Gary Taxali

New York Times Magazine

2009-01-04T15:54:07+00:00

Beautiful Decay Interview

2009-01-02T18:14:24+00:00

Here is an interview I did with Beautiful Decay.

www.beautifuldecay.com/anthology.php

Aimee Mann's Christmas Carol

2008-12-24T23:38:01+00:00

Entertainment Weekly Best and Worst of the Year

2008-12-18T21:08:25+00:00

Entertainment Weekly is a fun client to work for. I especially enjoy the Best and Worst of the Year issue. This year, I was asked by AD Heather Haggerty to illustrate a full page for the video game of the year. Yup, the Wii Fit won. It's supposed to combine fun and fitness in one product and apparently, users swear by it. Personally, I like going to a real yoga class. Being an illustrator, venturing into civilization is always a treat after all.

Henrik Drescher

2008-12-06T19:59:09+00:00

Last year I spent some time in Copenhagen doing at lecture/workshop at the Danmarks Designskole invitation of Henrik Drescher. While there, I did some fun collaborations with Henrik.

Henrik also drew some pictures of me, which I forgot all about until he recently emailed me these gems...

Obama/Biden 08

2008-11-03T23:44:52+00:00

Newsweek Cover

2008-11-03T05:42:29+00:00

Here is a cover I illustrated for the current issue of Newsweek. It was a fun job and great to be working with Sean Noyce and Bruce Ramsay, two awesome guys that let me loose with the concepts. It originally started out as 2 spots but parlayed into a cover and 2 inside feature pieces. Pick it up when you can because it's a great article.

"The Future of Affluence". So what's going to happen when we (eventually) get over this recession? More than just the financial crisis, it's higher taxes and energy costs next to health spending which will impede future growth. We've all got our work cut out for us.

Obama for Prime Minister

2008-10-16T15:38:34+00:00

Here is a site created by my friend and artist Sean Kane. I think it speaks for itself. Harper won, yet again, but I think things would have been different if we had Obama running up here. Hmmm.....

http://barackobamaforpm.blogspot.com/

The Orphan Works Roundtable and Webcast

2008-08-03T13:31:21+00:00

From the Illustrators' Partnership.

You are cordially invited to attend
THE ORPHAN WORKS ROUNDTABLE AND WEBCAST
CONDUCTED BY THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

How Will the Orphan Works Bill Economically Impact Small Entities?
Friday, August 8, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Salmagundi Club
47 Fifth Avenue (between 11th & 12th Streets)
New York, NY 10003
212-255-7740
http://www.salmagundi.org
Free Admission

Please attend this important industry event. Let government officials hear directly from those of us who will be harmed if this bill passes.

Until now, the Orphan Works bill has been driven by anti-copyright forces and special interest groups. This will be our first opportunity to be heard in a government sponsored forum devoted to the business interests of copyright holders. The Roundtable will be chaired by Tom Sullivan, Director of the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA). It will give artists from the Northeast the chance to explain the impact of Orphan Works legislation on our careers and the art we create.
Will the cost of compliance create an unreasonable burden on artists, writers and musicians?
Will the failure to register work lead to the loss of copyrights?
Why should artists be forced to supply their business data to commercial databases?
Will the bill create a new business model favoring large corporations at the expense of individual artists?
Will this change the nature of competition for all of us?
Eighteen distinguished panelists, all from the creative community, will represent the copyright interests of illustrators, photographers, fine artists, art licensors, writers, musicians, and the collateral businesses that serve and are dependent on creators.

Congress established the Office of Advocacy under Pub. L. 94-305 to represent the views of small entities before Federal agencies and Congress. Advocacy is an independent office within the Small Business Administration.

This event will be webcast.
PLEASE RSVP to illustratorspartnership@cnymail.com and include the names of those attending.

You may review the agenda, the panelists and their biographies on the IPA blog:
http://ipaorphanworks.blogspot.com/2008/08/80808-sba-hearing-on-orphan-works.html

Gallery show in Barcelona

2008-05-24T01:58:04+00:00

If you happen to be in Barcelona on June 5th, please come by Iguapop Gallery. I will be showing 32 news works of various metal, wood and mixed media pieces.

