'Visual Feast', the tantalizing artwork of Justin Hampton
Created by Justin Hampton
This 400-page book contains ALL of the posters I've ever designed including sketches, behind-the-scenes photos, and stories about creating them and working with various bands. Bands include Soundgarden, QOTSA, Motörhead, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Mark Lanegan, Nick Cave, Radiohead, NIN, and countless others.
This is THE definitive retrospective of my work, containing ALL of my illustration work over the years, including works for Rolling Stone, Spin, Village Voice, Vibe, Guitar World, Sports Illustrated, and more. 30 years in 400 pages!
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Progress report and a preview of sorts as well as a new poster release
about 2 months ago
– Thu, Mar 07, 2024 at 11:39:11 PM
Hey all,
It's been a little while so I thought it was time that I give you an update on the progress of the book. Things are going well with the book production. Half down has been paid to the printer a little while ago. There have been more than a few setbacks along the way but they've all been ironed out and everything is finally smooth sailing. Some day I'll write another book on the crazy amount of obstacles that I've encountered in getting this book out as it's a wild tale in itself. Thankfully that is all in the past and we’re on our way to the finish line!
Today I want to show you the absolute juggernaut that this book is going to be! The printer sent me a sample book which illustrates how the book will look in size, the exact interior paper, the hardcover, the dust jacket and the slipcase. Without any ink in the book it weighs 9 hulking pounds and the slipcase is 1 pound for a total weight of 10 lbs. For a size and weight comparison the 2004 book, The Art of Modern Rock weighs just over 7 lbs. My book a little taller but virtually the same dimensions. It's heavy and deluxe! Check out the video showing it off.
The next phase will come when I'm sent an actual printed sample of the fully finished book before it goes off into full production. That's coming very soon and I reeeeeally can't wait to finally hold that in my hands! I'll definitely be posting a video of that. Thanks to everyone for your patience. I'm getting very excited that we're getting close to finally having these finished and out to you all. Then I can finally and start planning art shows & signings around the country! I can't wait to meet everyone that has supported these efforts and collectors of mine new and old! I will finally be able to enjoy the fruits of all of the labor if you will. Maybe there will be a hard cider involved, these things have been known to happen! Haha!
On a book related note, I have a new art print to show you that is one of the very last images to make it in the book before going off to press. I'm excited to finally get to show it off as well. Take a gander...
'Grave Beazlebum'
On sale this Friday, March 8th at 12 pm Noon PST
Edition: 100 copies Size: 24"x 24" Type: Giclee Print On Museum Quality Moab Entrada Cotton Rag 100lb Paper Markings: Signed & Numbered by Justin Hampton & JH Logo Embossed
This art print, reproduced from a new 4 foot by 4 foot painting, is my newly realized interpretation of my original artwork for the 2004 'Grey Album' by Danger Mouse. This is titled 'Grave Beazlebum'. This an homage to the classic 80's horror zombie movie 'Day of the Dead' and a metaphorical representation of where we've gotten to in the last two decades as a society.
For those not in the know, 20 years ago this February, the 'Grey Album' debuted. I created the artwork for the poster and vinyl album cover. Worldwide, people downloaded the art for their digital copies that they burned to disc and used it as the CD cover. It's the most truly viral phenomenon that I was ever a part of as it literally went global, it was everywhere. Every magazine, blog, social media site covered it and it even made primetime news.
The 'Grey Album' is a mashup album by Danger Mouse, released in 2004. It mixes an acappella version of rapper Jay-Z's The Black Album with samples exclusively from The Beatles' White Album, hence the name. The Grey Album quickly became a worldwide viral mega hit and gained infamy when EMI attempted to halt its distribution. Jay-Z and the two surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were impressed by the creativity and production of the album. EMI eventually dropped their lawsuit and hired DM. It was the most genius guerrilla marketing campaign that I've ever seen and been a part of.
Danger Mouse(Brian Burton) was super cool to work with and I met him the following year in LA(see the photo). He's a super cool and very talented guy. He's a force of nature. Since then he's worked with a litany of musicians including Gorillaz, MF Doom, CeeLo, Dave Mercer, Beck, Norah Jones, Black Keys, U2, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Karen O, Adele, ASAP Rocky and Black Thought. He's been nominated for 22 Grammy awards and won 6 of them. Brian gave me a great quote for my upcoming book, 'Visual Feast'.
Thanks for taking a look! The next update will come much sooner since we're finally in production mode. I do have an actual calendar schedule from the printer but I'm going to wait to make any announcements about dates until the books are being loaded on the damn boat! That is much closer than it's ever been and not far off at all... can I get a hallelujah people?! Hahah! Talk soon!
Until next time,
-Justin
Book Review Complete & A Preview of Chapter 1 of the Book!
4 months ago
– Fri, Dec 22, 2023 at 02:55:49 PM
In case you missed my last update about the Visual Feast content review, you can read all about it here. I’m excited to share that the GAPP review is now complete. With one very minor edit, we should be all set on that front. The next step is the printer creating a prototype book for me to review. I'll be sharing that as soon as it arrives in my hands. Once that's signed off on, the book finally goes off to the full production run!
