Language Arts
“Wall & Response #35” by Bryant Rousseau (ink and color marker on 6” x 4” paper)
When the artist first began visiting commercial art galleries in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan in the late 1990s, he was struck by two discoveries: 1) Language played a vital part in much contemporary art; 2) The writing really sucked.
Convinced he could do better, the journalist-cum-artist got to wordy, nerdy work. You be the judge if he succeeds in more than 1,000 works in 27 series where language is essential to the art.
Sketchy: America’s Most Unwanted
“Sketchy: #27” by Bryant Rousseau: ink on 4” x 6” paper; signed; matted; framed; $139.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
America’s most unwanted. 200 drawings.
“Sketchy: #102” by Bryant Rousseau: ink and color pencil on 4” x 6” paper; signed; matted; framed; $149.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
“Wall & Response #41” by Bryant Rousseau: Ink and color marker on 6” x 4” paper; signed; matted; framed; $129.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
Wall & Response: Two worlds, a wall and words of war or wonder. 100 drawings.
“Wall & Response #7” by Bryant Rousseau: Ink and color marker on 6” x 4” paper; signed; matted; framed; $129.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
Night Light’s “shadytown” album (verso) from Bryant Rousseau’s CD series. Listen to a sample song & watch the official music video; this is “Hints of the Beyond,” the eighth track on the album. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
The CD series: Fictional albums from imaginary bands, with real, original songs, plus custom music videos: 2 color photographs displayed, front and back, within standard CD case (each approx. 4.75” x 4.75”); included is a DVD with original, AI-generated songs, corresponding to the listed tracks, plus bonus music videos
Sons of Milkmen’s “indubitably” album (verso) from Bryant Rousseau’s CD series. Listen to a sample song & watch the official video; this is “A Dog Named Chavez,” the first track on the album. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Wealthy Workers Party #3” by Bryant Rousseau: 6” x 9” black-and-white photo; signed; matted; $119.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
The artist’s disturbed twin brother, since disappeared, endeavored to build a new political party some years ago. His efforts failed miserably — phew! — but to honor his, er, eccentricity, the artist offers here samples of the political posters his brother printed and pasted around Manhattan to foment his class revolution. For those who disagree with and wish to interact with the depraved message, the artist conveniently includes 3 darts with each purchased print. Prick the target.
“Wealthy Workers Party #13” by Bryant Rousseau: 6” x 9” black-and-white photo; signed; matted; $119.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Bar Band Hands: The Summer Serge @ All Gone à Rye” by Bryant Rousseau: Acrylic and ink on 11” x 14” canvas; signed; $139.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
Placards for the best (fictional) bands playing live at the greatest (invented) bars, showing the (handcrafted) hand stamps given for re-entry.
“Bar Band Hands: Ex-Witch + The Werelocks @ Beast of Yeast” by Bryant Rousseau: Acrylic and ink on 8.5” x 11” paper; signed; matted; framed (11” x 14” frame); $139.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
“Not a Good Sign: There’s Always Suicide” by Bryant Rousseau: Acrylic on 11” x 14” canvas; signed; $139.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
A series also known as Sin SIgns: Naughty/Knotty/Noted.
“Not a Good Sign: Kill for New Color” by Bryant Rousseau: Acrylic on 11” x 14” canvas; signed; $139.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Shaman Shape #50” by Bryant Rousseau: Ink, schmutz and faux feathers on 4” x 6” paper; signed; matted; framed; $134.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
Ensorcelled shapes, with the power to grant one very specific wish. 75+ drawings.
“Shaman Shape #67” by Bryant Rousseau: Ink on 4” x 6” paper; signed; matted; framed; $129.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
“Bar Graffs #15” by Bryant Rousseau: Ink and color pencil on 6” x 4” paper; signed; matted; framed; $139.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
The words (and the profits) are written on the bathroom walls, and men’s room stalls. 35+ drawings.
“Bar Graffs #31” by Bryant Rousseau: Ink, color pencil and sticker on 6” x 4” paper; signed; matted; framed; $149.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Rorschach-Horshack: Ha Ha Ha: Gail-Force Intercourse” by Bryant Rousseau: Sumi ink on paper towel affixed to 11” x14” canvas with black tacks; signed; $149.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
What do you see? That’s what I thought.
