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Extraordinary

About the artist

Robbie Lee

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MJ

A word from the curator:
Robbie Lee's trademark humor and illustrative style are perfect for the t-shirt medium, earning him some great prints at both Springleap and Woot. This illustration has always been one of my favorites of his for the way the robot seems to yearn to be human, even as he has a limited understanding of what being human actually means.

Tell us the background of this design.
Bill Seinkovitz (http://www.billsienkiewiczart.com) drew a cop in the old Elektra series by Frank Miller. The cop had really exaggerated and out-of-control hair. I’ve used that idea often. I put it on a robot in a painting.  Then I did a shirt of it, but I wanted to add something. I’m humbled to give credit to my friend Adam for helping me with the “Extra-ordinary” shirt slogan. I like the way the text is broken up to give the word the exact opposite meeting.

What do you want TeeFury fans to know about you?
**I am a super-awesome guy, an amazing artist, and I’ve got a super-duper awesome wife.   –written by my wife

I need a reputable agent for children’s book illustration. Know one? Are one? Email me, please.   –written by me

What do you absolutely not want them to find out?
My wife wrote something here, too, but it was too embarrassing. We’ve all got issues, let’s just leave it at that.

Name a few of your favorite things.
Mall-walking, Abraham Lincoln, matching shoes with track suits, UNC basketball, Godzilla movies on a Sunday afternoon, painting robot arms, my wife’s cooking

What are your feelings on parallel universes?
Mark Oliver Everett, front man of alt-rock band The Eels, is the son of the physicist (Hugh Everett III) who came up with the idea. Apparently the latter came up with the concept as a young man and achieved fame, had his theories trashed later, and then in the 70’s his theories were re-examined and he became a huge celebrity again. Then he died. Nova put out an amazing documentary on all this. It’s set against the backdrop of his relationship with his son (Mark Oliver), whom a camera crew follows as he learns about the whole thing by talking with historians and physicists. All set to great Eels music. Very heartbreaking because of all the tragedy of the family, but it’s very sweet, too, and it’s a great intro to the physics behind parallel universes. Here’s the site for the documentary: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/manyworlds/

Do you prefer cake, ice cream, or ice cream cake?
Skinny Cow chocolate fudge ice cream cones and there’s an Italian ice place in Orlando that’s awesome, too

Mad scientist vs. self-aware robot: who would win the battle?
That’s a lose/lose situation. I’m staying out of it.

Describe your favorite shirt that you own, and why you like it so much.
My favorite shirt is my Katamari Damacy shirt (a pic of the Prince (about ½” tall) next to a huge and well-drawn elephant) and it’s special because my amazing and loving mom gave it to me for my birthday three years ago.

Which is better, gaming, reading, or watching movies? Name your favorite title in your chosen medium.
Reading. Book: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon

What inspires your work?
Little ideas I stumble upon while teaching art to middle schoolers (that’s my other job)

Any shout outs?
My precious wife, a.k.a. Sweet Angel. And MJ and all the other folks that set up blogs, forums, etc. to help organize and enrich the world of shirt design. Thanks!