tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68434900785702087932012-01-18T23:03:32.513-08:00Can art, politics, and culture be separated? I think not. This is the blog of Rick Kitagawa, painter and illustrator living and working in San Francisco, CA.Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.comBlogger3941100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-15833699384315345212012-01-18T23:03:00.001-08:002012-01-18T23:03:32.548-08:00

Okay, decided there were still some tweaks to make, and thus, I spent the hour or two tweaking stuff.  Much happier with it, and I think it's time to move on and at least let this one be done for now.  cool.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-45625201951999820012012-01-14T04:22:00.000-08:002012-01-14T04:24:45.787-08:00

Whew.  So while I think I only logged in about 12-19 hours on this one (I wasn't the best at tracking time spent on this project), I'm pretty happy with the end product.  Perhaps I'll come back to it in a few days and work on it more, but so far I'm pretty happy.  This is also the longest I've probably ever spent on a digital paint, so that in itself is a big accomplishment for me. Cool, time to

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-15144261119308472092012-01-06T01:45:00.000-08:002012-01-06T01:45:51.816-08:00

And progress.  Still chugging along. It's weird that I'm usually okay spending 20+ hours on a traditional painting, but even spending 7 on a digital one seems super difficult.  At least it's coming along!  Still lots of rendering to do, more lighting on the background, etc. etc. etc.  Yosh! Anyway, I'm already starting some loose sketches and thumbnails for other new pieces.  I asked some

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-71242691137627765012012-01-03T02:05:00.000-08:002012-01-03T02:05:08.686-08:00

Yay for a new year!  I feel like more and more, years go by quicker and quicker.  I would assume that's a good thing, but there's already so much work to be done in 2012!!  Arg! Anyway, one of my new goals is to develop two portfolios - one for book/CCG/RPG illustrations, and one for creature/monster design. Here's a quick WIP (about three hours in) of an illustration I'm working on which I

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-14379209852282393752011-10-31T15:00:00.000-07:002011-10-31T15:00:04.989-07:00

Happy halloween everyone!  I'll be spending Halloween night sitting in the airport waiting for my 1am flight to Indonesia!  Crazy! Anyway, enjoy this quick digital paint and I'll see you in a few weeks!

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-45723253433050030372011-10-22T03:41:00.000-07:002011-12-01T14:50:11.896-08:00

So I just read "At the Mountains of Madness" by H.P. Lovecraft, and decided to re-read some of his other work and got on a Cthulhu kick, and decided to print up some Cthulhu shirts.  So I basically abandoned everything else for a good couple of hours and banged out a new shirt design. EDIT:  Come check out our "kickstarter" campaign that we're running ourselves over at: http://

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-22267062130492986302011-10-19T03:24:00.000-07:002011-10-19T03:24:07.459-07:00

So I finally updated the painting section on www.rickkitagawa.com to include the Alone in the Dark series (thus far) and added some flavor text.  Cool. This was a painting I did while hanging out at Artspan.  Acrylic on canvas.  The original concept was that he was going to be some creature that sort of fades up into the sky, but I ended up really wanted to paint the background blue, then went

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-13226024801002944952011-10-15T03:27:00.000-07:002011-10-15T03:27:16.633-07:00

Did this painting on the A-frame sign that we use for Big Umbrella in honor of the Witches of Wonder show that opened Friday night and runs through November 11th.  Eve has two great paintings in it, and there is a lot of other cool work too!

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-67551006694100573792011-10-12T23:06:00.000-07:002011-10-12T23:08:37.234-07:00

Digital quick sketch. "Defending the homeland." Morquat turned back to the last remaining defenders. 'I need more time!!" He quickly returned to focusing his energies on the task at hand - the last remaining bridge. Morquat could feel the heat of the plasma as it flew but a few feet overhead. As he closed his eyes to focus on channeling the forest energy, he heard the unearthy howl of the

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-12290629835178502602011-09-24T03:26:00.000-07:002011-09-24T03:26:09.767-07:00

"Condriano" Acrylic on wood After a few weeks of being completely swamped with ye old retail job, silkscreen printing, and stuff for the gallery, I finally got a bit of a break to do some work for myself. I did the initial design in my sketchbook, then used it as reference to bang out this painting in a night. In other news, I think I'm going to be nutso busy until the end of the year.  I've

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-39019250661811301772011-08-18T00:53:00.000-07:002011-08-18T00:53:02.575-07:00

