The Alphabet Sea app is live!!!
Go to the App store and download the free App right now!
Alphabet Sea is a whimsical way to teach the alphabet. Sea creatures are brought to life on reclaimed wood photographed and animated to create a unique animation experience. All 26 creatures are captured in a limited edition set of Flash cards funded through Kickstarter. A board game, a song and an animated concept are fully developed as well. Take a moment and explore the whimsical world of Alphabet Sea and please, share it with your friends.
Sets of Alphabet Sea Flashcards are available for a limited time. They are $10 plus $5 shipping and handling. Just email me and you can pay through paypal! It's easy and fast, plus it helps an Artist feed his family. Order a set of Flashcards today!
In other news, the iPhone/iPod/iPad app is being developed. It will be a simple virtual deck featuring the Alphabet Sea cast. I'm trying to get the eBook formatted and published, Putting together an Alphabet Sea Kids Cookbook, and the Board Game has been prototyped. It will be available for download for a limited time in April.
Fundraising opportunities are available for schools and organizations with 50% of profits being donated! Contact now for info! Don't forget order cards for a loved one today!
In other news, the iPhone/iPod/iPad app is being developed. It will be a simple virtual deck featuring the Alphabet Sea cast. I'm trying to get the eBook formatted and published, Putting together an Alphabet Sea Kids Cookbook, and the Board Game has been prototyped. It will be available for download for a limited time in April.
Fundraising opportunities are available for schools and organizations with 50% of profits being donated! Contact now for info! Don't forget order cards for a loved one today!
The concept art for the Alphabet Sea board game.
Mailed off the Alphabet Sea sets, so if you ordered a set keep an eye out!
My boys helped me package them, we shipped some to Australia, Germany, Ireland and the Philippines!
Make sure you check out the Song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yahio54Kf7o&feature=channel_video_title
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yahio54Kf7o&feature=channel_video_title
Van full of cards. 28,000 to be exact. Now the fun of packaging begins!
Just got the packaging materials, cards should be ready to pick up early next week. I can't wait to see how they are received!
It's official, the cards and packaging materials are ordered and we will be shipping shortly! If you need to order additional sets, or if you haven't got a chance to order some yet, do it now!
I've posted all of the original painting for the Alphabet Sea flash cards. What else do you want to see? The flash cards? Random inspiration? Where I get the old wood from? You tell me what you'd like to read about, and I'll blog about it.
Z is for Zebrashark, the last creature I see.
We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action. - Frank Tibolt
Putting the finishing touches on the Alphabet Sea flash cards. They should be ordered next week and be shipping before the end of the month!
Contact me now to order a set if you haven't already, only $15!
Contact me now to order a set if you haven't already, only $15!
Y is for yellowtail, that's easy to see.
It's only a matter of time before the Flash Card sets ship out. I plan to do a memory game and an iPhone app next. I think the iPhone app will be a digital version of the flash cards. I'm planning my next art project which will be a day of the dead number based flash card set to teach numbers and spanish!
Here's a little something I threw together for the Alphabet Sea song-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yahio54Kf7o
Here's a little something I threw together for the Alphabet Sea song-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yahio54Kf7o
Whale starts with W, they like to sing songs.
V is for Viper Squid. They grow really long.
19 hours until the Kickstarter project closes. It will be funded thanks to the Kickstarter community. Don't miss out on this limited edition first run!
Please pledge now to get your signed and numbered set! http://kck.st/gs2D4G
Please pledge now to get your signed and numbered set! http://kck.st/gs2D4G
U is for Urchin. This one is mean.
T is for Turtle. This one is green.
A true inspiration and master of the craft. Dr.Seuss was a huge influence when I was growing up. One of my favorites is -
What was you favorite Dr.Seuss story?
What was you favorite Dr.Seuss story?
In case you missed it the first time around -
I'm developing a music video featuring the entire Alphabet Sea cast, it should be a lot of fun.
I'm developing a music video featuring the entire Alphabet Sea cast, it should be a lot of fun.
I'm researching how to publish my own eBook with the Alphabet Sea poem and characters. I'm hoping to develop an iPhone/iPad app as well. Stay tuned! If you have any input please email me.
Some of the last paintings captured in progress.
Turtle
Urchin
Viper Squid
X-ray fish
S is for Starfish, they stick onto things.
Hit the goal on Kickstarter! Cards will be coming soon.
R is for Ray, with really big wings.
