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I Can’t Believe That’s Crayon! – Crayon Artists Don & Tiona Marco

Remember those first nondescript scratches on paper? Or what about how proud you were when you first colored everything without going over the lines? Crayons were your first drawing tools, but you eventually moved on. You picked up some color pencils, maybe even some paints later. But what if you had stuck with crayons? Maybe you would be like Don Marco, the Master Crayon Artist. Born in the late 1920’s, Don Marco didn’t seriously start pursuing art until after his retirement working for air traffic control in Honolulu, Hawaii. Since then, he has sold over one-million prints.

Don Marco starts each piece by drawing a rough outline with “peach-ish crayon” on fade-less tan construction paper, then he builds on the layers. The heat from his fingers is used to blend the colors. With experience and practice you learn what crayons work well with others and which techniques work best. However, he didn’t always only work with crayons. He has used oils and pencils, although his preference is clearly wax. I don’t really have to say much, the quality of his work speaks for itself.

Don Marco is also a mentor. For a year he worked with artist Tiona Marco. Her original name is unknown to me, but as a tribute to Don she combined her family name with that of her mentor. She was familiar with crayon art before teaming up with Don Marco and after her apprenticeship she began selling her artwork. She has a gallery from which you can buy prints or her original drawings. Below are a few examples of her work.

Milwaukee Art Beat – October 9th, 2009 [Part 2]

It’s the second installment from my time at the Milwaukee Art Beat in October. To find out about the gifted individuals mentioned previously please read Part 1. Now, let’s get down to art. First up, is artist Amanda Iglinski, who enjoys working with many different mediums. I was quite fascinated with her pieces. I found them dark, clever, and at times humorous (my sense of humor can be off-beat at times).What’s more, I liked the dynamic colors, the layers, and her concepts. According to her bio, she has been creating art for as long as she can remember. You can view a few more of her pieces on her website.

 

Next, is artwork by Laura Meyer. Not only does she sculpt, paint, and photograph, but she is also a fashion designer who specializes in costumes and corsets. Created in 1998, her design company is called Twilight Attire and it sells locally and nationally. This may seem strange, but one thing that struck me was the placement of her pieces at Art Beat. The building interior and her artwork complimented each other beautifully. There were two photographs in particular that were hung from a wooden door, and for a moment I thought the door was a part of the art piece.

The entire space appealed to me, from the painted exposed piping to the wood cross-bracing, even to the detailed ironwork of the banister in the cafe area. The architect in me was enlivened. Mercy Hill Gallery supports talented local artists by allowing them to showcase their work at no cost to them. They host receptions, private parties, and events such as Art Beat all in support of Milwaukee’s promising art community.

As stated in Part 1, the night was filled with a wide range of performance pieces. A very unique act called The M.U.T.E.S (Marvelous Unspeaking Troupe of Entertaining Scoundrels) put on 2 very amusing skits; one of a bank robbery gone very wrong and the other poked fun at Adolf Hitler. They are inspired by silent films and bring that genre to life in front of your very eyes. The interview revealed that members of the team are heavily involved with the arts, performing in local plays, designing theatrical make-up, directing films, etc. Check out some of their Charlie Chaplin-like performances.

Oh how sweet the sound! The following artists require your auditory attention so I highly encourage you listen to their work from their websites:

Aaron Lundquist is an interesting spoken word artist, poet, and sculptor. His words are inspired by nature and when he performs he takes on a potent persona. We saw images of some of his sculpture as well, personally my favorites of his. I believe they were described as borderline “beautiful and disturbing.”

Jeremy Scott is a brilliant saxophonist, pianist, lyricist, and most recently a spoken word artist. He has played the saxophone since he was a little boy and took on the piano is his late teens. He was the last to perform that night, but I think he was definitely worth the wait.

Annie B. (producer of Art Beat) and her band Shut Up Marie opened up the evening with a couple of rousing original songs. I was entranced by the guitar part. It was imaginative and different, which is what made it so appealing. Annie B. has performed nationally in over 100 venues and her band Shut Up Marie has released songs that has made it to radio charts. Maybe you’ve already heard them.

Ladies and gents, that concludes my coverage of Milwaukee Art Beat. I was so glad that I attended. If you liked any of the artists presented in these posts, comment on them, or if you’re in the position to do so, give them your support. Keep the arts alive!

Art Beat photos are referenced from Lisa’s List.

Will Robots Take Over the World?

