Well, 2012 was an incredible year for PhanArt, with more art than ever before, plus the addition of five staff members to the site – Taylor, Kelley, Chris, Jim and Chris. Fans have been submitting more and more art to PhanArt for sharing on the site, which led to a record number of posts as well as a record amount of money raised for The Mockingbird Foundation – over $3700!

What was popular this year? Well, shirts and posters as usual, but anything that had that Cheerio/Henrietta design took top honors for the most common piece of phanart. It seemed that every bit of clothing and all sorts of art were seeing this design, any why not? It’s iconic, only Phish fans know what it is, making it a silent calling card for other fans whether at a show or in real life. There was at least one wedding party with Fishman ties for the groomsmen!

Then of course, there are pins, which has basically become a flooded market. Everyone is making them, few are buying and many are trading for them. Some of them are truly amazing and we are likely only a few days away from the first ‘Golf Ball’ themed pin of 2013. There are a reported 1700-1800 pins total made already, according to Fred Hosman, who would know, because he collected pretty much every single one up to date. That number of pins is more than the number of individual pieces of art in PhanArt: The Art of the Fans of Phish! 

So, here we are with more art being made, Phish being at the top of their game and the 30th anniversary likely to shed a great deal of art, especially if there are more shows than the last two years. Without further rambling, I present the Best of PhanArt, 2012 edition. This list of 12 was compiled with input from fans on the website, Facebook, Twitter, as well as reported sales from artists and feedback on lot. Some of these pieces of art are still available for sale, while some sold out a long time ago. Click the links to see what you can still get and support the Phish Art Community! Remember, the Phanart made in 2012 was amazing and the following is just some of the best. If you think something was overlooked, share what was missed below in the comments section below.

Honorable Mentions

 Otto NYE print

AJ Masthay Kansas City

TRiPP NYE

Tim Ripley Colorado

Michael Ortiz San Francisco/Colorado/NYC series

Ceramic Pheesh from Matt Pace

And now for the Best PhanArt of 2012…

12. My Other Vehicle is a Second Set Tweezer

A simple Tweet led to an incredibly popular sticker, so much so that it was sold in bulk to a few fans during Summer Tour. Andy Cary’s wit led to a sticker that was begged for at shows, Jiggs’ design made it the perfect bumper sticker for a car, and led to some nice donations for The Mockingbird Foundation, as Andy deferred any profit to them. In keeping with that, all sales of this sticker through the month of January will go to The Mockingbird Foundation, after shipping and handling.

11. Split Open and Melt pin

You couldn’t make a more literal pin, but Jeff from My Phavorite Things did, and succeeded. It doesn’t look like there are any pins left for sale, but if you can get one, this is a well through out and produced pin.

10. Kerrigan summer print 

The return of the Happy Fish in one incredible print! Ryan Kerrigan continues to create incredible Phish posters for each show and tour, and this one stood out as one of the best of the Summer!

9. Life is Hood shirt

Life is Good < Life is Hood. Brian Kushner of PhanBadge made a great shirt with a familiar guitar sticking out, and the response was incredible. Many shirts were out of stock by the time SPAC rolled around. Brian graciously donated a few shirts to benefit The Mockingbird Foundation, all of which were snapped up quickly. The crossover aspect is huge with this shirt, since you can wear it to a show or just in daily life, getting more than a few heads to turn when they notice the slight difference in this now classic shirt.

8. Party Time/Playboy shirts 

Seen on the lots of Bader Field in June, this is a great shirt, hands down. The Playboy brand has an aura of epic parties in the grotto, and ‘Party Time’ is the perfect way to to tie the two together. This shirt was only seen briefly on tour, so we have no purchasing info, so if you know who made this shirt, contact PhanArt (at) gmail and we will do our best to have it up on the site. Again, great shirt to the creators!

