they say hindsight is 20.20...

...& i couldn't agree more. take these two contrasting subject:

hindsight on historical events:

I'm stoked to check out History Channel's documentary series "America: The Story of Us". From our ever abstracting perceptions of the 21st century, the creation of the US as we know is seems inevitable...a given. This series wipes those thoughts clear, showing that if 1 person chose a different path, 1 battle ended with a different victor...well...all of our pasts & every single present would have quite a different narrative. Can't help but wonder what hindsight our generation is creating today...

click here 2 peep at trailer for America: The Story of Us

hindsight on "pop" success:

B.o.B's airplane vsn ii (x Eminem & amazingly soulful hook by Hayley Williams) takes a fresh spin on the idea that every moment of greatness had a succession of moments before that led to that success...it's a powerful reminder that we have control in creating our own "success" - whatever package that takes on individually; so here's 2 wishing on airplanes...

B.o.B's new album is available today - click here for more info & full lyrics

always,

nic.

kicking realism in its ass - James Mylne

Golfers use specific clubs to obtain the most successful shot. Realism artists use specific drawing tools to obtain the most realistic images...but not James Mylne. Arming himself with only a ball point pen (yes....that is all) Mylne creates images that competes with the precision of a camera lens. Kicking realism in its ass, Mylne compares the process of creating his works to "meditation" creating simplistically real images from a complicatedly intricate process of lines, shades & dimensionality with a single toned tool. Still not comprehending the innate talent & skill behind these images? A metaphor then for you sporting enthusiasts: it's the same as a golfer making the PGA tour with a baseball bat.

miss moss

simply - amazing detail

video showing the process behind his work

all city

graffiti-like background + ball point realism = sick, sick, sick

is in his mind

personal favorite...seductive, mysterious & full of meaning

Click here to see James Mylne's photo gallery & additional videos

Check out more works by James Mylne on his website

always,

nic

erykah badu - Window Seat video music premier

Love the vulnerability. Love the message. Love the crude cinematography & excited to see what else is on her album "New Amerykah" - dropping on the 30th of this month...enjoy the video!

Window Seat - video premier

click here to see video

always,

nic

wanna preorder the album? click here

common - seductively uncompromising

Working in an environment where words behind "successful" hook lines could be mistaken for cartoon jingles, hip hop artist Common deserves props for sticking true to the social & political messages he wants to get out in his music. Unapologetically he delivers his message through dope beats, lyrics & "untraditional" style. Depending on the video, he can be chilling in a felt hat & jeans, or repping old school threads with a white tux & black bowtie. In his music you feel his style, thoughts & meaning in a seductively uncompromising manner - that's why i find his music sexy, sophisticated & intriguing so thought i'd share a couple videos...

drivin' me wild x lily allen

(allen's got her own set of skills u might think is worth checking out)

the lighter side of common... kid cudi collab "make her say"

kid cudi, common & kanye west - ode to Gaga's "poker face"

(personal preference?...guess...:)

always,

nic.

links: mixing fashion, music & foundations - common's blog

khalil gibran - old school inspiration

self portrait & muse: 1911

Each artist, each writer, each designer can single out a handful of individuals that led them or lead them on their own path of creativity; i have a few of my own & Gibran is a constant. As a self taught Lebanese Christian (immigrating to the US in early 1900) Gibran affected humans world wide through the purity of his vision. Listed as the 3rd most read poet & artist, i'm not alone in my admiriation - so i'm throwing props back this time to Gibran, an old school inspiration for artists today & those to come.

The Prophet - Gibran's most recognized literary work - excerpt:

I have found a truth

Say not, "i have found the truth," but rather, "i have found a truth."

Say not, "i have found the path of the soul." say rather,

"i have met the soul walking upon my path."

For the soul walks upon all paths.

The soul walks not upon a line,

neither does it grow like a reed.

The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals.

Your Children are not Your Children

They are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself.

