WHO WANTS A RHEA AUTOGRAPH?

Or a John Cena Royal Rumble poster?

All the new stuff! Jonathan Bartlett WWE SHOP

Friends!

Wrestlemania 41 is approaching fast and i’ve been hard at work on a handful of exciting projects, but before we get to that, Im stoked to say that WWE just released a bunch of new work that was originally only available at the shows.

Also included is a new piece for the Terror Twins, which has been signed by both Rhea and Damian! But thats not all..

I’ve never wanted this to just be a promotional newsletter, so how about a story too?

In 2018 Chris Jericho has Ryan Barkan, owner of Pro Wrestling Tees, on his podcast. I love the cross section of business and art so despite never hearing of Ryan before, I was excited to dive in. On that pod, while Ryan is explaining his business model, how PWT took off, and his relationship with the Bucks/etc… he says one thing that grabbed my attention….

“I’ll sell anything, if it’s wrestling related”

Immediately I thought, “Fuck movie posters, I should make WRESTLING posters”

THIS was just after ALL IN had happened and the Indy world was on fire.

I put together a pitch deck and did a sample poster of one Mr. Cody Rhodes for his match at All In. I printed it full size, wrote a letter and shipped it off to Ryan, cold call style. Basically saying, we should make posters, if you like this, email me.

and you know what? He did. He said he loved the work, but needed to see what Cody and the Bucks thought of the idea first.

So then? You guessed it. Cody gave it his blessing.

So thats how it all started! After about a year of doing stuff with AEW, I got noticed by the goooood folks at WWE and soon the Wrestlemania Legendary Moments series was born.

6 years later and I couldn’t be happier with how everything has evolved and the work I’ve been able to make.

So really, this is all thanks to Cody; Maybe Ill get to tell him one day. Anyway! Here’s to another Wrestlemania season– cheers! Even more work coming soon!

LISTENING TO: Bloc Party! Silent Alarm got me through a whole lot of painting in undergrad…
PODCASTING: I was the “they said what” caller this week on Ringer Wrestling WorldWide!

Be kind to others.