Mallrats 25th: Anniversary Stinkplam Edition

 

When I first read the prompt for Gallery 1988’s ‘Mallrats 25^th Anniversary Show’, I was perplexed as to how I was going to tackle one of my all time favorite movies by legendary writer and director, Kevin Smith.

It spoke to me generationaly, as I was a late 90’s teen, and used to visit the local mall in my city regularly.

It has one of the most varied cast members, with careers spanning from film to television (like Priscilla Barnes, Shannon Doherty, Ben Affleck, and even comic book legend Stan Lee).

 

My goal for this project was to do something functional.

So much art is hung on walls to collect dust, so I wanted to create something that people could use.

My initial idea was to do a board game, and it wasn’t a very original concept, but I decided to pursue it hoping inspiration would carry me through.

I watched the film, gathered reference, and my idea started to take form.

I began sketching the mall layout, and wanted to configure it in the most genuine way possible.

I wanted to include all the ‘details’, but also wanted to adhere to the films continuity of events.

I researched game boards, and settled on a hybrid version of ‘Candyland’, and ‘Chutes and Ladders’, from my childhood.

Once I had a layout, I realized that my desire to maintain the continuity, and design were in conflict.

That’s when I had a new idea.

 

Cards.

What about a card game instead of board game?

I knew it needed to be simple, but also had a desire to base it off of the game Uno.

It was one of my childhood favorites.

I continued to mull over the concept, when it just clicked.

Simple, childhood, card game…what about ‘Old Maid’?

I LOVED the game as a child, and it also had illustrations of different characters, which I could substitute with actors from the film.

I also realized I could use the ‘stinkpalm’, from the film as my ‘Old Maid’.

Thus ‘Mallrats: 25^th Anniversary Stinkplam Edition’ was born.

I started by listing all the major, and even minor roles in the film, as the cast while varied, wasn’t large in number.

I did my best to capture all the amazing actors in the film, and if I left any out, I apologize, but the clock was ticking.

I set about gathering some templates from the websites of many card game printers, looked for ‘standard sizes’ to utilize for my design.

I also needed a way to ‘frame’ my illustrations on the cards.

The characters were going to be different, but they needed to match in some way.

I thought about the Uno cards, and what drew me to them as my initial design concept.

They were colorful, and had different shapes.

I then determined, that I could frame each illustration within a collage of shapes, some organic, and others more abstract.

I also wanted to make ‘connections’ between some of the characters in the film, since it was essentially a love story. 

I concluded, that I could flip the designs I was using to frame the illustrations, and change their color based on the characters ‘personality’ depicted in the film.

I spent several days working on the illustrations, and struggled to capture their likeness, as well as the actor’s nuanced performance.

I also included a few ‘Easter Eggs’, in each illustration that pertained to the story, or that character’s role.

Eventually I somehow managed to finish all the images in record time (for me).

There was still something missing from the finished designs though.

Now the film, while loosely a love story, has also been injected with Smith’s love of comic books, and, as mentioned earlier, even has a cameo from Stan Lee himself.

With this in mind, I did a bit of experimenting with the images.

I didn’t want to alter the illustrations any further, so instead I opted to adjust the framing shapes they live within.

I ran a textured brush over the colored frames that mimicked the ‘Ben-Day Dots’, from comics of yore.

Fully satisfied, I was ready to proof the images before sending them to a printer.

After a few batches of proofs, and some OCD level editing in Photoshop, I was ready to locate a printer, preferably one who did high quality work.

I wanted to make sure these things were pristine.

That’s when I recalled a conversation with another artist, who recommended (although not used personally), a printer (Shuffled Ink), who specialized in card games.

With my deadline looming, I contacted Shuffled Ink, asking if they could meet my fast approaching deadline.

 

 

Thankfully they were able to accommodate me, and I got them just in time for the show.

The work they did was amazing, and I was so proud of myself for accomplishing this feat.

Why?

Full disclosure:

I was not familiar with the process of printing cards, as I have experience dealing primarily in prints…this gave me anxiety.

I didn’t know anyone with experience designing/printing cards, and that gave me anxiety.

I had very little time before the work was due at the gallery, and this gave me anxiety.

I got ambitious, and frantically worked myself to the bone, which also gave me, yup...anxiety.

It was a mental and sometimes physical struggle, hence the anxiety, and extreme neck pain as a result.

Despite all of this, it was worth it.

Why?

It was a success.

 

 

I was really excited about this show, as there were whispers during the initial planning stages that Kevin Smith himself, was going to be present at the opening.

The physical opening, however, was cancelled because of the pandemic. 

I’ll be honest, I pretty bummed, especially since I was really looking forward to possibly snapping a selfie with Kevin, as he’s been known to be a really cool guy.

I always miss him at any conventions I attend, since I’m typically table bound, so I can never do the meet and greets.

That being said, Kevin is a real hero, and did not disappoint his fans.

The gallery sent out an email letting the contributors know, that the show was going to be physically installed, and they were planning an Instagram Live feed of the reception with Kevin himself.

Each piece in the show was introduced to Kevin, and it was really great to see the person who inspired your work, appreciate it in person.

That was a real gift.

 

This project is also the first one I have ever completed, solely on my iPad, in Procreate.

The illustrations are entirely digital, with some editing done in Photoshop during the printing process.

 

 

The show originally ran at Gallery 1988 from September 25^th – October 10^th 2020, my cards, along with the rest of the shows collaborative pieces, are all featured on the gallery’s website.

 

For more information, or to see a catalog of my other work, please visit my online store here.

You can also find me on various social media platforms below doing a multitude of other artistic things that include hand lettering, and the occasional sculpting/crafting.

IG:  stiles1978

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Twitter:  paragonofpuns

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