“Rorschach-Horshack: Ha Ha Ha: Surrealist 69” by Bryant Rousseau: Sumi ink on 6.5” x 4.5” paper towel; signed; matted and framed (10” x 8” wooden frame); signed; $139.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Artistic License #20 (Camolot)” by Bryant Rousseau: Acrylic and ink on 14” x 11” canvas; signed; $149.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
Plates from other planets. 25+ paintings.
“Artistic License #4 (Sunny & Seamy)” by Bryant Rousseau: Acrylic and ink on 11” x 8.5” paper; matted; framed (14” x 11” frame) signed; $139.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Shelf Portrait #5: Some Genius” by Bryant Rousseau: 9’ x 6” color photograph; signed; matted; $77.77. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
What the artist really looks like.
“Shelf Portrait #3: Wide Awoke” by Bryant Rousseau: 9’ x 6” color photograph; signed; matted; $77.77. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Spill Life: Ritual Roulette” by Bryant Rousseau: Food coloring on paper towel, affixed to 11” x 14” canvas with colored tacks; signed; $139.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
How to make a modern masterpiece: 1) Make mess with food coloring; 2) Mop it up with paper towel; 3) Think up great title; 4) Welcome to museum wall!
“Spill Life: Suicide Swipe” by Bryant Rousseau: Food coloring on paper towel, affixed with red tape to 11” x 14” canvas; signed; $139.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
“Emoticon #7 (Modest)” by Bryant Rousseau: 9” x 6” photograph; signed; $77.77. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Emoticon #9 (Convinced)” by Bryant Rousseau: 9” x 6” photograph; signed; $77.77. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Not Quite Kanji No. 40 (Go-Yo)” by Bryant Rousseau: Ink on 4” x 6” paper; signed; matted; framed (8” x 10” frame); $119.99 The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
Nihongo neologism with creative characters.
“Not Quite Kanji No. 35 (Hi-No-To)” by Bryant Rousseau: Ink on 4” x 6” paper; signed; matted; framed (8” x 10” frame); $119.99 The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
“Art of the Epitaph #10 (Dead by Now)” by Bryant Rousseau: Ink on 4” x 6” paper; signed; matted; framed; $139.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Art of the Epitaph #38 (Welcome Necrophiliacs)” by Bryant Rousseau: Ink on 4” x 6” paper; signed; matted; framed; $129.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Foursome #3” by Bryant Rousseau: Paint, T-shirt scraps, color pencil, color photograph, ink and tape on 14” x 11” canvas; $169.99. Artwork is from these Series: Jackson the Ripper (painting); Ice Art (photo); Contemporary Cave Art (drawing); Haiku (poem), The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
The Pu Pu Platter of Contemporary Art: A painting, drawing, photograph and poem.
“Foursome #11” by Bryant Rousseau: Acrylic paint, ink, color photograph, tape on 14” x 11” canvas; signed; framed (14” x 11” wooden frame); $169.99. Artwork is from these Series: Fixing Fontana (painting); GeoShaLin (drawing); RNS (photo); Haiku (poem), The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
“Tree Line #4: Lost, Lonely, Liberated” by Bryant Rousseau: 6” x 9” color photograph; signed; matted; $99.88. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
A branch of poetry, from A to Zen.
“Tree Line #2: Inanimate Dance” by Bryant Rousseau: 6” x 9” black-and-white photograph; signed; matted; $99.88. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Flag & Fiction $2 (Yottern)” by Bryant Rousseau: 2 parts: Flag: acrylic on 11” x 8” paper; and Story: about the flag’s country on 11” x 8” paper; signed; matted; framed; $199.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
“Flag & Fiction $2 (Yottern)” by Bryant Rousseau: 2 parts: Flag: acrylic on 11” x 8” paper; and Story: about the flag’s country on 11” x 8” paper; signed; matted; framed; $199.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
“Writer’s Blocks A Grand and Gruesome Gesture” by Bryant Rousseau: Color pencil and ink on 6” x 4” paper; signed; mated; framed; $179.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
Colored blocks unlock creativity, like the start of an aborted version of The Great American novel (or at least a good short story), written by the artist.
