The Sharpie Blog: Where we share the amazing stuff people do with Sharpie

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California Wives Start With Sharpie

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You’ve seen the music video, made the Mashup and crooned along with the music, NOW its time to spend a little QT with the four gents behind the Sharpie Music Video!

Introducing Joe, Jayson, Dan and Graham, also known as California Wives, the men behind the music!

From left to right- Graham, Joe, Jayson and Dan

Tell me about yourselves! Where are you from? Interests? Likes? Dislikes? Pet Peeves? Give us the good stuff!

Three of us grew up in the suburbs around Chicago. Dan and I actually went to rival high schools, but we got over it. Graham moved to Chicago a few years ago, but he grew up in Florida.   We all like Science Fiction and are proud fans of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Judge us if you must, but Captain Picard is one our heroes. Not too many pet peeves, but Graham cannot stand ketchup, or catsup for that matter.

Being Chicago natives, where did the name California Wives come from? ( Feel free to start with … “It came to me in a dream after a Real Housewives marathon”—we’d get it. We’ve had the same dream…)

California Wives as actually just something one of us said once. It was winter and it was super cold in Chicago and we happened to start making music that sounded sunnier. When we realized it, we all thought, “didn’t somebody say something about ‘California wives’ the other day?

What is inspires you to uncap what’s inside?

That moment when you start bobbing your head while playing a song, or beat, or melody. That inspires us to keep going. Once you’ve got a song that you really like to play, you want to write more.

Tell us how you got started with Sharpie! 

We used to burn a lot of CDs of demos that we made. We’d mark each one a Sharpie marker so we could tell them apart. There are piles of CD-Rs with odd song names on them hanging around someplace. If you run across some, let us know, they might be ours.

Favorite Sharpie?  Why? 

The 80′s Glam kind, for obvious reasons.

How would you describe your style? 

My mom describes us all as, “in need of a haircut.” I respectfully disagree.

Color really seemed to impact your upcoming album, Art History, what is about color that influences your writing?

Colors are something that are easy to associate with moods. You can use them to allude to a feeling without necessarily having to name it. I think that’s why they appear in so many of our songs.

(HEY Sharpie fans- don’t forget to download this AWESOME album on iTunes!) 

You crazy kids are about to head out on tour (with a full supply of Sharpie markers on hand!) What or where are you most pumped for?

Getting to see Stars and Diamond Rings live every night is pretty exciting. Besides that, it will pretty cool to drive through the Southwestern United States. Speaking of colors…

Do you have a soft spot for one of your songs in particular? (I know we do! Hint hint, Sharpie fans, check out “Purple,” which debuted in our first ever music video!)

Light Year. It was the last to come together, so it’s the newest to us. It’s like the band puppy.

 If each of you could have one super power what would it be and why?

I [Joe] would never get tired or have to sleep so that the band would not have to deal with my snoring. It would also be nice to not have objects thrown at me if I pass out in the back of the van. Seriously, though, if I didn’t have to sleep, I would have an extra third of my life to do stuff.

Jay would have an infinity stomach. He’s a pretty skinny guy so it would be funny to see him wipe the floor with some competitive eaters. They’d just stare at him and think, “where does it all go?”

Dan would be able to read 7 books at the same time. That way he might have time for a few other hobbies. Really, it only seems like’s he’s always reading because we spend so much time in the van.

Graham would be able to talk with dogs. He does all the time, anyways. It’s just usually a very one-sided conversation. I’m sure he’d like to know what the dogs think of what he’s saying.

If you could have dinner with one person, living or dead, who and why?

Ray Kurzweil seems to know a lot about what’s going to happen in the future. I wouldn’t mind having him drop some knowledge on me.

Dont you just feel closer to the coast already? Wanna check these guys out live?! Well you’re in luck they are heading out on tour with Stars and Diamond Rings

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Jam Out and Make Your Own Sharpie Music Video

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This back-to-school season, Sharpie is showcasing the work of some of its most passionate creators in the brand’s first music video.  The video, which debuted as a TV spot last night during the “2012 MTV Video Music Awards,” features hundreds of images of Sharpie fan creations set to the music of indie band California Wives.

