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SKATEBOARD ARTIST MARK RIVARD STARTS WITH SHARPIE

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Duuuuuuuuuuuuuude! So call me lame but that’s the first thing that pops into my mind when I think about skateboarding. I’m sure the skaters of the world would prefer I not refer to them as dudes, mostly because dude has a somewhat negative connotation, as in slacker, lazy, wandering, aimless – you know, The Big Lebowski kind of dude.

Dude or no dude, fact is there are more than 20 million skateboarders in the U.S., most of them under the age of 24. These dudes (which I mean only in the coolest way) ride their boards for lots of reasons, among them this one that I thought was particularly insightful extracted from the dclaim blog: Carving out creative lines under cloudless skies.

I get it. Like sky writing and more. Skateboarding IS an art. So is it any surprise that this daring form of self-expression should also find its way onto the skateboards themselves?

Sharpie has a dude (well, we are sort of just borrowing him) — an acclaimed skateboard artist who takes no offense at the term because his amazing art speaks for itself. Meet Mark Rivard. Mark currently appears in Sharpie’s new advertising campaign alongside one of his amazing skateboards and the Sharpie MINI Markers he used to create it.

Here’s Mark’s Sharpie ad, currently running in issues of TransWorld Skateboarding magazine:

Mark got his start designing skateboards after a serious skiing accident left him with time to ponder — and practice — his art.  In his own words, borrowed from Mark’s website:

Skateboards are the cornerstone of my work.  They are what sparked my re-interest in art.  We’ve all heard skaters say “Skateboarding saved my life.”, well in my situation it was a skateboard that literally altered the direction of the rest of my life.  I don’t think I would have died if I had never started skateboarding but I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for that first board and that first sketch.

Mark’s story is a good one, so we put together a video where Mark takes us behind-the-scenes and shares with us the details of how he came to discover his passion and the true mission of his life:

Something else you should know about Mark. We’ve been working with him for awhile now as part of his participation in the Sharpie Squad,  and he gets our vote for best-skateboard-artist-all-around-greatest-guy-ever!  It’s awesome to be able to point you to someone so deserving of all the praise.  Mark is one nice guy…he’s the duuuuuuuuude!

 Friend Mark on Facebook, then check out his appearance on FUEL TV:

 

Sharpie MINI markers are small enough to go anywhere. They offer:

 

  • A portable fine tip marker in half the size
  • A cap clip that easily attaches to key chains, golf bags, lanyards… and belt loops perfect for skateboarders on-the-go
  • 8 assorted colors, including Turquoise, Red, Blue, Lime Green, Green, Valley Girl Violet, Black, (and Magenta, not pictured).

Visit www.sharpie.com for more.
 

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100 Ways to Start Something with Sharpie

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We all know there are millions of ways to express yourself using Sharpie, right!? Especially with the WIDE variety of products,colors and tips, the options are endless for what you can start with Sharpie. Well, to get the ideas flowing we teamed up with Us Weekly to come up with 100 different ways to Uncap What’s Inside!

Us Weekly then chose three of these ideas and made them into unique ads that are running in this week’s edition, so be sure to grab a copy, on stands now, to see these one-of-a-kind magazine ads or if you can’t wait that long, just scroll on…