Ug, sorry little bloggy, no love for you, apparently. In other news, I just finished live painting at 111 Minna for a fundraiser/awareness raising campaign about sharks.  I painted a Jaguar Shark (from the Life Aquatic).  Will post pics soon. Also, people seemed to be really into the Alone in the Dark paintings I did for the "Evilest Place on Earth" show for the gallery.  Once again, pics soon.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-50102864101475330042011-07-16T01:25:00.000-07:002011-07-16T01:25:33.352-07:00

Hey friends, these are the two designs that I'll be printing at my birthday party.  Honey Badger will be printed in white ink, and PeliCAN will be printed in black ink (so bring your shirts accordingly, depending on what you want). If you'd like me to get some shirts (at wholesale prices), email me, or FB message me, or get a hold of me in some way by JULY 19th and I can get you the color

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-22858253710428354212011-07-13T03:59:00.000-07:002011-07-13T03:59:22.449-07:00

Monster design - all photoshop.  Woo!

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-24951601179044133532011-07-04T22:14:00.000-07:002011-07-04T22:14:46.945-07:00

So while I totally f'd up and got lazy at the end started working on other personal development projects towards the end, I did go back and finish all the Trust 30 topics, and wow, a month went by already? Anyway, I'm not sure if I'll keep going, but I have learned a lot and hope to start posting more here and in general about life, art, etc. etc. So for one last trust 30, I'll go with the

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-60697402009695597832011-07-04T22:03:00.000-07:002011-07-04T22:03:57.690-07:00

I already know that it's all my fault!  So.  How am I approaching it?  I have to make hard decisions and put in the work that I don't want to do in order to change it.  I have to face my fears, take risks, do whatever it takes to pull through and make my life as awesome as I want it.  It's called taking ownership, and it's time to make it happen by taking small, focused, forward steps towards the

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-41489951059405184302011-07-04T21:42:00.000-07:002011-07-04T21:42:24.423-07:00

I actually feel like I don't really care, but I think this is due to me walking naked in a parade in Berkeley before, and always dressing up in weird costumes for parties, and generally being an attention hog.  Whether or not it's a good or bad picture, I think just wanting more attention has always been my thing, and perhaps being a weirdo is actually more who I really am than anyone cool or

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-88832239972845980222011-07-04T21:28:00.000-07:002011-07-04T21:28:58.308-07:00

"If you just stick with it, you'll make it.  And turn off the videogames." I'm going to limit the amount of time I spend on games to 1 hour a day, and I'm going to use the time given to me to make sure that my entrepreneurial ventures work. Imagine your future self, ie, you 10 years from now. If he/she were to send you a tweet or text message, 1) what would it say and 2) how would that

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-19972777736798530012011-07-04T21:25:00.000-07:002011-07-04T21:25:40.838-07:00

Major Life Goal: Becoming an illustrator for Magic:the Gathering/Wizards of the Coast Fears/Uncertainties about why I haven't taken action: 1.  Fear of rejection/lack of skill 2.  Fear of being kicked out of my house 3.  Fear of not getting my art made into a card Reasons for each fear: 1.  Fear of rejection/lack of skill  - There is a high level of talent for those currently illustrating the

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-4304961092011538532011-07-04T21:17:00.000-07:002011-07-04T21:17:28.592-07:00

The type of person I'd never want to be 5 years from now is someone who is uncaring, unartistic, and a general grump.  He'd be demanding and would yell a lot and wouldn't be with Eve.  He would probably go out and party to excess all the time and never do anything creative.  He'd also be living in Stockton with his  parents and would be working a retail job in Stockton. Oh god, the horror.  To

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-59300022929373262842011-07-04T21:10:00.000-07:002011-07-04T21:10:45.078-07:00

I most recently felt the most alive when I was at our gallery show The Undiscovered.  I was at a tiny little gallery/smoke shop in the mission and was surrounded by friends and supporters.  There wasn't really any smell, besides wood and maybe a little bit of sweat, but I was constantly talking with friends about my work and just hanging out and happy that people were deeply pondering the Secret

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-41127559776239348872011-07-04T21:02:00.000-07:002011-07-04T21:02:14.214-07:00

Over the next 12 months we're going to focus on turning Monkey + Seal into major players in the art market.  Over the next five years, we expect to be household names for artists with books, toys, and many other licensing deals signed or in progress. Over the upcoming months, we're going to do our usual round of conventions and fairs, but make sure that we leave an impression.  Zine Fest, APE,

