Gas mask and goblin: Linoleum prints

I have completed a series of linoleum prints. The gas mask series are part print, part original illustration or mono print. The block was split in half in order to do each side in a different color.

As you scroll down, you will see the many different methods for each different print. No two are the same. I will be putting these prints up for sale on my etsy shop.







This final print is a series run of 6 prints on black construction paper. Just a basic single linoleum image of a yellow goblin.

The Ultimate Warrior Collection

My newest series of drawings.

Currently working on a game plan to figure out to properly frame this series, and find a few walls to hang them on. Meanwhile, my crispa ceramic pieces are also in the process of formation.

Sneak Peak at New Chubby Creatures

In the mad rush of holidays I have been spending my time trying to shop, and draw new art for part of my gifts. Here are three new chubby creatures I am scanning in before I finish and frame them for my family.



The scanner at the library is not very advanced and cuts off portions of my art, therefore I had to put down the green flyer to ensure that the entire drawing would be scanned. In the end it creates a pretty cool border.



One of the best parts about this blog is being able to upload unfinished images, or in progress images on the fly and let you all have a look into the odd things I create on a day to day basis. I have been drawing chubby creatures for years. I have even made a video of hidden chubby creatures at the waterpark of america.



In the future I plan to turn some of these chubby creatures into a running series of collectable miniatures, much like my bearded bunnies series. If you would like to see more of my art, make sure to see my art website.

Custom Octo Bunny

Often times when I meet art fans during my miniature art hunts, or if people see my work on the walls of a particular gallery or coffe shop, I will get requests for a hand drawn version or variation of the art they see. The drawing below is a hand drawn 5 X 7 inch version of my octopus bunny art, there is a different version of the octo bunny you can buy on etsy (currently I am running a special online where you can buy one bunny, get a second bunny free!)



The original commissions like the one above typically run from $50-65 depending on specifics. I enjoy doing these from time to time for those that enjoy my work, and prefer original works as opposed to my less expensive hand signed prints. I am working on a number of new bunnies, and also another batch of bunny variations to be featured in the Art O Mat series.

I do want to encourage those reading this blog to browse through older posts to see some of the exciting projects going on. I did also update the popular posts on the right hand side, so check out those links to see some of the best posts from the last few weeks.

Red Hot Arts Festival!

May 31st and June 1st is the weekend that the Red Hot Arts Festival comes to Stevens Square Park. Live music, live artwork, food, events, excitement! I went last year and had a blast.

This year, Matt Semke and myself are getting involved by having an art battle! Billy Vs Matt 9: Dinosuars Vs Cave Man. The art battle will take place live, as the onlooking crowd can vote on which artwork would win in a battle....the losing artwork will be chopped up with an axe, and no sooner than the losing work is destroy do Matt and myself sit down for the next round of Dinosaur Vs Cave Man. I will make a post with more details about it.

Check out the amazing list of artists that will be at this years art festival:


Aneesa Adams
Erika Backberg - www.teatreedesigns.com
France Barbeau - http://franceflick.blogspot.com/
April Barnhart - www.myspace.com/aprilsjewelrybox
Chris Bart - www.chrisbartdesign.com
Caleb Barton
Michelle Barlow - www.loosewirestudio.etsy.com
Jenna Brouse - blog.jennabrouse.com
Mok Buakaow - www.mnartists.org/julaporn_mok_buakaow
Jocelyn Bullock
Megan Burns - www.myspace.com/goldhoax
Robyn Carley
Keli Catalano - http://catalanosoapco.etsy.com
Manuel Cevallos - www.mnartists.org/manny_cevallos
Jonathan Clark - www.jclarkfineart.com
Sherri Dahl - www.mnartists.org/sherri_dahl
Charles Denton - www.storyofdim.com
Beck Derobertis - www.bringmossback.com
Ryan Dyer - www.ryandyer.com
Jason Ericson - www.mnartists.org/spoon
Samah Fahmy - www.studiosamah.com
Tim Feeney - www.timfeeney.net
Toni Feist
Venessa Fielder - www.juniperpear3.devaintart.com
Kendra Gebbia - artbykendra.com
Gina Germ
Jason Gillman - www.jasongillman.net
Lucas Gluesenkamp - www.fuedalmembrane.blogspot.com
Marissa Grasmick
Cris T Halverson - http://crist.home.mindspring.com
Brandon Hanna - http://apt51pottery.blogspot.com
William Hessian - www.williamhessian.com
Aaron Hinkel - www.mnartists.org/aaron_hinkel
Homer
Ana Hunter
Martha Iserman - www.bigredsharks.com
Lindy Jepsen
Jasmine King
Cody Kiser
Abbey Kleinert
Jess Knelhopfer
Karin Knudsen
Jennie Lanners - www.jenniethepotter.com
Anna Leahy - http://www.mnartists.org/anna_leahy
Amy Lesch - http://amy.lesch.googlepages.com
Joe Lipscomb
Dave Logsdon
Andrew MacDonald - www.flickr.com/photos/andrewmacdonald
Rebecca Jo Malmstrom - www.duckieuglings.com
Michael Mason - www.martists.org/mike_mason
Andy McInnis
Libby Meissner
Ann Meyers
Meghan Molenda - www.mepottery.com
Elizabeth Mongomery
Alex Morso - www.mnartists.org/alex_morso
Margaret Nimocks - www.margarette.etsy.com
Kelly Nordahl - www.bellykelly.deviantart.com
Vicki Olson - www.7two7glass.com
Mary K Peterson
Christopher Pole - www.thisisnotasquare.com
Erin Sayer - www.erinsayer.com
Michael Scortino
Sabra Sherer - www.sparklyart.com
Matt Semke - www.catswilleatyou.com
Ashley Shelby - www.ashleyshelby.com
Aly Snyder - www.brackleberry.com
Zach Swenson - http://s157.photobucket.com/albums/t44/zacharyedwardclair/
John Terwilliger
Willa Thornburg - www.robert-thornburg.com/willaburke/
Marci Tiesel
Tim Traver
Jill Van Sickle - www.artworkbyjill.com
Garland Villanova
Guy Wagner - www.students.mcad.edu/~gwagner
Koren Walsh - www.blisshoops.com
Emily Walen - http://emnemily.deviantart.com/
Leslie Weddell
Matt Wells - www.lizardmanart.com
Willow Wicklund
Jeannie Willias - www.jeanniesdeathbyart.com



It's an impressive group, I personally urge everyone to check out Martha Iserman's amazing drawings, Matt Well's futuristic ink drawings to get a sampling of the talent that will be at Steven Square park.

Get involved!
http://www.redhotart.org/

SAVE- illustration Friday

SAVE


My Illustration Friday entry. This 4 X 6 work is watercolor & ink on paper. Enjoy.

Also make sure to see my Deformed bunnies hidden in the bluffs.

Be sure to also browse the art card game I am inventing and designing, not
to mention my art hunts across the nation

The Evolution of the Monster Cards

These four cards are the latest designs of my card game. I have been developing my very own card game in the last few weeks. Playtesting has been good so far, and I want to print a few hundred cards to send out to people interested in playtesting.

I am very interested in creating some very unique and exciting cards. The current cards are featuring brand new background designs, which I am only testing out. I also plan to clean up all of the boxes and colors. I want to keep a hand drawn look and feel, while still feeling polished and energetic. It is this balance that is proving difficult.

I plan to bring a working version of my card to play at Forge Midwest this April.

If you want to learn more about my card game read 45 cards, or my early posts to see how my cards looked before the fancy backgrounds were added, see the pictures at Puffoid and FlameSmythe and also Inventing my own card game

Abstract portraits in pastels 1-4

This is a drawing series of four. The four drawings were on display at Winona State University, my old stomping grounds, as part of an invitation only alumni drawing show. It was an honor to be a part of the show, and get to refamiliarize myself with old friends and teachers. I hope to be apart of Winona State art shows for years to come.

Also, the 4 drawings are on display currently at my own gallery in Minnetonka, Billy and the Old Man Design.


For more portrait works, see my ripple self portrait and the painting of three girls for other works similar to this one.

Political cartoon (Americans in Iraq)

Late last night I created this cartoon for my other blog Zombie Robot Frosting. I've never been into doing political cartoons, however this year I have been following politics and world affairs with close scrutiny. This has led to some ideas along the lines of political cartoons.

Lately most of my time has been spent working on my new card game or making preparations for my Art as Treasure: ART TOUR 2008

Don't forget too also see what happened when America had too much sex on Valentines Day

45 art cards

How my card game works

Its very simple, each side of the card is a statistic or catergory, when lined up against cards facing upside down sides match up and therefore battle. Your monsters must beat my monster by defeating two of the four sides of my monster/warrior. Although the design isnt finished, each red/green side rectangle will eventually have a tiny logo designating different elements or types.