A big heartfelt thank you to Kathiy Trabert for a generous pledge on Kickstarter. The choice of any of the original paintings is now hers. I'll post her choice soon. Meanwhile I'm one $15 pledge away from Kickstarter success. Tomorrow I'll be posting the letters R and S to make up for the lack of posts lately (Sorry, life and stuff...) so stay tuned!
Meanwhile a relevant quote...
We do not write because we want to; we write because we have to.
- W. Somerset Maugham
Writing, Art, Making music; It's a compulsion at times. I hope to find a broader audience for my creations so that they may live somewhere besides my shelf.
Meanwhile a relevant quote...
We do not write because we want to; we write because we have to.
- W. Somerset Maugham
Writing, Art, Making music; It's a compulsion at times. I hope to find a broader audience for my creations so that they may live somewhere besides my shelf.
I'm offering a unique reward on Kickstarter. An original painting from the series (your choice) for a pledge of $300. This single pledge meets my goal and funds my project! This will only happen once!
http://kck.st/gs2D4G
http://kck.st/gs2D4G
http://kck.st/gs2D4G - 66% of the way toward my crowd funded goal on Kickstarter! You can get a set of Alphabet Sea flash cards printed on Recycled paper, or the über-green version - a PDF of the entire set with the raw photos of the original artwork. Pledge now! Every penny counts! If you didn't catch the write upon the Kickstarter blog here it is (for now) http://blog.kickstarter.com/page/2
Q is what Quahog starts with!
Alphabet Sea made the front page of Kickstarter today! This is great for bringing awareness to this project and helps it get one step closer to funding. Spread the word and help me hit my goal on Kickstarter - http://kck.st/gs2D4G
P is for Prawn, a jumbo sized shrimp.
As you know word of mouth is the best way to spread the word.Please tell your friends and family about Alphabet Sea and help bring awareness to this great project!
http://kck.st/gs2D4G
http://kck.st/gs2D4G
O is for octopus, who can't find his boots.
Alphabet Sea on Kickstarter is 25% toward it's goal of $1,000. Please take a moment and back this unique project - http://kck.st/gs2D4G
N is for Narwhal, "That's not a horn, that's my tooth!"
I've been playing around with the book layout. I'm not happy with this one,but it's the best one yet. I think the final will have more of a classic, "Golden Books" feel to it.
Mollusk starts with M, the slowest sea creature.
Head over to the kickstarter page and help shape the project, I'm having backers decide which version of the Lobster to include, but you have to be a backer to cast your vote. http://kck.st/gs2D4G
L is for lobster who scavenges his dinner.
Here is an animated clip I did for Angler Fish. I have the idea to record the song and have all of the characters will come to life in this way. It will be a sea chanty of course.
The Crabby old king, King Crab starts with K.
This Blog has a simple goal; I hope to raise $1000 through Kickstarter to print and package this special limited run of unique A - Z Flash Cards. If you haven't yet, please back my project and reserve your Flash Cards now - http://kck.st/gs2D4G
I'm offering one of the original, unique paintings used in the Flash Card series as a reward on Kickstarter for one special backer. Please spread the word.
I'm offering one of the original, unique paintings used in the Flash Card series as a reward on Kickstarter for one special backer. Please spread the word.
THANK YOU!
J is for Jellyfish, I prefer grape.
Kickstarter did a Q & A with me for their blog. It came out really nice, take a look - http://blog.kickstarter.com/post/3183974670/creator-q-a-alphabet-sea
Instead of doing a sketch for each character, I did thumbnails for all the characters. You can see some of the early letters like, F for fish sticks are pretty funny. Some of the letters went through a few designs and creatures before finalizing them. 11 X 17 pen on paper.
Adding some stencil touches.
One day I might refer to this as the video that kickstarted it all! Please visit Kickstarter now and back this unique project! http://kck.st/gs2D4G
Just finished a short interview for Kickstarter. The interview will be featured on their blog next week sometime, but here it is in it's entirety for your enjoyment. Thanks for stopping by!
-Of all the ways to teach the alphabet, why sea creatures?
I'm always drawing different creatures and I painted a jellyfish one day and thought, I like this guy. What other sea creatures can I do? Instantly the A-Z idea popped into my head. I thought it was going to be a book, like Richard Scarry or something, but somewhere along the way it became a Flash Card set.
I'm always drawing different creatures and I painted a jellyfish one day and thought, I like this guy. What other sea creatures can I do? Instantly the A-Z idea popped into my head. I thought it was going to be a book, like Richard Scarry or something, but somewhere along the way it became a Flash Card set.
