Artwork for "J-Pop Explosion" Art Show (7/13/12)

If you happen to be in the San Francisco area tomorrow night (July 13), perhaps you might want to check out the "J-Pop Explosion" art show at Big Umbrella Studios from 7pm-11pm.  This show features art inspired by Japanese pop culture, and I'll have a couple pieces in there alongside many other cool artists.

Below is a new piece drawn specifically for this show (inspired, needless to say, by Hayao Miyazaki's "My Neighbor Totoro"):

"Keeper of the Living Room Floor" (framed original 9" x 12" watercolor & pencil)
Price:  $100

Also available at this show is a signed limited print of a piece originally done for the Street Fighter X Tekken release party earlier this year:

"Spinning Plush Kick!" (framed 9" x 12" limited signed print)
Price:  $40

Last but not least, below is the flier for the show, with the complete address for Big Umbrella Studios:

For more information on this event & to see a complete list of artists, please click here.  Special thanks to friends & artists Rick Kitagawa and Eve Skylar for inviting me to participate and for curating this show. Thanks for the support!

"Illustrated Legends of the Old West" Book Available at San Diego Comic-Con

I'm really happy to be a part of the "Illustrated Legends of the Old West" art book – a collaborative collection of artwork by over 40 artists worldwide, published by Tiki Machine, LLC.  Below is my illustration for the book, as well as an image of the book cover:

"Young'uns!" (watercolor & colored pencil) by Vivian Nguyen

Cover for "Illustrated Legends of the Old West" featuring artwork by Justin Rodrigues,
Maxwell Oginni, Bruno Chekerdimian, Chuck Patton, Sah Tantivaranyoo, and Beth Sleven

This book will finally make its soft-release debut this Saturday & Sunday (7/14-15) at San Diego Comic-Con!  Limited advanced copies will be available.  You can stop by the following SDCC exhibitor booths & tables to check out the book in person (and be sure to check out these artists' other wonderful works & wares too :)

Eric Gonzalez and Erich Haeger at their Muertoons Booth #1802

Sara Jerzykowski and Greg Rankin at Booth #1945

Mark McDonnell at his Cre8tiveMarks Table I-05

Travis Hanson at his Bean Leaf Press Table E-11

Lesley Vamos at her Small Press Table L-06

If you're interested in purchasing a book, but you're unable to attend the Con, please be sure to check out the online store at tikimachine.com within a few weeks after the convention.
I will also eventually have some books on hand, and may be contacted directly at vivian@viviandesigns.com if anyone is interested in a signed copy for purchase.

Thanks for the support – and a big thanks to Mike Collins at Tiki Machine for inviting all of us to be a part of this book!  It's a treat to participate alongside such amazing talent.  For a list of all contributing artists, please click here.

KWESTONE Online Store Now Open

My friend Kwestone just opened up an online store, which includes many of the fantastic limited-run art prints that he and Dou Hong sold at Anime Expo last weekend.

He was even nice enough to include 5" x 7" prints of my art from the Street Fighter X Tekken Release Party in his shop (thanks, Kwestone!).  So I just wanted to at least help spread the word & hope you'll stop by and take a look.

Here's a note from the artist himself, as well as images from his shop:
"THE KWESTONE ONLINE STORE IS NOW OPEN!  Just go to kwestonestore.bigcartel.com and shop away!  I posted most of what I was selling at Anime Expo.  Art Prints, Mini Prints, Buttons, and Art Toys!  I'll be putting some new items and new deals each week.  And since it's my Grand Opening...if you spend $15 or more, type in (GRANDOPENING) at the checkout, I'll give you 20% off your entire order!  Woot!  This deal will be good till the end of August.  When you get the chance, stop on by kwestonestore.bigcartel.com!"

kwestonestore.bigcartel.com

By the way, if you're on Instagram, you can follow him at @kwestone to receive a special code to redeem this exclusive (limited 50) print & button set, as a thank-you gift from the artist :)

(artwork by Kwestone)

Piece for "ISM: 10" Exhibition (7/7/12)

Below is a piece for the "ISM: 10" Exhibition opening this Saturday (July 7) at the Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana, CA.  This exhibition celebrates 10 years of creativity for ISM: A Community Project.  I'm happy to have a piece in there, alongside dozens of other artists.  For this event, we were asked to define our own "ism" (liberalism, humanism, etc.).  So...this is my take on optimism:

"OptimISM" (11" x 14" framed watercolor & pencil)

Here is some basic info for the opening reception:

ISM: 10 Exhibition

Opening Reception:  Saturday, July 7 (7pm - 10pm)

Grand Central Art Center

125 N. Broadway

Santa Ana, CA 92701

For more information on this event & to see a list of other participating artists, please visit:  http://ismcommunity.org/ism10

Hope to see you there & thanks for the support!

This piece is dedicated to Rob :) oxox