Attack of the Blogcha!

Featured on Drawn!

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:15:00 +0000

My animation work on Kurfood and Leadwire has been featured on the awesome illustration and cartoon art blog, Drawn!

Check it out HERE!

Thanks Leif!

Interview with Ape on the Moon!

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:15:00 +0000

I was just interviewed by the contemporary illustration news site, Ape on the Moon, about my recent graphic novels, work process, and inspirations.

Read it here!

Thanks Alex!

The Ugly Duckling Graphic Novel

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:24:00 +0000

The Ugly Duckling Graphic Novel

QWACK!

The new graphic novel I've illustrated is flying off the shelves now! It's the tale of the Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson. After briefly living in (and loving) Copenhagen, I was honored to illustrate one of Denmark's favorite son's creations. It was loads of fun to create some bizarre characters but have the story revolve around much a sweet, misunderstood creature. The book was designed and published by the talented peeps at Stone Arch Books.

It's part of their Graphic Spin series where different artists and authors retell fairy and folk tales, give them a modern, creepy twist and jam it all into an epic graphic novel format!

You can buy it at Amazon US- HERE

Or Amazon UK- HERE

Let me know what you think of it!

The Ugly Duckling Runs into some Unfriendly Fatness

My third book from series 3 will be out next year!

Unusual Zombie Vertebrates

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:34:00 +0000

Unusual Zombie Vertebrates

This is my one page contribution to Fat Chunk Volume 2...Zombies! This is a 144 page comic compiled and edited by the talented Jamie Smart and published by Slave Labor Graphics. 60 artists have contributed to the brain munching mayhem.

Fat Chunk website here.

You can find it in most comic shops. Available on Amazon too!

Fat Chunk Volume 2 Cover

Leadwire Animation

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:19:00 +0000

What's green, white and moves at 25 frames per second?

These three spots I designed and animated for Leadwire- a search marketing company! Music by the talented Sepia Productions.

You can view them larger here, on Vimeo.

Leadwire Spot- "What is Search?"

Leadwire Spot- "Tracking"

Leadwire Spot- "Time to Talk"

Wooha!

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:58:00 +0000

I've been recently hired to do a series of character designs and illustrations for Denmark -based, Wooha!

Wooha! is a new kind of media company offering people advertisements on your phone- but only for brands you are interested in! No spam, no annoying commercials, AND you get paid for every one you receive. You can keep the money or you can donate it to charity!

You can see my illustrations here-

WOOHA.DK

I've also animated the Wooha character for their first TV ad-

Buy your fitness cow today!

Translation- The first part of the commercial is a fake, annoying advertisement for Fitness Cow. It is interrupted by our man hammering down a sign saying "NO RIDICULOUS ADS". He then pulls out his friendly phone which pays him for receiving an ad he wants to see!

Commercial Produced by
Sweet Creative of Copenhagen DK

New Kur Animated Short

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:03:00 +0000

Hee Haw! We just wrapped the new cartoon for Kur Organic Superfoods! It's to promote the new Morning Glory Muesli that's hitting the shelves over in Denmark.

Again, the entire design is based on the Kur brand seed shape and style created by super talented Copenhagen-based design studio- Sweet Creative. Michael Adler Miltersen of Sepia Productions stirred up the knee slapping, toe tappin' tunes.

If you're on Facebook- check out Kur's Group or my Illustration Page.

Intitial character designs for the short-

The Three Little Pigs Graphic Novel

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:33:00 +0000

The Three Little Pigs Book Cover

I'm very happy to announce that a book I illustrated for a few months last year has finally hit the shelves! It's the familiar tale of the Three Little Pigs but told and drawn in a much darker and weirder way in a graphic novel. It was a lot of fun to create the manic characters and their world- especially the Big Bad Wolf. The book was designed and published by the talented folks at Stone Arch Books.

It's part of their Graphic Spin series where different artists and authors retell old tales, give them a modern, creepy twist and jam it all into an epic graphic novel format!

It's brand new online but you can buy it at Amazon US- Hardcover or Paperback

Amazon UK- Hardcover or Paperback

If you end up buying a copy, please let me know what you like, what you don't and your favorite part! Here's two sample spreads from the book-

Stay tuned there's another one on the way later this year!

