DREGstudios! The Artwork of Brandt Hardin

FAT TRAPPED (Cover Art)

2013-06-19T13:26:00.000-05:00

The arts are a labor of love. A few years back, I met R.T. Ewell at the Knoxville Comic Con. At the time Richard was promoting his own visual art and has since went on to pen his first horror novella, entitled Fat Trapped. I was commissioned to draw up a promotional cover for his first literary venture which he's worked on diligently the the past two years. This week, the finished product is available for download via Ebook along with the covers I designed for him last week from the art I created back when the process began. What you visualize becomes a reality whether it takes days, weeks or years! Congrats Rich!

Click HERE to see the final Cover of Fat Trapped and give 'er a download to experience all the chills and thrills!

What'd that Asshole Say?

2013-06-17T23:41:00.000-05:00

"Talkin' Shit Again..."

Pen on Cardboard

Do all the damn dOOdles (clickity clack HERE)

Top 10 Songs about WAR and PEACE

2013-06-15T00:19:00.000-05:00

TOP 10 SONGS ABOUT WAR

"There never was a good war, or a bad peace."

-Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac

"Purple Heart" Inks on Bristol

X-SiGHTED

2013-06-11T22:50:00.000-05:00

Pen on Scrap Chipboard / 2013

Go BLiND with the Rave of Doodles HERE!

WHAT'S in the BOX?! [SPOILER ALERT]

2013-06-10T08:26:00.002-05:00

Somebody had to...

Most of the memeage I create is over on the Official DREGstudios! Tumblr Page!

WE the PEOPLE are Bradley Manning

2013-06-06T01:38:00.001-05:00

After three years of incarceration by the United States Government, Bradley Manning is being tried for 22 crimes against our country and "Aiding the Enemy" this week. In 2010, the young soldier was arrested for leaking documents to the now infamous organization WikiLeaks whose founder, Julian Assange currently resides in political refuge himself via the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. This landmark case puts whistle-blowing and freedom of information on trial. Freedom of Speech is one of the pillars of American life, written and set forth by the Founding Fathers. Organizations like WikiLeaks exist to expose the public eye and provide the transparency and freedom of information which are supposed to be available to facilitate an open Government. Today, more whistleblowers and informants have come forward to expose the truth of such things as the wars in the Middle East than ever before in history. Likewise, more American citizens have been put on trial and prosecuted for such actions than ever before.

Many men and women have sacrificed their freedom and lives in the name of Human and Equal Rights. These past few decades, the voice of the people has been ignored as much as ever despite the tools at our disposal to seek out change in society. For the next few weeks, the American Judicial System is on trial along with Bradley Manning in the court of public perception. Raise you voice to protect our sacred Freedoms by telling people that YOU too are Bradley Manning!

Click HERE to help FREE Bradley Manning!

This Doodle is Mean as Hell

2013-06-04T23:39:00.000-05:00

For all the Meanies out there Monday...

Pen on Scrap of Cardboard / 2013

Click HERE to see ALL the Doodles... Loser.

Choking on the Sight of Sound

2013-06-02T15:32:00.000-05:00

Pen on Scrap Chipboard / 2013

Click HERE and Gag on a FULL Helping of Doodles!

TOP 20 Greatest Movies of ALL TIME About Writers

2013-06-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Each author is the grand communicator (well, some more than others.) Since the inception of spoken language into human life, man has beckoned newer and fresher ways to communicate visually with one another. Writing came to the forefront of the arts as a respectable profession long before the visual arts. Whether it be a historical, philosophical, religious or educational context, the written word has laid out the history of man's journey and his struggle with a higher calling. The high art of film has captured the brilliant moments of such minds and their processes in countless adaptations of the lives of our favorite authors. Considering both fictional and nonfictional accounts, here are my Top 20 Movies of ALL TIME about Writers!

Holy Batsh*t BATMAN!

2013-05-30T02:02:00.000-05:00

Batman is hands-down my favorite superhero of all time. For one, he simply has the most extensively infamous Rogues Gallery of villains (next to Spiderman) who for the most part are all criminally insane. Just as well, our protagonist Mr. Wayne is batshit crazy himself. The cocktail of madness makes for wicked fun and I'm always eager to dive deeper into the lore and add to my collection of trade editions. Here's the newest addition to the dOOdle ARCHIVE but certainly not my first go at good ol' bats...

