Drawn From The Well - The Film

This Thanksgiving allow me to be thankful for my Family, my Friends and for the bad ass mini film that Stephen Reedy made for Greg Craola Simkin's book "Drawn From the Well". Stephen is the guy behind all those great Zero Friends commercials, his stuff is very cool and you can check it all out on his reel. Both Greg and I are super psyched to have a mini film / commercial for the book. Take a look and pass it on to those you know.  Enjoy.

A Novel Idea ?

The long wait is almost over for Dave Fox's brand new art book titled "A Novel Idea?".  The book weighs in at two hundred and twenty five pages, packed into a huge 9" x 12" hardcover deluxe format. The art is a full color, end to end blow out with Dave's entire cast of unusual characters on parade through every inch of it. We are anticipating a street date of January 2011 and that will become more clear as we move through the final steps of the printing process. 

This book has been a lot of fun to put together and if you are a fan of Dave's art you will be psyched with the final product. Dave painted  25 new paintings in the last six weeks that all made the book, and the story behind the title is also a very cool one. This book will  be the first Presto book to feature 6 fold out setups, so we could showcase some of Dave's art in an awesome 12" x 18" format. We will keep you in the loop....

Coming January  2011  www.prestoart.com   Coming January  2011

Greg Craola Simkins "Story Teller" Opens Nov 5th

Presto Art artist Greg Simkins brand new show " Story Teller" opens Nov 5th at Gallery 1988. Greg has created some really remarkable new paintings for this show as well as many new sketches. 

Along with the originals being available for sale Greg will be a presenting a brand new print that looks amazing and will be available that night. 

 Greg has also released a new print with Alex Pardee entitled "The Orange Lantern" that is available now at the imscared.com store. This continues their Scared Friends collab stuff that needs to be made in Saturday morning cartoon. 

 In addition to all the new art. Friday night at Gallery 1988 will be the last chance to pick up the Presto special edition of Greg's new book "Drawn From the Well". Greg has hand made a super special boxed set of the book that comes in hand painted box along with a special edition bandana from To Die For, and a couple other goodies. He will be also have signing hours at Gallery 1988, check the site for details and times.

Craola Book On Sale Saturday Sept. 25th!

                          
Get ready because the wait is over. After months and months of work on our end and waiting on yours, we proudly present Drawn From the Well, the all new Greg Simkins sketch archive. THREE HUNDRED PAGES. Yes, 300 pages of Greg's drawings & sketches line this book from front to back. It really has everything, from character studies, painting ideas, toy blueprints, graffiti ideas, commercial stuff, T-shirt designs, loose drawings, tight sketches, and amazing landscapes.

Please be careful with this brick of a book, it contains so much creative energy that it could get your imagination going at an unsafe speed. This book was an absolute joy to put together, it really was a text book case of the "the journey being the reward". Greg is a great guy and working with him was such a positive experience and we couldn't be happier with the final product.

Case in point -here is Greg at this years Dragon Con, isn't it nice he takes the time to help out the older folks in the crowd. Actually that is Marvel creator Stan Lee signing prints with Greg, but it's still nice Greg took time out of his busy schedule for Stan.

Also this month to co-incide with the release of his first book, Greg's art appears on the cover of Juxtapoz. So he's a good guy, talented, imaginative, kindly,  he hangs with the elderly, and if that is not enough, each and every book has an extra special secret suprise. Get the mag this week, get your book on Saturday and settle in to see what all the buzz is about.

We shall now be know as "The Award Winning Publisher" Presto Art!

I would like to thank the academy, and all the little people....ha ha, but seriously in May this year Martin LaCasse's "Three Sixty Five" was awarded a Judges gold metal for "Most Original Concept" book at the Book Expo held in New York City. The award was presented to us by the Independent Publishers Assoc. and we couldn't be more shocked and excited. We poured a lot of work into the project and to garner an award like this was just humbling. Furthermore we were shocked to find out that we actually got  gold metals!! It is pretty awesome. We also got some of these great award winning stickers for the books, so thanks to the Indepent Publishers Awards and to everyone who has picked up the title, we hope you have been enjoying it. Now where do Martin and I go to have our photos taken for the Wheaties box?

