Banzai Pipeline

This place steeped in surf history will always be the theater for young guns, aspiring to get their moment. This vid clip shows the lineup as it is without any particular pro featured. You see just how tight the pack can be, and how competitive the lineup is. Shot from the beach it does not even touch on the chatter competition and pecking order going on in the water. This year's Pipe Masters will be dedicated to Andy Irons.

Surfing @ Pipeline from kini on Vimeo.

Public Art the way it should be:

Street Sign Sculpture from Six Stair on Vimeo.

Street sculptor shows us all how it should be done; unexpected, revealing, speaks to your soul. Street art is a a shared moment between artist, observer and their surroundings. Awesome job!

CCCMB TrailWerks Poster

When I was assigned this job, and CCCMB told me the trailwork targeted, I immediately thought of American Gothic by artist Grant Wood as the hook. This may be the most parodied art by an American painter.
I replaced the original house with Froom Ranch house,  strapped a BMX helmet that fit the farmer's skull so well, traded the pitchfork for a McCloud, and gave the wife a shade hat worn by sun savvy hikers. This classic painting is a cultural icon and has been one of the most reproduced – and parodied – images ever.
I hope this poster catches the community's attention and brings many volunteers out on this special TrailWerks day. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY LATELY?

On-Track Studio Curb appeal

Well it's amazing what a pallette of colors can inspire...

The palette that initiated the makeover.

I have worked in this studio for the past two years neglecting the exterior until this summer. It's always been a non-descriptive shed with little (ok, none) curb appeal. The interior is sheetrocked, insulated, painted and can be quite cozy when the weather is acts up. When inspired, the work flows and the imagination is triggered. Though I wish the creative spark does not make the work any easier (sigh).

More photos on my Flickr Site

BOX ART SLO

The City of San Luis Obispo's Art in Public Places Program has commissioned local artists to create masterpieces on 16 utility boxes featured in downtown San Luis Obispo as part of the “BoxArt” program. I was told there were over 30 submissions and 13 artists selected (two were assigned more than one box).

I took a self guided tour to see progress, talk to the artist and post photos on bilbord99's Flickr site. Many were still at it on Day 3. 

I think the artists are doing a great job, and the city should be grateful for their time and effort, and hope each and every one of them get great commissions for future work.

BUT...

Where are the artists Jeff Klassen, JA/BC boys, Jon T. Jones, Burly Vreeland, Neal Breton 

AND...
Does the art do more than look pretty? 

Does it stimulate thought, a reaction, an emotion? 

Does it relate to its surroundings?

Talk amongst yourselves...

 Wipeout Trout Coleen Gnos

How many remember the fiberglass Trout About Town? There was a lot of vandalism and theft to these a few years back.

Bike Cog Medallions

P1140791
Originally uploaded by bilbord99
18 first place winners of the slo cyclocross will get one of these trophies. Visit www.slocross.com for all the flyers and more information.

I forgot my Masonite!

I thought I had it all together for a paint session after QiGong at m.BODY along the tracks in San Luis Obispo this morning. Unfortunately, I seem to be reaching that point in my life where the mind is not so sharp...

I ran through my mental checks:

• Rag, check. 
• Tin cup, check. 
• Water for cleaning, check. 
• Water for Bill, check. 
• Sunscreen, check. 
• Cowboy hat, check...

Until I had pulled up to the site. 

"Did I stash the Masonite board in my kit? Shite-no!"

I did stash a No. 2 pencil and my sketchpad:

Century Plants along SLORR Tracks

I need a trip to the Bay Area...

There's some good art afoot in the city...
I'm thinkin' it's time fer this country mouse to visit his city meeces soon.

El Camino site

Below are three versions of the same place. It shows the process of making a beautiful space my own. It also gives me a way to be influenced by the medium, responding to the site and perceiving it in a different way.

The Native Americans found great places to hang out while they ground acorns. This is one of them. Notice the mortar holes in the rock in the foreground.

I forgot a cleanup rag so I sketched on the masonite. I will return and paint it - Pencil and Chalk

Ths is the third in a series of medium responses to the site - Acrylic

Enpleinair

Protect Your Parks - WPA Posters - Vintagraph Fine-Art Wall Prints and Posters

I love WPA Posters; the reason for the program and their variety. These two in particular caught my eye while dreaming about our wonderful National Parks. In general, I could waste a whole night looking at the beautiful posters on this site: Protect Your Parks - WPA Posters - Vintagraph Fine-Art Wall Prints and Posters

ON-TRACK Returns...

