June 23rd, 2015
Hello!  Summer is here, and I've been spending a lot of time at the studio making new things.  Mike Gordon of Phish recently played a show in Buffalo, NY and I did the poster (to the left).  For this poster, I tried printing with a totally different kind of ink.  I was really pleased with the results, and I think I'm going to be switching brands.  The color is much denser, and it was a lot easier to get the transparent colors to do what I wanted them to do.  In person, the black is slick and glossy looking.  Pretty rad.
I also had the great pleasure of working on a poster for Ben Folds' benefit concert last month for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
I was contacted by a violin workshop here in Chicago to make a promotional poster.  I worked quite a bit larger than I normally do, doing various illustrations based on snapshots I took while visiting the workshop.
All three new prints will be available today, June 23rd at 1 PM CST. Check them out in the store at www.justinsantora.com.

Chicago arts nonprofit IPaintMyMind will be hosting WAYWARD, an exhibition of my recent screen printed work.  It will feature recent art prints, posters, and even a few original drawings.  It will also be here that we debut a few brand new prints, including a special release just for this show.
We are still in the early stages of promoting the show, but here is some basic information: Opening reception at IPainMyMind Gallery @ Green Exchange 2545 W. Diversey ave. Chicago, IL on July 23rd, 2015.  If you're on facebook, here's an event invitation.  More information and previews to come!

May 7th, 2015
While it's great working with bands and galleries, sometimes you just have to change things up a bit.  It has been my pleasure to have recently done some illustration work for the internet's favorite cat, Lil Bub.  I worked with Lil Bub and her dude to bring you this official BUB screen print.  Portions of the proceeds from each print sold will be donated directly to Lil BUB's Big Fund for the ASPCA, a charity that focuses specifically on animals with special needs.

These are six color screen prints, 18x24", signed/numbered edition of 240.  $25 each
They will be available tomorrow (May 8th) in my store.

If for some reason you are unfamiliar with Lil Bub, she's a unique cat with feline dwarfism and is probably the most renowned celebrity cat, as well as one who has used her popularity to raise several thousands of dollars for animal charities and shelters far and wide.  Her adorable internet presence brings many people joy every day, and I am proud to be working with her on this very special print release.

UPDATE: We raised over $1200 for Lil BUB's Big FUND!

I Ate Too Much at the Chicago Diner (again).

At the beginning of this year, I moved into a new studio space with my friends Landland and Never Sleeping.  We have been working tirelessly to get everything organized and set up (mostly so we can all get back to the drawing and printing we all have to do).  Everything will have a proper place, and we are doing our best to maximize every square inch of space here.  I think we have employed some pretty inventive and functional solutions.  I'm really excited about what this new studio and its atmosphere will do for progressing with our respective businesses and creative processes.  There's been a lot of amateur carpentry, loud math rock, Home Depot trips, and an endless stream of inside jokes.

If you're in Chicago, on Friday March 6th, I will be showing some prints at Saki Records.  There's a big party/reception from 6-9PM, and my friend's band AM Stations will be playing.  

I will be down in Austin, TX this March for FLATSTOCK 48. March 19th-21st, from 11AM - 6PM.

January update redux

The blog is back in town.

To the left is a snapshot of a little sketchbook drawing I did while my wife and I were traveling recently. I started playing around with opaque white pens on toned paper, which has proven to be quite enjoyable. It's definitely nice to have an additional value so readily available, even when just blocking in rough ideas. More on this later!

In other news, I will be down in Austin, TX this March for FLATSTOCK 48, and for you in Chicago, I will be having a show/reception at the beginning of March at Saki Records. Lots of really cool stuff is underway right now. Some very exciting new projects, shows, movement, the mixing of ink, and the creation of paper goods. Stay tuned.