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-56174981004660044132011-07-04T20:49:00.000-07:002011-07-04T20:49:43.921-07:00

My intuition would look like a dragon made out of flames and scorched rock.  The first thing he'd tell me is that I need to be less scared and face my fears.  Hmm, good advice. If you could picture your intuition as a person, what would he or she look like? If you sat down together for dinner, what is the first thing he or she would tell you? (Author: Susan Piver)

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-40679209152612158132011-07-04T20:48:00.000-07:002011-07-04T20:48:07.995-07:00

Hmm, not sure about anyone I'm rally dying to connect with.  Maybe...hmm, I feel like I'm fortunately enough to be in a place where there's no one I'm really dying to connect with, or maybe I just don't know the right people to want to connect with. Who is one person that you’ve been dying to connect with, but just haven’t had the courage to reach out to? First, reflect on why you want to get

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-45567887593825496342011-06-21T13:32:00.000-07:002011-06-21T13:32:31.997-07:00

To be totally excited about it, I think I need to believe that it's meaningful, awesome work.  To bring even more enthusiasm, I need to know deep down that my work is interesting and that people like it.  I suffer from such a debilitating self-doubt, especially being around so many other great artists that I need to figure out how to deal with this so I can really fall in love my my work again

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-26401003825722431262011-06-21T13:28:00.000-07:002011-06-21T13:28:23.551-07:00

"What do I know about this?"  I know a lot of stuff, actually.  Time to go and think about it - perfect for spending the day reflecting and trying to heal my self-flagellating need to be perfect and naturally gifted at everything in the world. We live in a society of advice columns, experts and make-over shows. Without even knowing it, you can begin to believe someone knows better than you how

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-70117135235997865442011-06-21T13:26:00.000-07:002011-06-21T13:26:12.072-07:00

My various graphic novels.  What's stopping me?  All the various other projects that I also have been thinking about but haven't made progress on.  My list is pretty long, including getting wholesale orders up (need to take photos, design packaging, do research on buyers, etc.), finishing the paintings for people (just time), and working on my "Alone in the Dark" series. All are being preceeded

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-21086505306473915082011-06-21T13:22:00.000-07:002011-06-21T13:22:38.295-07:00

1.  The cost of inaction is getting stuck, slowly withering away at an unfulfilling job that isn't making much money.  I'll grow old and be forever stuck at this level of poopiness. I'll work retail at least for the next five years and be stuck there potentially until I'm at least 50 or so. 2.  The type of person I want to be is someone who is courageous, intelligent, and successful.  I want to

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-49750830692909765922011-06-19T09:54:00.000-07:002011-06-19T09:54:39.876-07:00

Actually, it's more of an "1 vs A" comparison.  I like the idea that came up in an old Futurama episode, where neither of two parallel universes wanted to be "2" or "B," so there was a Universe A and a Universe 1. Anyway, which of the two do you like better?

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-6214886297389479622011-06-18T04:02:00.000-07:002011-06-18T11:05:19.201-07:00

So I'm working on a creature design for a competition.  Any critiques/suggestions by Sunday afternoon would be super helpful.  Weeeee! I guess the concept of what I'm going for might be helpful.  So the idea is that it's this giant beast (~300 ft. or so) and it's the embodiment of all life in a sort of "embrace-the-entire-cycle-especially-death" type of life.  I wanted to represent as many of

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-83815227848127348862011-06-17T11:32:00.000-07:002011-06-17T11:32:17.658-07:00

Top 3 dreams: -1. Showing at top-tier galleries internationally -2. Illustrating for Magic:the Gathering -3. Having to hire people to print ties for me due to having wholesale orders in the thousands What's holding me back? Not having a spare $200,000 for the loans.  Not having a portfolio of Magic:the Gathering-level stuff.  Not promoting my ties outside of San Francisco.  A day job that

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-26962682462359770122011-06-17T11:28:00.000-07:002011-06-17T11:28:39.969-07:00

My future is pretty grand.  I get to sleep in most days until noon.  I paint and print ties for a living.  I'm showing internationally, and my biggest stress is making sure that I'm getting my paintings framed in time to ship to Tokyo and London or New York.  My art is selling for thousands of dollars per painting, and I get to travel around the world to sell at Cons, and craft fairs.  I hire a

