Fountain Pen drawings
I bound a sketchbook that's just for fountain pens. It's different paper than I normally draw on, and the drawings are much different than what I make in my sketchbooks with watercolor paper for pages. Fountain pens force me to loosen up which is important for me. The drawings are non-erasable, fast, and don't allow me to perseverate over every little line. I also get to feel close to my dad when I use this particular pen, one he gave me from his cherished collection.
Images for New Artist Book
Kayrock is in the process of printing a 16 page fake firecracker label book of mine. This is a sneak peak at some of the images.
3 color silkscreen, edition of 200, hand bound.
New Prints!
I was so lucky to work with the amazing printers at Powerhouse Arts in Gowanus, Brooklyn last week. We created two editions of fake firecracker labels printed with extra-large color dots using four screens (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black). The original Chinese firecracker labels I fell in love with in the 1980s have a very similar look, and these prints really bring back that nostalgic feeling for me. There are 25 prints in each edition, and each print measures 16” x 20” on 250 gram, 100% cotton rag acid free paper. Each is $350 or $600 for both.
Oopsie Daisy Diver
I’ve made thousands of these quick, human-form-based, “non-thinking” drawings with fountain pens for decades. It’s such a pleasure to feel the pen glide across the page. I though it might be fun to try adding simple animations to them….here’s the first one.
Burn Book 3 video
I added a bunch of “drawings” since I scanned the whole dang burn book - but here’s a video walk-through with some explaining about how each page came to look the way it does. The video also has several “making-of” action shots. Email me if you’re interested in buying or showing this.
Helsinki Design Week
A handful of my fireworks were on display at the Helsinki design fair in Finland earlier this month
Sexy Trunks
I had the pleasure of spending some time with the sexy trunks of a Caucasian Elm and a Japanese Zelkova (both members of the elm family: Ulmaceae) at the always amazing Brooklyn Botanic Garden last weekend 🌳
nature finds nurture
I drew this map of my old neighborhood as a kind of case study of my own childhood, with each house and name representing someone who crossed my path growing up. Importantly, this is 100% from memory - the map, the relationships and types of people I’m depicting.
I wanted to think about which kids influenced me and which did not + why. Most “friends” I had before I got a bike and was able to go wherever I wanted were there simply because they lived nearby. Some drifted off because our personalities just didn’t mesh. Some were scary as hell (usually older kids) which made an impact on me and is probably why I remember those kids more than the nice/boring ones. Mean can be exciting! But a couple of them really clicked with me, especially the ones who were a little “mysterious.” That’s the vibe I gravitated toward, and I think I was drawn to those people because we shared something in our nature (often an interest in fireworks or other risky behaviors).
Looking back, I can see how just being around these people influenced how I thought about things and I my have influenced them too. The chart at the bottom sorts everybody by the different qualities I noticed, like “nice,” “mean,” “boring,” or “exciting”.
rebirth of the blog
I love the work FLUNK - hence my sketchbook doodles last week. Also appropriate for the comeback of my blog because of the frustrating failures of social media.
Social media, for artists at least, is terrible. It’s been dying for years, which bis why I’m bringing back my personal blog. If you’re interested in what happening in my studio - I’ll be posting new images, progress photos and news items right here on teplin.com.
Nuclear Option assortment
Introducing the “Nuclear Option” Assortment: a radioactive riot of fireworks engineered for those who think safety warnings are just decoration. Crack open this box and unleash “Clean Energy,” a reactor-sized fountain guaranteed to melt your expectations, alongside “Rocket Ricky,” who’s got more lift-off issues than a doomed space mission. The malfunctioning Geiger Counter's “Meltdown” control panel promises a chain reaction of chaos, while an arsenal of mutant rockets and flashcrackers ensures the fallout will leave the ground contaminated for at least 200 years.
Holy Smokes Assortment
Introducing the "Hail Mary Spectacle"-an assortment where reverence meets riot. At the heart of this explosive collection stands Mary herself, presiding over a congregation of pyrotechnic misfits ready to turn any gathering into a full-blown miracle. Surrounding her are an unpredictable cast: from the unruly Damn Devil to the bewildered Stupid Horse, each firework offers a unique burst of chaos and awe. Light the fuse and let Mary lead your celebration in a procession of color, noise, and unforgettable spectacle-because sometimes, you need a little divine intervention to truly bring down the house.
Stupid Horse MYSTERY box
Ready to roll the dice on chaos? The Stupid Horse Brand Mystery Box Assortment is a riot of color, noise, and wild surprises-no two boxes are ever the same, and you never know what kind of pyrotechnic oddities you’ll pull out next. Each assortment is packed by the unpredictable minds at Stupid Horse, mixing classics, cult favorites, and sometimes even the rejects or random shit they find on the factory floor. If you crave variety, unpredictability, and a celebration that keeps you guessing until the last fuse is lit, this is the box for you.
Stupid Horse Disaster Parade assortment
This is the ultimate Stupid Horse Brand assortment, featuring a lineup of fireworks meticulously designed by their team of creative pyrotechnic obsessives. Every piece in this collection-from the wildest flashcrackers to the most offbeat novelties-showcases the brand’s signature blend of inventive design, bold visuals, and explosive fun. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill fireworks; each one is crafted to surprise, delight, and leave a lasting impression, reflecting the artistry and playful spirit that sets Stupid Horse apart. If you want a display that’s as unique and imaginative as it is unforgettable, this is the set to light up your night.