BUT we didnt stop there! Utilizing the latest advancements in web development – HTML5 and CSS3 and a lot of other fancy technology, we created a Sharpie Music Video Mashup that lets our fans, just like you,  create a customized Music Video Mashup that can be shared on your social networks!

All you gotta do is visit the Sharpie Facebook page and upload your own creations to the Sharpie gallery, or select from more than 18,000 existing images that fans have already contributed!  From there, just drag and drop the chosen images into place, hit play and watch YOUR Mashup come to life to the tunes of California Wives!  Each Music Video Mashup is a totally unique expression, where you can be your very own mix masters.

Share what you started with Sharpie and shoot us your finished Mashups– we will share our favorites here!

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The 2012 Squad is Set!

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It’s that time of year again! Allow me the IMMENSE honor of introducing you to the 2012 Sharpie Squad! Over the past 3 years we have showcased some of our FINEST fans and this year is no different! From amazing artwork to customized sneakers and too-cool-for-school rides- these ultra-fine folks are jazzed to share how they are starting with Sharpie with you!

Scroll on down to get to know these 12 talented Sharpie fanatics and be sure to check back on the reg’ for news, updates and awe-inspiring ideas straight from the Sharpie’s mouth!

Aimee Alexander

At just 3-months-old Aimee traced the pattern of her grandmother’s shirt with her tiny finger, and eventually moved on to crayons, finger paint, glitter and Sharpie of course! .  Aimee discovered the professional art world at the age of 12 on a trip to San Francisco for a friend’s graduation from fashion design school and hasn’t looked back since.  Aimee studied art at Sacramento State University and moved to the San Francisco bay area where she started Artisticle, a fabulous website where Aimee shares her Sharpie creations! Check it out and follow Aimee socially as spends her time coloring and participating in art shows and festivals around northern California!

Website       Facebook    Twitter     Pinterest      Blog

 

Alyse Dietel

Alyse grew up in San Mateo, California and started drawing when she was still in her cradle! Her mom made an art table for her when she was three and it took off from there! Alyse loves surrealism and her favorite artist is Salvador Dali. To her, art is not about drawing what you see, but creating what doesn’t exist anywhere but in your mind. She balances her passion for art with her other passions which include rock climbing and the enjoying the outdoors. She’s a big fan of nature, and is even currently majoring in Environmental Studies at Northern Arizona University.

Facebook

Amanda Shupp

The majority of Amanda’s abstract work is done with her Sharpie Paint Markers, and Sharpie Permanent Markers.  She’s always loved drawing with Sharpies, dating back to high school when she’d cover an entire page in her note book with drawings.  These days, she sets out to cover an entire canvas, piece of paper, or table top with  free flowing colorful designs. This lady doesn’t plan any of her creations; she simply just goes with the flow and lets her marker guide her.  Her favorites are the large scale pieces she creates and would love to cover an entire wall with her art someday!  Amanda is also an avid animal lover and enjoys spending my time at the beach with her friends and, of course, her pets. Keep up with Amanda by checking in on her through social networks!

Website       Facebook      Pinterest      YouTube     Zazzle      MySpace  

Instagram: @imaginationartshop

Chris Dunlop

Chris Dunlop is an accomplished artist best known for his Sharpie Art Cars. Chris began as an airbrush artist and custom painter and later picked up pin-striping and Sharpie art. Many of the cars Chris has customized have been featured in publications such as Yahoo!, MSN, Sharpie.com, AutoBlog, LSX Tv, and many others. He’s spent the past several years developing his skills at custom paint shops around the country and now resides in California working at CW Restoration Shop. Chris is a devoted artist that loves what he does and spends much of his time practicing his art, but also loves to skateboard and spend time with his wife, Caitlin. Wanna know more? Then take a ride through his social portfolio:

Website        Facebook           Blog 

Darion Cortez

Darion Cortez is a 21-year-old aspiring shoe designer who loves to be creative and draw the crazy, wild, and fun things the dance in his mind.  He has been drawing since he can remember and has loved Sharpie markers for just as long! Follow Darion in real time on Twitter!

Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

Drew Michael

Drew Michael is a 20-year-old senior currently studying at Ohio University. He graduated with his associate’s degree in graphic design and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in studio art. Drew loves using all different types of media to create his art and works on various different surfaces – one of them being his favorite, shoes!  Drew focuses on his work every day and continues to try new things with his art and learn to expand his horizons. Get to know this college cutie even better by checking out all of his channels:

Facebook     Twitter      YouTube 

 

 

John Clark

John Clark is a Michigan based portrait artist.  He spends most of his time doing two things, making his wife laugh and washing Sharpie ink from his fingers.  He knows a bit too much about things that won’t help him in the least, like comic books, video games, and classic 80′s wrestling, and as far back as he can remember, he’s been obsessed with drawing faces.  Currently he creates black and white, film noir inspired, Sharpie portraits on old book pages.  He’s pretty sure he’s the only one that does that.  See his work at www.johnclark.etsy.com or at www.society6.com/johnclark.

Website

 

 

Lauren Seal

Lauren Seal is a 21-year-old student from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.  She is a senior at Mississippi State University where she is studying to become a physical therapist once she graduates! Lauren has expressed herself through her art art for as long as she can remember and even began her education as an major!  She took a Sharpie to her first pair of Converse shoes when she was in high school and has created more than twenty different pairs of canvas shoes since!  Lauren values her Sharpie collection so much that she tries to use them in just about every piece of art she creates.  She even used them to color a drum set once!  Lauren is inspired by everything around her, and her creativity never stops and is excited to be a part of the 2012 Squad to help her to continue to grow as an artist. This sassy little lady is rockin’ the social space, kick it with Lauren and follow her by clicking below!

Facebook      Twitter         Instagram: LaurenMarieSeal

 

 

Melissa Dalton

Melissa Dalton started her love affair with Sharpie on March 8th 2007 when she got her very first package for her birthday. She used them to draw all over, drawing cartoons and eventually, as she realized their potential, she started using them to draw psychedelic artworks and even a 70 page comic called Under the Bed. Melissa is currently enrolled at the University of Nevada, majoring in Art and she still loves drawing with Sharpie to this day, OBVIOUSLY, it’s what she is here– check out all of her comic genius by checking out her sites below!

Website      www.grimhalls.com      www.coroflot.com/applesauce38

 

 

Sara Holt

Sara Holt is an award winning artist who works in various mediums including drawing, painting, writing, and photography.  Her work is internationally published and collected and she was even a Featured Director on The Independent Film Channel for her short animated film, “In the Mourning”. Check out more of Sara’s work by checking where else she plays on the world wide web!

Website            Facebook            Twitter              Deviant Art  

 

 

Timothy Goodman

Timothy is a designer, illustrator, and an art director based in New York City. Currently he runs his own studio, working on a variety of design and illustration projects for clients such as the Ace Hotel, Apple Inc., New York Public Library, Newsweek, The New York Times, Time magazine, and Suntrust Bank. Previously, Timothy worked in-house at Apple Inc., where he helped integrate Apple’s visual language, domestically and internationally, across third party environments, retail stores, events and campaign launches. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Timothy graduated from the School of Visual Arts in NYC, where he now teaches. Wanna know even more about this stylin’ city fella? Just get to clickin’ below:

Website        Facebook         Twitter          

 

Zehra Ali

Zehra is an 18-year-old college freshman who grew up in the States, and just last year, moved to Saudi Arabia (!!!). Zehra is passionately obsessed with music, drawing much of her inspiration from it.  She began creating Sharpie art as a means to express herself and used doodling as a creative outlet to purge the ideas in her head into something beautiful. With her art, Zehra hopes she is able to enlighten someone or at least bring a smile onto someone’s face, which we think she does beautifully! Follow this Sharpie muse right here…

Blog          Tumblr  

2012 is looking pretty snazzy, don’t ya think?! Welcome our new Squad members by leaving a comment or question below– and you never know… next year this could be YOU!

What are you gonna’ start?