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-1055164514398250602011-06-15T10:49:00.000-07:002011-06-15T10:49:43.072-07:00

I think the only time I really felt like I was starting life over was from jr. high to high school.  All my best friends from the time were going to different high schools, and while I had classmates going to the same program as me, I wasn't really friends with them. It was interesting, as I could practically reinvent myself, and there wasn't any legacy telling me who I should be or what to do

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-76579187507013160632011-06-15T10:42:00.000-07:002011-06-15T10:42:00.735-07:00

One goal I've had for about 15+ years or so is to be a Magic:the Gathering illustrator.  Even when I first started playing in elementary school, I've always loved the card artwork, and half the fun of playing the game was looking at the cards. How am I going to do this then? I'm going to work to create a portfolio of 15 highly flushed out, fantastic illustrations and then email the guys who work

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-27889970206200942182011-06-15T10:26:00.000-07:002011-06-15T10:26:28.647-07:00

Because my goal is so broad "making a living off my art," recently I've been definitely exploring more and more paths.  While my painting is always a focus, I've been able to sort of work on some concept art  and push my ties forward.  I'm working towards more craft fairs and vending opportunities (a la the SF Street Artist program), so we'll see where that all goes.  Basically, my eyes are open

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-80414450658968602242011-06-13T02:25:00.000-07:002011-06-13T02:25:41.012-07:00

To be perfectly honest, I have never really surprised myself in this way.  I'm too much of a quitter and excuser to really ever surprise myself.  I do things that I know I can do, and I back off of things I think I can't do.  Everything that I've had my doubts about have ended up in failing. This is the challenge, to figure out something that I think I'm not capable of doing and then to do it.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-52711048244064425212011-06-13T02:18:00.000-07:002011-06-13T02:18:22.202-07:00

What do you fear?  I fear not making it just by selling my ties and paintings and living off my art.  I fear not being able to survive on that alone. Was the insecurity worth it?  No.  Your fear was unheeded, your worries (while legitimate) were just that-worries.  You won't be happy if you aren't doing what you're really doing.  All this filler that you've created in your life to keep yourself

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-25051452722614986342011-06-13T02:07:00.000-07:002011-06-13T02:07:50.646-07:00

Its hard to figure out which individual parts of my life are imitations - especially since I'm so adept at becoming a chameleon that I tend to unconsciously pick up other's people's speech patterns and mannerisms.  Having a background as an actor is great in some regards, and is sort of terrible in others. However, the two aspects of my life where I have to really fight imitating others is in my

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-57806100493246652022011-06-10T09:28:00.000-07:002011-06-10T09:28:09.856-07:00

Hey all you sexy people - if you want this awesome shirt (or this on a print), head on over to Big Umbrella Studios tonight from 7-11pm (or while supplies last).  The Lords of Print will be showing at the San Francisco: We Out Here photography show going on at the gallery.  We'll be printing these badboys on some nice fawn Stonehenge paper or on some nice American Apparel shirts in grey.   Did I

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-23743593607971589952011-06-10T02:11:00.000-07:002011-06-10T02:11:11.588-07:00

My personal message right now to 1 Million people would be: STOP TREATING OTHER PEOPLE LIKE SHIT.   Seriously, people are so unwilling to be decent human beings to each other, it makes me insane.  Whether it's people passing by an old lady that's fallen and busted her face open, or it's people being rude to retail clerks just because they work retail, or people not cleaning up after themselves

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-74058036021604222602011-06-08T02:33:00.000-07:002011-06-08T02:33:21.391-07:00

Inspired a bit by the Totoro Forest Project book (although not referenced at all), I recently did this little piece as part of the Spirits Within series. The spirit of the lawn loves barefoot children, sunshine, and fertilizer (a big distinction, however, is to be made between fertilizer and a dog pooping on it).  Oftentimes, the spirt of the lawn gets lonely and if it is not cared for, will

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-27060533219406734252011-06-07T13:03:00.000-07:002011-06-07T13:03:49.415-07:00

New piece I painted for the prize for my The Undiscovered: The Secret of Deadbrook show.   It's titled "Dweller of the Deep."  Feel bad for the giant squid and the whale.  Congrats to Molly for solving the secret and winning this piece to take home!!  If you missed the show, here's a quick shot of the persons involved in the case. And of course I'm going to have monsters in my show.  Here are

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-45262972322634951992011-06-07T12:51:00.000-07:002011-06-07T12:51:40.659-07:00

Rick of 5 years ago was just graduating from UC Berkeley and was about to travel the world post-graduation.  He'll go to Europe and Australia, and will eventually get a job at a recruitment firm, then quit, then get a job at a paper retailer, then he'll go to art school. The advice I would give him is: a) when you are taking photos across the world, take better ones.  Learn about composition. 