Click HERE for I AM BATMAN!

Click HERE for BATMAN in a STRAIGHT JACKET!

Click HERE for BATMAN vs JOKER from my TOPSY TURVY SERIES!

MEMORIAL DAZE (A Purple Heart for PEACE)

2013-05-27T19:59:00.000-05:00

Inks on Bristol / 2013

HOG HEAVEN (A Biblical Pig Roast)

2013-05-26T22:54:00.000-05:00

Inks on Bristol / 2013

Our dear friends Miranda and Nathan invited us out to the farm today for a Pig Roast of Epic Proportions. A sink hole recently opened up on their property so Nathan decided to put it to good use by cooking an entire pig for Memorial Day weekend! Good times, good friends and good pork! Aurora and I got so many beautiful pictures from this perfect Tennessee day that I had to share some with you. Here's pics from the party as well as some roast-inspired art I created when I came home!

NEW Live Painting Video from LiTTLE DEATHS!!!

2013-05-24T23:44:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday, the Wolfman and I threw down at No Egrets Tattoo here in Clarksville for the Artists's Reception of our three-man exhibit with Jeff Bertrand. Here's the LIVE Painting in time lapse fashion with a track called "Give In" by FSN!

Click HERE to see some pictures from the LiTTLE DEATHS exhibit and reception!

EYESUCK

2013-05-24T11:36:00.000-05:00

Ink Pen on Scrap Chip Board / 2013

Click HERE for ALL of the Demented Doodles!

In Memoriam: Ray Manzarek

2013-05-21T02:28:00.000-05:00

The Doors are certainly one of the most significantly influential bands to shape my youth. I've been accused of being born in the wrong generation more than once in my life. In the 90's when all my friends listened to grunge, techno and contemporary music I found myself tuned into bands from the 60's and 70's. The Doors however are timeless and transcend all definitions and labels in music. Ray Manzarek was a founding member of the band everyone loved to hate. They were the Judas Priest and the Marilyn Manson of the 60's surrounded by protest and reviled by parents across the country. Their fusion of jazz, the blues and the spoken word gave the entire planet a double-take. The legend of their music will last forever. That mad orchestrated jazz trip even today reveals different things to me as I revisit the albums time and time again. Tonight was no different as I listened to Strange Days, Waiting For the Sun and some live rarities while I paid tribute to Mr. Manzarek, keyboardist for The Doors who the world lost today after a long and illustrious life contributing to the world of the arts. Here is my portrait which I began sketching after work tonight In Memoriam for one of my favorite musicians.

Rest in Peace Ray

Portrait of Ray Manzarek (inks on bristol / 2013 / 5in x 7in)

Click HERE for my portrait of Jim Morrison-

Celebration of the Lizard King!

LiTTLE DEATHS Artists' Reception

2013-05-19T17:02:00.000-05:00

(Cupcakes from Heather Bowker.... thanks gal!)

Last night we had our Artists' Reception for Little Deaths at No Egrets Tattoo here in Clarksville. The Wolfman and I got to hang out in their swank new exhibition space for a Live Painting session! It was a great feeling to work in front of a crowd of our friends and patrons. Thanks to Joe Melanson (curator) and the No Egrets staff for giving us such a warm welcome. Here's some pics from our three man exhibit with Jeff Bertrand along with the painting we worked on throughout the evening...

Click HERE for the PRESS about Little Deaths!

little DEATHS Artists' Reception THIS Saturday!

2013-05-16T12:10:00.003-05:00

For all my folk indigenous to dirty durdy TN/KY, I'd love to see you drop by No Egrets Art Gallery Saturday night here in Clarksville for Little Deaths- a three man exhibit including the artwork of myself, Jeff Bertrand and Wolfman Bennett. The festivities are curated by Smokin' Joe Melanson who has lent his time and expertise in exposing the oddities of Southern Pop Surrealism to the public eye! We'll be on hand for some grab-assing, autograph signing, beer chugging mayhem (and so should you.)

There's no words I could lay down about our brand of art which could rival those of local reporter Karen Parr-Moody in her article at The Leaf-Chronicle recently. Click HERE to read about the show and watch a VIDEO interview with Wolfie and Myself!!! Karen has taken a very insightful interest into our work the past few years and shared what she takes away from our creations with her readers. We've never received such wonderful praise for daring to be different... thanks gal!

