1inTheStink

I always suspected that Ween was channeling intelligence from a higher power ... I just couldn't prove it.

2012-01-17T17:23:00.000-08:00

This is the best worst reverse-psychology tagline ever...

2011-10-11T16:18:00.000-07:00

I'm going to buy some right now because I know my wife won't drink it. And I'm a man. And I like action movies, yet I'm watching my figure. Here, Here!

Lord Cool

2011-10-05T08:19:00.000-07:00

...And here's the 2011 List

2011-09-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

FORBES FICTIONAL 15 RICHEST CHARACTERS

You’re not imagining it: The rich do keep getting richer. Even the fictionally rich.

The members of our 2011 list of wealthiest fictional characters have an average net worth of $9.7 billion, up 20% from last year. In aggregate, the Fictional 15 are worth $131.6 billion --more than the gross domestic product of New Zealand. To qualify for the Fictional 15, characters must be known, both within their fictional universe and by their audience, for being rich. Net worth estimates are based on an analysis of the fictional character's source material, and where possible, valued against known real-world commodity and share price movements.

I Wanna Be Fake Rich

2011-09-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

Ran across this article about Forbes 15 Richest Fictional Characters. It's a bit outdated (2006 list), but I'm guessing a lot of these still hold true. I would imagine Bruce Wayne and Anthony Stark would've climbed the list a bit, you know, since they've released a few big movies over the past couple years...

I also love that the article mentions how Santa Claus was snubbed. I guess it really doesn't take that much money to bring happiness and joy to children all over the world?

I find this humorous

2011-08-25T08:10:00.000-07:00

...and I don't even have cats.

New art print by Angryblue.

West Wars

2011-08-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

A series of characters imagined and created by a hobby artist (day job: high school history & film teacher) who calls himself Sillof.

He has six-to-eight variations of Star Wars inspired characters setting the characters in different time and genre periods throughout history. My favorite might just be the West Wars collection. Maybe because I like western movies?

Check out his entire line of custom Star Wars figures here. They're pretty flipping awesome.

En Route

2011-08-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Handiedan's latest "Trois No. 1" from this year. It should be shipping to me shortly. Can't wait. It's a 13-color screen print. Pretty dope. This one will make 5 pieces from her. Love her work.

...I never get to have any fun. Awe shucks...

2011-08-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

http://www.designworklife.com/2011/03/21/aled-lewis-toy-stories/

Oh Billy!

2011-08-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

An homage to the ultimate error card of 1989: Fuck Face.

I have to get this t-shirt.

It's been too long...

2011-08-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

We should all...

2011-07-07T06:53:00.000-07:00

It's like Interview With The Vampire, only the Vampire is a Robot.

2011-07-06T15:10:00.000-07:00

Steampunk R2-D2

2011-07-06T08:23:00.001-07:00

BELIEVE IT

2011-06-29T08:36:00.001-07:00

ut sementem feceris ita metes

2011-06-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

I Should've Sensed This Print Would Sell Out...

2011-06-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

... missed it by a month. Boooooooooooooooooo! Another print from designer Justin Kamerer, aka. Angry Blue. It has a Jim-Morrison's-grave vibe to it. Pretty sweet.

Blowin' Up

2011-06-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

Art prints by Angry Blue. Only $20.

RAWR!

2011-06-13T10:33:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what to think about this sign...

2011-06-13T10:17:00.000-07:00

Star Wars Muppets UPDATE! I'm going to Disney World!

2011-06-03T12:14:00.000-07:00

So, in February 2010 I wrote a pretty sweet "compare and contrast with intent to buy" post about Star Wars Muppets vs. Star Wars Mickey Mouse (You can read it here.). My conclusion was that I would have to search the galaxy to add Star Wars Muppets to my collection before I start buying Star Wars Mickey Mouse. Unfortunately, at the time I didn't believe either were actually real.

Much to my surprise, I stumbled across this post on Disney Parks blog that has affirmed the release of Star Wars Muppets figures. Here's the downside:

These figures won’t arrive until Fall at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. If you are visiting Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can see them on display in Jabba’s Hut, the specially-designed merchandise location near Disney’s Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster.

Dammit! No Star Wars Muppets figures for me until my kid turns 9... which is 9 years from this fall. Hopefully they're not sold out by then...

My Grandmother Would Be So Proud

2011-06-01T13:53:00.000-07:00

Can you crochet me a cozy for my bull head? Wait... what... you said yes. That's great!

