USA by Designers call for entries via Design You Trust

Designers, illustrators, photographers, design studios, collectives/crews, agencies, students, visual artists… you are welcome to submit an innovative, creative, exciting, personal and experimental artwork inspired by the theme:

” WHAT DOES USA MEAN TO YOU? “

We are expecting diversity and freestyle: all styles of outstanding visual media are welcome. Selected works will be featured through online exhibit and book (more information soon).

When we were thinking of a ten year anniversary logo I knew we would design it around an old labor union button.  I have always liked the colors, old fonts, and how they could cram all the little bits of info onto that little celluloid disc.  Obviously, they held significant meaning to the wearer but the button companies outfitting the unions seemed to take great pride in what they did as well.   One such company that proved to be more than just design inspiration for our logo was  G.H. (Grays Harbor) Stamp Works out of Aberdeen Washington.  I had seen a number of their old political and labor union pinbacks from the 30’s and 40’s and noticed their name written on the side so I thought I would see if they were still around.  Sure enough, Ron, Ken and David Windell are keeping the business alive and well that their Grandfather, Clary Windell, founded in 1916.

Besides buttons they can make rubber stamps and a plethora of other advertising specialties to fit anyone’s needs.

Grays Harbor Stamp Works circa 1919.

A sampling of their labor union buttons from the 40’s.

Our “Labor Union” 10 Year Anniversary Button.  Note the states abbreviations.

Not only do they do nice work, use old machines/techniques and keep an eye on the small details they still use old receipts, labels, letterhead, neat old boxes and a typewriter to address it all.  This is the sort of customer service and pride in what one does that our parents and grandparents were accustomed to and when experienced nowadays feels like you’re living in a different era.

*Give them a ring and be sure to ask for Ken – 1 800 894 3830

I met Nicco from Nauti & Co. at the Hoboken, NJ Art Fair last year and we keep in touch from time to time.  He recently emailed me some images of a clever, nautical themed olive spear he recently designed.  I am more of an olive fan than a martini fan but these little sterling silver gems were just too cool to keep to myself.

Terrific packaging as well.

Besides designing little cocktail accoutrements he is also fairly adept at building things from salvaged barn wood, weathered pallet skids, old lobster traps, 18th Century carpentry nails, and hemp rope, etc.

All made in his amazing 17th century barn complete with a bunch of big game trophies, including a recent hippo.

A couple of posts ago I mentioned an upcoming show at the Hendershot Gallery on 10/15 featuring the works of Joe Fig.  Well, I just found out that another amazing artist, Jim Gaylord, has his opening reception on the same night at the Jeff Bailey Gallery.  Not to worry, both of these Chelsea art gallery’s are only a couple of blocks from each other.

Press Release

Jim’s work is surreal, fast, loud, violent and yet I find it very graceful.

Modern Painters is a monthly art magazine we subscribe to over at Billykirk and the other day I was paging through the March 09 issue and came across some new miniature artist studio sculptures by Joe Fig. I have always been a fan of smaller scale sculpture work, not the ‘name engraved on rice’ stuff but well executed, detailed miniatures from HO trains to toy soldiers.  I have attached a few of his pieces below.  He also has a new book, “Inside the Painters Studio” coming out in October.  The book includes 24 artist interviews and rare snap shots of the artists studios including Erik Fischl, Chuck Close and Will Cotton.  If you are into this sort of work Joe is having a book signing and artist reception at the Hendershot Gallery in NYC on 10/15/09.

Fred Tomaselli’s studio

Amy Sillman’s studio

Chuck Close at work

Andy Warhol at work

Inka Essenigh at work

Constantin Brancusi at work

Artist Wanted just extended the deadline on this competition until midnight June 3rd (most likely because the work thus far is less than stellar) so I thought I would throw it out there.  Two Grand Prize Winners will receive prizes including cash, publicity in Filter Magazine, and either a loaded Mac Book Pro, a vintage Vespa or a trip to London.  Not to mention a reception at the Sky Room in the New Museum.

“What shapes our world more, art or design?  The answer is up to you.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

You think you’ve got what it takes? Ralph did and look where it took him.  Even you graphic designers can get in on this one.  The house of Hermès has teamed up with Design Boom for a little tie design competition.  Click HERE for details.

I’m a tool guy.  I like mine old, drop forged and made in the USA.  There is no doubt that a brand new set of Craftsman or Snap-on tools will do the job but in my eyes there is nothing quite like using my grandfathers old wrenches, folding ruler or Estwing leather wrapped claw hammer.  We use quite a few hand-me-down and flea market found tools at the Billykirk design studio.  One of our larger tools acquisitions is this C. Parker & Co. bench vice.  I pulled this out of the Manischewitz Factory that was across the street from us.  It was covered in flour probably dating back to the 30’s.

Like many nostalgic US made collectibles, the antique tool business isn’t go away anytime soon and as more and more US based tool manufacturers succumb to the Far East and their low prices perhaps these relics are all we’ll have left.

If you are interested in old tools and their provenance Patented Antiques has a great collection to peruse. Everything from levels and chisels to sewing machines and planes.  Speaking of planes, I am reminded of Gustave Caillebotte’s famous painting, The Parquet Floor Polishers, from 1875.  While I truly appreciate the look and feel of a well made antique plane there is something to be said about an electric floor sander.

If you’re in the Boston area on May 1st be sure to check out the “150 x 150″ preview at the Laconia Gallery.

150 artists with works for $150.  Stake out your favorite on Friday and get their at noon on Saturday to grab it.  I have been a fan of Scott Listfield’s and would be interested to see what he brings.

The Iceberg

Grand Canyon

Post-Nuclear Guggenheim Visit

During the 70’s and 80’s Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel interviewed scores of popular artists, crafts people, musicians, fashion designers, directors, photographers, etc.  Jim Dine, Robert Motherwell, Frank Gehry, Lee Krasner, Bill Blass just to name a few.  Terrific glimpse into the past.  All of the interviews can be found on YouTube.

Below are a few from the Made in America series.

Sam Maloof – Woodworker

Albert Paley – Metalsmith

Sandy Fox – Quilter