  1. Create a personalized design on your t-shirt
  2. Design your jeans with a special emblem
  3. Fill that autograph book- get your favorite stars’ signatures
  4. Make your Nook case your own with Stained by Sharpie fabric markers
  5. Design a skateboard with your own personal image
  6. Keep your drinks cool in your customized  koozies
  7. Show off your Sharpie markers to friends
  8. Collect Sharpie markers
  9. Label your stuff so nothing gets lost
  10. “MARRY ME!!” Design a poster board for your favorite concert with Sharpie markers
  11. Design your TOMS shoes with Sharpie Markers
  12. Use your Sharpie marker to mark on difficult surfaces
  13. Decorate a tie for Dad using Stained by Sharpie fabric markers
  14. Sketch a picture with our Sharpie fine markers
  15. Design a clutch purse (we’ve already shown you how!)
  16. Pour your heart out! Write your song lyrics for when you get your big break
  17. Label CDs so everyone knows how awesome your taste in music is
  18. Make Christmas ornaments using Sharpie paint markers
  19. Sign you name with a Sharpie marker-  (people will TOTALLY think you’re famous)
  20. Give yourself a promotion! Create a cool name plate for your desk
  21. Color Easter eggs with Sharpie markers
  22. Create a masterpiece that your friends won’t believe you did with a Sharpie marker
  23. Make it permanent! There is no erasing Sharpie permanent markers
  24. Touch up  those scuffs on your black shoes with the original Sharpie black marker
  25. Customize your cap… and then Uncap What’s Inside ( I couldn’t resist!)
  26. Design your backpack so it says something about you
  27. Doodle on a coffee cup using Sharpie Pen
  28. Decorate a picture frame
  29. Get your Sharpie spook-on and put a face on a pumpkin
  30. Give your favorite fish a fancy house by adding an underwater scene to its bowl
  31. Declare your love! Add your name in a heart on trees with your boyfriend or girlfriend
  32. Be EXTRA daring. Do the crossword in Sharpie Ultra fine.
  33. Design a window
  34. Add a Sharpie marker doodle before shipping out a box
  35. Give your heart away with a Sharpie designed Valentine
  36. Spice up an old purse with fun Sharpie designs
  37. Customize a guitar with your musical expressions
  38. Add some diva designs to your pillow for the next sleepover
  39. Make your own fun wrapping paper to give mom a gift
  40. Celebrate with customized Sharpie markers
  41. Get sassy with Sharpie and post-it notes
  42. Make a calendar using poster boards and colored Sharpie markers
  43. DIY sunglasses with Sharpie markers to ensure yours are unique
  44. Repurpose old furniture with Sharpie paint
  45. Make blank canvas shoes say something about you
  46. Decorate stockings for your holiday hearth
  47. Create a gift tag with Sharpie extra fine markers
  48. Sharpie your motorcycle (be sure you own it first!)
  49. Create a friendship bracelet with Sharpie retractable markers
  50. Customize your head band with your name in Sharpie markers
  51. Sharpie your hub caps (make sure you own those too!)
  52. Add some Sharpie swag to your photos
  53. Make robots out of dominoes
  54. Design your own soccer ball to distract the other team by its beauty
  55. Make your mark!
  56. Make a mural using all the different kinds of Sharpie markers
  57. Travel with your Sharpie marker and show IT the world!
  58. Hug your Sharpie marker and tell it it’s safe
  59. Bring your Sharpie marker on vacation and let the next visitor know “Sharpie has been here” 
  60. Trade Sharpie markers with your friends
  61. Create a Christmas tree with green Sharpie markers
  62. Doodle in your notebook with Sharpie Pens
  63. Customize a scrapbook with Sharpie ultra fine markers
  64. Use Sharpie markers to make your Dradle something special for the holiday
  65. Make a tote something more with drawings and designs in Sharpie markers
  66. Use the Sharpie Stencil technique
  67. Spruce up your Sharpie with a duct tape flower 
  68. Give a Sharpie marker to a friend and make their day
  69. Label your underwear with a Sharpie marker,  maybe the dryer won’t eat it
  70. Have a Sharpie marker doodle party
  71. Design your Halloween costume
  72. Support a great cause and raise money for breast cancer research by commiting to Ink It Pink
  73. Customize your iPhone case with Sharpie markers
  74. Gear up for game day and cheer with posters made with Sharpie paint marker
  75. Re-vamp an old encyclopedia into something retro chic with colorful Sharpie markers
  76. Make your yoga mat stand out while you zen out
  77. Highlight without smearing with new Sharpie Gel Highlighter
  78. Write, erase and repeat with Sharpie Liquid Pencil
  79. Carry your Sharpie in your pocket with Sharpie Minis
  80. Stain  that plain white summer dress into something more with  Stained by Sharpie  fabric markers
  81. Be BOLD or slighlty subtle with Sharpie Twin Tips
  82. Write your school notes with Sharpie Pens
  83. Customize the back of your lap top
  84. Label your cup so it stays germ-free 
  85. Do a window design with Sharpie water-based paint markers
  86. Spice up your gym shoes with special designs
  87. Create custom Sharpie markers for a gift or special occasion
  88. Hang your Sharpie markers from a Christmas tree instead of ornaments
  89. Make a Sharpie marker collage by blending colors together
  90. Customize book covers so you can just grab em’ and go on your way to class
  91. Share you Sharpie marker creations at www.sharpie.com
  92. Use MySharpie for customized, fun party favors
  93. Decorate your golf balls so they don’t get mixed up on the course
  94. Edit school yearbooks so its like that ex-boyfriend never even happened
  95. Write letters from your secret admirers using Sharpie pens
  96. Feel famous signing your autograph on sports equipment
  97. Bring back the banana clip (yellow) with 80′s glam markers
  98. Spruce up invitations with Sharpie marker designs on the envelope
  99. Draw over old Polaroids with Sharpie markers and give them new life
  100. Start something with Sharpie and help takeover YouTube on August 27