Image from the movie Surrogates

You see the concept proposed in films all the time; robots that look and act surprisingly like humans. Of course they also have super-human strength and lightning like speed and agility. These robots also “think,” (usually about world domination, but to be fair, some humans do that too [insert appropriate name here ______.]) Do I think robots will take over the world? Maybe, but definitely not tomorrow. I once wrote a paper in my Sociology class on this point and I’ve found myself discussing this lately with friends. I’ll just share segments of what I wrote:

“ Replicating human actions and behavior sounds good in theory, but in reality it is a complex process. Artificial intelligence today continues to develop slowly. Making computers do things that require intelligence when done by humans has proved tremendously challenging. The technology is still not on par with the complete functions of the human brain or the intricacies of the human body.”

One thing we tend to take for granted as humans is our ability to process language and it’s nuances. We are able to make connections. We understand the subject of a sentence even when it wasn’t expressly stated. Furthermore, humans also use context clues to establish the meaning of words, particularly when their are multiple possibilities. To compensate, right now there is a large inference engine in development called Cyc by Cycorp designed to provide artificial intelligence with “common sense” and the power to reason. You can play their game to help Cyc learn.

“Scientists have great difficulty getting a robot to do one thing well, let alone the multitude of actions a human can perform while simply walking down the street. Then there is the matter of power. Even the most advanced robots can only function for a couple of hours before having to recharge. For a robotic rebellion to occur, robots would need to have advanced social skills to communicate with each other and create organizations, they would have to be self-sufficient, they would have to control their reproduction, and have individual consciousness.”

Honestly, if I was paranoid, I would be more concerned about a hostile takeover by the human hybrid (human enhanced with mechanical parts). Creating robots that focus on specific areas have led to the development of more specialized parts and programs. There have been advancements in physical implants and in prosthesis, which is great for those who are disabled.  Watch the video on DEKA, the bionic arm created by Dean Kamen that can be controlled by thought or body motion. You can also watch Juan Enriquez’s TED Talk on some technological advances (after some economy stuff.)

“Even as mega-banks topple, Juan Enriquez says the big reboot is yet to come. But don’t look for it on your ballot — or in the stock exchange. It’ll come from science labs, and it promises keener bodies and minds. Our kids are going to be … different.”

Did you watch the new G.I. Joe movie Rise of the Cobra? Remember their Accelerator Suits that made them “run faster, jump higher, and hit harder” than anyone? Well that’s not too far away from the real world. Meet SARCOS, the exoskeleton that improves strength and endurance.

Like I stated earlier, I doubt we should be overly concerned right now about android domination. What we really need to keep an eye on is ourselves and our biological enhancements. Ultimately, I believe it will be for the better, but with every new technology there is the possibility of misuse.

For more information on robots I would recommend the book The Robot: The Life Story of a Technology by Lisa Nocks. Of course I’m happy to hear your opinion whether you agree or disagree with anything I have stated. Actually I challenge you to prove me wrong, I am eager to find out more about what’s really out there.

Deceptive Design: Experiments in Furniture

Last year around this time, I was swayed by a poster to go to the Chicago Cultural Center. It was fall break, I had never been there before, and it was free. What did I have to lose? Turns out, I loved every minute of my visit. From the Tiffany glass dome to the Halloween decorations, to the exhibits, everything was compelling (I really mean everything, I spent hours there).

The display I remember the most was called Deceptive Design [Oct. 10th, 2008 - Jan. 4th, 2009]. It featured novel furnishings whose purpose was to alter our standard perceptions of furniture around us. There was something “deceptive” about each piece whether it was in the mechanics, materials, or visual presentation. I will introduce three of my favorites.

Definitely a piece I would have on my wall is Riveli, a shelving component designed by Mark Kinsley. I find it clever, practical, and versatile. Combining artwork with shelving, Riveli adapts to the user’s needs. Parts flip down to hold your possessions and the sections that are not needed remain up to display custom art. I wonder if the artwork is put on panels that can be changed as well? Either way it’s brilliant. Mark Kinsley is an industrial designer living in Chicago that works not only with furniture, but with lighting as well.

What drew me to this next piece was the beguiling construction and the simplicity of the materials. It is made from a really long extension cord, Plexiglas, and a light bulb. Simple? Yes. Boorish? Not even close. The Coil Lamp designed by Craighton Berman “elevates the status of the humble, everyday extension cord to the realm of high design.”

This lamp is actually now available for purchase. You can buy the limited edition Handmade Coil Lamp that comes fully assembled or you can get the Do-It-Yourself Kit in which you purchase the extension cord and the bulb.

As a matter of fact, that’s what I thought when I first saw it, “I can make this.” Of course that was when I had access to a laser cutter. Kudos to Craighton Berman for creating such an innovation. He is an industrial designer, professor, and creative director based in Chicago.

