Boy With The Balloon

Since moving into our new home I have had a burst of creative energy. Unfortunately I haven't had much time to use that energy or to put it to good use. However, for the last month I've been working up an hour earlier and have tried to devote the majority of that hour to creating some artwork. Above is the first piece that I finished. I'm fairly happy with the outcome and am excited to doing more. I really like how the sky came out as well as the city. Hopefully I'll still be able to have some creative time even after the baby comes (only 6 more weeks!).
Stay tuned for more artworks.

Signed Shepherd Fairey Print

Periodically Shepherd Fairey randomly sells signed and numbered 18x24 prints for charities. When he does this, they always sell out in minutes. Yesterday he randomly posted one and I was fortunate enough to have a good friend of mine be on the website at the right exact moment and she ordered me one! They are only $50 a piece but start selling on EBay for 10 times that immediately. Here is what Fairey wrote on his site, OBEYabout the print:

"I chose to illustrate this image of two girls knitting (in a Rush Arts program) because I think it really captures the idea that learning art in schools is about more than crayon drawings, it’s about creativity, something that transcends all class and race boundaries. I think the joy of making something is universal, and it’s an opportunity that every kid should have."- Shepard

All the proceeds went to the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. I can't wait to get it in the mail; it should be here in a few days!

Sufjan Stevens Coming to Ithaca!

On Friday night my buddy Josh came over and told me that Sufjan Stevens is coming to Ithaca and is playing at a small venue (around 300 people). He told me that tickets were going on sale at 10am the next day and that tickets would sell out in minutes. Fortunately for me, he not only told me about the tickets, he even went a step further and was able to snag me a pair when they went on sale. Thanks Josh!

I was fortunate enough to see Sufjan play in 2006 at the 930 Club. It was an unbelievable show. I can't wait to hear what he plays in Ithaca...I wonder if it will be with a full band or just a small crew. We'll find out on September 23rd. Hopefully Andrea won't have gone into labor yet!

Interesting Chairs

Today i was quickly scanning through notcot.org and found amazing chairs made by Pawel Grunert. The things he is making are unbelievable. Check out his site here. I would love to be able to design furniture like this. The only think that I always wonder is if any of these things ever end up in anyone's home or if there are all just single pieces used more for concepts but are never reproduced. Either way, they are beautiful. Hopefully one day I can get my hands on one!

I Never Win Raffles...

UNTIL NOW! The other day I got a call telling me that I had just won a brand new, hydro-powered scooter! It can go up to 35mph and gets over 100 miles per hour gallon! All I do is add 1 part distilled water and 3 parts gasoline. I get to pick it up tomorrow. Below is a picture of it...mine will be bright yellow though. I'll post another picture when I have it. Hopefully I don't totally kill myself on it.

Currently Liking: Miki Sato

I found this beautiful mixed media artist at sharesomecandy.com (amazing arts website). I love this piece called "Anticipating pregnancy" (which Andrea and I are!). I just put an e-mail into Miko to see if the piece is for sale, what the dimensions are, and for how much. I'm praying that it's affordable. Then I'll just have to find the perfect place for it in our house.

St. Francis of Assisi

The other day I was flipping through a book celebrating the life of St. Francis of Assisi and found this stunning image in it. It looks to have been a block print but unfortunately I can't figure out who the artist was or what year it was made. What I love about it so much is that it isn't the typical image of Francis (i.e. him standing with birds floating around him) but instead puts a new spin on his connection to animals, even in the sea. Right now I am working on recreating this image as a large 18x24 silkscreen print. I'll post it when its finished.