Julie Laquer Illustration & Design

Showing Work at Phantom Hand

2012-01-24T18:41:00.000-08:00

Last week, Phantom Hand closed a show I was involved with called OUT TO DRY III. This Friday, they're opening a show called ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION II that I'm also involved in. Here's a hot pic of the piece I'll have in it:

Also: OUT TO DRY III prints still available. Hope to see you there!

OUT TO DRY III Opens Tonight at Phantom Hand Gallery

2011-12-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

Tonight!
Works by me and other members of the Philadelphia Cartoonist Society & friends.
Opening from 6-10pm at Phantom Hand Gallery, 604 South St., Philadelphia, operated by artist pal Sam Heimer.

Holiday Coloring Book for Kids in Need

2011-12-23T11:35:00.000-08:00

This year, I was asked to be an annual Holiday Coloring Book project organized by Matt Cavanaugh. Several illustrators collaborated on the project, each submitting a page. The books have been printed and were dropped off at a New Jersey shelter this morning, along with packs of crayons.

My page!

Holiday Sale - Free Shipping!

2011-12-14T07:59:00.000-08:00

Enter promo code "HOLIDAY2011" during checkout on my Etsy shop anytime between now and Dec. 31, 2011 and receive FREE SHIPPING! : )

Also, new greeting cards coming soon..

Maria Consuelo Flores Dia de los Muertos Submission

2011-10-27T10:38:00.000-07:00

"Maria Consuelo Flores", acrylic on JEOPARDY NES cartridge My 'Dia de los Muertos' piece is still hanging at Ground Kontrol in Portland, Oregon with the rest of the Autumn Society submissions from last year. I just now noticed that the Ground Kontrol crew put us on their merch site, which is rad of them

Hell Worms

2011-10-18T09:36:00.000-07:00

Old sketch, featured in Everyone I Love is Going to Hell zine

Logo/Illustration for Kenneth Guilbert

2011-09-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

Client: Kenneth Guilbert

Worked in vector, a little outside of my comfort zone but I think it came out well. This guy has space at a hidden gem in the burbs called the Archive, where he sells records/rare music memorabilia.

Indypendent Cover: What Really Scares Liberals

2011-07-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

For an article discussing fear mongering of the Obama administration. The Indypendent is a far left-leaning free newspaper in NYC. Thanks to AD Frank Reynoso!

Indypendent spot - 'Dance of Power'

2011-06-23T06:24:00.000-07:00

Had the pleasure of working with AD Frank Reynoso for another Indypendent spot. This article discussed the regime change in post-Mubarek Egypt and the "dance of power" between its military and Muslim Brotherhood.

Egypt’s Army and Muslim Brothers Join in a Dance of Power

"She-Devil" silkscreen

2011-05-16T17:22:00.001-07:00

This is the first in my 2-color "Women on the Warpath" series, Roseanne Arnold as "She-Devil" (a great movie if you get the chance). This is a terrible scan; original is on lovely speckled french paper.

Flea

2011-04-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

A sketch I did of my "wild man", Flea:

New Screenprints for Sale

2011-04-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

I've been taking silkscreen classes at Fleisher and absolutely love them! Here's what I've done so far:

"Skinny Minnie"

"Wild Thing"

All prints for sale on my Etsy page.

Spot for the Indypendent: "Value Added Teacher Evaluations"

2010-11-12T10:12:00.000-08:00

Update: Article can be found here. Thanks to AD Frank Reynoso.

Spot for the Indypendent/NYC Independent Media Center: "Value Added Teacher Evaluations", an article exploring the consequences of attributing falling test scores to individual educator performance and the faulty protocol used to assess them.

Indypendent

daffodills

2010-11-03T20:07:00.000-07:00

sketch for a screenprint!
print for sale here

8-Bit Calavera Piece

2010-10-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

This is my submission (acrylic on JEOPARDY! NES game) for a group show called "8-Bit Calavera" (Spanish for "skull") that will be at Ground Kontrol bar/arcade in Portland, OR. All 40 submissions will be arranged into an '8-bit' skull shape. Weee-ooo!

hip hop dance workshop flyer

2010-09-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

done under the gun for a local dance troupe!

Tour Poster for Scott Churchman and Snow Caps

2010-07-27T07:38:00.001-07:00

Made for my dear friends Andrew and Scott. Have a good tour, fellas!

Listen to Scott Churchman
Listen to Snow Caps

'Creative Correspondence' Oasis Student and Artist Collaboration

2010-04-25T16:57:00.001-07:00

On Friday night, collaborative work between mentally handicapped students from Oasis and local artists was put on display at the Magic Garden in Philadelphia.

I was excited to be a part of this collaboration and even more excited to see all of the finished work. It was by far the most colorful body of work I've ever seen grouped together at once, and the overwhelmingly busy atmosphere of the magic garden and its many twists and turns was a perfect location for the show.

