Sea Life @ Surfindian

I know where I will be on the 24th.

Julie Cox
Nicole Grodesky
Elizabeth Pepin
Serena Mitnik-Miller

What is even better is hopefully I will finally meet a few of these ladies in person and be able to catch up with the others, it has been too long. Once again thank you Surfindian crew and Chris Rule.

Kindlines Artwork

Rick Malwitz contacted me this summer to paint a piece on a surfboard panel. It was on display in New York and participated in an auction to benefit SurfAid International, proceeds going to help Padang. Unfortunately it did not sell the night of the auction. It would be wonderful if this piece found a good home and earned some funds to help people recovering from the earthquake. If you are interested in the piece you can buy it here. I think it would fit perfectly on a table or a desk, especially because all four sides contribute to the piece.

HMD Fashion Show, last Friday

Last Friday, Hollywood Million Denim and Designer Michele Genevieve were honored at the OC Style Week Fashion Show as Emerging Designer of the year. Since I am a graphic designer for HMD I was able to attend the show, it made me feel like Cinderella. It was a dream to see denim styles that I helped with walking down a runway. There were over a hundred people watching, taking photos and notes. I am so proud of Michele. She has set the bar high for herself and demands excellence in her denim styles. Below are a few photos from the event.

The runway and stage set up at Irvine Spectrum Center.

A model in one of the denim styles.


Another model in one of the denim styles.


A banner inside Macy's.

www.hollywoodmillion.com
or
on Facebook

Another interview from the past.

Drift Surfing EU recently posted an interview I completed. It is also from a couple years ago, like the Rebel TV interview, with the up-to-date posting of July 4, 2009 and no reference that the interview is actually quite old. I am happy that they put it up because more people are being introduced to what I create; however, it is unsettling that people are reading the article assuming that those are my words from last month. I think the best remedy to the situation is to work on an new article to send to Drift that way I can share what I am up to now.

Surf Story

Surf Art

Definitive Collection Features World's Most Significant Icons, Artists and Writers in Surf Culture

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 18 August, 2009 : - - Newport Beach, Ca -- Noted artist and surfing enthusiast Robb Havassy announced today the pre-release and launch of 'Surf Story,' an authoritative 444-page book and associated museum-scale exhibition featuring art and surf stories from 88 iconic, creative and inspirational personalities from surf culture.

This announcement comes on the heels of the settlement of Havassy's two-year legal battle with apparel giant Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister Co., a complaint that alleged liability for unauthorized use of Havassy's artwork and personal identity in the retailer's national marketing campaign from 1999 to 2006.

"This book is perhaps the most significant creative effort of my creative life, other than my baby daughter’s birth, and I trust it will serve its purpose as a unique hallmark of the sport, spirit and culture of surfing," says Havassy. "’Surf Story’ is a wonderful affirmation of all things timeless, creative and experiential in surfing, and it’s a fitting denouement for a drama in my life that had everything to do with preserving the integrity of decades of surf culture."

The first-edition of the "Surf Story" book is limited to 1,000 hardback copies, each signed and numbered by Havassy. The book is slated for public release this late fall with a $250 price tag, and it is being sold exclusively on surfstoryproject.com. As pre-sale inducement, 500 books are being offered at $150 through Sept. 15, while the last 100 books are earmarked for auction and sale at charity fundraisers.

Havassy is planning an international book tour through 2010, a sojourn that will culminate in a live showcase of featured “Surf Story” content, including symposiums and penned stories offered by many of the book’s 130-plus contributors, and upwards of 200 pieces of art reflecting the eclectic spirit that pervades surf culture.

According to Havassy, the events are designed to allow the public to meet “Surf Story” personalities in a casual setting, interact with these renowned progenitors of contemporary beach lifestyle and get signatures along the way. Sales from the Surf Story project will benefit the Surfrider Foundation.
“‘Surf Story’ is by far the greatest collection of surf stories and art ever gathered under one roof, lavishly illustrated, majestically presented," says Drew Kampion, writer, editor and author of ‘Stoked! A History of Surf Culture.’”

With an eye toward the future, Havassy is initiating a “Surf Story” contest, wherein the public is invited to submit stories to the author for his consideration in a future “Surf Story” volume. Entries will be accepted from Oct. 1, 2009 through Sept. 30, 2010. Three entries will be selected each month during the contest period.

The best story per month will earn its writer a limited edition “‘Surf Story’ Peace, Love, Life, Surf” surfboard and special edition lithograph. At the end of the contest, Havassy will choose 12 stories for inclusion in the next “Surf Story” installment from amongst the 36 monthly selections.