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Subway Art Starts with Sharpie

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Enrico Miguel Thomas

You know those wildly difficult-to-fold pieces of paper called maps?  Those oversized contraptions soon to go the way of GPS?  Well they’ve found new purpose. Thanks to Enrico Miguel Thomas, subway maps now have soul.

Enrico is a subway map artist.  He uses Sharpie markers to create magnificent works of art on subway maps.

Based in Brooklyn, Enrico got his start as a map artist after he discovered that Sharpie markers were the perfect medium to express his urban style. Using subway maps as his primary canvas, Enrico created a style — a genre, even – all his own.  Subway maps became the “drawing paper” that allowed him to express his unique perspective, including the incredible and inspiring views of New York City that capture his imagination.

Take a minute to get to know Enrico in our interview below — he won’t disappoint — and who knows, maybe you’ll find your way to a one-of-a-kind canvas that inspires you.

The Apple Store

Tell me about yourself. Where are you from? What are your interests, likes, dislikes? Pet Peeves welcome too. 

My name is Enrico Miguel Thomas and I was born in Los Angeles, California. I love to draw and always have. The legendary comic book artist, Stan Lee was one of my first artist role models. I used to constantly study how he drew his super heroes .

A good day for me is one hundred push-ups first thing in the morning, followed by a bottle of water and then off to my favorite cafe in Brooklyn, Le Petit, for some apple pie with an iced chai tea latte for breakfast. I am also a film fanatic and a huge X-Men fan and some day I would love to have a part in a cool action film! I am usually always a positive person and can’t stand when people don’t at least try to see the glass as half full instead of half empty. I admire people who have persevered through the greatest odds and keep going anyway!

What is inspires you to Uncap What’s Inside?

I first started using Sharpie markers in my second year at Pratt Institute. As a drawing major, I found Sharpie markers to be so easy to work with as a drawing tool. They were so compatible with virtually every drawing surface I tried whether it was paper, wood, or even foam core. After I graduated, I stuck with them and have always insisted on using them. While at Pratt and afterwards, I began to draw lots of architecture and nothing compared to the black Sharpie Marker! They always had such a smooth feel on the paper’s surface.

Eventually, I would try using a subway map as drawing paper and Sharpie markers were perfect for this new drawing surface! The beautiful architecture in New York City and the cool subway trains and stations inspired me to go out and draw. I love the challenge of creating the illusion of a three dimensional space on a two dimensional drawing surface.

Also, my childhood was very difficult so art has always been a refuge for me and always gave me a great feeling of accomplishment. It gives me a new identity as an artist instead of someone who had a difficult early life.

HSBC Bank

How do you use Sharpie markers in your work?

In my work, Sharpie markers are used in a way that I think is a metaphor for a part of my personality, which is that of a fighter and someone who perseveres. I can take a package of Sharpie markers and create a colorful drawing that looks as though it was created with the most expensive art materials. e.g. oil paints, acrylic paints, etc. For example the Sharpie Silver Metallic marker works perfectly for the color of the subway cars that I draw on the subway maps. The bottom line for me is that it doesn’t matter how much you have without. Instead, it is what is within that matters. If the will power is there you can create with anything. This is what “Uncap what’s inside” means to me.

How would you describe your style? 

My style is all about speed. The speed of New York City. I love to draw quickly so my style is definitely illustrative and architectural but can also be classified as fine art.

How did you get started?

I started drawing at the age of eight. I remember being in an art class when I was about thirteen and the teacher would say, “Enrico it is time to go”, but I would want to stay and finish my drawing because I loved art so much. I continued to take art in high school and college and always received encouragement to keep doing it from family and teachers alike.

You have really put a new spin on “following the map” – tell us the story behind using subway maps as your “canvas.”

I started using subway maps because I wanted to try a new challenge. Life without challenges is pretty stale so I gave it a go even though I wasn’t sure if I would like the result. To my surprise, using subway maps as drawing paper, added the additional challenge of working with the colors already present on the map. It wasn’t always easy collaborating with the map but I was determined to make it work. This is the message that I would like my art to send out to the world. In life you have to keep trying until you are happy with yourself. You have to refuse to give up!

