Happy Holidays, Lurkers-
I have to say that all the trouble I went through to install the Pizza Lords show was totally worth it. Lots of people connected with the piece, and I got to meet some awesome artists like Audrey Roy and Cassia Lupo. Unfortunately, Walt Hall wasn't there to stalk, but I'm sure glad the guys from The Ragged Jubilee came by to say hi! Anyway, here are some pictures. Be jealous:

The Pizza Lords installation.

Official elbow rubbing with rock stars.

Adjusting the ugly PL mask on a pretty face.

Ty and Katherine, faithful conspirators in the Pizza Lords project.

Josh (Culprit Media Group) and I mugging for the paparazzi.

Stay tuned, SLO friends--the Pizza Lords installation will most likely be making an appearance in one way or another on February 1st at Coalition Skate. More details to follow. 

Have a happy holiday, friends and enemies. Thanks to all who came to shows and a special thank you to those of you who bought pieces.

Wins and Losses

Losses, as in losing one of the most frustrating jobs I've ever had. One of many hard losses this year. Coffin nails, the old folks call them.
Wins, as in this flyer done by C. Anthony:

Come to the show on Saturday December 8th, all new, never seen before work set in an installation-type format. Photos, sculpture, found items, and painted works all displayed on a 4x8 foot wall.

The Hive: 729 S. Spring Street, Downtown Los Angeles, CA. 7 to 10pm.

October sorta flew by, and not one post from yours truly. I am sorry, lurkers. I had quite a lot to do, as the little place I call home had a Halloween party. We (19 of us) decorate the house (this year, Undead Disney themed) and invite 300 of our closest friends in a quest to pay for a year's worth of toilet paper. I created a creepy mouse tribute hallway, where you had to crawl through his eye and out his butt to continue through the party. I couldn't of done it without the help of my pal Matt, a fifth year senior at Cal Poly. So, hey, thanks Matt, sorry to see you leave come December.

Speaking of December, big news! Nathan Cartwright, the owner of the Hive in Downtown LA finally took pity upon me and gave me a Featured Artist wall.

So, what have I chosen to do? Well, I have chosen to make it a group show, within a group show! Say what? Yep. I have a 4 foot by 8 foot wall, and I am paying tribute to the most awkward "graffiti" crew in San Luis Obispo, the Pizza Lords. Everyone loves pizza, and everyone will love the photography, sculpture, paintings and drawings that these guys and myself have created. We've also asked some really good friends to assist us in filling our wall. Scheduled to possibly appear are super artists Jeff Claassen, Jason Hudson and Nic Rodriguez. Nothing set in stone from those all stars, but trust me this show is a must see. It's on Saturday December 8, so in keeping with the "local handmade holiday" theme, nothing we sell will be over $125 bucks, in fact lots of things will be $25 or $50. Buy your loved one something strange for the holidays. I'm also offering free admission to anyone who wants to go. Feel free to contact me to be put on the swanky "potential buyers" list and save yourself $8!

Also of note-- a show in LA next week on November 7th! Get pumped, LA peeps!

As you can tell, this is a huge, fun show, a show my very good pal "Handsome" Eric Valdez is putting on. I will most likely have the most offensive piece in the place. I won't give away much, but it involves Jesus, Batman, and naked day of the dead wolf women. Come to the show, it's free, and stories about your weekend are usually pretty boring.

n

Hello Internet Lurkers-

It's been a hectic bunch of weeks since I last posted. The shows in August went well, and soon, on October 14th, there will be a cash-and-carry opening/closing for Isaac Yorke and I at Sally Loo's Wholesome Cafe.

I sold several totem pieces at the Linnaea's Cafe show, one to a cool dude from a band called the Cobra Skulls. He has plans to use the image on a teeshirt. That's pretty exciting.

I'm also making my own teeshirt based on the "Skulk" piece. It looks like this:

                                  
Wrinkles optional. You can pick one up yourself on my Etsy site that no one visits/buys anything from.Teeshirts are my only exception to the "no multiples" rule I use in regards to my art.
I was told prints sell, but I don't do prints. Replications weaken the DNA of original work. I don't want mindless replications of my work strewn about the world. Not that I'm in danger of being popular, I've had my share of rejections this year alone (8 that I can think of right off the bat), I just feel like I owe it to someone who buys original work to know that they are special, darn it. Where was I? Oh yeah, buy my teeshirt!

In other news, with the permission of super official city types in San Luis Obispo and the nice people at Kyle Company Roofing, I have been allowed to improve my neighborhood by putting a nice mural on a pretty boring warehouse wall. How boring? Well look here:

See? I almost fell asleep posting that picture. It will be lovingly adorned with stuff related to the railroad, as said wall is very close to the RR station.

I'm gonna need some help and some donations, so if anyone is interested, feel free to write me for more details. It should be a fun and exhausting project but all I can think about is how great the neighborhood will look after this is done.