I took photos of the two pieces my "buddy" and I started and finished for each other, as well as some pieces that I thought turned out really well:

Here is the 'before' and 'after' of the first piece:

Here's the piece I finished:

And here are some pieces I thought looked great!

Feature in Philadelphia Stories

2010-04-06T08:53:00.000-07:00

Happy that my grandma phone piece was accepted into Philadelphia Stories this go-round!

Philadelphia Stories Spring 2010 Artwork

Manuel Barrueco Ads!

2010-04-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

2 itty bitty web ads done for the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society for the Philly Fun Guide site.

Manny!

2010-03-13T14:57:00.000-08:00

Did this sketch of Manny a month or two ago. I've sketched him a lot over the years but I think this is the one that captures him the best.

Flyer

2010-03-11T17:28:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I did one of these things but my friend Scott asked me to do one for his new band, Brown Gargantuan.

Artist Collaboration with Mentally Challenged

2010-02-26T08:59:00.000-08:00

I am participating in a collaboration between artists and the mentally handicapped in which each participant creates "50%" (ish) of a piece and then hands it over to their counterpart for completion. I completed my first half for submission tonight and will receive my buddy's half-completed piece next week.

This is such an interesting project for me because it requires the artists to stifle their egos and allow some one with a unique vision have a voice on the same page or canvas; these folks are using art as a way to express themselves just as we are.

Anyway, here's the first half of mine. It's modest and simple but I like the idea of my partner imagining what they'd like to put on/around the tv screen. Apologies for the low grade camera photo.

I'll post the "After" picture as well as details for the opening, which I believe will be in April at the Magic Garden.

(x-posted to Autumn Society)

Valentine's Cards at All By Hand

2010-02-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

A belated Valentine's post of my Rocky Valentines Cards..

Courtesy http://allbyhand.blogspot.com/2010/02/valentines-day.html

New Etsy Shop

2009-12-07T11:51:00.000-08:00

I just opened an Etsy shop, check it out to see the 2 greeting cards I'm starting out with:

www.etsy.com/shop/chewlyhoop

And for those of you in Philadelphia, please be sure to check out my pal Julianna's new pet project/shop at Liberty Place called 'All by Hand':

allbyhand.blogspot.com

Kristen Wiig

2009-10-22T13:58:00.001-07:00

Kristen Wiig is one of the few reasons I'll still watch SNL. Other than David Cross (who I saw at the Merriam 2 nights ago..hilarious!) and maybe one or two folks in the past, she is really one of the only comedians that can make me actually laugh out loud ("LOL").

I really enjoyed her portrayal of 'Gilly', a mischievous girl with Annie hair. I would venture to say Wiig's big winning point is her funny faces.

Here she is on a skit with Drew Barrymore that's making fun of 80's workout videotapes. I love it! I love her!

Can I just say...

2009-10-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

That this Photoshop makeover of my sleeping roommate/victim Nick will forever be my crowning lifetime achievement? It is probably the one thing I have ever made that I will never criticize. Not to toot my own horn, but TOOT TOOT!

humble beginnings...

2009-10-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

So I got a new Wacom Intuos2 tablet..I am in LOVE with it!
Only thing is, today was the first time I ever used one. I always wanted to but somehow never took advantage of the opportunity. I think it'll be a great way to add some color and dimension to my typically flat style.

Anyway, here's this weird looking guy I scribbled while getting acclimated to it:

I know, I know. But I'm getting there!

Sister Signs on Passyunk Ave.

2009-10-01T06:54:00.000-07:00

I love living in the Italian Market section of South Philly. While it may be scummy, loud, and irritating at some times (there's this strange tradition of leaving the last syllable out of words), sometimes its the dirty eyesores and remnants of its boisterous old world heyday that I like the most.

And being a design nerd, one part of this abandoned building kitsch that I enjoy the most is looking at the signs of yesteryear. South Philly is a vintage sign mecca, probably rivaling Wildwood, NJ. On South Broad you'll see the run-down pastiche of decrepit dive bars with neon dolphins, cowboy boots, swirling chunky typefaces and the like. Passyunk Avenue, which is starting to blossom into a quirky little stretch of bars, cafes, restaurants, specialty shops, etc., was once the main thoroughfare for Italian Roman Catholic Immigrants, evidenced by the first holy communion dress shops, virgin mary statuettes, etc. (Of course it was originally founded on a Native American Trail).

So anyway, I was reading Philebrity today and saw that one of my favorite hokey old signs might be getting taken down. It dates back to the 80's or 90's and has a sister sign on the next block. These are so great, and I just want to memorialize them before either of them go. So, without further ado, the KING OF JEANS:

..and the King's red-headed stepbrother, A MAN'S IMAGE:

image courtesy of andrewdavidwatson.com

ARRIVEDERCI!!

Madeleine

2009-08-31T13:18:00.000-07:00

When I was little, one of my favorite videos/book series was 'Madeleine' by Ludqig Bemelmans. The other morning, I popped into the cafe beneath my apartment and was pleasantly surprised to hear a barista reading the 'Bad Hat' story. It really brightened my day remembering the adventures of this goofy little girl. Who else would say "poo poo" to the lions at the zoo?