The city really seems to inspire you and your art; do you have a favorite subject or a place in the Big Apple where you find inspiration?

My favorite place in the city, by far, is New York City’s upper west side at 72nd Street. There is a huge exterior subway station there with a smaller one behind it and in the background, beautiful tall buildings that provide the perfect backdrop for the negative space of the drawing. I have always found this space to be architecturally fascinating.

Your art has a really cool “sketch” effect that I can imagine is hard to create with a permanent marker! Do you free-hand your work or plan them out first? 

I definitely free-hand all of my drawings. It is just a gift that I am very thankful to have and it has been a wonderful refuge for me all my life.

The New York Philharmonic

Franklin Street Station

How do you decide what you want to tackle next, slash can you tell us what you ARE working on next?

I basically just walk around until something that I find beautiful “catches my eye.” And then watch out because Enrico Miguel Thomas goes to work on the spot and basically doesn’t leave till the drawing is complete – just like I did in Junior High School! There was this one time about two months ago, when I was working on two interior watercolors of the New York City 72nd Street Station and my work session didn’t end until about 5am! Right now I am working on a subway map drawing of the New York City Freedom Towers that are actually still under construction.

Do you have a soft spot for one of your designs in particular?

I definitely have drawings that are favorites. I love my 72nd Street drawings and my Flatiron building drawings.

72nd St on Subway Map

Best part of your “day job”?

I decided after Pratt Institute, to give my life to my art so it is all I currently do. I believe that when you make up your mind to do something nothing is impossible. “As a man thinketh, so is he.” – James Allen

If you could have one super power what would it be and why?

To fly so I could travel for free. First stop…Paris!

If you could have dinner with one person, living or dead, who and why?

Denzel Washington because I think his work is amazing!

Finally, what are you just JAZZED about for 2012 (trends, upcoming projects, personal life)?

In 2012, I am really looking to branch out even more as far as additional exhibitions of my work. I am also going to study more acting. Studied some already about five years ago at H.B. Studios here in New York City. Also looking into doing art work in Amsterdam and Paris.

Check back to see what Enrico Starts next and be sure to follow him on Twitter @NYCSubwayArtist for daily updates.

You can read more about Enrico here:

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The Legend Lives On

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The legend with his Sharpie masterpiece

Johnny Legend may not be a household name just yet, but this passionate, driven, “metal man” is most certainly on his way there. The motorcycle designer and builder from the Second City has been steadily growing his business, and his acclaim, all while carrying a Sharpie Pro Metal Barrel marker  with him along the way.

Legend, who started building two to three bikes a year as a way to blow off some creative energy, now boasts an impressive 6,000 square-foot garage and studio that he and his crew happily run from sun-up to sun-down. This kind of creative passion is what made Johnny the perfect fit for Sharpie’s 2012 ad campaign as the face of Sharpie Pro Metal Barrel markers.

 

This king of the garage puts marker to metal every day creating some of the meanest machines on the street.  From custom baggers, a Harley Davidson design that can comfortably sit people and all the Sharpie markers you can carry, to stealth military-grade bikes, these award winning motorcycles are what keep celebrities and our very own president, Ben, coming back for more.

It’s not the awards though that keep Johnny holed up in garage six days a week, but rather the love for helping people showcase who they are through metal, steel and two rubber tires; “I love building custom, unique bikes for people as unique as they are. People love custom rides that they can express themselves through. They are personally involved  and invested in every piece of the design process leading up to the end result, and watching them drive off on a bike that is more like a piece of themselves  than a way to get around, is best part of my business.”

Johnny started out wanting to build a couple bikes but now he is helping people showcase who they are through their favorite mode of transportation; and all it took was a dream, the drive to succeed no matter what and a little marker on metal, ok a LOT of marker on metal.

The Sharpie bike that Started it all

So, what are YOU gonna’ start?

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YOUR SHARPIE ART ON MTV?!?!

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WELCOME TO YOUR AUDITION.  HAVE A SEAT. 