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-45746694225324461192011-06-06T12:17:00.000-07:002011-06-06T12:17:11.581-07:00

While I can say that I'm pretty lucky in terms of owning some businesses, getting to paint, etc. etc., the one thing I've always been afraid to pursue is doing art full time.  I've had numerous business ideas and different product lines and whatnot, but I've yet to really formulate a strong business plan and formulate a plan for a wholesale line or work. Having a fall-back job that comes really,

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-60848850859463140662011-06-06T01:14:00.000-07:002011-06-06T01:14:36.457-07:00

With one week left on the planet, the obvious first choice is the day job.  While not the worst job in the world, besides the cool people I work with, I've gotten about as much as I can from the job long ago.  Really, while I wish I would say that I would spend the entire time painting, I probably would try to spend as much time with Eve as possible.  One of my worst problems is figuring out

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-53841205474205088152011-06-05T00:55:00.000-07:002011-06-05T00:55:06.710-07:00

I think for me, Japan is the single country I need to visit before I die.  I'm fifth generation American of Japanese ancestry, so it has always been weird living such an American life, but being boxed in to my ancestral homeland. For the longest time I denied my ethnic heritage, mainly because as a kid, who wants to be different?  It sucks when people mispronounce the food you eat or your name

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-72019630616980965652011-06-05T00:43:00.000-07:002011-06-05T00:43:37.320-07:00

Ug, sorry, forgot to upload this yesterday, mainly due to my show.  Whoops. Identify one of your biggest challenges at the moment (ie I don’t feel passionate about my work) and turn it into a question (ie How can I do work I’m passionate about?) Write it on a post-it and put it up on your bathroom mirror or the back of your front door. After 48-hours, journal what answers came up for you and

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-42888750384071417272011-06-02T23:52:00.000-07:002011-06-02T23:52:50.133-07:00

Perhaps I'm just lazy, but I'm fortunately that nearly all my strong beliefs are shared with the people closest to me.  If anything, I'm lucky that my partner and I are on nearly the same wavelength about everything we're passionate about. Whether it's food politics, art, following your dreams, foreign policy, charity, feminism, whatever, Eve and I roll pretty much the same way.  I don't think

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-78009430897086263542011-06-01T06:27:00.000-07:002011-06-01T06:27:19.634-07:00

Today is a whirlwind of dream chasing, hard work, and physical exhaustion, but a culmination of magnificence. The prompt: If ‘the voyage of the best ship is a zigzag line of a hundred tracks,’ then it is more genuine to be present today than to recount yesterdays. How would you describe today using only one sentence? Tell today’s sentence to one other person. Repeat each day.(Author: Liz

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-50429019448131269612011-05-31T13:01:00.000-07:002011-05-31T13:08:18.816-07:00

So I just signed up for the creative challenge of the Trust 30 project - basically you get a prompt every day for 30 days and the challenge is to blog, journal, or create something each of those 30 days. Here's the first one (since it starts today!): I guess I would typically write the story of my life, but that's not really the story worth telling.  Well, it is, since I think that everyone's

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-55048259173198929972011-05-20T01:46:00.000-07:002011-05-20T01:46:32.551-07:00

Hey everyone, I'll be vending as Monkey + Seal this Saturday from 11am-6pm at the Asian Heritage Street Fair.  The programming for the fair looks super cool, and there are a lot of other really great vendors. It's on Larkin Street between Grove and Ellis.  Anyway, I'll be debuting two new tie designs (think badass ocean creatures), some new tie color combos on old favorites, and Eve and I will

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-35640194018131927862011-05-09T16:37:00.000-07:002011-05-09T16:37:29.710-07:00

After I got off of work on Sunday, I headed over to Big Umbrella Studios to go build a mobile display unit for our retail space.  I drew up some plans a while back, and the other co-owners got a chance yesterday to go pick up the wood.  Sooo, I worked from around 9:30-11:30 building this thing.  Off to an inauspicious start, with some 1/2" pieces of plywood, and some 2x4s.  Added some supports

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-12889489680442985772011-05-01T01:24:00.000-07:002011-05-01T01:24:51.809-07:00

