Faber Castell Pitt pen, Pilot Precise V5 pen, Moleskine large sketchbook.
Drawn watching the less than fabulous Henry VIII on PBS last night. It is amazing that Henry was crowned, married 6 times, beheaded 2 wives, established the Church of England, and managed to joust, write music and send a lot more people to their deaths in three short hours. The styling was wierd--kind of gold leafed romance book covers/bodice rippers combined with fantasy concubine love bedrooms--a far cry from the filth, dirty stumpwork and embroidered encrusted hangings,smelly darkness that was closer to the truth. I would have expected this drama from A&E or Lifetime (where the junky women stuff resides) but not PBS. Where is the world coming to?
01.08.07 from the sketchbook
Faber Castell Pitt pen, Pilot Precise V5, moleskine large sketchbook.
The Real Museums in Los Angeles
I learned a big truth about ten years ago that has been a continual surprise to me as I get older and scoot around to different places. Simply put, the truth is to look for and engage in what is "vernacular" in the area you visit, live or pass through. Look for the local cuisine, the local industries, those things that the locals take for granted and that are the essence of what is different and special about the area. When we lived in New York City, it was great working in the design world related to the fashion and beauty industy, something that is intrinstic to NYC (as much as working in the financial, publishing and entertainment businesses). It was pure New York--with the business being the magnet for very talented, eccentric and the most Manhattanite of all the Manhattanites. When we visit Pittsburgh, we delight in the Pirates with their dancing pirogies while we down Iron City Beer and devour these baroque sandwiches made by Primanti Brothers, a place that used to open around midnight and close around noon.There is a great website that celebrates Pittsburgh, the sports and the attitude that pervades the Burg. When we lived in Philadelphia, we partook of pretzels, cheesesteaks and Mummers-- along with taking in as much American History, old buildings and the world that surrounds that.
So, now with this long lead in-- I get to the point. One of the most exciting and least expected charge from our visit to LA was visiting the various beaches accompanied by these lovely plazas that point at the beach--chock a block with skate and surf shops. Wow! To go deep into the look and feel of the surf/skate community is unique to LA (and probably south and west to Hawaii)--and it's an aesthetic that in natural in context, but at Nordstroms in NJ or stutting down Broadway in NYC doesnt make sense at all. The palette is neutral/earth tones with screenprinting on everything often tone on tone with cool calligraphically inspired graphics replete with the skull thing, crosses, and images that are old engravings etc. Secondary inspiration from Mexican imagery (Day of the Dead),Black letter/"old english" typography, heraldic references,tattoo imagery.Lots of weathering both in the graphics and illustration but also fraying edges, inside out tees etc. Tattoos make sense within the context of this decorated world--where the sun shines 365 days a year and folks dress for that. Plus, the surfers go to where the waves are great--so there is a transience in the look and feel that is built into the graphics and general presentation. After this surf and skate immursion, it was great to people watch and see how it all plays out--the lovely girls with long skateboards tucked under their arms on the way to the sidewalks along Venice Beach, the boys with the entire skate rig complete with the funny, dun colored knit caps with brims (sideways)shuffling alongside-- And the complete sporty surf brothers--shedding this street ware for layers of high tech neoprene from the top of their heads to the soles of their feet and everything in between--leaning on each other to snap this black skin tight over themselves. The easing and squeezing of oneself into the winter rig takes almost as much time as the actual surfing.
This aesthetic makes sense in LA--and to that, so much of the art artwork that is seen in Juxatoz is surf/skate derivative or better, flows from commercial to gallery and back again. Shephard Fairey's work is for one. More later.
Some sites to check out:
Roxy>>
Quicksilver
Aqua VI
Hurley
Billabong
O'Neill
Introducing the Academy's Reading and Supplies List
Hi. I am linking to a page of recommended books, art and computer supplies that I use and reference. I will be updating as my likes/dislikes change and grow. I will be keeping a link on the left>> but today will link here>>>>>> too. Check it out. There might be something there to interest you.
Finalizing.
I am going to let this one sit and simmer to tweak later. More on the desk to get going. Its in the high 50s today. The cherry trees are in bloom and the willows are confused. Huge water flow off the hills towards Montour Falls. And the fabulous Montour Falls were booming with water and spray. Where is our winter? I dont think its all global warming...but maybe its a little poke in the side to all of us to consider that.
more later.