For those who missed the On-Track show in December at Ancient Peaks Winery Tasting room, I'm presenting the selected plein-aire works at New Frontiers in San Luis Obispo through the month of August.
Besides the Track series will be a "sneak preview" of a new theme titled Sacred Spaces which depict various places where the West Coast Native Americans gathered and lived their lives. When I reach a good number (a dozen?) I will have a show. Until then you can behold three sites from in and around Lake Tahoe basin.

On-Track
Selected plein-aire works by Bill Mulder depicting trackside landscapes and water.
August 2 - 29th
New Frontiers
896 E Foothill Blvd Ste C
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 785-0194 

Put these Negatives On Trial

I hope my swap meet habit turns up something like an Ansel Adams Box Crate Edition! Let's put these glass negatives on trial and get the Judges opinion.

Parts art in San Rafael

Parts art in San Rafael
Originally uploaded by i am a lineman for the county
Again, Public Art speaking to me.

Bike Sculptures

Bike Sculptures
Originally uploaded by twofishblu
This public art speaks to me.

Inspirational Quotes for Artists and Designers

Inspirational Quotes for Artists and Designers - ArtBistro.com

Sacred Spaces

A new plein aire series of Native American "secret spots". These are beautiful and natural places to hang, which makes them extraordinary to paint. Each location reveals a sense of context within the surroundings - you can feel why it's there.
I plan to create eight 6" x 12" paintings for a show in August at New Frontiers in San Luis Obispo, then October in Santa Margarita.
Learn more about Plein Aire - It's friggin' awesome.

“Kinkade is a… deadbeat,”

I'm sure this article on Thomas Kinkade’s Production firm files Bankruptcy is already viral but I'll post it anyway. Seems like the "Painter of Shight" was a little flakey. Maybe it's time to buy a franchise? It's a buyers market!

100 Years Of Propaganda: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Smashing Magazine is one website all designers should check out. This is an article that is less about web design and more about what can be used as inspiration to any designer. It also shows the side of propaganda that can be good.

Spread Firefox Campaign is INSANE!

Firefox is on a social media feel-like-you-are-part-of-something BIG media blitz. SpreadFirefox.com website is the headquarters for information, recruiting, discussion, and dispensing of Firefox marketing to the masses. I am impressed with the T-shirt designs their minions and foot soldiers are doing. I am curious as to how well this spread firefox campaign is going. It certainly is a targeted demographic of college students

Paul Rand was never called an Asshole

Paul Rand created some of the most memorable brandmarks in the USA.  His playful style was thoughtful, simple, sophisticated and continues to be timeless. In Design, Form, and Chaos, Rand shares “some thoughts and despair about the design of a logo". All I can say is Wow!
PS:
I never knew he did ENRON logo. Just proves that it's not the logo that shapes the company.

Question: Does corporate america currently invest in thought provoking design?
What are the latest corporate rebrands new you've seen? Certainly not the GAP!

Have you seen me?

Paris thieves take art worth more than 125 mil. Interpol an International Criminal Police Organization is involved with the investigation, meaning that the paintings may already have left the country. Hmm, I think I'll go to the swap meet this weekend...

 

Social Distortion

This song speaks to me and so many others. Don't Take me for Granted

The D'ukes Impromptu Show

DSC_9774
Originally uploaded by Camera Ferret

Give us an audience and we'll give you something to sing about.

The Dukes of Margarita T Shirt from Zazzle.com

The Dukes of Margarita by bilbord99
Browse more Ukulele T-Shirts

Uke California Sun

I [bike] SLO !

I [bike] SLO !
Originally uploaded by SLO County Bicycle Coalition

Kidical Mass and SLO Bike kitchen getting busy. I love it!

Broken Fingaz Stop Motion Graffitti

Broken Fingaz -Graffiti Stop Motion from Broken Fingaz on Vimeo.

Beautiful work, prolific, and humorous.

Dennis Hopper Gets His Star

A true custodian of the Arts and an Artist himself, Dennis Hopper in his twilight is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It almost seems trivial at this point. He has always been an icon for individuality. Dennis has epitomized the independent free thinking sensitive and in some cases, the dark side of the human experience.