Boy do I love live painting!  I did this tonight at a fundraiser event for Japan.  I titled it "The Spirit of Japan Moving Forward" or something like that.  I actually don't remember the exact name, and some person will end up taking it home (at a super, super discount, I might add). Total paint time (for an 18x24) was about 3 hrs. I did this with spraypaint, acrylic, and ink on a 6 ft x 8 ft

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-49306402110033611112011-04-27T21:49:00.000-07:002011-04-27T21:49:27.588-07:00

Painting for a charity auction in Stockton for the Go Red campaign to educate people about the dangers of women's heart disease. Acrylic on canvas, 16"x20", titled "Savoring the Memory."

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-91073090085421014522011-04-18T22:14:00.000-07:002011-04-18T22:15:55.783-07:00

Not sure if this thing works, but trying to upload it anyway.  This was my "teach myself Flash in 1.5 hours with no manual" attempt this evening. UPDATE: if you click the gif, it'll play in it's own little window, apparently.  At least with our computer and using Chrome.  Still LOTS of bugs to learn/work out, obviously.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-34212351358396198612011-04-10T01:00:00.000-07:002011-04-10T01:00:27.368-07:00

I was super fortunate to check out an awesome fundraiser for Japan a while back put on by a super collaboration of Pixar, Dreamworks, Nickelodeon, and Mavericks Studios that went on over at Superfrog gallery in the New People building. All the work was frickin' awesome, and I snapped a quick pic of superstar artist/fundraiser/badass Dice Tsutsumi's piece, which basically is not only the most

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-16162580951555414642011-04-07T14:44:00.000-07:002011-04-07T14:44:30.228-07:00

Did a quick 10 min. figure study, instead of painting (like my old Academy instructors would prefer I do), I actually did the line sketch with black acrylic, then did some fills, hit a few highlights, and washed in a quick background.  Eh, cool. I also did this new little cute monster thing.  I think his name is "Stabby."  He's not quite sure what to do with the knife, but I'm sure he'll figure

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-19067366153849659522011-03-28T15:08:00.000-07:002011-03-28T15:08:35.651-07:00

So Paper Source has decided to donate 10% of the sales of their  Japanese paper (which is pretty awesome, hand silkscreened, and is great for bookbinding) to relief efforts in Japan for all purchases through April 30th. If you want to get some, help a brother out and show some love here.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-81713913886359101502011-03-28T03:39:00.000-07:002011-03-28T03:39:51.608-07:00

So while the awesome Sketch for Japan show raised $1800 (hell yes!), we artists aren't stopping there! For sure you have to check out Rise Japan Vol. 1 which is going down at 2 locations on April 2nd!  Also, yours truly will be donating this piece:   to Rise Japan Vol. 2 which will be at ARC Gallery on April 7th!  Be there or be square!

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-45180813000971499992011-03-11T11:01:00.000-08:002011-03-11T11:01:46.929-08:00

Creeeeepy.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-84056896669748033132011-03-09T22:26:00.000-08:002011-03-09T22:26:27.715-08:00

So for those that missed out on the big show, fellow cryptozoologist Grant Gilliland and I teamed up for a pretty epic show.  You can check it all out at Big Umbrella Studios during open hours until April 10th. While at that show, we live printed some shirts.  Now's your chance to buy this limited edition shirt!  Once this puppy sells out, we probably won't print more of them (unless hordes of

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-74414804239346165772011-03-06T14:34:00.000-08:002011-03-06T14:34:28.801-08:00

The Child Snatcher.  Digital. Thanks everyone who came out to the opening of Bestiarum vocabulum!  The show will still be up until April 10, and you can check it out at Big Umbrella Wed+Thurs from 7-10pm, Fri+Sat from 3-10pm, and Sunday from 12-5pm. Woooo!  Hope to put up more photos soon.  Plus, we're still selling our limited-edition t-shirts!  Wowza!  More details coming soon!