-Is there possibly a relationship between your passion for marine life and your daily life in the desert?
The contrast of it, for sure. I love the ocean and it is a place to get away, in a sense these paintings help me escape as well.
The contrast of it, for sure. I love the ocean and it is a place to get away, in a sense these paintings help me escape as well.
-(following up on that ...) How does your Hesperia environment influence your work and/or creative process?
It's great for the creative process because I have a lot of space. There is a lot of open land and atmosphere. I spend a lot of time outside, my studio is outside, and I love the fresh air we have up here and undeveloped land.
It's great for the creative process because I have a lot of space. There is a lot of open land and atmosphere. I spend a lot of time outside, my studio is outside, and I love the fresh air we have up here and undeveloped land.
-You mention that you salvage the wood from the desert where people dispose of it improperly. Is dumping like that a common practice in your area? What else have you found there? Do you upcycle any other materials from there to make art? Is up/re-cycling a major part of your daily life?
Because of the open land and relatively few dumps, there are areas that have become dumping grounds. I've always been intrigued at how one mans trash is another mans treasure. I upcycle mainly wood. I've built some really cool privacy fences around my yard besides using the wood for art canvases, and I built some skateboard ramps for my kids out of reclaimed wood. I also built a lot of furniture in my house out of old wood. I recently found a pool table dumped in the desert, so my eyes are always open to what I can re-use. I try to teach my kids to save our resources whenever possible, so recycling and repurposing things is part of our daily life.
Because of the open land and relatively few dumps, there are areas that have become dumping grounds. I've always been intrigued at how one mans trash is another mans treasure. I upcycle mainly wood. I've built some really cool privacy fences around my yard besides using the wood for art canvases, and I built some skateboard ramps for my kids out of reclaimed wood. I also built a lot of furniture in my house out of old wood. I recently found a pool table dumped in the desert, so my eyes are always open to what I can re-use. I try to teach my kids to save our resources whenever possible, so recycling and repurposing things is part of our daily life.
-Your bio says you make films, music, and animations as well as paintings. What else (if anything) are you working on now besides Alphabet Sea?
I've always got a few projects cooking, it's a curse. I just finished doing a web series on the Food Truck scene in LA. There's a website with clips at www.foodtrucking.tv I have a puppet project that got picked up for the "Handmade Puppet Dreams" series about a Skeleton out to avenge his own death after being pushed into a vat of salsa you can see here -http://www.youtube.com/newimagemedia#p/c/3/LnTRuOjpM4w I recently put up a youtube channel with a few of my songs -http://www.youtube.com/jerroldridenour and I've written a comedy feature that I plan to direct later this year, I'll be putting it on Kickstarter when it's ready to be launched.
I've always got a few projects cooking, it's a curse. I just finished doing a web series on the Food Truck scene in LA. There's a website with clips at www.foodtrucking.tv I have a puppet project that got picked up for the "Handmade Puppet Dreams" series about a Skeleton out to avenge his own death after being pushed into a vat of salsa you can see here -http://www.youtube.com/newimagemedia#p/c/3/LnTRuOjpM4w I recently put up a youtube channel with a few of my songs -http://www.youtube.com/jerroldridenour and I've written a comedy feature that I plan to direct later this year, I'll be putting it on Kickstarter when it's ready to be launched.
-I see the aesthetic and educational value of these cards as kind of Dr. Seuss meets Edward Gorey. ...Any comment/rebuttal on that assessment? What artists inspire you to create as you do?
I'm honored that you would make that association! I grew up on Dr. Seuss and feel there isn't enough whimsical kids stuff out there. I love his art and rhyme structure, the hand made nature of it. Gorey is another artist I love. It's those kind of artists that inspired me to put my art out there even if I don't have formal, classical training. I love the Obey stuff as well as Banksy, artists putting art out there even if you're not looking for it. I try to work in that influence with the stencil elements when I can. Basquiet is major influence in this series. I saw his show at MOCA, twice, and I realized that the roughness of it let you into the artists frame of mind. The visceral connection you get with art that has visible brush strokes, paint can residue and footprints on it reminds you that it was made by someone. You can almost feel the energy of the artist.
