SuperHero Artists on Exhibit

This is the first installation of great artists featured at this year's SuperHero Exhibition held during San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, July 24 at a grand Warehouse space near the convention. All of the artists featured were inspired to celebrate their favorite Super Hero, known or not. All work is available for acquisition, and you can contact Mark Murphy at murphy@murphydesign.com for more information. Enjoy.



Mark Todd is no stranger to Superheroes and “Bad Asses.” Or maybe Superheroes are bad asses? Mark has been drawing on both since he was a young boy growing up in Las Vegas, as his famed father waited on Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra. Mark Todd is a visual fine artist who has been published by Blue-Q, Fantagraphics and American Illustration. Mark is featuring 8 of 12 from a series, entitled, "Captain America." Check him out at www. marktoddillustration.com


Esther Pearl Watson is a fine artist who draws upon a dynamic childhood, growing up with a UFO inspired father who built large-scaled flying machines out of scrap metal and old car engines. Esther celebrates discarded literature and adolescent journals through her “Unlovable” series and folk-inspired paintings. Esther's latest creation depicts her childhood, as dad ran through the back yard fields as Superman. Check out more at www.estherwatson.com : Sold :


Jonathan Bergeron describes his art work as fine lowbrow art inspired by his upbringing in Montreal celebrating his skateboard while looking for cool punk rock album covers. You may have heard of “Johnny Crap,” a nickname provided by his band mates who infamously celebrate punk jam sessions in the comfort of his garage. Jonathan's Superhero creation is entitled, "Bat Calavera." You can see more and check out www.johnnycrap.com



Joel Nakamura creates a visual narrative with mythological symbols while paying homage to Joseph Campbell. Joel celebrates Japanese inspired characters, Ultraman and Godzilla and delivers two paintings that pay homage to both. "Meet Godzilla," (24" x 24") and "Cryogenics" (24" x 36), Joel's latest, painted on tin canvas. See more of Joel’s fantastical works at www.joelnakamura.com : Meet Godzilla Sold :


Jeff Soto, has painted "The Purple Star," a 20" x 20" acrylic on wood panel piece that might serve as a glimpse into his upcoming Riverside Art Museum show later this year in December. Jeff communicates his loves and fears on his wood canvases about nature, politics and the human condition. Jeff’s work is accessible and often celebrates personal experiences as a graffiti artist, succulent gardener, Sci-Fi aficionado and most importantly, a Dad. You can see more of Jeff’s dynamic work at http://jeffsoto.com : Sold :


Chris Ryniak draws and paints creatures that often become his main protagonists in Sci-Fi mind play just before evolving into masterful paintings and sculptures. Chris is a talented artist who resides in Ohio and exhibits all over the world. Check out more of his work at www.chrisryniak.com : Sold :


Daniel Lim has moved back to Southern California recently, completing his 1000 painting and drawing series. An impressive collection that Daniel continues to add to, including his latest, “PS I Bring Flowers.” “ I was trying to thinking of the less obvious superhero for my project and came up with my own solution. After watching “Hancock,” I realized how useless superheroes were...why not just prevent the act in the first place? My hero delivers flowers to those who are hurting the most. Instead of having powers to stop violence, she has the power to prevent it.” You can see more at http://www.daniel-lim.com/


Shaunna Peterson is a Riverside artist who is the daughter of a drag racer and a big fan of “Mad” magazine and girlie pinups. Shaunna’s latest super hero creation is Cat Woman in "Whippin' Cream," and you can catch more of Shaunna’s artworks at http://www.shaunnapeterson.com/


Andrew Foster created two oil on panel pieces entitled, “Violet Morning Stroll” and “The Pinkest Day Ever.” Andrew’s subject matter is a constant evolution of inspired story telling through satirical renderings of the All-American myth. Many of Andrew’s characters are uncouth pinups, aging superheroes and the rumpled business man. You can do a google search on Andrew’s work or touch base at www.andrewmfoster.net


Marco Wagner is a German artist who lives in his homeland painting fantastical fairy tales influenced by the modern condition. His paintings have a sense of honesty, whimsically painted, much like a combination between outsider art and old-styled children’s fairytale paintings. Marco’s latest celebrates the folklore of Godzilla. Enjoy and check out more of Marco’s great works at http://www.marcowagner.net/ : Sold :


The “SuperHero Girls,” by Kathie Olivas is an oil on wood painting that continues her celebration of a post apocalyptic universe filled with her mutant children. Kathie draws you in with her rich, seductive color and child like tropes only to leave you mystified and perturbed by her disturbing fantasies. Visit www.miserychildren.com and enjoy more of Kathie’s paintings and her collaborative book release with Brandt Peters, “Ghosts and Martyrs” at this year’s Comic-Con : Sold :


Peter Taylor’s graphic lines move you through his paintings in a fluid direction. Peter is a virtuoso when it comes to drawing circular forms that dispel ancient secrets of the Budha and tranquil lifestyle. Peter’s latest mixed media drawing, “Projector,” invites you in with a friendly “ohm.” See more of Peter’s stylized works and patterns at www.handmadefeat.com


Mark Murphy created two new watercolor and Ink pieces entitled, "SuperHero OIL 1 and 2." The “OIL” series is all about nature turning onto itself, upset that millions of years vested into creating a balanced earth has gone wildly astray as a result of granting “man” life. The delicate balance is forever out of sync and our reliance on fossil fuels will soon be at an end. "SuperHero OIL 1" is featured in Mark's zine, OIL2 featured at this year's Comic-Con. You can read more about it in an earlier blog post. : Sold :