 

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NEW Website and Start with Sharpie Campaign

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It’s a new, bolder day here at Sharpie. We are so excited to FINALLY share with you all the exciting details of our new back-to-school campaign!   

STARTING RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW…  

Today we are launching our new “Start with Sharpie” campaign.  It’s all about our passionate fans and the amazing things they have started with Sharpie.  This year we’re showcasing our fans in a way we’ve never done before, hoping that what others have started will inspire YOU to start something with Sharpie too.     

FAN SPOTLIGHT 

Our fans (and if you’re reading this blog, maybe you’re one of them) have done some pretty amazing things with Sharpie.  We have been so impressed — and so overwhelmed by the sheer volume of Sharpie projects out there – that we decided to show off some of them in our magazine ads this year. With nearly two-million incredible Facebook fans and our Sharpie Squad members, we didn’t have to look far to find the right candidates – but, the choice was definitely not easy. Ultimately, we selected three veteran Sharpie Squad members, along with a newcomer, teen singer and songwriter Marirose Weldon, who uses Sharpie Liquid Pencils to write her lyrics.  

LOOK WHAT THEY STARTED!  Please meet…  

DIY Domesek

 Erica Domesek– DIY expert, author and creator of P.S.- I Made This, Erica’s creations are inspired by some of the biggest names in fashion. She has been featured in top entertainment and fashion media, and both her website and her book feature several Sharpie DIY projects.  In her Sharpie ad, Erica breathes new life into a standard-issue pencil case using new Stained by Sharpie®  fabric markers to create a chic purse.  The good news is you can make too - just follow the steps listed in the D.I.Y. with Domesek blog post!

Here is Erica’s Ad:

Boey

 Cheeming Boey– Known as the “coffee cup artist,” Cheeming’s work has been displayed in galleries nationwide. In his ad, Cheeming demonstrates how a Sharpie Pen and a simple Styrofoam cup can be combined to create something truly inspiring. 

Here is Cheeming’s “Start with Sharpie” ad:  

 

 

 

 

 

   
 

Rivard

Mark Rivard– Using skateboards as his canvas, Mark’s designs have appeared in sports commercials and viewed in galleries worldwide.  Mark demonstrates how he uses Sharpie Mini markers to create coveted custom boards.

Here is Mark’s “Start with Sharpie”  Ad:

 

Marirose

Marirose Weldon– At just 15-years-old, Marirose is already penning a name for herself in the music business with the recent release of her debut single, “I Want Love.” Marirose uses Sharpie Liquid Pencils to write her lyrics and show the world what she is starting with Sharpie.   

And finally, Marirose’s “Start with Sharpie” Ad:

Keep an eye out for them in Seventeen, Teen Vogue, Us Weekly and others, where not only can you see fellow Sharpie fans gracing the pages of your favorite publications, but you can also unlock EXCLUSIVE content and videos of each Sharpie project through the QR codes in the ads.    

GET INSPIRED…AND THEN GET STARTED: 

We like the print ads a lot because they show what’s possible with Sharpie and a little imagination.  But even better are the webisodes we created showing how each of our four Sharpie stars got started, not only with their projects but their careers and ultimatley their dreams: 

 

New Products, Packaging, Web Site and More

Not only are we shining the spotlight on some of our amazing fans and their work but we are also introducing three exciting new products.  You’ll want to be sure to add these to your back-to-school shopping list:  

  • Gel Highlighter™:  this year’s back-to-school must-have features gel stick technology that prevents smearing, bleed-through and drying out – and makes highlighting fun with its smooth gel formulation.
  • Stained by Sharpie™:  The first-ever Sharpie marker specifically developed for performance on most fabric surfaces. 
  • Sharpie® 80’s Glam: Vibrant, limited edition permanent markers perfect for creating hip, colorful masterpieces.  The collection turns back time with five new colors, chosen by Sharpie’s Facebook fans, including – Argyle Green, Leg Warmer Orange, Jellie Pink, Banana Clip Yellow and Valley Girl Violet.