For more information about “Surf Story,” interested parties may go to “Surf Story Project” on FaceBook.com or log-on at surfstoryproject.com or havassyart.com

www.havassyart.com
www.surfstoryproject.com

J went trawling through the internet..

and found this: http://www.rebel.tv/video/135/Profile+Meegan+Feori
It is an interview I did with a German media company a few years ago, finally up online. Looking back on it, I did alright. However, hearing one's self talk is always strange.

Auction item at Mattson Family Benefit

The top image is the piece framed, 8 x 12 inches. The two images underneath are the details. I like it with the Pink and Blue upright; however, you could switch if that is your preference. It is a screen-print I made based on a painting of mine. Its title is Surface Chatterinas.

Mattson Family Art Benefit: June 26

Poster art by Julie Goldstein, designed by Mark Tesi

Featuring artists:

Alberto Cuadros : Andrew Paynter : Andy Davis : Candace Anderson : Cher Pendarvis : Chivo : Ciro Bicudo : Christine Brailsford : Danny Hess : David Hanson : Droog79 : Dustin Ortiz : Ed Fladung : Frank Cubillos : Heather Brown : Jair Bortoleto : Jamie Watson : Jay Watson : Jenny McGee Dougherty : Jessica Nichols : John Zane Zappas : Jonathan Mattson : Joseph Conway : Julie Goldstein : Justin Furniss : Kassia Meador : Katrine Hildebrandt : Keiron 'Seamouse' Lewis : Kim Nguyen : Kyle Lightner : Lindsay Preston : Liz Cockrum : Luke Taaffe : Maggie Marsek : Meegan Feori : Michael Singman-Aste : Morgan Maassen : Nat Russell : Peter Jackson Hussey : Peter McBride : Ray Barbee : Renata Morrone : Rick Albano : Ryan Tatar : Serena Mitnik-Miller : Scott Massey : Scott Szegeski : Ted 'Clayfin' Gallup : Theo Hetherington : Thomas Campbell : Tiffany Campbell : Todd Stewart : Troy Dockins : Ty Williams : Yusuke Hanai

Mattson Family Art Benefit

Friday, June 26 - one night only!

Surfindian
4658 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach, California
858.412.5334

Music by the Mattson 2

 with special guest Ray Barbee!

Silent Auction 7pm - 9pm

Art to be "in hand" to winning bidder by 9:30pm


100% of the proceeds will go to the Mattson family.

$5 suggested donation at the door





Surfindian is a constantly evolving art project and retail store focused on the art of surfing. Surfindian features surf-themed art, apparel, film, books, and jewelry, as well as fine hand-shaped surfboards, fins and other surfing accessories. Surfindian is located at 4658 Mission Boulevard, in the heart of Pacific Beach, California. The store phone number is 858.412.5334. For directions and other information, please visit www.surfindian.com, and follow the link to the blog.

Artwork in Japan

The event will be held at club Super Deluxe in Tokyo on Thursday July 30. I sent over some super limited edition, only 5 or 6 made, screen-prints to be part of the auction. The night is set to celebrate and to educate about sharks. Here is the website www.pangeaseed.com and if you want to read an interview I had with their mascot Chum. The organizers are wonderful people and are going to let me invite A and N as "my representatives" at the event, friends of mine who live in Tokyo. Which reminds me I need to send them an email about the event.

The Light Gallery in Costa Mesa: June 13

I will have a few pairs of shoes for sale at the Art of Sole 2. My apologies because I did not take photos of "my art shoes" before I sent them up to The Light Gallery. I am crossing my fingers that I make it up to the gallery for the opening. Right now I am not looking forward to more time driving or paying for gas again.

A gift I sent to France

I currently have work up at the Oxbow Store in Anglet, France. I sent this split fountain screenprint as a gift because I appreciate the opportunity to share my work. The screenprint is an adaptation of one of the paintings that is on display, see below.
The painting is on three different wood panels and is acrylic with mixed media.

Graphic Vintage Shirt

So I am wearing a vintage shirt that I embellished. It turned out quite nice, helped to make a mature shirt look younger. I will be treasure hunting through thrift stores for more shirts and make more soon. I am not sure if I will continue to model the completed shirts or not.

Regarding speculative work

The following is an email I woke up to this morning regarding my refusal to complete speculative work:

Wow,

In that case, it was nice corresponding with you, but we have decided to go with another artist who had no problems creating a few sample designs in order to showcase his abilities and skills AT NO COST TO US.

A little piece of advice: Coming from a professional background, when dealing with a prospective client/employer, try being a little less stand-offish and hostile, and a little more willing and forthcoming.

Good luck with your future endeavors.