His long list of playing your worst nightmare in films has created a brand unto himself. This of course is the one dimension portrayal of a man who like all humans, has many facets: Artist, Art Promoter, Writer, Independent Filmmaker, and one who did it all through a passion for Art and certainly not to turn a buck. Support ALL the Arts because you love it, because the art speaks to you, and not because it is the cool thing to have, the best investment, or because it matches your decor.
Art is for all.
His Laundry list of roles and films from IMDB
Portrait of Dennis Hopper by Andy Warhol
Monsters and Critics article

My shop on Zazzle.com

View more personalized gifts from Zazzle.

More will be added as I move in and make myself comfy.

Resivoir Canyon Flowers

Resivoir Canyon Flowers
Originally uploaded by bilbord99

Explosive colors and solitary flowers calling out for the work of bees. How can a bulls eye like this be missed? Even the curiosity of daughters in stride even take a moment to stop and observe.

Bike Parking

Bike Parking
Originally uploaded by That Car

It's like a cloud, like Heaven!

The D'Ukes of Margarita

My buddy Steve and I have been playing ukulele for a couple of years now. We have similar tastes in music and ukulele songs. We both trade off singing parts, laugh and and TRY to be consistent. We are The D'Ukes of Margarita. We do traditional, western and contemporary covers. DON'T take us seriously, because we certainly do not take ourselves that way. We are entertaining, engaging interactive and will put the crowd at ease and maybe have an old fashioned campfire sing-along. Get ready for our YouTube premiere coming soon! 

As you might remember my earlier post about my concept sketch more or less a gesture, a hint of an idea. It is so important to grab those thoughts on paper. A quick sketch will always come in handy. From that came a name provided by Tim Blair. Thank you!

Flag of Nunavut/Olympic logo

NPR has a good article on the origins of the 2010 Olympics. The symbol borrowed heavily from the rock stacks called an inukshuk. They were apparently used to mark a good spot for hunting or fishing. In my experience with rock stacking, they have always meant as a marker or call it ancient tagging. Sort of like saying: "I was here" or "this is the trail" or "cool spot".

Concept Sketch Just for Fun...

I have been pretending to be a musician for over three years. My good friend and I practice and play sporadically at back yard parties, one beer hall and art openings. We now have over 20 songs in our repertoire (though some we play better than others). Our music pulls from Punk, Johnny Cash, Tinpan Alley, Hawaiian and some contemporary medleys and we seem to actually entertain others! We love to pass out shakers and I play solo Kazoo on a few. Our songs include sing-alongs, and our interaction with the crowd is very lively to say the least.

What I'm trying to get at is Entertainment comes from many dynamics and not necessarily have to do with talent. People naturally like to laugh and have fun. What we lack talent-wise, we make up for in entertainment.

Above is a rough sketch for our act. It sort of says what we are about visually, but we need a name. Please help us and think of a name to hang on this logo. Be creative and entertaining. I can't wait to read your replies.

Here's how my head works:

1. Facebook friend posts you tube videos of Led Zepplin
2. Rockin' out, I notice Jimmy Pages' cool rocker Wizard outfit
3. Google Jimmy Page Costume brings me to a blog all about Rocker fashion, wow!
4. Then finally to a book called The Look Adventures in Rock & Pop Fashion

I get sucked into checking this rocker fashion blog for a good hour. It's quite a history that I knew existed, yet never seen chronicled until now. It is part of the brand for sure. It is stage, it is bigger than life, it is showmanship, rocking that bling and something flashy and colorful a fan can see from the top row of a sold out stadium.

Give Elvis The Brand a listen - and remember to wear your rockin’ shoes!

Stationery Case Study

En Plein Air Palettes @ Ancient Peaks

The palette units worked great. I was pleased as punch for hanging over a dozen paintings without hammering a bunch of nails. The solution was to pre-mount all the little plein aires onto a palette-like frame. The show was hung using 2 pre-existing nails and adding one of my own. There was no way the owners would have let me put the show up otherwise.

With this tight acrylic-on-masonite-on-palette unit, I can fit it into virtually any coffeeshop, tasting room or reception area; basically anywhere people can take a gander. Who wants it next?