I know I keep mentioning it, but I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your continued patience and support. With Christmas coming up this weekend, I wanted to find a way to treat you all. So, without further ado, here’s a link to a preview chapter to start off your holiday weekend!
Enjoy Chapter 1, 'The Early Days'.
Click the link below and then use the password: Visual_Feast_Preview_Dec_2023
As always, if you have any questions about your pledge, please reach out to me via Kickstarter DM or email at [email protected].
Wishing you and yours a happy and relaxing holiday!
Best,
Justin Hampton
Well, the things we keep on learning.
5 months ago
– Fri, Dec 08, 2023 at 04:17:21 PM
While I have been creating and printing posters for decades, there are aspects of book publishing that have been new learning experiences for me. Most all of modern book printing happens in China. Navigating the cultural and language differences is just the beginning of the fun. We seem to have navigated that well... so far, so slow… frustratingly slow. As you know the book design has been finished since June.
Now I just learned about a new speedbump along the way. Our printer in China has to submit all of the book content for review by something called GAPP (General Administration of Press and Publication). These are the people that check on content of books printed in China. Apparently, they are worried about subversive or objectionable content in the books that they print.
Seriously? What can they be worried about? Subversive and objectionable content in rock band art? That never happens. ;)
As of right now, we are waiting for about 2 weeks while they get that review done.
I know you all want to get this book into your hands and have already been waiting for a while now. I want to get it done also, more than anything. This is 3 years of putting this together and my life’s work wrapped up in a binding. That said, I want to make sure it is done right without the books having to be destroyed.
I ask for your patience. In return, there is a special treat for you coming early next week.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
-Justin
p.s. If folks have not received any of their other rewards (PJ print, etc.) to please reach out to me at [email protected]
Quick Production Update
7 months ago
– Fri, Sep 22, 2023 at 08:57:45 AM
Hey all!
This is going to be a quick update ahead of a more substantial one next week. As you all know, my career retrospective, Visual Feast, has been ready for print since June. This summer has been a frustrating series of speed bumps, caused almost entirely by slow communication. You can read more about July’s delay (along with its happy ending) in my previous update here.
August was spent communicating with the printer overseas to clarify the various editions of the book and get a final quote locked in. At the start of September, we moved into the next phase and sent in our deposit. We are still waiting for the printer to confirm receipt, but we have been quoted a 90-day production & shipping timeline as soon as that’s done. My team and I have followed up with them several times this week and we expect production to begin next week. Once we have that news, I’ll be able to share a more solid timeline for shipping.
I know that this is not the news you were hoping to hear today. I can’t stress enough how much I appreciate your support of this campaign and your patience throughout this process. Given this delay, I have updated the pledge manager to allow for address changes. If you will be moving anytime in the near future, please be sure to update your shipping information in Backerkit. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at jhampton665 @ gmail.com.
Thank you,
-Justin
Production and Shipping News & Brand New Podcast Interview
10 months ago
– Fri, Jun 23, 2023 at 01:13:24 PM
Hey all!
While all of the prints, posters, and extras have already been delivered, I know that a lot of you are wondering about the core offering of this campaign—my career retrospective, Visual Feast.
The print files for all three Kickstarter editions have been ready for production since late January. If you missed that news, you can read all about the new chapter additions here. So, you’re probably wondering what the hold-up is.
Due to the success of this Kickstarter last year, I was able to secure a distribution deal with Ginkgo Press to get Visual Feast on some of the biggest shelves in the US! I will forever be grateful for all of your support, without which I would not have had this amazing opportunity to share my life’s work with an audience much larger than I could have imagined. However, it did take a while to work out the details of the agreement, adjust the book credits accordingly, and work out the logistics with the printer. These things take time.
Despite these timeline setbacks, we’re now finally in the last phase. I’m excited to share that we are officially going to print! I really appreciate your patience over the last few months. By printing all four editions at once, I’m able to keep costs down and ensure consistent quality for everyone who will enjoy Visual Feast in the years to come.
Based on my latest conversations with my production partner, we are now looking at a September ship date. Thank you all for your understanding and support throughout this process. It's been a learning curve for me along the way and I appreciate your patience with me on this journey.
In about two weeks, I’ll be updating the pledge manager with the shipping costs for the book. You will receive at least two reminders after that before your card is charged. My plan is to charge cards when I receive the final confirmation that production is complete, which should be around the end of July.
Note: Once cards are charged, addresses will be locked. Please take a moment to check your shipping address between now and then to avoid any unnecessary shipping delays!
As always, if you have any questions about your pledge, please reach out to me via DM here on Kickstarter or email at jhampton665 @ gmail.com.
Thank you!
-Justin
p.s. In the meantime, I have a brand new 4 part podcast interview with Secondhand Talent that goes DEEP into my career history and the creation of the book. Take a look on Youtube or listen wherever you stream your audio podcasts.
