⁂⁂MOLDY MAGIC⁂⁂

TUMBLR

2011-08-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

Making the switch to TUMBLR: http://lizardmeat.tumblr.com/

Preview of a Picturebook

2011-08-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Currently working on a twenty page picture book for my MFA book class at SVA. Here are two page spreads for it!

The New York Times Op-ed Page

2011-08-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

I illustrated the Op-ed page for the Friday edition of the New York Times. Thanks to Aviva Michaelov for giving me such a great assignment!

DENT HEAD

2011-08-18T19:05:00.001-07:00

Hermaphrodate by Dent Head

GARAGE SALE/PAINTINGS AVAILABLE

2011-08-06T15:14:00.000-07:00

Am currently cleaning out my studio and have some paintings for sale for CHEAP!! E-mail me at moldy.magic@gmail.com if you are interested in any of them!

To view all available painting go to: http://www.garagegloom.blogspot.com/

3 x 3 Student Show Bronze Medal!

2011-06-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

The student show winners for this years 3 x 3 international illustration competition were announced earlier today!

So psyched to have won a Bronze medal and to have 5 of my pieces from my mfa book class with Viktor Koen included in this years annual!

Mail Collaborations

2011-06-29T09:13:00.001-07:00

I am currently working on several different collaborative zines with some new friends and some good friends!

Matt Volz and I are working on a zine entitled "Turf Wars" that should be finished sometime this winter, my friend Pacolli and I are mailing drawings back and forth to eventually put into some sort of zine format, Baseball Enthusiast and B.A.F./BFF Mike Marine wrote a bunch of stories and poems that I am illustrating and Radical Fortress is putting out, my good friend C.M. Ruiz and I are working on a zine of draw jams called Skeleton Kidz, and I am wrapping up a 110 page booklet that I curated this past spring entitled Universal Slime that includes some of my favorite picture makers today.

The image above is a painting Dang Olsen and I did through the mail- he and I have been talking about collaborating for years [as we are both from Ohio] and it took him moving to SF and me to NYC for it to finally come into existence.

New Hang Ten T-Shirts!

2011-06-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

NEW T-SHIRTS/DENIM VESTS/SWEATSHIRTS

MOLDY MAGIC TEE SHIRT SALE

PYRAMID FACE'S PINBALL MACHINE OF DEATH

2011-06-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

A small functioning pinball machine [about 2 1/2 ft x 1 ft] for a show in Philly this July. I am working on building legs for it so this little guy can be free standing.

The pinball machine ties into a lengthier comic book that is being created for my MFA class's book show/exhibition this September at a gallery in Manhattan.

Print Magazine Image of the Day

2011-06-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

A three dimensional still life I created for a show at Junctionview Studios is image of the day on Print Magazine's website. Thanks Dave!

Shut the Door

2011-06-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

Wonderful Fest is going to RULE

2011-06-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

So excited to see NOBUNNY live again! The lineup for Wonderful Fest is seriously mind blowingly amazing.

[Nobunny/M.O.T.O/Spider Bags/Tough Shits/Greg Ashley/Beach Stav/Jaill/White Mystery/GG King]. So sickkk.

Artisla: Berlin

2011-06-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

Paintings being sold through the Berlin based artist group ARTISLA: http://www.artisla.com/art/193

An Asteroid Descends on Mt. Moldy

2011-06-17T09:41:00.000-07:00

My friend Aja is working on a literature and arts journal with the Unified Field Collective and asked me to contribute a painting around the theme of "transition".

This was also created as the promotional painting for my duo show "Shut the Door" in Philly with Daniel Fishel and was submitted to be considered by Steven Heller for the SVA MFAI "Book Show" postcard.

2011-06-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

"Francis and his snake Geronimo";

a painting for a show in Philly with Daniel Fishel.

Morning Jamz 003

2011-06-10T07:11:00.000-07:00

Vegetation Still Life

2011-06-08T15:17:00.000-07:00

I was asked about a month or two ago to partake in a group show entitled Decay at Junctionview Studios in Columbus, Ohio. Due to the fact that conceptually my artwork usually serves as a celebration of our existence as humans and emphasizes my own philosophical belief that being alive is something to be psyched about, I was initially unsure of what I was gong to create for a show about Decay.

