Hey, dickhead!

Dick Head by Dickcherry
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A rockin', crazy and hilarious character decorates today's featured skateboard! It's one of the true gems you'll find in Dickcherry's store, created by an artist whose artwork and illustrations help form the current zeitgeist. His work has been used by Pixar, Tinsley Studios and countless rock musicians. Browse his store and you'll know why: his imagination runs amok, powered by his great talent.

Bent 8 by Dickcherry
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Dickcherry's use of color is impressive but I fell in love with this black and white poster. Check him out and I'm sure you too will find something to get excited about!

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Headaches in Yorkshire

Yorkshire Monster by BenFellowes
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Does Yorkshire really hide a three headed monster like this hairy, improbable creature on the shirt above? Is it so big and funny as this great cartoon by Ben Fellowes? I've never been there, so the answer eludes me, but I've been to Ben's store and I can testify that his artwork is amazing. Wild, humorous, grotesque, scary, gritty designs that look great on t-shirts and posters.

Headache by BenFellowes

Just look at the strength he puts in just one color! The expressive Headache design may well be my favorite, but there's many more where these beauties came from.

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Toons surreal

Scary by moistproduction
Browse Face T-Shirts

This may be the best black t-shirt I've seen in quite a while! It's so deceptively simple it makes you think you could design it yourself. Well... you couldn't! It's one of the tricks the talented Jason Freeny of Moist Production pulls on people: he makes it look easy. The fact is that it takes a crazy genius to design these surreal cartoons with Jason's clean and minimal style.

the bomb wht by moistproduction
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Humor, strange concepts and good graphic design are the key elements of his work. Oh, and this elusive simplicity, of course... This is a real case of "you'll miss if you don't check this out" store.

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Pop shoes

Darlene by jiveafro

Let's welcome spring with a pair of delicious pop art shoes! I'm talking about PRO-Keds Royal Hi sneakers, with a light, tritone design of a retro girl's head (Scooby-Doo's brunette comes to mind!), happily splashing the white canvas. You get the feeling that walking in these would bring a smile to your face!
This bubblegum pop delight comes from the talented hands of Jon Griffin -and it sure feels nice to revisit his store and see that he always keeps it fresh and interesting!

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Heavy metal and clients from hell

Old Metal Fan by tuomasikonen

The designs and illustrations of Tuomas Ikonen have a quality I really admire. Apart from being gorgeous, they seem to embrace the product they are applied to. Many times I come upon interesting artwork that seems to be thrown upon stuff, while Tuomas's work uses carefully the format of each product. Hence, his creations -like this iPad case with the old metalhead listening to Slayer!- have a distinct personality and character.

The Client is Always Right by tuomasikonen

In is hands, the well-known motto about the client always being right (a nightmare for every freelancer and merchant alive, if you ask me...) becomes a wonderfully conceived poster of humorous satire. There are great things to be found in his small but beautiful artsproject store.

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Mutant ideas

Emek "No Genetically Modfied FOOOD" shirt by AP_Emek
Make customized tshirts at zazzle

Attention to detail, exquisite craftsmanship and, most of all, the ability to transform the political into art makes Emek one of the most talented artists around. I love this surreal corn fish (a design against genetically modified food) and his incredible phonoskull, but his store is full of equally amazing artwork.

emek_phonoskull_zazzle by AP_Emek
Make your own bag at zazzle

Emek has worked with Radiohead, Tool, System of a Dawn, Neil Young and Henry Rollins (amongst many others), has been interviewed and featured countless times and i"m almost ashamed that I just descovered about his artsproject/zazzle store.

Emek "Peace" by AP_Emek
design own skateboard at Zazzle" skateboards online at Zazzle

His strong, smart imagery can get addictive! Take a look at his store and then go check his site, www.emek.net, for his fabulous poster work which -alas!- is not offered in his zazzle shop.

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Sexy mug

25. vanitas by jeanzapata
Create a Travel mug on zazzle

Every time you take a sip from this mug this voluptuous comic book beauty will be watching you. Not a bad deal, especially considering that she is made only of black lines on a black and red background. What perplexes me -and makes it more interesting- is that the artist (the talented Jean Zapata) named it vanitas, which is an artistic shorthand for the meaninglessness of earthly life and vanity.
So, what we have here is a killer brunette as a symbol of the certainty of death... Not a bad combination of elements, don't you think?