::::::

In response I sent them a pre-made AIGA letter that explains and educates how speculative work compromises the design process:

NOTE: This letter is intended to be a resource for you when preparing communication with clients who may be requesting speculative work. You should modify it based on the needs of your particular situation.

Dear [name of potential client/graphic design buyer]:
[Name of your firm] would like to work with you to produce communications materials for your organization, but we are concerned that your request for proposal includes a solicitation of design concepts to be produced on a speculative basis by the professionals you are considering.

The approach you are pursuing is one that compromises the quality of work you are entitled to and also violates a tacit, long-standing ethical standard in the communication design profession worldwide.

AIGA, the nation’s largest and oldest professional association for design, strongly discourages the practice of requesting that design work be produced and submitted on a speculative basis in order to be considered for acceptance on a project. There are two main reasons for this position:

1. To assure the client receives the most appropriate and responsive work. Successful design work results from a collaborative process between a client and the designer with the intention of developing a clear sense of the client’s objectives, competitive situation and needs. Speculative design competitions or processes result in a superficial assessment of the project at hand that is not grounded in a client’s business dynamics. Design creates value for clients as a result of the strategic approach designers take in addressing the problems or needs of the client and only at the end of that process is a “design” created. Speculative or open competitions for work based on a perfunctory problem statement will not result in the best design solution for the client.

2. Requesting work for free demonstrates a lack of respect for the designer and the design process. Requesting work for free reflects a lack of understanding and respect for the value of effective design as well as the time of the professionals who are asked to provide it. This approach, therefore, reflects on your personal practices and standards and may be harmful to the professional reputation of both you and your business. There are few professions where all possible candidates are asked to do the work first, allowing the buyer to choose which one to compensate for their efforts. (Just consider the response if you were to ask a dozen lawyers to write a brief for you, from which you would then choose which one to pay!) We realize that there are some creative professions with a different set of standards, such as advertising and architecture, for which billings are substantial and continuous after you select a firm of record. In those cases, you are not receiving the final outcome (the advertising campaign or the building) for free up front as you would be in receiving a communication design solution.

There is an appropriate way to explore the work of various designers. A more effective and ethical approach to requesting speculative work is to ask designers to submit examples of their work from previous assignments as well as a statement of how they would approach your project. You can then judge the quality of the designer’s previous work and his or her way of thinking about your business. The designer you select can then begin to work on your project by designing strategic solutions to your criteria while under contract to you, without having to
work on speculation up front.

If you would like to work with our firm in developing a process that will benefit you most and maintain the high business standards we expect of [name of soliciting company or organization], please do not hesitate to give me a call. There are many local and national designers who can provide you with solutions that will far exceed your expectations, with respect for an appropriate budget and schedule. In the end, this approach ensures a more effective, professional and profitable process for everyone involved.

Your consideration of these professional design issues is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
[Member Name], AIGA

About AIGA
AIGA, the professional association for design, stimulates thinking about design, demonstrates the value of design and empowers the success of designers at each stage of their careers. AIGA’s mission is to advance designing as a professional craft, strategic tool and vital cultural force. Founded in 1914, AIGA remains the oldest and largest professional membership organization for design, and is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) educational institution. For more information on AIGA, visit www.aiga.org.

::::::

Unfortunately I am not yet an official member of AIGA. I respect their organization, have attended a few discussions and use their information as a resource. However, their fees are beyond my budget at the moment. I will be a member of the organization in the future.

Closing Art Reception for Loveswell

The information about it is here. I am tickled pink because Juxtapoz put it on their calendar. So if you are in LA on Sunday come on by.

Explaining "Night Flying Femlin"

This past week I puppy sat for my friend Joanie. She actually owns the original "Night Flying Femlin" so I was able to sit on her couch and look at the painting again, remembering. It is refreshing to be able to look at the painting after not seeing it for awhile. Here are some of the thoughts that I had while looking at it.

"Night Flying Femlin" 24 x 36 inches acrylic on canvas 2005.

"To Fly" 24 x 36 inches acrylic on canvas 2002.

I remembered its process. I started the painting as a progression of an earlier painting, "To Fly," before I left for Costa Rica. I was not able to finish it before I left so it sat incomplete for three months. While I was in Costa Rica I made a bunch of paintings that leaned toward even brighter colors and more childlike figures. Upon returning home I could not finish the painting as I began it, I had to rework parts especially the figure and her bird. She became more of a spirit/goddess than a real human. The bird balancing in her hand is an extension of her, the invisible part made visible. When surfing we collaborate with the wave and its energy I think the painting presents this, as well as the idea of balancing opposing and uncontrollable forces.