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-56201930934910671322011-02-23T13:01:00.000-08:002011-02-23T13:01:46.355-08:00

Hey everyone, so I teamed up with the ever-charming Grant Gilliland to do a split show! And it's coming up over at Big Umbrella Studios on Friday, March 4th!  We hope to see you there! Gads, there are going to be so many monsters I might explode.  Hells yes. "Bestiarum vocabulum: The Book of the Beasts" Join us for the "Bestiarum vocabulum" Art Opening featuring the work of painters/

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-29727400213231778022011-02-04T14:33:00.000-08:002011-02-04T14:33:18.068-08:00

BTW, you should come check this shizz out. Looking for that last-minute Valentine's day gift for your sweetie?  Look no further than Big Umbrella Studios' trunk show "Last-Minute Handmade Love."  Featuring some of the most awesome handmade artisans from around the Bay, don't miss your chance to find the perfect gift that you've been holding out for at this two-day show.  Saturday, browse

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-65131095020664329682011-02-04T14:18:00.000-08:002011-02-04T14:18:21.789-08:00

 So here's the awning for the gallery space that I now co-own.  Yay!  You can find out more info at www.bigumbrellastudios.com. Our last show "A House of Cards" had these four paintings of mine up, all monsters inspired by the four suits of a deck of cards.  Clubs  Hearts  Diamonds  Spades Sorry for the crappy quality, took 'em with my phone right before the opening. Many apologies for

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-91989227304648937822010-12-31T02:47:00.000-08:002010-12-31T02:47:49.713-08:00

Well, I sort of fell off the wagon during the holidays, but I was still making art every day!  Alas, I think I've come to the realization that the art every day is frickin' tough.  As 2010 comes to a close, I'll definitely try to stay active and post new work and such, but I'm not going to kill myself to post every day. I have some new goals - more finished pieces, finishing up my portfolio and

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-48049864634437464312010-12-17T01:17:00.000-08:002010-12-17T01:17:26.604-08:00

Winter wasteland - quick sketch concept art for The Locust Feeders

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-90324503995782856192010-12-17T00:59:00.001-08:002010-12-17T00:59:51.326-08:00

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-8236405737259115312010-12-15T00:57:00.000-08:002010-12-17T00:59:26.038-08:00

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-36471532633699091112010-12-14T14:12:00.000-08:002010-12-14T14:12:38.586-08:00

 Another art dump, since I've been too swamped with Bazaar Bizarre (which went fabulously, I might add) to really post.  Here it goes.  This is for a M+S blog post about having realistic expectations. We don't have to finish first to still be a winner. "The Woodcutter's Remorse"  Another fuggin' creepster.  Above 2 sheets are sketches for an upcoming Monkey story. I did this quick paint for

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-58459114905078350422010-12-06T01:00:00.000-08:002010-12-06T01:00:09.563-08:00

Last post-it, I swear. 

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-37003437317130720692010-12-05T03:59:00.000-08:002010-12-05T03:59:00.126-08:00

So tired, this (Again) is all I could come up with today.  However, I am pretty happy about the idea of fitting large monster faces to a fixed size.  Gonna try some new stuff out with some cut wood soon...

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-24887600896710708712010-12-04T00:45:00.000-08:002010-12-04T00:45:01.112-08:00

Post-it note on my 15 min. break at work.  Sharpie, ball point pen, red sharpie, and green highlighter.  Score.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-91774594004058958962010-12-03T00:14:00.000-08:002010-12-03T00:14:00.318-08:00

Found half a peacock-colored placecard in my apt, so I drew with what I had on me.  White and black ink. 

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-79963223395865733792010-12-02T00:51:00.000-08:002010-12-02T00:51:32.051-08:00

Gads, I've been so wrapped up in painting I completely forgot to upload stuff. Guh.  Anyway, here's all the stuff I've been working on the past 10 days.  This was done for the Monkey + Seal blog.  I am vegan, after all., but Tofurky is pretty damn tasty. These next few pieces are new paintings I"ll be showing at the Chillin Productions Holiday show and at Big Umbrella's group show on December

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-91238084867973423512010-11-22T02:10:00.000-08:002010-11-22T02:10:07.629-08:00

Colored collab with Eve. 

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-49675964758593241802010-11-21T01:04:00.000-08:002010-11-21T01:04:01.414-08:00

Another collab with Eve!  Colorings to come!

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-32324095511010586812010-11-21T00:59:00.000-08:002010-11-21T00:59:36.055-08:00

Collaboration with Eve!  Yay!  The theme was "flight."

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-76779597969635221622010-11-19T00:40:00.000-08:002010-11-19T00:40:35.047-08:00

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-5861985796842251442010-11-18T01:39:00.000-08:002010-11-18T01:39:17.995-08:00

For Monkey + Seal.  Digital and pencil.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-85136120620820702252010-11-17T02:32:00.000-08:002010-11-17T02:32:49.234-08:00

Work in Progress of a new acrylic painting on canvas.  Not sure if I want to have a pattern on the background, of if I just want it a darker shade of red. 

