This weekend I had the pleasure of printing in person at the Oakland Marathon, which was based at the Henry J. Kaiser convention center. It was so great to be back in that space and to see the renovation happening - I have fond memories from seeing a bunch a shows there back in the day (The Cure, Siouxsie, Chemical Brothers, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Dead, etc). We had a quick visit with the bas-relief mural doorways all the way around the lake-facing side of the place - they were crafted by Alexander Stirling Calder (Alexander Calder’s father) in the beaux-arts style. We printed hundreds of posters by hand that day, and taught a bunch of kids (of all ages) how screenprinting works. So much fun. I want to thank David Monico and Randy Wells at the Marathon for inviting me to participate and contribute. And thank you to sweet Andy for helping me pull this off and for being the best print assistant! #screenprinting #publicart #oaklandmarathon #illustration #henryjkaiser #oaklandlove
Mrs. Vera's Lookbook Process
See the results right here. x
Heklina Art Drop
Dear Friendlies, I offer this loving tribute to #Heklina with a Castro Street Artdrop; these are hand-made prints mounted on wood.
Fairyproud Products!
It has long been my dream to create imagery and products for Children’s Fairyland in Oakland. I figure if I can make something nice for a place as special as that, then I’m doing my job. Fairyland is unique in lots of ways - so unique, in fact, that when Walt Disney saw it in the 1950’s, he modeled Disneyland after it. I got to make that groovy Fairyland Library Card a few years back, but this! This! IS SOMETHING ELSE: For Pride events this year in Oakland, I have been working with Fairyland to create a whole line of pins and clothing. Cute, right?
San Lorenzo Library Window Design: In Response
I want to thank Joaquin Newman and The Alameda County Library in San Lorenzo for inviting me to create a mural design for their windows! This is the same library that was attacked by a bunch of knuckleheads during Drag Queen Story hour, and the Library decided to reaffirm their dedication to the community by throwing All-Year-Pride. Joaquin and a bunch of talented kids painted my design on the windows to kick off the event. Amazing! Thanks to Joaquin (and the students from REACH) for the photos. I’m glad to know that Libraries are still safe spaces for kids (of all ages) who need a safe space to study, contemplate, and grow.
Here’s my color sketch.
Game of Shrooms 2022
Dear friendlies,
here’s a sneak peek of the prints I created for Game of Shrooms 2022: a world-wide FREE art hunt organized by Attaboy! Click the link above to see a map of participating artists and to learn how to participate yourself. Follow me on Instagram to see clues to where I’ll be placing these prints (hint: they will mostly be in and around the Lake Merritt area, in Oakland). Happy Hunting!
These were created with paper-stencil screenprint and colored pencil.
xx, michael
American Illustration 41: Chosen!
in dragqueen, illustration, awards
Friendlies,
huzzah! Huzzah I say!
One of the images for Mrs. Vera’s Lookbook (forthcoming) was chosen for the American Illustration 41 Competition. This image was chosen from over 7,000 images submitted, being one of only 529 professional and 99 student images to receive at least 4 votes from the jury.
Many thanks to American Illustration and to the Jury!
Michael Wertz : Chair, CCA Illustration
Friendlies:
I just got off the phone with my brother Jeff, who is an Alum of CCA[C] Illustration. He graduated in 1985, which was one of the first years that Illustration was offered as a major at CCAC. He was the first to know, and you’re next:
It was announced today that I have been appointed as Chair of the CCA Illustration Program. I have been working with Chair Owen Smith for the past six years as Assistant Chair, and will start as Chair in August 2022. Owen will continue as Tenured Faculty at CCA. I am so grateful to him and all our colleagues at CCA: to Provost Tammy Rae Carland, Dean Helen-Maria Nugent, and Director Cecilia Ng-Newman.
Being both an Alumni of CCA Illustration and the next Chair of the Program is a special kind of responsibility; I am working alongside an amazing group of Faculty and Students and will continue to work diligently to make sure CCA Illustration remains as vibrant as it is today.
Exciting.
[fx: rolls up sleeves and gets to work]
“Over the past nine years, Owen has led many changes to the Illustration Program - the re-definition of the studio course sequence, many new courses reflecting the breadth of current illustration practice, he has built on the traditions of the Junior Review, Senior Show and Alumni exhibition and has initiated collaborations with other programs including Graphic Design, Print-media, and MFA Writing. Finally, Owen has recently collaborated with the chairs of adjacent programs to develop two new Minors available to Illustration Students; one in Visual Development and one in Comics. These will come online in 2022/2023.
I’m delighted to announce that this leadership work will continue with Michael Wertz who will be appointed as the Chair of the Illustration Program with a start date of August 2022. Michael brings to the program twenty-five years of experience as a freelance illustrator and printmaker, twelve years as a faculty member at CCA, and six years as Assistant Chair. Michael is looking forward to guiding CCA Illustration through campus consolidation and furthering the visibility and impact of the Program. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Michael in this new role. ”
My offering for the CCA Legacy Print Project.