Blah Blah Blah

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:09:00 +0000

If you would like to read my interview with HAI; where I yammer on about
casseroles, robots and burritos... please click HERE!

Thank you.

World of Kur!

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:37:00 +0000

Here's a new animated extended commercial I recently designed and animated for KUR- a Danish organic superfood company.

I had tons of fun working on this simple and sweet cartoon. The entire design is based on the Kur brand seed shape and style created by super talented design studio- Sweet Creative. Michael Adler Miltersen of Sepia Productions concocted the fun, upbeat music.

There's more Kur animation to come in 2009. See you there!

Join Kur's Facebook Group or the Aaron Blecha Illustration Fan Page!

Remember, Remember the Fifth of November!

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:30:00 +0000

To celebrate my favorite English holiday, Bonfire Night- I drew up a happy, burning Guy Fawkes for some self-promotional postcard mailers. If you are unfamiliar with the tradition and history of Bonfire Night in the UK click HERE or read on-

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I see no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent

To blow up the King and Parli'ment.

Three-score barrels of powder below

To prove old England's overthrow;

By God's providence he was catch'd

With a dark lantern and burning match.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

And a verse that I love that isn't used too much today...

A penny loaf to feed the Pope

A farthing o' cheese to choke him.

A pint of beer to rinse it down.

A fagot of sticks to burn him.

Burn him in a tub of tar.

Burn him like a blazing star.

Burn his body from his head.

Then we'll say ol' Pope is dead.

Hip hip hoorah!

Hip hip hoorah hoorah!

Crabby Aliens & Impatient Balrogs

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 09:44:00 +0000

The new issue of Edge (video game culture magazine) is out on the shelves now! Pick up a copy to see some new illustrations that I did a few weeks ago for an article on Modding- A slang for "modifying"- when gamers change the appearance of their characters or various parts of the environment.

I did a feature spread illustration depicting a medieval scene on the left side with a knight being sucked through a portal into another world full of space marines and crabby aliens on a distant planet.

I'll post some interiors and sketches later on...

Thanks to the guys at Edge for giving me such a fun project to work on!

Ahoy Mateys!

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:50:00 +0000

Avast ye scurvy sea dogs! A fun children's activity book I illustrated back in January has finally set sail! Now I am a Pirate helps your little scallywags talk, dress and eat like a real sea faring pirate! As a life long fanatic of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean ride, this was a perfect project!

It's available on Amazon in the UK and the US (and many other places).

Get yer land-lubbing hands on a copy before you end up in Davy Jones' Locker!

Um, yarrrr.

Science? Fiction!

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:45:00 +0000

Pick up this month's Empire Magazine for some brand new Blecha artwork. I was super thrilled to get an email from the art editor to design a mad scientist type for a article about bad science in movies. Empire is my favorite magazine so it was quite the privilege! The scientist slowly becomes more and more enraged as he presents movies that are the worst offenders against the laws of science!

Sir Fartsalot vs The Dragon

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:34:00 +0000

Sir Fartsalot

I just wrapped up a cartoon for Penguin Books to promote their launch of their Sir Fartsalot book series. "Sir Fartsalot vs The Dragon" is a cartoon featuring ol' Sir Fartsalot and his quest to slay a dastardly dragon.

The book, "Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Booger" by Kevin Bolger was released last month. You can read more about it at the Sir Fartslaot Website.

I was encouraged to put my own spin on the Sir Farts design and the characters in his smelly world. It was a lot of fun designing the Dragon and tirelessly researching perfect fart SFX.

Voices were generously done by super talented ol' chum, Brad Mossman.

Check it out-

Sir Fartsalot vs The Dragon from Aaron Blecha on Vimeo.

The Fiery- Tempered Dragon

The Peasantry

Dragon Design Sketches

Illustrator Spotlight

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 09:54:00 +0000

I've just been chosen for an Artist Spotlight on the awesome illustration site, IllustrationMundo! You can critique my art, gawk at my ugly mug and read what I ate for breakfast when I was a kid. Very flattering that Nate and IM gang dig my monstrous creations. Check it out here-

Aaron Blecha Illustrator Spotlight

Besides my link, check out the rest of the site for a wealth of illustration diversity and talent.

