Category Archives: Q&A

Share This

Good Bot, Bad Bot

Posted on by | 9 Comments

They say one day robots will take over the world… But who are they anyway? And why are they teeing up robots as bad guys? What if they were good? What if robots didn’t necessarily take over the world, but were more of our buddies? What if they brought joy, followed you around giving compliments on say, your pants or a school project? What if robots offered great advice or boosted your confidence? What if…

Thanks to today’s featured artist, that “what if” just turned into “what is.” Addicted to Sharpie Oil-Based Paint markers, Gary Hirsch has assembled an army of androids that love, caffeinate, knit, stop time, even give you permission to be a bit callous now and then.

Hirsch, creator of Joy Bots took time to answer our Sharpie Q&A. Warning, it’s a bit lengthy but a guaranteed good read!

Featured Sharpie Artist: Gary Hirsch

Tell me about yourself!  Where are you from? Interests? Likes? Dislikes? Pet Peeves? My life has been made up of a series of collisions: I am an actor (improviser) and a business consultant/facilitator, and a painter, and a Dad, and a wanna-be marine biologist. I collide all of them in various ways…it’s never a dull moment. I found (really co-founded) a mini-micro-national, creative consultancy called On Your Feet. We use highly experiential methods from the world of improvisation, and elsewhere, to help organizations communicate, create and relate—all while having a ridiculously good time. Before On Your Feet I was an improv performer (still am), painter (still am), and t-shirt artist (nope gave that one up).

I am best know in my adopted hometown of Portland, Oregon (I am an ex- Cleveland Heights, Ohio guy) for a large public art commission that the city asked me to create in 1996; it’s called Upstream Downtown- eighteen giant aluminum fish that hang from the open spaces of one of Portland’s ugliest parking garages, hopefully the fish make it a little more beautiful.

Upstream Downtown

Likes: The Ali G Show, Peach Tazo, Baba Ganoush, Radio Lab, The Moth, A Sunday night show of AsssCat performed a The Upright Citizen’s Brigade in NYC or L.A., my son’s band Meet Your Monster, and I am a sucker for the video series “Where the Hell is Matt”, the guy that dances seemingly in every country on the planet (my daughter rolls her eyes whenever I watch it because I inevitably cry every time and whisper things like “ yes….this gives me hope….”). 

Peeves: Anything passive aggressive. 

How did you get started as an artist?   When I was growing up I had a lot of nightmares. You know, your basic, run of the mill nightmares- giant hands swooping down from the attic, grabbing you out of bed and swallowing you whole, where he would land in a stomach that was really a grave yard populated by zombies, yeah those kind of nightmares…On these nights when I couldn’t sleep I would sit with my father in the kitchen and draw the monsters from his nightmares. We would stay up for hours and my Dad would help me name these creatures (My parents saved all of these doodles, I still think they are some of my best work). Once during a late night doodling session my father leaned over and said, “You know, if you can create them, then you can also erase them.” So I would draw and erase and after a while the nightmares would come a bit less frequently.  I never stopped doodling since. 

 

How would you describe your personal style? I am a doodler at heart. I must doodle to survive, period. This got me into a lot of trouble in school, because teachers always thought I wasn’t paying attention when I was scribbling in the margins of my notebook. But I was, I really was Mrs. White! Years later I saw an article that found that some people listen better when they are doodling….yes! Vindicated! 

Where do you draw inspiration from?  There is an army of artists that I am in awe of: Goya, Haring, Beckman, Dubuffet, Scharf, Baseman. Last year, I attended Tim Burton’s visual art exhibition at the MOMA and that was enough to keep my inspiration gas tank easily full these past 7 months. The thing that all of these masters of their craft have in common is that their work is all about stories. I am addicted to stories. I dive deeply into the world of story and narrative, mostly through my experiences as an improv theater performer. What keeps interesting me is the idea of incomplete story…of starting something and inviting the audience to finish it, to co-create it with me. Sure, I have something in mind when I paint…..but so do you when you look at the painting. I love that a single piece of stimulus can ignite a flood of ideas and stories. 

A-Ten-Hut!

How do you use Sharpie markers in your work?  Discovering the Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Marker was a revelation, really (and I am not just saying that because you are Sharpie, that would very brown nosey)! It was kind of like a divine intervention from the art gods. I needed something with vivid color, fast drying that could work on a domino….viola, prayers answered! 

Favorite Sharpie. Why? I’m currently having a love affair with Sharpie Extra-Fine Oil-Based Paint Markers. Beautiful, consistent line, allows me to get small and tight with details, dries amazingly fast, and sticks to everything….cue the music I feel an endorsement coming on! 

What is it about robots that you love so much?  I had this idea about 5 years ago: Imagine that you had an imaginary robot that followed you around all day and gave you outrageous compliments. It was a fun idea to imagine, so I included it in an illustrated journal that we made for our On Your Feet clients and gave them out when we were running innovation and creativity sessions. This image of a robot that follows you around giving you compliments keep haunting me…I mean seriously, how cool would that be? It would be invisible and only you would know it was there and it would say things to you like “ Nice pants” or “That was a smart thing to do” or “You made the right choice.”  So this year, I thought, “Let’s make the robots real” and after playing with several surfaces, we stumbled on the domino. Now instead of an invisible robot you have a small pocket robot.   

Bundle of Bots

What does one do with an army of robots? What do the robots do for me? This tiny robot army is programmed to bring you joy! Each Joy Bot is hand-painted, on-of-a-kind pocket friend. 

To activate simply:

  1. Allow your robot to get to know you by placing him on your desk, kitchen counter or cubicle or wherever you spend the most amount of time.
  2. Wait until he notices something about you (it won’t take long) and then listen while he tells* you how wonderful you are, or how much he loves you, or how brave you have been, etc. (what he says depends on the type of robot you have selected). (see attached image of a sample of the operating instructions that come with every Joy Bot)
  3. Take him with you everywhere you go for the maximum domino effect.

* The robots don’t really talk (’cause they’re painted dominoes) but you can imagine that they do. 

Pop Quiz! What Bot is this?

There are 10 types of Joy Bots:

  • Love Bot: Programmed To Love You
  • Joy Bot: Programmed to Make You Feel Great
  • Brave Bot: Programed To Give Your Confidence a Jolt
  • Listening Bot: Programmed To Listen To You, Unconditionally
  • Yes Bot: Programmed To Say “Yes” To Anything You Say
  • Mean Bot: Programmed to Give You Permission To Be a little petty, mean, or whiny
  • Caffeine Bot: Programmed To Wake You Up
  • Knitting Bot: Programmed To Make You a Knitting Sensation
  • Time Bot: Programmed to Stop Time (so you can re-live great moments or erase bad moments)
  • Advice Bot: Gives you Outrageously Useful Advice

What is your favorite bot? I’m a big fan of The Time Bot. It stops time so you can go back and erase a stupid mistake or relive a wonderful moment. A very useful ability, I would say. 

Time Bots

What is the Caffeine Bot’s favorite kind of caffeine?  No surprise, it’s coffee. I made them to accompany an exhibition of paintings that I was having in my neighborhood at a local coffee shop. I imagined that having a Caffeine Bot would help me reduce my coffee consumption because they are programmed to Wake You Up. (no such luck, still pouring down the coffee.) 

