'Visual Feast', the tantalizing artwork of Justin Hampton

Book Review Complete & A Preview of Chapter 1 of the Book!
over 2 years 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

 View preview here!

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.
over 2 years 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.

Want to know what happens when they find something that gets printed in China that they don’t like? This is what could happen: https://www.geeknative.com/65006/the-chinese-government-just-burned-every-copy-of-this-cthulhu-kickstarter/

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
over 2 years 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
almost 3 years 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.

Part one:

 Part two:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0pGfYccSNw 

Part three:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDdElwNsYvs 

Part Four & the final installment will debut this coming Wednesday, June 28th.

Here's the link page for all ways to watch/ listen and follow Secondhand Talent

Visual Feast Prints Have Shipped! New Blotter print for sale soon!
almost 3 years ago – Mon, Apr 17, 2023 at 07:31:53 PM

Hey there!

In my last update, I shared some behind-the-scenes pics from the Visual Feast printing process. Those posters-in-progress have since been signed, rolled, and shipped off to backers around the world. I’ve even seen a few posts from folks who’ve already received them! I hope you're as pleased with them as I am with how they turned out!

And speaking of exciting trips, I wanted to share a little something I’ve been working on for the 80th anniversary of Bicycle Day.  In celebration of 'Bicycle Day' this Wednesday, April 19th, I'm releasing a new blotter art print. This is only my second blotter print ever, the last one was a decade ago. The very first recorded LSD 'trip' was  by Albert Hofmann, April 19, 1943. While synthesizing the new compound  of LSD, he accidentally absorbed a small amount of the drug and discovered its powerful effects. He rode his bicycle after realizing he should go home and his 'trip' unfolded on his ride while homeward bound.  This is the 80th anniversary of that fateful event. My print will not contain LSD obviously. Grab one while they last!

Along with this tripped out addition to the webstore, I’ve thrown together a collection of related prints and merch for lovers of this psychedelic party pal. If you didn't get a chance to grab a sticker set or one of the 'Visual Feast' posters, this is another shot at getting them all in one package. There are some Poster tubes ship for the same price no matter how well you stuff ‘em, so this is a great way to stock up on some of my latest prints and save on shipping. Check it out here!

 https://justinhampton.com/ 

As we wrap up for the day, I wanted to address a question that came in yesterday. A member of the community reached out to me to ask about the differences between the version of Visual Feast featured in this campaign and the one currently available on Amazon pre-orders for $67.13 (MSRP - $75). The most important difference is that this version does not include any of the Limited Edition upgrades available to Kickstarter backers. 

This is part of the distribution deal that I made with Gingko Press. They've published many well known artists including Shepard Fairey, Emek and countless others.  When the books arrive stateside they will now also be available in major bookstores, museum gift shops, galleries and boutiques all over! It's a major coup for me to get my work out into the world. 

The Ginkgo Press print run is NOT numbered or signed and DOES NOT come with a slipcase. All three versions of Visual Feast available to my supporters on this campaign include a unique slipcase design, shown below.

All in all, as members of the collector community, I believe you will be happier with the Kickstarter edition on your shelf. If you have any other questions regarding this topic or your pledge in general, please reach out to me via DM here on Kickstarter or email at jhampton665 @ gmail.com.