So, when approaching the idea, I wanted to subvert away from the typical subject matter associated with decay while still keeping the central theme in mind. Using archival inks and papers I culled plant life from the world that I usually paint within and created this series of vegetation that will avoid decay and exist indefinitely.

The show will be up this weekend at Junctionview Studios

Friday, June 10th 6pm - 2am and Saturday, June 11th 7pm - 1am

Smash It Up

2011-06-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

Illustration in The Stranger

2011-06-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

My friend CMR sent me a picture of an illustration I did for The Stranger this past week. Read the full article here.

Walden Book Jacket Progress

2011-06-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

Still need to redo the title typography- so close to being done though!

Morning Jamz 002

2011-06-05T10:47:00.000-07:00

VOLZ TRIBUTE POSTER

2011-06-01T21:55:00.000-07:00

The Beets are coming to Bat Chapters in Columbus, Ohio to sing songs about watching television and being cool and stuff.

Matt Volz [The Beets official artist, piccolo player, and all around rad dude] and I are currently in the works on a collaborative zine called "Stay Off Our Turf" that should be out shortly after I return to NYC this August!

The Stranger

2011-06-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

The art director of The Stranger Aaron Huffman asked me to do an illustration for an article about how Costco and some local businesses are trying to get liquor sales privatized in Washington State- something that was struck down by voters last year.

Published in the June 1st edition of The Stranger.

Morning Jamz 001

2011-05-31T06:04:00.000-07:00

Mushroom Frittata from Northstar Cafe in Columbus, Ohio.

Some Villains

2011-05-31T05:51:00.000-07:00

WALDEN

2011-05-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

Currently working on a book jacket for Walden by Thoreau. Here is a screen shot of the bare bones sketch/early stages adding much more detail/watercolors later this weekend.

Now off to get some food and Carabar later tonight for Dolfish & Way Yes (two bands I have been internet friends with for a super long time and am now finally meeting in person!).

THE SNAKE CHARMERS

2011-05-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

Working on a series of paintings titled "The Snake Charmers of Slime Island" for an amazing group show at CHOQUE CULTURAL gallery in Sao Paulo, Brazil this fall.

So excited that Pacolli asked me to be apart of it!

The paintings will also be compiled into a book and double as a series for one of my MFA classes with the venerable Marshall Arisman and Carl Titolo.

Summer Vacation

2011-05-26T17:01:00.001-07:00

I have been moving around a lot recently (from apartment to apartment) so I have had no time to scan anything that I have been working on.

I am finally settled into a place in Clintonville, Ohio for the next 2 months- before moving back to New York City for good in August. Above is a new promotional illustration I made about my current "summer vacation".

Delusional Shred Disorder

2011-05-22T13:58:00.000-07:00

Illustration in July issue of SURFING Magazine- on newsstands now!

Stale Beer

2011-05-16T15:07:00.000-07:00

Every year the SVA Illustration as Visual Essay MFA candidates have a competition (of sorts). We are asked to illustrate the winning story of a competition they hold for emerging fiction writers.

The New York Times: Op Ed Page

2011-05-03T23:51:00.000-07:00

If you are around a copy of The New York Times tomorrow check out the OP-ed page, I did an illustration for this story: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/04/opinion/04klitzman.html?ref=opinion

I'm Proud of You Joanna

2011-04-23T21:14:00.000-07:00

New comic insert for Max Sollisch aka "Dolfish's" upcoming seven inch being put out by Afternoon Records. It is always a pleasure working together with Max- listen to his music here he's going on tour in like a week so go see him!

Universal Slime Cover

2011-04-11T23:43:00.000-07:00

I have currently been amassing/curating a zine (that ended up being more like a book) over the past month and am about wrap it up. Here is the cover- sooo excited to print it!

Be Safe My little Viking II

2011-04-09T21:28:00.001-07:00

Paintings for the BALLS OUT show next month @ Grass Hut Gallery in Portland!

