New for 2014! – is this still possum?
New and old fans alike will enjoy the humor in this not-often improvised song. There are several colors available right now. The colors on Long sleeves and tall sizes will vary slightly.
Printed on Gildan 6.1 oz. Ultras.
Well, here we are. The Top 6 in the Best of PhanArt 2013. The art has simply continued to get better and better each year, just like the band. The mutual inspiration is pretty awesome to experience. A big thanks to Kelly, Chris, James, Chris and Taylor for their help in running PhanArt with me this past year, as well as their help at the art shows, without them I simply couldn’t keep up with the site. As far as art shows, you can expect at least one this year; more details to come once we get tour dates!
The Best of PhanArt list was compiled based on feedback received through the site, on tour, and through Facebook and Twitter. Fans were asked in the past month what was some of the best Phish related (non-official) art of 2013 and they responded. I took all suggestions into account and looked at the list and came up with the top 13, as well as the honorable mentions. Today we complete the Best of PhanArt 2013 and wrap things up with the top 6 pieces of original fan-made art from 2013. Be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2 from yesterday.
Remember, the Phanart made in 2013 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.
#6 Duke of Lizards by AJ Masthay
It’s tough to pick just one of AJ’s posters from 2013, but fans were pretty unanimous in selecting his SPAC triptych for the Best of PhanArt. Focusing on the Victorian aspect of the springs and baths in Saratoga, AJ brought the Lizards for a stroll through the mansions and halls of the historic town. AJ’s work has been a staple for Phish fans to gaze upon for years now, with many asking when he will do an official print. It’s a fair question, but AJ has been doing some incredible posters for Umphrey’s McGee, Widespread Panic, Yonder Mountain String Band and multiple festivals around the country. As AJ’s intricate linoleum block printing method grows in popularity, I think we aren’t too far off from an official Phish print.
#5 Commerce City by Ryan Kerrigan
Ryan’s daily mandala’s are a treat, but this sun-mandala setting behind the Rocky Mountains and shining down on the crowd at Dick’s is a visual spectacle. Very much creating a three-dimensional image, the sunlight over the imposing mountains mimics Kuroda’s lights on the crowd at Dick’s, with fist-pump guy making a return appearance (he was in the bathroom during The Gorge). Full of detail and color, Kerrigan makes the Best of PhanArt once again, with fans calling this one out for the list months in advance.
#4 Fall Tour Puckheads from Branden Otto and Chatterbox
Designed with Chatterbox, Branden came up with possibly the most unique piece of art this year. Take the owl – clutching Fishman’s vacuum, with each feather on the wings representing one of Phish’s years from 1983-2013. Then, factor in the venues from Fall Tour – every one was, or currently is, home to an AHL or NHL team, making a hockey puck a perfect representation of the venues, as well as the band playing them. At $20, these pucks sold out quickly. Fast forward to MSG and official pucks were selling for $30 a piece, and not nearly as creative as Otto and Chatterbox’s. Pucking great work guys!
#3 “Fly Famous Mockingbird” / “Joy” by Isadora Bullock
What a year Isadora has had! These two prints were overwhelmingly the most popular that fans recommended for the Best of, so much that it was tough to pick one over the other, so both make the list. Isadora’s fine detail in her linoleum block printing, bursting colors and mesmerizing design are showing an artist not on the rise, but hitting a strong peak in her craft. Atlantic City’s poster has the Famous Mockingbird flying towards the Jersey shore, with the venue the center of the resonating waves of sound, while Hampton returns us to a church-like setting, because that’s exactly the feeling one would gain from visiting The Mothership; the stained-glass practically pops off the paper. With an art show in Asheville that runs through February (if you live anywhere close, make the trip and check out her growing gallery of great posters), things couldn’t be looking brighter for Isadora.