Surreal yet beautiful work by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos. See more of her artwork on flikr.

The Phraseology Project

2011-05-26T07:56:00.000-07:00

words as art

Japan takes rugby to a whole new level...

2011-05-23T07:56:00.000-07:00

Or is it capture the flag? Either way, this looks like something we would've played in college during Drake Relays. The only difference is that we would've been protecting a keg in the middle of the malay instead of a pole with a person on top of it.

Baby K's "A Big #1" Birthday Cake

2011-05-22T07:17:00.001-07:00

On Your Side ... If You're Lucky.

2011-05-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

Keep Calm and Carry On ... My Young Apprentice

2011-04-29T12:10:00.000-07:00

What's the Coolest Way to Induce Seizure?

2011-04-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

Stare at this...

Don't look him in the eye...

2011-04-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

I'm guessing the man attached to this hand has seen his share of knockdown, drag-out brawls. There might've even been a time, as recent as this post I imagine, when he walked through raining gunfire without flinching just to finish the shot of whiskey he left on a bar... or stared down a man holding a flame thrower, knowing the man with the flame thrower wouldn't take the chance that the ball of fire he set forth wouldn't kill before he could be disarmed and killed himself... just guessing. There's also a pretty good chance that each of those skull rings represent a backyard cage fight victory where the opponent died. Just saying...

Rounding Out the HANDIEDAN Collection

2011-04-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

Picked up this gem at the beginning of April. I absolutely love the super-sized 24" x 36", 6-color, mostly black & white prints she's been doing. I snagged "That's a Fine Coat You're Wearing" to go along with "Valkyries No. 1" on the new wall in my new house that I haven't found yet. But trust me, when I do find that house, this room is going to be pretty sweet. Plus, I've got two, color giclees for the opposite wall. It'll be like a tribute to bizarro-pop-culture-pin-up-graffiti.

Yep! We're Having a Baby.

2011-04-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

The Comeback is Being Televised

2011-04-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

It has its moments...

Damn, Quit Giving Away All Our Writing Secrets!

2011-03-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

It's not easy being a copywriter today.

It's not fair.

Anyone and everyone you encounter on a daily basis, from clients to counterparts, from art directors to art buyers, if they know the English language, they think they're writers at heart. And they'll re-write the prose you've toiled over for hours with the first 3rd-grade composition that pops into their heads.

And this is where the problems start.

Grammar?

Spelling?

Flow?

Balance?

Understanding?

We're all capable of doing it. Right?

Of being direct.

Of being clear.

Of getting to the point ... in an adventurous and poetic manner, leading your reader to the point like a treasure map leading Goonies to a sloth.

It's not easy being a copywriter today.

So, thank you, Manifesto Maker. You've saved me a lifetime of stress.

Boobies.

Fun Star Wars Print by Mr. Brainwash

2011-03-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

If Star Wars was set a "long time ago," are they actually being portrayed in futuristic clothing?
My mind is boggled.

See more of Thierry Guetta's works here.

No Thanks.

2011-03-03T14:32:00.001-08:00

Josh vs. Soup

2011-03-03T14:21:00.000-08:00

Josh is the king of speed eating. He's not exactly the king of eating contests, though. Today's challenge was a test of lunch vs. work, and Josh's will to not go hungry makes him a champion for all of us.

But, it sucks when you realize (at the beginning of lunch) that you have a 1:00 meeting scheduled. It sucks even worse when your soup doesn't get to the table until 12:56. What sucks worse than that? Not sure. It's a tie between having to drink your soup and walking into a meeting with soup on your shirt. Lucky for Josh, he didn't spill a drop.

I Hadn't Bought Anything in a While... So...

2011-03-03T09:38:00.000-08:00

I had to pick up a Charlie Sheen shirt. Just to commemorate his spiral out of control and help other people make money off of his misfortune, I believe it's a good purchase. Nice job to Alex Pardee. This is a pretty sweet interpretation of 'tiger blood.' I wonder if it works anything like vampire blood? In any case, if you're selling some of that too, I'll buy it. Or if anyone else wants one of these t-shirts, you can find them here for $24.

I also grabbed a Larry and His Flask shirt. One, because it had my name on it. And two, because I dig music that gets your feet moving after a few whiskey and waters. So, if you like rockabilly or bluegrass or bango metal or whatever you want to call it, give these guys a listen. (Thanks for the tipoff, Russ.)