Click HERE for the facebook EVENT PAGE to click GOing and invite your friends!

TOP 10 Songs about BREAKING the LAW

2013-05-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

Inks on Paper / 2006

Breaking the Law is one of the highest forms of activism in the land. Without crossing the line of the law, countries would not be founded, class and race struggles would not have succeeded and man would live quite lamely under the thumb of tyranny. Infringements upon the standards set by society have beckoned to the calling of freedom of assembly, speech and religion.

Nobody can say exactly how many laws there are in the United States. In a two-year study conducted in 1982, the US Justice Department identified 3,000 criminal offences defined by Federal Law. Of course, this was thirty years ago and only counted those outlined as Federal Crimes. In 2012 alone, over 40,000 new laws were adopted by State Governments.

"The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws."

-Ayn Rand

Here are my TOP 10 SONG of All Time in regards to Breaking the Law...

HIGH FIVE STAYIN' ALIVE

2013-05-08T11:28:00.000-05:00

I really like how the extra eyes on this guy have the feel of a beer hat to me for some reason. He's drunk on vision, which is a powerful thing and often confused with madness...

Small Tip Sharpie on Scrap Chipboard / 2013

HORNY little dOOdle 8======D

2013-05-07T02:56:00.000-05:00

Ink on Cardboard / 2013

Chad Spann in SPACE

2013-05-05T00:57:00.000-05:00

I had the distinct privilege of tagging along with Chad Spann to his opening at Space Gallery in Nashville's Arcade Building tonight. His new collection of stretched canvas prints of his photography drew gawkers, gabbers and glamour from all manner of patron- indeed the panties did drop. Here's a few pics I snapped while we were at the Art Crawl...

Chad Spann

hOOked on a FEELing

2013-05-03T22:30:00.001-05:00

The rich and thick Tennessee air has had my vision under it's thumb these past few weeks. A combination of allergies and dry eye give me a seasonal disadvantage in the sticky southern spring. My left eye goes foggy so if you see me out and about, I'm not making a pass by winking I promise. Floppy Eyes is real damnit! I take solace that summer is knocking on the door and there are many adventures to come! Got plenty to catch...

MONSTER in my GARDEN Video!

2013-05-03T01:22:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday, the Wolfman and I took to the scattering clouds for a much-needed dose of sun amidst a strange and wonderful Spring here in the Mid-South. (Click HERE for PiCS) I finally finished up editing the footage from our painting session where you'll also see Mr. Joe Davidson getting the annual Bennett Tomato Patch up and running! Here's MONSTER in my GARDEN LIVE...

Click HERE for many more collaborative paintings under the banner of SOUTHERN POP SURREALISM!!!

LiTTLE DEATHS opens THIS Week!

2013-04-30T02:40:00.000-05:00

My artwork will be featured in a three-man exhibit opening THIS Thursday Night during Clarksville's Downtown Art Walk! LiTTLE DEATHS will also feature the work of Wolfman Bennett and Jeff Bertrand with a body of art celebrating portraiture and the lives of those both famous and infamous. The artists will also be on hand during the Artists' Reception on Saturday May 18th at No Egrets Tattoo Studio located on College Street here in Clarksville!

Click HERE for the Facebook EVENT PAGE to RSVP!!!

ZOMBIFYING the STOCK GIRL

2013-04-29T12:13:00.002-05:00

At our Housewarming Party last month, we were fortunate enough to be blessed with the company of a whole slew of colorful folks we call friends. With their presence also came presents! Just one of the awesome gifts we received was a picture frame to hold a few memories for our new home (Thanks Scottie and Randi!) The best part of new picture frames are the stock photos included inside! More often than not, these are happy white-and-privileged looking children in staged poses just asking to be defaced by the magic of the ink pen. In my typical spontaneous fashion, I took to one of these particular pictures and spent a few minutes zombifying my cute little subject with a small liner.... Enjoy!

Have a taste for more zombie gore? Take a jaunt down the ZOMBIE WALK of FAME!

Aurora and I replaced zombie girl and her family with some pictures from our vacation to St George Island last year! These shots are from the Wildlife Reserve on the Island and Under the Oaks Park on the mainland not far from our destination.