#2 Page Side Rage Side Underwear
You have to recognize a great idea when you see one. Page Side on the front (with a dead fish) and Rage side on the back – do these need to explanation? Hot sellers that blew up the site – PhanArt had more hits in the first two days these were on sale than any other item in such a span of time – these boy shorts went fast, as every guy on Phish tour picked them up for his girl, because why not? And Orange and Blue colors? Wise color choices indeed.
And the #1 piece of PhanArt, the Best of 2013 is…….
#1 Heisenberg / It’s Ice shirts/stickers/pins
Yeah bitch! As if this was a surprise. Clearly the hottest piece of art this year was going to have some pop culture tie-in, as everyone and their brother was fawning over the final season of Breaking Bad. Combine “It’s Ice” and that ‘other’ Ice, throw in some Fishman donuts and the result was a nonstop barrage of “How soon can you print more shirts?”, as one printing sold out after another. The folks at Dogmatagram Designs had a hit and once the sticker became a sought after quick seller, shirts soon followed, and inevitably, a pin. Phish fans love a good pop culture connection to the band and this was one of the best in recent memory. As long as Breaking Bad is a legendary TV show, the Heisenberg/It’s Ice design will live on. Say you want this!
What a year 2013 was! Not only was it one of the best Phish years on record, but there was some incredible Phish inspired art that set the bar high for future years. This is not just a coincidence – when the band is at the top of their game, it rubs off on the fans and art community. Summer Shakedowns were good (despite the rain) and Dicks and Fall Tour led to some of the most memorable Shakedowns in 3.0, with the highlight of them all being the PhanArt Poster and Pin Exhibition in Atlantic City on November 2nd.
This list was compiled based on feedback received through the site, on tour, and through Facebook and Twitter. Fans were asked in the past month what was some of the best Phish related (non-official) art of 2013 and they responded. I took all suggestions into account and looked at the list and came up with the top 13, as well as the honorable mentions.Today we continue the Best of PhanArt 2013 with a look at the art coming in at numbers 7-13. Be sure to check out Part 1 from yesterday.
Remember, the Phanart made in 2013 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.
#13 Erin Cadigan’s Halloween poster “Le P(h)oisson Deguisement d’ Hallowe’en Metropole de Atlantique“
Erin’s Halloween print, her third to feature a mermaid, was inspired by vintage French horror film posters. Note the record with the label (translated) “Phish’s musical costume, Atlantic City.” Who knew their costume would be their own music? Another fabulous poster from Erin.
#12 Julius/Dr J shirts by Brian Zuckerberg, Chris Ehrens, Shawn Dos Santos and Noah Phence
Hugely popular on tour all year, Dr. J is finally connected to “Julius” with proper art and an in your face palmed basketball. Expect to see folks wearing this shirt on tour for years to come.
#11 Jiggs Hampton Poster
Jiggs has been one of the foremost artists to make a name for himself in 3.0, and his posters over the past few years are a strong part of that. His Hampton poster included an intricate representation of the dates and location for the Fall Tour opener. Another sold out poster from Jiggs – job well done!
#10 Andrew Bryant ‘Band in Lights’ pin
When I talked to pinners about some of the best of the year, this was one that kept coming up, with resounding support for the design. Mini-silhouettes of the band under Kuroda’s lights, in a limited edition of 100, with a perfect quote from “Scents and Subtle Sounds” to cap it off – brilliant. He’s now up to a fourth version of the pin, with pin collectors clamoring for all editions.
#9 Tripp’s Commerce City Triptych
We all love Tripp’s Prints! Tripp has posters for nearly every show, and with his Commerce City Triptych, he gave fans a trio to drool over. Rising fish in the morning, shining at noon and setting in the evening are represented in his prints, with the scenic mountains drawn colorfully and three-dimensionally – perfect for a three-poster set for a perfect three night run at Dick’s.
