After a long time away, we have finally made our return to Woot Bear and it seems like we came back just in time! Usagi Jane & The Skullbunnies: Midori Woods, The Folding Forest is a solo show by Ben Seto which opened over the weekend and will be sticking around WootBear for a month. It features painting and figures of his original characters, the Skullbunnies and friends, and takes us deeper into their world. When he first introduced us to the Skullbunnies, we were met [Read more…]
Usagi Jane & The Skullbunnies: Midori Woods, The Folding Forest
October 23, 2017 by Leave a Comment
“Hear Me Spirit” by Zachary Sweet
January 14, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Oaktown artist Zachary Sweet showcases his “Hear Me Spirit” Collection at Woot Bear. It’s a mix of weirdos, monsters and ghosts from his dreams, nightmares and his artsy brain. The “Hear Me Spirit” Collection features new paintings, mixed media pieces and resin figures. If you like dark humor, then check this art at Woot Bear.
Making Artwork from Real Food
September 8, 2016 by 1 Comment
That KFC painting looks like it was made with watercolors, but it’s not. It’s a mix of honey and ketchup. Artist Aya Hany combines her two loves – food and art into one.
The Drive-In Theater Painting Experience
December 8, 2015 by Leave a Comment
During the 1950s and thru 1960s, all across America with robust car market, the movie drive-in theater was also at the height of it’s popularity. Artist Andrew Valko’s series of drive-in theater paintings gives us a taste of Americana and through the “eyes” of the drive-in movie customer.
The Art of Stephen Hickman: Empyrean
November 12, 2015 by Leave a Comment
If you ever read a Harlan Ellison, Anne McCaffrey or Larry Niven sci-fi book, usually the sci-fi art cover that catches your eye is drawn by artist Stephen Hickman. This full-color hardcover art book – “The Art of Stephen Hickman: Empyrean” is collection of Hickman’s amazing 40 years in fantasy sci-fi art.
“For me, fantasy imagery is simply my favorite place to work and live, and nature … Personal imagery, much of it inspired or informed by nature, is becoming more important to me the more painting I do, and fantasy is my direction of choice.” Stephen Hickman.
Most Oil Paintings come from Da Fen, China
June 22, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Not only is Shenzhen, China known for manufacturing and pirating, well, in small area of Shenzhen, Da Fen is where most of the world’s oil paintings are being produced. Replica’s of Van Goghs, Monets and Picassos are exported from Da Fen. BBC News takes at look the mass oil painting production and it’s impact within Shenzhen. Well, next time, I’m in Hong Kong, I’ll make a stop over to Da Fen.
Vintage Star Wars Toys in Watercolor
April 7, 2015 by Leave a Comment
If you are of a certain age, then seeing those classic Kenner Star Wars action figure packaging will bring back insane geeky nostalgia of childhood. Artists Alastair Eales brings that all back on a different medium – watercolors. His work on vintage Kenner Star Wars action figure packaging is simply amazing and cool.
Martin Hsu Pop-Up Shop @ Woot Bear SF
December 11, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Local artist Martin Hsu has over the years developed his own personal unique art style. You can see it in his paintings, drawings and vinyl toys. And this Holiday season, if you’re looking to see his art and want to buy his art in person, check out the Martin Hsu Pop-Up Show @ Woot Bear. Woot Bear is a neat toy art shop located in the heart of the Richmond District, 147 Clement Street in San Francisco.
The Art of Jim Burns: Hyperluminal
October 9, 2014 by Leave a Comment
If there’s a mention of Ridley Scott’s iconic film “Bladerunner” anywhere, I’m usually there in a heartbeat. The early concept art and ideas of Bladerunner began with this man – Jim Burns. The British award winning artist has the distinction of winning 3 Hugo awards and creating science fiction book covers for authors like George RR Martin, Peter F Hamilton and Anne McCaffrey.
Martin Hsu “In Dreams” Gallery
August 4, 2014 by Leave a Comment
If you’re in Taipei this August through September, stop by artist Martin Hsu’s exhibition “In Dreams” at the Wrong Gallery. “In Dreams” is Martin Hsu’s take on “Little Red Riding Hood” and bowl of noodles. The “In Dreams” exhibition runs from August 9th thru September 2nd, 2014.
The Art of Fred Gambino: Dark Shepherd
July 11, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Do you know who Fred Gambino is? I admit I don’t, but I’ve probably seen his work on book covers, video games and films. You will now know who he is with this Titan Books release – The Art of Fred Gambino: Dark Shepherd.
