-In this economy it was just too scary trying to rely on freelance alone (and I charge notoriously little as it is for my work). In the fall I took a day job at Boston’s only all-vegan shoe store. It is a fantastic place to work, but it has put a serious dent in my artistic productivity. At this time 5 paintings and four illustrations are lying unfinished in my studio. (But a few new ones are coming soon!) My second writing project is nearly complete, but I delayed it so I could release all three volumes of the project at once.

It is completely strange to be so artistically productive and also so active in a large-scale project that has been labeled “for profit activism”, but have nothing personal (ie- art or the book) to show for it yet. Working at the vegan shop reminds me of the DIY punk scene in the early 90’s. There is strong unity across the US and Europe and constant activity with projects, interviews, benefits, festivals, etc. We’ve put our hearts into this business because there is a real purpose behind it.

-In the last few months I did some work for a split with ‘All Or Nothing H.C.’ and ‘Naked Aggression’. – Such an honor to be asked to do the art for two of the strongest and most talented female-fronted bands in DIY punk culture. …We’ve hit a few snags because… um… my artwork was banned in certain places.

-More new band illustrations are coming soon! I’m keeping hush-hush about it until the work goes to print!

One painting project I’m currently working on focuses on environmental issues instead of my usual subject matter. I owe a HUGE, HUGE thank you to Bonnie Laverock, who works at a Marine Laboratory and has a degree in ‘Environmental Geoscience’, for helping me with this project.

I’ve also has a few group shows in Boston the last few months. I’ll keep the site updated for my next solo show.

-Recently I showed work in Bad Habit Production's "Sinners, Saints, & Censorship: A Quills Art & Poetry Exhibition," accompanying the run of the theatrical production of Doug Wright's "Quills."
Durrell Theatre, 820 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA,
July 29-August 8, 2010.

-The Ashers CD and Disaster Strikes/Bring Down the Hammer split CD are out!
My artwork is on both releases.

-Ashers will be playing with Blanks 77 and Blood Stained Brindle at the Middle East on September 4th. My husband, WILL TOXIC, will be filling in for Justin on rhythm guitar for this show! This show is going to be a blast!

- Still in the Ashers mood, I’ve been turning some of the Nouveau inspired sketches of warrior women I did for their CD cover into oil paintings. Updates soon.

- The piece labeled “TKC” in my illustration section is now a Disaster Strikes t-shirt. TKC never put the album out, so their brother band Disaster Strikes asked to use the art. The artwork is of the pope and some cherub vultures.

- I’ve been volunteering at the Pierre Menard Gallery in Harvard Square Cambridge as a graphic designer. I recently assisted in the design and layout of their new book on award winning writer, poet and painter Clarence Major. The show runs from August 6th - September 3rd on Arrow Street in Harvard Square.

- Another thing I’ve been up to is whale watching with “Provincetown Whales” – a private whale watching tour owned and operated by punk rocker Skott Daltonic of the bands Daltonic and Capital Radio. (I built P-town Whales' website.) Thanks to Skott for bringing us out to see minkes and humpbacks!

- Diarmiud, the kitten we adopted in October 09 turned one year old on Lughnasadh. (August first.) This kitten is both astonishingly cute and endlessly cheerful. It’s good to live with an optimist.

New projects:
~Ashers “Kill Your Master” CD featuring my cover art.
~Disaster Strikes and Bring Down the Hammer Split CD featuring my painting “Paradise Lost”.

Currently I'm working on some "works on paper" that center on empowerment. It's definitely a repeat of earlier themes and styles. I will post them, as I finish them.

My husband, Will Toxic, does not use the Internet, so sadly I must be the messenger of bad news:
In October of 2009 both Toxic Narcotic and Mouth Sewn Shut broke up.

Thank you,
Amy Toxic, wife of Will Sullivan/Toxic of Toxic Narcotic and Mouth Sewn Shut.

Currently in the works: A split 7” with Disaster Strikes and RENTTOKILL.

“My Guardian Angel Died of Birdflu” will be showing at “Drop Ya Mic and Pick Up Yer Paintbrush” on MAY DAY – May 1st- at TT the Bear’s Place, 10 Brookline Street, Central Square.
It will be posted on the website after the opening reception for the show.
Will Toxic will also be showing work at “Drop Ya Mic”.
Due to TT The Bear’s policy regarding artwork ("we are not responsible") our work will be taken down that night, so this is a one-day show for us. Other artists will/may keep their work up.

ASHERS “Kill Your Master” with cover illustration by Amy Toxic is out now!
Currently, Ashers are on European tour.
Check them out at: http://www.myspace.com/asherstheband

Now up: http://www.provincetownwhales.com/
A DIY-style Whale Watching company run by Skott Daltonic of the Boston punk band Capital Radio.
Education + Dedication = Preservation.


More websites created by Amy Toxic as part of the team “MAKERS” coming soon.

Amy Toxic’s next show is at the Boston Burlesque Expo: Friday night, April 10 through Sunday night, April 12
at The Hyatt Regency
575 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139.

The artists:
Participating Artists:
Jen Allen
Jenny Anckorn
Yvonne Blanco
J Chaos
Natasha Clayton
Laura Creecy
Scott Crystal
Gina Cura
Christine Elise
Kate Flock
Rachel Hadiashar
Katherine MacElhiney
Tony Maher
Modern Boudoir
Dan Perez
Alethea Roy
Amy Toxic

Amy Toxic is showing work March 4th at Obrien’s Pub with Razors In The Night and KTron.
Harvard Ave, Allston
Show starts at 9pm
One Night Only
Art and bands!

To Razors in the Night - good luck on tour!

