Squidbillies

Squidbillies Vol. 2

The DVD came out 2 days ago and again it is a 2 disc set with lots of extras.  I went and bought my copy today.  I just went to Amazon.com to look at reviews of the first volume and found this one (the reviewer was right about the love going into it):

By	Craig Luft (Michigan) - See all my reviews

Squidbillies is of course a funny show. Aqua Teen's Dave Willis is one of the creators, and freqently does voices. Anyone addicted to inexplicable Master Shake speak will find similar comedic gold. And some brutal rape and incest humor.

The thing I don't hear enough, or even at all is that this show is beautiful. The backgrounds have gorgeous brush strokes, scratches and spots. The characters have a squiggly "drawn" look, and at the same time move remarkably smoothly and are extremely expressive and articulate. If this show sucked I'd turn the sound off and just look at it.

I feel guilty watching Squidbillies because so much love obviously went into it. I don't think I have half as much love in my heart as is in this show.

Bedding

Bar Interior

Shoe Store

Background from the new as yet unaired season of Squidbillies.

Rummage Round-up

A background from season 3.  It's a rummage sale, ala 'Antique's Roadshow'.  I put the Ark of the Covenant in there, you never know...

Newspaper

That's my deceased Jack Russell as the pet of the week.

Hot Tub

The Band

backstage elements for David Allen Coe (acrylic/ink)

Boiled Peanut Dome

The Process - Jukebox

I have a library of hand painted textures that I've created over the years (creating new ones when needed).  I sketch, the paint (ink) over the sketch, add textures, then color.  Voila!

Squidtype

Super Mall

This is a sketch for a background from last season's Squidbillies.  I needed to create a super mall for a simple cutaway shot.  It includes sports arena, landing strip, it's own water supply and interstate that enters the mall itself.

JIggle Hut

I needed to revise this existing background for Squidbillies to include a lot more landscape to the right of this rundown, rural bar.  Maintaining the lost/seemy/meaningless aspect was a small challenge at first.  Nothing a pile of discarded tires can't fix.  This is one of my favorite backgrounds.

Cotton Field

Here's a new cotton field background.

High Cotton

Working on a cotton field of Squidbillies.  First, I'm learning what cotton looks like.... (pencil)

Happy New Year

HOW Design Annual 2009

The Squidbillies DVD will be included in 'HOW's' 2009 Design Annual in February.  Yay.  I think the second DVD may be coming out in February as well.

Season 4

Squidbillies has been renewed for another season and work on the new DVD is going on as well!  Thanks Adult Swim!  Here's a new background from the new season.

2008 PRINT Magazine Annual

Just found out that my design and illustration of the Squidbillies DVD was selected for inclusion into this years PRINT annual, which will come out later this year.  A big thanks to Jacob Escobedo and Duke Aber of Adult Swim.

suburbia

Income  +  football  x  consumerism divided by a lack of curiosity   =  Suburbia

Adult Swim Calendar 2009

The following is my entry to the 2009 AS calendar.  It'll measure 12x12" and, I believe, will be available for purchase later this year. 

Prints for sale

There are finally two limited edition Squidbillie prints on canvas for sale at Acme Archives. ( Looks like there are about 20 or so left of each. Rabbit mask not included ).  Also, more prints may be coming soon from Adult Swim.  I'll post info here when it happens.

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........