From wikipedia: Mardi Gras Indians are African-American Carnival revelers in New Orleans, Louisiana, who dress up for Mardi Gras in suits influenced by Native American ceremonial apparel.

The Mantastic Craft of the Year Award goes to (im my opinion) to the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans for their beautifully creative creations done yearly, sewn by hand – no glue gun! They devote many hours to intricate handiwork sewing beads, feathers and sequins to canvas foundations. There are three costumes – the big chief, the flag boy and the spy boy. They each have their own song, and they parade throughout the neighborhood in search of other Mardi Gras Indians, all during St. Joseph’s Day.

As a musician and artist, I became a fan after watching the HBO series, Treme. It inspired me to check out the music, watch all the episodes – hey, let’s all meet in New Orleans next year!

Anyway, their elaborate costumes inspired me to make some Aztec sculptures. There are so many similarities to the costumes, I couldn’t resist!

I know there are a lot of cool rubber stamps out there. I’ve had different offers from companies ask me about making my skeleton designs into them. I never followed up because I don’t have the energy. And I never really got into using rubber stamps. Well that has all changed. A few months ago we sorted out our art room and Kathy put all her stamps in one area. I like to poke around in Kathy’s supplies, I think she tries to hide the good stuff from me. That’s where I found these Aztec stamps. She bought them last summer when we were on the sparkle glitter tour at Olvera Candle Shop in downtown Los Angeles. I don’t know who makes them but the candle shop sells them!

Last night was my brother-in-law’s birthday party. He drinks more beer than I do. I bought him a two-person beer bong (it was the hit of the party!) and I made him a card and envelope using the stamps. To make his name I used one of the stamps that was long, I think it was meant to be used as a border, but it makes good letters too!

For the above design, I filled in with a Sharpie marker (the dots).

This is my newest painting for framed prints and my host mascott for Mantastic Comix!You wont find her in any old poolside party but you can find her only here on the most Mantastic site ever!Help me find her a name and win her print for free!!

Starting to get the hang of it!

This is from a new comic book I’m drawing. With this project, i’m going back to my roots of line drawing. Black ink on white paper. First I sketch in pencil and then go over it in ink. I’ll be posting my pages as I finish them. These could turn into t-shirts, postcards whatever the imagination calls for. A piece of paper and a pencil, when I see these I see endless potential. CLICK ON TITLE AND SCROLL DOWN TO LEAVE A COMMENT.