News Archives:


February 09:
In the Works: 3D paintings and a massive writing project. “Prophecy boards” are on hold for now due to the economy.

January 09- March 09: AMY TOXIC’S FIRST SHOW OF THE YEAR!!!!!!

Amy Toxic will start showing in 2009 by taking part in
“A Bouillabaisse of Inspiration” at Empire State Tattoo Gallery
curated by Jeff Marsala

Opening January 3rd, 2009 at 7pm.

222 Merrick Road
Oceanside, NY 11572
516 414 4249



October:
METROPOLIS APOCALYPSE (L. E. S. Riot Era Artists 1988-2008)
October 9th – October 31st – with four nights of live music!

Supreme Trading
213 North 8 Street
Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY
11211

OPENING NIGHT- Thur Oct 9th:


-Thanks to Johnny V and Judy Sim for a great show at Supreme Trading in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY during the month of October!

September:

-- Amy Toxic solo show “Prophetic Prototypes” at Herrell’s sells out!
Thank you to Derek, Page and the very supportive people at Herrell’s Allston Café for the great show and for jumpstarting the underground art scene in Boston!

Very special thanks to Mark Lind and Brittany Gray who played an acoustic set at my opening!
Please check out more of Mark Lind’s music at:
www.myspace.com/marklind
http://www.duckyboys.com/

Also in September:

-- Amy Toxic solo show at Sister Sorel featuring the “RW Series”.
Sister Sorel at 645 Tremont Street in the South End. Sister Sorel shares a kitchen with the restaurant Tremont 647. This show will feature my “RW” series.
-Thank you to Joy, Chef Andy Husbands and everyone at Tremont 647 and Sister Sorel for a wonderful show during September!

And still in September….:
- Mouth Sewn Shut will be featured in the Boston Phoenix in July. Amy Toxic will supply the visuals for the article.
Special Thanks to Duncan Wilder Johnson and Nicole Tammaro:

To Duncan for coming to the rescue and being a friend I can trust to actually log into my website during a technical emergency and to fellow band photographer Nicole for the recommendation.
I owe you both!

FYI: Nicole is a Boston photographer and friend. We shoot some of the same bands, but many different ones. Please take the time to check out Nicole’s website:

Nicole Tammaro

Front man extraordinaire, spoken word artist and soon to be author, Duncan:

Thrashachusetts/ DWJ


OTHER NEWS:

Photography:
-Resistant Culture is preparing their next album “All One Struggle”. Some of the photos I took of them on their last East Coast tour (the same set of images used in Profane Existence) will be included in the album.

- Vitamin X is also releasing a new album, which will include photos of their last tour, including some I took at their Cambridge, MA show.


Illustrating:

- Look for Disaster Strikes new 7” “The Interrogation Sessions” (on Alternative Tentacles) to be released September 1st. Pre-orders are being taken now. I painted the cover art in 2 days.

- I also painted the cover art for a 7” split by the band TKC. (Featuring members of Disaster Strikes.)

- Old School Los Angeles band SMD is putting out a new 7” which will feature my illustration on the cover.


Thank you:

Duncan Wilder Johnson (spoken word artist and singer of Destruct-a-thon) for dropping my name in his AMP magazine interview. If you want to read Duncan’s interview, AMP magazine is available at Barnes and Noble, Interpunk.com and (subscriptions only) at Amazon.
(The magazine is also available at Hot Topic.)

Duncan's AMP interview was with Altercation Magazine's JT Habbersaat. (Duncan recently appeared in Altercation Magazine where he name-dropped me as well.) If you want to hear some great spoken word, occasionally co-starring Amy Toxic as a girlspeak interpreter, check out Duncan Wilder Johnson on the Altercation Comedy tour - soon to hit Austin, Texas.
Thanks again, Duncan!

- May 2008- My band photography is now hanging at the vegan restaurant and activist center ‘Scallywaggle’s’ in Allston, MA
Thanks to Matt Carroll

-April 2008- Solo show of recent works at GENO’s in Portland Maine, curated by Melynda. The show featured the series ‘Religious Wars’ and select illustrations.
Geno’s Rock Club
625 Congress st.
Portland, Maine 04101


-Spring 2008- Amy Toxic is the featured artist in Profane Existence Magazine issue #56.
The feature includes cover art, gallery and interview by long time zine writer Mel Hughes, editor of 'Direct Hit'.
PE #56 is available at www.profaneexistence.com

- Spring 2008: Look out for the new release by Short Changed “Burn Down Wagon Town”. All art by Amy Toxic. Images may be viewed in the “Illustrations” section.


- Winter 2008 :If you are interested in DIY punk rock, my photographs of the band “Resistant Culture” accompany their interview in Profane Existence issue # 55. Thank you to Resistant Culture, Dan and PE for including my images with the interview!


-Winter 2008: RED MERCH (a division of Sony) is selling t-shirts and totes bearing my "Headphones" image. The items will be available in stores across the US.

- Fall 2007: Look out for a new t-shirt design I drew for the band “Disaster Strikes”. The image can be viewed in the ‘Illustrations’ section of the website.

- Spring/summer 2007: Guest author on Barnes & Noble dot com
A. L. Carpenter and other authors from the book "The Plot Thickens" will be guest authors on Barnes and Noble's "Waiting for Harry" online discussion forum during the entire month of June.
If you like Harry Potter please stop by and discuss Rowling's upcoming book with us!
Discussion will be open to all Harry Potter related topics!

- Spring 2007: Split 7 inch.
German band SS Kaliert and Boston band Mouth Sewn Shut will be touring Europe together this spring. As part of the joint effort they will be releasing a split 7”. Torsten from SS Kaliert and DC Tours asked me to do the cover. Look for that in the next few weeks!