Jeff Soto w/Scribble DVD Bundle

Here is our latest email blast and special offer for books in celebration of Leap Year. Order Jeff Soto’s Storm Clouds with introduction by David Choe and receive the award winning fine art documentary Scribble.08 DVD for free. Check out a recent review of Storm Clouds. Order your book here.

Jeff Soto Storm Clouds on Urban Vinyl

Jeff Soto, Riverside’s favorite son, and inspirational artist has been busy creating limited edition silk screen prints in support of Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Black Keys and more. This week Jeff Soto and his book, “Storm Clouds” is featured on Urban Vinyl Daily written up by Travis. This Ohio based company loves to review great products and I am proud that they gave the book a big thumbs up.

And yes, this book originally came out in November of 2008, and there are a few copies left. Check out the review at Urban Vinyl Daily. Check out more Jeff Soto and limited edition books here. Read more: Interview, Art Basel feature. (Above, Rusty Swingset, featured in the Riverside Art Museum Retrospective in December 2008).

Murphy Design Holiday Book Sale

The spirit of holiday “thanks” is in the air and to celebrate a holiday book sale offering Jeff Soto and Ray Caesar limited editions, as well as one great Box-O-Books Package featuring over 125 artists in one great package. All orders will be packaged with extras.

Holiday Box-O-Books Sale
Now through the end of December receive one big box of books featuring Jeff Soto Storm Clouds, No Hope Zine, Martha Rich/Freedom Wigs (featured above), Mark Todd/SuperHero Zine, Tim Mantoani/Ultra Zine, Scribble.08 Fine Art Documentary DVD, Heaven and Hell featuring 58 artists and Dialogue featuring 68 artists bundled into one big box sent fedex ground service including extras. (Choose ordering options at end of post).

Heaven and Hell features 58 artists including the Clayton Brothers, Marc Burckhardt, Gary Taxali, Joe Sorren, Red Nose Studios, and much more. Dialogue features 68 artists including Ryan Wallace (cover), Cathie Bleck, Nathan Ota, Bob Dob, Jeff Soto and more. Both books are richly illustrated, and features thematic text by Anne Telford, Mark Murphy and all of the featured artists. Perfect for the inspired.

Jeff Soto’s “Storm Clouds” captures new painted territory that reveals visual cues—the well being of his family, the fragile condition of politics, the changing forces of nature and moments for personal exploration and experimentation. This hard cover volume features 154 pages, specialty printing techniques and over 264 high-quality, full color images.

Jeff Soto’s “No Hope Zine” is a soft cover mini book produced in full color and artist signed. Limited Edition of 1250, only a few remain.

Scribble.08 DVD Murphy Fine Art Films presents Scribble.08, a documentary film inspired by the art movement of southern California. Directed by author, artist, designer, Mark Murphy and produced by Ten Stories and Ninthlink, this 48-minute film features interviews with 8 significant artists of our time: Rob and Christian Clayton, Martha Rich, Jeff Soto, Joe Sorren, Tim Biskup, Camille Rose Garcia and Kevin Christy. The film chronicles the growth of these talented artists and, through candid interviews, relays compelling stories of their obstacles, triumphs and sources of inspiration.

Mark Todd, Mark Murphy, Joel Nakamura and Tim Mantoani deliver three NEW 24 page mini zines that are sure to inspire your inner artist—SuperHero—TaxMe—ULTRA. These handsome volumes are shipped as a complete collector’s set, printed on heavy cover stock, full color printing and measure 4 1/4" x 6."

Order Today!
Order yours Box-O-Books and take advantage of more than $80 in savings. All books, high quality, safely packaged and each order to feature unique extras shipped worldwide. United States Orders please order here. For all international orders, please order here. Looking for Ray Caesar and Jeff Soto limited edition Holiday sale, please click here.

