Josean Rivera

Art and such…a collection of past and present work

  • Hey folks! It’s been a while since I’ve last posted here, most of my efforts going towards my other page www.phishart.net . However, in the current times we are in I’ve had a lot of free time, so I wanted to share how I spent my last year artwise!

    2019 started with my largest block print to date, 12×18.  Inspired by the  Albrecht Dürer‘s Four Horsemen print, I made it for Phish’s first shows of the year.  Between then and that summer I researched a lot of Dürer’s work and saw the potential of making a cohesive series for Phish’s summer tour.  Each print is inspired by a Dürer print chosen for fitting in with a song or lyric, as well as “relevance” to where they were playing.  I’d redraw the image, but changing it in ways to fit my vision.  They were later transferred onto an 11×14 block, hand printed using oil based ink in editions of 30, along with smaller color variant editions.  Working continuously from February til December, I ended up doing a total of 15 of these (13 for summer tour, 1 for fall tour, and 1 for the MSG NYE run)

    Most prints are still available in my shop: www.joseeen.etsy.com

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    Click on any image below to see the full post with the story behind the print, variants, and work in progress pics:

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    riveracharlottebw20190621_185752bwbangorimg_-48wpld20190706_09410120190708_13304820190715_110144Rivera Alpine Valley webfall-tour-2019-webnye-bw-web-12020 has been a strange year artistically.  The back and hand pain that comes with hand printing linocuts has forced me to take a printmaking break, and go back to ink, watercolor, and paint.  With the impending cancellation of this year’s Summer Tour, most of the images I made may be released as art prints.  I had chosen this year to forgo a common theme, so each print I was doing worked on it’s own, most inspired by sketches, stickers, or drawing I’ve drawn in the past but never did anything with.  Stay tuned for new work on the way!

  • josean's avatarNot just reading the book,

    I’m excited to present may latest linocut for Phish’s return to Riviera Maya in 2019.  Continuing my tradition of creating a block print for all their past shows in Mexico, I went bigger than ever before, carving a 12×18 block.  I was inspired by the work of Albert Dürer’s woodcut, The Four Horsemen (1498).  It was printed on 18×24  90lb paper, hand printed and pulled (really wish I had a press for this size!)  They are available in a limited signed edition of 30, including 2 small color variants.  Prints are available in my shop: www.joseeen.etsy.com 

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  • josean's avatarNot just reading the book,

    I’ve recently added some new original artwork to my fundraising site, www.phishart.com .  As some of you know, I’m also an elementary/middle school art teacher in North Philly.  With essentially no money for a budget, I’m forced to fundraise in order to get supplies for my classroom.  I created this site in order to sell some of my original artwork that I use for my digital prints.  Half of sales are donated to my DonorsChoose fundraiser, which helps me purchase supplies.  All prints are original ink and watercolor, which ship with extra prints and/or originals, as well as a thank you drawing from my students!  Direct donations can also be made here: https://www.donorschoose.org/project/help-our-classroom-keep-creating/3787371/ . DonorsChoose is currently offering to match donations up to $50 if you use code LIFTOFF from now until 11/30! Any orders placed via phishart.com  would also have it’s donation matched during this time period, so purchasing…

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  • posters header

    I’ve had a busy year so far (although I haven’t posted enough here!) Since the beginning of this year, I have been working on a series of posters for Phish’s summer, and eventually their fall tour.   The series is inspired by vintage sci-fi and monster movie posters, inspired by Phish songs, lyrics, as well as where the shows were taking place.  Since the tour dates this year were announced early, I had plenty of time to research and find the right theme.  I was drawn to the vintage posters, finding many I wanted to recreate.  I didn’t realize at the time, but the ones I choose were often illustrated  by  Reynold Brown as well as Albert Kallis.  I recreated the posters as ink and watercolor illustrations, trying to make them as similar to the originals.  As I became more comfortable recreating the style, I took more liberties with the images.  The posters were created in segments, which were then scanned and digitally put together to create the final poster.  I had planned to only to do a summer tour series, but the feedback and requests inspired me to also continue the series for the fall tour.  I will create one more for the New Years Eve run at Madison Square Garden, and then the series will come to an end.  All prints are available in my shop, www.joseeen.esty.com.  They are 13×19 prints on cardstock, signed and limited to an edition of 150.

    Summer Tour

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    tahoe-copy  da-gorge-web-e1528927800875 sf-web inglewood-web  austin-web  alpharetta-webcamden-web   walnut-creek-web   mpp-web   curveball-web  dicks-web

    Fall Tour

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    Albany web   Hampton web   Nashville web    Rosemont web   Las Vegas web

     

  • Buy some art and help out my classroom!

    josean's avatarNot just reading the book,

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    When I’m not drawing Phish related things, I’m an elementary and middle school art teacher.  I want nothing but the best for my students (all 750 of them), and lately our budget has shrunk to almost nothing.  Sadly, as a teacher it is expected to raise funds for your classroom, since most school budgets won’t cover everything that’s needed to ensure successful learning.  While most of my coworkers opt for some great websites such as DonorsChoose, I decided to do things a little differently.  Almost all my art starts out as ink and watercolor illustrations that are then scanned and digitally arranged.  Some are randomly given away, but must are put in a portfolio where they are forgotten.  Rather than let them sit and collect dust, I came up with an idea to get them out of my house and help out my classroom!  I’ve reopened up my old…

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  • I recently finished my latest Dead inspired print, Cats Down Under the Stars.  It is based off the song by Jerry Garcia Band, as well as the art of the album by the same name.  The original was watercolor and ink, and printed on 13×19 thick glossy cardstock and limited to an edition of 50.

