Et cetera
Posts Tagged ‘random’
Sweet Pickles
This is my new favorite exclamation / fake curse word / catchphrase.
Try it for yourself – it works every time.
Eli, No! Lucy, Yeearrrchhh!
Earlier in the year I had the pleasure of meeting some new designer acquaintances who were on a travel adventure across the USA. When Nathan Strandberg and Katie Kirk of Eight Hour Day made a stop in Portland, we bonded over our chocolate labs on a rainy day spent walking the dogs at Thousand Acres on the Sandy River Delta.
Eli: no mischief here, no sir, not at all.
While the Northwest weather may have driven Nathan and Katie on to their next destination with haste, their pup Eli and my pup Lucy didn’t seem to mind the rain, mud and driving wind that makes Portland fall something special. Those labs seem to have an unwavering love for life that shines thru so clear that it makes it easy to put up with some of their eccentricities.
Lucy: the face that could trick you into just about anything.
So when Katie wrote and illustrated the book Eli, No! about her faithful companion’s shenanigans, it all felt very familiar. If I had to write a book about my dog pal, it would be titled LUCY, YEEARRRCHHHH! because that is the pterodactyl noise that I make when she is doing something inappropriate. It’s not the most endearing sound to come from a human, which is why you probably won’t be seeing a sequel from my neck of the woods anytime soon. Instead, I’ll just use Katie’s book to relive Lucy’s less glorious moments.
Katie loves her dog, so she wrote a book about him.
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The Goodie Monster Is Here
Just in time for Halloween! Over the weekend my friend Mark and I put the finishing touches on the Goodie Monster: a vending machine filled with healthy, tasty snacks. Not only does it taste good, it looks good too. Check out the full project process and see more pictures of us sewing and painting nonstop to create a green fur-clad monster complete with a mountainous environment where pears fly south for the winter. Read more >>
On the Road with Moveable Type
Back in May I helped my letterpress friend Kyle Durrie with her project Moveable Type. She was getting ready to take her custom built van on the road and teach letterpress classes out of it, so I made her a logo and website. Now, I and many others are enjoying the fruits of her travels as she criss crosses this big country. Check out her blog for some great road trip pictures…one of my favorites being this pig statue.
NJ the Intern Scores Big
Today at Jelly Helm Studio we celebrated NJ, the summer intern. It was a party to behold for his last day: Jelly repeatedly yelled WOOT WOOT, I spilled pizza all over myself and the rug, and Mark packaged his going away gift in custom made wrapping paper. While I only got to know NJ briefly, his mellow demeanor and quirky nature made him instantly likable. To commemorate his time at the studio, Jelly, Mark & I gave him five (yes, FIVE) trophies.
Five trophies in one summer...must have been quite the intern.
In addition to snagging the “Intern of the Year” award, NJ also garnered rave reviews for his “Best Axe Wall of 2011″, “Best Bullshit Book Cover of 2011″ and “Best Wiener Cutting Film of 2011″. To top it off, he even won the trophy for “Most trophies for an Intern in 2011″. What a guy! To see what all the fuss is about, check out some of his accomplishments.
NJ didn’t leave without returning the favor – he made a custom deck of cards listing lessons he had learned (or unlearned) during his stay. To my disappointment, during his summer here he did NOT interview his house-mate who rented a closet under the stairs (YES, you can rent a closet under somebody’s staircase).
No award ceremony isn’t complete without a photo of the winner gloating over their achievements, so here is NJ making his best monster impersonation. It was nice getting to know you NJ!
Hopefully he has a really big mantle for all those trophies.
Monster Portraits
I’ve been thinking about monsters lately, so I decided to get them out of my brain by making some monster portraits of my new compatriots over at Jelly Helm Studio. I admit, I wasn’t sure how these would be received. When a child draws garish representations of their family members a mother can’t do anything but reply “Oh, honey, these are wonderful!” But when a grown woman likens her workmates to monsters, well…
Luckily the response from Jelly, Mark and NJ was delight and guttural exclamations (also of delight, I assume), after which we hung the family of frames outside the studio door. Why yes, we have a security system on premises: four fake monsters.
