Did you know that June 29th is deemed Camera Day!
In light of such a great holiday, why not dig up those Polaroid cameras out of the basement and put them to good use! Take pictures of your favorite things, favorite people, or make a funny face, then scribble down a note using a Sharpie to express yourself one step further!
This would be a fun activity to share with kids, friends or even an afternoon project by yourself.
You’ve seen him featured on the Sharpie blog several times for his amazing lunch bag art and for his involvement as a Sharpie Squad member!
Most recently though, Derek Benson has been recognized by the San Diego UpTown news for his incredible work! Check out the article below:
"Derek Benson draws a new image on his three children’s lunch bags every day"
Mission Hills resident Derek Benson has been chosen as one of 20 members of the 2010 Sharpie Squad.
The squad’s artists and bloggers are a group of passionate Sharpie marker users who serve as vocal brand ambassadors, sharing their enthusiasm, creativity and unbridled passion for Sharpie products.
A Namco Games employee by day, Benson creates art for video games. But away from gaming he is known for his lunch bag art, consisting of intricate drawings of cartoons and super heroes, which he showcases on his blog, lunchbagart.tumblr.com.
Benson has been using Sharpie markers all his life, he said. The father of three children ages 9, 5 and 3, Benson began drawing art on their lunch bags every day as they went to school, eventually adding 370 entries to lunchbagart.com.
“I do this mostly as a hobby for my kids,” Benson said. “They really have the final say in what goes up on the blog, I definitely take constructive criticism from them.
"Lunchbagart.com contains more than 370 pictures of Benson’s artwork, which earned him a spot on the Sharpie Squad."
“I like to draw things that are weird and what I feel is cool. Right now, if you check out my blog, you’ll see I’m drawing things from this cool comic line called Dreamland Chronicles.”
Benson is formally trained as an artist but insists that daily practice is a better teacher.
“Only draw what you are passionate about,” he said he advises prospective young artists. His art is displayed on the walls of his son’s preschool and has been published on the front page of the San Diego Union-Tribune and on the cover of “Parents” magazine.
“It’s an honor to have been chosen to be on the Sharpie Squad, but actually I was very proactive about it and I actually contacted them myself to see if I could become part of the squad,” he said.
As a Sharpie Squad member, Benson will be tweeting, blogging and sharing his out-of-the-box creations and ideas on what is possible with a Sharpie marker throughout 2010.
In return, Sharpie will provide Benson new product news and shipments, virtual meetings with the Sharpie brand team, and publicity through blog posts, Twitter and Facebook.
To meet the rest of the Sharpie Squad and to check out their latest endeavors, go to sharpieuncapped.com.
***
You can find this article at San Diego Uptown News’ website. Be sure to check out more of Derek’s lunch bag art at LunchBagArt.com.
I am so excited to report that one of our stellar 2010 Sharpie Squad members, Erica Domesek and the design, DIY & style expert behind P.S.- I Made This… is currently featured on ReadyMade.com with a DIY to die for post entitled, “Create Summer Stripes in a Sharpie Snap” Here, she demonstrates how easy it is to re-purpose empty cartons with Sharpie Twin-Tip markers to make a bold-expression in any room!
What you'll need...
"Re-use milk or cream cardboard containers you have at home. After emptying, clean the inside and let dry. Use a sharp pair of scissors and cut off the top of the container."
"Wrap container with white masking or paper tape. Trim any excess tape and cardboard to even out the top."
To make your designer-inspired stripes, pick a color palate from Sharpie Twin Tip markers. I suggest using 3-4 colors that work well together. Start at the bottom using the thicker marker tip to make the heavier lines. Use a ruler to help keep your lines super straight."
"Get creative and vary the stripe designs."
"When clustered together, DIY-striped Sharpie vases in different size heights in like color palates will help spruce up any nook in your home and enhance any summer fete!"
Be sure to go to ReadyMade.com to see Erica’s DIY project in all it’s glory!
Break out your daisy dukes, grab a cowboy hat and saddle up – Sharpie’s headed to Nashville!
Sharpie is teaming up with an all-star country line-up this Tuesday, June 22nd for “NASHVILLE RISING: A Benefit Concert for Flood Recovery” at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena! Spearheaded by country sensations Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, all proceeds from this star-studded concert will benefit The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, which is working to address flood relief and recovery in Middle Tennessee.
Performances by: Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Montgomery Gentry, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Julie Roberts, Blake Shelton, Michael W. Smith, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, ZZ Top
During rehearsals, a massive Sharpie Autograph Wall will be set up backstage for all the performers, special guests and celebs to sign. On the day of the event, the Sharpie Autograph Wall will be opened up to the public so that they can check out their fav. country stars’ signatures and even sign themselves!
NASHVILLE RISING Sharpie Autograph Wall
For every autograph signed on the wall, Newell Rubbermaid and Sharpie, Paper Mate & EXPO brands will donate $1, up $10,000 to the cause. We will also be donating a year’s supply of school supplies to Kingston, a local Nashville school, to help in their rebuilding efforts caused by the flood.
Not a problem! Text RISING to 501501 to donate $10 to flood relief at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Click HERE for details.
I’ll follow up with and update & pics from the event so stay tuned for more! In the mean time, check out www.nashvillerising.org for more info, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, how to donate to the flood relief, check out the celebs & learn about all of the event’s sponsors.
Feels good to help someone out, doesn’t it!
Do you ever find yourself wondering what kind of permanent marker Russell Brand prefers to sign autographs with? Maybe even pose with from time to time? Trust me, this is a completely normal question and perhaps even one that takes priority over other important questions on your mind, such as, “What’s for dinner?” “Is that essay test tomorrow?” or ”Was it my turn to pick Billy up from practice?”
Lucky for you, I’ve got plenty of time to peruse the magazine stands and make your life a bit easier…
The current issue of Rolling Stone Magazine, (featuring Jay-Z on the front cover) shows Get Him to the Greek star, Russell Brand posing with a black Fine Point Sharpie marker in hand, along with an autographed copy of his very own cover issue!
*sigh* And now you may return to your other inquiries.
Chicago Blackhawks WIN Stanley Cup Finals
The Blackhawks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night to win the Stanley Cup Finals in Game 6, the first championship for Chicago since 1961. Patrick Kane sneaked the puck past Michael Leighton lifting the Hawks into a 4-3 overtime win! What an awesome victory for such an stellar team! Way to Go Hawks!!!
We recently asked fans of Sharpie to send in random acts of self-expression to @SharpieSusan on Twitter for the chance to win a Sharpie prize back! Well, you’ve tweeted your “Random Acts” and after an overwhelming response of creativity, awkward gestures, hilarity, art, talent, flexibility and then some, I am happy to announce the winners of Sharpie’s “Random Act of Self-Expression” contest. This was such a fun contest for us to judge as we watched the self-expression pour in, so thank you for participating and sharing a little piece of yourselves with us! Now enough jibber-jabber, let’s get to what you came for….
@articleAimee
@Auroraza
@Batty_Kari
@blondieKahailz
@ChrisISpencer
@CourtneyERose
@cre8tivwoman
@drenessness
@Eliseisawesome
@EpicRave
@ErikRicard
@GemmaBeads
@jerrydoes
@joespinstriping
@kevthemetz
@lalamegan
@MaryIrene
@NewMarketFair
@ohno_itsalice
@shes_blank
@Smashly
On Tuesday, Conan O’Brien tweeted about a cool opportunity he had to uncap some self-expression at Radio City Music Hall in NYC! Check out how Conan used his Sharpie Twin Tip:
-@ConanOBrien (June 1, 2010)