Hot Sandwiches + Iced Coffee + Lizard Meat

2011-04-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

Currently reworking the role of the Volcano Club into a new series of paintings. The Volcano Club now hunts and sells lizard meat from this old weathered castle structure turned bodega.

On Location: Staten Island Ferry

2011-04-08T18:01:00.000-07:00

2011-04-07T18:15:00.000-07:00

Have recently been coming across really great/funny write ups about my paintings on websites in other countries. Here is one from Germany:

""John Malta told in his paintings, stories - stories of wacky dinosaur riding lizards, of his little brother, who seems to be a lion, leprosy patients who live in a volcano, and of Vikings in the desert." -www.diskursdisko.de

Beerspit Ohio Animation

2011-04-02T20:23:00.000-07:00

hand drawn on tiny legal pads!

HOW MAGAZINE, "Top Ten" Sites: April

2011-04-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

My website is one of HOW MAGAZINE'S "top ten" sites for designers this month!

Rad! Thanks HOW!

Society6 Prints & Profile

2011-03-29T07:29:00.000-07:00

Link to Profile: John Malta Society6

I began posting stuff to Society6. Will be made available to order in prints, iphone skins, laptop covers, etcetera within the next week!

New Painting!

2011-03-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

Hand Drawn Stickers!

2011-03-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

Iced Coffee Take Out Bag

2011-03-17T14:37:00.001-07:00

TYLER THE CREATOR/OFWGKTA

2011-03-15T22:36:00.000-07:00

Tyler the creator of ODD FUTURE WOLF GANG KILL THEM ALL
Literally the best band/rap group I have heard/seen in years.

Tee for Prism Index

2011-03-15T16:38:00.000-07:00

Jeff (who publishes PRISM index) asked me to design a t-shirt for them. Will post details on how to purchase it later. So psyched for issue 2 to be released!

Andrew Rahman Final Album Art

2011-03-14T22:21:00.000-07:00

Just finalized the album artwork for my good friend/musical mastermind Andrew Rahman.
Listen to many of his amazing musical projects here.

The Coney Island Boys Hangout!

2011-03-13T23:14:00.000-07:00

MOLDY MAGIC SERIES ONE NECKLACES

2011-03-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

Moldy Magic Series One Necklaces

Misty White Plastic w/ Copper Chain.

Limited to 15 pieces per character.

All Series One Necklaces come w/ Bonus Bone Charm

to share w/ your best friendz!

ORDER THEM HERE!!!

NEW E-ZINE: MANIPULATIN PIXELS

2011-03-07T09:57:00.001-08:00

Click to View: http://manipulatinpixels.tumblr.com/

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE CONEY ISLAND BOYS

2011-03-07T09:47:00.001-08:00

Pg #2 from a 26 pg. Picture Book I am currently working on

PSYCHIC LUNCH/PLAY PINBALL SXSW SHOWCASE

2011-03-02T02:35:00.000-08:00

I was really excited to work on this poster for the PSYCHIC LUNCH/PLAY PINBALL RECORDS SXSW showcase. Mostly because it's been a while since I've done a show poster, and punk flyers were the very first thing that I ever illustrated.

For bands like Delay, American Cheeseburger, Cars Can Be Blue, and Fashion Fashion and the Image Boys at punk houses and DIY venues in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio [i.e. SCREAMER HOUSE, THE TOWER, LEGION OF DOOM, NOW THATS CLASS, ETC].

Now I am going to go make some coffee and goat cheese w/ honey and strawberry toast [combo borrowed from fellow blogger/studio mate GANT PANTS] and watch and episode of Seinfeld.

Featured on Beautiful/Decay's Blog

2011-02-25T14:55:00.001-08:00

IS WHO YOU AINT F*&^IN WITH

2011-02-21T11:42:00.000-08:00

Portrait of Nicki Minaj- Currently obsessed with this

Trinidadian hip-hop sensation (Ghost Dog's style/fashion inspiration).

Andrew Rahman Album Art

2011-02-20T18:40:00.000-08:00

Currently finishing up album artwork for my good friend/musical mastermind Andrew Rahman.
Listen to many of his amazing musical projects here.

Calender Spread 4 Discorder Magazine

2011-02-19T23:48:00.001-08:00

Was asked to do this calender spread for the month of March for

the Vancouver based music magazine Discorder.