7. Otto summer leg 2 

Branden Otto has been making posters since 2010 and in 2012, he found his groove, creating incredible work from start to finish. Fans sold out one edition, leading to a second variant being produced. Stacking the vehicles, adding in tour dates and some subtle Phish references, as well as great creativity and color schemes showed that Otto is moving on up among his fellow artists.

6. Jam Jars

5. Summer Tour Pac-Man shirts

These were seen through much of Summer Tour, although the creators never got in touch with us to get on the site. Based on the number of fans wearing them, it’s likely they sold well on tour, if not sold out. Using the one and two-stops on tour as general pellets to eat, and the four 3-day runs the Power pellets is just smart designing. This was well thought out and a great design. It would even be higher on the list, but black isn’t a great color shirt for the summer. But being in the top half of the Best of 2012 isn’t too shabby. Big ups to the four levels at the bottom, one for each tour to date in the 3.0 era.

4. TRiPP Atlantic City triptych 

Try saying THAT five times fast. This set has been sought after by fans and sold quickly, making for yet another classic TRiPP trio of prints that connect to form gorgeous imagery.

3. Jiggs Oklahoma City Zoo

Jiggs has branched out from his earlier designs and t-shirts and delved into some great posters in the past year, starting with NYE 2011 and going through 2012 with Bader Field, OKC Zoo and Dick’s prints. This one stands out among them all, capturing the song that would cap off the band’s first show in Oklahoma, in a most unique fashion.

2. Ties from stuPINdous Creations

Never in a million years did I think that Phish-themed ties would be a thing, let alone a well produced thing. Well, Adrian from stuPINdous Creations proved that one wrong, a few times over. First there was the Henrietta tie, then the Cactus and Big Red ties (seen below) and most recently, a Henrietta Bow Tie. Many of these ties sold out quickly, especially the Henrietta tie. These ties are stylish, they are great for work or play and speaking from experience, get compliments nearly every time. That’s a great tie – when they don’t realize there’s a Phish theme to it, but you do. Adrian, nice work on these. Can’t wait to see the Page tie! Here’s to hoping it involves sandwiches!

And the best of PhanArt 2012 is…….

1. Ben Whitesell’s NYE

The intricate detail of this limited edition print from Ben Whitesell and the overwhelming response from Phish fans made this a runaway #1 choice for 2012. Ben has made great prints in the past and this one is the culmination of his growing skills in making great posters. Examine the way in which Ben detailed Trey’s guitar, going deeper with a mechanical angle and creating one of the best posters of 2012. Ben, here’s to hoping you can keep making art of this caliber in 2013!

So, did we miss something? Was there some art that should have made the list? If so, tell us what you think we missed in the comments below. Art is all around us on Phish tour and this is just a small slice of the great art out there this past year. With greater input from fans taken into greater account this year, we feel this is a great representation of the Best PhanArt of 2012. If this past year is any hint, 2013 will be even better.

- PhanArt Pete and the PhanArt Crew

This print from Dima Yastronaut and featured by Lesley Vernon is printed on 13″x19″ heavy gloss 110lb cover stock paper. The digital painting features a beautiful view from the Boardwalk in front of Trump Plaza, Hunter S. Thompson, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man (Fluffhead) and CK5 lights in the text, plus some hidden eye candy all through out the print. This is a print worthy of cherishing you fear and loathing in AC memories. Artwork by Dima Yastronaut. All are signed and numbered in an edition of 222. Cost is 1 for $15, 2 for $20, with free shipping.

1 poster:

2 posters:

After printing tshirts for 12 years, Justin Olsen has decided to try his hand at posters, making three for Summer Tour 2012. The posters are $20 each which includes priority mail shipping. All of Justin’s prints measure 11×17″ use plastisol ink on chipboard, creating a unique ink design in each print. Justin’s prints can be seen and purchased below.

Summer Tour 2012 screenprint measures 11X17″ and I used plastisol ink on chipboard. The blend of ink on these prints make each poster unique. All posters are hand silk-screened and is signed and numbered. .