Ray Caesar + Jeff Soto Limited and Standard Editions

This year has been full of challenges and unexpected delights. As I wonder, “Where did all of the time go this year?,” it makes me realize how thankful I am to do what I do. For those who know me, I am passionate about all forms of artistic expression, and LOVE the possibilities that living artists expose me to.

I am excited to share Jeff Soto’s and Ray Caesar’s limited edition and standard edition book volumes. (Above, Jeff Soto, Potato Stamp Dreams with one-of-a-kind, embossed box packaging—10 books recently discovered—$125 US customers order here, International customers order here).


This installment is a celebration of the arrival (one more week) of Ray Caesar’s first artistic collection and Jeff Soto’s second installment, “Storm Clouds.” Both artist monographs are tributes to an on going archive of creative pursuit and artistic discovery. Ray and Jeff, although completely different artists, provide the viewer with an evolutionary, yet deeply personal, process of creativity that will continually challenge, evolve and push us through unfamiliar territory.


Jeff Soto’s, second installment, “Storm Clouds,” feature paintings that evolve beyond the robotic characters featured in the sold out, “Potato Stamp Dreams.” “Storm Clouds” captures new painted territory that record Jeff’s concerns for the well being of his family, the fragile condition of politics, the changing forces of nature and moments for personal exploration and experimentation. This hard cover volume features 154 pages, specialty printing techniques and over 264 high-quality, full color images.

Introductory text provided by David Choe (X –rated, that’s how we like it), Peter Frank (Senior Curator of Riverside Art Museum), Jeff Soto and Mark Murphy. Riverside Art Museum and the James Irvine Foundation provided initial support, as they will be featuring Jeff in his first museum show in December. (Above, Jeff Soto, NO Hope Zine and sample spreads). (Signed and numbered limited edition prints and packaging detailed below—150 signed and numbered editions).

Jeff Soto Storm Clouds Limited Edition Package
“Storm Clouds” will also be available in a special collector’s package that features a one-of-a-kind clam shell box with debossing, full color label and a signed and numbered print set of 4 that features a cover sheet and certificate of authenticity, packaged up in a protective envelope. And yes, the book will be signed and numbered to match the fine art edition of the prints, as well.


Jeff Soto Standard Edition
Jeff Soto “Storm Clouds” : 8” x 10” : Portrait Size : Hard Cover : 154 Pages : ISBN 0-9771430-8-2 : $41.00 (Holiday sale price $30, United States Customers order here, International Customers order here).


Jeff Soto “Storm Clouds” Fine Art Edition includes :
+ 1 Clam Shell Box : 11” x 8 ¾” x 1 ½”
+ 1 Signed and Numbered “Storm Clouds,” 4 Archival Lithograph Prints “Water, Air, Fire, Earth,” 7” x 9” printed 5 color + Deboss
+ 1 Collector Card Print Cover Sheet, 7” x 9”
+ 1 Certificate of Authenticity, all measure 7” x 9” and will be packaged in one envelope.
+ This edition is limited to a 150 quantity.

+ Includes Scribble.08 DVD Documentary featuring Jeff Soto interview

+ Features artist signed, NO Hope Zine
+ The entire package will be carefully packed and protected by a custom corrugated box :

Holiday Promotion Sale offers savings of $50. United States customers order here and international customers order here.

Ray Caesar’s book opens to a world that will defy your imagination begging you to explore the rich detail presented on each art page. “On the turn of every page you will experience a world where art captures dreams for those who do not remember how to sleep away life’s untimely circumstances…Ray Caesar is a dream catcher who recreates personal visions of other worldly creatures that visit him in every day life.” Order standard edition with collector cards. (Almost sold out).


Ray’s first assemblage is the result of a considerate collaboration, where design compliments vision, and high-quality craft delivers an extra sensory volume that features sketches, process studies, and over 250 full-color images. This is a premier release and the first collection of Ray’s work.