Jen Lobo has an affinity for all things feathered, furry or full of scales. Jen’s paintings further her personal relationship with the natural and how it parallels back to human kind. Jen works hard to document natural history and entomology and celebrates both in her latest oil on panel painting entitled, “Good Versus Evil.” You can see more of Jen’s nature series at www.jenlobo.com : Sold :




Jonathan Viner is a Brooklyn, based artist, who lends his brush to the sinister. Jonathan paints mysteries, and like a savory piece of fiction, his paintings plunge the viewer into the center of a conspiracy in process. Jonathan’s sketches above are, "Man Stretching" (single sided) and 2 Sketches are drawn on both front and back (two sides). All drawings that will be offered in concert with his book, “A Tranquil Aftermath.” To see more of Jonathan’s work visit, www.viner.biz


Lola created a 18” x 18” acrylic on panel, entitled “The incident on canterburry lane.” Lola creates a visual forum that communicates intimate stores with deep, hidden and personal meaning. Lola currently paints in Los Angeles, non-stop, as the outside world whirls around her. You can discover more about Lola and her latest museum exhibition, “Sea No Evil,” at the Riverside Art Museum by visiting http://lolastrangeart.com/ : Sold :


Alexei Vella is a Toronto based artist who loves Manga comics, retro inspired icons of the 50s and discarded matchbooks and packaging from a “golden” age. Alexei’s latest, “Radioactive Green Genes,” combines his love of abstract texture and intricate colour layers. He also has an opening entitled, “No Parachute Required” in Toronto on July 24, the same date for the opening of SuperHero. You can check out more of Alexei’s serigraphs and complete art collection at http://www.alexeivella.com/


Johnny “KMNDZ” Rodriguez contributed a drawing, mixed media on wood for this year’s SuperHero exhibition. Johnny has been featured in an assortment of exhibitions this summer and has recently been published in Hi-Fructose Magazine. For more information on Johnny and his Sci-Fi inspired world of painting and character developments, check out http://www.kmndz.com/: Sold :


Hui (Vincent) PK delivers a great pen and ink sketch, “the Ultra Sentai.” Originally from Hong Kong, Vincent loves developing his love for dynamic characters and fluid style in his sketchbook. In fact, he created an amazing portfolio of images upon graduating from Pasadena Art Center, that you can view page by page online. You can see more of Vincent’s work at http://www.hardsponge.com/


Andy Howell’s, “Freddie Mercury as Afroditee,” celebrates a love for flowing line, bold characterization, and street culture with an animae twist. Andy is a San Diego artist who is one part, famed skateboarder, and another part, mad painter who looks continuously explores non-conforming mixtures of music, art, sculpture and culturally impacted moments. Andy was recently featured in Juxtapoz, and you can see more of Andy’s works at http://www.andyhowell.com


Elesavet Lawson is a Southern Ontario artist who builds heavy textures, to develop the “right” mood in her works. Elesavet works hard to instigate open dialogue aboutn the social issues dispelled in her works. See more of Elesavet’s works at http://elesavet.com/


Mike Bertino’s art has been described as, “largely focused on the contrast between inner and outer life experience, and he often holds hos own life’s upheavals to the light as his subject.” Mike created "God's Grace for the Good Samaritan, " ink and gouache, 14.25" x 16.5" which is a celebration of Mike’s love of comics and the unsung hero. You can see more of Mike’s work at http://www.mikebertino.com


Robert Hardgrave’s, features two drawings that can be described as a flowing tapestry of hidden visuals that compliment his concept of SuperHero. A self-developed artist in Seattle, Robert creates work both highly intricate and abundant with personal symbols. Inspired by experiences from disease and recovery, his paintings and drawings reflect ideas about re incarnation, the richness of life beyond death and discovering the many hidden layers of existence. Check out Robert’s work at www.farmerbobsfarm.com


Yoko Tanaka has been touring Asia and visiting family and friends while creating her SuperHero paintings entitled, “Red” and “Green.” Yoko has exhibited works in Italy, France, Japan and back here in the good ole US. Yoko has currently moved her studio from Los Angeles to Thailand, where the buffalos and goats roam just outside of where she paints day and night. Yoko’s work is dreamlike and delicate and can be found at http://yokotanaka.com/


Ekundayo Reid is originally from Hawaii, and is currently working on multiple murals, and artist exhibitions. Ekundayo is a Nigerian name that means sorrow becomes joy a title that is befitting of his work as seen in his SuperHero painting, entitled, “Revenge.” You can catch up with Ekundayo at http://ekundayo.com/ : Sold :


Jon Todd’s SuperHero piece is entitled, “The Kat,” a mixed media piece that displays a love for tattoos, Mexican and Asian art forms. Jon paints in Toronto, where he rummages through antique stores looking for unique frames and supplies that can be incorporated into his work. Jon has exhibited in North America, Europan and South East Asia and more of his illustrative works can be found at http://jontodd.ca/


Robert Bellm's latest effort is entitled, "Green Lantern" a 5.5" x 7.5" acrylic on wood painting that offers light on one of his favorite cartoon character. "Birds to me represent beauty and freedom. Freedom to soar as high as they can and then come back down and live amongst the rest of us." Robert produces art based on subject matter that calls out to him and challenges on a deep, personal level. Robert's work can be enjoyed at http://www.scrambledmilk.com/


Regino Gonzales, AKA "RG," is a multi-talented artist who is originally from Manilla. RG works for many of the entertainment and action sports giants, understands the flow and movement of his work and is proud to display an urban influenced style. If you are looking to discover a masterful tattoo artist, RG delivers, along with the rest of his crew at Invisible NYC, one part tattoo studio and one part art gallery. RG's SuperHero installment is entitled, "Invisible Man," befitting for a talent that is clearly visible. You can enjoy more of RG's great works at http://regnyc.com/