12 Inch Sleeves Don't Fit In My Sketchbook
- Ken Eppstein
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
As many of you know, I have an ongoing project called "Sketchbook Picture Sleeves." The basic idea is that I take 7" records and draw my own picture sleeve for them. A nearly full gallery of these can be found here. From time to time people ask me if I will to branch out into 12" records. The answer is that I do, but not as often. I guess maybe because they are definitely not "sketchbook" projects, being too big to fit in a sketchbook. Maybe because its harder to find good sleeveless 12" records. Maybe because I'm never sure what to charge for them. (Each one takes like three times as much work as a 7" generally does.) They are harder to scan, too! Whatever the reason, I don't do as many, and that has resulted in not tracking them as well or offering them with any sort of consistent pricing.
Recently, I donated this Iggy Pop piece to the Matter News Silent Art Auction. I was glad that it sold for $50. In general because I think that Matter is a terrific organization doing important work (journalism) in a space that is growing bleak in terms of quality and quantity both because I think that's a pretty good price. On a personal level, I wasn't very confident in whether or not fifty bucks was the right price for these, or indeed if anyone even wanted one of these larger pieces at any price. (Ah, the joys of being an insecure artist!)
ANYWAYS...
I have a few more of them kicking around Nix Comics HQ. I'm interested in getting them out of here.
Here a few pics and descriptions. I'm still not positive what a good price point is, so if you are interested in one or more, shoot me an email with (an offer) to ken@nixcomics.com.
The Fleshtones: Roman Gods
One of my all time favorite bands! The gag is actually one I had scribbled down in my daily journal a few years back. Originally I had wanted to try and do a joke for the cover of Lee Dorsey's "Ride Your Pony" on the other side, but I could never quite get one that I liked.
(Discogs link for track listing)
Various Artists: She Was So Bad! Unissued Sixties Garage Acetates / Volume Two
At one point, when I was a lot more active in seeking out and reselling records 'n rarities, I scored a big lot of test pressings of garage rock records. Mostly from the much esteemed Norton Records. They never sold in the store, so I hung on to them and have been making my art sleeves for them whenever the mood and muse strike at the same time. The Unissued Garage Acetates series is a great one, and I think mostly still available at their website if you want 'em!
(Discogs link for track listing)
Various Artists: Pebbles
Ah discogs.com and your generous vocabulary. They say "Unofficial Repress." I say "Bootleg." Anyways, this clear and clearly pirated version of of the first Pebbles comp is a pretty cool record. Maybe I should feel bad about (potentially) profiting off this fragrant flouting of intellectual property laws. I don't though.
 (Discogs link for track listing)
Various Artists: Concussion Another test pressing form the above mentioned lot. Concussion!!! wasn't a Norton release, but it definitely shares a vibe, with 18 "gouging" instrumentals per the original rasslin' themed jacket. I went with an Ignatz/Herriman themed artwork instead. Just seemed more concussive.
(Discogs link for track listing)