IF: BUZZED about 2007
Just back from the world of skaters and surfers and was made breathless by all the good stuff that is happening in that world. Tons of skulls and the like inspired by tattoo art and by the Mexican art surrounding the Day of the Dead. So, I have been madly whipping out little expressions of the New Year to commemorate these discoveries. Happy New Year to all my IF pals! 52 new weeks of Illustration Friday to look forward to!
Cheers!
developing
Map of Culver City Art District
Click the image for a better view>>
For you. As you can see, plenty in a little place. Worth the visit...and of course the Jurassic is around there too!
Threadless
Do you know the Threadless site? Very cool, community driven website. This is how it works--an artist/designer/individual submits/uploads a design to the site. It is voted on. If the shirt gets enough votes, they produce the shirt. If/when the shirt sells out, the community is polled to see if there is interest to reprint the shirt etc. The artist gets some $ and some real idea on what works/doesnt. Plus, its a cool way to see what is new, bleeding edge etc. among this group of viewer voters. Take a look.
Bought the software, Graphite yesterday. Going to need to produce mechanical drawings and this seems to be the ticket for the enfeebled sort. Easy--my pals say. We'll see.
back on it.
The Jurassic Museum of Technology
We decided to visit galleries in the Culver City and Santa Monica environs one day during our recent visit to Los Angeles. We visited the Billy Shire Gallery and attempted several others in the vicinity, but as it was holiday time, most were closed. Billy Shire was great. Had a good show, great bookstore and some terrific big Tim Biskup pieces (a huge--almost 8' monster (3D) and several (I think giclees)big (36" x 48" framed prints. There were Basemans and other pieces from known low brow artists.
We also visited the Bergamot Stationwhich hosts the Santa Monica Museum of Art (unfortunately closed due to a show being installed). Tons of galleries. A great japanese paper company, Hiromi, with a wonderful collection of papers to touch, feel and best off, buy! We did have a chance to visit Copro Nason Gallery to see their 15th year anniversary show. There was something from everyone and for everyone. It was great to see the work directly, with my favorites being two pieces from Shepard Fairey--big pieces that are very bold, collage-y and direct. Another big surprise was that everything was very affordable (great for collectors and not so great for the artists).
Now, to the petit four! The highlight of the day was The Museum of Jurassic Techology, a great and odd experience rendered at the highest level--exhibiting the wierd and eccentric--a la the world of McSweeneys, Ricky Jay and the book of Miscellaeny. However, Wikipedia refines it's description to a better understanding:
The museum claims to have a "specialized repository of relics and artifacts from the Lower Jurassic, with an emphasis on those that demonstrate unusual or curious technological qualities." This explains the museum's name and also suggests its puzzling nature, since the Lower Jurassic ended over 150 million years before the appearance of hominoids and in particular before anything that could be called technology (see geologic time scale).
Its catalog includes a mixture of artistic, scientific exhibits that evokes the cabinets of curiosities that were the 18th century predecessors of modern natural history museums. The museum was the subject of a book by Lawrence Weschler in 1995 entitled Mr. Wilson's Cabinet of Wonder, and the museum's founder David Hildebrand Wilson received a MacArthur Foundation grant in 2003. The museum claims to attract around 6,000 visitors per year. In 2004, a 35-minute documentary about the museum was produced entitled Inhaling the Spore; this film is available on DVD in the museum's gift shop.
Mr. Wilson's Cabinet of Wonder portrays the museum, and David Hildebrand Wilson's role as curator, as a work of conceptual art. The exhibits are shown to be riddled with factual errors and peculiar attributions. However, many of the exhibits that, initially, seem to Mr. Weschler to be entirely fabricated turn out to have a factual basis. He sees the museum as a commentary on the authoritarian character of most public museums and upon the trust that patrons place in those authorities. The museum is a reminder of such historical periods as the beginning of the Renaissance and the turn of the 20th century, times when increased world travel and rapid scientific progress resulted in artifacts that blurred the boundaries between what was considered possible and impossible.