2011-03-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

Nike Cheeseburger

2011-03-02T08:01:00.001-08:00

"I had a disease. I cured it with my brain."

2011-03-01T13:04:00.000-08:00

Of course not!

2011-02-24T15:33:00.000-08:00

Who cares if Vader is watching. This thing might shit out a car on you.

It does kindof look like a big, steel turtle with long legs...

Yes. This Red Bull display is speaking to me.

2011-02-09T11:41:00.000-08:00

Chewie Monster

2011-02-03T15:16:00.001-08:00

VW spot uses 'the force' to control your mind...

2011-02-03T12:08:00.000-08:00

Come on, we've all tried this as a kid, right? But using The Force takes practice. Lucky for this young Vader, Dad gets home in time to keep his galaxy-ruling, dark-side dreams alive.

Really, the only scene missing is where this young Vader tries to pop the top off his babysitter ala. Scott Baio in Zapped! I guess we'll save that re-edit for a rainy day.

Probably Only Interesting to Me...

2011-01-13T16:19:00.001-08:00

The Future of the Supermarket is the Arcade

2011-01-12T11:02:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-23T08:49:00.000-08:00

Brett Favre is Out Again... But for the Last Time?

2010-12-21T09:12:00.001-08:00

Awesome work by Olly Moss

2010-12-20T11:58:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I didn't get in on these while the gettin' was good. I'm very disappointed that I couldn't sense their presence before they sold out.

Makes Me Happy

2010-12-15T11:07:00.000-08:00

Makes Me Sad

2010-12-15T11:06:00.000-08:00

She's One Badass Mutha

2010-12-07T15:23:00.000-08:00

Beware wrong-doers. There's a new vigilante in town...

Happy Holidays. It's R2-D2 on a HORSE!

2010-12-01T15:46:00.000-08:00

The concept here is funny because we all know R2 can just open up the jet engines in his legs and fly himself anywhere he actually wants to go...

Sometimes I feel this way about my job...

2010-11-19T09:31:00.001-08:00

69 Year Old DJ ... Really?

2010-11-18T12:22:00.001-08:00

The 3rd Installment of my Handiedan Collection

2010-11-08T07:26:00.000-08:00

Just picked this print up this weekend. I'm stoked.

It's a 6 screen print from her latest showing at Phone Booth Gallery, entitled "Valkyries."

It's Almost Halloween. Beware of the ZOMBIES!

2010-10-29T07:16:00.000-07:00

[Art print by Tim Swope. Available at pimpleberry. Pimpleberry is fun to say.]

It's This Easy...

2010-10-28T11:53:00.001-07:00

The Same Can Be Said About Writing

2010-10-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Signmaking

2010-10-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

"Like a Mustache with Titties."

2010-10-05T13:19:00.000-07:00

Yes. I would drink a Heineken just because of this.

2010-09-22T10:00:00.001-07:00

Inspiration of the Day

2010-09-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

NYC Street Art, Under the Brooklyn Bridge

2010-09-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to NYC, we hooked up with some friends who showed us around their little neighborhood. Lucky for us, Michael is as much a history buff as he is a great host. So, we got the red carpet tour around Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights.

Beginning under the Brooklyn Bridge, we made our way through the new artist loft district and around the riverfront. Bar-hopping along the way, we did some learning, site-seeing and boozing. A great afternoon quickly turned into a great evening thanks to a last-minute babysitter.

I can't wait to do it again.

Below are some photos I took along the way. On one stretch of a building were some interesting installations...

Competition Without Athletic Ability, Brought to you by Puma

2010-09-16T09:37:00.000-07:00

It's about time a brand embraced the kazillions of people out there who consider beer sports: "real" sports. I for one am right in the sweet spot for this target psychographic. There's not a single competitive game I partake in that cannot and usually does not involve a 12 oz. beverage by my side. Now, I will wear my Puma gear with even more pride as I stick a red-eye to light up the board or throw three in the box to complete the run to 21. Thanks, Puma. Wearing "athletic" clothes while doing non-athletic things makes me feel like more of the athlete I never really was.

"These are not the shoes you're looking for."

2010-09-08T11:41:00.000-07:00

Adidas is light years ahead of the competition with this tribute to the two most famous droids on this side of the Degoba System. At $110.00/pair, I don't see how you can pass these up?

Turning Video Chat into Scary-Good Viral Marketing

2010-08-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

This is pretty sick. These poor teenage boys had no idea what they were in for. And that's why I always do my video chatting on well respected porn sites.