After debuting the quartet I asked their human counterparts for a first impression interview which are transcribed below, and are 90% accurate to what was recorded on my iPhone during the interviews.
Ten Second Interview with NJ the Intern
Bureau Representative: What were you thinking at the moment this portrait was taken?
NJ the Intern: Erm. Hmmm. Ugghghhh. Tphhht.
Bureau Representative: Unsure?
**NJ reaches out and softly strokes his fuzzy tan fur**
Bureau Representative: How does it feel to touch yourself?
NJ the Intern: Um. Uhhh. Uggg. Feels good.
Bureau Representative: What sound is your little mouth making in this portrait?
NJ the Intern: Glerm.
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Things Are Afoot, Wieners Too
I don’t often blog about things before they happen. I prefer to let things run their course, gather my thoughts, and then let it all out. But recently I made an agreement with one Jelly Helm to work together for a bit and see how it goes. Kind of like a reallly long date; one with a full 3-course meal and several desserts. I hope one of them is strawberry shortcake.
I am writing about it now because it is exciting! Also, this is a longer engagement than usual for me, and I will probably be blogging the intermittent results along the way. I’ve been freelancing for year and a half now, and for the most part it agrees with me. But part of what I miss is the collaboration you get from being part of a group. While I am happy drawing pioneer rabbit adventures, I also like to have my brain poked from the outside.
As for the Bureau of Betterment, I will still be accepting other projects, but for a while I will have to be a bit choosier because of my time commitment to this new endeavor. Does that super cool gig come with a YEAR’S SUPPLY OF PICKLED HERRING? Let’s talk.
A mule by another name…
I received three figurines in the mail from my friend Sarah, who wrote that she knew I liked horses and thought I might do something fun with these half-inch tall toys. I opened the tissue paper wrapping she sent them in to find two horses…and a baby calf?
I was pretty sure that Sarah knew the difference between a calf and a foal…but what WAS the relationship of my three new charges, and did THEY know that something was off kilter? I have a feeling an uncomfortable confrontation between the baby calf and the Parental Horse Units will be happening soon.
Son, there is something we need to tell you...
Add to your ‘Most Ridiculous Riders Ever’ List
After reading an article on The Smoking Gun about the Foo Fighters’ rider, my pioneer rabbit started to get real persnickety leading up to his participation in the Stumptown 40 Pinewood Derby Car Race. So he hired a crack legal team to craft a ridiculous rider. Probably never should have taken those glossy head shots. Rabbit knows what rabbit wants, I guess.
Who knew a fake pet rabbit could be so demanding...
Pioneer Rabbit Racer
A month or so ago my friend Melissa told me she was entering a pinewood derby car race with AIGA. It sounded like a lot of fun, so I signed up too. Organized by Dave Selden and Ryan Parr, the event is called Stumptown 40 and is the creative person’s chance for glory in the cub scout arena. Selecting my driver for the race was a no brainer: my pioneer rabbit…seen here posing next to his custom rims in his first glossy headshot promo.
I don't know how he signs his pictures without thumbs...
Conan O’ Brien As Seen By John Kascht
Two of my favorite things to watch on the television, together at last! Caricature artist John Kascht gives an insightful and in-depth glimpse into his process, both in understanding his subject and drawing it, while working on portraits of one of my favorite TV funny men: Conan O’Brien. JUST WATCH IT!!!
Technology Used to Find Dinner, Hunger Averted
A recent brush with hunger left a North Bend, Virginia, man shaken, yet thankful for the support of his wide network of digital acquaintances. Local field correspondent Noilly Prat sat down with John Davis to recount the events leading up to his stomach rumbling near-miss.
Davis recounts, “You shouldn’t settle on where you’re going to eat dinner lightly, so I tweeted ‘NEbody know wings joint with HH deals between Woodby street and 6th ave?’ as well as updating my Facebook status to ‘going out to eat tonight, any suggestions?’ After 45 minutes passed without a response I knew I’d have to dig deeper to find my evening meal.