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-61204964404578976532010-11-17T02:29:00.000-08:002010-11-17T02:29:58.980-08:00

This was done on a pre-cut wood panel I found at SCRAP.  I'm really into making monsters out of shapes that I didn't come up with myself.  The hat was a bit obvious, but I used the woodgrain as inspiration for the eyes and mouth.  Acrylic on wooden board.  ~11"x17"

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-65724124461051174962010-11-17T02:27:00.000-08:002010-11-17T02:27:08.943-08:00

Another new piece.  I'm really digging the dude's weird forehead blisters or whatever they are.  Acrylic on canvas, 11" x 14"

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-31210773782833116622010-11-17T02:25:00.000-08:002010-11-17T02:25:47.040-08:00

Quick warm-up piece that I really like.  Acrylic on acrylic paper, 9" x 20."

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-28047537608631519272010-11-17T02:24:00.000-08:002010-11-17T02:24:22.854-08:00

So yes, I technically haven't been posting daily, but I have been making art daily.  When I do traditional work, I feel like there's this big internal block around actually photographing the art and posting it online.  Hopefully after doing some cleaning of the studio it'll be easier. One of many pieces I'm working on..I think I finally found a style that really feels like me and that I'm

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-60760570090503635742010-11-12T02:20:00.000-08:002010-11-12T02:20:31.705-08:00

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-73492098790335734802010-11-11T03:01:00.000-08:002010-11-11T03:01:00.814-08:00

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-5220867569427817192010-11-10T03:34:00.000-08:002010-11-10T03:34:09.184-08:00

Finish of my new portfolio piece, titled "Dr. Madness."

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-88714625458822995572010-11-09T23:28:00.000-08:002010-11-10T03:32:56.505-08:00

Miyamoto Musashi sketch for Monkey + Seal's blog post about figuring out that "Invincible is just a word."

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-22785264880784755432010-11-08T19:52:00.000-08:002010-11-08T19:52:19.124-08:00

Quick (~5 min) sketch of Hinata.  Although I personally don't like to do fan art (or crappy fan art, at that), sometimes the only inspiration is a little keychain character.  What else are you gonna do?

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-39934626640538004622010-11-08T19:41:00.000-08:002010-11-08T19:41:02.934-08:00

Done for the Monkey + Seal post about taking breaks.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-15455951392107319872010-11-07T00:29:00.000-07:002010-11-07T00:29:00.130-07:00

A quick sketch of a concept for a new t-shirt.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-86747709940965011312010-11-05T00:02:00.000-07:002010-11-08T19:39:30.771-08:00

"Nightmare Planter" - Digital.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-31503058447723465432010-11-04T00:34:00.000-07:002010-11-04T00:34:00.416-07:00

"Spent", digital for Illustration Friday. 

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-85858025102302865642010-11-03T00:31:00.000-07:002010-11-03T00:33:59.881-07:00

For the Monkey + Seal blog post about following your dreams, here's a little quick Seal-being-awesome picture.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-49270162777943901502010-11-02T00:18:00.000-07:002010-11-03T00:19:40.218-07:00

I hope you voted today, even if you weren't as happy about some of the candidates as I was. 

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-55425385764842311532010-11-01T00:00:00.000-07:002010-11-01T00:00:06.917-07:00

Well hung, indeed.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-28875534792586117782010-10-31T23:39:00.000-07:002010-10-31T23:39:08.078-07:00

Happy late Halloween!  Enjoy the last 12 minutes or so.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-16638813958399480022010-10-30T14:49:00.000-07:002010-10-30T14:49:25.802-07:00

Acrylic on illustration board.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-80951140411524329732010-10-29T23:46:00.000-07:002010-10-30T14:48:38.943-07:00

Acrylic on acrylic paper.  Sigh, I'm always so late when doing traditional work...I hate scanning, or alternatively, taking photos with my phone and then uploading it.  Meh, oh well.  Sorry for the crap photo, but at least I like this little painting.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6843490078570208793.post-87082215075317260762010-10-28T04:12:00.000-07:002010-10-28T04:12:40.695-07:00

This little bastard eats 'em right out of the crib.

Rick Kitagawahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01060744023964017933noreply@blogger.com1