#8 Michael Boyer’s Jerseys
At the Summer in Saratoga Art show on July 6th, fans were amazed at the setup of a different poster for each show of the tour, plus, something new – jerseys with characters from Phish songs as the ‘team’ logo. All summer long, Llamas and Mockingbirds were sold on lot, a hugely popular and incredibly unique piece of art. Boyer put great thought into these, and the quality of the product cannot be understated. Look for more jerseys from Boyer this summer, as well as as profile on the artist coming next week on PhanArt.
#7 Brian Hill’s Atlantic City Poster
This poster surfaced a few days after Brian’s Hampton poster was seen online, and the lights for Boardwalk Hall were an even greater muse for Hill. Brian was on hand to sell his posters at the PhanArt Poster and Pin Exhibition in Atlantic City, with a huge response from fans who took to his representation of Boardwalk Hall, improving on the venue’s already impressive facade and late night light show.
That’s all for Part 2. What made the top 6? Check back tomorrow and find out!
What a year 2013 was! Not only was it one of the best Phish years on record, but there was some incredible Phish inspired art that set the bar high for future years. This is not just a coincidence – when the band is at the top of their game, it rubs off on the fans and art community. Summer Shakedowns were good (despite the rain) and Dicks and Fall Tour led to some of the most memorable Shakedowns in 3.0, with the highlight of them all being the PhanArt Poster and Pin Exhibition in Atlantic City on November 2nd.
2013 was also a HUGE year in money raised for The Mockingbird Foundation. For the first time since PhanArt.net started in 2009, PhanArt and Friends have raised over $5,000! $5,106.30 to be exact. I set a goal in 2010 of raising $5,000 a year – the maximum grant that The Mockingbird Foundation gives, and each year we crept towards the goal, this year being the first year we reached that goal! Overall, we have raised over $14,000 and that is mainly from small donations from artists, based on sales of their art. Music fans supporting artists supporting charity supporting music education – this is a fantastic cycle that I’m glad so many have become a part of.
There was a great deal of 30th anniversary art, a plethora of pins, and seemingly everything has the Fishman Donuts on them now. Seriously, they are making carpeting. Wallpaper isnt too far away. A full body tattoo couldn’t be more than five years off. Posters, shirts, stickers, clothing – fans got creative and made great art, leading to fans buying that art and keeping the community thriving and on tour.
Following the pattern I have used for past ‘Best of PhanArt’, I have 13 for 2013 in my best of this year, including honorable mentions, which I am highlighting today. There has simply been too much great art this year and I would be neglecting some great art if I didnt give artists their proper due.
This list was compiled based on feedback received through the site, on tour, and through Facebook and Twitter. Fans were asked in the past month what was some of the best Phish related (non-official) art of 2013 and they responded. I took all suggestions into account and looked at the list and came up with the top 13, as well as the honorable mentions, which are highlighted today.
Remember, the Phanart made in 2013 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.
Before we get to the art, a reminder on the mission of PhanArt:
PhanArt’s mission is to compile and preserve art created by Phish fans for the Phish community and, in the course of such work, to also benefit The Mockingbird Foundation, which raises funds for music education for children.
I am always here to support the artists and broaden their audience. Art is neglected in society. I see it neglected in schools – art and music are the first to be cut when something has to go. So with that in mind, consider this:
Honorable Mentions
Ben Whitesell Steampunk – Ben follows up his #1 print of 2012 with this gorgeous print focused on Mike’s bass. Ben has done official prints for Widespread Panic and Keller Williams in the past year, a sign of great things to come from.
Pheanuts shirts/stickers – Ok, disclaimer – this was sold by PhanArt all summer and fall, but the response to this art by Andrew Cariboni puts it on the list. Seriously, the response was overwhelming at times. Thanks to all who picked up a shirt or sticker. The gang’s all there. Look for this shirt to make a return to the PhanArt Store sometime this spring.
Virginia is for Lizards shirts – Maybe So Maybe Lot sold out of this shirt during the Hampton run this past fall, and donated $1 for every shirt sold to The Mockingbird Foundation. After printing some more, he ended up donating $196 from the sale of his shirts. Its not the donations that get him on the list, its the simplicity of the design and use of the iconic Virginia state motto, ‘Virginia is for lovers’. But it’s for the Lizards too.