EW. I would have never made out with you if I knew you were abducted two weeks ago

2011-02-17T12:49:00.000-08:00

Right side by Matt Volz, left side by me. Excerpts from a zine we are working on together where we trade a sentence every week and both illustrate it.

Featured on Faesthetic's Blog last week

2011-02-06T08:04:00.000-08:00

(thanks fish)

@ the Studio Late

2011-02-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

CMR is in town! We met up yesterday for coffee + drawjamz at Swallow in Brooklyn. He and TYZ make up the Seattle based party purveyors CMRTYZ and are my absolute favorite people to collaborate with.

Last summer we took over Rare Gallery in Chelsea together with Cassie Ramone and Matt Volz, and put on a group show/pop up shop called Psychedelic Summer for a month.

We tried to go to POPTART WORLD in Times Square yesterday- but by the time we got up to 42nd street we'd found out that it closed.

Mason Jar Issue #2

2011-02-04T21:04:00.000-08:00

**If you ordered a copy it shipped out today, expect it next week**

Riding the L Train to Manhattan

2011-02-04T20:51:00.001-08:00

Watersnakes

2011-02-02T11:39:00.000-08:00

Double Dragon 15: The Return of the Ooze

2011-02-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

Another pixel illustration for a potential villain

within "Let's Hear it for the Coney Island Boys".

While in thrifting in Ohio I found a rad Garfield mug from 1978 that was sold via Mcdonalds. Below is an advertisement I found for the whole set.

You're Getting Closer to the Boss

2011-01-30T15:24:00.000-08:00

Have spent the last coupla days with my girlfriend but finished a few illustrations of the main boss and some other villains from "Let's Hear It for the Coney Island Boys" earlier today.

He is loosely inspired by the film "Manos: The Hands of Fate", Early Donkey Kong bosses, TMNT 3: The Manhattan Project for NES, and "The Warriors".

MFAI Website Update

2011-01-27T21:54:00.000-08:00

MFAI Website Update with me and my classmates' recent work for a show that is opening next month at the SVA Gallery on 23rd St., February 15th @ 6 pm.

Pixel Illustrations @ 2 AM @ LGA

2011-01-24T23:29:00.000-08:00

Currently working on the concept art for "Let's Hear It for the Coney Island Boys". Here are two characters, and am currently finishing up a street scene that will appear in level one!

Riding the F Train

2011-01-24T16:33:00.000-08:00

Now that I am living in Park Slope I have about a twenty minute commute to my studio in Chelsea- allowing me plenty of time to catch up on some books I have been meaning to read and draw all of the people on the subway. Here is a collection of some of the drawings I have been doing while riding the F train.

Now it's back to working on some pixel illustrations for my class with Marshall Arisman and Carl Titolo and then off to LGA later tonight to head back to Columbus for a few days.
So excited to get some ice cream from my previous employer (Blackstrap Praline- literally one of the best things I have ever tasted) and too spend time with this girl.

Spent the last 72 hours in the Studio

2011-01-23T16:58:00.000-08:00

Finishing paintings, designing typography, and doing book layout for this series.
I also made a miniature accordion fold book out of this series.
All that is left to do is print and bind it!

1 More Purple Painting

2011-01-22T20:28:00.001-08:00

ROASTING HAWDAWGS

2 More Paintings

2011-01-22T20:20:00.000-08:00

Soo close to being finished with this series

Wrapping Up This Painting Series

2011-01-22T00:48:00.000-08:00

Finally finishing up this painting series- will have it bound and
printed in a book by Monday!

This particular painting is about a time in my life when I was obsessed with the American sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air". I was around the age of 7 or 8 years old and my mom let me get a flat top hair cut with steps shaved into the side of my head- modeled after Will Smith's hair doo in the aforementioned TV show.

At the time I was attending a private school and this did not go over well with my principal. She yelled at me so much that she made me cry and informed me that I was to either shave my head or not return to school. As a result of this unfortunate altercation from the ages of 7-13 I was bald- until entering a public high school upon which I began modeling my hair after Richard Hell and Johnny Thunders.