Social networking isn't always on time.
“First, I tried to think of all the places I might like to eat, but nothing seemed quite right. I wanted something light but savory, but not too greasy, with wings on the menu but no cracked peanuts on the floor, and of course a screaming deal on happy hour,” he explained. “That’s not too much to ask, is it?”
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Sunshine Farts
When I saw this page in the recent Urban Outfitters catalog, I knew exactly what I was going to do with it. I imagine the photographer shouting directions at this young impressionable model…”Pretend like you’re eating the sunglasses and farting sunshine!”. We’ll probably never know what really happened, so let’s go with it.
I've been told that people like fart jokes, so...
Portland Paper City – Stumptown in 3D Papercraft
Portland Paper City is a collaborative paper craft installation organized by Jessie Bazata, Marisa Green, Sean Garrison and Rory Phillips. The show, which will take place at Disjecta, will represent the city of Portland and feature contributions from the community.
I’ve contributed two pieces to the show, which will open this Saturday, March 5th from 6-9PM, and run through March 26th. Disjecta is located at 8371 N Interstate Ave, and the gallery is open Friday through Sunday 12–5pm. Here is a sneak peek of a curbside pony and recycled rain…
Finally, a chance to use all those hours I spent as a child drawing horses!
What do 6 gluesticks and a Yellow Pages amount to? Lots of recycled rain.
Peanut Butter Pattern
I especially like this page from my sketchbook, part of my participation in The Sketchbook Project. I remember as a kid my mom always bought Adam’s peanut butter and I just wanted JIF, because you didn’t have to stir it. Now, I feel the opposite.
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Update: the finished sketchbook is filed under my side projects at Sketchbook Project 2011: Things That Stick.My Gift To Santa: Pole Rats
Free Wallpaper Week at the Bureau is wrapping up. Today’s wallpaper features Rascal, Ratty and Rufus – three very talented pole dancing rats. Inspired by the pet rats I had as a child and some party straws that a friend gave me, this one doesn’t make much sense. But it’s fun to look at. You’re welcome, Santa, now bring me that dobro I wished for!
Download “Pole Rats” in the following sizes:
320 x 480 (iphone) • 640 x 960 (iphone4) • 1024 x 1024 (ipad)
1440 x 900 (laptop) • 1600×1200 (full screen) • 2560×1600 (wide screen)Please share these wallpapers following the guidelines of the Creative Commons “Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives” license. Basically, you can share the heck out of these, but always remember to attribute the source and please don’t alter or sell the art. Thanks!
Finest, Beach-Ready Men
With the chilly winter weather upon us, I decided it was time to take a look back at what was, and what will be again. I took a few liberties altering the copywriting for this vintage Catalina Island ad. Who doesn’t need a fine beach-ready man?
One Bit Emotion
I took part in a training course at Xplane recently where we learned about super duper accelerated sketching techniques that can be used in meetings to summarize complex ideas in real-time. One of the Xplane designers, Tim May, gave us tips on how to use just 3 different types of lines to create a range of emotions. Super simple, one bit emotion. Sometimes that’s all you need to get a point across.
Waiting in the Driftwood Room
While waiting for some friends at Hotel DeLuxe, I used my extra found time and Draplin’s field notes to draw a picture. Of note were a crazy chandelier, a stuffy chair, and two dachshunds that arrived with a man who ordered a gin and tonic. His wife got a double.
Happy Dog Pictures Make People Happy
Dogs make a sound that is considered laughing in the canine world…studies have shown that hearing this sound makes other dogs happy as well. When Lucy got her new squeaky newspaper, her laugh was immediate, and I think you can tell.
The Early Years: 1981-1989, A Retrospective Told in Buttons and Pins
During a recent basement cleaning, I came upon my childhood button collection. Looking at my buttons from days gone by, I wondered…would they reveal anything about my childhood that I had forgotten? Would they say anything about my current state, 20 years later? Given the current button craze, how would my buttons stack up? Was it time to finally purge my button collection, two decades too late?
