PLEASE REDIRECT

Attention everyone: I am moving this blog to the following domain — http://erikotto.com/blog/

Please update your bookmarks, RSS feeds, and address books if you would like to continue to follow along. Sorry for the switch, but the custom URL will allow me to do more things I want to do with this blog. Thanks for your continued support.

Redirect here >>

Yosemite

Another refreshing weekend in the California outdoors. A good friend of mine is in town and invited me to go camping in the woods at Yosemite. It ended being a reunion of old friends and some amazing times. Thanks for the fun everyone.

I was just starting to take photos when the mist from one of the waterfalls disabled my camera for the weekend, but jumping into the ice cold river was unforgettable.

Terrestrial Syndrome – update 07.10.09

Happy Friday everyone. I have now decided that every Friday I will update you with the progress of my upcoming show, Terrestrial Syndrome at The Shooting Gallery. I figure some order to the madness might be better for those who are interested in following along. Things are off to a good start, but as always, it will be a fight till the end as the real struggle is finding the time to dedicate to the craft. With less than 2 months to pull it off, I plan to create an all new body of work for this show that will hopefully even impress myself.

Since I just started laying down the paint, it’s simply a matter of covering ground as quickly as possible by adding character and buidling texture across all the surfaces in my signature chaotic fashion.

Materials used: spray paint, house paint, china marker and screen print.

Didn’t have a ton of time this week to paint due to work, but I am hoping to rock a few long sessions next week. As always…stay tuned.

More info about the show >>

6×6 Gallery

Oh my! I love well designed packaging. Check out this gallery submission package I received from Charmingwall Gallery’s new venture 6×6 Gallery. It’s a great new gallery concept geared towards the collectors on a budget. They will showcase hundreds of original artworks all on 6×6 canvases. I will be participating in their opening exhibit October 2009 not only because we’re good friends and I support what they do, but because this is such a rad concept.

Stay tuned for the smallest piece of artwork I have ever created.
Learn more about 6×6 Gallery here.

Forte Yogurt — update

Hey all. I just realized I never posted any new photos from my Art Direction job with Forte Yogurt – an all new frozen yogurt business located in Merced, CA. I was responsible for everything from their website to the entire design of the shop. It was a huge undertaking and an unforgettable experience, but it all came together in the end. Well sorta…once they make a few bucks back, the store will get all the final touches I have requested and it will be entirely complete. Stay tuned for more photos of the final design of the shop. For now, check these amazing in progress shots.

Flavor menu with interchangeable flavor placards. The idea is that they will change the flavors often to keep things fresh.

Proud first customers pose with their Forte Yogurt shirt in front of the finished mural. More photos of the finished mural and interior of the space once it’s all complete. All together the mural measured 4 feet tall by 28 feet wide and it took 4 cans of spray paint and a ton of masking.

Congrats to the Forte dudes for making it all happen.
Go support local business! More info on Forte Yogurt >>

Photography by Junshien.

VESL Studios — online lookbook available

The fun never stops, but it can if the money stops coming in to support what I do. Doing my fine art alone is not enough to pay the bills (yet), and ever since I began my professional art career over 8 years ago I have been freelancing in the illustration/design world to keep things afloat. No easy feat managing it all, so a few talented friends and I have decided to join forces, combine resources, and form a collective. Introducing, VESL Studios.

It’s been a long time in the making, and it has a long way to go, but I thought I would take the time to spread the word that we now exist, and yes…we are available for hire.

Launch project >>

Erik Otto x Om Records

More great news. Not too long ago, the good folks over at Om Records asked me to create a few logo t-shirt designs for their developing clothing line. The shirts are now hot off the press and ready for purchase.

Origins

Drifting Away

Available in local boutiques and online, show your support for this San Francisco based independent record label by getting your very own shirt. Stay tuned for the details on the official release party.

Artist in Residence at the SF Dump

As I reminder to all those tuning in, I have been selected to participate in the Artist Residency at the SF Dump during the months of October 2009 through January 2010. More info and details will be announced later. It’s going to be unforgettable experience that I am sure will change my life. Many of you have asked about it and for all those interested, they are now accepting applications for 2010. Get on it!!

“The goal of the Artist-in-Residence Program is to use art to inspire people to recycle more and conserve our natural resources. We provide local artists with the opportunity to create art using materials they gather from San Francisco’s refuse. This includes 24-hour access to a well-equipped 2,000 sq. ft. art studio, a monthly stipend and an exhibit at the end of each residency.”

Note: Only local professional artists who reside in the SF Bay Area may apply.

Applications accepted June 1 – August 31

Examples of work created by artists who have participated in the residency in the past.

Dave King

Jane Kim

Noah Wilson

GOB Magazine – second release

GOB Magazine just released their second issue. As some of you might now…my artwork was featured in their first issue that can be viewed online here.

They create a great a publication and definitely a blog site worth bookmarking. Keep up the great w0rk guys.

Second Issue Contents:
Featured Artists: Ken Garduno, Andrew Holder, Anthony Furlong, Fabrice backes, Yoskay Yamamoto, Mijn Schatje,
David Jubert, Yuta Onoda, David O’brien, Justin Maller, Mar Hernandez, Veronica Navarro, Carla Barth,
Xiaoqing Ding, Jee Lee, and Ibai Acevedo.

Featured Music: Raul Campos from KCRW, and Timo Maas.

Lake Shasta

Over the weekend, I took off with my girlfriend and a bunch of friends on a much needed recession buster vacation. We spent 4 days and 3 night on top of a house boat cruising around Lake Shasta in Shasta, CA. We swam, we played, we rested. Needless to say, it was amazing and I would definitely do it again.

View from above one of my favorite coves we stopped in.

Underwater self-portrait…eerie.

View more photos here >>