Drawn From The Well Special Edition Release at DragonCon

Greg Craola Simkins new book "Drawn From the Well" is set to drop on September 25th, but if you can't wait that long there is a very special edition that will be available on September 3rd from 2-4pm at Dragon Con. The new book is amazing, we packed three hundred pages into this 9 x7 hardcover sketchbook. The art is inspiring, amazing and full of creative energy, furthermore if this isn't the best sketchbook on your bookshelf I will personally refund your money! Greg is one of the special guests at this years Dragon Con and will be selling and signing his new books as well as some special edition prints. Only 150 special editions will be available at the show, the other 100 will be released at a later date, at a secret location...but for now check out all the details here Im Scared.

http://www.dragoncon.org/

Also set up across from Greg will be Presto Art Artist Joe Capobianco and the crew from Hope Gallery Tattoo. Joe's also going to have a special limited edition pin-up ash can he designed just for this event. I got a sneak peak a few backs and you are going to want to get one of these!!

Presto...It's our new logo.

Presto it's our new logo! I wanted something logo like and since we have been working with Greg Simkins, I asked a favor and he obliged. I love it! It is just what was needed, it's clean, simple and says "you don't know what we are going to pull out of our hat next". Thanks Greg, now I need to make some gear...

I also got some lettering treatments for special projects.

The Craola proof is in.

The "Drawn from the Well" proof has hit my desk and it looks incredible. This book is so packed with inspiring art you are not going to believe it. Greg Craola Simkin's first book is an archive of his sketches and drawings. This all new hardcover is now at the printers and has a street date for September. We have some special release details we are working out now with Greg and we should be able to leak some info about the release next week. Big things, big things. Presto is very proud to be the publisher of this premier project, we are huge fans so this project has been an absolute dream. Check back on this one.

Now In Stock

Back in stock earlier than expected is the new softcover reprint of Martin LaCasse's "Take What You Can...Give Nothing Back". If you don't own this book, you must get it. A certified classic in the Tattoo world, it's loaded with paintings, drawings and flash from Martin. Available Now from Presto Art.

The Comeback Kid

One of our most popular titles is making a comeback. For the last couple years Martin LaCasse's "Take What You Can...Give Nothing Back", has been out of print. Over the last couple months however we have been deluged with requests to bring it back. With the release of Martin's "365" there has been a ton of interest in his first book, so we have decided to bring it back. The new printing will have a soft cover and a nice new price ($30 US).
The new re-issue has a street date of August 1. If you have  the original hardcover, it's a collectors item now, so shelf it and pick up the new soft cover. If you don't own this book your library of reference is incomplete, this is one of the best selling tattoo books of the 00's. Thanks for demanding we bring it back, it's one of our favorites too.

To: The Magazines From: Presto "Hey Thanks!"

I wanted to take a minute out of our busy schedule here at Presto Art to say "Thanks" to all the magazine reviews we have received of late. Getting the word out on our books is invaluable to us and our artists. People have also had really great things to say about our titles and the quality of our books. This really warms our hearts, and mean a lot to our success,  we spend a lot of time crafting our wares so it means a ton when some kind words come your way. So thanks for the press and good look'in out for the little guy. TY to Inked Magazine, Tattoo Artist Magazine, Prick, Skin Deep, Total Tattoo Magazine & Tattoo Society.

Joe Capo X Kidrobot X The Bride

It's never easy to  keep a secret, but this one has been a doozy. I have know about this project for years and have been very lucky to see it through each step of it's progress. Presto Artist Joe Capobianco along with toy giant Kidrobot have produced an awesome limited edition toy called "The Bride". The toy really looks like one of Joe's Capo Girls come to life, and is based on a tattoo he did on The Baroness. The toy drops on May 20th at Kidrobot.com and all stores that carry Kidrobot , but here is the inside track. Joe along with The Baroness, are dropping the toy at this years Hell City Tattoo Fest in Ohio. Hell City is one of the best tattoo shows of the year and Joe will  have some of his super limited Glow in the Dark special edition Brides. I know these are going to fly off the shelf, so plan accordingly because these are a future collectible. We're very excited, congratulations Joe on a fantastic toy, we hope they do more!