Caffeine Bots

If your Joy Bots had a theme song what would it be?  No brainer….Robot Parade, by They Might Be Giants, one of my kid’s favorite songs! Also love Birdhouse In The Soul by TMBG as well, either work. 

Why is the Mean Bot so mean?! He’s there to give you permission to be a little mean, or petty, or “snivelly”…S ometimes we just have to vent…The Mean Bot  lets you express the darker side, without shame. 

Mean Bots

How do you come up with all of the robots? It’s all about the story they tell the viewer. I want to make Bots that can give you advice, tell you how wonderful you are, or stop. The idea is that they all have to help you have a conversation with yourself. Of course, the Bots don’t actually talk but still people have told me things like, “My Bot just encouraged me to take risk” or “I felt great today because my Bot told me to how nice and helpful I am to my business partner.” I had one woman contact me for a set of Brave Bots for her family to help them who with coping with the recent death of a loved one. Are these people crazy? Of course not, they are just realizing something about themselves. The Bots don’t actually talk, but something about them allows people to imagine that they do, and somehow gives voice to a few, small and hopefully wonderful tid-bits about themselves. 

What’s in the future for Joy Bots?  Not sure, they really do have a life of their own. I don’t have a ton of time to make them right now because I’m so busy with my consulting work, so any painting time is a luxury and a treat. I love making small batches of limited editions when I get spare moments. I have been approached to mass produce them for the gift market, but I can’t see doing that, it is such a joy to strap on my head phones with a podcast from Radio Lab, or The Moth, listen to a wonderful story. Let my mind wander, and slowly paint, not knowing what will emerge until the final stroke of the pen. I will just keep making them, and showing them to whoever is interested and let the rest work itself out. 

Knit Bots Listening Bots

Do you have any advice for other artists? Oy, I hate questions like this because it assumes I know WTF I am doing. I guess I would say what I say to my 16 year old son who is trying to break into the music industry and that is, Make the call. If someone says “you should call me,” DO IT. If something happens don’t ponder if it is “good” or “bad,” ask yourself “What can I do with this?” This is ingrained in me from all of my improv work. Improvisers are masters at using what they have and turning nothing into something. I see opportunity in lots of things; I would encourage other artists to turn down the dial on their own self judgment, notice more around them and use it as an opportunity. 

How can I get a bot? Right now I sell at few galleries across the country and on my art site, www.doodlehouse.com. You can also go directly to my Etsy site: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaryHirschartshop 

Anything I didn’t ask that you would like to add? Sure, but this interview is way too long as it is. I’m an extravert and have to talk to think, so thanks for letting me blab!

Thanks again to Gary for the EXCELLENT interview! Be sure to check out the Joy Boy website and build your own BOT army!

Share This

Featured Artist: Joseph Carpenter

Posted on by | 4 Comments

Joseph Carpenter is a UK based Sharpie artist with a wide array of interests from extreme sports, to music, to art. It is his interest in self-expression and creativity, however that brings him to the Sharpie Blog as our featured artist of the day. Incorporating Sharpie markers allows Carpenter to capture thick lines, smooth lines and pay attention to detail. Mixing traditional with digital tools, this artist creates brilliant images for various U.K. bands, brands and agencies alike. Get to know Joseph and have a look at some of his work below.  

Tell me about yourself:  Well, my name is Joseph Carpenter and my day job is an assistant printer but I spent three years at the University of Bath studying Illustration. These days I spend most of my spare time within illustration creating new pieces or generally doodling ideas for new bits of work. I’m a massive fan of extreme sports and surround myself with people who share similar interests; this passion extends into music which is where the majority of my work has been commissioned from. I don’t really get on with over opinionated people although I’ll always make the effort – the same applies for overly aggressive people! I also dislike money because I never have enough. 

  

How would you describe your personal style?  Proper tough question…… my style is sort of all over the place, I guess its origins are in my childhood like most artists but in some respects I never really grew up, I have become more experienced in my understandings of how to use light and the difference between thicknesses in line and how much that can bring things to life. If I was going to pin point it, I suppose it’s a cross over between Graphic novel art and 80’s Cartoons. It’s never been a conscious thing just ended up that way! 

You Me At SIX

 Scrolling through your site, it seems you have an affinity for posters. Where does this interest come from? Who do you create them for? Poster art, haha… My “passion” (as its been previously described) for posters, has never been a passion as such I fell into it. While I was at University I started producing posters for the manager of my band at the time for the venue he was promoting for, it was something that me and my house mate spent a lot of time on together under the name ZEDISDEAD, Chris (Rowland) and myself had a really great start in the industry producing posters for band such as ACROSS FIVE APRILS, O.P.M and ZEBRAHEAD. After a while we started getting labels and bands personally interested in one off posters for shows. We then went our own separate ways and its really from then on I started getting more involved. I ended up doing posters for WHEATUS, BLEEDING THROUGH and doing album art work for WE ARE THE OCEAN and more recently T-shirts for YOU ME AT SIX.  

What is your creation & design process like?  This part varies from time to time. As I’ve grown up I’ve started to actually map ideas out before I ink anything and I’ll always pitch mood boards to clients, consisting of work I like and work that I hope they like! From there, the ideas go back and forth until the client is happy. I’ll ink it, do a rough colour, and then get it checked… then I go ahead and finish it off. It’s pretty basic but it works for me .  

Where do Sharpie markers come into your work?  Sharpie markers are an essential part of my inking process. I’ll use them to boarder the image using the marker as a thick edge and then I’ll use the finer point to fill in the detail. It’s the middle point of my work but without it the line work would look shabby and blotchy. I find that Sharpie markers draw a consistent line and don’t fade out as I follow my pencil line, this is essential in creating a smooth line which is a must my mind.  

  

Favorite Sharpie?  Why?  I suppose I’m a bit basic but I love the classic Fine Point just because it delivers so much from one style of nib, and I can ink most of the sections of my work with one pen instead of a selection. I also mainly use black ink as most of my work is digitally coloured.  

I also reeeaaallllyyy want a Stainless Steel Marker but I haven’t found one yet!  

What’s your favorite drawing/design that you’ve ever created?  My favorite (see below) is a personal piece of work that was sketched up in my first year of University. It was the start of me finding myself as an illustrator… No one else got it but it just combined everything I loved and I used all my favorite processes to create it. I even have it on my business card now!  

 

If you could only draw one thing for the rest of your life, what would you choose?  This is easy, I’d draw birds! Birds are awesome, actually awesome. They all look different, they come in all shapes, sizes and colours. You can be super intricate or really simple and they still look awesome. Always loved drawing them and they drop in and out of my work, but I literally doodle birds faces all day at work.  

Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten:  “Don’t expect to get rich.” This is a daft comment out of context but it has helped me to not be disillusioned about how the industry works. All I care about is that I can be as expressive as I like and I’m consistently creative - which if I were in an office job, I would be unhappy – on more money, but not happy.  

Motto to live by:  

    Do or do not, there is no try.

- Yoda (Star Wars movie)  

Are you currently working on anything that you can tell us about?  Right now, I’m working on a set of animal drawings for the summer. I asked a bunch of friends to help me out with ideas and I’m putting together a set that will be gifts for everyone but also a personal project that I’ve tried to but together for ages.  