I'm honored that you would make that association! I grew up on Dr. Seuss and feel there isn't enough whimsical kids stuff out there. I love his art and rhyme structure, the hand made nature of it. Gorey is another artist I love. It's those kind of artists that inspired me to put my art out there even if I don't have formal, classical training. I love the Obey stuff as well as Banksy, artists putting art out there even if you're not looking for it. I try to work in that influence with the stencil elements when I can. Basquiet is major influence in this series. I saw his show at MOCA, twice, and I realized that the roughness of it let you into the artists frame of mind. The visceral connection you get with art that has visible brush strokes, paint can residue and footprints on it reminds you that it was made by someone. You can almost feel the energy of the artist.
-Do you have kids? If so, what are they like and how have they affected your work?
I have two boys that I have sole custody of. They inspire me to go out and fight the good fight every day, to keep a roof over their heads and keep food on the table. It's hard to be a single father and be an artist, but they help me to never lose sight of my dreams. I definitely make art that is more kid friendly or kid-centric a a result of having kids, but I play with puppets and animate for a living, so I'm a pretty big kid myself.
I have two boys that I have sole custody of. They inspire me to go out and fight the good fight every day, to keep a roof over their heads and keep food on the table. It's hard to be a single father and be an artist, but they help me to never lose sight of my dreams. I definitely make art that is more kid friendly or kid-centric a a result of having kids, but I play with puppets and animate for a living, so I'm a pretty big kid myself.
-Do you remember how you learned the alphabet, the first book your read, and/or how you learned to read?
The Richard Scarry "Busytown" series and Sesame Street. Mercer Meyer and Dr. Seuss Were huge as well.
The Richard Scarry "Busytown" series and Sesame Street. Mercer Meyer and Dr. Seuss Were huge as well.
-You say on your blog that promoting literacy is akin to "saving our future." Can you elaborate on that point?
Cursive is dead, reading isn't cool, kids spell in shorthand via text... Reading is the gateway to imagination. I'm a prolific reader as are my boys, and I can't imagine the child who doesn't get to explore the land of make believe with a good book. All knowledge comes through reading, and all expression comes through writing. If communication is to survive, reading is paramount to it's success.
Cursive is dead, reading isn't cool, kids spell in shorthand via text... Reading is the gateway to imagination. I'm a prolific reader as are my boys, and I can't imagine the child who doesn't get to explore the land of make believe with a good book. All knowledge comes through reading, and all expression comes through writing. If communication is to survive, reading is paramount to it's success.
-Do you have a favorite out of the 26 cards? Why is it your favorite?
They all have a character to me. They have personality even if they can't talk. I think the Octopus is my favorite because he's goofy.
They all have a character to me. They have personality even if they can't talk. I think the Octopus is my favorite because he's goofy.
-Wherever did you get that sweet Star Wars sweatshirt?!?!
I know right? I have to think my wonderful girlfriend Luci Norris for that bit of geeky goodness.
I know right? I have to think my wonderful girlfriend Luci Norris for that bit of geeky goodness.
Isopod starts with I, and I have nothing more.
H is for Halibut, on the ocean floor.
Alphabet Sea is a set of Flash cards that will use my hand painted art to illustrate the letters A - Z with fun sea creature names along with fun rhymes to remember them by. They will be limited to 1000 sets and printed on recycled paper for the initial run. The paintings are done on large plywood scraps that I salvage from the desert; upcycling them into one of kind art, instead of littering our planet.
I want to sell enough Flash Card sets to cover print costs of the initial run through pre-selling downloads and sets of the Flash Cards. By ordering a set now you help to launch a new franchise while at the same time saving our future by promoting literacy.
The "Alphabet Sea" Flash Card set makes a great gift, and is a great addition for the active, involved parent.
Click the link to get the Kickstarter info!
Click me!
Visit the Kickstarter project page to order your set of Flash Cards today and help fund this quirky and fun filled way to promote literacy!
Click me!
Visit the Kickstarter project page to order your set of Flash Cards today and help fund this quirky and fun filled way to promote literacy!
G is for Grunion, they travel in a bunch.
I'm finishing the Kickstarter project overview now, and later today there will be instructions on how you can back the "Alphabet Sea" project!
F is for Fugu, which isn't fun to touch.
Just got the email that C is for congratulations and Kickstarter has approved my Alphabet Sea project for funding.
Through Kickstarter I will be offering the Flash Card set as a digital download for just $5 and a digital download and full set of packaged Flash Cards for $15 ($5 more than I had planned on charging)
I'll get the project up soon so, PLEASE help spread the word!
The Electric Eel is electrifying, touch it to see sparks!
Eeeek!
A Dolphin starts with D, and they're dang smart.
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