There's a Spider in the Bathroom

Barely coming in under the submission-deadline wire, here is my entry for the Threadless + Spider-Man  design contest. I haven't really been inspired to do anything for Threadless in a while: they've redesigned their site (and it still needs A LOT of ironing out), the submission forms have changed, etc. I'm not sure why those events put me off submitting (and it's not all that: I just haven't come up with any worthwhile tee ideas lately), but I'm going to try to start subbing again.
The focus of the contest was to create a design inspired by Spidey doing battle with his foes. And, since I was fairly certain that 90% of the submissions would be battle-scenes, I tried to go in a smarter direction. For, as any seasoned general will tell you, going into battle without having observed the enemy (their strengths, weaknesses, and motive) is a grave mistake.
I wanted to utilize the prominence of photography in the Spider-Man universe, and a makeshift darkroom set up in the bathroom seemed like a worth starting point. The rest evolved from there. Mind you the inspiration and execution behind this one all took place in a little over a week, so there are certain things I would prefer to perfect or redo if I had more time, but, as I seem to do often, I put it off until the last minute. Still, my Spider-Sense is quite content with the final product.

Final Product:

Close-up of Villians:

Characters © Marvel Comics

Artwork © 2012 Jeremy Owen

~J

Hip Princess

Another Adventure Time fan-art piece: this one is of Bubblegum as a hipster waiting to get into a show (probably for some bands you've probably never heard of...probably). Funnily enough, I spent more time on this piece than I did on the other AT pieces I've done, and it received less of a response on Tumblr. Either I strayed too far from the actual look and feel of the show...or it proves that less really is more (although, if you think about it, those two reasons are essentially one in the same).

There were many different color schemes/lighting effects I tried for this one, and I settled on this look for a particular reason. I went to see Beach House with a good friend recently, and, while waiting outside for the show, in the chill, October weather, there was this warm light cast by the last rays of sun, illuminating us and everything around with a yellowish sheen. It was a beautiful way for the day to end and a wonderful opening for what, truly, was the best show I've been to in my life so far. So, even though the performance of this piece wasn't as awesome as I wanted it to be for the effort I put into it, it does hold that sense of accomplishment at recreating part of an endearing life experience, for whatever it's worth to you folks.

Character © Pendelton Ward

Artwork © 2012 Jeremy Owen

~J

The Boy Who Lived

The Lightning Struck Child. He Who Was Chosen. Harry.

Character © J. K. Rowling

© 2012 Jeremy Owen

~J

Beach Time with Marceline and Bubblegum

An Adventure Time fan-art piece I did during summer.

Feels a bit out of place posting this in the colder months.

I guess we can all reminisce.

Characters © Pendelton Ward

Artwork © 2012 Jeremy Owen

~J

Words Are Futile Devices

And I would say I love you,
but saying it out loud is hard/
So I won't say it at all/
And I won't stay very long/
But you are the life I needed all along/
I think of you as my brother/
Although that sounds dumb/
And words are futile devices/

Lyrics © Sufjan Stevens
Artwork © 2012 Jeremy Owen

Sufjan, follow the path.

~J

Self

There was this day. It wasn't such a great day. I felt pretty morose. I feel that way sometimes. But it wasn't a morose that brought me to my typical, dysfunctional halt. It was a morose that made me want to create. It was a strange feeling. Most often when I'm morose it makes me want to curl up on the carpet and cease. And I'm not saying this piece is particularly well executed. It isn't one of my better efforts, especially given the circumstances. But I'm proud of it. I'm proud of it because I gave that effort, even though the effort was hurried and clunky. I'm proud of it because it represents a strengthening of character, which, in my life, has been slow in its manifestation. And it feels good. It feels good to not have carpet-indent lining the side of my face.
It always feels good to push back.

© 2012 Jeremy Owen

~J

Hip Couple

These hip cats came into the store I work at a while back. You can really tell an out-of-towner when the make an appearance. Hardly anyone looks or carries themselves like this where I live. To each their own, I suppose.

© 2012 Jeremy Owen

Cheers,

~J