Hope to see you there!
Gary

Iguapop Gallery & Shop
C/ Comerç, 15
08003 Barcelona
T.Gallery: / +34 / 933 100 735

gallery@iguapop.net

www,iguapop.net

Art show/CD release party with Aimee Mann

2008-05-18T22:50:54+00:00

Los Angeles, CA—Aimee Mann has collaborated with critically acclaimed visual artist Gary Taxali on her 7th solo release "@#%&! Smilers", to be released on June 3, 2008 on her own SuperEgo Records. Taxali has contributed 17 original illustrations for the packaging of the CD, art directed by Aimee Mann and Gail Marowitz, and designed by Marowitz and Ed Sherman. Los Angeles art gallery La Luz De Jesus will host a CD release party and one night showing of the 17 new artworks on May 31st from 6-9pm. Both Taxali and Mann will be present to sign copies of the new CD.

Gary Taxali is an award-winning illustrator who has worked for such clients as Rolling Stone, Time, Esquire and The New York Times. His work has received recognition from Graphis, Communication Arts, American Illustration, Print, SPD, a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators, a Gold Medal from the National Addys and a nomination for a Cannes Lion. He is a Founding Member of IPA (The Illustrators' Partnership of America) and sits on the Advisory Board of 3x3: The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration. Gary's latest toy figures, "Oh No" and Oh Oh", were mass produced by his new company, Chump Inc. His first children's book, which he wrote and illustrated, "This Is Silly", is being published by Scholastic and slated for a summer 2009 release. This summer, he will be having his first major show in Europe at "Iguapop Gallery" in Barcelona, Spain. Taxali lives and works in Toronto, Canada.

Aimee Mann has long championed visual artists, collaborating with them to create her work-of-art CD packages. In 2003 she teamed with literary comic book writer and artist Seth who illustrated her CD Lost In Space. In 2006 Aimee Mann and Gail Marowitz won a Grammy award for Best Recording Package for their work on Mann’s Forgotten Arm, illustrated by painter Owen Smith, a five time cover artist for the New Yorker.

After originally breaking onto the music scene during the 80’s leading the post-new wave pop group ’Til Tuesday, Aimee Mann has gone on to establish herself as one of the most prominent singer-songwriters of her generation. Her successful solo career has spanned across several critically acclaimed albums, including the massively popular soundtrack for the film Magnolia,
which garnered her an Academy Award nomination for Best Song in 2000. Time magazine has said of her, “Mann has the same skill that great tunesmiths like McCartney and Neil Young have: the knack for writing simple, beautiful, instantly engaging songs.” Aimee will be touring throughout the summer and fall in support of Smilers.

Location: La Luz de Jesus Gallery
4633 Hollywood Blvd, 2008
Los, Angeles
Date: Saturday, May 31st, 2008
Time: 6:00 - 9:00
Phone: (323) 666 - 7667
Email: info@laluzdejesus.com

Orphan Works: Behind the Talking Points

2008-05-09T20:59:23+00:00

FROM THE ILLUSTRATORS’ PARTNERSHIP

Backers of the Orphan Works bill are circulating their Talking Points:

“Neither the House nor the Senate drafts of the bill contain the word “registries,” [they write] but rather they require users to search non-governmental databases of copyrighted works. The purpose of any database is not meant to take the place of copyright registration, but to have a way to search for visual images. Any participation in such a database would be voluntary.”

But this doesn’t mean what it appears to say. Take it point by point:

Talking Point #1: “Neither the House nor the Senate drafts of the bill contain the word ‘registries.’ ”
Response: Correct. They contain the word “databases,” a synonym:

Registry: register: an official written record of names or events or transactions
http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Database: A database is a structured collection of records or data
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database

Q: Why a synonym?
A: Because international copyright law forbids member countries to impose registries as a condition of protecting copyrights: Berne/Article 5(2) ”The enjoyment and the exercise of these rights shall not be subject to any formality.” http://www.law.cornell.edu/treaties/berne/5.html

In other words, if they used the word “registries” in the bills, it would be a red flag to other countries that the US is flirting with non-compliance with international treaties.