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    Prints are available in my shop , and I’m currently running a 20% off sale in my shop from 2/11 til 2/18, no coupon necessary!

  • I recently created a print for the upcoming Dead and Company show at the Wells Fargo Center on 11/16/17.  My print was inspired by an old print I came across of Ben Franklin and his son conducting his famous kite electricity experiment.  The original is ink and watercolor, and prints are signed and numbered, limited to an edition of 75.  I will have these on the lot at Wells Fargo, and the remaining prints are currently available in my shop!  www.joseeen.etsy.com

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  • josean's avatarNot just reading the book,

    jrad bears new done proof copy

    I recently created a new shirt design, inspired by the Grateful Dead bears and the JRAD logo!  I’m currently doing a presale in my shop for shirts and women’s tank tops, available in multiple colors (during the presale only!)  After the presale period (which ends Friday, October 20th) a small amount will be available, in the the most popular color.

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    https://www.etsy.com/listing/549630156/jrad-grateful-bears-shirt-presale

    Shirts are printed on Next Level Premium Fitted Short Sleeve Crews. Available in S-2XL

    Presale color options for shirts:
    1. Warm Grey
    2. Royal Blue
    3. Kelly Green
    4. Heather Grey
    5. Forest Green
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    https://www.etsy.com/listing/550119298/jrad-grateful-bears-shirt-presale

    Tanks are printed on Next Level Ladies 1533 ideal ladies racerback tank top. Available in S-2XL in heather grey.


    JRAD bear gildan

    https://www.etsy.com/listing/563421937/jrad-grateful-bear-shirt-presale

    Printed on Gildan Heavy Cotton shirts (50% cotton, 50% polyester) Available in S-2XL

    Presale color options for shirts:
    1. White
    2. Black
    3. Navy
    4. Military Green
    5. Charcoal
    5. Brown Savana


    I…

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  • I’ve recently finished up 2 more linocuts inspired by Grateful Dead songs, the 9th and 10th in an ongoing series. Although I have previously done both illustrations and linocuts, I feel I’ll probably be doing more linocuts for future songs.  These have been a challenge, but I’ve enjoyed both the process and the research involved in making these.  I’m hoping to work larger, although it seems a printing press of some sort will be necessary to accomplish that.

    Dire Wolf

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    A 9×12 Linocut inspired by the Song Dire Wolf .    Printed on 11×14 98lb paper. Hand pulled and printed, limited to a signed edition of 50. Prints available in my shop

    St. Stephen

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    One of my most ambitious prints to date, This linocut is inspired by the song St. Stephen. 11×14 print on 14×17 98lb white paper.  I have 2 versions available in my shop: the original, limited to an edition of 30, and the color variant, which is limited to an edition of 15.

    View Previous song illustrations:

    Cosmic Charlie/ West LA Fadeaway

    Cumberland Blues

    Grateful Bears

  • So it’s been a while since I’ve posted here! The last couple months have been very busy, work and artwork wise. I recently revamped my shop to include a lot of my recent printmaking  I’ve been focusing more on printmaking, including a few new prints and variants.

    New prints!

    Pizza Time

    Taco Time

    I created these for my 5th year at the Tattooed Mom’s tent for the South Street Spring Festival in early May.  I had fun with these, creating several variations, including a 3D version that comes with cardboard 3D glasses!  I have a few of these left, which are available in my shop.

    Spring Fest!

    It was an honor to be asked to join the TMom’s tent during the South Street Spring Festival for the 5th year in the row!  I was able to join a couple other amazing Philly artists to sell artwork and represent the spirit of Tattooed Mom’s.  The owner is a a big supporter of Philly Street art ( just go upstairs!), and rather than just sell some swag in their tent, he’d rather have artists sell their art! Thanks, Tmom’s!

    New Shop!

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    I recently update my shop to include all my printmaking work. Since I’ve started doing my Phish inspired art, my main shop has been filled with that.  I created another site for my other artwork, www.joseeen215.etsy.com.  I must admit it was often neglected, but I’m working to prevent that!  I’ve added new work, and may add new as well as some older work.

    Phish!

    Of course there’ll be plenty of a Phish art for the near future.  With summer tour approaching, I’ll be making some posters for some of the concerts, with the Baker’s Dozen Run (13 show at Madison Square Garden during July/August) poster almost done.  I will also be vending at 2 of the PhanArt Shows at the Hotel Penn, right across the street from MSG.  With so many shows in NYC and no vending allowed outside the venue, this will be the chance to grab some Phish art from myself and a bunch of other awesome Phan artists!  I’ll be posting all about my posters for summer tour as well as more in my other site: http://www.phishart.net.  I’ll b repost onto this site, but will be sure not to overwhelm the non-phans!