Currently Working On This Scene For "Let's Hear It For the Coney Island Boys"

2011-01-19T21:45:00.000-08:00

Mason Jar Issue #2

2011-01-19T16:42:00.000-08:00

Mason Jar Issue #2, 44 pgs, B & W $3.50 (Shipping Included)

First 10 Covers Hand Colored

Mason Jar Issue Two is a collection of drawings and writings from my travels to East Cleveland and Columbus Ohio from Brooklyn, NY. If you like drawings of dogs, discussions of whether or not your town has a Super Walmart, portraits of people riding the subway, and doodles of various foods this might be the zine for you.

Let's Hear It For the Coney Island Boys

2011-01-18T15:53:00.000-08:00

Currently am beginning an 8 month long project in which I am making a series of sequential images and an 8 bit video game based around a fictitious animal street gang who call themselves "The Coney Island Boys". Above is the first of what will be many character designs.

Border Illustrations For Print Magazine

2011-01-17T23:43:00.000-08:00

Have been working on these border illustrations for the "Grids + Guides" section

of Print Magazine for the past two weeks.

My Name Is On Your Bones

2011-01-15T20:58:00.000-08:00

A new painting for an 11'' x 17'' spread in the art publication PRISM INDEX. So Excited to be apart of Issue #2 as the publication has so many ridiculous contributors (Bill Plymton, Michael Hurley, Lisa Hanawalt, The Dutchess and the Duke, Julian Lynch, Luke Ramsey, and On and On and On).

I met Jeff Bowers (the dude who makes this) at Skylab Gallery when I was in Ohio for a couple of minutes early this month. Go to PRISM INDEX and buy a copy!

Be Safe My Little Viking

2011-01-15T17:25:00.000-08:00

The sequential installment to an ink collage series

I'm working on entitled "Be Safe My Little Viking".

Come Back To San Francisco

2011-01-09T14:18:00.000-08:00

Midwest Travels

2011-01-08T21:52:00.000-08:00

A few quick pictures from the install and opening
of THIS MIGHT BE IT @ Skylab Gallery.

Be Safe My Little Viking: New Ink Paintings

2010-12-20T17:29:00.000-08:00

Studioz Even More Lived In

2010-12-12T11:13:00.000-08:00

Blurry Blurry Photos:

On Location: Grand Central Station

2010-12-10T17:07:00.000-08:00

Drawings from Grand Central Station:

A bummed out couple in the Oyster Bar

2 Dudes scoping out a Babe at the Cafe

Half drawing of the clock- we were kicked off the stairs

A Monstrous classy lady dining in the Oyster Bar

Unicorn Whorez

2010-12-10T16:40:00.001-08:00

I was asked a few weeks ago to do a drawing for Michelle Chrzanowski and Ben Larson's new zine Unicorn Whorez. They have printed some really great stuff including this zine about Madonna and this zine about Dragon Slutz. E-mail them at wearefriendsart@gmail.com if you want a copy!

Sketchbook Drawings From the First Week of December

2010-12-07T15:12:00.000-08:00

More Draw Jamz W/ Haejon Lee

2010-12-07T14:31:00.000-08:00

Carl Titolo gave us these Trading Card sized Illustration Board pieces for a collaboration project with some kids in Florida. We used the extras to make these during class!

Dolfish Cassette Art

2010-12-06T20:42:00.000-08:00

Just wrapped up the cassette art for Max Sollisch aka "Dolfish". You can listen to some of the tracks off this cassette/cd here. His songs make me really nostalgic for a time when all my friend Mike and I did was listen to Billy Bragg cassettes, drink banana slushies, and skateboard.

The cassette is being released by Indicater and printed by some folks at the Monster House.

Portraits for Print Magazine

2010-12-03T09:57:00.000-08:00

Art Spiegleman & Stan Lee & Norman Rockwell & Pablo Picasso & Paul Rand
& Jan Tschichold & Massimo Vignelli & Walt Disney & Frederic Goudy

Snake Preview

2010-11-30T22:42:00.000-08:00

Currently I am working on an extensive series of ink paintings. I have been developing them over the last 3 months and am super excited to wrap them up- hopefully by January. For now here is a really small fragment of a large painting (about 4 ft x 2 ft) of a water snake- the snake itself is about 36" long (within the painting).