Last, but not least, is the Deceptive Garden by Chris Brandel. The goal is to make the most out of the small outdoor space that is the typical Chicago balcony. It stylishly provides the means for the user to grow various plants like flowers and herbs, and provides storage for supplies. It then can be converted into a handy work table or a mellow dining area for two. Perfect for the city dweller with a green thumb.

As for the creator, Chris Brandel is a product developer and designer and is currently the president at the Chicago Furniture Designers Association.

What do you think? Check out the other designs and tell me which ones you like.

Milwaukee Art Beat – October 9th, 2009 [Part 1]

"Artbeat encourages artists and non-artists alike to explore their own inspirations and creativity..."

I was immersed in marvelous talent last Friday (Oct. 9th) at the Milwaukee Art Beat. There was art in various scintillating forms including photography, sculpture, mosaics, painting, and even performance art. It was quite the experience. In some cases, we were able to hear directly from the artist in on-stage interviews, receiving an in-depth look into their work.

For the record, Artbeat is a non-profit organization that encourages and promotes art among youth and the community. It also acts as a showcase for local artists to present their work to the masses. I commend and admire their efforts. Personally, I can’t imagine my life without the arts (this blog definitely wouldn’t exist). All of the artists at this show are extremely talented and often do many different things.

First up, is photographer and writer, Steve Daubs. He recently roamed through Russia on a photographic expedition, shooting people and places. In the interview he shared that a lot of activity actually occurs below ground in passages and tunnels, which is where a good number of his photographs were taken.

Also, on display were a number of his beauty shots that recreated that old Hollywood glamour. The images convey the idea of being almost impossibly perfect and the model appears to be untouchable. He included a photograph of one of the models in her normal state (still naturally lovely). It was fascinating to see the juxtaposition between manipulated reality and actuality. Below are shots taken from Steve Daubs’s website.

Next, is professional mosaic artist, Shelly Bird. With many years of experience, she has completed various residential and commercial pieces ranging from walls to wall hangings. I find her work beautiful and dynamic. Shelly uses unique materials like blown glass or natural rock, some of which is reclaimed. She also prefers stained glass for its quality of light and mirrored iridescent elements for their ability to express a sense of movement. Below is a picture of her with her work at Art Beat, but I encourage you to look at more of her work on Yessy Art Gallery.

Now we move on to sculpture. Bruce Niemi is a second generation sculptor who works with stainless steel and bronze. I love the rhythmic, yet powerful curves, and overall flow of his work. The twists, shapes, and connections are quite alluring. What’s more, a positive message is behind all of his artwork, with titles such as “Protected,” “Living the Dream,” and “Reaching for the Heights.“

Niemi has been creating sculptures for over thirty years and quoted from his site he states “if you studied my art you would know my heart.” If you are ever in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Bruce and his wife Susan invite you to visit their Sculpture Garden featuring artists from around the world. To see more of Niemi’s work check out the galleries on his website.

This was a performance art piece that was fun to watch and listen to. Artist Shelby Keefe put on a lively 18 minute show in which she painted a scene from one of her photographs while groovin’ to the music that she put together herself. She is a contemporary impressionistic painter who has won awards for her urban landscape paintings, and her work is displayed in collections around the United States.

I’ve gazed at many of the pieces on her website, my favorites being the ones that are architectural in nature (no surprise there). I would also like to mention that Keefe is about to release a CD with her music. She collaborates with other musicians and uses a great program called GarageBand (I even modeled a part of one of my studio projects after it). Listen to samples of her work on Reverb Nation.

That’s it for now, but I still have more artists to cover. Check back for Part 2.

Art Beat photos are referenced from Lisa’s List.

Design Inspiration: Brennan Fruge

What can I say? I like Brennan Fruge’s site design. The concept is fun and fresh and stays consistent and the navigation is easy. Visually interesting, I actually enjoy rolling over the icons to see what appears. The site is simple, but not in a bad way. It expresses creativity and a touch of humor without having to go over the top (like those sites filled with tons of meaningless animations). In my opinion, it’s just really well done. The content is worth clicking through too. The only issue I can think of is that I wish there was an image viewer for the drawing and painting section like there was for the others. Although, that really didn’t stop me from looking at each one. You can find out a little more about the actual person, Brennan Fruge, by viewing his resume.

Here are a couple of my favorites from the site.

At the Art Institute – Christopher Dresser

Grotesque Vase

Christopher Dresser (1834 – 1904) was a renowned industrial designer and botanist. Today, I’m more concerned with his work as a designer. Be aware though that his study of nature greatly influenced his creations. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Dresser moved around quite a bit with his family, until at age 13, he was accepted into the Government School of Design, now known as the Royal College of Art. This is where he received training in design and plants. He lectured and wrote 3 successful books on botany, but really began to design in 1860.