Also, my game is very limited in card numbers to enhance the relationship with your own deck of cards. You will have either 10 or 12 total cards in your deck. You will draw a hand of three warriors and will never have more then three cards. The goal is to simply capture/kill more of your opponents monsters then they do of your own.



Create your own?

The fun thing about the game, is that all cards have a point system which makes them more or less even to every other card. No rarity, just a different dispensement of powers. Thus also making it very easy for players to potentially create their own characters/ or create your own power scheme for each individual monster (in the long run future of the game).

There are a few other rules, and special cards that come into play, including playing cards face down to hide their identity, brick wall sides, point transfer characters, the all seeing eye, mirror ect.

I've been able to explain the game to anyone that plays within 5 mins and play a competitive game within 20 minutes. Which i am very happy about.

I am currently going through a distribution system based on all my special cards and every possible pattern of point distribution and making sure their arent any unfair combinations or strategies which would prove to be unbeatable.

Check back often for more details of cards, also see my last post with up close looks of a few of my cards. I am thinking of travelling to Madison, Wisconsin to partake in a game convention at Forge Midwest.

Do not forget to see some of my other art: Abstract Pastel Portrait and also my super large 48 bunny poster

My favorite sculpture...possibly of all-time

Sam Spiczka has always been a huge influence on me ever since I joined MN artists (www.mnartist.org). I have seen two of his sculptures in person here in Minnesota, but this one is by far my favorite. I am a big fan of all of his work. see his website if your havnt already:




Sam Spiczka


Some truly unique and exciting works all around. I consider him one of the best living sculptors. I check his site often to see if any new works have been posted, and to see what he is working on next. His work is some of the most inspiring current working artists.

See other artist features:

Cats will eat you by Matt Semke
Erotic art by Bilal
Robot art by Goad
Slobots by M. Heisler

The Flamesmyth and Puffoid (new card art)

Collectible Card Game

In my last post, I was talking about my brand new
Collectible Card Game idea. I posted two pictures of my prototype cards. Right now I am finding all of my friends and family and forcing them to try out my game. I am keeping extensive notes of the pros and cons of the game to make future adjustments.



I will be posting more cards, and game updates. I will be giving an open call to artists to create monsters, I will be sending out free prototype cards to those who will play test the game and fill out surveys.

Keep an eye on the blog for more monsters, more card games, and more exciting updates.

Inventing my own card game (pictures)

Creating my own card game

I've been jotting down ideas for card games since I first played Slap Shot a hockey game when I was nine years old. I've got notebooks filled with ideas, and stacks of half drawn card games that I have never gone and finished. However, I have finally gone through with one, and here are two of 32 of my in progress prototype cards.

Keeping it simple

I have written two drafts of the rule book, and its difficult trying to keep the game as simple as possible. The goal is to play enough games to refine the rules to the best possible balance. Thus far, approximately 20 games have been played and so far it has gone very well. Better than one can hope for a brand new game.




Next Step

At this point, on my grassroots level: I am creating more cards, designing the logo, creating a website, figuring out how to market the game, finding testers and getting feedback, finding artists who want to be involved in creating new cards, researching printing of the cards (currently i only have hand drawn versions), and playing games. Eventually I want to give away cards, hide cards in parks, have free mail in give aways, invite the public to design their own cards, include investment oppertunites and watch the game progress from there. These are my usual ambitious plans for my projects. We will see how it evolves from here.

If you have any interest in getting involved in any way with my card game please email me at: william.hessian@gmail.com

You have got to see my poster of
48 bearded bunnies

And also see my pig monster drawing

Abstract Portrait in pastels

This is one drawing of a series of four. I will post all four here in the next week. The four drawings were on display at Winona State University, my old stomping grounds, as part of an invitation only alumni drawing show. It was an honor to be a part of the show, and get to refamiliarize myself with old friends and teachers. I hope to be apart of Winona State art shows for years to come.

Also, the 4 drawings are on display currently at my own gallery in Minnetonka, Billy and the Old Man Design.


For more portrait works, see my ripple self portrait and the painting of three girls for other works similar to this one.

Too much sex on valentines...

Careful having too much sex on valentines....or you might end up seeing something like the picture above. Yikes.

Happy Valentines Day!








Also see my new 48 bunny poster, or my 7 best posts of 2007.

He- Man bunny

Masters of the Universe

Part of the He-Man bearded bunny series. Earlier I posted my Orko bearded bunny and also my Man-At-Arms bearded bunny.