Anything I didn’t ask that you would like to add?Big shout out to my friends Iain Macarthur and Chris Rowland, with out them I wouldn’t be where I am now. Please check their work out too:  

Cheeeeeerrss!!!  

Big thanks to the Carpenter for taking time to Uncap What’s Inside on the Sharpie Blog! You can find more on Joe at Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter!

Share This

Tote Self-Expression to School

Posted on by | 1 Comment

Handing over the mic this morning to Sharpie Intern, Jacque Smith.  A ’09 grad, Jacque majored in PR at Illinois State University with minors in French and International Studies (pretty impressive, eh!?). With a love for new technology and all things social, “Jack-attack” has been helping the team stay on top of new trends and hot topics in the ever-changing social space.

Recently, Jacque had the chance to lead a Q&A with potentially one of our youngest and ever-so talented Sharpie Artists, Miriah Garnett…

 

Sharpie fanatics would agree: give someone a Sharpie and expect  INKspiration! Read how Miriah Garnett created a stylish design on her sister’s book bag (that got the sister seal of approval), her other Sharpie uses, and Miarah’s advice to other young artists:

Tell me about yourself:

I’m Miriah Garnett, an International Baccalaureate student at North Hagerstown High School. I love to listen to music. It’s a big part of my life. Along with music, I enjoy painting, decorating, doing my nails, scrap booking, reading, texting, and of course shopping.  I am a big fan of R&B, hip-hop, pop, and old school music. I’m a fan of M&Ms, especially the new pretzel kind. I’m a huge Twilight fan. I have read all the books and I am anxiously awaiting the premier of the 4th movie, Breaking Dawn. Some things I don’t like are: stinkbugs (they’re really gross), country music and gory horror movies.

What year in school are you?  Any favorite classes?  Extra-curriculars?

I am in the Eleventh grade. My favorite class is Biology, because I really enjoy sciences and plan to go into the medical field when I’m older. I am involved in the art and scrap-booking clubs at my school.

What inspired you to design a book bag for your sister?

In Kindergarten, it has been a sort of tradition to decorate your tote bag for school, which is something I even did as a kid. So, my little sister Armani (being the girlie girl that she is) wanted a cute design for her book bag. To get some ideas, we went to our local fabric store to look for some pretty prints or designs for some inspiration. We found one that was pink with doodles. Using this design, I incorporated my own twist to it and went all out decorating the whole book bag in this manner.

Of all art supplies, why Sharpie?  What made you choose to customize the backpack with Sharpie markers?

I chose Sharpie because, since my mom is an art teacher, we have always trusted Sharpies to have precise lines and long lasting effects. Sharpies have also always had bright and vibrant colors that I love.

Have you customized any other school supplies or accessories?

I use Sharpie markers to label school supplies and clothes, make card designs, when organizing, to color Shrinky Dinks, to sign t-shirts, and to draw temporary tattoos.

What goes into designing a backpack? How long does it take?

Designing a book bag is actually a very simple, easy, and creative way to design something by adding your own unique touch. In order to design one all you need to know is what you want to create on your book bag and what Sharpie colors you would like to use. Depending on how intricate the design is will determine how long it will take to finish the book bag. The designs could range from flower patterns, to a drawing of your favorite sports team’s logo. The possibilities are limitless.

Dad, Mom, and Armani show off her new, stylish bookbag

How did your sister react to your Sharpie masterpiece?My sister absolutely ♥loved♥ the book bag. It was cute and girlie and was everything she was hoping for. It was definitely something we would not have found in the store.

Top 5 essential items that are always in your book bag:

  1. Books (I’ve never gone home from school without books—ever!)
  2. My huge, graphing display calculator
  3. Different colored pens and pencils, including my Sharpie markers
  4. Portable hole punch
  5. USB flash drive

Aside from customizing some really cool backpacks, what else do you enjoying doing on your down time?

As I said before , I love listening to music. I am also a big fan of shopping for shoes. Even just shopping in general “floats my boat.” I also love to design and paint my own nails. It’s something I have started doing for a year or two and really enjoy. It’s a different way of expressing yourself.

One last question… are you a fan of Glee or High School Musical? What character do you relate to the most & of all the cast members, who would you most want to design a backpack for?!

I’m a fan of High School Musical! My obsession phase is very much over, but I can still sing any song by heart . I would have to say that of all the characters, I relate to Gabriella Montez the most because of having to transfer to a new school and meet different people. I can also relate to her “nerdy” side because of being part of the IB program. If I could design a backpack for someone, it would have to Sharpay Evans because of her bold and unique style—it is a style within itself.

Share This

Fickle & Fabulous

Posted on by | 7 Comments

Britt Schaefer is a self-proclaimed wanna-be designer, artist, and Martha Stewart.  She’s all about making things pretty, creatively – up cycling, repurposing, etc.  The founder of A Penny Saved, Britt blogs about all sorts of frugal, yet fabulous design ideas and projects.  We recently discovered this Sharpie artist when she posted a Sharpie-made wall design created in her very own home! The outcome of the project is nothing short of amazing.  After seeing what Britt can do with a Sharpie, you can’t help but to be inspired to Uncap What’s Inside! 

How would you describe your personal style?

Fickle!  It seems to change from day to day.   One day I’ll find myself on a Hollywood Regency kick, the next, I’m loving Swedish design, then it’s traditional, mid-century mod, French provincial, etc. 

Where/When did you come up with the idea to use Sharpie to create such tremendous wall art? Why not just wallpaper or paint?

I fell in love with some designer wallpaper, but with my fickle tendencies, I just couldn’t see spending hundreds of dollars on something that I might not love once installed.  Then I saw a similar project where someone had drawn a bold pattern on their walls with Sharpies, and I thought, why not create my own version of the designer paper that I had fallen for? 

What is your creation & design process like?

I don’t really have a process, per se.  I spend a lot of time scoping out blogs, magazines, and interior designers’ sites for inspiration.  Then I just figure out how to make things come together, using upcycled, reinvented, thrifted and handmade items whenever I can.  Each room & each project is different. 

Who is your favorite interior designer? What do you like about their work?

I’m a big fan of Ruthie Sommers.  Like me, she doesn’t seem to be able to stick to just one style, but she’s a master at blending several styles to create spaces with lots of personality. 

 Favorite Sharpie? Why?

It’s so hard to choose just one!  (See a pattern here?)  I love Sharpie pens for just about anything, but for special occasions or for a little extra sparkle, I love the metallics! 

Tell us about your blog, A Penny Saved. What is it about? How long have you been blogging? What inspired you to start?

It is a random collection of my favorite design ideas, DIY projects, and bargain finds, with a little about my life thrown in. I started blogging about a year and a half ago.  My husband and I had just moved half way across the country, into a brand new house, and I wanted to document the process of turning it into a home.  In the year and a half since, I started adding in posts about whatever was inspiring me at the time.   

We have something huge in common, I too love thrifting and going to yard sales. What do you love most about going to Yard Sales and Thrift Shops? 

I love getting great deals, of course, but I also love not knowing what to expect – you never know what you’ll find and how you’ll end up using it. 

What’s the best thing you’ve ever found? 

A free baby grand piano at an estate sale. 

What are you currently searching for? 

An antique lantern fixture, a chinoiserie dresser, and maybe another tole chandelier. 

Scrolling through your blog, you seem to have collected so many great pieces! Do you have any tips for finding those “diamonds in the rough”?