American Illustration 40
in awards, dream, illustration, music, printmaking, queer
Dear Friendlies,
to my delight I learned that the fandancer screenprint I created for the Michael project was accepted to be published in this year’s American Illustration Annual. Out of thousands of entries, 432 were chosen to be published, and this is one of them. This is such an honor. Thank you to the judges! Here’s a collection of all the images that won placement in the book or on the website.
Fan Dancer. April 2020. A memorial portrait of a fan dancer at the Trocadero Transfer in San Francisco, for the Michael Johnstone project. The subject of this image lost his eyesight due to retinitis/hiv. I pictured him with vision restored and back on the dancefloor. Two color screenprint.
MICHAEL WERTZ @ MARS RECORD SHOP, JULY 24
My dear Friendly Furry Freaks, are you all vaxxed up and ready to come out and see some ARTS? Me too!
YOU are cordially invited to Mars Record Shop in lovely Oakland California for a show of prints and posters by Illustrator and Printmaker Michael Wertz. Michael will be showing a variety of reasonably-priced prints for your perusal and enjoyment, and I have a feeling we’ll be spinning some of Michael’s favorite albums as well. It makes good sense for Michael to have his first show in a long while at a record shop, since music is his first and continuing inspiration. And! Speaking of music! We’ll have a very short set of live music at 7pm-ish by trio Special Ghosts (Michael, Isabel Samaras, and Andy Cowitt).
Here are a few of the prints that will be on offer:
This new collection of work was created with cut paper stencils and crayon drawings direct on screen. You’ll see those as well as a set of beautiful prints pulled by Nat Swope at Bloom Press. Mars Record Shop is run by Steve Adams, bass player for ALO (among other bands)!
The opening of the show is July 24, from 6-9pm, and the show will run through September.
Mars Record Shop is located at 4125 Piedmont Avenue, Suite #7 Oakland, CA 94611
See a gallery of prints that will be available at the show below. Hope to see you all there. x
How to Make Friends with a Monster
Dear friendlies, here’s a self-directed board book project. Just for fun. Done with charcoal pencil and some old construction paper. Enjoy.
2021 Calendars: Spider and I
Dear Friendlies, the 2021 Calendars are up in the shop. $12 (includes shipping to anywhere in the US). UPDATE: Calendars are sold out.
Do you know the music of Brian Eno? I love the ambient stuff, of course, but his early solo stuff was (and is) a revelation to me. This work is based on a sweet little lullaby he made called “Spider and I”. Can you imagine being best friends with a Spider? I can. I am trying to work past our very human fear of insects towards understanding - I mean, they draw, for Pete’s sake! They draw! In the air!
They draw in order to catch food to eat. Isn’t that we do? They make intricate air sculptures with their butts! Can you do that?
Don’t answer that.
Brian Eno: here’s the quiet stuff. Here’s the less-quiet stuff.
Get your Assets to the Polls!
Dear Friendlies,
I created these stamp designs for Lea Redmond’s amazing postagestampprotest campaign, and the good folks over at votevotevote.us decided to make postcards, posters, and the stamps themselves available over at their site. You can even download hi-res artwork to make your own posters. Write a couple of cards to friends and make a plan to vote! I have been volunteering with Grassroots Dems. You can also share your postcards with Postcards for Democracy. #fumptruck
Screenprint Class for Kindling! July 17, 2020
Let’s Make A Burning Man Screenprint!
Register for free right here.
Illustrator (and Professor at California College of the Arts) Michael Wertz will walk you through all the steps necessary to make your own screen print. This method requires a few materials, a flat space to make and dry your prints, and the patience to try something new. No previous printing experience is required.
When you register for the class, you’ll get a special introductory video that will walk you through the process of cutting your stencil for your prints, choosing supplies, color theory, and mixing and testing your inks. When we meet on Zoom, we will watch the instructional video together and I will answer any questions live.
See you Friday?
Golden Gate Park A to Z Art Contest
Submit Your Art from May 5 - June 21, 2020
In celebration of Golden Gate Park’s 150th anniversary, we’re holding an A to Z art contest! This contest is open to kids and youth ages 18 and under.
To enter, create a one-page piece of artwork that features one letter of the alphabet and what you’re featuring in your art. For example, you’d write “F is for Ferris Wheel” or “W is for Windmills.” Need inspiration? Check out submissions from a collective art project we held leading up to the launch of the new book, Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure.
All submissions must be received by 11:59PM Sunday, June 21, 2020.
The winning artwork for each letter will be selected by Michael Wertz, illustrator of Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure. Michael is an award-winning artist and also Assistant Chair of Illustration at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco.
Prizes
Prizes include Golden Gate Park 150th anniversary commemorative bison plushies, copies of Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure, and more.