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Crash test drinking and cow abductees

Drink Test Dummy by paintingmaniac
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A crash test dummy drinks it off in a bar, while a duck solemnly watches. Is this an unusual painting to put on an iPad case? It may be, and it makes me like it all the more because of this. It has an eerie, surreal mood -and I just love the painted palm trees in the bar stool!
Welcome to the wonderful, strange world of Leah Saulnier, an extraordinary artist with a keen eye for weird themes that mix dreamlike situations with a subtle sense of humor. Her colors are astonishing and the concepts she comes up with, make me jealous!

Alien Transport System by paintingmaniac
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The alien school bus abducting a cow is another one of my (many) favorites of her amazing store. When it comes to creating beauty from over the top ideas, she's the absolute queen of the show. Let's not forget that she created one of my favorite 2011 calendars as well -behold the link below. Leah, you rule!

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The yeti and the whale

Lionel and the Whale by ZosiaO
Browse Artsprojekt Mousepads

My surreality sensors are about to explode in front of this mouse pad. Lionel the Lion-faced boy (a two-headed Chewbacca look-alike) stands under a jumping whale. The duo is pictured in front of London's Hammersmith Bridge -plus a red background. Folks... you have to see this.
It's one of Zosia Olenska's artworks and, boy, is she unexpected or what! Her themes include peacock mutants, sea foxes, guts and all sorts of crazy stuff that make eccentric people like me happy! Way to go, Zosia!

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Grim Reaper, upgraded

Reaper 3.0 by ShazJustice
Browse Zazzle for another teezazzle.com

With strange aeons even death may get up-to-date. Shaz Justice sees to it and offers this ringer shirt with a darkly humorous cartoon of a new and improved Charon. The design belongs to her "Lighter side of Dark" series: gothic art that doesn't take itself too seriously and brings a smile to your face.
Her characters range from cute to hilarious -or both, as this Reaper 3.0 comes to prove. I just love his golden scull necklace, and I can't help but noticing the downsizing that took place, considering that the traditional Reaper was depicted as much taller. It looks like Death jumped on the "efficiency and sustainability" bandwagon!

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Women, ancient and modern

The Light Keeper by Paty_Vidour
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I love the lines in the art of argentine Patricia Vidour.
I love their intricacy and power, their ability to create a new world. Paty paints women and expresses all
aspects of femininity with themes that transgress ages and eras.

Mayan Queen by Paty_Vidour
Design your shirt at zazzle

My personal favorite is this stunning Mayan queen. There is a certain pose, a sense of ritual that I find irresistible.

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Mildred on a ski mask

Mildred by mildred
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Have you ever considered your torso as a face with a ski mask? This trippy t-shirt by Mildred gives a new meaning to the eyes without a face concept. Eccentric, surreal, unexpectedly funny... A talented artist offering just what the doctor ordered!
I also liked Mildred's blog and you may like it too.

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Nude and raw

the twins two by markmellon
Browse Artsprojekt Cards

Great artwork from Mark Mellon in the small format of a greeting card. A watercolor of a nude woman, made in bold strokes and the vividness of black, white and red. I love the red mark on her solar plexus.

the beginning by markmellon
View more Artsprojekt Posters

Mark's art is unexpected, strange and raw. It leaves a taste of instinct and urgency. Go check him out: you'll be surprised!

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Afro-Cthulhu disturbing peace

AfroThullu by JohnJenn70
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This is a truly unprecedented Cthulhu reference! John Jennings summoned his great talent and came up with a remarkable afro cthulhoid -while avoiding the hideous "cute Cthulhu" rubbish that plagues the web. Strange, funny and powerful art, true to the artist's strong and gritty style.
Let's have a look at another goody from his store:

415blue by JohnJenn70
make your own custom t-shirt at zazzle

This one pays homage to James Baldwin and it's a shirt that tells the truth. Visit JohnJenn70 on zazzle and discover more artful, disturbing truths.
[John has an excellent blog on  Afro-American comics, art and culture called Black Comix. Don't miss out on that!]

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Still rock'n'roll to me

coolpunk by urbancowboy
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Hot funk, cool punk, even if it's old junk, you have to like it, provided you are a rock'n'roll kind of person. And if you are, then this great collage from Urban Cowboy is just right for you. Cool design, fresh imagery and a statement about your favorite music. Nice way to start the day -I say!