Don’t look just at the condition or the intended use.  Think about what a piece could become if you painted it, reupholstered it, repurposed it. 

 Are you working on any new projects that you can tell us about?

I’m hoping to freshen up my kitchen a little…..painted cabinets, subway tile backsplash.  Nothing too labor-intensive or expensive, but hopefully it will make a big impact. 

 What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you?

Be flexible! 

Share This

Sharpie Edition Ducati

Posted on by | 10 Comments
    What do a duck, nuclear power plant safety inspector and a walking-talking robot have in common? Other than being famous icons in pop culture, each of these figures hold a prominent place in a very unique design. 
    Jody Whitsell not only rides motorcycles, she customizes them, creating unique works of art – and with Sharpie markers no less! Incorporating various shapes and patterns into her designs, Whitsell cleverly integrates iconic characters including Daffy Duck, Homer Simpson & C-3PO into her designs.  Well known for her colorful dog portraits, Jody went for a classic black and white theme when customizing her bike and motorcycle helmets.
    Whitsell has always felt an incredible passion to create and it doesn’t look like she’s slowing down anytime soon.  Take a seat Sharpie fans, you’re in for a wild ride with today’s featured Sharpie artist!
 

Sharpie Edition Ducati

  

Tell me about yourself:  

My name is Jody Whitsell and I live in Warwick, N.Y.  I’ve never been called “average” or “normal” and I like it that way!! 

How did you get started as an artist?  What kind of experience do you have? 

I use to always color and draw as a kid – especially animals.  Here’s a quick story.  In third grade I had an assignment to write a report on an animal of my choice and draw the animal on the cover of the report.  I had so much fun doing the report that I did 7 animal reports!  Fast forward to Ramsey High School (N.J.) where I get the Senior Art Award and then go to William Paterson College (N.J.) where I majored in you guessed it. Art!  Getting a job at a picture framing shop introduced me to lots of artwork, but I wasn’t ready to do anything but my framing job, as I had 2 sons to raise. Once they got out of high school, I got the itch to get out the paints. I guess being an artist or a creative person, you can’t stop yourself from doing creative things.  Sometimes I feel it’s a CURSE as I am always looking for “projects” especially around the house to appease these creative impulses. I have large murals and faux finishes in EVERY room of my house. “PUT DOWN THE PAINT BRUSH!” I sometimes have to say to myself! 

Describe your personal style: 

I’d have to say it’s a really fun style, and I like to make myself and others SMILE!  They say that artists paint what they know, and I know animals and especially love dogs, so I decided to paint my dog in crazy colors, and everyone just loved it because it was so different.  That’s how I got my start in the “paying” art world. 

But I do have a very realistic, tight style of painting too, which I like to do between the doing the dog portraits. Like I said… I am COMPELLED to paint or create! 

 
 
 

  

 

What does black & white achieve that a broader array of color would not on these particular canvases? 

With the black and white, it’s more graphic and I really loved taking my graphic design courses in college, but that was a LONG time ago!  I like the crispness of the design, and using only the black and white, I had to really look at the balance of dark and light, patterns, text, and drawings and how they related to each other, which was challenging.  My husband laughed at me and said “you spend more time LOOKING at the helmet than you spend DRAWING on it!” and that’s because I was always analyzing the design! 

What is your process like?  How long did it take you to customize the Ducati? Helmets? 

Well, I start with a list of things I want to put on the helmet/bike.  I then choose the best place on the helmet for the most important item that’s going on. I then work around that item to fill in the space as aesthetically balanced as I can, with the design items that I choose.  I like to use dots, arrows, stripes, and stars, in my “patterns” that I repeat as “fill in” between the text and images that me or my client wants. 

My helmet took me 20 hours, and my bike took me 75 hours (because I got better and faster at it!!) 

 

  

 You sell custom Sharpie helmets on  www.bigdawgzsquared.com.  What’s the strangest/funniest request you’ve had from a customer? 

It’s interesting for me to see the things that mean a lot to my clients and hear their story.  You never know what’s behind someone’s smile – both good and heartbreaking.  I think the “Iron Butt Association” logo was something funny someone wanted on their helmet! 

Your typical Chicken vs. the Egg question: Which came first the bike or the helmet? 

The helmet.  I got such a great price on my white Arai helmet that I couldn’t NOT buy it, but once I put it on, I felt like a Star Wars “Storm Trooper”!! I knew I had to do something about THAT, so my son suggested I “Sharpie it”.  Needless to say, I couldn’t sleep all night thinking about what I wanted to put on my helmet. In my mind, it was like a white canvas just crying out to become something interesting and different!! 

 

  

How do you use Sharpie markers in your art?   

I first have to scuff the surface of the helmet to more readily accept the marker, and make it easier for me to pre-sketch the important and complex images (the pencil shows up well).  I love the feel of the marker sliding across the surface and how nice and black, and crisp it is against the white of the helmet, so I guess it’s kinda tactile too for me as well as visual! 

Favorite Sharpie?  Why? 

Fine Point – definitely!! I love the pointy-ness (is that a word?!) of it. It kinda looks like it might make a thicker line than it actually does.  It gives me great control both drawing, and filling in.  When the point got a little “mashed down” to where it wasn’t pointy enough, I would take a blue sharpie and mark THAT marker with a blue dot so I knew that I was only to use that marker as “fill in”. When that marker got even more flattened, I would mark it with a pink marker, and use it as a larger area “fill in”, so I had quite the “marker system” going on!  So even though I was working in black and white, it was also blue and pink I was looking for! 

  

You incorporate some very famous characters, Daffy Duck & Homer Simpson, Stewie from Family Guy, C3PO… Is there a specific reason for these characters? 

 

Their “smile” factor!!!  For me… I AM Daffy Duck, and I put Daffy on ALL my stuff – he’s completely out of his mind! 

The rest of them just make me smile and laugh, and what’s better than THAT?  With all that’s going on to look at and read on my Ducati,  I got really playful and thought it would be fun for people to look for a specific character, and who better to hide amongst all the madness, but Waldo?  People get a kick out of trying to find him!  

What are some of your favorite drawings or written sayings on the Ducati?   

Stewie from Family Guy holding Sharpies in each hand saying… “Do you realize what the deuce you’re looking at? A MARKER I tell you!” has got to be my favorite drawing with text.  So many are my favorites as they were chosen by me very carefully!  They are personal, and tell the story of who I am.  On the back of my front fender it says… “Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube” and I agree totally! 

Proudest accomplishment to date: 

I could say having my bike shown in Cycle World magazine, or being published with my paintings, but I really am proud and thankful of my gift of making people happy (while having fun myself ) doing what I truly love to do. 

Motto to live by: 

WHATEVER  you do… make YOUR mark.

Are you currently working on anything that you can tell us about?!  

I have orders for helmets and paintings, but I have a few ideas rolling around my head as how to out-do my bike,  but it AIN’T GONNA BE EASY!  (and YES, it DOES include just a few Sharpie markers!!) 

 

 

Share This

Who Is The Bald Guy?

Posted on by | 2 Comments

Sharpie Artist. Designer. Master of the Tweet. Media Enthusiast. Bald Brilliance.  

