of hits across the board with so many amazing artists. His vocals on Warren G‘s Regulators, contributions to Death Row, and formulation of 213 set a tone for transition in gangster rap into a more mellowfied R&B context. Nate Dogg quickly became the vocality of various rap artists from all regions which ultimately led to a more unified cohesion of cross-collaborations within the industry. He was on all the essential records of the time. From Dre’s The Chronic to Pac’s Thug Life: Vol. 1 and down the road to Ludacris “Area Codes” the player of all time will perpetually sit on the throne of G’s whose deep tenor will continue to resonate throughout the age of hip-hop. Big ups always to this Long Beach baller!
I’ll be releasing footage and reviews post Raising Hell. Limited Edition prints, posters, and entire sets are available for sale. Drop me a note if your interested in pricing and purchases. LONG LIVE HIP-HOP!
Here’s the sneak peek detail clips of all MC’s included in my zombie rapper series for Raising Hell. See if you can guess who they are! More previews and info coming as the event date approaches.
hint* East Coast Rapper
hint* Part of 80's trio who were oversized
hint* He's ruthless and everybody wants him.
hint* DJ to 80's trio of Kings...are you down?
hint* She had a lot of TLC.
hint* He was regulating when you were in diapers
hint* You better have his $$$!
hint* He survived 5 shots!
hint* a pimp king from the underground.
hint* He just might punish your ass!
Limited Edition Prints in runs of 10 each will be available at Raising Hell. Prints are sold individually or as a set. All prints are high quality archival satin and are signed, numbered, stamped, and packed by Beery. Prints sizes are 11×17 and include a narrow border for framing purposes. If your interested please contact me regarding pricing and purchases. Below is a peek at production.
The full scope of the show will be posted after Raising Hell for those who are not local to Chicago. All images copyright Beery Method | All Rights Reserved.
Catch new works from the Beery Method Studio at Oh!NoDoomin Chicago this June. Follow the Doom, June 4th (6-10pm), on an epic journey through all that is METAL! Here your eyes will do battle with the heaviest line-up of brutal artwork from some of the most unrivaled talent in the ‘Biz’ (We apologize in advance if your eyes bleed from all the awesome)…
Friends of the Beast: Tribute to Metal
Artist list (in no particular order):
Mike Budai / Mr Gauky / Douglas Bicicleta / Mike Friedrich / Sam Dunn / Artillery / UberKraaft / Omar Gutierrez / Max Brown / Nole Schuyler / Miss Monster / David Palumbo / Brian Holderman / David Rettker / Yunicorn / Micheal Micheal Motorcycle / Steve Seeley / Nick Beery / Ryan P Young / Jeff Finley / OhNo!Doom / Saro / Keith Noordzy / Jessamyn Patterson / Scarecrowoven / Paul Parker / Matthew Bromley / Joey Potts / Jeremy Beightol / Adam Fox / Nic Cowan / CHema Skandal! / Stephen Rollick / Matthew Ryan Sharp / Cody Shibi …
BeeryMethod was founded by Nick Beery with a simple mission: to help clients present themselves to the world in an authentic and visually appealing way.
From traditional and digital illustration, photography and design, to the simplest one-off print needs, BeeryMethod is committed to delivering unique, aesthetically pleasing, and clever marketing products in a timely, cost-sensitive manner - instantly enabling your concepts to come to fruition in the means you desire.
Nick Beery brings experience from a vast array of creative disciplines including fine art, photography, illustration, graphic design and typography to each client project as well as a high level of expertise in information artistry and resourcing.
A deep background including prior work with, apparel companies, record labels & musicians advertising & retail, publishers & editors, communication & event, commercial media, as well as commissioned work in multitude of creative venues brings a highly considerable asset to an array of client’s needs.