Talking Point #2: “...rather they [the bills] require users to search non-governmental databases of copyrighted works.”
Response: Non-governmental databases” means databases maintained in the private sector.
For users to find your work in these commercial databases, your work would first have to be in the database.
Work not in the database would be orphaned.

Talking Point #3: “Any participation in such a database would be voluntary.”
Response: Congress cannot pass a bill making registration mandatory because that would violate Berne/Article 5(2).
And that would state explicitly to other countries that the US no longer intends to honor its international agreements.
There are red flags all over these talking points.

Summing up: The Orphan Work bills would mandate the creation of registries by commercial interests.
You would not be legally forced to place your work with these for-profit registries.
But failure to do so would orphan your work.

The deceptive talking points accompanying this bill are another red flag.

— Brad Holland and Cynthia Turner, for the Board of the Illustrators’ Partnership

Take Action/ Write Congress http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

Over 37,000 messages have been sent from the site in the last 48 hours. Please spread the word.

Please forward or post this announcement in its entirety to any interested party.

New Vinyl figures from Chump Toys

2008-03-18T02:10:37+00:00

Hello friends,

My company Chump Toys and I are pleased to present to you my two new vinyl characters OH NO (the red one) and OH OH (the blue one) They both stand at 6.5" and the legs are fully moveable. For more info, please check out my site at:

www.chumptoys.com

Thanks,
Gary

The Anti-War Show

2007-11-24T00:55:54+00:00

Here is a painting I did for an ant-war group show coming up on Dec 4th at The Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City. 20% of the proceeds of the sales of the paintings will go to a veterans' charity. As well, the gallery is producing 1000 24" x 36" posters of each painting and will distribute them for free at the night of the opening.

"? The War"

The Anti-War Show
25 Artists Original Paintings
Free Posters of All Work in the Show

Tuesday, September 4th
7-10 pm

Corey Helford Gallery
8522 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA
310.287.2340

www.coreyhelford.com

Happy Birthday Greg Mably!

2007-09-11T18:21:38+00:00

Drinks tonight, pal....!

Anyone else in? Email me and we'll get drunk with the birthday boy!

Cheers,
Gary

My First Canadian Solo Show

2007-09-03T22:28:49+00:00

Hello,
This Thursday, September 6th, I will be having my first Canadian solo show....
I hope to see you there!
Gary

"LAST YEAR'S WINNER" A solo show of over 60 new works by Gary Taxali

Show runs from Sept 6 - Sept 30

Opening reception: Thursday, Sept 6th, 7-10 pm

Magic Pony Gallery
694 Queen Street West (2 blocks west of Bathurst, on the North side)
(416) 861-1684
www.magic-pony.com

Press and sales inquiries: ponygirl@magic-pony.com

Also included in the show are artistic collaboration works with musician pals Jad Fair, Danko Jones and Aimee Mann.

For an online preview , please CLICK HERE: http://www.garytaxali.com/lastyears/lastyears.php

Last Year's Winner

2007-08-22T15:56:20+00:00

Magic Pony Gallery in Toronto, Canada presents a solo show of over 60 new works by Gary Taxali.

Show runs from Sept 6 - Sept 30
Opening reception: Thursday, Sept 6th, 7-10 pm

Magic Pony Gallery
694 Queen Street West (2 blocks west of Bathurst, on the North side)
(416) 861-1684
www.magic-pony.com

Press inquiries: contact@magic-pony.com

"Though raised in Toronto, this is one of Gary Taxali's first solo Canadian shows; his successful career, however, has brought him publication in the likes of Newsweek, Rolling Stone and The New York Times. His works are exceedingly distinctive (indeed, as a contemporary illustrator he's as eminently branded and as uncompromising as they come): oft inspired by vintage images, his designs are stamped, screen-printed or hand-painted on a collage of media."
David Balzer, Toronto Life

***Also included in the show are artistic collaboration works with musician pals Jad Fair, Danko Jones and Aimee Mann.

For an online preview immediately before the show, please send an email to gary@garytaxali.com

Chump Toys

2007-06-12T02:53:33+00:00

Hello all,

All issues have been sorted out and I am officially firing up Chump Toys full steam ahead. I am working on my next toy which I hope to have out by the fall. In the meantime, thanks to everyone for their kind support!