This is not a typical art book collection of personal works, it also includes Fred’s own personal passion project – his screenplay, concept art and snippet graphic novel intro to Dark Shepherd. Along with this, there are various paintings, illustrations, sketches, Photoshop images and book art covering Fred’s career with commentary.
The Art of John Harris: Beyond The Horizon
June 7, 2014 by Leave a Comment
If you read lots of science-fiction books from authors like Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Ben Nova, Orson Scott Card and John Scalzi, there is usually a beautifully painted cover book art of the galaxy, outer space world or spaceship and that artist is John Harris. The Art of John Harris: Beyond The Horizon is a collection of his many works since the 1970s.
The Paleoart of Julius Csotonyi
June 4, 2014 by 2 Comments
“Fossils are evidence of prehistoric life written in stone.” Dr. David C. Evans
Dinosaurs and extinct animals have always captured my imagination as a child. I’ve played with dinosaur toys, pretended to be a dinosaur, drew dinosaurs and read lots of dinosaur books. Plus I’ve spent many hours watching dinosaur specials on National Geographic and Animal Planet. The kid in me always wondered how an artist can draw extinct animals so realistically and prehistoric landscapes? This is where Paleontology comes in, the merging of art and science to paint an ancient environment. “The Paleoart of Julius Csotonyi” collects the top works of Paleoartisan Julius Csotonyi.
Pixel Pancho: Murals of the Robot Future
January 20, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Art about robots is art about our future culture as artist, Pixel Pancho, conveys humanity emotionally interconnected and intermixed with androids and pop icons. 
As with any art like the classics of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci to Mexican mural artists such as Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, we can see the glorification of humanity in all its elements of beauty, love, chaos, destruction and yes, even the propaganda – that art leaves you to think and feel your own thoughts of what is the meaning of this?
Amazon goes Warhol, Chagall & Dali
August 8, 2013 by 1 Comment
Awhile back Amazon created a cool Retro Video Game Shop and Amazon.com has been expanding their reach and now they will also sell collectible fine art and modern contemporary art.
Landscape Art by Yang Yongliang
March 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Shanghai-based artist Yang Yongliang melds downtown city buildings into mountains and natural landscape.
The Moonlight – the landscape without night by Yang Yongliang.
Alice in Wonderland 1 (Part 1) by Yang Yongliang.
Viridescence no. 1 by Yang Yongliang.
For more of Yang’s landscape art, photography, gallery exhibitions and updates, go to: Yang Yongliang.
Interview with Luke Chueh
June 13, 2012 by 2 Comments
Here at Retrenders I had the pleasure of interviewing Luke about his just released book, The Art of Luke Chueh – Bearing the Unbearable published by Titan Books, and got to know a little more of the painter and graphic designer.
RTNDR: I see this book is a great collection of your paintings, acrylic statues, and even showing your skateboard art, but we know you have an amazing collection of vinyl work. Will we see a book highlighting your vinyl art?
LUKE: I think creating a book of my 3-D work would be a great idea. Maybe in couple years after I’ve built up a large enough portfolio.
RTNDR: How would you categorize or characterize your art or should we even categorize art?
LUKE: Years ago, I used to spend time thinking of new names for the genre of my art. I always felt “Lowbrow” had demeaning connotations and “Pop Surreal” only told a part of the story. Word combinations like “Post Brow”, “Idealized Art”, or “Contemptorary” became labels I threw around. But lately I’ve sort of “come to terms” with Lowbrow & Pop Surrealism. To dismiss these would be to dismiss the artists whose work inspired label, and if fans and critics consider my art to be of the genre, then whom am I to tell them they’re wrong? But to be completely honest, I would prefer having my work simply recognized as “contemporary art” (ie. Art that is characteristic of the present).
Disney Princesses in the Real World
March 22, 2012 by 1 Comment
Rapunzel from Tangled by Jirka Väätäinen @ jirkavinse.wordpress.com/
Ever wonder what your cartoon Disney princesses would like in the real world? Would they look like a Barbie doll or a Valley girl? A college kid from the UK – Jirka Väätäinen did his own Photoshop project and rendered various Disney heroines with real world female faces.
The Art of LOVE
March 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Nidhi Chanani Art Work
I like technology and I enjoy collecting toys, but what I like more is art that says something to our hearts and minds. My friend Johnny Moreno creates these incredible paintings on canvas celebrating the rich Latino history and culture. And with Wondercon approaching this month, we should try to hit up Artist Alley and support our indie artists.
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