2013 Muppet Madness Tournament poster

This is a fun picture I did for Steve Swanson. He runs the Muppet-related podcast Muppetcast and organizes the annual Muppet Madness Tournament.

 "The Tournament is a parody of the NCAA March Madness Tournament, in which selected Muppet characters face off and advance in rounds, based on fans' online voting support. Muppet Madness begins on March 19, the same day as the NCAA tournament, and concludes on April 8, when the Muppet Madness Champion will be named."

The poster is of course based on old boxing posters. I was provided with the Muppet Madness logo and the final two contestants. I drew the characters and made up the rest of the text myself. Eagle-eyed Muppet fans will notice several inside jokes on the poster.

Neatorama Neatoshop shirts now available!

I've joined the ranks as one of the exclusive artists at Neatorama. You can now purchase my t-shirts at the Neatoshop. Check out the announcement here,

 http://www.neatorama.com/2013/03/31/The-Wocka-Wocka-ing-Dead/ 

and follow the link to the store!

Prawn Solo

"Hola. Prawn Solo, I'm captain of the Millennium Falcon, okay?"

Pepe the King Prawn from the Muppets portrays that charming scoundrel Han Solo from Star Wars.

My newest piece of Muppet art, now available on t-shirts, stickers and prints.

Get yours HERE:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/durkinworks/works/10130150-prawn-solo

Kenny Durkin Muppet Art.

Those who know me are fully aware of my obsession with the Muppets. I've done a TON of Muppet-related artwork, which you can see here:

 http://durkinworks.blogspot.com/search/label/Muppets

Apparently, the've gone viral. I've been swamped with messages and emails about sites and blogs that are now featuring my collection, and I couldn't be more flattered. Here's just a short list:

http://www.neatorama.com/2013/03/03/The-Muppets-Mash-Up-Artwork-by-Kenny-Durkin/

http://youbentmywookie.com/wtf/kenny-durkins-awesome-muppet-movie-mash-ups-18421

http://hiconsumption.com/2013/03/the-muppets-pop-culture-mashup/

http://designyoutrust.com/2013/03/kenny-durkin-fuses-the-muppets-with-our-favorite-shows-movies/

http://www.themarysue.com/muppets-walking-dead-lord-of-the-rings-jaws/#0

http://fiz-x.com/the-muppets/

http://www.howitshouldhaveended.com/news/muppet-movie-mash-ups

http://laughingsquid.com/the-muppets-illustrated-as-popular-film-tv-show-characters/

http://www.moviecitizens.com/what-if-the-muppets-had-starred-in-some-of-your-favourite-films/

http://randommization.com/2013/03/07/muppets-as-other-pop-culture-characters/

http://www.fakeblog.de/2013/03/05/kenny-durkin-illustrationen-der-muppets-als-bekannte-filmstars/

I've created a store which you can order prints and apparel featuring my Muppet inspired art. Check it out and buy some stuff!

http://www.redbubble.com/people/durkinworks/collections/193348-kenny-durkins-muppet-henson-art

DSFF's 2013 Valentine's Bowl-a-Thon

DSFF's 2013 Valentine's Bowl-a-Thon

Our local Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida is having their 3rd Annual Tour of Champions Valentine's Bowl-a-thon event. The Foundation is all about "striking" Down barriers to inclusion and I'd LOVE for you to sponsor our bowling team, Durkin's Dragons!

 

Simply click this link to sponsor us:

http://www.bowlathon.net/event/DSF_Florida_2013/donate/bowler/6639.  All donations are tax-deductible.  

The first year, Durkin's Dragons raised over $1,000, and we'd love to do it again this year! The Foundation is run 100% by volunteers so all proceeds go directly to families for scholarships and programs!  It is their goal to raise record money this year so they can support the growing number of scholarship requests and implement some additional programs such as Lose The Training Wheels and iCan Work program. 

Jett has gotten many scholarships from DSFF for his Talktools evaluations, neurodevelopmental evaluations, swimming classes and therapeutic Gymboree classes.

Photo Highlights from previous bowl-a-thons

 Volunteers, in light green shirts, were there to help the families when needed.

 

Jett was irresistible, as usual, and at one point we had FIVE volunteers "helping" with Jett.

Here's Kathy, and the "Valentine's Day Bowling Ball of Destruction"

 

 Alex, and "Goldie the Demolisher"

 And, me with "Kermit the Annihilator".

Please help those who help us and donate today!

The Wocka Wocka-ing Dead.

It's Fozzie, Bear on Patrol from the Muppets in The Wock

a Wocka-ing Dead. Pen and Ink, digital color.

