Bowl Bid - 2011 Gator Bowl Wallpaper
This is the first in a series of wallpapers leading up to the 2011 Gator Bowl. I wanted to have a basic name-of-the-bowl-game-themed wallpaper in place while I work on the opponent-specific graphics over the next few weeks. I also might produce a state-of-the-program commentary and will hopefully finish that Denard Robinson Action Figure behind-the-scenes article I've been promising. If there's time left after all of that I'd like to write a less-hyphenated version of this paragraph.
After the bowl destination and opponent were announced yesterday I did some superficial research on Mississippi State and was surprised at how close they played some of their highly ranked opponents (they only lost to Auburn by 3 and Arkansas by 7 in double overtime). I realize that the W-L column and game scores are statistically less significant than other data sure to appear over the next month in the writings of football minds much greater than mine, but I didn't have room for a grid of opponent points per possession adjusted for field position, strength of schedule and coach seat hotness so all you're getting on this wallpaper are the basics.
The image below is a preview only. You can get the widescreen, 4:3, iPad and mobile wallpapers at The Art. The Art. The Art!.
All of the 2010 Wallpapers
Season Wallpaper - Denard Robinson Action Figure
Game 1 Connecticut Wallpaper - Husky Puppy Piddles in Fear
Game 2 Notre Dame Wallpaper - Touchdown Jesus Says "No Good"
Game 3 Massachusetts Wallpaper - The $550,000 Cupcake
Game 4 Bowling Green Wallpaper - Wolverine vs. Falcon
Game 5 Indiana Wallpaper - Good at Basketball
Game 6 Michigan State Wallpaper - Sibling Rivalry
Game 7 Iowa Wallpaper - Maize is Blue
Game 8 Penn State Wallpaper - The Eyes Have It
Game 8 Penn State Wallpaper - JoePa Halloween Costume
Game 9 Illinois Wallpaper - We Be Illin'
Game 10 Purdue Wallpaper - I Think We Can! I Think We Can!
Game 11 Wisconsin Wallpaper - Cheesehead Cross Stitch
Game 12 Ohio State Wallpaper - The Game
Thanksgiving Wallpaper - Turpigskin
December 6th, 2010 at 9:38 AM ^
Didn't expect to get one from you so quickly after the announcement. Thanks for sharing your amaizing works of art!
December 6th, 2010 at 9:44 AM ^
That is great. The gator is kinda freaky looking, just searching into my soul and knowing how badly we need this win. Thanks monuMental and I look forward to your upcoming wallpapers for this game.
December 6th, 2010 at 9:48 AM ^
This is the first in a series of wallpapers leading up to the 2011 Gator Bowl.
A series? Man, you are truly outdoing yourself!
This one is awesome, and I'm looking forward to the others in the series.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^
Nice. Less than 12 hours ago I was pretty much begging and pleading for some of your art through a thread on the MGoBoard. You really do great work and I can't wait to see what you've got up your sleeve. Thanks for the recent videos too. I think they show off just what kind of ridiculus talent you have.
Myself and fellow monuMental fan, clevermichiganreference, were thinking if you get bored anytime this week a Big Chill wallpaper would be pretty special.
December 6th, 2010 at 3:49 PM ^
Thanks to monuMental for the first Gator Bowl wallpaper, can't wait to pick one for my Droid on gameday in Jacksonville. And yes, a monuMental Big Chill wallpaper would indeed be tremendous.
December 7th, 2010 at 11:38 PM ^
I really hate to dissapoint but it's a no go on the Big Chill wallpaper. I was this close [ ] to designing one last night but I opted for some much needed rest. I saw your board thread after you referenced it in your comments. Thanks for your kind words. I'm really glad that you like the art.
December 6th, 2010 at 9:53 AM ^
This is the first one you've posted since I've been over 100 MGoPoints. Proud to finally be able to +1 you!
December 6th, 2010 at 10:02 AM ^
Hey man keep up the good work! I really look forward to your next wallpapers. I think the gator looks creepy but non the less awesome work
December 6th, 2010 at 10:04 AM ^
Is there any way to put the Michigan logo and schedule in color? Maybe put it in yellow font to stand out against the MSU type?
December 6th, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^
Great work all season, thanks!
December 6th, 2010 at 10:36 AM ^
You out do yourself everytime at increasing speed.
December 6th, 2010 at 10:43 AM ^
Keep up the good work.