Today’s featured artist is Michael Krivicka and I think you will come to find these adjectives suit him rather well.  Krivicka, aka Who is the Bald Guy, is not limited to creating only with his Sharpie though… This artist takes on all sorts of artistic endeavors - From animation to PSAs, smart phone apps to Twitter campaigns, he even proposed to his now fiancée on WEtv! Read on to find out exactly who this bald guy really is…

Michael Krivicka

Tell me about yourself!  My name is Michael Krivicka and I am a video producer living & working in New York City. I was born in Slovakia in 1976 and went to high school in Germany from 1986. I moved to the US in 1996 for college and graduated summa cum laude from NJCU with a BA in Media Arts in 2000. While working in NYC as a video editor I started creating short films and submitting them to festivals. I am constantly working on something. Even when I can’t sleep at night I start creating things – drawings, writings, scripting out video projects. I can not “not do” anything. I have to create. All the time.  

How would you describe your personal style?  My personal style is raw and gritty. A bit dark sometimes. I never create something just because it looks cool. There is always a message or expression. It has to have a certain feel of realism. Like New York City – it feels real. Every building is real – has a history, has a life. If you compare it with LA for example, then LA seems fake – it seems made up and made pretty and comfortable for other people’s happiness. I recently made this anti-smoking PSA which is targeted at urban teens: Smoking Skills It’s raw and gritty.  

What is your creation & design process like?  I create on impulse. I get an idea and want to drop everything I’m doing at that moment and jump right into creating that idea. Some things, like my Sharpie animations for example, take a while to create. Days or even weeks. While other people would shoot themselves in the head, I find a certain peace in the very long and detailed oriented creation process. I always have a very clear end result in mind, but I find myself altering things as I create them.

Where do Sharpie markers come into your work?  They are an essential part of my every day life. It can be anything from taking a simple note on a piece of paper to creating an elaborate animation project. (BTW I used hundreds of Sharpie markers for the two animations I created for Sharpie. Yes – hundreds.) 

When did you come up with the idea for this Sharpie commercial?  What is the concept behind it?  Not too long ago I had a blog. On that blog I started writing about ideas for ads and entire ad campaigns. One of the brands I blogged about was Sharpie. Instead of writing about the ad campaign idea I decided to create two of the ads that I pictured being part of the campaign concept, which was a series of art works created with Sharpies (drawings, animations, sculptures, etc…) The tagline was “Create Life”. So I created these two very different animation pieces. That was that. The broad idea was to create user generated content and turn it into ads. That would give artists and every day Joes like me a chance to submit Sharpie creations, have them be voted on, and get a chance to be selected as part of a series (which was the ad campaign). So the commercials would be actual art works by real people. It would add the “real human touch” to things. I thought it was a pretty good idea. Here are both clips:

 

  

The second one is rotoscope animation. I recorded myself on video first and then animated the individual frame.  Here are some pics:

Michael, bringing his vision to life

Michael, Uncapping What's Inside

I first saw your video a while back, just stumbled upon it and thought it was cool.  Then one day, I find you striking up a convo on Twitter about your “Sharpie Commercial: Butterfly at Night”.  (Cool, I’ve connected with the artist!)  That’s not it though, after digging around I find that you’ve got a little something going on in the Twitter-verse…  Tell me about what you are trying to achieve on Twitter.

Glad you took notice :) I was hoping someone from Sharpie would. I do various things –mainly viral & social media stuff. I like to create “what if” scenarios, like I did with one of my virals called “Nude It”.  “Nude It” is a revolutionary iPhone app that lets the user see others naked. The video now has over 1.8 million views on YouTube alone (more on other video hosting sites) and is still sparking conversations.  I basically like creating “what if” scenarios and give people stuff to talk about.

I use Twitter for various social media experiments. My latest was to reach Jimmy Fallon (and other celebrities). The concept was to use social media and news media to reach a celebrity and have that celebrity view a website & video I created

  http://www.jimmyfallonthanksforfollowingmeontwitter.com   

 http://www.jimmyfallonpleasefollowmeontwitter.com  

The video was a creative and elaborate plea to get that celebrity to follow me. The experiment worked, and I now have Jimmy Fallon, Ellen DeGeneres, Wendy Williams, and David Pogue following me. I basically wanted to prove that it is possible to reach ANYONE on Twitter with just a simple but creative idea. And I did. All it takes is an idea. That’s all. It’s that simple.

If you could get one person to follow you on Twitter who would it be?  A celebrity who is alive and who is actively using twitter? That would be Ashton Kutcher. I got some ideas he would want to hear. 

You’re really good at animation, yet I don’t see a lot of your work out there.  Why is that?  I simply can’t stick to just one thing. I have to do a wide spectrum of things. I like the moving image a lot. So it’s either my HD cam or my 16mm Bolex sometimes. I absolutely love animating, but sometimes the time is just not there. I am now planning my wedding. 

 I proposed to my fiancée on my own web show, which I have pitched to Wetv. It’s called Put A Ring On It. I’ll bet you five bucks you’ll cry at the end. So, basically, that is another reason why there is so little of my animation work out there: I do a ton of other stuff. And somewhere in between I try to get some sleep :)

If you grew your hair back, would that completely destroy the direction of “Who is the Bald Guy”?  Would you change it to “Who is the Hairy Dude”?  That’s actually really funny. Yes, it would affect the “bald guy” image quite a bit. Not sure if “hairy dude” would be the right term for it then. Seriously: that was funny. Made me laugh.

Out of complete random curiosity… Would you ever consider wearing a bald cap and customizing it with Sharpie markers?  I’ve done some crazy things in my life, but I’ve never worn a bald cap that was customized with Sharpie markers. I’d be open to a crazy bet that would involve that :)

Favorite Sharpie? Hmm, I don’t think I have one. Sorry. Just being honest. It all depends on the need. If I need a thick Sharpie, then that’s what I’ll use. If I need a fine Sharpie, then I’ll go with that.

Motto to live by:

Create. Leave your mark. You can sleep when you’re dead.

When I get old, I want to be able to look back at my life and see the things I have done. I don’t want to look back and see myself watching Jersey Shore.

Are you currently working on anything that you can tell us about?  Exactly a week ago I launched a new viral called “3D Hologram app for Iphone 5”.  It just got its first 100,000 views on YouTube. I am now creating a video invite for my groomsmen. It involves a lot of stop-motion animation. Will post soon :)

 

Follow Michael on Twitter @whoisthebaldguy.

Share This

A Detailed Look at Sharpie Artist, Chris Spencer

Posted on by | 7 Comments

Sharpie’s latest Intern, Jake Johnson is taking on the Sharpie blog today!  Jake has been working with us for about two months now as our PR/Social Media intern and doing a great job!  You can follow Jake on Twitter, @Sharpie_Intern and can also read what goes on in the mind of this young collegiate on the new Sharpie Interns’ blog.   

Recently, Jake was given the opportunity to interview one of our favorite Sharpie artists, Chris Spencer, who of all places, we met in the wonderful world of Twitter!  Here is Jake’s interview with this talented Sharpie artist….  

Chris Spencer is an artist who is not afraid to Uncap What’s Inside.  Spencer relishes in challenging himself to explore and incorporate new art techniques and draw the things that interest him.  For instance , by integrating pop culture in various pieces, Spencer allows us to see various characteristics of his personality.  For instance, his love for the San Diego Chargers, Mix Martial Arts (MMA) and even an interest in surfing, reveal parts of this artist that you may have not known otherwise.  