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Haunting femininity

Fantasma Femenina by Rfarrelldesign
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Vintage beauty? Check. Christian imagery? Check. Tattooed lady? Check. Luchador mask? Check. Weird mood that combines goth with surrealism? Check.
This ingenious design (created by Ross Farrel and found at Ross Farrel Design) makes a fabulous burnout t-shirt and showcases Ross's talent and imagination. He is a true master of splendidly executed weird ideas. Go check him out!

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Long live the king

King Shirt by dkngstudios
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Pure black and white inventiveness on a shirt! A simple, clean design from Dan Kuhlken and Nathan Goldman of DKNG Studios, that combines the timeless elegance of playing card aesthetics with a rockin' idea.
They say that one of the names proposed for this one was King of Clubs: not bad at all. What pops into my mind when I see this is Elvis on his Vegas days!

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The one (or, maybe, two!) that got away

URANIA 2011 NEXT Calendar by FrancoBrambilla
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This is a superb addition to the recent Top 15 Zazzle Calendars for 2011 post. I wish I had seen it earlier but it's never too late for presenting great artwork. The Urania 2011 Calendar is full of Franco Brambilla's science fiction illustrations and, man, is he great!
Franco is an Italian illustrator and founder of Airstudio creativity lab, with a rampant imagination and incredible skill. Don't miss his store or you'll miss out on stuff as astonishing as this:

2011 Invading The Vintage by FrancoBrambilla
Make your own calendars at Zazzle

His Invading the Vintage series is based on the idea of aliens invading vintage postcards. And it's very, very good!

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Top 15 Zazzle Calendars for 2011

You got that right folks! These are the best calendars in the whole zazzledom , according to Surreality Watch. Yes, it's a subjective list and, yes, your favorite may be left out but that's how it goes.
I should note that the items of this list are in random order. They are all winners, anyway! So, here it goes:

(1)

Playroom_Nightmare[1], Playroom Nightmare, 2011... by paintingmaniac

This includes fourteen of Leah Saulnier's surrealistic and playful paintings. She is absolutely great!

(2)

CHERNOBYL 2011 EN by SPERRZONE

An eerie, ominous collection of photographs from Chernobyl. Industrial archeology by SPERRZONNE.

(3)

Silent Ghost 2010/2011 Calendar by chimaerastudios

A comic book calendar from Chimaera Studios.

(4)

In the Year 2011 by lizwiil

A surreal-pop calendar featuring Lizwiil's unique art.

(5)

MID-CENTURY BOOGIE 2011 calendar by LiliChin

A trip through furniture design's finest moments (plus a Boston terrier!) as proposed by Lili Chin's Boogie Wonderland.

(6)

Surrealism art calendar 2011 monthly wall calendar by artsgrie

Fantasy meets surrealism in George Grie's magnificent landscapes.

(7)

GRAFFITI 2011 by EMangl

Graffiti and urban art through the lens of Emangl.

(8)

Skeleton Calendar 2011 - Antikamnia - Crucius by VintageCabaret

Vintage, 19th century artwork with the skeleton characters of Luis Crucius. Found in Vintage Cabaret.

(9)

Dinosaurs Conquering 2011 by tyskkvinna

Fun micro-photography with dinosaurs roaming the Earth, by Lis Bokt.

(10)

The Kitsch Bitsch : Living Retro 2011 Calendar by kitschbitsch

Colorful, kitschy retro fun from Kitsch Bitsch.

(11)

arteology 2011 by arteology

Hand drawing and digital art in this unusual calendar by Gregory Gallo's Arteology.

(12)

Observations From The Urban Landscape 2011 Calenda by DeborahJulianArt

City life and photography. Nice work by Deborah Julian.

(13)

Workers United 2011 calendar by patrimonio by patrimonio

Patrimonio's tribute to the working life, with illustrations in the old propaganda-poster style.

(14)

Casey Shannon Studio~ 2011 Calendar by CaseyStudio

A collection of Casey Shannon's ink paintings. Tender sumi-e!

(15)

2011 Black & White Photography Calendar by RocklawnArts

Wonderful black and white photography by Claire E. Skinner's Rocklawn Arts.


[Did you like this list? Comment your heart away and tell me what you think!] 

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