I posted some photos of the Galactic Wizard up on my flickr page. G-Wiz is the coolest bus eveeerrrrrr!! Check them out here.

Last year, I had the opportunity to do some work on the walls of LIC Motorsports in Novato, California. This morning, “The Underdogs”, the first episode in a series, documenting the company was released to the public. The video is extremely well done! It’s professionally shot & edited and is very intriguing. I’m proud to have my paintings in some of the background shots. Thanks guys!

Check out the video here: http://www.theunderdogsdoc.com/

Recently began a new project painting a “portable healing center” for an awesome woman, Kat Lilith of Petaluma. One side has been completed. I’m currently working on the rest of it and will have finished photos posted in a few weeks.

As many of you already know, I was recently commissioned to create the poster for the 2010 Petaluma Farmers’ Market season. The response has been overwhelmingly positive and it’s been exciting to see the posters in the windows of Petaluma businesses. Because I created this years “look”, I was asked to help kick off the opening weekend Market to sign posters for people shopping and cruising through Walnut Park. I decided to take it one step further and had some greeting cards made up of the image used on the poster as well as a special rooster greeting card.

Originally, I had only planned to sell them at the Wednesday and Saturday Farmers’ Market, but I wanted to make the cards available to those who weren’t able to make it. With that being said, I’ve just added them to my online store, available 24-7 and shipped directly to you. Below are the three different options. Each 5×7, fold over greeting card comes with a blank white envelope for mailing or gift giving.

Please email ricky@rickywatts.com with any questions or wholesale inquiries.

I just released four new prints on my online store. Each 8×10 print is limited to 15 prints worldwide. Printed with Archival Inks on acid free, velvet cotton rag paper stock. Each print is hand signed and numbered by the artist. Purchase the set four prints for the price of three.

As always, each order comes with extra surprises. Don’t sleep on it, these won’t last long.

Shipping and handling is FREE in the United States. International shipping will require an additional charge, which is included in the check out.

From the artist: “I created this series of mixed media drawings (watercolors, inks and pen & ink) for the yelp party in December of 2009. These four works are fictitious organisms pulled from the depths of my imagination. Each one represents a different vision: water, fire, earth and nature.”

Here’s a sneak peak at a painting I just finished. I will be showing it for the first time at “Reap What You Sow”, a two man show featuring myself and Sorrow One. The reception will take place Saturday, April 17th from 7-10pm at The Petaluma Mail Depot, 40 4th Street in downtown Petaluma. See you there.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Artists Sorrow One and Ricky Watts are showing “Reap What You Sow,” an exhibit of their latest works, April 17 – May 15 at the Petaluma Mail Depot.
 
An opening reception will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 17.

Mail Depot hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The Mail Depot is located at 40 Fourth St., Petaluma. For more information, contact the Depot at 762-8150.

 
About Sorrow One (written by Alex Pardee):
There are a few different paths that a devoted family man can take immediately after a handful of his loved ones are prematurely stripped of life. One path leads to a realm of unanswerable questions and emotions. A world of defeat. Another path leads to a fantastical world, where art is used as therapy, colorful worlds are created, and a hidden passion is rediscovered in honor of lost love. A decade ago, SORROW chose the latter path. After adopting a name that summed up his feelings, he conjured up old inspirations like HR Giger and Aiden Hughes, and dove headfirst back into his childhood love of drawing, graffiti and skateboarding. For the last 10 years, he has used a mixture of acrylics, spray paint and inks to forge a galaxy of octopus-like skulls and Cronenberg-esque flowers mixed with a cup of street culture on everything from walls and trains to canvases and kicks. Now, both his life and his art are constantly getting brighter.

About Ricky Watts (written by Adrienne Smith):
Richard “Ricky” Watts’ style stems from years of practice, tremendous diligence and an endless imagination. Heavily inspired by aerosol art as a teenager, typography, painting murals with spray paint and graphic arts were talents Ricky possessed very quickly. With an appreciation of art in all forms, his love for aerosol lead to concepts of many works in print, on canvas and in digital format. His ability to turn an art form considered by many as “rebelious graffiti” into elaborate, sophisticated works of art has gained attention by many all over the country. Proficient in all aspects of graphic design, from concept to production and a skilled painter and illustrator, Ricky’s method is in one word: versatile. Exploring many mediums – brush, pen, pencil, spray can and mouse – he feeds his passion for fine art on canvas and comissioned walls while exercising his craft as a graphic designer.

Trained at the Art Institute of California’s San Diego campus, he graduated with a degree in graphic design and took a job at a print company close to campus. Here he handled all aspects required to manage the company. Almost as quickly as his position began, Ricky was promoted to lead designer and pre-press technician. Visualizing and designing logos and marketing materials came naturally to an artist of his caliber. Ricky longed to be in northern California again and decided to take his newly developed talents back to his bay area hometown. He returned with an impressive portfolio, more experience and fresh new ideas for creative ventures.

Ricky continued working for print companies during the day and executing his work on walls and canvas in the evenings and weekends. He found room for freelance design jobs usually late at night after multiple cups of coffee. As a result, over the last eight years, Ricky has developed an expectionally unique skill set. He’s covered all aspects in print media – designing, as well as pre-press and print production to final bindery and finishing. He’s designed an endless amount of flyers, postcards, posters and marketing materials for businesses, shows/events, grand openings and good causes. Ricky’s skills have been implemented for magazine covers, skateboard designs and the layout and production of Alex Pardee’s artwork for The Used’s album, “In Love And Death”. A deep-rooted commitment to The Petaluma Phoenix Theater, a California non-profit corporation that provides services to local youth interested in art and music, has given him the opportunity to give back to his community while sharing his expertise.

Ricky has also finished numerous art pieces on walls, trucks, vans, as well as live painting at late night venues and outdoor festivals. His works have been displayed at galleries as far north as Seattle and south as San Diego. Much like his art that is constantly evolving, Ricky Watts himself is a constant work in progress: always reinventing and emerging with with new innovations and designs and art works.

I recently submitted my giant rooster drawing that I like to call “Growth Hormone Disaster” on Paul Frank’s Art Attack contest. Winner receives money for art supplies as well as some great publicity. I can REALLY use both right now so your vote would be greatly appreciated.

Here’s the direct link to my voting page. No sign up or registration is required. Thank you in advance.

A friend of mine, who worked for the derailment division of the Union Pacific railroad sent me these images of wrecks they’ve cleared. As a long time rail fan, I thought these were pretty interesting. Enjoy!

Please join us Saturday, March 13th for INTERSECT, a group show featuring works by Leah Engel, Lucian Moon (LAMB) and Ricky Watts. A reception will take place from 6-9pm featuring hors d’oeuvres, drinks and music by the legendary Mr. Element. See you there.

Buddha’s Palm Tattoo Gallery is located in the southern end of Sebastopol, nestled between Starbucks and Subway in the Gravenstein Plaza on Hwy. 116.