“Writer’s Blocks The Wild Dogs of Zentsuji” by Bryant Rousseau: Color pencil and ink on 6” x 4” paper; signed; mated; framed; $179.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Cloud Country: Raw-Awe” by Bryant Rousseau: 9” x 6” color photograph; signed; matted; $119.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Cloud Country: Here-Be-Herring” by Bryant Rousseau: 9” x 4” color photograph; signed; matted; $119.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Color Coded: Buddha Blush” by Bryant Rousseau: Acrylic paint and ink on 8.5” x 11” paper; signed; matted; framed; $129.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
Colors so new and neat they needed to be named and numbered.
“Color Coded: Gray Growl” by Bryant Rousseau: Acrylic paint and ink on 11” x 14” canvas; signed; 139.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
“Planet Posited #25 (Lappna)” by Bryant Rousseau: Color marker and ink on 6” x 4” paper; signed; matted; framed. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
Other Earths. Arguably.
“Planet Posited #11 (Jikop)” by Bryant Rousseau: Pencil and ink on 6” x 4” paper; signed; matted; framed; $139.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
“Art Attack #3 (If Only There Was Irony)” by Bryant Rousseau: 9” x 6” color photograph; signed; matted; $77.77. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
If you have nothing nice to say, speak up.
“Art Attack #3 (Low in the Paiking Order)” by Bryant Rousseau: 9” x 6” color photograph; signed; matted; $64.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Backward Country: Napaj” by Bryant Rousseau: Color marker and ink on 4” x 6” paper; signed; matted; framed; $119.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, what this country do we call?
“Backward Country: Wen Dnalaez” by Bryant Rousseau: Color marker and ink on 4” x 6” paper; signed; matted; framed; $129.99. The copyright symbol is a digital watermark only; it does not appear on the actual artwork.
“POOPS #10 (Hantoon-Foyp-T8)” by Bryant Rousseau: Melting ice, dyed with food coloring, and ink (added after return to Earth); on 11” x 8.5” NASA-approved heavy paper; signed; mated; framed; $129.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
Paintings of other planets’ sunsets (POOPS): As part of its interplanetary documentary program, NASA invited artists to accompany its missions to distant galaxies so they could paint these magnificent new worlds. But there was a problem. No traditional artistic media could survive the grueling effects of space travel: oil paint, acrylic, gouache, pencils, crayons, pens and even photographic film all deteriorated beyond use.
But after trial and error, one medium that could withstand the lightyears-long flights was discovered: Frozen ice cubes, dyed with food coloring. So NASA knew it had no choice but to recruit Bryant Rousseau, the foremost ice cube artist of our age, to use these chilly blocks of color to depict the alien landscapes at dusk.
Each painting records both the planet’s local name (closest pronunciation possible in human sounds) and its NASA-designated space number.
“POOPS #6 (Brast-Nabit-J4E9-3K)” by Bryant Rousseau: Melting ice, dyed with food coloring, and ink (added after return to Earth); on 11” x 8.5” NASA-approved heavy paper; signed; mated; framed; $129.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Tic-Tac-Poe” by Bryant Rousseau: Ink on 6” x 4” paper; signed; matted; framed; $109.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Tic-Tac-Rho” by Bryant Rousseau: Ink on 6” x 4” paper; signed; matted; framed; $109.99. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
“Characters #4 (In General, Grant You, You’ll See)” by Bryant Rousseau: Digital image (6” x 9”) printed on highest-quality paper; signed; matted; $55.55. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.
Encounters real, virtual and historical, captured and captioned.
“Characters #6 (As If the Man Bun Wasn’t Bad Enough)” by Bryant Rousseau and Artificial Intelligence: Digital image (8” x 8”) printed on highest-quality paper; signed; matted; framed; $88.88. The copyright symbols are digital watermarks only; they do not appear on the actual artwork.