Duck Dynasty Caricature

This is a caricature of the cast of Duck Dynasty. I love this show. It's unlike most other "reality" shows out there because it's never mean-spirited. It shows a family that, despite their dysfunctions, at the end of the day love and respect each other. I drew it with pen and ink and colored it digitally.

Durkinworks is MOVING!

After over 12 years of living in Florida and drawing caricatures at Disney World, I have decided that it's time to move back to Wisconsin. This decision is the result of years of deliberation but was accelerated rapidly due to recent personal events. Once in Wisconsin, I will be a full-time freelance artist as
well as performing caricatures live at parties, festivals and other events. One major benefit is that I'll be able to access all that places like Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison have to offer. My two oldest children, Alex and Kathy are already there and attending my alma mater, Westosha Central High School. My wife, Andi, son Jett, and I plan to move up the first half of March. For those of you in Florida, I will still be visiting several times a year and would love to meet up when I visit. And finally, for my friends and family in Wisconsin and Illinois, I'm returning triumphant, ready to take on the challenges and opportunities of this next level of my career. I'm eager to see you all again (and who knows, maybe even DRAW you). Stay tuned to Facebook and my blog as more news surfaces.

Kermits I've Known.

I like to draw all of the time. All. Of. The. Time. I figure the more I draw, hopefully the better I become. In the case of this picture, I was trying to show diversity in shape, form and style while still maintaining the distinguishing features of the character. This would make a great T-shirt.

Happy New Year Everyone!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Merry Christmas!

Uncle Steve.

Steve T. Durkin, Elkhorn, WI (1952 - 2012)
May 29, 1952 - December 10, 2012
Steve T. Durkin; 60, of Cliff’s View Lane, Whitewater, WI, died unexpectedly Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, at his residence. He was born May 29, 1952, in Waukegan, IL, the son of the late Edward and Dorothy (Upson) Durkin. On June 21, 1975, he was united in marriage to Catherine R. Gnatzig at Whitewater Lake. Steve was a counselor for over 36 years with Gateway Technical College, retiring in July of 2012. He was a member of Sugar Creek Lutheran Church. The hallmark of his life was his eagerness to help a friend in need.
Steve is survived by his wife, Catherine; three children: James Durkin of Whitewater, WI, Cassi (Derrian) Richardson of Fort Sill, OK, and Timothy Durkin of Whitewater, WI; three grandchildren: Destini, Ava and Dean; two brothers: Don (Diane) Durkin of Salem, WI, and Jim (Anne) Durkin of Bristol, WI; one sister-in-law, Barb Durkin of Twin Lakes, WI. He is further survived by several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Steve was preceded in death by an infant daughter; his parents; and two brothers: Mike and Joe.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at SUGAR CREEK LUTHERAN CHURCH, N5690 Cobblestone Road, Elkhorn, WI, with Rev. Gerald Petersen officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 until 8 p.m. at HAASE-LOCKWOOD & ASSOCIATES FUNERAL HOME, 730 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn, WI, and at the CHURCH on Monday from 12Noon until time of service. Memorials may be made in Steve’s name to the church. On-line guest book at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com. Arrangements completed by HAASE-LOCKWOOD & ASSOCIATES FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Germany Blues.

I love when people actually ASK for PERMISSION to use my artwork. In this case, it was for a caricature I did a few years ago of the Blues Brothers. A German entertainment company had booked a Blues Brothers tribute act from London and wanted to use my caricature for their posters and website.

I gave them permission with the condition that they credit me and send me a hard copy of the poster. This is how they utilized my artwork for their poster.

I also got a few copies of the poster, which is about 24' X 36". The QR code takes you to the website, which is here: http://musicalhit.de/bluesbrothers.htm

This text taken directly from the site, roughly translated from German says:

"Directly from London comes "Blues Brothers - The Concert". Black suits, black sunglasses and black hats - because every fan knows immediately what it is all about. To the well-known hits of the cult "Blues Brothers", where no one can sit still: everybody needs somebody, SOULMAN and sweet home Chicago Jake and Elwood present successfully these turbulent, funky show with the coolest original songs: .

So if you're in Germany, check out the show, and if you see the poster hanging up anywhere, snap a few photos and send them to me. I'd appreciate it! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Get your Barack Obama and Mitt Romney Garden Gnomes here!

For the past year or so, I've been working closely with GardenGnomeWorld who produces their very own line of garden gnomes. I was approached by them to re-design their existing Obama gnome. I needed to draw and entire turnaround for him to ensure the sculptor had plenty of information.