What else is going on? Oh, you know, just opening another store that will feature the greatest hits from San Luis Art Supply (cool pens, watercolor, pads, brushes and Belton MOLOTOW spraypaint). The shop, called Poor But Sexy Mercantile, will be nestled in the mezzanine area of SLO's biggest coffeehouse, Kreuzberg, CA Cafe. We will be open 4 days a week, mostly Thursday thru Sunday, from about noon to about 6 or 7. The shop not only will sell deviant art supplies, but will also sell local made goods like those found at the Genuine Stolen booth at  our local farmer's market.

Lastly, I was honored with the chance to draw some tape covers for my pal Milo of Ripe Mangos.  That's right, tapes are alive and well, hipster! He traded me some Swamp Donkey stickers for these two beauties:

I think I got the better deal. Until next time...

Hot August Dates

This summer has become a very productive one. Fans/enemies will have several opportunities to view my latest work. Details below!

Baxter Moermon presents "Novelty Forever", new works on wood. Show opens August 3rd to TBA. 5 to 8pm, 1118 Morro Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Linnaea's Cafe presents Mignon Khargie, featuring Neal Breton. Both artist featuring new works on paper. Reception on Friday, August 3 from 5 to 9pm. 1110 Garden Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Sally Loo's Wholesome Cafe presents Isaac Yorke & Neal Breton, August 15th. Reception TBA. 1810 Osos Street (near the train station), San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.

These shows will have all new work. The Baxter Moermon show features some work with acrylic and wood, the Linnea's show will feature works on paper and, for the first time in four years, an acrylic on canvas piece. Sally Loo's will also have an acrylic on canvas piece, as well a debut of several No Lunch Series pieces never shown before.

Speaking of the No Lunch Series, some of the best ones I have done are on display at Vale Gallery in Paso Robles. I am very grateful to be part of their small fold of artists. I recommend you stopping by to see one of the best galleries on the Central Coast.

I also have a piece at Homeroom in Los Angeles until August 18th. Homeroom isn't just a gallery, it has so much going on--bands play, movies are shown, classes are taught. Please check them out and support a really great cause if you live in the greater LA area.

I need to take a moment here to recognize a couple of really important people. Without their help, my art would be incomplete. If you've come to my shows and seen anything that has to do with wood, Jamie Coxon is the guy who made it happen. From substrates to frames to furniture, this guy can do it all and he works within your budget.
The other guy is responsible for anything computer related. If blogger didn't make it so easy an orangutan can post stuff, I surely couldn't update you as much as I do. As of late, Joshua Brinckerhoff has worked on all kinds of professional bids with my weak guidance. Though we have had a few strikes (Fresh & Easy and American Apparel have bad taste), he has consistently produced great work on time and below cost. Without these two patient gentlemen, I wouldn't be the artist I am today. Thanks, guys!

Lastly, check ze Flickr account, it should be loaded with stuff for those of you spying on me from out of state or are just too lazy to come out and see the stuff firsthand. Oh, and here's a nugget from my sketchbook, which will be displayed at Sally Loos. Good times.

-n

Hey Folks-

Keeping busy on the art front. Many trips to LA have been fun, save the heat and traffic. I have to thank Walt @ Home Room for letting me squeeze into one of the coolest group shows I've ever been in. If you're in the LA area, go see the Super Tetricide show. The installation includes 8-bit video games especially made for the show.
I'm up to no good for my friends at the New Times as well, for the 55 Fiction (reader driven stories) issue. Maybe you should check my flickr to catch a sneak preview. Maybe. I probably shouldn't be revealing such trickery before the issue debuts, but hey I've won awards for those fools so I'm playing the brat card here.
Big ups to my friends Eric Valdez and Stephanie Linardos (no website given--real professional, buddy) to hanging out for a day in LA before the Tetricide show. Speaking of which, thanks for going if you did, and check out fellow-tetricider Alex Chiu's work, it's bitchin'. Eric was in a Batman themed show, and I was inspired by some of the work there. I drew my own Batman related piece, look:

He's donut-fighting the Bush Family!

Hi. My name is Neal. Come to this group show and watch me awkwardly stand next to my piece, waiting for someone to say something bad about it so I can be up all night thinking about what I should of said to them.

Also, new stuff on teh flickrs. Check it.

-n

End of May News-bursts

Hello All-

I helped paint a wall mural in Temecula, California, home of Halfbad Art Supply & Gallery. It was based on my recent Chaos series of paintings.

I will be speaking in Paso Robles, California as part of a panel. "Dont Feed the Artists" features awesome people like David Settino Scott, Drew Silvaggio and Charmaine Martinez. The details of the event can be found on the Facebook event page.

I am selling my vinyl collection to put together another art supply store. Please donate to my cause and pick up a cool record or two.

n

ps: News-bursts is not a word, but do you think I care?

Creating an abundance of art on a regular basis, almost on command requires you to be in touch with a lot of things. Being aware of your local and global environment, being aware of your own emotional state (and the state in which your emotions affect others) can be important as well.