It is done to the nines. Wonderfully off kilter in it's exhibitry, use of materials and ideas (an entire exhibit on cat's cradles with projections and audio--wax hands making the different types of cat's cradles, stories on what they symbolize and how they are used in different cultures) as an example. There is an exhibit devoted to the language of bees. Another celebrates in a somber display of dog portaiture, the russian space program and the dogs central to it. Lovely use of dim lighting, candles, projection, lenses, funny brass scientific holders, linen and wood. Someone understands bookbinding and uses it extensively in the displays. It is all dark and not dreary. Even the bathrooms have candles, rolled towels, fresh flowers and some sort of message. Every square inch of the place is teaching or confusing or stunning (in both instances) or all. It is a place to plan to spend the day--as it will take the better part of a day to acclimate yourself to the Jurassic "space" in your mind and the other part to begin to understand one exhibit.
"Confusion can be a very creative state of mind; in fact, confusion can act as a vehicle to open people's minds. The hard shell of certainty can be shattered…" — David Wilson in an interview with author Lawrence Weschler, originally aired on NPR, October 27, 2001.
Visit LA just for this. It's worth it.
This is God's power and he sent this thing to warn us ... we needed a shock.
-- Pat Robertson, remarking on the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, quoted by Robert E Norlander in a dispatch of 09.14.01 
Just when things get a little sleepy on the plateau, we have that old predictor and prophesizer, Pat Robertson to get things going.
Pat Robertson said Tuesday God has told him that a terrorist attack on the United States would result in "mass killing" late in 2007.
"I'm not necessarily saying it's going to be nuclear," he said during his news-and-talk television show "The 700 Club" on the Christian Broadcasting Network. "The Lord didn't say nuclear. But I do believe it will be something like that."
Robertson said God told him during a recent prayer retreat that major cities and possibly millions of people will be affected by the attack, which should take place sometime after September.
Robertson said God also told him that the US only feigns friendship with Israel and that US policies are pushing Israel toward "national suicide."
"I have a relatively good track record," he said. "Sometimes I miss."
Remember, this is from the man that called for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. See the article from Media Matters
How can there be peace when drunkards, drug dealers, communists, atheists, New Age worshipers of Satan, secular humanists, oppressive dictators, greedy money changers, revolutionary assassins, adulterers, and homosexuals are on top?-- Pat Robertson, The New World Order, p. 227
Isn't this guy a trip?
Confirmation on SU MA Illustration Program's Demise
Just got a note from the Dean of the College of Arts declaring the termination of the ISDP MA Illustration program at the end of next year (2008). They will honor their committments with the currently enrolled students, but will not admit any new students. Here is an excerpt from Dean Carole Brzozowski, College of Visual and Performing Arts:
"Due to a decline in student enrollment, I regret to inform you that we will begin a phased process of closing Syracuse University's Independent Degreee Study Programs (ISDP) in Advertising Design and Illustration. We will fulfill our obligation to you and all currently enrolled students to complete the program in a timely manner, but we will no longer admit new students to the program."
"The decision to close the programs was a very difficult one, particularly in light of the historic contributions to mid-career graduate education and the industry leadership these programs have provided to a generation of professionals in advertising design and illustration fields."
This is a very sad moment for this school to close a program they chose not to promote and not to maintain.They chose not to promote and build the program continually--but only at the last moment as the flame of the program flickered. Simple stuff like showing the thesis work at the Lubin House or mounting a Best of Show at the Society of Illustrators. Or posting something about the program on the bulletin boards of the Society and AIGA in NYC. Or something as simple as giving each alumni and current students 6 postcards to send to friends with a note. Nothing of note, nothing of creativity, nothing of effort. For a school who prides itself in its communications programs--this is beyond shameful.The feeble attempt of a single ad placement last year wasn't enough to even merit notice.
The Illustration program has 27 years of graduates, many who are the top of their fields (education, illustration, design)--an alumni base they choose not to promote or support-- who by their very actions and endeavors shine light on SU's undergraduate programs.It is through sheer neglect by SU to allow this program to slip away and allow others to pick up the pace (Marywood and the newly formed ISDP MFA program at the University of Hartford with the talented Tinkelmans leading the way) through their inabilty to solve a simple problem--being able to grant an MFA in this sort of ISDP format. Their loss is someone else's gain. Carpe Diem!