Become a Fan!

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:18:00 +0000

I've just started a Fan page for my Illustration work on Facebook. If you are on the internets and also a member of the Facebooks, why not join us? It's a very happy place.

See the page and become a Fan by clicking HERE!

Grunts, Goblins & Zombies

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:59:00 +0000

I recently worked on a super fun illustration project for an article in the video game magazine, Edge. The article "Artificial Idiocy" explained how games could improve with smarter enemy AI. I got to create three sprawling illustrations- smart goblins planning their next attack with high tech weaponry, dumb soldiers shooting each other, and dumber zombies just being dumb zombies.

I've included two of the illustrations plus two spot illos from throughout the article.

Edge is an extremely well designed magazine and an interesting read even if you aren't into gaming. Great game concept art and nice layouts. Pick up a June issue today.

50 Ways Green Series

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:38:00 +0000

The Covers

For the past six months I've had the opportunity to illustrate and design a series of books, titled 50 Ways Greener Series by Kyle Cathie Publishing. The series is written by Siân Berry, the Green Party's candidate for London mayor. There are four books in the series- 50 Ways to... Be a Greener Shopper, Greener Travel, Save Water & Energy, and Make Your House & Garden Greener. All are full of incredibly useful information to save you money around the house and help save the environment along the way. It was a fun project for such a worthwhile subject matter.

The books are published now and out on shelves everywhere. Pick one (or four) up today!

Here's a few sample illustrations from throughout the series. See more in the Portfolio section on my site by clicking HERE!

Steaming Broccoli is HealthiestAvoid Traffic Congestion by Biking to Work

Give Someone a Ticket to an Event or a Dinner Gift Certificate

Best Way to Kill Slugs is with Beer

Trees not sure about the whole Carbon Neutral Thing

Website Redesign!

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:14:00 +0000

I've spent the last week or so updating my dusty, crusty, moldy, out-of-date website. I've given it a complete redesign and added a lot of new work. Sadly ol' MonsterSquid has been buried for now, but he may crawl his way out of his shallow grave in the distant future.

Check it out HERE!

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Imagine- Children's Literature Festival

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:29:00 +0000

Over the past two months I've been working with South Bank Centre in London designing, illustrating and animating characters (farting dogs and belching horses) for the Children's Literature Festival this week. It's been a lot of fun creating characters based on the Chinese calender and then pitting them together in a race towards the finish line.

The characters are based on a show at the festival called Animal Olympics by Francesca Beard. The entire event takes place from 14th- 22nd of February.

See a short of the animation and learn more about it here at IMAGINE.

See you there!

Poster design by Gaelle Lochner

This (Not So) Little Piggy...

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:03:00 +0000

One of many characters I've created for an upcoming London event.... more of his friends and details later....

WebbliWorld!

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 23:53:00 +0000

Extreme Makeover

The Waste Receptacle Edition

Happy Holidays! Sorry for the two month delay in posting on this crusty blog.

Here's some character designs and accompanying animation I worked on a few months back for a nicely designed kid's website called WebbliWorld. The site and all of its inhabitants were designed by the all-mighty Aardman Animation. (Wallace & Grommit, Chicken Run)

It was fun working with such a cool existing style and putting my own spin on some new characters. It was for a game titled- Wiji's Polar Peril- that teaches kids about global warming effects on the world and what they can do to help out. Zap that stinky trashcan and turn it it into a recycling bin!

Vile & Vicious Varmits

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:02:00 +0000

Here's a sneak peek for our next book, Vile & Vicious Varmits of the Northwoods. It's sort of a sequel to our last book- A Field Guide to Midwest Monsters. It's been over two years since the last one but we are hoping to get this one out for summer of 2008. It's been difficult collaborating with my good friend and immensely talented monster-maker, Jason Felix, over many time zones and the Atlantic Ocean. But it's the time of year for monsters and a good time to get the furry ball rolling once again.

I'll keep you up to date with any new Varmit news! This one will be bigger and better (in color!) than the last.

Here's a sample spread-

Going to the Chapel....

aaron@monstersquid.com (BLECHA!) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:55:00 +0000

We're getting married August 28th in Florence! Here's the invite cover illustration.

See you when we get back in late in September!