This new set of work I have embarked on attempts to chronicle the timultuous chaos I'm experiencing from every angle. These pieces have no set fulcrum, and will be hashed out on everything I can get my hands on from scrap peices of cardboard to wood panels.
Big change is around the corner. I have sold San Luis Art Supply after four years; it has been the hardest thing I have ever accomplished and I can say that I am happy for this chapter to close. I have no idea what is next for me. I have done everything I have set out to do, and all of it before 40. I feel acomplished and uneasy all at the same time. My work here is not done in SLO, and I plan on still serving the community in some way until I hear the next calling. Most likely I will open a small studio and continue to sell my core customer base what they need while attempting to get a few freelance scraps from the New Times.
I plan on travelling this year in an attempt to get my artwork out into the world. If you have a favorite gallery in your area, tell me all about it and I'll look into it. Goodbye for now.

Blog Titles Are So 1996.

Hello There-

Haven't written here in a while, so I thought I'd make it a jam packed picture blog. I paint a lot of stuff, at least I try and stay busy. I try and produce and enjoy briefly and then try and sell it as quick as I can. Some pieces go too quickly, like this one titled Cover For Redcat Journal No. 12. It was purchased by a good friend, and she gave me more than the sticker price, very kind of her. I still miss it a little.

I just like his expression, and the fact that this could be a real human being attempting to make the world a better place while fighting his own demons like a boring office job or a series of bad dates. I find Daniel Clowes work to be inspirational and honestly perfect in this regard. His expressions and character development are impeccible. Check him out if you're in the dark about this brilliant artist.

In other news, there's a show on Friday, March 30th that you should go to if you live in San Luis Obispo. Evening Wood features some pretty awesome artists like Lena Rushing, Mark Bryan, Joshua Jesse, Laykin Hamilton, the infamous SOAK, Mo Matus, Jamie Coxon, Jason Hudson and a whole bunch more.

I'll be showing three little pieces on these amazing Duho Panels now in stock at San Luis Art Supply! Woo plugriffic! And now exclusive looks into the doodles of yours truly, the images below will shock and amaze you! Ok, probably not, but the first one is a sneak preview of one of those pieces on display at the show.

This one is a Barry McGee inspired test piece on the back of some illustration board. I was testing some acrylic and some ink and some cool acrylic ink mediums. Turned out so good I wish I would of done it on the front. Oh well, I'll probably still frame it and sell it at some point.

Wait and see, indeed.

Actual News?

Hello All-

I am lucky enough to have been chosen for the Winter Group Show at Vale Fine Art. Five of the "No Lunch" Series paintings have been framed and lavishly displayed in one of the nicest looking galleries on the Central Coast. The opening reception is on Saturday, February 4th from 5 to 9. Don't feel too guilty if you can't make it. Do keep in mind that if you like any of those pieces, they are for sale, custom framed, at an excellent introductory rate.

In other news, San Luis Art Supply is moving. We didn't want to, but we also didn't want to pay three times what we were paying for this dump (even if we do have awesome neighbors). Our new place of business is 974 Monterey Street, inside Coalition Skate. We plan on being open on March 1st, but on the 10th of February, we will be moving our wares from our current location to the new place. If you're in the area, come on by and grab a box, won't you?

n

Super Exclusive Picture!

Hello All-
I do a lot of posting on Facebook. One piece gets a slew of "likes", another may not. Judging that "negative space" is a good way to see what strikes a chord and what falls flat. Well, I like bears, and I like lasers, and this week I hate Facebook so here you go, a nb dot com exclusive:

AAAAH! Run! Lazerbear will strike you down with his righteous beams of colored light!

In other news, I am part of a group show that will be highlighting some really good local street artists and a couple of old pals. The Defense Budget benefit show will feature Stenzskull, Jeff Claassen, Soak, Gary "Sawdust" Ellsworth, yours truly, and other peeps tba. This is a benefit show for our friend Rowen who is in need of some funds for legal fees incurred defending himself, a woman and small child from some childish hothead. Here are the hard facts:

Where: Heaven and Earth Gallery, 964 Chorro Street between Palm and Monterey Streets.

When: Friday, January 27, 7 to 10pm

Refreshments and snacks will be served. Do come by and pick something up for a good cause.

n

Well Happy New Year, All-
Lots of changes coming up for 2012. The store will be moving to a location TBA, and I am going to try my hardest to get my work into two prominent galleries in the area. If both fail to happen, I'll be living on my mom's couch in Glendale, CA. Things never seem to get easier as you get older. Ah the simpler times:

The end of this month will bring about a fun group show to benefit a friend's lawyer expenses. So far, I know it will be on the 27th, from 7 to 10, hopefully in a gallery close to the mission. I'll let you know when it's set in stone. The "Defense Budget" group show featured collaborators will include a lot of cool street artists, one cool tattoo artist, and the godfather of SLO's urban and contemporary scene.

Here's to a less tentative 2012.

n