 

[Image via http://www.etsy.com/listing/103782553/custom-comic-superhero-wingback-chair]

JUST A FEW QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GET STARTED: 

Are you a Sharpie doodler who turns out cool Sharpie designs, like on your shoes or jeans or backpack ? Or maybe on less obvious things like your mom’s styrofoam wig holder?

Whenever you pick up a Sharpie marker, are you insanely driven to write, draw or doodle on something, anything, NOW?

Insane doodler

Are you a serious artist who makes blow-your-hair-back art using Sharpie products?

Coffee cup artist Cheeming Boey, a Sharpie partner in inspiring others to start something.

Do you just want to be famous and are willing to pick up a Sharpie product to get noticed?

Being famous to be famous is so not the point. Earn your fame by creating something cool with Sharpie.

OK, THANKS.  NOW LET’S GET STARTED.

THE “START WITH SHARPIE” CHALLENGE GIVES OUR

AMAZING FANS A START AND A STAGE IN OUR FIRST-EVER MUSIC VIDEO

PREMIERING DURING THE MTV VMAs!!

So that’s the headline but more importantly, here’s how your Sharpie art can make its way into Sharpie’s music video:

  1. Make something fantastical with Sharpie!
  2. Take a picture and upload it to our gallery by August 6.
  3. Then on September 6, watch the VMAs and look for our commercial, a 60-second music video-style TV ad made up of fan art from the Challenge submissions to the Sharpie gallery - maybe even yours!
  4. Bust a move!  So you’re sitting on the couch Tweeting your friends about Kanye and Kim at the VMAs when all of the sudden you see YOUR Sharpie art on TV!  You immediately spill your Chili Cheese Fritos and text your mom (who’s in the kitchen refilling your Camelback with kool-aid).  Done.  You’re famous!
  5. What now?!?!?!   Head over to Sharpie’s Facebook page and watch it again…and again…and again.  Share it everywhere and with everyone. Tweet us @Sharpie –more surprises happening that day on Twitter, so be sure to follow.

AND FOR THE RECORD (because everyone will ask) the band making its debut in the Sharpie VMA video is none other than California Wives performing their just released soon-to-be-hit single “Purple” (like as in PURPLE SHARPIE but really not so much about PURPLE SHARPIE).

The boys of California Wives!

Band members Joe O’Connor (drums), Jayson Kramer (vocals, guitar, keys), Dan Zima (vocals, guitar, bass) and Graham Masell (guitar, vocals) are getting their start with Sharpie, too, by appearing in our TV ad, so visit them on Facebook.  Here’s what they had to say about starring in our campaign:

“As we get ready to release our first album, we are really excited to be working with Sharpie,” said California Wives’ singer and guitarist Jayson Kramer. “Looking through all of the user-submitted art, we could tell that sharing ideas and promoting creativity is something that Sharpie is really passionate about. As a band, it’s easy for us to stand behind that. We are excited to provide our music as the backdrop for that type of creative environment.”

Ok, so what if WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH I DIDN’T SEE MY SHARPIE ART IN THE VIDEO?

Immediately following the video debut, fans will be able to create their own custom version on Sharpie’s Facebook page, adding their Sharpie artwork to create their own personalized music video.  This is a first.  You won’t want to miss this because how often to you get to make your own music video featuring your own Sharpie art?  Like, never!

Get Inspired! 

Our goal is to make everything we do about our fans, so we’re shining our spotlight on a couple of our most prolific and talented Sharpie creators, starting with dumpster-diver-glass-artist Emmy Star Brown and her amazing window creations.  Emmy is helping us introduce our new Gold and Bronze Metallic markers in our new TV ads. Gold and Bronze colors are joining the Silver Metallic marker in our shiny Sharpie lineup.  More heavy on the metals below…Check out her work:

Our very own gold star, Emmy Star Brown, Sharpie 2012 Advocate!

Sassy in silver

Sharpie brings home the Gold!

Sharpie Bronze, Baby!

And soon enough, you’ll be tracking Enrico Miguel Thomas, subway map artist also appearing in our TV ads.  He creates amazing subway art using our new Sharpie Brush Tip markers…stay tuned!