Ray shares his approach to developing images, his personal story of evolution and has created many new pieces, specifically for the book, recently featured at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery in NY. Ray’s process is offered in an evolution of images that capture a complete representation of a true master in a medium that has endless potential.



You will be happy to know that this first edition of “Ray Caesar Art Collection” features a 6 collector card set packaged in an envelope and shrink wrapped to the back of the book. The collector card set features digital paintings from the series “Mourning Glory.” This limited edition offering is a way for Ray and I to say “thank you” for the patient understanding that went into the development of this book. Please note this will only be available for the first edition printing.


Ray Caesar Limited Edition book package

For the avid book collector or huge fan of Ray Caesar’s work, the limited edition is a fine art package that delivers high-quality excellence. A black cloth clam shell box that features deboss on front and spine, as well as a 4 color lithograph label will offer a handsome package to the Ray Caesar limited edition book. The limited edition book will feature a black cloth cover that features a deboss design on front cover and spine, as well as a 4 color lithograph label on the front. All books will be signed and numbered in an edition of 500 and will include a certificate of authenticity, and 7 7/8” x 10” print of “Mourning Glory.”


“Mourning Glory” was created specifically for the book and will not be available in a giclee print at future gallery exhibitions. This 7 color print has been printed using the stochastic printing process, where there is no printed dot, there are printed squares that weave the image seamlessly and with no dot quality. This is a high standard printing process that will offer unmatched archival quality, displaying a print that jumps off the paper. “Mourning Glory” also features a deboss design and satin gloss varnish finish and printing.


Ray Caesar Regular Edition
“Ray Caesar Art Collection”: 8 ¼” x 10 ¾” : Portrait Size : Printed Hard Cover : 178 Pages :
First Edition includes 6 Collector Cards : 3 ¼” x 4 ¾” : ISBN 0-978032-X-X : $52.00

Order standard edition with collector cards. (Almost sold out).


Limited Edition : “Ray Caesar Art Collection” Fine Art Edition includes :
+ 1 “Ray Caesar Art Collection” 8 ¼” x 10 ¾” : Portrait Size : Printed Hard Cover : 178 Pages :
+ 1 Black Cloth Clam Shell Box : 11 ¾” x 9 ¼” x 1 7/16”
+ 1 “Mourning Glory” 7 7/8” x 10” stochastic 7 color print and deboss and artist signed/numbered.
+ 1 Limited Edition Certificate of Authenticity featuring stochastic 7 color printing packaged in one envelope.
+ 6 “Mourning Glory” Collector Cards : 3 ¼” x 4 ¾” packaged in one envelope
+ This edition is limited to a 500 quantity.
+ The entire package will be carefully packed and protected by a custom corrugated box : All shipments will be priority shipped via FedEx Ground :

Holiday Promotion Sale offers savings of $100. United States customers order here and international customers order here.

Kind thanks to Ray Caesar and Jeff Soto for sharing their artistic vision and offering much needed inspiration.

Baby Tattooville on Parade 2011

The story begins on Wednesday of last week, frenetic cyber communications received for required copy, images and shout outs. Frenzied requests garnered from Ragnar (cover), Mark Berry (photographs) and Bob Self (copy voice) to put together a 72 page commemorative book for this year’s Baby Tattooville On Parade.

Thursday morning, drop off at 9:30AM with the final design and production printed by Neyenesch Printers in San Diego. Friday arrives and they deliver the goods by 5PM. I picked up the books and hit the road, driving to the Mission Inn in Riverside.

The Mission Inn is a crucial character in Baby Tattoo Land, a didactic assembly made up of 50 collectors, 27 artists and 25 contributors. There is no other place like it—secret labyrinths, a maze of assembly halls designed within a architectural castle of sorts, comparable to an Elizabethan period film or goth-inspired vampire movie.