We have also been listening to you over the past year and are adding new colors to Sharpie Mini (Magenta, Valley Girl Violet, Turquoise), Sharpie Pen fine tip (Turquoise, Coral, Clover, Hot Pink), and Sharpie Liquid Pencil (new barrel colors — Turquoise, Orange, Lime, Purple). You asked for it and now we have delivered!  

Sharpie’s Fresh Face

After 10 years we have taken a hint from Hollywood and given our packaging a facelift.  But don’t worry, the iconic Sharpie logo remains unchanged! The key differences include brighter, whiter packaging, a larger and angled Sharpie logo, and help with product features and benefits that makes shopping for Sharpie — in its multitude of colors, tip sizes and varieties — easier than ever.  Check it out in stores and let us know what you think!  

Another part of Sharpie’s refreshed look for 2011 is a re-designed  website – which can still found at www.sharpie.com.   

 

The site features a new, more user-friendly community experience that takes the best of what we had and makes it even better! Now, you can:  

  • Create your very own Sharpie profile so you can connect to your friends and other fans who love Sharpie, and the profiles have also been enhanced so they have a cleaner, more ‘Facebook-like’ feel to them.
  • Navigate Sharpie products in every color and tip size imaginable via an interactive color wheel (it even lets you shop for Sharpie by color – so you can see all the possibilities in, say, the color red.)
  • Check out how-to videos and Sharpie fan galleries.
  • See everything Sharpie  is up to on all our social sites, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the Sharpie Blog!
  •  Create detailed multi-step how-to’s that combine your own user-created videos, images, and text. You can even show which products you used to create it.
  •  Issue a Challenge to the community to start something with Sharpie using certain products or tools. For example, who can create the best set of Sharpie shoes, or the best project using only Sharpie Metallic markers.
  • Share all the great user submissions and blog entries through an improved Share functionality.
  • Greater ability to sort and search for user submissions, how-to’s, challenges, and videos by time submitted, popularity, etc.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE GALLERY! 

Be sure to upload images of your Sharpie creations and share with the world via our interactive gallery.  More than 10,000 have already been submitted – we just need YOURS! 

START SOMETHING ON YOUTUBE

This back-to-school season, Sharpie will take its gallery of fan submissions to new heights when for one day, on August 27th, Sharpie stages a takeover of the YouTube homepage, where thousands of images of Sharpie creations will combine to create an interactive mosaic.  For all the details, check out the official blog post here.  

NOW, puuuuulease head on over  to  www.sharpie.com to see it all for yourself! What are you gonna start?! Upload something to the gallery today.

 

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Say Hello to the 2011 Sharpie Squad!

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 As we celebrate our third year with our AMAZING and talented Squad- we want to introduce our newest addition to the Squad, Marirose Weldon, and check in with our other 20 superstars, four of which are featured in this year’s ”Start with Sharpie” magazine ads!   

Get to know the newest Sharpie Squad member!

Our youngest and newest member of the Squad, this up- and-coming musician is the talent featured in our Sharpie Liquid Pencil magazine ad and we are thrilled to have her has our 2011 addition to the Squad. 

Marirose Weldon–At 15-years-old, this Chicago native is already penning a name for herself in the music business with the recent release of her debut single, “I Want Love.” Marirose uses Sharpie Liquid Pencils to write her lyrics and share what she is starting with Sharpie.

Rock out with Marirose on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Myspace.

 

Check in with Our Veterans!

Moving into veteran status on the Sharpie Squad this year, you may recognize this next member as the D.I.Y-er featured in our 2011 magazine ad for Stained by Sharpie fabric markers!  

Erica Domesek is a distinguished lifestyle, design and style expert, living and creating in New York City.  She is also the founder of the innovative DIY brand “PS-I Made This…” With a keen eye and ability to make everything from fashion accessories, home décor accents and provide a vision for creative soirees, Erica’s work has been featured in publications such as Teen Vogue, Glamour, Vogue Nippon, Domino, GQ, among others.   She has styled and designed campaigns for international brands such as Kate Spade, Tumi, J.Crew, Anthropologie, Roxy, Sigerson Morrison, and True Religion, Helmut Lang, and has hosted Alloy Entertainment’s Teen.com TV’s Craft Club. 

