REAS Debuts ‘The New Deal’ Print Today

Your favorite Complex cover artist (or second, depending on taste) is at it again. Mr. Todd James a.k.a. REAS recently launched a new website, and today he’s debuting a brand new print called “The New Deal.” The piece, which is 29.2″ x 22″ and printed on Coventry Rag 335g archival paper, goes on sale today at noon with a limited run of 150. Complex recently got up with REAS to discuss his latest endeavors. Read on for the quick interview, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at a new piece he’ll be debuting in London next month…

Complex: So you recently launched a new website, toddjames.com. What’s up with that, why the new launch?

REAS: I owned the domain for a long time and thought it would be a good place to sell zines and prints.

Complex: What’s up with the new print, “The New Deal”?

REAS: It’s a painting I did a year or so ago that I really loved and decided to make a print edition of. The results are great. The people I’ve shown it to first hand think it’s an original; the graphite ink is really mind blowing. It looks like the real thing.

Complex: The title seems kinda timely considering recent electoral events.

REAS: Yeah, but that’s luck of the dice I guess.

Complex: It looks kinda like a robbery or something. Is there a story behind it?

REAS: Nope. Just two figures making an exchange.

Complex: So what are your plans for the rest of ‘08 and going into ‘09?

REAS’s forthcoming print that he will debut in London next month

REAS: I have a big piece, the biggest I’ve made on paper, 17′ x 17,’ in a group show in a museum in Walsall, England with the Lazarides crew, I think that opens December 5th. And two shows in Australia, one on January 15th at Monster Children and another in Melbourne at a place called Don’t Come.