Baby Tattooville, creatively assembled by masterminded by Bob Self, is a unitarian call that assembles an interesting assortment of characters together for 3 days. Everyone that attends carries with them the anticipation of connecting with fellow collectors, friends and great artists. Well, let’s just say you never know what’s in store, as year after year mischievous musings overwhelm the senses.

Bob Self describes, “Baby Tattooville is the annual meeting of a secret society of contemporary artists and passionate art enthusiasts. Baby Tattooville’s intimate and immersive atmosphere provides an opportunity for select members of the contemporary art community to spend the weekend participating in both scheduled and spontaneous activities that result in the creation and celebration of art.” (Jeff Soto and KRK Ryden).

“You get the picture?” Artists included Riverside mayoral candidate Jeff Soto, soon to be Europe bound Lola Gill, beach cruisers Bob Dob and Brandi Milne, New York’s Travis Louie, Tara McPherson, James Gurney, Molly Crabapple, Ron English and soon to be transplanted to NY Buff Monster, Southern Cali artists Van Arno, Ana Bagayan, Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, Luke Chueh, Coop, Michael Hussar, Gris Grimley, KMNDZ, KRK Ryden, Shag, Amy Sol, William Stout, Yoskay Yamamoto, naked rock star Anthony Ausgang, a chipper Frank Kozik, recent Mom Liz McGrath, and the bent over Osama comic drawer Johnny Ryan.

Baby Tattooville kicked off around 5PM on Friday welcoming the 5^th Annual “Art Jam.” The “Art Jam” is a painted collaboration shared between all featured artists. This year’s painting was rocking. As an onlooker you become mesmerized. The painting changes about every 30 minutes, and a true jam session to completion. I rolled in around 9:30PM on Friday night and Jeff Soto and Frank Kozik were laying in the rough areas on the painting for other artists to add their iconic flavor.

Saturday night featured the Riverside Art Museum installation, “Baby Tattooville on Parade” featuring the history of all of the artists featured at Baby Tattooville over the past 5 years. “Baby Tattooville On Parade presents a collection of strange, fun art. The exhibition is loosely themed around the concept of The Marketplace of Ideas which suggests that freedom of expression is analogous to a free market economy —where open competition produces desirable results.” Later that night, guests, numbered 1—50, participated in a bean bag, knock-em down, Circus Punk toss to try to win their favorite shaggy art piece. (Circus Punk customs, above, below—Ron English and Robert Williams).

Michael Hussar’s room has doubled as a photographic memoir to the odalisque and good time binge. Sunday marked the final day to borrow the Las Vegas mantra, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” Onward to year six. Rockin. (Recap of Baby Tattooville year 4 here).

Twenty Years of Design and Counting

Back in 1986, I told a fib about my age to a marketing firm that specialized in outdoor advertising for lawn tractors and mowers. Of course, I found myself chained to a drawing board assisting a too cool for school design team with illustrations and camera ready art work wet with chemicals from the dark room. It was a real portfolio burner, nothing to show at the end of my tenure, however it evolved my technical skills and taught me to hunger for something more.

In 1991, I launched Murphy Design with the notion of collaborating with clients who love a careful eye for detail. Thankfully, many great clients shared in this passion: Brandon Boyd (Incubus), Green Day (Logan Hicks), French Paper Co., Appleton, American Express, Hanna-Barbera, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Laguna Museum of Art and inspired fine artists—the Clayton Brothers, Jeff Soto, Ray Caesar, Tim Mantoani and so many more.

Twenty years later, I feel like—“I’m just getting started.” Over the next few months you will see design and branding projects evolve for Guru Tattoo, yourBuddhi.com, Harmony Yoga, Clint Eastwood, Mindy Solomon Gallery, Tim Mantoani Photography and Baby Tattoo Books.

Also, I am working on a digital book of sorts to celebrate Twenty Years as a designer and owner of Murphy Design. A book that will highlight over 32 books and life defining collaborations with over 1000 artists from around the world. Stay tuned and know that I am always looking for folks who share the love for details.