Winners will be announced by June 30 on goldengatepark150.com/kids. Limit of one prize per artist.
How to Submit Your Art
Upload your artwork using this form as an image file. Submit only one piece of art per letter… but enter for as many letters as you’d like! This contest is being hosted by the organizers of Golden Gate Park’s 150th anniversary, San Francisco Recreation & Parks and the San Francisco Parks Alliance; and author Marta Lindsey and illustrator Michael Wertz. By submitting your artwork to the contest, you agree that your art may be shared by SF Recreation and Parks Department, San Francisco Parks Alliance, Marta Lindsey (author), and Michael Wertz (illustrator). The artist keeps the copyright to their art. Art will be shared publicly with your first name only. Your personal information will not be shared in any way.
Questions? Email goldengateparkatoz@gmail.com.
Golden Gate Park - an A to Z Adventure LIVE!
Hi everyone,
this is it! It’s finally here. This is the launch week for Golden Gate Park, an A to Z Adventure!
So much hard work has gone in to this book, and I’m really proud of the full-on “TV Show” book launch that Marta, Andy, myself (and a cast of other folks) have put together.
We have two “live” events planned - with different footage for each event. Here are the links that will be live when the time is right:
Tuesday May 5, 12PM PDT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIM-9TYSw3Q
Saturday May 9, 9AM PDT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCtS2rwq6SE
What you’ll see:
• A reading and historical overview by Marta Lindsey
• A performance by our house band, The Thinking Caps
• A short drawing lesson by yours truly
• The first submissions to the GGP Art Contest!
.. and more.
Super excited!
Golden Gate Park A to Z Collective Art Project
What do you love about Golden Gate Park?
It could be the new ferris wheel, the old windmills, or the cute dogs. Pick anything you’re inspired by that’s part of Golden Gate Park.
Then create a one-page piece of artwork. Include the letter of the alphabet and name of what you’re featuring in your art. For example, you’d write “F is for Ferris Wheel” or “W is for Windmills.”
Send us your art before May 4
On May 5, Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure is officially out. Written by Marta Lindsey and illustrated by Michael Wertz, the book features 27 of the most unique things about the park. But... there are so many more, and that’s where you come in.
Marta and Michael are making a collective crowd-sourced “A to Z” art project with kids and grownups to celebrate all the things that didn’t make it into the book.
Michael will select some of his favorite submissions for special Golden Gate Park-themed prizes like bison stuffies, signed copies of Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure, and goody boxes of surprises related to the book. Everyone who submits art will be sent a special snail mail thank you.
Winners will be announced online on May 5, 2020 (the date Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure comes out!). Your art may be featured in the May 5 Golden Gate Park, An A to Z Adventure live online event!
Upload your artwork using this form by 11:59PM Sunday, May 3.
Submit up to three pieces of art per person. By submitting your artwork to the contest, you agree that your art may be shared on the websites or social media of Marta Lindsey (author) and Michael Wertz (illustrator). Art will be shared with your first name only.
Questions? Email goldengateparkatoz@gmail.com.
Golden Gate Park, an A to Z Adventure
Dear Friendlies:
I’m all chuffed and atingle to announce the impending release of my latest book for kids: please say hello to Golden Gate Park, and A to Z Adventure, written by Marta Lindsey and published by the fine folks at West Margin Press. The official release date is May 5, 2020, but if you’d like to pre-order a copy, you may do so at IndieBound, Barnes and Noble, or Amazon.
“From A for Artist Ruth Asawa’s hanging wire creations in the de Young Museum to Z for the Zebra on the carousel in the Koret Children’s Quarter, this book leads you around San Francisco’s famous Golden Gate Park to reveal a range of fun and surprising facts for tourists and locals alike. Step into art, science, nature, and culture by visiting the park’s major attractions, like the serene Japanese Tea Garden; discovering secret destinations, like the magical fairy doors hidden in trees; or just relaxing on the green meadows where the bison roam. Included also at the back of the book is a colorfully illustrated map with extra trivia and details on the park’s favorite sights.”
You can get a sneak peek of some of the interiors here.
The board book version of this is available as ABCs of Golden Gate Park.
Theater of Terror for Peaches Christ
Hello Fiendlies!
Once in a while, a project comes along that will not be denied. This, ghoul-friends, is one of those projects.
Theater of Terror: Revenge of the Queers (get a copy here) is a collection of queer horror comics created by Zan Christensen and Justin Hall and is chock full of creepy goodness. I can’t wait to see the final printed comic, but it’s gonna be lovely. I created endpapers and interstitial pages (see below) that they had made into shirts as well as shower curtains.
Don’t be scared. DON’T BE SCARED!
x, m
American Illustration : Chosen!
Friendlies,
it’s always an honor to be recognized for the work you do by cool people who know just how much time and effort go into this work. Two of my images from this year’s calendar were chosen for inclusion on the American Illustration website, AI-AP. Thanks to the judges!
x, m
