The Legend of Naii is a tribute to my grandmother. Nai nai means grandma on the father's side in Chinese. She was the center of our family and will always be my inspiration.
This series of 8 paintings will be part of a group show called "Battle Royal" opening at Gallery 1988 SF on Friday, 6/26/09 from 7-10pm.
The show will run from 6/26/09- 7/18/09, but I would love to see you at the opening reception!
A little while ago I had the privilege to be interviewed by April Elkjer from the Nichi Bei Times- Japanese American News about my experience as the character designer on Ni Hao, Kai-lan. I was supered stoked to have the opportunity to share my influences and inspirations behind the designs. It was quite the honor! Big thanks to April Elkjer and the Nichi Bei Time!
YES! I've got new t-shirts! It's been a little while since my last design, but hey, good things take time and are worth the wait, right? I sure hope so! Please check out the 3 new designs-
Elephantation- a reminder of the impact of deforestation.
Na Zha the Rider- a tribute to the mystical Chinese character Na Zha and now on a fixed gear bike!
Crabby Bear- Another hybrid monstrosity for the Mongrelz series!
"Jab Strong Fierce"- Street Fighter tribute show at Gallery Nucleus opening Saturday, 4-25-09!
I remember being that guy who wasn't very good at the game so I'd use characters that have simple attacks. Needless to say, Blanka and Chun Li were two of my favorites ^_^.
Thanks to I Am 8 bit, Gallery Nucleus, and Capcom for giving us the opportunity to find our inner ST memories! Hope you like it!
And special thanks to GameSetWatch.com for showing off my silly painting :)
I had the pleasure of being featured in the December 2008 issue of Computer Arts Projects. This issue focused on Japanese influences among other Asian design aesthetics. I got to talk about the inspirations for my silly illustrations and design a skate deck!
It was quite the pleasure and extremely exciting so thank you, Computer Arts Projects!!
A tribute to the legend of Na Zha- a 7 year old boy who turned god after sacrificing himself in order to save his town. He was granted a magical spear and a pair of golden wheels that allow him to ride across the sky.
Nowadays, Na Zha lives in Hollywood and rides his golden fixed gear bike down Sunset Blvd. at night to protect and serve the hip and unhip.
Na Zha T-shirt coming soon!
January 04,2009
Beastie Boys!
Hello all!
Here's a painting I put in for the Beastie Boys artshow at gallery 1988 LA. This show consists of 100 artists and pays tribute to this culture icon. I called upon my childhood memories for inspiration. If only I got to hang with the Beastie Boys in elementary school!
The opening reception is this Thursday, 1/8 from 7-11pm, but will run for the entire month of January. No guarantee the Boys will be there, but I've got my fingers crossed ;)
Here's a holiday illustration I did for the management company- Chatrone. I always enjoy working on stuff for nice folks, and this time was no different.
It's been an absolutely incredible year for me and I feel ever so blessed and grateful. I had my first small solo artshow, self published my first hardcover sketchbook, and finally finished the website of my dreams!
I've also ended an amazing run on the hit preschool show- Ni Hao, Kai-lan on Nick Jr. and started as the lead character designer at Disney TV animation.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who have shown their support and love for my silly doodles. I hope to deliver more yummy noodles and doodles your way in 2009!
Happy Holidays, everyone!
XO, Martin Hsu
November 26,2008
Bazaar Bizarre SF!
Hi everyone!
It's that time of the year for the ultra cool craftshow of the year- Bazaar Bizarre again! This year's event is still held at the SF County Fair Building inside the Golden Gate Park on Sunday, 11/30 from 10am to 5 pm.
I will be exhibiting among other amazing crafters at table #91 to sell original paintings, t-shirts, prints, and the brand new 2008 sketchbook.
For more information please check out the site below and I hope to see you there!
Hello everyone! It's that time of the year again. APE 2008 is coming to the Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco this weekend Nov 1 & 2! Please come visit me at my table at 247! I'll have my new sketchbook, t-shirts, prints and more! Hope to see you there!
I was fortunate enough to be asked to be part of Secret Identities- The Asian American Superhero Anthology by Parry Shen who starred in the Asian American cult classic- Better Luck Tomorrow to create a 3 page mini comic of MY Asian superhero. I immediately knew this was the perfect opportunity for Dragon Boy to take flight.
The book will be published in trade paperback by The New Press, one of the nation's leading independent publishers, hitting bookshelves in SPRING 2009!!
But you can check out all 3 pages of Dragon Boy's attempt in catching the flying fireball on my blog below! Enjoy!!
Please join me at Giant Robot SF this Saturday, 9/20 from 6:30pm to 10pm. I will be showing 4 monsterous paintings along with world renowned doodler Jon Burgerman and Alex Pardee among other amazing talents.
Spanking new site for 2008! I hope you have fun browsing through all the different sections. I promise there's lots to see! Many thanks to the talented folks from 95Inhouse that gave birth to this place for me to display my silly doodles. You rock!
On top of the new site, check out the new 2008 sketchbook- Doodles&Noodles! This hardcover, perfect bound, 60 page, full color book is filled with some of my favorite illustrations and designs from the past 3 years. Get your copy before they're all gone!
Like cool t-shirts? 3 new exciting t-shirt designs- Primate Exploitation, Dragon Boy, and Chinese Piracy are in! All printed on super comfy American Apparel shirts.
And last, but not least, new prints for your empty walls! Brand new Dragon Boy and Mongrelz prints to cover up that crack above the shelves!
Cheers! Martin
July 24,2008
CRAZIANS!
Yup, I'm a Crazian! I was very flattered to be asked to be part of the Crazians artshow at the World of Wonder Gallery in Hollywood. This show gave me the opportunity to fulfill my fantasy of blowing up some of my favorite t-shirt graphics to one of a kind paintings! All 3 pieces were done with spray paint and Cel-Vinyl on wood. The very talented Mark Alexander gave each panel the perfect distressed surface for me to paint on. Check them out!
What would a 10' tall half octopus half bunny creature like to eat? Carrots, of course! Come check out "Mongrelz" at the Hive Gallery!
The theme of my paintings is Mongrelz- A Hybrid Monstrosity. Mongrelz are the result of mass pollution. They're highly evolved freaks of nature that are half land animal and half sea animal capable of surviving in any environment.
In the paintings you'll find intimate interactions between these freaky creatures with kids and other critters. Soon everyone will learn that Mongrelz are not here to destroy, but to protect.