Sitting in front of the painting I realized how much time went into putting outlines on all the tendrils. I remembered how I did one and how the painting came together because of it and at the same time dreading the fact because of how long I knew it would take to do each one correctly. The painting was a bridge from being in Costa Rica to coming home for me so in a way the figure is me, though it could be anyone who can identify with her balancing act.

The name of the painting was originally just "Night Flying" then an Australian publication renamed it "Night Flying Femlin," probably because they could not resist or liked the word, Femlin, that they coined. I kept the change because it offered a way to explain the figure. Since then I have explored the same composition three more times; however, I think "Night Flying Femlin" is still the most poignant.

"Cloud Riding" 24 x 36 inches acrylic on canvas 2007.

"Boyfriend" 24 x 36 inches acrylic and mixed media on canvas 2009.

"Girlfriend" 24 x 36 inches acrylic and mixed media on canvas 2009.

Sketches for another commission

Another collaboration in the works.

Cyrus Sutton, Director of Under the Sun, wrote me the other day. We had corresponded previously about trying to work on something together or providing artwork for an animation. Well, he wanted an image of Boyfriend, currently on display at the Oxbow store in Anglet, France, to use in an animated sequence for his latest project: Korduroy.tv


I am excited to see how he adds to the image and makes it move.

Screen printing: different substrates

I am enjoying my screen printing class so much. I pulled the design below on three different substrates, handmade Khadi Paper, hand-me-down printing paper from J and Canvas.

Khadi Paper:

Printing paper:

Canvas ( I actually have two of these. I gave them a denim jean edge and backing so that they are coasters):

Collaboration: writing + illlustration

I asked my friend, Fabrice Le Mao, if we could collaborate on something. Since he is a writer, native language French, he sent me this small writing in English:

He hasn't shaved in two week. Out of laziness, he tends to think. Not the lonely man laziness or the "laissez aller" à la Barfly... No, it's more out of a nonchalant mix in between being curious to see my face with a lot of hair on it, having a lame razor that seems to like it when it peels my skin off and pushing the day when I'm gonna have to do it for a good reason. It's funny... He spent a little more time in front of my mirror now. He recognize those eyes but the rest is not really what he's familiar with. A lot of hair everywhere. Black hairs, grey hairs... Who's this guy? A normal guy. An everyday type of guy. He seems to look at his life's story while staring at his face, but he can't help but dreams of another story for his life. A story sans the « faux pas » and the shenanigans. A story without all the boring and tasteless episodes that life seems to throw at you if you don't care for it. « Because people usually fuck up their life from boredom », he thinks. His life has been a rollercoaster or so it seems until, for no reasons at all staring at his face in the bathroom’s mirror, he compared it to James Bond's. The very thought of this makes him smile. His eyes focus on the little riddles around his eyes now and, thanks to the extra hair, he likes them. His life seems so boring compared to Bond’s, he could die from boredom. He grins and breath and relaxes from this thought : "What if my life was much quieter… like an office clerk? What would it be working from 9 to 5 doing the same exact shit over and over?" The hair still seems powdered with salt but it's ain't that bad. The beard definitely has a "barfly" flavor but that's okay too. What about that novel he's been trying to finish about this guy who tries to save a fucked up world that’s falling apart?... Well, stepping back, the world is not falling apart. It may be the world like we used to know, like we used to think it was going to be… but Earth, that dear old planet will still hold and support life long after we'll be gone. It's up to us to figure out if we want to be a part of it or not. »
The man in the mirror seems familiar but there is a twist somewhere. « The idea behind the novel doesn't reflect who I am, what I've been becoming and all those thoughts that obsess me… There is no God. It's only the Principle of Life. Life is the only constant form in the Universe. From the molecules up to the galaxies, it is the Principle of Life in full effect. Praying God is praying life. However I'm looking at it, I can't find another explanation... and I'm not only talking about the "God gave us free will" shit! Coming down to an earthly and human point of view we have the free will to not fuck up our own life if we fight hard enough for it. And that’s the motto in the Great Principle of Life : if we screw you get screwed. Nobody gave us the directions for use. And up until our last breath we are still learning about life. Nobody said it was gonna be easy. An ironic voice somewhere inside his head says: "like love, Baby!"... Yeah right, like love... Love erected as the perfect reflection of the Principle of Life. It's been a minute and fourteen seconds since he sent her a text message and his phone vibrates.