Any which way, I wanted to spend a little more time with my buttons, so I compiled my favorites (namely, the ones I actually remember) into a mini-autobiography…see the full collection.
A Night at the Drive-In
Now that summer is firmly in place we decided to take a road trip and enjoy a movie at the drive-in with a few friends. Even though we arrived over an hour early (and on a Sunday, no less), the lot was nearly full when we got there.
Black and White Behind Bars
While creating some watercolor shapes for another project I got frustrated and started randomly throwing water and ink onto sheet after sheet. The result looked like a 3rd grade classroom had been let loose in an art supply closet for the colorblind, but the details seem to rise above the initial awkwardness of my untrained hand. Give your mistakes a second chance, I guess?
Gravy Gone Bad
Microwave mishaps don’t always involve a stack of CD’s, a ball of tinfoil, or a cow stuck in the stairwell. Sometimes they just involve a vintage pyrex dish and some over-ambitious gravy. Hey, it’s Monday and my mind is in a pork-induced haze from my mother force feeding me pork ribs all weekend long.
Who knew that 0:45 was 0:15 too much for a small bowl of liquid pork fat?
Diagrammed: Mustache on a Finger on a Stick
Check out the full process of raising my hip factor via a mustache-on-a-finger-on-a-stick.
Ziba: A Not-So-Sordid Exposé
For the past six weeks I’ve been contracting on-site at Ziba, a multi-disciplinary firm here in Portland. Six weeks is as good as marriage in the freelance world, so I took full advantage of their awesome new HQ building and learning from the plethora of interesting people who work there.
We're not in Kansas anymore, Lucy.
The project I was put on was very interesting, but unfortunately mum is the word. In fact, here is a recreation of the confidentiality agreement I signed.
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Toasters VS Bananas
The Povey Building (where I work) is filled with creative folk. Sometimes that leads to tangential exchanges that aren’t even understood by the people taking part. I-kid-you-not correspondence in its entirety transpired as follows. Get me my paymaster, I’m putting this on the tab.
Remote Explosion
When Sudafed, NyQuil, Emergen-C and the neti pot just don’t get the job done, you might resort to more drastic measures.
Don't try this at home, kids.
Canary Clay Finds His Wings
This weekend I stopped by the Stumptown Comics Fest to see my friends Graham, Stumptown Underground and of course the IPRC. As I was making my way through the participants I came across Atrox Comics and Beastlies, who make comics using 3D sculpted figures of the monstrously cute kind.
I bought one of the smallest figurines, dubbed him Canary Clay, and promptly took him on a walk around his new neighborhood.
Canary Clay surveys his new 'hood in appropriate protective tree-climbing headwear.
The neighbor's bird bath got some use.
Canary Clay makes a new friend, Rhonda the Flamingo. He invited her back to the bird bath but she would have none of it.
Canary Clay rests in some foliage and wonders how Mini Cooper got a hold of his proprietary color.
Mustache Finger Once Removed
In preparation for attending my friend Michael’s beard art show “Keep Portland Beard” at the Tribute Gallery, I created this little accessory so I would fit in. Michael writes the blog Beard Revue, so he was the perfect person to curate such a show. Portland is full of the hip sort that sport facial hair with varying levels of irony, so a take on the mustache finger was just what I needed to blend into the crowd!
I present you the mustache on a hand on a stick or "stick of irony".
How to be an ironic hipster and ironic at the same time.
My Wacom pen can do a triple back flip on beam. Can yours?
Over the years my Wacom has endured some all terrain handling, and recently the rubber grip area fell off in protest. So I bought a pack of those foam pencil sleeves and upgraded my pen to Delux Wacom Pen Gripper Status. Only 1 and 1/3 pencil sleeves were needed to make this baby look like it was sponsored by a gymnastics team.
My landlord said I should blog about this.