Dresser designed wallpaper, ceramics, textiles, stained glass, and metal-ware, mostly with the intention of providing the common people with alluring well crafted products. He is said to be one of the first industrial designers and was a strong supporter of machine manufacturing. Understanding the benefit of standardizing parts, he reduced the production costs for his manufacturers.  Dresser designed everything that you would need for your kitchen table and then some.

Also, influenced by other countries,  Dresser had an immense appreciation for Japanese culture. In fact, he was the first European designer to be commissioned to visit Japan after they reopened their borders in 1854.

Dresser died in Mulhouse, France in 1904. In his lifetime, he submitted designs to over 50 different firms.

It’s ironic that I was drawn to the more ornate piece in the collection, Grotesque Vase. Personally, I tend to lean towards the modern (simple clean lines with minimal decoration). Amazingly, a number of Dresser’s pieces could be considered “contemporary” and can hold their own against current designers. What’s more, some of his pieces are still being manufactured. Alessi, a design company, makes his oil and vinegar set, toast rack, and round tray. Below are more of his work at the Art Institute in Chicago.

Claret Jug

Clutha Vase

Vase or Jug

Read and see more about Christopher Dresser from the British Design Museum.

Design Inspiration: Cornwell Design, Paul Lee Designs, & Shotopop

Whether you’re an expert or a novice, it’s always a good idea to look at the work of others. You may bump into new concepts or get reintroduced to old ones. It can also stir the creative juices, especially if you’re experiencing an artistic roadblock. Since I’m just now really delving into graphic design, it helps me tremendously to look around. It is also beneficial to me to observe what other artists consider good. I looked through 15 Ridiculously Good Graphic Design Portfolios posted on Positive Space and picked 3 that really stood out.

What I liked about Cornwell Design was that not only did they show their finished work, but they provided images of how it was used in the real world. For example, if they designed a logo for a store, they would show the storefront sign with the logo or take a picture the store’s billboard ad they created.

Next, I thought many of the designs on Paul Lee Designs were sleek, classy, expressive, and clean. They appealed to me visually and nothing was too overwhelming. As a matter of fact a lot of them left me wondering, “how did he do that?”

Shotopop’s work was a bit offbeat, and at times dark, but I loved it. I especially enjoyed their illustrations, even though I didn’t quite understand them. Nevertheless, it did lead me to really study the images.

Express Yourself! with Schtickers, Coolors, & Blik

Charles Wright said it best, but thee following companies really provide the means to express yourself! In an age of mass production, we often look for ways to make things more distinct, making our mark by showing sprinklings of our personality.

First to free us from the mundane is Schtickers. Schtickers is a design company that specializes in providing decorative decals for your laptop and iPod. They are community oriented supporting the arts and social services with a portion of each purchase donated to charity. There are a wide variety of designs to choose from which include textures, fine art, modern, solids, retro, and of course there is an option for even more customization. I was thrilled to see a decal by Banksy, a graffiti artist whose work is wrought with humor and satire. He recently had an exhibition in the Bristol Museum with more than 100 hundred of his pieces mixed in with the museum’s collection. Watch the preview Banksy vs Bristol Museum.

Next up is Coolors, an Italian based company that spruces up your refrigerator (and cabinets, and stove, and walls, and…). With silk screened panels, Coolors’s products make all the other kitchens in the neighborhood jealous . Their current catalog has designs in bright colors with flowers, shapes, and swirls and special patterns in black and white. Why stop there? You can now add glitter or Swarovski crystals to the motif. There is also the option to use an image of your own. God bless Italy!

Finally, is a company I applaud. I remember looking at their website a while ago and even then being impressed with their idea and what they had to offer. Since then their business and their collection has expanded tremendously and they just revamped their website. Blik is a graphics company (not to be confused with Blick) that makes creative wall decals. It’s a great alternative to wallpaper or painting, after all not everyone is Michelangelo.

Blik decals can be used indoor and outdoor with a life span ranging from 1 – 3 years. They are made from a thin adhesive matte vinyl film and seamlessly blend on your wall. Removal is easy, just peel and slowly lift. There is also Blik Re-Stick decals that can be repositioned and reused. Their unique collection is booming and offers everything from plants, to classic game scenes, to headboards. The possibilities and combinations are endless. They also have a gallery that shows off custom projects for which they’ve been commissioned. If you get some blik, don’t hold back. This guy didn’t.

“So I got these awesome wall decals from www.whatisblik.com and after they were put up, we really wanted to “Play” Super Mario. So we made it so the wall is interactive! So now, if you walk in my office and jump up to touch a coin or mushroom, they make the actual sound from the game! The speaker is in the ceiling tile right by the door. And yes, I am aware how high the nerd factor is on this one! “