Here is a Portsmouth screenprint poster from 2012. The poster measures 11X17 inches and I used plastisol ink on chipboard. The blend of ink on this print makes each poster unique. The poster is hand silk screened and from a limited edition of 50. Each poster is signed and numbered. The price includes Priority Mail shipping.

Summer Tour 2012, edition of 100

Portsmouth, edition of 50

Atlantic City, edition of 50

At the First Tube Poster Show, PhanArt unveiled a new pair of pins, Mound and Joy. Similar to the iconic Mounds-themed shirt designed by Laura Cheney many years ago, these pins are four colors on silver metal. Each pin is in an edition of 100, measure 1.25″ across and they are sold as pairs for a limited time offer at $10 for the two. Free shipping!

Mound/Joy Pins

You can also get the Golgi/Google pin for $10 too, with free shipping. If you order both, get a free sticker!

Golgi/Google pins

Actual image of pins

Branden Otto has come up with a half dozen posters for the first leg of Summer Tour 2012.

Worcester “Reba” measures 12×24″ printed on 100lb cover stock in a limited Edition of 100. Each poster is signed & numbered using four colors: Glow in the Dark Green, Light Blue, Metallic Orange and Metallic Black.

Atlantic City “Birds of a Feather” measures 12×24″ and is printed on 100lb cover stock. It is in a limited edition of 100 signed & numbered prints, each with four colors: Pink, Yellow, Blue and Black.

Portsmouth “Piper” measures 18×24″ and is printed on 100lb cover stock in a limited edition of 125 signed & numbered prints using six colors: Yellow, Green, Blue, Metallic Red, Grey and Black.

Burgettstown “Tube” measures 12×24″ and is printed on 100lb coverstock in a limited edition of 75 signed & numbered prints using three colors: Metallic Yellow, Metallic Silver and Black.

Alpine Valley “Light” measures 18×24″ and is printed on 100lb coverstock in a limited edition of 100 signed & numbered prints using four colors: Metallic Blue, Glow in the Dark Yellow, Glow in the Dark Green and Black.

Jones Beach “A Song I Heard The Ocean Sing” measures 12x 24″ and is printed on 100lb. coverstock in a limited edition of 100 signed & numbered prints using four Colors: Red, Blue, Black and Metallic Gold

Erin Cadigan has revealed her poster for Atlantic City. In this print, a mermaid plays Trey’s guitar with three different color choices spread across the edition: Black/Red, Ink/Turquoise and Bronze/Gold. The poster measures 12″x20″ in an edition of 100 signed and numbered two-color screenprints. Each is hand pulled by the artist on vanilla 80LB cover vellum finish using waterbased inks on recycled stock.

The cost for each of these posters is $30 and they are available at the First Tube Poster Show Saturday June 16th from 10am-3pm at Trump Plaza, Westminster Room. And of course, Erin will also have these on the lot!

Bruce Horan has created his poster for the Bader Field shows, a two-color screen print on recycled French Speckletone paper that measures 16 x 20″ in an edition of 50. These posters will cost $10 and are available exclusively at the First Tube Poster and Art show on Saturday June 16th at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, from 10am-3pm.

Final announcement of artists for FIRST TUBE Art show includes Party Time Pins, PhanBadge, Phishcoins, Pin Me Down, 10 Minute Tube Designs and stuPINdous Creations. 

Previously announced artists exhibiting at the show include AJ Masthay,  TRiPP, Ryan Kerrigan, John Warner, Erin Cadigan, Bruce Horan, Jiggs, Noah Phence, Ed Wilson, Dave Calarco (Mr. Miner), Branden Otto and Lauren Domsky. Non-profits include PhanArt, Screens ‘n’ Suds, and The Mockingbird Foundation.