The series of paintings deals with transforming my memories and past experiences into a series of sequential events that take place in a dingy and fantastical world.

I am currently listening to my friend Andrew's newish noisegaze project called "The Sleepy Sound"- you might like to also! Listen to it and other great recordings here.

Portraits for Print Magazine

2010-11-30T13:27:00.000-08:00

Currently working on these drawings for Print Magazine and listening to Ghostface Killah.

What I Ate Today Food Illustration Blog

2010-11-29T00:20:00.000-08:00

My friend Dasha began this blog last week.
If you are interested in detailed lists of what
people eat daily and food illustrations
this might be the blog for you

WHAT I ATE TODAY / http://www.lovelyfoods.blogspot.com

HANG ON ST. CHRISTOPHER

2010-11-28T23:51:00.000-08:00

I kind of like Adobe Illustrator now- not enough for it to be a go to drawing tool though...

I have been fighting with Adobe Illustrator over these last three weeks in my Advanced Computer Illustration class. But as I was rendering my Thanksgiving Dinner I finally made something that I was really happy with or at least a fragment of the drawing that I was satisfied with.

Above is a drawing done in Illustrator of one of the pieces of chocolate cake that my girlfriend and I shared from "Best Chocolate Cake In the World"- a Brazilian based mini-chain with one American location. It definitely lived up to it's name... some other places I have recently ate at and loved: Fanny, Spring St. Natural Restaurant, and Delicatessen.

Black Coffee & Neil Young = Solid Wake Up

2010-11-21T09:07:00.000-08:00

Slept in the studio last night, woke up and finished this sketch for the Max Sollisch "Dolfish" cassette (being put out by Indiecater) and 10'' record (drawing to be modified for square format)

CHEEZY FIESTA POTATOES & WILD CHERRY PEPSI

2010-11-20T09:27:00.000-08:00

Went to TACO BELL DRAWING CLUB with my friends Joana and Haejon a few days ago and had a few to many Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes and refills of Wild Cherry Pepsi. Here is some new drawings from a sketchbook that I bought on Wednesday, November 17th.

HUEVOS RANCHEROS @ HOTEL TORTUGA

2010-11-14T12:53:00.000-08:00

Brunch Drawing, 2:00 PM, 11/14/10

Gingerbread Coffee from Trader Joe's Is Good

2010-11-11T14:11:00.000-08:00

Have been working on album art for the band Way Yes for the past month and am currently wrapping it up. Above is the insert for the CD!

STUDIOZ A BIT MORE LIVED IN

2010-11-08T23:08:00.000-08:00

THE M TRAIN TO QUEENS ISN'T RUNNING DUH

2010-11-06T20:48:00.000-07:00

Went to the NY Art Book Fair today @ PS1, going to write a whole post about it later. There were sooo many rad publishers from EVERYWHERE represented i.e. NIEVES, SHOWPAPER, ZINE OF THE MONTH, OOGA BOOGA, DESERT ISLAND, etc). But currently I need to work on this animation for my Computer Illustration class..

For now above is a drawing my friend Hyesu and I did on the steps of Ps1 and in the subway station, and also a drawing of an outraged guy who talked about seeing Denzel Washington in person for way to long.

Tuesday

2010-11-05T19:38:00.001-07:00

Detail of a large painting that is currently in the "Delusion of Eating" group show
@ The Shelf in Columbus Ohio. Exhibition runs through Thanksgiving. Photo by Ed Luna.

Croissant Bag Drawing

2010-11-05T10:54:00.001-07:00

Croissant bag drawing done during class, Thursday November 5th

DRAW JAMZ WITH HAEJON JESSICA LEE: ROUND 2

2010-11-04T14:05:00.001-07:00

DRAW JAMZ W/ HAEJON JESSICA LEE

2010-11-03T14:27:00.000-07:00

Today during class my friend Haejon and I did some Draw Jamz on Post-It Notes, we
are eventually going to compile a zine of them together!

She draws really great weiner dogs.