Kaiju Big Battel in Queens

We finished another successful Kaiju show at La Boom in Sunnyside, Queens.

For those who doesn't know, Kaiju Big Battel is a monster fighting spectacle my partner Randy has been doing for 20 years. Randy also has been doing a fundraising show for NYC public schools since 2 years ago with a help from Tara Altebrando, my friend, a NYC parent, and a writer.

This time it was a fundraiser for three Queens charter schools: Our World Neighborhood Charter School, Academy of the City, and Growing Up Green! We donated 100 tickets to each school and tickets were sold out! That's 300 people right there and Randy also sold his own tickets to the public so we had about 700+ loud audience!

Big thanks to my friends Kazuki and Michelle for helping me with the merch table! You guys make the best team!!

Half-time dance show by kids from NYC schools.

With BFF Kazuki (left) and Michelle (right).
They both happen to be fashion designers.
I am a fashion designer magnet :)

Holiday Kids' Bazaar in Astoria

I am so excited to announce that my good friends babyNOIR & the Story Nook are presenting their first holiday event: Holiday Kids' Bazaar in Astoria!

This will be a great opportunity for browsing through amazing selection of products from local artisans and designers. This event also benefit Queens Library Foundation. Buying products here will support our local economy & the artists, too!

Astoria is one of the most rapidly growing, exciting neighborhood in NYC. I feel like more and more creative people are moving in and this event will help you dig your local talents!

Come visit us!

Randy's Kaiju Big Battel & my yoriko New York will be part of it, too!

I'll be bringing some holiday editions of popular products.

It says "kids'", but some venders will carry grownup stuff such as hand-crafted jewelry and women's and men's fashion.

Please come and cheer! There's something for everyone!

Kaiju Big Battel in Brooklyn

帰宅直後の、娘の一言。


「今日は楽しかったね〜〜」


ほんと、楽しかった。
大好きな人達に囲まれて、助けてもらって、私達は本当に幸せ者だ。


手際のよいヘルプがあったおかげで、物販テーブルのセットアップも余裕よゆう。開場一時間前には用意万端。雨とL線の滞りでお客さんはいつもより少なめだったけど、馴染みのハコでリラックスして働くことができました。娘を見ていてくれたみなさん、ありがとう。


今回のスペシャル・ゲストで物すごく感じのよいプロレスラー、澤さんにもお会いできたし。
このクラブの名物ピエロギとケルバサもたらふく食べたし。


ちなみに娘に何が一番楽しかったか聞くと、
「ジャックがうるさかったー。それからダストバニーがビョンビョ〜〜ンってしてた。」


わかるようなわからんような。

New window display at Creators' Co-Op

cute red roof.

babySOLAIRE: baby fashion.

lots of summery colors & products.

come on in!

From New York with Love

宮城や岩手、福島には友達のおばあちゃんや親戚、Kaijuのお人形を作ってくれたファンの方もいる。仙台からオンラインでお買い物して下さった方もいた。海外で何もできないけど、せめてみんなに元気を送りたい。

前出のKaiju Big Battelの「 Kaiju loves Japan」Tシャツ、なんとか来週末のタイムズ・スクエアでのショーに間に合いそう！このデザインの販売利益は全て日本国際交流センターを通し、Give Oneの東北関東大震災/緊急支援パッケージに寄付されます。とりあえず、初回生産の60枚を売り切ることが目標。たくさんのニューヨーカーに買ってもらい、ヨレヨレになるまで着てもらいたい。

ニューヨーク近郊にお住まいの方は是非ショーへ！

怪獣と一緒に、日本へ思いを届けられたら。

【Kaiju Big Battle Presents: "When Danger Comes to Town"】

日時：2011年4月9日（土）5時開場・7時開演

場所：B.B. King Blues Club & Grill,  237 West 42 St,  Manhattan,  NY. （地図）

チケット： $15.00 in advance, $18.00 day of show. All Ages Admitted.

More info: kaiju.com

なぜかいつもより早めの時間帯。
ゆっくり座って食事しながら観たい人にはブースもあるらしい。（チケット高いけど）
NYの人は結構知ってるみたいだし、どんなところか楽しみ。

.

Kaiju supports Japan

Concept design by Randy Borden and drawn by me.

