Denis Kitchen's Chipboard Sketchbook

Following on the heels of THE ODDLY COMPELLING ART OF DENIS KITCHEN, an overview of the pioneering underground cartoonist (Dark Horse Books, 2010), DENIS KITCHEN S CHIPBOARD SKETCHBOOK is comprised of the peculiar drawings on chipboard that Kitchen has done below the radar for many years. Chipboard is the heavy, grainy card stock at the base of writing tablets. The artist started the habit of drawing on this unlikely substance during long, often boring production meetings at Kitchen Sink Press, his former publishing company, when he would flip his notes tablet over and doodle with a combination of the only tools at hand: a Sharpie pen and fine-point uni-ball pen. With subject matter often extremely bizarre, or, in his own words, even demented, Kitchen filed these away for many years. They were seen only his close friends and colleagues until this collection. Measuring 6 1/4 x 8 3/4 inches, the book features an extra thick 3 mm cover stock (chipboard, of course) with a de-bossed cover image and horizontal belly band. The full-color 128-page hardcover was edited and designed by Greg Sadowski and art directed by John Lind. The same pair won an American Graphic Design Award for their work on Underground Classics (by Kitchen & James Danky, Abrams, 2009). Back cover text: Underground cartoonist and longtime publisher Denis Kitchen began drawing on the chipboard back of writing tablets during long, often boring meetings at Kitchen Sink Press, starting in the late 80s. These spontaneous drawings, done primarily with Sharpie markers and uni-ball pens, are distinctly surreal. The peculiar textured surfaces, unusual drawing tools, and possibly peeks into the artist s id contribute equally to the unique look. After accumulating nearly a quarter century of these private drawings in drawers, Kitchen was persuaded by associates to publish the roughly 150 examples showcased within this book, presented with an introduction by the artist. Readers interested in seeing his better known art or learning about his diverse counterculture career should look at The Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen (Dark Horse, 2010). Note: contains some images not suitable for minors.