A delicious sounding recipe

2009-08-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

COCONUT MACAROON WHACKY CAKE

3 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
6 tbsp. cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
2/3 c. oil
2 c. water
2 tbsp. vinegar
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla

Mix first dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix remaining ingredients together. Pour over dry mixture and beat well until blended. Pour into 9 x 13 inch pan.

FILLING:

8 oz. cream cheese
1 egg
1/2 c. coconut
1/3 c. sugar
1 c. chocolate bits
(1/2 c. walnuts)

Mix all together and drop by spoonfuls on top of unbaked cake. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

"Angkor Wat"

2009-08-05T13:35:00.000-07:00

A beautiful piece by one of my favorite current Illustrators, Josh Cochran. His work can be found in our weeklies fairly often.
Check this guy out!

Nonsense Collective Nouns

2009-07-17T06:20:00.001-07:00

Stumbled upon this lovely illustrator, Alice Melvin on Etsy. I love her drawings and ideas!

Alice Melvin's Portfolio
Alice Melvin on Etsy

hummers

2009-07-16T22:26:00.000-07:00

tiny spot about American hyperconsumerism.

'my favorite things' show

2009-06-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

doodly doo!

2009-06-19T06:53:00.000-07:00

At the request of my friend Scott, I am making a one-frame comic..here's a doodle I made while drinking my morning coffee:

I enjoy the shark head a lot..I think for the final version I'm going to expand the board room and include a meeting table full of other sea creatures. I'd also like to make the seal a little more expressive. Very seldom do I crack myself up with my own drawings, but this shark is killing me.

new book cover

2009-06-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

For Qui Vive! Press | Arcadia University

Billboard in UK: The Joy of Not Being Sold Anything

2009-06-10T07:11:00.000-07:00

Rick Santorum Concedes, His Family Makes Faces

2009-05-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

This is about two years too late, but still worth posting:

Rick Santorum was pretty much just a walking bag of LOL while senator of PA.

'Germination Station'

2009-05-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

Piece for Autumn Society's 'Heart Earth' show (theautumnsociety.blogspot.com)
Inspired by my gardening woes..

bork bork!

2009-04-02T09:42:00.001-07:00

Done for a friend of a friend! Shoddily cropped and printed, but it came out ok!

sushi flash drives

2009-03-27T20:39:00.000-07:00

¥7,600//$77.16 (!!!)
[Courtesy of Ping Mag, R.I.P.]

ladies (still) love cool james

2009-02-19T11:14:00.000-08:00

help! this song has been stuck in my head for 10 years!

weird/cool web site!

2009-02-02T07:33:00.000-08:00

This wacky website was featured on the FWA (Favourite Web Awards) site and is a lot of fun!
Made by a Dutch kid my age - 'Bio-Bak'.

Portland, OR

2009-01-10T16:14:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!
Last November I took a trip to Portland, Oregon and was tremendously inspired in so many ways! The beauty and overall vibe of thi city is quite refreshing and left me with a positive attitude and new ideas about things I want to try and achieve socially and creatively back home. Portland has spaces dedicated to the reuse of everyday objects - from bath tubs to bare thread spools to old composition book covers..and its streets and public areas are clean and "green".
It's also an ecosystem of underground art - from independent self-publishing facilities (www.iprc.org) to letterpress print shops (www.larkpress.com) to zine libraries and distros to DIY gallery spaces. While the notion of these things have a minor presence in Philly (something I am hoping to help change), there just seems to be more of a celebration of them there.

I definitely recommend visiting this city if you are looking for a relaxed, coniferous, and forward-thinking atmosphere.

Cover for Qui Vive! Press/Arcadia University

2008-10-13T22:36:00.000-07:00

'Onomatopeyas'

2008-09-19T10:22:00.000-07:00

I came across this site that displays captures of exclamatory Onomatopoeia from old Batman episodes. I love the style, of course. Here are some faves:

one of the most beautiful places I have ever been..

2008-09-16T14:07:00.000-07:00

...is the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. I went with my family as a kid but would love to go back. I'm sure the Drum Bridge would seem less monstrous now, although even as a snotty kid I was enamored by the foliage and winding paths, sculptures, Koi, etc. One thing I would love most about living on the West Coast is the large Japanese influence.
The Japanese Tea House in Fairmount Park here in Philly is also pretty sweet; I had a really nice day there this summer..but it's not as manicured and intricate.

Here is the official website

Hello/WonkaVision #43

2008-08-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

New blog! For the purpose of updating my goings-on and making note of things I admire or am inspired by. I promise this won't be a vessel for making fun of your wacky outfits (very often).

1.Check out my spot illustrations of Bikini Kill and the Dead Kennedys in WonkaVision#43: The Political Music Issue

2. I think I am in love with 'Horsebites Design'

3. Here's this terrifying thing I found: