Former California street artist Shepard Fairey created the portrait of Barack Obama that TIME Magazine used as the cover art for its 2008 Person of the Year edition. I have been a fan of his since he busted out the Andre the Giant Has a Posse campaign 10 years ago. I think it is wonderful the Obama campaign saw the power in using a public artist who speaks from the street level for his official image. During the campaign, Shepard created the Hope poster which spread virally just as Andre the Giant did years before. The power of Art and Politics once again throws a message out that speaks louder and clearer than any amount of text. To me it speaks of the general public really being heard and considered more so than the last 8 years. This is not a court painter, but a graffitti artist, skater who knows his skills well and the message it sends. My hope is for a retuen of a The Federal Art Project to hire artists across the nation. Sign me up for public art that is out of the museums and in the public's eye.

Michael Hart's " Marketing & Media Network"

There are better ways to get your word out.
I'm usually one to shoot down online web casts. It's not the information presented but in the past, but the delivery method. There's a solution that is easy to sign up, get your reminder, and bring professional presentors that deliver the subject in an entertaining package as it should be. PLUS the best part - it's free. It's called brighttalk.com. I'm tuning in tomorrow for this one: Six ettiquette rules to avoid office holiday faux pas I'm not attending any, and have seen enough "faux pasises" to know what to avoid (is jamming with the rental band considered a faux pas?) Anyway, it will be my entertainment tomorrow morning and should get me in the holiday spirit. Look up Michael Hart and catch his next delivery.

This year my daughters (8 and 10) helped with the Christmas card. They were the Art Directors and I was the production grunt. That's our pet guiena pig Gibby and his friend Snowman are giddy with excitement that Christmas is almost here. It pretty much reflects the vibe in my house right now and it will not end until the last present has been opened. Happy Holidays and keep safe and warm.

Oh, now this one is precious...
My last year in the GrC department at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo saw the first computers installed in the classroom. It was the the end of the line for drafting supplies. How many of these Forgotten Art Supplies do you remember using?

Talley Vineyards Vine Cross '08

I worked on this illustration a bit too long. But that's OK! because it not only promotes a cool thing, it adds another dimension to viticulture ;) Illustration releases imagination in the viewers eye in a way that photography rarely does. Check out the event information at www.cencalcycling.com

Liquid Mongoose Proudly Presents Paper Case

When I burn and deliver a CD, I fold it in this nice origami case. I adapted this example from Liquid Mongoose. My collection of Print Magazines makes for nice patterns. Nice eh?

Beer time!

I made a brew to share with friends and family during the winter months. Of course, I had to give it my own brand. It's Tall Bike Posse's Posse Up Pale Ale - best described as a Sierra Nevada blend with an Indian Pale Ale kick to it. Hoppy would be the word to describe it.

Read about it and other things on my Hobby site: tallbikeposse.com

Some things move at a Glacial Pace

I have have a client (20 years) who stuck with me and sees the value in my work. He is an inventor that has been refining his product since I can remember. I initially helped him with a logo for his microwave tester, then worked on the look of the product itself, then the instructions, etc...
None of this happened at once. It's been literally 20 years since its inception. Lately we've stepped up production and produced separate instructions for fast food companies like McDonalds, Arby's and Burger King. Each round, we refine the information a little more. We cater to the needs of the fast food places, but keep the integrity of the brand by keeping the requests within the parameters established over the years. I think the slow evolution has helped us both keep our heads wrapped around the whole brand.
Without thoughtful process, a brand may miss an opportunity to develop in ways that otherwise be overlooked. I still get impatient though, that it can't move a little faster.

Publicity Outside of the Bottom Line

We have a tendency to be so wrapped up in our business that there's never the time to step back and see what you can do for your local community. I have a rag tag group of like minded thinkers called the Tall Bike Posse. We build tall bikes, ride them in parades, promote "safe cycling" and motivate others to do the same. Among other things, we do monthly roadside cleanup supported by the CalTrans Adopt-a-Highway program. This opportunity is good promotion and gives the members a chance to give back to the community in a fun way.

I encourage everyone to have a meeting with your boss and market your own form of "paying it forward". Get permission to promote it internally, send the local paper a news release and tell them what you're doing. Get publicity outside of the bottom line.
California Coastal Clean-up
Keep California Beautiful
Adopt-a-Highway