  

First off, tell me about yourself!   

I am 27 years old, born and raised on the small Island of Guam. I grew up with a deep connection to the ocean and this passion is reflected in my art. I moved to San Diego in high school and fell in love with surfing. When I am not drawing, I enjoy going to the beach, watching Charger games, or exploring the zoo with my family.  

What kind of artist do you consider yourself?  

I am most recognized for my use of black ink and intricate patterns, however I feel like claiming a certain style or medium places a limitation on my art. I prefer to keep myself open and not box myself in to being one kind of artist.  

How did you get started as an artist?  Are you professionally trained or did this develop as more of a hobby?  

I guess it all started in high school; I would use a Sharpie Marker and would sketch and draw while in class. It started with simple patterns and quickly turned into full pages of art. I have a BA in history but spent many hours drawing. I have not had any professional training.  

  

   

Your work is extremely detailed!  You obviously put a lot of time and effort in each piece.  How much patience do you need to complete one project?  

I do put a lot of time and effort into each piece. Unless I have a deadline, I usually do my art at night and stretch it out over a week. Sometimes I get hyped about a certain piece or idea and I will not stop until I finish the whole piece. I only work when I am in the mood. I try not to force it, but it seems like I’m always in the mood for art.  

Your work is unlike others that I’ve seen.  The detailing is incredible and I often find myself looking deeper, almost searching for a hidden meaning… How would you describe your personal style? Where do you draw inspiration from?  

 I mostly work with black ink on a white surface in intricate patterns, with some glimpses of bright colors. I weave in ocean themes and my inspiration comes from my love of the ocean, but my main approach starts with one simple concept and I construct the rest of the piece around that main idea. I just keep adding on, I never get the full picture of what I want to draw it always comes to me while I’m working.  

  

   

  

What audience are you trying to reach with your art?  

I am not trying to reach a certain type of audience when it comes to my art. I love to make art and if it connects with others, it’s a great thing.  One lesson I have learned is that for myself there is no such thing as good art or bad art, there is only art!  

Your choice of canvas varies incredibly!  From paddles to large murals, t-shirts to masks… what makes you venture out from the traditional?  

 I am constantly looking for new things to draw on. I try and push myself. Just recently, I drew on some Stand Up Surfing Paddles as an award for the C4 waterman surf contest for Duke Kahanamoku Oceanfest In Hawaii, with paddles it really pushes my art there are no second chances if I make a mistake on paper I can start over, but when someone hands you a paddle and says do your work I get pumped up. I really have to step my game up and let my pen flow.  Some of my favorite pieces are framed and backlit, highlighting specific details.  

  

  

With all of these different platforms & canvases, is there any one in particular that would you like to concentrate on if you could?  Clothing line? Murals? I am passionate about creating one-of-a-kind pieces that are special and made specifically for the client. Recently, I have been exploring clothing design. I am currently designing some great pieces for a clothing line, and would like to start making hats and shirts of my own.I see that you tend to incorporate pop culture images into your drawings.  Is there a hidden message behind this?

No hidden messages. I am intrigued by the blend of pop-culture images with my personal, more organic, style.

 Why do you incorporate athletes, especially San Diego Chargers, into some of your work?  

Well I love football and MMA (mixed martial arts) so I guess it was a natural fit that I worked those elements into my art. I was able to get in touch with one of my all-time favorite  NFL players, Kassim Osgood. I created a piece for him, he loved it, so it led me to more and more  pieces of art with the Chargers in it. I also did a piece for UFC president Dana White, and I did a drawing of Lil Wayne and sent it to him in Jail.Favorite Sharpie?  Why?

I would have to say Extra Fine Black Sharpie markers are my favorite. I love that the tip is fine enough that I can draw intricate patterns in small spaces and it still be detailed enough to look good.

  

You obviously love the black and white combination.  What do you find most appealing about this pairing?  In some pieces though, you add pops of color, what is it about this method that intrigues you?  

I think black and white looks very elegant, but there are instances where I want to give special attention to something and I will add a little color to make it stand out a little more.  

What is your next project and can you tell us about it? 

 I am currently working with a company on some art work for their clothing line, and I am really excited to do a piece on a big sheet of glass that I bought for myself.

  

Do you have any advice for other artists like yourself?   

I would say stick with it, and understand that with art some people are not going to enjoy your work where other people may love it.  As long as you enjoy what you’re making then you should be fine. Be open to trying new things.  

What do you hope for in the future?   

I hope that in the future art classes in schools would be a little more prevalent than they are now. And I hope that people keep enjoying my art, it’s a great feeling when I make a piece for someone and they really enjoy all the time and effort I put in my work.  

***  

Thank you to Chris Spencer for taking the time to be interviewed.  Follow Chris on Twitter @chrisLspencer and take a look at his brand new website, www.chrisspencerart.com, to see more of his inspiring art work.  

And as always, Uncap What’s Inside!

Posted in Q&A
Share This

The Perfect Hello

Posted on by | 8 Comments

Today’s Sharpie artist is the man behind The Hello Project, Joseph Delhommer.  With *Kristen Caston (who you may remember as our LIVE artist at the 2010 Sharpie Squad Virtual Summit), Delhommer launched THP, an “online social collaboration” aimed at recharging the everyday opener. Simply put, The Hello Project invites anyone and everyone to say Hello in a creative way onto a 3×3 Post-it® .  Doodle it, sketch it, write it- whatever your heart desires, there is no right or wrong way to say hello!

 Now here it is, a Sharpie interview for the record books…  Get to know the man who’s taking an ordinary greeting to extraordinary levels.  This is Joseph Delhommer and The Hello Project!

Get to know J.D. & The Hello Project…

 

Hello Joe!

Background info? Where are you from?

Where I come from, people are always beach ready and never afraid to dance.

In the Dominican Republic it never gets cold so people never get stiff, that’s why Miami Beach was an easy move for me but Hamburg and Chicago weren’t. But I made do.

Occupation? Yes.

Interests? Likes? Dislikes? I am the light up type of person and I look for the same energy in music, people, and anything else I get involved with.

Pet Peeves? Being asked what my pet peeve is.  But in all seriousness, I hate fake people.

Tell me about The Hello Project: It all started back in July last year here in Chicago. A designer friend, Kristen Caston, used to leave me post-it notes that said “Hi” every time she passed by my office when I wasn’t there. One day I arranged four of them on my desk all in a row. And the idea just came to me…it stared in my face and said, “hello.” After talking about it with my copywriter, Carlos Rangel, we came up with the name and registered the URL on the spot. All in all, it took no more than five minutes. We officially launched the site to the public on September 1st. (Happy 1st Bday THP!)

What is it about the word “Hello”?  Why not something else? (Maybe “The How Are You Project,” “The Nice Pants Project”, “The Nice to Meet You Project”) Because HELLO is universal. It’s simple and has the power to instantly change the dynamic between you and a stranger.

What is THP’s mission? / What do you hope to get out of this? When people get a creative urge, Post-its are a great canvas to let it loose on.  The Hello Project gives creative’s a perfect excuse to doodle.  This is what got the first 20 people, all close friends, involved and this seemed like a great way to connect with creative types all around the world.

How many people are involved in THP? Amazingly over 350 people have participated thus far, some having contributed four or five post-its!