Follow Erica on Twitter. Fan her on Facebook. See all the DIY inspirations from P.S. – I made this… 

 

Erin Moore of Things Moms Like, a popular review and giveaway blog, is the mother of two (7 and 14).  A 2009 Sharpie Squad veteran, she is back again for her third year on the Squad, Erin has worked as an event planner as well as a promoter.  She frequently speaks at parenting conferences all over the country and loves to travel!  Erin enjoys offering fun contests and honest reviews to parents everywhere with her blog.  And Hello?!! Of course she uses Sharpie markers on a daily basis! 

Erin is on Twitter and Facebook!  ThingsMomsLike.com  

               

Alex Poli, better known as Man One,is a leading urban muralist and artist.  Involved with the Graffiti Art movement since 1987, Man One began his artistic journey in the streets of Los Angeles tagging and leaving his trademark of bold, colorful aerosol strokes, in search of his artistic purpose. He may have been new to the Sharpie Squad in 2010, but his artwork has already been showcased in over 40 group exhibitions domestically and internationally, 10 solo exhibits, and displayed at several museums and high profile galleries, including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, The Getty, Orange County Center for Contemporary Art in Santa Ana, and Parco Museum in Tokyo.  

Commercially, Man One’s commissions include murals, designs and concepts for MTV, Coca-Cola, Adidas, Sony, Ubisoft to name a few, as well as scenic visuals for feature films, music videos and TV commercials and ads for Microsoft, Target and Ford. His artwork has been profiled and featured in a number of international magazines, newspapers and books including the Washington Post and New York Magazine. He also owns and runs Crewest, the only L.A.-based gallery dedicated to the upliftment of Graffiti Art. 

Man One is on Twitter and Facebook.  Get more Man!  

 

Kristin Lesney is the mother to Kai, 6, and Brooklin, 2.  She’s a busy full-time college student living in Oregon and a veteran Sharpie Squad member, returning for her third year!  Kristin chronicles the daily life of just another Ordinary Mom.  Kristin is the owner of Our Ordinary Life, a blog where she talks about her journey through life as a mom and college student. She enjoys keeping it real and always has an opinion about something!  Kristin shares what her family finds useful and if she doesn’t seem busy enough, she also involves herself in several projects around the blogpshere. She’s one of Frito Lay’s Fab 15 moms as well as a Frigidare Test Drive Mom. 

Catch up with Kristin on Twitter & Facebook and take a peak at her extraordinary website, Our Ordinary Life. 

 

Linda Ellett is a professional artist who specializes in decorating pottery with Sharpie markers!  Residing in upstate New York, this new Sharpie Squad member is celebrating 32 years of extraordinary tile-making with her shop, L’esperance Tile Works found on Etsy.   Every one of Ellett’s tiles is handmade and hand-glazed in her upstate New York studios. 

Find out more about Linda through Twitter, Facebook and visit the amazing L’esperance Tile Works. 

 

Brand new in 2010 to the Sharpie Squad, Corine Ingrassia  is back for more in 2011. Corine is a suburban stay-at-home mom of two — a boy, 5, and a girl, 2.  Corine blogs from Central New Jersey where she talks with an audience of other “Complicated Mama’s” who are seeking balance in their full-time, permanent stay-at-home mom jobs. Corine is also a contributing writer for the NYMetropolista blog and NJ.com/parenting. 

Find out what’s so complicated by chatting with this mama on Twitter, Facebook, and on ComplicatedMama.com. 

 

         

Welcome back Jon E. Nimetz, third year Sharpie Squad member!  Based out of Venice, California, Jon is a producer, marketer, advertising producer, and the talent behind SuperFineArt.com.  He is known for his loud personality and passionate style, which he emphasizes through his art. Jon uses a combination of acrylic paint and Sharpie paint markers to create nature-inspired paintings that are both unique and self-expressive. 

This Squad member is Super Fine! Find him on Facebook and Twitter too. 

 

Linsey Knerl, the endearing voice behind Lille’ Punkin Reviews , is always on the lookout for the next best thing when it comes to making her life easier.   Who isn’t, right?! As a free resource for parents and friends of parents, Knerl offers regular, unbiased opinions on a variety of family-friendly items.  This is Linsey’s third year on the Sharpie Squad!  This punkin is a must-have resource when it comes to parenting! 