Ways to Become Super ...

2010-08-16T12:53:00.001-07:00

... in case you were wondering.

More Than Wishful Thinking ...

2010-08-16T08:52:00.000-07:00

I'm Super Stoked About This

2010-08-16T08:49:00.000-07:00

Insight into Creating Great Work

2010-08-06T07:24:00.001-07:00

A lot of reasons why I like St. Louis

2010-08-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

... A nice piece done by the boys at Coolfire Media

Life Really is This Simple

2010-07-23T08:36:00.001-07:00

2010-07-15T15:28:00.001-07:00

The Black Keys at the Pageant

2010-06-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

A great show - Dan & Pat kicked it off with songs from Thickfreakness, some stuff from Rubber Factory. Then about 1/3 of the way through, they brought out the bass and keyboard for their new stuff. Simply awesome. I got some video clips. Some good. Some bad. A lot of moving camera. But I'll throw them up on YouTube anyway.

Below is the the encore of "Everlasting Light." You won't even notice the tall, bald guy standing in front of me. At least the sound is good.

The poster is pretty sweet too. It was designed by Powerhouse Factories out of Kentucky. It’s 18” x 24” 2 color printed on white ExactTag paper.

Jury is back. She's the cutest.

2010-05-21T19:06:00.001-07:00

The Cutest Niece Ever? Maybe ...

2010-05-20T08:20:00.001-07:00

Motivation. It's not about money. It's about purpose. Hmmmmm.

2010-05-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

Is It a Nightstand or a Weapon?

2010-04-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

Some people have guns. Others sleep with a baseball bat under their bed. I suppose that if I'm home when my house is broken into, I've got a pretty good collection of both blunt and sharp objects around I could put to use.

But this ... this table turned beat-down kit ... will catch any intruder by surprise. So if you're super paranoid, if you live in a bad neighborhood or if you're just preparing for the zombie invasion, this is the nightstand for you.

Complete with shield, the only thing you really need to worry about breaking the alarm clock when you sweep the table's contents onto the floor to prepare for battle.

To the inventor: pure brilliance, sir. Now, go kick some ass.

Picked Up this Poster at the Dead Weather Show in St. Louis

2010-04-28T11:04:00.001-07:00

Looks pretty dark and evil.

Done by The Silent Giants shop in Ferndale, MI.

Some of their other work ... wish I would've been at those shows to pick up a couple prints.

Star Wars Car Wash - a geeky dream come true

2010-04-28T10:56:00.001-07:00

Not sure what to say about this charity concept except for that I think they should make it a real car wash chain and take it national ... or intergalactic.

I wonder if it tastes like magical chicken?

2010-04-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

Demand More From Yourself Than Your Job Demands of You

2010-04-06T09:02:00.001-07:00

... an interesting and inspirational twist on a Jim Rohn philosophy.

Who would win? Superman vs. ALI

2010-03-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

About the above: What happens when the world’s most legendary fighter enters the ring against the world’s greatest hero?

Well, if you were around in 1978 to pick up a copy of SUPERMAN VS. MUHAMMAD ALI, then you know what it was like. The historic one-shot featured the Man of Steel teaming up with The Greatest Boxer of All Time to stave off an alien invasion of Earth.

DC will be reprinting the story — co-plotted and written by Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams with art from Adams — in two formats: The first is a deluxe hardcover edition featuring an expanded sketch section and additional content with a new cover by Adams. For all those fans of the book in its tabloid form there is also a limited edition hardcover in the original trim-size with the complete, original cover of the landmark issue. Both collections will hit in the fall of 2010.

But here's the real interesting part - this statue is $200, and it's awesome. How great would it look on my shelf? Great-tastic!

Purchase aside, you have to ask yourself, who would win this fight in real life?

Clark Kent got his ass kicked in a diner in Superman II. Granted, he didn't have his Krypton powers at the time, but it does show that he's susceptible to a right hook. You also have to look at the fact that most of Superman's fights include throwing people, not punches.

Ali flies like a butterfly. Superman is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Ali stings like a bee. Superman is more powerful than a locomotive. Ali can take a punch (Ali vs. Frazier classic rope-a-dope bout). Superman can make the world spin backwards.

It's hard to compare an alien vs. the greatest boxer of all time. But what if Ali had kryptonite in his gloves? Now things get interesting. Superman couldn't even swim with a kryptonite necklace on.

