My commemorative ticket stubs for Phish’s 4-day run at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO. The original art was watercolor on paper, which was then scanned to create the tickets. Inspired by PTBM (Phish tickets by mail) ticket stubs. The barcode actually scans and links to each night’s setlist on Phish.net! Each stub measures 2.75×6.5 inches (The same size as PTBM tickets) and is printed on 14 Pt paper (slightly thicker than actual stubs), printed by Fireball Printing in Philadelphia.
By the time I started working on these, my summer had ended and I was back to teaching. My free time was very limited, and the surprise of the SPAC shows threw my timeline off. In my search for inspiration, I was looking at pictures of the view of Denver from Commerce City. At this point, I was getting frustrated and in a state of artistic delirium, just thought “What if I replace the mountains with the buildings? What if I replace the clouds with buildings?” This amused me enough that I sketched up the possible scenarios and then created the paintings. Working on these was beneficial in dealing with the stress involved with a new school year. I must admit that I prolonged how long they took to complete since it was one of the things I looked forward to most when getting home from school, besides seeing my wife and cat!
My commemorative ticket stubs for Phish’s 2-day flood recovery benefit show at the Broadview Stage at SPAC in Saratoga Springs, NY. The original art was watercolor on paper, which was then scanned and digitally arranged. Inspired by PTBM (Phish tickets by mail) ticket stubs. The barcode actually scans and links to each night’s setlist on Phish.net! You can also scan the QR code to make a donation to Waterwheel’s flood recovery fund. Each stub measures 2.75×6.5 inches (The same size as PTBM tickets) and is printed on 14 Pt paper (slightly thicker than actual stubs), printed by Fireball Printing in Philadelphia.
The art is comprised of several illustrations inspired by several animal references found throughout several Phish songs. They were then scanned and digitally arranged for the final artwork.
I also created a print version using the artwork I created for the ticket stubs. It measures 11×14 and is printed on 100 lb paper, limited to an edition of 50.
My ticket stubs for Phish’s 7-night run at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Inspired by PTBM (Phish tickets by mail) ticket stubs. The barcode actually scans and links to each night’s setlist on Phish.net. Each stub measures 2.75×6.5 inches (The same size as PTBM tickets) and is printed on 14 Pt paper (slightly thicker than actual stubs)
The ticket art is inspired by old NYC shops and bodegas, many of which are no longer standing. As a child, my family would often drive to NYC to visit family. One of my favorite parts of these trips was visiting different bodegas in search of exotic snacks and candies I wouldn’t find in the suburbs.
I also created a print version using the artwork I created for the ticket stubs. It measures 12×16 and is printed on 100 lb paper, limited to an edition of 50.
This was a very challenging series to create! It took a lot of research to find the right shops to paint. I need the right signage that could be subtly changed to become a Phish reference. Most images focused on the shop so I had to refer to Google Maps to get a better view of the location. I learned how many of the shops were no longer in operation, but fortunately was able to look up older street views.
While working on these paintings I was taking an online watercolor course and was able to apply a lot of what I learned to these paintings. I had never used watercolor until after college and learned via trial and error, so I learned that I was doing a lot of things wrong, or at least the hard way! I was able to create a lot of things with more reliance on color, and less on linework. I did use some micron pens but relied mostly on my brush. I drew some of the typography separately but kept that to a minimum. I also tried to paint them in a way that wouldn’t require any digital work other than scanning them.
Another challenge for me was that I was traveling for, attending, and vending at several Phish shows during this time! If you saw me vending at Burgettstown, you might have caught me working on one of them there! It got a bit close, but I managed to get them all done and ready to go for the final two shows of MSG and was able to offer them all at the PhanArt show that took place.
My ticket stubs for Phish’s 2-night run at the Mann Center in Philadelphia, PA (hometown show!) Inspired by PTBM (Phish tickets by mail) ticket stubs. The barcode actually scans and links to each night’s setlist on Phish.net. Each stub measures 2.75×6.5 inches (The same size as PTBM tickets) and is printed on 14 Pt paper (slightly thicker than actual stubs)
For these shows, I decided to create a series of watercolor paintings of the Philly skyline, and some inspiration from the Phish song “Simple”. These paintings were then scanned and digitally arranged to create the final product.
For the print, I painted additional items and opted for an 8.5×14-sized print. While unconventional, I found that the size worked best for the long horizontal format of the image.
My ticket stubs for Phish’s show at St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater in Syracuse, NY. Inspired by PTBM (Phish tickets by mail) ticket stubs. The barcode actually scans and links to each night’s setlist on Phish.net. Each stub measures 2.75×6.5 inches (The same size as PTBM tickets) and is printed on 14 Pt paper (slightly thicker than actual stubs)
For the art, I decided to depict the amphitheater experiencing a Mike bass bomb, something worth experiencing at a show! The original art was an ink and watercolor illustration.