Check out Linsey on Twitter, Facebook and her website: Lille’Punkin 

 

 

               

Lauri Harrison is founder of MomToBeDepot.com and is a blogger for several media sites including Working Mothermagazine and Examiner.com. Not only is Lauri back for thirds as a Sharpie Squad member, she is also the mom of a tot (no, not tater-tots, silly) and a teenager, informing parents about great new products (as well as the classics, eh hem… Sharpie)! 

Connect with Lauri on Twitter and Facebook. Also be sure to head to the Depot! 

 

 

Cheeming Boey is a California-based artist using paper cups as his chosen canvas.  With artistic creations that seem to go viral on a weekly basis, this returning Squad member uses Sharpie markers to create intricate designs on cups, selling them online at iamboey.com. Boey has attracted tons of attention with his mini masterpieces and has  been featured in the OC Register and maxim.com and now as the man behind the cups in Sharpie’s 2011 magazine ad for Sharpie pen!

Flip some cups with Boey on Twitter & Facebook  You’ve gotta check out IAmBoey.com. 

 

 

Laura Kelly is an official Sharpie guru and one of the original Squad members.  Using Sharpie markers, Laura creates bright, bold and simple designs that uplift the human spirit.  Surrounded by people who share her aspirations to generate joy, happiness and empowerment in a vibrant, organized environment, she fills notebooks with playful Sharpie drawings inspired by everyday images when suddenly, a new collection is born.   Laura currently licenses her work to companies in a variety of industries including gift, stationery, gourmet food and home décor as well as bank products.  She also owns her own wholesale company, Laura Kelly Designs, which manufactures stationery products for stores around the country. When she isn’t working on her licensable portfolio, you will find her painting, baking, gardening, playing with clay or making stuff out of recycled products.  She is also a active member of the Greeting Card Association, Craft and Hobby Association where she serves on the Trend Team and as a delegate to the National Stationery Show. 

Laura’s Facebook and Website. Shop Laura Kelly! 

 

His third year on the Sharpie Squad, Travis Todd creates Sharpie art on everyday objects from lunch boxes to automobiles.  He even carries a Sharpie on his key chain just in case he is overcome with an urge to create “instant art!”  Travis has built a great name for himself – he is especially renowned in online automotive forums for his amazing Sharpie Art Car creations, one of which was recently featured on womansday.com.  He has developed his own blend of elegant scroll work and graffiti-style art and claims that  people tend to see what they want to see in his artwork.  You can find some of his works on his Flickr page @ www.flickr.com/spdu4ia. 

Click HERE to see what Travis’ Sharpie Art is all about. 

 

 

             Say hello to Alli Whitmore, the brains and beauty behind One Pearl Button.  This Sharpie Squad veteran  is an archaeologist and crafter, striving to do something creative everyday!  She blogs about fashion, design, crafts and photography and has had work featured all over the internet as well as in print.  As an archaeologist, Alli is naturally drawn to the history of objects and has a feminine, slightly quirky style which is strongly influenced by the past.  Some of her current loves are crocheted afghans, clothes that are way too big, and Polaroid photography.  And of course, Sharpie markers are considered invaluable tools in her creative arsenal!  

Tweet with Alli and then check out her website OnePearlButton.com. 

 

Derek Benson of San Diego, CA takes lunch time to a new level using Sharpie markers.  A third year Sharpie Squad member, Benson uses Sharpie markers to add intricate drawings of cartoons, super heroes, characters and more to his childrens’ brown paper lunch bags – and he does it every day!  During his lunch breaks, Benson conjures up his unique designs, all which can be seen on his website lunchbagart.tumblr.com.  His drawings have been featured in Parents magazine and can be seen on his Tumblr or via his twitter account. 

Have lunch with Benson on Twitter and Tumblr! 

 

Returning to the Sharpie Squad for her second year, Debbie Bookstaber is editor of Mamanista.com, a site dedicated to pointing out the fabulously chic and irresistibly practical–shopping, making it easy for the hip mama on a budget to compare products.  Debbie is currently the Director of Strategy at The JAR Group, holds a position on her local school board as well as gives her time to serving serveal charitable boards.  

Follow Mamanista on Twitter, join Debbie on Facebook.  take a look around Mamanista.com & see what fab finds are out there! 

