thrillist

Keeping your day job while pursuing a more creative career can be wise, although McDonald's might eventually tire of the face paint, the inability to speak, and the being unable to drain the frier due to being trapped in a box they can't even see. Staying on the daily grind while making vibrant ATL-centric art at night, The Belligerent Monkey.

Based here in the A, Monkey's an online shop o' comic-book-like art prints inspired by pop culture, Atlanta landmarks, and the Mexican Day of The Dead, created by a husband/father/geologist who makes art at night using acrylic paints and a Sharpie for "nice, fat, bold lines", reminiscent of the one that got you fired from Lane Bryant. Prints're signed & numbered on 8.5"x11" Strathmore textured paper, and include ATL-ness like a Simpsons-esque cloud-backed Varsity's sign, a red/black silhouette of the Atlanta skyline (looking west from Freedom & Boulevard), and the Starlight Six drive-in theater sign, which can be customized with any six flicks you want -- better luck next time, Police Academy: Mission to Moscow. Dia de los Muertos-inspired works include playing-card-styled prints (Jack, Queen & King of spades), plus a guitar-igniting Jimi Hendrix with a crazy bedazzled skull for a head; he's also got PBR-touting joints like "Super Hero" (a comic book cover with a cape-wearing can), plus one of his wife's/daughter's/own Chuck Taylors side-by-side, titled "Family of Chucks", a moniker which sadly won't class up your collection of Trader Joe's wine empties.

Jay'll also do commissions on 16"x20" canvas for as little as $100, and'll also paint items like 3"x6" wood blocks and skateboards -- potentially better employed as art pieces than used while trespassing on public property, cause as everyone knows, mime doesn't pay.

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Check out BelligerentMonkey.com right now and click the link to the store to prove that you support ATL art