My ticket stubs for Phish’s 2 night run in Burgettstown, just outside Pittsburgh, Pa. The original art was watercolor on paper. Inspired by PTBM (Phish tickets by mail) ticket stubs. The barcode actually scans and links to each night’s setlist on Phish.net. Each stub measures 2.75×6.5 inches (The same size as PTBM tickets) and is printed on 14 Pt paper (slightly thicker than actual stubs)
For this run I continued my shift towards working more with watercolor paint without adding linework. Although Burgettsdown is miles away from the city, I choose to capture the bridges that many driving to the shows may encounter if they pass through Pittsburgh. With over 450 bridges, Pittsburgh is an easy city to get lost in, as I have learned many times in my college days going to concerts in the city. I also included the floating pickle balloon that greets you at the Picklesburgh festival, which took place the same weekend at the shows. I spoke to many people at the show that had just come from there, or were planning to go the next day! I also learned how seriously Pittsburgh folk take the festival!
You better believe I gave her a discount!
I was excited for these show since my first show was Star Lake 2003. I was also able to vend at these shows, which is nice since most of my sales are conducted online. Its always great getting to interact with people who enjoy my work, and to be able to put faces to names I’ve seen order from my shop.
My ticket stubs for Phish’s 2 night run in Wilmington, NC. For this run I created a watercolor painting of the iconic Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, with a nod to the Phish song “Cars, Trucks, Buses”.
The artwork was created as many individual drawings creating with ink, micron, watercolor, and alcohol markers. Each image was scanned and then digitally arranged. I included many references to Georgia, as well as a few Phishy references.
Apologies for the lack of updates on this site! Its been a busy and hectic summer and fall with shows, creating tickets stubs, vending, and now teaching. With a little free time before I start working on NYE ticket stub art, I’m trying to update with my summer and fall tour artwork (available here!) along with a little insight about my inspirations and progress pics.
First up is Phish’s summer tour opener at Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, AL. For these tickets, a constellation theme seemed obvious. I used real constellations which I altered to reference several songs, with the Orion constellation altered to resemble America’s favorite drummer.
The original painting was watercolor and gouache paint. Tickets are based on PTBMs and the barcode links to the setlist on Phish.net! Prints are 11×14, signed and numbered, and limited to an edition of 50. A portion of sales will be donated to Mockingbird Foundation.
Creating the art required a lot of research into constellations, and figuring out how to alter them to work for my intended purpose. I started out with turning Orion into Fishman, switching his club into drumsticks, and his shield into a vacuum cleaner. Monoceros (unicorn) changed into an antelope (played N2!), and the Erianidus (river) constellation features a tiny Rutherford the Brave trying to cross it. The focus of the second night art turned Canis Major into Harpua, Lepus (hare) into Poster Nutbag, and Columba (dove) into a goldfish. Lastly I turned the lesser known Caelum (chisel) constellation into a megaphone. Each image was drawn with micron and then scanned and arranged digitally. The night sky was a watercolor painting.
Old habits die hard! Creating ticket stubs has taken up most of my time this year, forcing me to set aside the setlist art this year. While I still create them via commissions, I couldn’t help but create the MSG NYE Run setlists! These will be a smaller edition (only 25!) but are also available as digital downloads.
Fluffhead was unfinished. Trey teased Dave’s Energy Guide in Bathtub Gin. This show featured the Phish debut of hey stranger. Trey teased Heartbreaker in Ruby Waves.
Trey teased Super Bad in Weekapaug. The second setbreak music was comprised of songs referencing past Phish New Year’s Eve gags. Before the third set began, a barbershop quartet appeared with a singing telegram for Phish. The telegram said that at the stroke of midnight, it would be 40 years for Phish and to make a wish. Trey wished he had a time machine so they could do it all again. A cube descended from overhead and a time machine was revealed near Mike. The quartet activated the time machine and the cube played audio and video from past years of Phish. Dancers from various past new year’s gags appeared on stage as well as a wombat (from October 31, 2013). The wombat broke the time machine and Ghost began with dancers and characters (like Father Time from December 31, 1999, and the Famous Mockingbird from December 31, 1992) continuing to appear from the band’s past performances. Ghost featured Meatstick lyrics sung by the band as well as by dancers in different languages in a nod to December 31, 2010. The first Bohemian Rhapsody since December 31, 1996 (850 shows) featured the Late Show Gospel Choir singing on risers behind the band and Ghost quotes from Page and the choir with subsequent lyrics changed to reference Ghost. The first Jungle Boogie since December 31, 2003 (544 shows) featured the BD Entertainment Marching Band along with the choir. The marching band and choir were also featured in Wilson where a platform above Trey that had appeared for the entire New Year’s run descended and the clone that had been lying on the platform rose and was revealed to be a Tom Hanks actor from Castaway. Inflated Wilson volleyballs were then tossed into the crowd. During Auld Lang Syne, Phish briefly stopped playing and ate cake in front of the stage while the marching band and choir continued to perform. Carini featured several dancers in “naked dude” costumes emerging from a birthday cake in front of the stage and dancing and running around with security trying to catch them. The Theme from New York, New York was performed for the first time since December 31, 1997 (772 shows) and featured the naked dude dancers performing a kickline in front of the stage while adding vocals and Trey changing the lyrics to “if I could be naked there.” Piper contained Crosseyed quotes. During Tweezer Reprise, the wombat ran and danced across the stage. The post-show music was Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which was a nod to Phish playing their 72nd show at Madison Square Garden, tying Elton John.
Not just reading the book, 