It is of great sadness to me as this program has been instrumental in changing my thinking, my work and my work for clients. I would want others to have the same opportunities I have had--and they will, just not through the Syracuse Program. Others, as noted in another letter circulating out there, will pick up the baton--and transform this ISDP concept into something tailored for now--and speaking to the true needs of the current student base.
I don't know about you, but when there is competition--everyone gets a little better, tougher, stronger. Real competitors don't drop out.
Hurray for jetBlue!
We just had our first jetBlue experience. It was beyond wonderful. First off, its very easy to make reservations, to see costs etc. online. The day before your trip, an email is sent to you confirming reservations and encouraging you to print your boarding passes before even getting to the airport. All great. Then, upon getting to the airport, everything is chop chop with the bag check in etc. and away you go. There is DirectTV and in some cases XM radio. jetBlue offers free headsets with a $1. surcharge to improve the quality a little. Many of the coast to coast folks came on board with way macho, expensive headsets around their necks like little chincilla scarves, ready to plug in. So, the entertainment can't get any better. They are constantly cleaning up, offering food and water and drinks as you go. Everything sparkles. The whole feel of the flight reads like IKEA or the Apple store, kind of "we are serious about the work we do--and want to do it well--but with humor in a everyman type of way"--If the television is not going--there are cute little screensavery things that say " You look good in Leather" (as in their seats) or "Shhh! You are our favorite customer. Don't tell anyone!" Pointing up what is important to them--in a memorable and fun way. Every plane has a blue name--on the front of the plane--with different blue on blue patterns on the tails, on the uniforms, on the screensavers....on the floors of the terminals, fabrics and printed materials.The sushi bar has blue name at JFK. They have a day spa along with a little mini grocery store for carry-on lunches for the longer flights that are healthy, fun and a treat without succumbing to fried food, pizza or the regular make you feel bad food that the airport normally pushes. When we arrived at the cute little Long Beach airport, they opened both the front and the back of the airplane and let us exit both ways into the brilliant sunlight, warmth and palm trees Southern California promises. From the moment we entered the world of jetBlue, our vacation officially started versus the normal time of being jostled and hassled by the other, more "corporate" airlines--who build stress and struggle into their program. It was fun, fast, hassle free. We started on time, and got to our destination on time and in the case of coming back, actually made time.
jetBlue is the beginning of our travelling a lot this year. Hello Miami!!
More New Years Cards
Can you tell I got a dose of this stuff in LA? Inspired by the skateboard, surfer graphics I saw in Hermosa Beach and at the great stores such as Hurley (HSS), Roxy and Quicksilver down on Huntington Beach--and of course, on every living breathing Californian walking down the street. The best was this great jacket--heavily embroidered with roses (Mexican and tattoo inspired) on the front, and this great skull with lettering that would have made Joseph Crawhall happy, saying Carpe Diem. I was begging Kitty to let me buy it for her with many polite brush offs from her. So, I had to start drawing this stuff to get it out of my brain and onto the paper. I love the flowers in the eyes. Marigolds, I think are the original inspiration, but they were more like daisies on this marvel of a jacket.
More to come!
Happy New Year!
Back from ten days in wonderful Southern California. This little gumdrop is airplane induced, surf and skateboard inspired, day of the dead entertained--New Years picture for you from me. I think you will see more. I will get into a little travelogue in the next few entries for fun. Happy New Year--2007! and may all your resolutions be realized, new dreams evolve and bear fruit, health and happiness come your way.
Cheers!
a holiday bonbon!