Kaiju Big Battel is releasing a T-shirt design to raise fund to help those who are affected by the tragic Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami disaster. We are hoping the printing will get done and be ready for our upcoming show at B.B. King in Times Square on April 9th. 100% profit will proceed to  Earthquake Relief & Recovery Fund at Japan Center for International Exchange. More of you buy, more we can donate. Right now, we are thinking of making 60 shirts, and if there's any leftovers, we'll sell them online at our mall at kaiju.com. So please watch closely. The design may undergo some change or we might make two versions.

.

Sketch for a Hasbro game commercial

鳥つながりで、もう一つ。


去年主人が依頼された、玩具メーカーHasbro Inc.のゲームのコマーシャル撮影用衣装のスケッチ。いつもクライアントと主人の指示にしたがってスケッチを起こし、それをクライアントに提出、OKが出てから主人が衣装製作に入るという段取りを踏んでいます。


絵をゆっくりじっくり描くのは好きだけど素早く正確なものを描くのは苦手な主人、いつまでも一つの物に取り組むより短い時間に集中して、ささっと描き上げる方が得意な私は重宝みたいです。


鳥の顔の黒い部分が空気穴兼のぞき穴です。
視界も悪く、ゴムと汗のニオイが充満した着ぐるみの中に入る役者さんって本当に大変。これも向き不向きがあるのか、Kaiju Big Battelでも臭く暗いのが平気、かつ素顔をさらしているよりも着ぐるみに入った方がいつもの自分以上のキャラを発揮できるタイプの人が多い気がします。着ぐるみ役者、実はシャイな人が多いのかもしれません。

Used for a TV commercial for a game "Cosmic Chicken."

Two Valentine's Day cards

I managed to finish two designs for Valentine's Day this year. One for my online shop & the other for Randy's Kaiju Big Battel. It'll be available at the Creator's Co-Op, too, if you live in NYC area.

More I work with Photoshop, I realize it's a lot like printmaking process with all the layers. I haven't done much printmaking since I left school, but this process is sort of keeping me from forgetting how it works. Of course, real printmaking involves lots more physical process, but at least I'm practicing the mental side of it. Someday, I'd love to work in a printshop again if time and money allows me to.

Hoping these cards will mark the special occasion for lots of people!

Happy relationship!

I personally think the most crazy & strange people I met
are among those printmaking people.

Soon it is

New holiday design available at Creators' Co-Op!

The town is full of Christmasy stuff already, but don't forget this important holiday.

Also, Kaiju now has additional holiday card desgins as well.

Creators' Co-op this Saturday

I went to drop off some stands for my greeting cards today at the Creators' Co-op.

Kazuki quickly arranged my stuff on the stands and it looked great! Shop was looking cheerly with its orange walls and colorful products. I was surprised people were constantly coming in and out of this little shop - that's great.


Kili always has a nice time at the store, too. It's just really welcoming. Hope you make it there.

my cards at the entrance!

T-shirts - so far, "Mmm, Mmm, Bad!" is the #1 seller.

kaiju tote bags - one of a kind

The cards look happier sitting on the handmade stand:)

Randy's prints also for sale.

Kazuki with her creations.
She is the founder of this store, designer of babyNOIR & babySOLAIRE,
and mom of Kili's friend!

Gaetano with his women's clothing line Nero and Lume!

Store is looking full and good.

My favorite shot of our special little shop. It's just happy and cozy.

* * *

今日はお店に自分のグリーティング・カードを立てるスタンドを届けに行ってきました。（低予算というかノー予算なので、もちろん手作り）

思惑どおり、スタンドにアレンジされたカード達は、ただ平に置いてあった時よりも見やすく、手に取りやすい感じにもなってうふふなのでした。

お店では更に素敵なものが増えて、本当にいい感じ。

桐子もカリンちゃんとお店の人達に遊んでもらって、楽しいお出かけでした。

* * *

Store address:

26-16 23rd Ave,

Astoria, NY 11105

(917)751-8177

Hours:

W 12-7

Th - Sat 12-8

Sun 12-6

greeting cards for Creator's Co-op

Making cards for my friend Kazuki's shop in Astoria.
It's the first time my cards will be sold at an actual shop - really, really, excited!!

There'll be tons of unique handmade products like clothing, knits, jewelry, ceramics by local designers & artists including babyNOIR, Kazuki's children's clothing line, and some merchandise from Kaiju Big Battel. Happy I am a part of this.

If you live in NYC or happen to be in Astoria, please check out the shop!

shop address:

26-16 23rd Ave.

Astoria, NY 11105

Meet the artists at the opening reception:
Wine & Cheese Soiree

Friday, November 5th, 7pm - 9 pm 

new design for 2010