Fishman scarves – Well, putting the Donuts on everything eventually would lead to some practical, formal applications of the universal design. Last year, it was ties by stuPINdous Creations. This year, it’s scarves from the great mind of Adrian Sharpe at stuPINdous. Warm, super long and quite stylish, these were a huge hit and sold out quickly for good reason.
Mark Serlo’s SPAC poster – I loved this one from the moment I saw it at the Mothership Art Collective’s Summer in Saratoga show during the SPAC run. Simple, small and working the dates and venue into the racing antelope – Mark covered all the bases in one great poster.
Ewok Fishman shirt – I ran into Eli wearing one of these outside the Sea Dog Brewery in Bangor the afternoon of the tour opener, and my jaw dropped. This one was a hit from the get-go – combine Star Wars geekery and a now iconic Phish design, and you have a fantastic shirt. Nub Nub.
Phish Shades – These were seen all over the summer, because Alexandra was selling them at literally every show this tour, even the Toronto rain-date! With a dozen or so different designs and plenty of fans needing sunglasses, these were practical and unique, and a great find on lot.
Hampton Death Star by Terra-Pins – This one sold out on pre-sale, to give you some idea of how popular it was among the pin community. A great pin from Chuck Hoffman and Terra-pins, it gives the term ‘The Mothership’ a whole new perspective, and ties sci-fi geekery to Phish with ease.
That’s all for Part 1. Stay tuned this week for Parts 2 and 3!
This Friday, January 10th, Isadora Bullock will have a poster show at Bookworks Studio in Asheville, NC. With over 50 of her prints on display, she will be giving an informal talk about her process in the shop where she makes her prints.
Please join Isadora from 5:30-7:30pm for a wine and cheese reception located at Asheville BookWorks Studio, 428 1/2 Haywood Rd, West Asheville, NC.
The exhibit runs through February 28th
I handed some of these out during the NYE show in sections 112 and 113. Maybe you got one. If you didnt, pick one up – Only a couple dozen remain. Measures 3″ x 5″ and are 1 for $3 and 2 for $5
Capping off an incredible year, Isadora Bullock’s New Year’s print, “Theme”, is a four color linocut print, measuring 15″ x 21.5″, in a limited edition of 150. You can pick one up now for $35 plus shipping from Isadorabullock.com or below using Paypal.
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Check out these buttons from Tracy Grosner’s new Phish inspired button series. Available in two different “Page Side – Rage Side” designs: Melting Keys (in 3 colors, green, blue and fuchsia) and piano playing Hot Dog, each button measures 2 1/4 inches. So join the campaign for another great Phish tour, show your love for your favorite Bandidate and order yours today! Only $4 plus shipping.
Here is AJ Masthay’s preliminary sketch for this year’s New Year run at Madison Square Garden titled “I Don’t Want a Goldfish”. This print will be an impressive 11 colors in an edition of only 150 with a limited number of variants. While this is the bands 30th anniversary, this new years is AJ’s 20th anniversary following the band! (His first show was 12/29/93 in New Haven, CT). For this print, he really attempted to capture the joy, chaos, and excitement that we’re all addicted to.
This amazing print is will be available Wednesday, December 18th at 12 noon EST. This print is $40, with a 2 print limit and $8.50 for shipping. Buy this print here!
Most are familiar with Tobias Funke from Arrested Development and everyone knows the Son Seals blues tune “Funky Bitch”. Combine them together and you get Fünke Bitch shirts from Evan! Although Tobias doesn’t have any money to give to his wife Lindsay, she definitely is always rocking fancy clothes.
Printed on 100% cotton all white t-shirts with black artwork, these shirts come in Small, Medium and Large and cost $20, plus shipping. 10% of each shirt sale will be donated to The Mockingbird Foundation.