What are some favorite “Hello’s” that you’ve received ? Throwing the hard questions at me huh?  I’m not naming favorites, some people have flair and it’s cool to see it shine on their submissions.

Do you limit entries to only words? No. No limits.

Who can submit to the Hello Project? And how? It is open to anyone who wants to say “hello”. (FYI: We do not supply the post-its, the Sharpie products nor do we provide any scanning services.) People hand off their hello in person or email a JPEG to hi@thehelloproject.com.

What’s your idea of “the perfect HELLO?” A Brit saying ‘Ello Govnah!!

How many different ways are there to say hello on a yellow sticky note?  Precisely 312,983,673,345,683,893,450,937 different ways.

Do you think Sharpie has any impact on THP? If so, How? Sharpie has an uncanny way of tapping into the creative vein; I think it’s because of the freedom you get to write as fast or slow as you want.  The ink’s there either way. And it works nicely with a post it because it doesn’t take much work to fill it up with your design.

If you could have any one person in the entire world submit a “HELLO” to THP, who would it be? Stefan Sagmeister.

(This happens to me now and again and I wonder if you have had a similar experience and what your opinion is on this happening…)

SCENARIO: You’re walking down the street when you make eye contact with a passerby, being the friendly person you are, you say Hello!  To which the passerby responds with a dumbfounded look, as if you had three heads and just asked him/her to join you for a PB&J and a light afternoon of cliff diving…

….What are your thoughts on this scenario?  Why do you think some people find it odd when a stranger says hello? I know what you mean! Ever since I came to the US I noticed people are way more defensive.  People create a comfort bubble between plugging in their iPods and staring at the sidewalk.  And when the bubble gets popped, bam. They assume the worst.

Anything I didn’t ask that you would like to add? The really big question is when will the lovely Whitney Kelly send in a hello of her own? Other than that, I think you nailed it. Pat yourself on the back, then grab a post it and doodle us a hello! (Forget about me, I’m getting the entire Sharpie Team to send in Hello’s!)

 Become a fan on Facebook! http://facebook.com/thehelloproject

Follow THP on Twitter http://twitter.com/projecthello

 

*Joseph Delhommer and Kristen Caston currently run The Hello Project and have been since Sept. 1, 2009.

Kristen Caston is The Hello Project's greatest contributor with over 35 "HELLO's" (pictured: Susan Wassel, Kristen Caston, Whitney Kelly)

Want more of The Hello Project?  Stay Tuned, Sharpie and The Hello Project are teaming up so that you can say Hello in all sorts of ways and win Sharpie markers, pens & highlighters!  Stay tuned for more info.

Share This

Atlanta Gets Lost in Corey Barksdale

Posted on by | 4 Comments

It’s time for another guest blogger!  This week we’ve got Chelsea Gattung on board.  Chelsea is one of our rockstar E-Marketing interns based in Atlanta, currently attending University of Georgia.  Keep an eye out for this little lady; I see big things to come in her future.  Follow Chelsea on Twitter @cgatt777.

*Chelsea Fun Fact: She can’t resist a good rap song found on YouTube, particularly ones that mention Sharpie.

 

Lost in Creation: Sharpie Artist, Corey Barksdale

The Atlanta artist, Corey Barksdale, pours his emotions into every stroke–taking his audience with him on a powerfully, passionate story on canvas.

Barksdale’s artistic passion derives from a family of artists. His mother and grandmother both exposed him to color and form at an early age and it was destined he, too, would join the family ranks.

The Nashville-bred, Atlanta-native graduated from the Atlanta College of Art in 2004 where abstract expressionists and mainstream artists like Jasper Johns, Clifford Still, and William deKooning influenced his creations. Barksdale also developed an admiration for the African American heritage and this theme can be seen throughout much of his work, depicting the love and strength within the community.

This experimental artist started using Sharpie markers in an efficient attempt to speed up the beginning stages of his pieces, but he quickly “uncapped” the unlimited possibilities of Sharpie markers as they effortlessly added definition to his acrylic paintings. His bold pieces have been showcased all over Georgia and he’s even done live performance art at Park Tavern and Atlanta’s Dogwood Festival (just to name a few). Imagine having art being created before you at your next event—he’ll do it!

After coming across his YouTube videos and colorful artwork, I jumped at the chance to interview Barksdale about using Sharpie Permanent Markers as an art medium and the passion behind his creations!

Read on for the complete interview with an imaginative, southern artist and his felt tip friend!

How did you get started as an artist?

As a child I drew non-stop. My mother would bring home hundreds of sheets of paper from her job and she use to ask my sister and I to fill up the pages with drawings and stories. So at a young age I developed a determination and passion for the creative process and artistic expression. I use to draw countless drawings, especially when school was out for the summer. 

Tell us a little about your genre. How would you describe your style? What makes your work stand out from the rest?

I incorporate a collage or assemblage effect in many of my art creations. Utilizing pasted images of city buildings, and abstract shapes are important elements in my art. The majority of my paintings have an apparent medium of acrylic paint and Sharpie markers, which are usually applied in bold colorful painterly strokes onto the canvas. Many people are attracted to the texture created by these mediums.

 Sharpie does not enocurage the use of Sharpie marker on skin.

What is one of your favorite exhibitions or events you have been involved in? What made this particular one stand out to you? Was it the specific pieces you showcased, the reactions received from attendees, or something else?

The Art Papers Art Auction is one of Atlanta’s signature visual art events that I have been fortunate to participate in. The event features many of the southeastern United States’ cutting-edge, established and emerging, fine artists.

What goes through your mind when you see people looking at your art? Is there a certain reaction you want to elicit?

I would like viewers of my artwork to experience what ever emotion or feeling I had at the time of producing the work of art. The facial expressions and gestures of characters in my paintings usually tell a story and let the viewer understand my emotion during the creative process. Usually I want to elicit a feeling of powerfulness positivity and endless possibilities

How did you come to use Sharpie markers in your work? Do you prefer using a certain type of Sharpie marker?

Approximately ten years ago I was trying to think of a way to speed up my art process. That’s where Sharpie markers came in. In stead of developing my sketch and first layer with paint I used Sharpie markers to create the basic outline and general form of whatever piece I created. As I continued to use Sharpie over a period of years I found out that the possibilities of the markers are limitless. Besides using the markers for the general form I also discovered that they could be used to define and refine my painting in the final stages of the process. I was able to incorporate the markers with acrylic paint effortlessly.

What about Sharpie markers made you incorporate them as a medium in your art process? Is it the variety of tip sizes, colors, other? Please describe how you use Sharpie as an art tool.

I enjoy the ease of using the markers. They go onto the canvas or wood surface with no problem. Once applied to the surface the markers give an opaque mark that is solid and bold, not watered-down or weak. The medium also resists fading over a period of time.

What other mediums, if any, do you wish to create with in the future? Do you have any comical experiences while trying a new medium?

Other mediums that I create with are acrylic paint, charcoal, and encaustic paint. Various forms of art and various mediums suit my style of art considering I like the challenge of mastering new mediums annually.

Tell us, what excites you about creating art?

Creating art is the ultimate form of expression available. Having the ability to create a picture of beauty where there was previously nothing at all gives me the ultimate satisfaction. When creating art all of my worries and anxieties are nonexistent. The hustle, bustle, and drama of city life become a distant thought. Creating can take you to a place that you previously thought impossible.