Loveswell Set: Before and After

Before:

After:

And the creative promotional version:

Loveswell Set - Amazing

So I have been in LA the past couple days with J painting the set for Loveswell, it opens tomorrow night, and it was a lot of work, but entirely worth it. If you would like something entertaining and beautiful to do Friday evening I recommend attending.
Below is an almost completed photo. At this point I still needed to outline the top or furthest wave and add some of my 3-D treatments. I really should have moved the ladder and closed the door on the stage, I am a much better designer + artist than photographer. Anyways I will post more photos after opening night.

I would also like to thank John Forston and everyone on the production team and at the Hudson for their help, support and positivity in regards to my work. Also to my parents and J, of course.

New art process: Serigraphy

Screen printing is by no means "new;" however, the process is new to me. I am taking a screen printing class at the UCSD Crafts Center. Below are my first two projects.

This one was made using paper as a blocker for the ink and the one below uses rubylith to create the image, lots of exacto blade magic.

The Loveswell print is actually a small note card. We were allowed to make six prints so four went out as invitations/reminders for the theater production. I kept one and the other I sent to John Forston, the actor of the performance, as encouragement.

The Stargazing print is based upon a sketch I did for a commission.

New business card

I finally ran out of my mini Moo Cards, everyone really liked them. Since I needed new cards, Loveswell opens soon, I made this design yesterday. I am designing the set of Loveswell and will have artwork up in the cafe attached to the theater.
The artwork on my business card comes from the pieces I sent to Anglet, France that I still have not discussed on my blog yet, but are posted on my website. I also decided to stick with one design versus the 100 images you can provdie Moo Cards, to have a standard sized card and have them made close to home by Santora Media Group. I cannot wait to see the physical cards. I also kept the information provided simple. I think listing my website and my email address is redundant, especially since my email states my web address. I also left out my phone number, I value my privacy and prefer writing it on the card when someone needs it.

Entry for the Design for Humanity t-shirt contest

There are a lot of "art" contests out there, usually I equate them with doing spec work, work done without guaranteed compensation. Working this way is subservient and undermines the value of the art, which is why I choose not to complete this kind of work.

With all that said, I decided to enter the Design for Humanity contest sponsored by Billabong because I see it as a charitable way to put my creative talents to use, plus I had a good idea for a t-shirt.

Cave Paintings and the Human Spirit - KCRW

J sent me a link to listen to a KCRW Politics of Culture radio show that interviews David  Whitley.  It was informative and inspiring.  In our discussions about art we always come back to Cave Paintings as a basis of art that is successful and timeless.  John Berger, my favorite art critic, has an essay about cave paintings that broaches some of the same concepts.   I was finally able to fill in the gaps that I did not understand in John Berger's essay.   A portion of Berger's essay talks about the artist emerging - merging with the wall, I did not realize it had more of a significance than being his personal interpretation.  In the talk they discuss the same idea, emerging from the wall, as an anthropological interpretation of the shamanistic capacities of Cave Painting.  They discuss other topics including a theory regarding the origins of creativity.  If you have a half an hour or so, take a moment to listen in.

Cave Paintings and the Human Spirit - KCRW

Recycle bin for Coachella

Happy Monday - now design and make

This weekend I tried something a bit different. I tried (key word here is tried) not to design or make stuff, pretty tough when it is what you do. I have been, still am, busy with freelance projects and they quickly become consuming. Since my "office" is just me and my laptop normal hours of operation do not apply.

So Friday evening we went out for sushi and watched a movie, I really like the warm colors in Darjeeling Limited.

Saturday morning I walked to the bakery and returned with chocolate croissants, not as yummy as in Paris, but still good. I blew glass on Saturday morning and made a nice cup, made something. Then I did my taxes, taxes are definitely not designing or making. I was a homebody that evening and indulged in reading a good book.

Sunday began with coffee and reading until.. I started playing with the colors I may paint the Loveswell set.


After that a few family Easter obligations. Since it was still windy we stopped at Seaside to draw, making again. J worked on his landscape composition and I made sketches for a commission, they turned out well.






The weekend came to a perfect end because we went surfing with our friends L and G. For awhile it was just us at the peak, the water is getting warmer, the wind backed off. We were all smiles, laughing and perhaps too much talking, the mantra "more surfing, less talking" did come up a few times. We even watched the sunset.

My experiment to not design or make this weekend, in a strict sense, did not work. I still made stuff and did a little color design. However, I was also not stuck in front of my laptop all day during the weekend. I was able to relax, surf and be with friends.

COACHELLA

J and I get to go to COACHELLA, amazing I have wanted to go forever. The great people at Global Inheritance contacted me yesterday and my painted recycle bin warranted two 3 day passes to COACHELLA. Still a little shocked, it was something they mentioned as a possibility.


Above is one side of the recycle bin I painted. Be on the look out for it at COACHELLA