Squidbillies

Kid Robot

Kid Robot just produced a line of vinyl figures from Adult Swim's programming.  Pretty Awesome!

BASHETIZING SMASH-MASTER

I've been waiting to post this.  One of my favorite things I've done for the show.  Also the preliminary sketch.

Coming soon

Been working on season 4.  I always hesitate to post things before they air, as I don't want to give anything away.  Here's a few photos snapped around the work being done.  Obtuseness and confusion abounds!  Thanks for all the wonderful compliments and emails.  Here's my hand outlining a structure of some sort, the water my brushes take a bath in and the ceiling to my office.

Aerial View

Liquor

Blimp

I need some air

High Voltage

Fine Ass Speakers

4 wheeler

Kerosene

Jiggle Hut

 

Cool

Since the DVD came out I've gotten some great emails asking if I have merchandise or if I'm going to be touring in some areas (no kidding!)  Sadly, I'm probably not going anywhere, and I don't really have any merchandise, but I've GOT to figure something out, so stay tuned.  I really appreciate all the great emails and I could probably speak for everyone on the show by saying THANKS!  I got my copy of the DVD and it really is great fun and even more funnier than I already thought it was.  If you get a chance pick it up!  It might have the best extras of any Adult Swim DVD.  Hey, that Michelin man is on some TV commercial lovin some tires. He gets sad whenever he has to let a tire go, but there's always another tire right behind to lift him back up again.  We never have to worry about him, that's for sure.

Here's a frame grab of some actual work going on for this season.

Gum!

Here's the new 'Gum' ad for season 3.  Let's put it on a shirt!

Going for broke

Here are some assorted pieces i've created from the upcoming 3rd season of Squidbillies.

The way things work

5000 years ago the earth was created. Well, not really, but the way I sometimes do the backgrounds for Squidbillies is: I view a rough cut of the show. The editors cut together a show using the final audio, stand in backgrounds or sketches so that action can be blocked out. It's at this point I'll be provided a copy as reference to plan my background. Sometimes, I'll do my planning based on the nuance of conversations I have with Jim Fortier. Point is, I just watched a 'rough cut' of episode 28. If you're reading this, please tune in this fall for season 3. It's gonna be good and ep. 28 is great.

Season 3

I hate I haven't been posting much here.  Part of the reason is an incredible amount of work and distraction.  Also, I err on the side of no disclosing of work because of legalities.  However, here is a recent element from season 3.  I think I'm gonna be sneaking in more here and there, and for the people who have emailed, thanks for staying in touch.  It's a great thing.

Stone Mountain

FREEBIRD!!!!!

Upcoming

So, it's very likely that two backgrounds will be released as limited edition prints.  Stay tuned.  I'll make info available as soon as I get it.  Meanwhile, a DVD is in the works.  We've been working on extras and commentary which has been great and tremendous fun!  I've now met all the voices that contribute to the show and they are all funny and dear people with great stories to tell!  So, while we all wait for upcoming Squid events, here's a stateline background from an episode where Early tries to buy his alcohol on sunday.  I feel his pain.

Holy Crap!

Christmas is coming as so is a very special Squidbillies?  Here are a few non-plot-giving-away elements.  I'll talk more about it after it airs.  As well as a couple of other things.

Aliens + redneck mindtap = machine of doom

gouache, acrylic and enamel as usual.  This was a design by Radical Axis that I adapted and expanded on.

Coming Soon

A Step in Between
This is a frame grab from an upcoming background.  This isn't the way it ended up, but I liked this and saved it.

Fruit Just Listens

This is probably one of my favorite Squidbillie moments.  Rusty has begun laying eggs and Early takes Rusty hunting to de-bitch-u-late him.  They disguise themselves as fruit so that the deer thinks they are part of a common Georgia fruit tree.  The Sheriff is especially tender in this episode, which to me, the more tender and sensitive he gets, the funnier he is.
Goauche, acrylic, enamel.

Take a Ride

People of a certain age have all felt the thrill of seeing a little ride outside a grocery store.  I'd forgotten that thrill actually, but was thrilled when I made up this one to put outside the Five and Dime.  This would make a good toy.  One day I hope to have the time to make a prototype.

Time for Church!

TheRapist

Early goes to a therapist, or if he looked at the sign more carefully would've understood that he had gone to see 'The Rapist' instead.  The scene begins on the left in what would seem a standard comfortable therapist environment, but as the scene is further revealed, we understand something else is afoot.  A rapist's lair is never complete without a christmas color wheel.  Oh, and lots and lots of flashlights.  Also included are references to a couple of my favorite films, 'Seven' and 'Blue Velvet'.  And so you all know I have range, some other favorite films are: Lawrence of Arabia, City of Lost Children, Amelie, Swimming with Sharks, Kung Fu Hustle........

Dan Halen Speaks!

Keith Huang was kind enough to forward the entire interview with Todd Hanson, the voice of Dan Halen and head writer for one of my favorite sites since 1997 'The Onion'.  Enjoy!

Cephalopods of the South

Keith Huang has written an excellent article about Squidbillies over at Gelf Magazine.  Check it out!

Here's the complete text of my interview with Kieth, which was edited for the article.

Working on Season 2

The premiere of the second seasons of Squidbillies begings Sunday, September 17.  This weekend I was working on an episode and decided to snap this picture.  I begin each element and background with pencil.  After I outline the pencil with gouache ( it flows nicely ) I scan it, then paint it in with acrylic.  Scan it again, then color it in photoshop. This allows me to change my mind which happens quite often.  Sometimes, if I feel strongly enough about an element or if it has special prominence, I'll paint it outright as in the case of the clowns.

Clowns!

Moon

Cherubs

Folding Chairs

F.L.O.W.E.R.S.

There's not many on Squidbillies, but there was .... once.  Here they are

Dan Halen Headquarters

Rocket Science

This rocket passes outside the window when Early applies for a job at the space center.

Knifery is the tool of the idiot

This is the interior of the knife store where Early applies for a job.

Early's still

Early Kuyler constructs this still to make his pine cone liquor.  It's one of my favorite elements.

Factory

Dan Halen's factory

Two roads

Rest in Peace, Tonight!

Let there be Savings!

How Wolves are Born

One episode features wolves educating Rusty on where babies come from.  The wolves made this diagram to help.

Advertising

Here are some preliminary elements for advertising on the show.  Saatchi & Saatchi, please know you can contact me through this blog if you ever get in a conceptual bind.

Next Stop

The gas station bathroom.  I think the word Oooh-la-la doesn't get used enough.

Convenience Store

Here's a preliminary sketch for the convenience store.

Meth Lab

Sometimes I like the elements removed from their context.  The meth lab here is one of my favorites.

Gas Station

While doing this, I liked the simplicity of it in it's uncompleted form.