As for toys currently available, I have my "Poof" Series 3 qee (2-1/2 inch) available signed for $12.

I also have, wait for it, a few DELUXE EDITION Original Toy Monkeys. The only thing that makes this baby a DELUXE EDITION is that it comes with a small 2 colour mini-print (postcard size), each one is signed by me (I also personalize) and a chance to win a FREE original piece of art from me. That is if your monkey is the one that comes with a Golden Tassle........only 50 of these in the DELUXE EDITION and they're going fast...! They're $200 plus $15 for shipping. And then that's it....no more monkeys. No black and white edition, nothing.

Click here for more info:

http://www.chumptoys.com

Thank you!
Best wishes to all,
Gary Taxali

p.s. What will be my next toy? Email me to be on my list to get firsthand news and updates: gary@garytaxali.com _________________
CHUMP INC.

My Trip to Denmark

2007-05-15T15:15:09+00:00

I just returned from a 3 week trip to Scandinavia. After spending a week in Sweden (I was a best man at a pal's wedding), I went to Copenhagen, Denmark. I was invited by illustrator Henrik Drescher to do a lecture and workshop at The Danmarks Designskole (The Danish Design School). I had a wonderful time and was impressed with the sophisticated conceptual ability and artistic talent of the students - they accept only 30 students out of 1000 applicants every year. In the 3rd week, I was on pure vacation and was joined by artist pals Yuko Shimizu, Gary Baseman and The Clayton Brothers. We had a fantastic time and it was one of the best trips I've ever had.

Taxali at Magic Pony

2007-03-13T03:17:47+00:00

SAVE THE BOREAL

Next week on Thursday, March 22nd, I will be having a print show at Magic Pony in Toronto. I have created a 6 colour, hand-signed and numbered limited edition silkscreen print exclusively for Greenpeace. There are 2 editions, English (edition of 95 - price is $150 CDN) and French (edition of 25 - price is $250 CDN). The 15" x 21" print (image area is 12" x 18") is printed on archival Stonehenge cotton paper.

Please come on out and support the campaign! 100% of sales from this print will go to the Greenpeace. This print may only be purchased by clicking here (shown is English version, French version has headline "Sauvez la Boreale"):

http://magic-pony.com/gallery/greenpeace.php

In addition, I will have other prints and items for sale. So please come if you are in Toronto and spread the word! (p.s. My Series 3 2-/2" "Poof" Qees due in April - Magic Pony will be taking names for pre-orders that night)

Magic Pony Gallery
694 Queen Street West (west of Bathurst)
Toronto, Canada
March 19 - 26
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 22nd, 6 - 10 pm

http://www.magic-pony.com
(416) 861-1684

Some more GOCCO...

2007-02-20T12:43:45+00:00

Here is an illustration 'commissioned' by the good folks at Illoz (aka. Zimm). This was done for a mousepad to promote Illoz to new ADs. I did this using the Gocco Printer, among a few other utensils.

Stock Trash

2007-02-03T20:33:49+00:00

Last week, illustration agent Scott Hull was in NYC making the rounds. When he walked out of Ogilvy, he noticed in front of their offices were two trash cans advertising IMAGES.COM on all four sides. "How appropriate that stock companies are advertising on trash cans in NYC. The big question is, how will this campaign effect the value of illustration?" - Scott Hull FYI, be sure and check out Scott's podcast on his site which will be up in 2 weeks focusing on interviews with buyers of art. Scott mentioned to me has 4 interviews in the can so far. One topic being covered is the use of stock illustration vs. stock photography (pros and cons, etc) - this is from the buyers' perspective so it should be interesting. Visit his site at: www.scotthull.com Gary

Portuguese Dreamin'

2007-01-14T06:48:02+00:00

A few weeks ago, pals Yukos Shimizu, Thomas Fuchs and I went to Portugal and hooked up with more pals. Oh the fun..! Obrigado, Gary

Hi

2006-11-23T15:05:57+00:00