If you would like to know where these bunnies are going, see my tower of bunnies post. Learn how all of my bearded bunnies are being deployed to old cigarette machines across the nation thanks to Art-o-Mat.

Meanwhile, I am selling my bearded bunny prints, hand signed and numbered to 10, on Etsy. And I even offer a free bearded bunny for anyone who donates any amount of money to my art as treasure: art tour 2008.


"By the power of grayskull.... I have the bearded bunnies!"

Conan O'Brien rides a six nippled tart while talking about a bald Britney Spears

Celebrities

I go out of my way to avoid hearing anything about celebrities. I do not watch TV, I do not read any of those celebrity newspapers, and I do not chat about celebrities with friends. Sometimes, despite my efforts, I am exposed to gossip. I did a short series of sketches based on the few things I have heard.

Conan and Britney

Easy subject matter. Conan is a fun person to draw. He is so lanky and awkward looking in general that it typically is very easy to transfer onto paper. Plus, I do find hm very funny. Britney, with all of her craziness lately, I could really care less about. I try to do all that I can to ignore her privite life. Yet, she is everywhere!

See more of my artwork by seeing my newest bearded bunny, and also seeing the pig monster ink sketch, and do not forget to check out my ripple self portrait

PIG MONSTER ink drawing

Creative Explosion

As a working artist, I often find myself cramped for time, and always pushing creative ideas away in order to get other projects done. The pig monster drawing was one of those few days I allowed myself to simply sit down with a sketch book and draw. I came up with 5 good drawings this day, making me think I need to find more time to do this.


Sketchbooks

I currently have completed 32 sketchbooks since highschool. I find one the greatest tools of an artist is the creation of ideas, and there is no better place for those ideas then a sketchbook. Everyone should keep a journal or sketchbook nearby at all times.

To see more of my artwork check out my art portfolio. You can also find a lot more of my work here, you can find my airbrushing work, my bearded bunnies series, and paintings.

Custom Poker Table (picture)

Custom Poker Table

For those that have been following my airbrushing blogs like the dragonfly bike, the ww2 project or the 5 simple steps to become an airbrush artist, you will find that this project is a little different. We got a call asking if we can airbrush felt. I told the guy, "We never have, but we will try." Which is out typical answer when it comes to doing something we have never done before. Next thing I knew I had a brand new poker table in my shop waiting to be painted.

Airbrushing on Felt

Before agreeing to this project I did some research, and found almost nothing about airbrushing on felt. I should call this blog "airbrushing on felt" simply because it would be the only thing to appear on google's search. Not many people have airbrushed on felt, and now I know why. Nothing sticks to felt, overspray and bleeding are endless problems and you've got to wait 2 hours in between each application of color (even if you are just putting another layer of color on the same color). It is very time consuming and tedious. Not to mention I have to buy Createx waterbased paints specifically for this project.

Diamond Logo

The logo was very specific and luckily for me, very simple. I originally printed a sticker of the logo on our Stika design cutter, but soon learned the sticker did not adhere to the felt. Then I had to recut the logo piece by piece with green automotive tape. After all the trials and tribulations I am actually quite happy with the end result. It only took me three times my estimated time investment.

But now I can say, "Yes, we can paint on felt.....it just takes forever."



I work for my own airbrushing company called Billy and the Old Man Design. We now can paint on felt and previously did a skull project on a film cannister. This blog will feature all sort of our airbrushing adventures & misadventures.

For other airbrush projects see my dragonfly bike, and also the candy/pearl project with a WW2 theme. If you are artist you should also check out 5 simple steps to become an airbrush artist.

Robot Bunny

Bearded Bunnies

Another bearded bunny added to my bearded bunny blog. This is my robot bunny. One year ago I created a robot bear and a robot cat, which sold immediately at my next show. I was proud of them, but did not continue with the series. I did adapt the concept into my bearded bunnies though, and this is the result. Remember, all of my bearded bunnies are for sale.

No Such Thing as a Free Bunny?

Wrong again! I have secretly decided to give away a free bunny to anyone that donates money to my art tour in 2008, see my previous post about this special offer, but keep it secret.


A Blogging Shame

I do really enjoy creating many bearded bunnies and them featuring on my blog. I think as the collection grows it will be rewarding to be able to click the bearded bunny tag and see the mass amounts of new creations I have come up with over the past few months. Leave me comments on the bunnies you enjoy! Or, as I mentioned above, prove it to me by purchasing a print at
etsy.


If you enjoyed this blog see my other bearded bunny blog posts

Plus you will probably enjoy my george mckin etsy feature and the open call to artists