The poster show will held Saturday June 16^th from 10am-3pm at Trump Plaza Hotel features the best Phish inspired art, including limited edition art made specifically for the show. Admission is FREE

‘First Tube’, an art show featuring Phish artists from around the country will be held on Saturday June 16^th from 10am-3pm at the Trump Plaza Hotel, Westminster Room, on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Developed and produced by a group of artists and fans known as the Mothership Art Collective, this poster show will be held in the middle of a weekend of Phish, who play nearby Bader Field June 15-17^th.

The initial artists announced for First Tube represent some of the best artists in the Phish community and poster art. Longtime Phish artists AJ Masthay, TRiPP, Ryan Kerrigan, John Warner, Erin Cadigan, Noah Phence and Bruce Horan have been a part of many poster shows in the past and each have a large portfolio of concert poster art across a wide range of musical acts.

Newcomers Jiggs, Ed Wilson, Lauren Domsky and Branden Otto are featured in their first Phish poster show, as well as writer and author Dave Calarco who will be selling and discussing his book ‘Mr. Miner’s Phish Thoughts’ at the show.

First Tube will also be incorporating the growing area of pin makers and collectors into the show with Party Time Pins, 10 Minute Tube Designs, Pin Me Down and stuPINdous Creations. Brian Kushner of PhanBadge and Adam Davidoff of Phishcoins will also be in attendance, showcasing their unique memorabilia.

Non-profits include The Mockingbird Foundation which has given grants for music education totaling more than $600,000 over the past 14 years; PhanArt, a book and website created as a way to showcase the art made by Phish fans and raises money for Mockingbird Foundation, and Screens ‘n’ Suds, based in Richmond, VA, curates beer inspired screenprints to raise money to benefit the National MS Society and other charities, with monies totaling nearly $50,000 in the past 4 years.

Phish poster shows have been held over the years with great success, as unique posters made for the Phish shows that weekend and stop on the tour feature some of the best concert art being produced today. First Tube is the first event for 2012 produced by the Mothership Art Collective, a group within the Phish community, comprised of artists and organizations who promote the art inspired by the band Phish. The eclectic artists featured at this event show the broad scope of Phish related art and capture the inspiration of the band in their art. The creative fan base that Phish has makes for amazing art inspired by the band, the locales and the music. The collective will work hard to bring a show to the Phish touring public each year.

In keeping with the great tradition and success of past poster shows, First Tube will offer free entry to all patrons, tubes available for purchase, charitable donations from the event made to the Mockingbird Foundation and the Virginia Mason Foundation (in memory of Shawn Williams). First Tube will feature a wide array of artists with posters, art, pins and other memorabilia to fit any budget. Special edition works, only available at the show, will be available for viewing shortly at www.mothershipartcollective.org

These posters by Rob Kimmel measure 18″ x 24″ and are handdrawn originals. These prints are the second in a series of prints featuring a monkey theme.  The run of prints for Atlantic City were handrawn with marker on 18″x24″ paper. This run is styled after a deck of playing cards to keep with the gambling theme of Atlantic City. Each image is the same yet there are 4 types of prints to choose from (hearts, spades, clubs, diamonds). Each suit contains 13 total prints for a complete 52 card deck. Single prints are $20 and the set of 4 will be sold for $60. They are available on PhanArt below as well as the lot before and after shows.

Rob will also have prints for SPAC, Portsmouth, and Jones Beach.

individual prints

set of four prints

Ben Whitesell has released his new print for Summer 2012 and has brought in some Japanese and a robot to the party in AC.

This print measures 13”x 19” and is printed on Epson Enhanced Matte Paper, which has a good weight, a smooth surface,  and provides sharp detail of the poster, which was also printed with Epson archival inks. They are in a limited edition of 30 prints, each signed and numbered by the artist. They cost $15 each + s&h

As a bonus, Ben will be running a contest starting on Monday June 4th on his site, www.benwhitesellblog.com. The first person to come closest to translating the print and commenting on the post about the poster will receive a free copy. Look for more details about the contest and some clues on Monday.