NEW PRODUCTS FROM SHARPIE – BRING IT!

Sharpie fans, get ready to SCORE with these new Sharpie products, hitting store shelves just as you’re heading out to stock up on school supplies (remember, while school can sometimes be a drag, school supplies are almost always FUN!).

Sharpie Metallic Permanent Markers:Joining the Sharpie Silver Metallic marker are new Gold and Bronze colors!  These are AMAZING and so fun to create with.  Their brilliant sheen sparkles on both light and dark surfaces.  Shine on!  And just in time for all that sports stuff happening in London this summer ; ) : )Now that’s some heavy metal!

Sharpie Brush Tip Permanent Markers: These are the first Sharpie markers to feature a flexible brush tip so you can create fine lines, bold strokes and shading all with one marker.  These let you control the width of your lines—thick or thin—with the pressure of your hand. Perfect for shading and contouring. Available in a rainbow of bright colors.Sharpie Brush Tip Markers – so smooooooooooth!

Be sure to visit us on our Facebook page and on Sharpie.com for all the latest from Sharpie…what are you gonna start?

 

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Sharpie Star, Emmy Star Brown

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It’s that time of year again! Sharpie is excited to announce the bright new faces appearing in its 2012 advertising campaign! You may remember last year’s “Start With Sharpie” ads that featured some of our most passionate fans.  We were so inspired by what fans just like YOU are creating with Sharpie that we HAD to showcase a new round of amazing talent in 2012!

Allow me to introduce you to Sharpie’s newest rising star, and one of the stars for our 2012 ad campaign, Emmy Star Brown! (Yes, I am having a touch too much fun with her name; I mean, who wouldn’t?! It’s AWESOME!) 

Our very own gold star, Emmy Star Brown, Sharpie 2012 Advocate!

Emmy is a Chicago graphic designer and artist who got her start by creating eco-friendly, freehand expressive artwork on salvaged glassware and glass windows. And this cute-as-a-button creator is pretty rough and tumble when it comes to her craft– from dumpster diving to garage sales– she digs in, taking other people’s discarded treasures and giving them new life with our new Metallic markers (NEW Gold and Bronze colors joining Silver)!

Tell me about yourself! Where are you from? Interests? Likes? Dislikes? Pet Peeves? Give us the good stuff!

I grew up right outside of Chicago, in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. I think describing a bit of my childhood may explain where my artistic roots came from.

 As a kid, both of my parents were teachers. Mom taught elementary school, Dad was a middle-school art teacher. With his summers off, Dad would pull me around in a little red wagon through the flea markets. As an art guy himself, he would go seeking old books, tools, and things for his classroom. This really opened my eyes to the world of finding, salvaging and reusing early-on, which has stuck with me my whole life.

 

Likes: Design-wise, I have always loved mobiles, typography, modern/minimalist work. Keith Haring, Robert Rauschenberg and Alexander Calder are my heroes.

I’m also a huge dog lover. I have a 14-month Welsh Corgi named Mickey. He looks like a little bear. He’s good company at the studio too.

As you can probably guess, I love salvaged furniture too. I’ll often stumble upon old wooden coffee tables, chairs and/or shelving in our alley, most of which I somehow make room for. I have had pretty good luck lately. My most recent find was a pair of really nice mid-century mirrors.

What inspires you to uncap what’s inside?

Most of my inspiration for my current work comes from my background in graphic design, specifically typography. I have always had some attraction to letter forms and script fonts. I just love their movement, line weight and sharpness. I also feel incredibly inspired by my friends! My closest circle of friends all work as independent creatives as well, which I feel allows for us all to feed ideas off of each other. This group includes an animator, jeweler, craftsmen, seamstress & illustrator.

How do you use Sharpie markers in your work?

All of my work began with ink drawings! If you were to flash back to three years ago, you would find me sitting in a corporate office, filling sketchbooks and scrap paper with doodles in my free time. I had stacks of them. Little did I know, these were the start to something much bigger.

Favorite Sharpie?  Why? 

Bronzed and Beautiful!