December 6th, 2010 at 12:23 PM ^
We get a whole series leading up to the bowl game? Woot!
December 6th, 2010 at 12:37 PM ^
monuMental, Captain Picard has a message for you. He says you and your wallpapers are:
Keep up the good great stellar fantastic....Dammit, where’s Fred Jackson when you need a good hyperbolic adjective?
December 7th, 2010 at 11:34 PM ^
The Picard photo is hillarious but your Fred Jackson reference is pure genius. Well done.
December 7th, 2010 at 11:31 PM ^
Love it. Not far from one of the ideas I was kicking around but I like your literal interpretation much better.
December 6th, 2010 at 3:01 PM ^
Y cant I have any skills of this nature in anything?
Amazing
December 6th, 2010 at 7:02 PM ^
I've downloaded every wallpaper you've posted. I think I speak for everyone when I say that they are truly appreciated.
December 6th, 2010 at 8:00 PM ^
Seriously where do you get such great photography? Picturing you up to your waist in muck, throwing gator bait with one hand, clutching a digital SLR in the other.
Very nice (as always).
December 7th, 2010 at 11:30 PM ^
Now that you've painted such a dramatic word picture I would be letting you down to reveal the real (and significantly less interesting) source of my photography.
December 6th, 2010 at 9:07 PM ^
And just as quick, it's on my desktop :)
Edit: Wow, I didn't realize for a bit that the Gator is facing to the left!
December 6th, 2010 at 9:07 PM ^
You are the leader and the best.
December 7th, 2010 at 11:28 PM ^
That is the first ever fight-song inspired feedback I've ever received. Awesome.
December 6th, 2010 at 9:08 PM ^
have to be honest, deep down I was hoping for a Gator the Pimp reference from the Other Guys though
December 6th, 2010 at 10:03 PM ^
fantastic work again! Thanks and +1 to you!
December 6th, 2010 at 10:41 PM ^
Christmas one in the making? Thanksgiving one was cool for the holiday!
December 7th, 2010 at 11:27 PM ^
I'm making a list and checking it twice.
December 7th, 2010 at 9:58 AM ^
My two-year-old just said "Wow!".
December 7th, 2010 at 11:25 PM ^
Thanks for sharing that feedback. It's genuinely appreciated. I've committed myself to making family-safe artwork that I'd feel comfortable showing to my own 2 year old. My older child thought it was "gross", which I find to be equally satisfying feedback.
December 7th, 2010 at 9:03 AM ^
what can be greater?
December 7th, 2010 at 9:20 AM ^
These are always so great. Thanks for making them.
December 7th, 2010 at 11:18 AM ^
Thanks man! These wallpapers are great. I've had one of your wallpapers up since September.
December 7th, 2010 at 2:12 PM ^
this is my first official post, so hopefully i don't get hit too hard on it :)
just wanted to say i have beena HUGE fan of your work over the season, and have continuously been referring people outside the blog to it whenever possible. looking forward to the continued series for the bowl game and beyond!
that being said, as an ecologist here at UM, i gotta ask...the animal in the photo looks like a gharial (also known as an Indian crocodile)...any chance we can get a confirmation on the subject?
great job, and GO BLUE!!!--
December 7th, 2010 at 11:52 PM ^
I'm honored that your first post was on my diary. I laughed when I read your comment because I honestly went through some intense internal debate about whether to use this photo. It's great that you looked closely enough to notice. I'm no animal expert, but I'm pretty sure that you're correct: the animal in my photo is NOT (strictly speaking) a common alligator. The choice came down to this awesome photo of gator-like animal or a pedestrian but accurate gator photo. I'm usually a stickler for accuracy but this image was too good to pass up. I have a similar feeling of guilt about the Indiana wallpaper because the uniorm on the basketball player looks nothing like the uniforms Indiana wore back then (or at any time in their history). Thanks for sharing my artwork with your friends. I hope that you enjoy the forthcoming opponent wallpaper(s) for the bowl game.
December 7th, 2010 at 7:38 PM ^
December 7th, 2010 at 11:14 PM ^
I was tempted to do one for the Big Chill (and the soccer team considering their recent run in the NCAA tourney), but I'm trying to avoid getting overloaded here between life, work and these weekly wallpapers. I made a decision early on to only produce football artwork this season; maybe next year.
December 9th, 2010 at 5:25 PM ^
Thanks for the great work! I've got the Denard postseason wallpaper on my Mac desktop now.
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