The come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,

which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

always,

nic.

kelly allen x medicine agency solo exhibition "Everything is Everything"

who: Kelly Allen

what: premier solo exhibition

"Everything is Everything"

where: Medicine Agency

1262 Mason Street

San Francisco, CA 94108

+1.415.829.8615

when: 3.19.2010: reception for exhibition @ 8pm

open to public

free admission

3.19-3.31.2010: gallery showing

a star is a seed

a star is a seed - detail

honey please

keep on

why?...

Kelly Allen is an artist to know, understand & admire. With the onset of photoshop's cut & paste ease, you may assume her pieces are prints. Look again. All details are applied directly from Allen's hand to her choice of medium. Even more impressive than her technical skill is the thought behind her work; combining images, symbols & creatures your thoughts & sight would never partner, Allen shoves a new perspective of life & relationships in your face with graceful & enticing execution. In a world where artists are falling victim to cliched marketing schemes, Allen is a refreshing talent whose pieces radiate the essence of art.

click here to visit Kelly Allen's website

If you're in the San Francisco area this Friday clear your calendar & check her work in person - wish i could! Def check out Allen's site for her gallery of work.

always,

nic.

tunde olaniran x vividbraille website debut

Music artist Tunde Olaniran celebrated a website launch (http:/www.tundeolaniran.com) & video debut of his upcoming single "Cobra" Flint style this past weekend. Few pics from the launch party below, along with the Cobra video. Take a sec to check out tunde's site to grab dates for upcoming events, pics & blog. Tunde x Vividbraille dope collab on the site = kickass images & layout!

Tunde Olaniran's official website

Tunde Olaniran - Cobra on Vimeo

alex varanese: mixing up serious images w/ written humor

"this actually used to sorta make sense"

"secret identity"

"poison"

I ran across Alex Varanese's work on freshbump & was confusingly intrigued after reading his brief "autobiography". Varanese's images are visually bold with clean lines; the retro vibe plays well with his use of shapes, letters & monochromatic use of red. That being said, i'm always down for sarcasm & humor, & he's loaded with it; evidence: first pic's title.
He cracked a smile on my face so thought i'd share:)

link 2 alex varanese's website - check out the iphone tab 2 get hooked up w/ backgrounds
link 2 alex varanese's blog

always,
nic

Finally met Mr Jon Cole

Even living in the same city doesn't guarantee me the chance to meet up with all those Id like to. Last night I finally had a chance to shoot the shit with Jon Cole. I ran across Jon's website months ago and was instantly impressed. He is a photography and video expert. See for yourself (the videos especially caught my eye).


http://www.jcolemedia.com


brock.

Rospit Video



So nice seeing Detroit being repped like this. Rospit from Burn Rubber for sure.

www.rospit.com
www.burnrubberdetroit.com

Tunde Olaniran

There is nothing more exciting than working on projects with other artist who share the same vision of quality and design. Tunde has recently asked me to help with the cover for his upcoming single titled "Cobra". We are also designing his website, in the meantime find Tunde at twitter.com/tundeolaniran.


brock.

Small world indeed...

I get so geeked sometimes by the littlest things that are probably trivial to others. It was one of those moments when my boy Kamal informed me that one of his friends was in town (Chicago) he mentioned her name (Lynnette) and that she was a dope photographer. Crazy thing is I met Lynnette at some random get together in Las Vegas years ago. Her work stood out and stuck in my mind. I have yet to meet back up with her, although we've tried a couple times to no avail, ha. Here is a peek at some of her work, check her out online.

www.lynnetteastaire.com

A Flashback with Chris Carr x Lenora Jayne

I posted photos from a shoot done by Brooklyn based photographer Chris Carr months ago. One of the more interesting group of photos I was able to look at were those that were mashed up by Lenora Jayne and her visually stimulating illustration style. Here are 3 images to peak at...for more from Lenora or Chris...visit links below

http://lenorajayne.com/
http://eatthecaketina.blogspot.com/