Take a look at all the ways Corey Barksdale Uncaps What’s Inside: www.coreybarksdale.com

Share This

ATL Take Over with Artist, Mark Boomershine

Posted on by | 1 Comment

Here's Caitlin!

Sharpie’s Atlanta Interns are taking over the Sharpie Blog today!  Caitlin Peterson (@cbarrettp) and Chelsea Gattung (@cgatt777) are two smart, sassy and quick-witted young ladies who have been working hard for us all summer long.  We thought it would be fun to put their blogging skills to the test and give them a chance to take over the Sharpie blog.  

Today, Caitlin has put together an amazing interview featuring an Atlanta-based artist with a knack for Sharpie Paint Markers, which I’m sure will knock your socks off!  So there you have it, now, take it away Caitlin…  

 

Ready to “Get hit with a Sharpie?”

 

…Because that’s exactly what Atlanta artist Mark Boomershine does to every painting, adding his own flare and style to iconic images eliciting a new smile, laugh or thoughtful pause to every piece.   

 Using Oil-Based Sharpie Paint Markers to add that little something extra to every piece, whether with revealing words or finishing highlights; he creates a look that sets his stuff apart from the rest.    

Boomershine has always harbored a passion for art, carving his own path to fuel his creativity and fashion the stories that are told through his art.  After completing his studies in art and business at the University of Alabama (as a Georgia Bulldawg I’ll try not to hold it against him) he explored a variety of different avenues, including life as a salesman, entrepreneur and inventor, before recently deciding to “Uncap” his craft full-time.  

 His unique style mixes text and imagery using a simplistic, color-block portraiture technique that is made powerful by the words spoken by and about the subject. Staying true to his roots, he honors his inspirations while redefining the original, creating his incredible and individualistic pop art.   

Bandit

Tonto

His cool southern charm and collaborative style has warranted some rightful attention and placed him within the pages of The Atlanta Magazine and The Atlanta Journal – Constitution.  His piece, “The Real Man Behind the Mask,” a portrayal of the Native American hero, Tonto, from The Lone Ranger television series, resides alongside the art of greats like Andy Warhol and Steve Penley in the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia.  There the unique works hang in the Contemporary collection in the American West Gallery.  

 Boomershine has said that his work isn’t complete without a little Sharpie love… and we’re OK with that! So if you’re ready to “get hit” read on and check out the complete interview with one of the coolest artists coming out of the Southern city.  

How did you get started as an artist?  

I have always been into art. In fact my art probably caused my not-so-stellar grades in every schooling before college. I was drawing or painting for hours upstairs when I should have been studying History or Math! I excelled in Advanced Placement art in high school, and I parlayed that into a minor in Studio Art at the University of Alabama (I majored in Business Management – how about that for left brain/right brain education). I later became my own art and marketing department as an entrepreneur and inventor because I was too cheap to hire anyone else. I have made art an integral part of my life. I have come to a place in my life where I can now make my art my single focus and my full time occupation. I call it throwing caution to the wind and going for the “Art Gusto”! 

My style

Tell us a little about your genre. How would you describe your style? What makes your work stand out from the rest?  

I fall into the Pop genre. My style is very bold use of color, design and composition with a fun play on words or strong use of text to make my art more dimensional. I feel my smart use of words makes my art have a layer that causes the viewer to stop and read things, which in turn means the viewer is spending more time interacting with the piece itself. I try and make my art relational.  

What is one of your favorite exhibitions or events you have been involved in? Why? I recently worked with BMW and a local BMW dealership to promote the latest 5 Series model. The cool part was that I was given a vintage 1986 325 BMW to paint as a rolling canvas. I painted the car in my garage, which I converted into a car-painting studio. For the show we turned the dealership showroom into a great looking gallery of 9 pieces of my art, one hand painted car, and some beautiful and shiny new BMW’s. Who would have thought a contemporary styled BMW dealership could turn into a hot looking art gallery?  (watch video below to see Mark working on the car in action) 

    

Art Car

 What goes through your mind when you see people looking at your art? Is there a certain reaction you want to elicit? What do you want people take from your art? I have to admit it is a little weird. You are exposing yourself. Your talents, your thoughts, and not to mention your hours of work that went into the piece. However, I relish the viewing of my pieces. I am in the spotlight for that moment in time and I like it. If I can elicit a smile, a chuckle, or even an outright laugh I am happy with that kind of reaction. Of course a swoon of amazement and unabashed praise is always welcome as well! Ha! I want people to take away the feeling that they have seen something original when they see my art. I want to take familiar people, objects, places, or animals and combine them with a twist in the form of text that makes the piece original in itself.  

  

 Being from, and living in Atlanta, how has the city inspired you? Does Atlanta art have a style all its own? What else serves as your inspiration? First of all, I love being from Atlanta. It is a perfect combination of Southern nostalgia and charm with a contemporary urban twist. I feel the city has inspired me by its wit and charm. I think a lot of my fun play on words may come from that subtle humor that a true Southerner can put into just a word or two. As far as my look, I think it lends itself to the more urban side of Atlanta. I have also traveled the world extensively and I feel I try and bring in some aspects of the classic European masters with the cutting edge pop artist of recent times.  

Wonder Woman

 Why did you want to incorporate Sharpie markers into your art process? Sharpie has always been by “go to” tool. As a youngster I would use them for model airplanes, and homemade toys. As an entrepreneur inventor I would use them to mark up samples of prototype models. So when I became a full time artist I naturally went to Sharpie products as a tool I wanted to use in my art. The colors available, specifically in the paint marker area, are perfect for my needs. I use every size tip available. From the broad chisel to the extra fine tip – I use them all! I could not do the monotonous lettering of some of my pieces with out the Sharpie Paint Marker. They allow for ultimate control of the medium and I trust the adhesion to the media. I specifically use the Sharpie Paint Marker in my lettering of text. I start by a light guide layer that is printed on the canvas. As the painting progresses I then go over the light guide with the paint marker. Sometimes I spend nearly 5 hours on the lettering on say a 36”x36” piece. Monotonous, but oh so effective. A few months ago I picked up a light blue fine tipped Sharpie Paint Marker and went crazy highlighting some elements of the painting. I absolutely loved the look! I now consider my paintings unfinished until I hit them with my Sharpie. Then my painting REALLY comes alive and I consider the piece ready for display.  

McQueen

Martini Curve

 Why do you feel the Oil Based Sharpie Paint Markers work best for the highlighting work that you do within your art? How do they enhance your work & where do you find them most useful? There is no product on the market that gives as good of paint coverage with one swipe nor the color selection as Sharpie’s Paint Marker. Once the paint is flowing through the tip the color applies in such a fluid and controlled manner they are a joy to work with. The color also stays very vibrant. Even when applied on top of other paints. Sharpies make my works come to life in the manner in which I use the pens to add highlights to areas of paintings in the form of accent lines. As mentioned above I also use the Sharpie Paint Marker with the extra fine point to do my meticulous lettering on the background of my paintings.  

Sharpie’s tagline is “Uncap What’s Inside!”  Does this apply to your work and if so, how? For sure! I mean c’mon…I turned an old BMW into a rolling canvas with the help of Sharpie! 

  

http://markboomershine.com