2015 started off hot, with several art shows, The Avengers video, and top of the line canvases. So, it’s about that time we recap the 15 best (no 25 this time due to the multi-month hiatus I took) paintings from 2015, and you can bet it is loaded with Avengers and 5L series canvases. Enjoy!
15. “Death By Stormtrooper”
Simplicity is key right? Well, this “simple” canvas was one of my personal favorites from 2015. The 9x12 canvas was inspired by the release of both the new Star Wars movie, and the new EA & DICE video game, Star Wars: Battlefront. Done at the very end of the year, this bad boy snuck right into the top 15. Still for sale if anyone wants.
14. “Super Bowl XLIX Scoreboard” (in collaboration w/ Reph)
I mean, not trying to be bias or anything, but my Pats taking down the then-defending champs definitely adds some spice to this canvas. The 12x12 (each side) double piece features the colors of both Super Bowl teams, with a 5-layered Lombardi trophy in the middle, displaying the final score. Fan or not, the idea was definitely sick. Too bad that “Super Bowl Tribute” video never saw daylight :(
Done for a good friend of mine, who is an aspiring actor, I had to make sure I gave it my all. The 11x14 canvas feature a golden vignette with a triple-layered Leonardo DiCaprio. This was part of the “Vacation” series that dropped in late-July. Leo may have never won an Oscar, but at least he made it to our Top 15, right?
12. “ZUUUUUUUUC” (in collaboration w/ Reph)
Man, what a tough loss for my Rangers against Tampa in the Eastern Conference Final. It still hurts to see them lose that series, especially after losing in the Final the year before. But, regardless of their flaws, my favorite player, Mats Zuccarello, makes the cut. This “5L Series” double piece was for a huge female Ranger superfan. Now lets just hope 2016 brings the Rangers back to the Cup.
11. “Nas: Hold Down the Block” (in collaboration w/ Reph)
Not much to say about this canvas, but as I said with the Stormtrooper canvas earlier, simplicity sure is key. The desert-like background certainly adding additional flavor to the painting, making the Nas stencil pop. The canvas features motivational lyrics from the song “Hold Down the Block”, but just misses the top 10.
Another “Vacation” series piece, this Louboutin 11x14 canvas is our first entry into the top 10. Known for their red bottomed heels, Louboutin is every girl’s prized possession, and seemed to be a hit with our customers. The original canvas was remade twice (almost thrice), and triggered orders for Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. pieces. Fancy.
Made for FAME-affiliate iLa, this canvas is currently hanging in Deadlife’s official studio. Local artist supporting local artists, this custom canvas cracks the top 10 due to it’s insane looking logo which certainly pops with the graffiti. You could check the clothing/music brand hailing from Shaolin here: deadlifenyc.com, buy some merch!
8. “Superman Original Comic”
Part of the “5L Series”, this comic book inspired piece, is certainly one of my favorites, mainly because of that bold SUPERMAN text in the top left. This canvas has some meaning to it as well, as this was done for one of my friends who needed a favor. As a personal trainer, he was late to one of his clients, and almost lost him. As an apology, he handed him this, as Superman is his favorite superhero growing up. Lets just say, he got his client back. You’re welcome!
7. “Tony Stark” (in collaboration w/ Reph)
Ahhhh, the first of 3 Avengers canvases to make the cut. Displayed as the feature canvas for Nick DiNizio’s Avengers Tribute video, this OBEY x Obama inspired piece, was a fan favorite from this collection. Although often criticized for it’s graffiti styled writing, Mr. Stark was still a hit, so much that my sister pretty much took it for her birthday and his hanging in her room. Guess that’s a good thing, as I can see it whenever I want in person.
6. “The Captain” (in collaboration w/ Reph)
Got the whole top going back to baaaack. Okay, sorry, I won’t quote Drake anymore, but back to back Avengers canvases on the top 15 got me a little excited. This is one of my favorite because of the concept. Painting Captain America’s shield, and then spraying over a cut-out of his silhouette in black, this 11x14 guy sold instantly. Almost scratched from the video, this piece got put on life support after spraying some back-spray to the bottom and adding some drips. Drips cures everything.
5. “Raekwon” (in collaboration w/ Reph)
Reposted by Raekwon himself, this canvas cracks the top 5 due to it’s grimey, graffiti-esque appearance. Avoiding the typical “black and white” layered stencils, Reph & I subbed out the grey color for yellow, and it blended it perfectly. This canvas currently travels with Reph to various hip-hop shows with its Method Man counterpart.
Made curing my comeback phase, this was the second Joker canvas (for the same person) and totally blew it’s Jack Nicholson brother out of the water. Portrayed by Cesar Romero, the original Clown Prince of Crime met the modern day appearance on this one. It’s only time until I complete the set with Heath Ledger and Jared Leto Jokers now.
3. “8-Bit Super Mario Bros.”
Just missing the cut for the Top 25 of 2015 due to being completed right after I posted that feature here, it finds a home as our third-place winner. Bringing a funky abstract feel to Mario’s 8-Bit world, this giant 36x24 canvas still holds a special place in my heart. Being the first canvas of 2015, it is surprising that it still ousted all these amazing paintings. Fun fact though, this was done for a manager at Chili’s, which scored me comped food for a year. I’m still working off those fajitas today...
Another basic canvas, this black and white piece, pops due to good ol’ Frank Sinatra’s baby blue eyes. I loved it so much that I remade it for myself, but eventually gave it away to an actual Sinatra fan. Classic.
1. “Hulk Comic” (in collaboration w/ Reph)
And without further-ado, your #1 canvas from 2015 is... oh, no surprise, another Avengers piece. The 5th piece to the Avengers collection was actually never in the Avengers video. Replacing it’s “Hulk Smash” counterpart, the 18x24 vibrant green canvas, comes in at #1 for one simple reason: It’s the f**king Hulk man. Smashing through it’s colleagues on the countdown, this was a normal green-abstract canvas, with Hulk’s face painted over it, to look like a comic book. The canvas also had a remake due to the original being given to Niz for bringing the Avengers video to life.