My favorite Sharpie is the fine point black markers. Black ink has always set the foundation for me, always the best starting point. I also love the metallic markers, they appear beautifully on black surfaces.

How would you describe your style? 

My style could be described as: abstract, controlled, intricate, whimsical, expressive, smooth, seamless, organic, free-flowing.

Because my lines are so controlled, my work is often mistaken for screen prints or paper cut-outs, which is interesting. It’s actually a compliment.

One of my friends recently said to me, “your gift is your control, your skill is painting.”

You have done some amazing things on VERY different surfaces and go to some pretty unconventional lengths to get them. Tell us, do you REALLY go dumpster diving?

Yes! I have many times. Its not a daily thing but I have gone to extremes to find old windows. Surprisingly, most are found in my own neighborhood, Ukrainian Village. I guess I have been lucky to settle in an older neighborhood, but I definitely keep an eye out for them all the time. I commonly find them piled up in the alleys, dumpsters or around construction sites. Its always funny approaching construction workers, as I’m not taken too seriously at first. But you’d be surprised with how many I wind up walking away with. Lesson learned – It never hurts to ask. I really prefer to find the old windows myself, rather than buying them. I love having a story of where they came from. Of course, the more I can salvage, the more I can keep my prices of paintings down too.

What are you working on next?

My next project is going to be a grouping of smaller glass paintings.

I don’t know about other cities, but the Chicago suburbs ‘unlimited garbage day’ is taken very seriously around here. Once a year, each suburb is assigned 1 day to throw as much junk on their lawn as they please – which often is very usable furniture, housewares. etc. This results in scavengers, like me, spending hours rummaging through it all. I was fortunate enough this past May to salvage around 50 old photo frames, all of varied sizes, colors and materials. Jackpot!

Because most of the glass was either missing or broken, I did replace lots of it. But finding each frame adds a little more personal story behind each piece. And it feels good knowing that this ‘waste’ will be reused into a piece of artwork worth keeping.

Sassy in silver

Do you have a soft spot for one of your designs in particular?

Yes! One of my first ink drawings I ever completed was a piece titled ‘Feather.’ Not only was it my first 2-piece drawing, but also my first piece which I felt worthy enough to frame. Fast-forward to 3 years later: I saved enough money to get my first studio space in Chicago, which ironically is called the ‘Feather Lofts ‘ so I now feel a little more even attached to it.

Best part of your “day job”?

There are so many best parts! I love the freedom of making a living, doing what I love. It’s really a dream. I was often told growing up that ‘art is a hobby, not a career.’ but overcame the obstacles to make it happen for me. It really feels more like a lifestyle than a job at times.

Working directly with clients is another great part. They are so appreciative, kind and supportive.

If you could have dinner with one person, living or dead, who and why?

I would choose Robert Rauschenberg. He was an incredible inspiration in my dad’s classroom, as well as in my creative process the past few years. He created non-traditional collage work using layers of found photos, prints and trash. He salvaged things to recreate from, which of course, is a major component of my own work. He also took risks and was experimental and didn’t care. His experimentation lead to ‘surprise and collectiveness’ as he said, which allowed him to really run with his style. Every artist, aspiring or professional, could learn from this guy.

Want more on Emmy? Check her 30-second ad that will be coming to a television screen near you!

AND the full-length version right HERE!

Also, be sure to check out her profile in the Sharpie gallery and see EVEN more on her website and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, on Flickr and on Instagram at emmystarbrown!

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Call of the Wild

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Your phone case is boring.

There I said it. I feel better, how about you? No?

Don’t worry–you may be committing social cellular suicide every time you whip that puppy out now, but I am here to help– and so is Denise Herida from, Unexpected Expectations!

Denise recently whipped out her wild side with this tribal design inspired iPhone case.

Image via Unexpected Expectations

 

Image via Unexpected Expectations

Well, doesn’t she just look super stylish and trendy!?

Want to be as cool as Denise and spice up your own cellular carry-all? Just pop on over to Unexpected Expectations for the full 411 ( may have taken this a little far, but sometimes you just gotta commit ;) ) 

Happy DIY-ing, pretty people!

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