urg
Why does it always happen that some of the more miserable things to happen during the year always, and I mean always happen within 7 days of Christmas? I should just plan on being bludgeoned and steel myself for it. This year it is not entirely last minute work from clients, but the pile on of junk from the wine front, from the graduate studies front, and from the work front...ie clients. The axiom to never burn your bridges really holds true on the latter. A client,who represented well over half of my billable work at one time has come back-- wanting to work together. I am tres flattered, but given my life at the moment, the graduate work and the concept of "really nasty hard work" has given me the permission to reconsider work that 2 years ago would have been outrageous to not accept. Nice to know we move and change with the wearing down we get with time and adversity. Rumor has it that Syracuse will be stopping the ISDP program for illustration and graphic design after 2008 graduates. I am waiting for confirmation, but somehow am not surprised by this news...albeit, it is a small death, and I am mourning it none the less. I know it isn't my problem, but somehow 28 years of talent and success to die in such a pathetic, flophousie kind of way is even more tragic. As R. says, it doesnt matter where I got the degree, it is the kick to get the work done and finished beyond the sketchbook is what matters. But for me, the more is the sidebar meetings and talking that is the frantic extra education that you really pay for. But, there are other programs and programs that care and are changing for the needs of the current ISDP students. SU could care less.
wiping a tear away.
What a guy!
I know what you are thinking. Red suit. Fur Trim. Eight reindeer with a sleigh filled with gigantic bags of wrapped (!!) toys and presents. I know you are thinking about the parades of this guy from Thanksgiving until 12/25. And then he falls off the radar screen until the next Thanksgiving. The real St. Nicholas was far, far better. And, think of the holidays that could spin around his attributes.
Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, children, and students in Greece, Russia and Serbia. He is also the patron saint of Barranquilla (Colombia), Bari (Italy) Amsterdam (Netherlands), and of Beit Jala in the West Bank of Palestine.
A Few insights into St. Nicholas' fabulousity:
Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors and is often called upon by sailors who are in danger of drowning or being shipwrecked. According to one legend, as a young man Nicholas went to study in Alexandria and on one of his (sea) voyages from Myra to Alexandria he is said to have saved the life of a sailor who fell from the ship's rigging in a storm. In a colourful version of this legend, Nicholas saved the man on his voyage back from Alexandria to Myra and upon his arrival took the sailor to the church. The image above is Bicci di Lorenzo's image of Saint Nicholas calming the storm.
Another legend tells how a terrible famine struck the island and a malicious butcher lured three little children into his house, only to kill and slaughter them and put their remains in a barrel to cure, planning to sell them off as ham. Saint Nicholas, visiting the region to care for the hungry, not only saw through the butcher's horrific crime but also managed to resurrect the three boys from the barrel. Another version of this story, possibly formed around the eleventh century, claims that they were instead three clerks who wished to stay the night. The man murdered them, and was advised by his wife to dispose of them by turning them into meat pies. The Saint saw through this and brought the men back to life. The image above is Bicci di Lorenzo's (1433-35)St. Nicholas Resuscitating Three Youthsfrom the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY. NY. What is not to love here?
Finally, in his most famous exploit however, a poor man had three daughters but could not afford a proper dowry for them. This meant that they would remain unmarried and probably, in absence of any other possible employment would have to become prostitutes. Hearing of the poor man's plight, Nicholas decided to help him but being too modest (or too shy) to help the man in public, he went to his house under the cover of night and threw three purses filled with gold coins through the window opening onto the man's floor. One version has him throwing one purse for three consecutive nights. Another has him throw the purses over a period of three years, each time the night before one of the daughters comes "of age". Invariably the third time the father lies in waiting, trying to discover their benefactor. In one version the father confronts the saint, only to have Saint Nicholas say it is not him he should thank, but God alone. In another version, Nicholas learns of the poor man's plan and drops the third bag down the chimney instead. For his help to the poor, Nicholas is the patron saint of pawnbrokers; the three gold balls traditionally hung outside a pawnshop symbolize the three sacks of gold. People then began to suspect that he was behind a large number of other anonymous gifts to the poor, using the inheritance from his wealthy parents. After he died, people in the region continued to give to the poor anonymously, and such gifts were still often attributed to St. Nicholas. Above, Bicci di Lorenzo, St. Nicholas Providing Dowries. Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY.
According to the Golden Legend's account of this death, there sprang out from under Nicholas' tomb a fountain of oil which was able to cure the sick. The man on crutches on the right may possibly represent those who came to be cured.
Visit the St. Nicholas timeline for more!>
There is so much more. What is not to love about this modest saint (who is said to be a short man, just barely five feet tall)--who rescues girls from a possible life of prostitution. Or saves the boys from the ham incident or calming storms to rescue sailors. Sure beats the guy who shops at Toys R Us.