So here's the way I see Vegas handicapping the fight. Superman is a -600/750 favorite. If kryptonite is involved, the odds change. Superman -320/200. In either case, the over/under for rounds is 3. Ali can avoid the man of steel and dance around the ring for at least a few rounds before he takes a Krypton-uppercut to the chin.

...NOT on THIS BUS!

2010-03-29T13:19:00.001-07:00

Whatever you do - DO NOT shoot a dog in the butt and take pictures of it while listening to '80s hip-hop. If you do, the driver will throw you off the bus.

The point ... is to have no point.

2010-03-29T13:09:00.000-07:00

maybe another reason why I'm not a big fan of basketball

Funny Because It's True

2010-03-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

So why am I hitching my wagon to a dinosaur? Because change is possible. And those who evolve can survive. I just hope we evolve.

Star Wars Mickey Mouse or the Star Wars Muppets

2010-02-26T15:38:00.001-08:00

I'm not sure which Star Wars collection I like better.

I think Mickey has more of the heroic characteristics that are necessary to play the role of Luke Skywalker. Look at what he did in Fantasia for crying out loud. It was magical. Of course, Kermit has that sappy, beat-down, naive, pussy whipped quality that Luke possessed in Episode IV before he met Obi Wan. But I still lean towards Mickey as my last hope to restore the balance in the force.

Next you have to look at the Chewbacca character. Goofy dressed as Chewbacca. Or Fozzie Bear. Granted Goofy has the height advantage, which is essential to playing a wookie, I think you have to lean in Fozzie's direction. He doesn't need a suit. You just throw the bandolier over his shoulder and you've got yourself a trusted sidekick. Plus his laugh is pretty close to the cry of a wookie (wanka, wanka, wanka). On a side note, as a kid I always wanted a wookie as a pet. And I believe Fozzie would make a better pet than Goofy. So Fozzie wins the wookie category.

Then there's Leah. Pig or mouse? Miss Piggy and Minnie both have those leading lady qualities. But if you think about Piggy's attitude and the way she dominates Kermit, I think she has the stones to choke out a Hut. Advantage Piggy.

Moving onto the dark (and deciding) side. Who's playing the villian? On Mickey's team, you've got Donald Duck standing tall as Darth Maul. But seriously, Gonzo Vader? Even though Vader shows no signs of weakness - ever. And his mere essence is the antithesis of all things Gonzo awkwardly stands for. I think I have to lean in Gonzo's direction, even though Darth Duck looks pretty badass.

So if you were to ask which Star Wars children's show parody is going to be gracing my collection? I'd have to say ... well ... probably both. But I'm definitely going to try and find the Muppets collection first.

High End Package Design

2010-02-22T14:27:00.000-08:00

Design by Stranger and Stranger, a Studio from London

This is what they say about themselves:

Stranger and Stranger is a packaging design and branding company specialising in alcoholic drinks. Since 1995 we have named, researched and registered wines and spirits brands worldwide.

We've created bespoke and innovative bottle shapes, labels, closures and all secondary packaging.

We've created marketing support material and environmental dressing. We've supervised production to the highest standards.

We've won a pile of awards along the way but most importantly we've helped sell a billion bottles of beer, wine and spirits in one of the world’s most competitive markets.

This is what I say about them:

Absolutely beautiful. An amazing collection.

It doesn't matter what the liquid tastes like.

Hopefully you haven't oversold the product.

Or is the product the design? Manufactured for the back bar.

The bottles are eloquent.

The labels are works of art.

Drink it in and enjoy.

(And yes, I can use eloquent to describe the expression of an inanimate object like a bottle because it does have a mouth.)

Monkey is the New Guerilla

2010-02-19T08:06:00.001-08:00

So technically this isn't guerilla marketing, but it is a brilliant use of identifying a non-traditional consumer touchpoint to deliver a marketing message.

I always imagined the Death Star would have a more modern style latrine.

2010-02-18T12:42:00.000-08:00

An Interview with Handiedan

2010-02-16T08:47:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite artists, whose work I own none of ... yet.

Arrested Motion did a nice interview with the Dutch artist. They asked one of the questions I'd been wondering about since I was first turned onto her work:

AM: The name “Handiedan”, where does it come from? What does it mean?

Han = my name, the short version of my first name

die = that

dan = than

In English I know it’s a little confusing. People often think I am a guy, because they read ‘Handy Dan’ or something, but in Dutch it is actually a funny little rhyme.