 Once I sent them my design, they were so pleased that they decided to create an entire line of political garden gnomes. I designed Bill and Hillary Clinton, Ron Paul, Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, Herman Cain and Mitt Romney (pictured below). 

 Several of them made it all the way to the painted prototype phase: 

 In the end, Obama and Romney made it to production. 

The manufacturing business is constantly in flux, and it's only until now, just a few days before the election, that the gnomes are finally available. But I strongly encourage you to get them now. Hey, get one of each and after the election, you can recreate the candidate's victory in your garden. Have the winner standing triumphantly and the loser buried in the dirt! Here are the links:

 Barack Obama Garden Gnome

http://www.amazon.com/GardenGnomeWorld-com-Obama-Garden-Gnome/dp/B008SCHK1E

Mitt Romney Garden Gnome

http://www.amazon.com/GardenGnomeWorld-com-Romney-Garden-Gnome/dp/B008SD03NU

The 3rd Annual Orlando Puppet Art Show-This Weekend!

This weekend is the 3rd Annual Puppet Festival! That's right, THIS Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

It's a 3 day event! October 19, 20th, and 21st

It's right here in Orlando at the NEW Renegade Theater!Located at 1824 w Washington.

For complete details, visit http://bssart.tumblr.com/ or visithttp://www.facebook.com/events/391344727588190/.

There's a great video promoting the show here: http://www.glendalenewspress.com/videogallery/72945130/Entertainment/Weekend-Watch-Vampire-apos-s-Ball-Puppet-Art-Show-Orlando-Film-Festival

Look for the Art Show section about midway through the video.

I've contributed 3 pieces to the show. Last year, one of my entries was created from found objects. I had so much fun making it that I decided to create three new pieces using found objects as well.

The first is "Manah Manah". 

I used wood, a toilet brush and red plastic Solo cups and ping pong balls (for you beer pong fans). Within 5 minutes of posting this picture on Facebook, it was $OLD!

The second is "Muppet Labs Operation".

 I repurposed an old Operation game to torture poor Beaker. I drew the line art, colored it digitally, had it printed, cut out the shapes and attached it to the board. Show patrons are welcome to try to remove the parts and make Beaker's nose glow…

…but I superglued the parts to the board!

The final piece is "Buzz Hogthrob". I took apart an old Buzz Lightyear toy, removed the head, repainted the body, sculpted and painted Link Hogthrob's head, reassembled him and added custom decals. I'll post a step by step soon.

I will be there opening night (tonight) and will probably be there for a bit on Sunday as well. I hope to see you there!

The Agony and the Ecstacy

I've been FRANTICALLY trying to complete my submissions to the 2012 Orlando Puppet Art Festival. The final due date to drop off artwork is Friday the 12th (tomorrow). I have two pieces finished and I'm working on the third.

It's been a challenging process. I'm working entirely with found objects this time, repurposing them into  my artwork. Dealing with materials I've never worked with and constantly troubleshooting when things go wrong is taking up a lot of my time and energy. The entire process looks a little something like this (warning: NSFW language):

Fraggle Rock art contest: From around the web

I'm honored and grateful to have been chosen as a finalist in the Fraggle Rock art contest. Since the announcement yesterday, I've received an outpouring of support and congratulations.

This is a link to the Jim Henson company's press release regarding the Fraggle Rock art contest. http://www.henson.com/press_releases/2012-09-12.pdf

A screen shot of the release related to the contest is pictured below.

There is a specific spot in the CafePress Fraggle Rock store that is dedicated solely to my design.

http://www.cafepress.com/dd/70976950

Order something with my design and send me a pic of you with it and I'll feature it here on my blog!

 

Fraggle Rock Art Contest: Winners announced!

The winners for the Fraggle Rock art contest have been announce and I have been chosen as a finalist!

For being a finalist, I will receive:

• A feature on Henson.com and Henson's Facebook page
• A framed copy of my artwork
• $500

You can check out the official announcement from Talenthouse here

 Congrats to everyone who participated and to the other winners. What a fun contest! I'm just getting warmed up though, because the next thing on my list is to finish my artwork for the 3rd annual Puppet Art Show here in Orlando. I'll be posting pics and updates regularly here and on Facebook so stay tuned!

The 2012 3rd Annual Puppet Art Show.

 This year, I am once again a featured artist at the annual Puppet Art Show here in Orlando. Here is the official poster for the show:

 I'm still preparing my pieces, and I'll post them on the blog and over on Facebook when they are finished. You can see my submissions for last year's show HERE.