Martin & Mike.....Tyson!?!

Presto Artist and 365 Author Martin LaCasse recently spent his day job with former Heavy Weight Champion of the World, Iron Mike Tyson. Mike surprised the crew at Olde City Tattoo when he strolled in to get Martin to tattoo a black rose on his forearm. Although that is a cool way to spend the day, even better to us was Presto Art getting name checked in the Philadelphia Daily News. Thanks Mike for getting us some press and for all the one minute fights on HBO. It really is the city of brotherly love!

                              

Craola Title Revealed

We weren't really keeping it secret, Greg just named it the other day as well as drew a cool title graphic. Greg's first title idea was along the lines of "Draw" or "Drawn", we felt it maybe sounded a bit too much like a learn to draw book, (although not a text book you will learn something - I promise). "The Well" was another title that came to the surface and the marriage of the two certainly evoke a cool image. I dig it and now when I talk of "Drawn from the Well" you will be in the know. I also just checked out Volume 14 of Hi Fructose magazine and they did Greg right with an interview and many pages of art. They also name checked Presto Art as the publisher of Greg's upcoming book, so we sure liked that.

What's Up Next.

What are we up to next here at Presto? We are deep into the design phase on our next art book from artist extraordinaire Dave Fox. Dave was the artist behind the very popular "Haunted" title we published a few years back. Dave's interpretation of Japanese folk lore was so popular we sold the title out twice. We are now knee deep in hundreds of works from Dave, and one is greater than the next. As the book is coming together it is an amazing body of colorful, graphic, and unique paintings. The characters Dave creates are completely unique, humorous, colorful and strange. The book is going to be wall to wall packed with Dave's creative and prolific energy. We can't wait, our target time frame is Summer 10. We will keep you up to date as it progresses.

Don't Be Scared of...I'm Scared

Our good friend Greg "Craola" Simkins has stocked up his all new web store with all kinds of great goods featuring his art. T-shirts, hoodies, toys, stickers, and prints, all sorta good gear. Even more exciting is the fact that this store will be the home to an all new sketchbook from Greg published by yours truly -Presto Art. Greg has turned over an unbelievable collection of sketch work that we are currently putting together for a Summer 10' release. It is going to be awesome, so check out Greg's paintings and art at  I'm Scared and then get excited for the new book. Official online store - I'm Scared

Jime Sketchbook 3 -Out Now!!

Hot off the boat the all new title from artist Jime Litwalk. Jime's 3rd sketchbook "Monsters, Misfits & Maidens" came out fantastic. A great addition to the growing Jime Sketchbook series, this time round he has created a fierce collection of creepy creatures and ghostly ghouls. Well worth the wait! Available now -Monsters, Misfits & Maidens Litwalk Sketchbook 3

Joe Capo X Kidrobot = ssshhh it's a secret

This is top secret - Presto Artist Joe Capobianco has hooked up with the brilliant people over at Kidrobot for a spring toy release. Joe has created an exclusive Capo girl pin-up that has been brought to life in full color three dimensional vinyl. I have seen the prototype and as Joe says "this thing is gonna knock your socks off". He is totally right, it is amazing. I was also lucky enough to be tapped to do the graphic design work for box package. It was a lot of fun. As with all things Kidrobot this is going to be super limited and we are hoping to have some here at Presto for sale, keep your fingers crossed. As I get more details I will spill em. 

Jime Tre Preview

                           

As promised here are some sneak preview of the all new art featured in Jime Litwalk Sketchbook 3. This new volume is packed with the Monster, Mayhem & Maidens. This collection is really varied and it will be well worth the wait. Jime has really stiched together some unique new creatures and creations. The book drops in February and although it's cold outside this book will heat up the old brain, promised.