A little history: When I write my email conversations or text messages I often end my messages with this kind of rhyme words and Dutch word combinations. ‘Cheers van han dan’, (Cheers from Han than), ‘xx van han die dan!’ and ‘Han says hi!’

Keep an eye out for future shows. Handiedan shows with Phone Booth Gallery. If you see a new release before I do, buy it for me.

50 Year-Old Scotch is EXPENSIVE

2010-02-08T11:37:00.000-08:00

Special edition 50-year-old Glenfiddich scotch

This is what packaging for a $15,000 bottle whiskey looks like. Only 500 individually numbered, hand-blown glass bottles will be available, each adorned with Scottish silver and packaged in leather-bound cases. 50 bottles will be released each year, for a period of 10 years.

Conan Really Left NBC To Go Save The Princess

2010-02-03T07:43:00.001-08:00

Taking A Piss ... Doggy Style

2010-02-01T15:22:00.001-08:00

Well, this urinal design definitely answers the question of what to do with your hands when taking a piss. I guess you just grab on.

I'm not sure where this is? Or who designed this amazing display of toiletry? But it definitely puts a smile on my face.

How are you supposed to keep your eyes forward if the guy next to you starts mini-pumping the urinal? Or how do you even choose which urinal to approach in the first place? Do you choose by thong color, stockings, skin tone? It really changes the entire experience.

But what really worries me is ... if this is what the urinals look like, what do you think they have going on with the toilets? I can't even imagine what kind of crazy fetish those bowls might cater to.

Smile, You're on the Internet!

2010-01-22T12:55:00.001-08:00

I can't explain why, but this just puts a smile on my face.

Bring It On, Cupcake

2010-01-19T15:52:00.001-08:00

The Name of The Game is BALLHAT

2010-01-13T17:31:00.000-08:00

... And Toby is the Champion.

It takes a special kind of person and a special kind of gathering for Ballhat to truly takeoff. In this case, the person was Toby, an Aussie director with a head for beer games. The gathering was in Tony's kitchen.

Before this night, I never would've imagined that a mariachi hat and a squishy baseball would prove to go together like peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti and meatballs, or the suggestion of a threesome and a slap in the face.

I gave Ballhat a try and completed not a single orbit. Toby, for this amazing achievement, my hat is off to you, sir ... literally.

Got It. Trying. Wish I Had.

2009-12-30T12:16:00.001-08:00

This is the last print I got. From Matt Goldman, an associate of OBEY, it's a pretty dope suicide king.

I just dropped Rafa Jenn an email to see if I could scoop up one of these tributes to Marilyn Monroe entitled dear andy.

I wish I could've gotten my hands on one of these prints from Joshua Budich. I've got couple other of his pieces, but Darth Vader takes the cake. Or maybe he's using a Jedi mind trick to get me to want it? Either way, these aren't the droids I'm looking for.

Revert to the Aesthetic

2009-12-29T08:35:00.000-08:00

A recent article in Entrepreneur Magazine (Mixing Art With Commerce, January 2010) talks about how a growing number of small businesses are turning to screen-printed posters, exploiting the medium's potent marriage of advertising and art to reach a customer demographic impervious to conventional marketing approaches.

Now in our business, posters and displays are used all the time in the on- and off-premise to help merchandise an account. And no offense to any art directors, but these well designed, glossy, price promoters don’t exactly resonate as something of value. We used to joke that we were in the business of creating beautiful landfill. However, a piece designed with the intention of being art first, brand second and promoter third might be able to flip the equation and keep our brands out of the trash heap.

Limited-edition, hand crafted works could be the answer for small brands looking to compete with their macro-competition. It’s nothing new. Fashion designers and car companies have entered stylistic marriages to promote a vision for the future of driving (Jeff Banks Creates Custom Kia Soul for UK Giveaway). Fine artists and spirits brands have come together to inspire new drinking occasions (Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass Contest).

It just makes sense that a brand or business would embrace the equity of attainable art (most limited-edition concert posters and prints range from $20 - $50 a piece … which is why I have a huge collection of screen print and giclée art). More so, I like what it doesn’t have to say, communicating the company's commitment to old-school virtues like authenticity and handcraftsmanship in a world where homogenization and mass production are the status quo.

If you’re unfamiliar with the screen print poster subculture, check out OMG Posters. This blog does an amazing job of keeping up with the latest releases from artists and print shops across the country, both music and non-music related. It’s also introduced me to a slew of new bands (brands), which I guess is one of the ideas behind having a poster created in the first place.