 

 

Mark Rivardis a well-known skateboard artist, covering a wide variety of genres and designs. Based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rivard is a returning 2009 & 2010 Sharpie Squad member, whose work has been seen in exhibitions around the world, including shows in Belgium, Denver, Detroit, Seattle and New York City. Rivard takes his Sharpies with him worldwide, teaching and inspiring through art and is the man with the minis in the 2011 “Start with Sharpie” magazine ads!

Connect with Mark on Twitter & Facebook.  Ride on down to Mark’s website MarkRivardSkateboardArt.com. 

 

As the creator of If it’s Hip, It’s Here, Laura Sweet has always had an admiration for art, design and craftsmanship.  Her blog is an outlet to share what she admires as “hip” with her 130,000+ readers every month.  Currently residing in Beverly Hills, Laura has lived and worked in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Detroit and Seattle. Living in these assorted locations has exposed her to a variety of diverse attitudes, styles and values. For more than 20 years, Laura has been on the creative side of the TV and print advertising business. She has produced work on several major accounts from luxury cars to IKEA. Laura holds degrees in both Fine Art and Art History from UC Berkeley. She also has a degree in Advertising from Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design, where she was an instructor for eight years.  This is Laura’s second year as a Sharpie Squad member! 

Get a quick hip from Laura on Twitter and Facebook.  Satisfy your Sweet tooth at If It’s Hip It’s Here 

 

Hanna Agar is a young photographer from rural Wisconsin trying to find her fortune in NYC.  For the past year she has been interning for celebrity and fashion photographers while using her scarce moments of free time to develop her own abilities.  Hanna  uses Sharpies to record the thoughts, hopes, prayers, and memories of her friends and family onto recycled paper, old material, clothing, etc.  She then photographs people interacting with or creating these items.  

Hanna’s photography and Sharpie work can be viewed at www.hannaagar.com

 

                   Tali Buchlar, new in 2010 to the Sharpie Squad, is a stay-at-home mom, raising her kids in the most creative way she can.  A mother of two girls and blogger of  www.growingupcreative.com, Tali shares her experiences and research about raising her girls to be innovative and imaginative.  Upon graduating from Massachusetts College of Art from the Department of Architecture, she gained four years of training at an innovative architecture firm. Since then, she has opened her own firm with Kristen Giannattasio in Watertown, Massachusetts.  Tali recently moved back to Israel from Santa Monica, CA. 

Learn more about Tali & Growing Up Creative.  Tweet with her and check her out on Facebook. 

 

Welcome Heather Batts back to the Sharpie Squad!  Heather is a mom of two boys who writes about her journey as a diva on a budget at thedomesticdiva.org. for.  Her blog has been recognized as one of the “142 Resources that will Save you Cash” in 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budgetby the writers of Wise Bread, for being a part of one of the “Best Personal Finance Blogs.”  With such a successful blog, Heather has even been able to has interview celebrities including daytime talk show host Kelly Ripa and Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin. 

This Diva can be found on Twitter & Facebook! Be sure to browse around on her DomesticeDiva.org too! 

   

To follow the entire Sharpie Squad’s tweets follow the Sharpie Squad Twitter List.   

Don’t forget to Tweet with the #SharpieSquad hashtag on Twitter!

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Meet Mark Rivard, Skateboard Artist

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This is Mark Rivard and those are his skateboards…

Mark Rivard, Skateboard Artist. Love the juxtaposition of skateboard art against crushed velvet gold couch. Genius.

A native of Breckenridge, Colorado, Rivard's art reflects his surroundings.

Let’s begin with a little education for all you non-skateboarders out there. Skateboarding is the act of riding and performing tricks using a skateboard. A person who skateboards is most often referred to as a skateboarder, or just skater.  Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an artform, a job, or a method of transportation (so says Wikipedia). A report by American Sports Data found that there were 18.5 million skateboarders in the world — 85 percent under the age of 18, and 74 percent male. 

 

Alright.  So now you know.   But as the always curious Sharpie blog readers that you are, let’s take a look at the art side of this skateboarding thing, specifically at one of the artists out there creating skateboard art like the world was going to end tomorrow.    

 

Meet Mark Rivard, a talented skateboard artist and one we love times inifinity because he has figured out how to manipulate Sharpie markers like a paintbrush to create some amazing skateboard art, complete with the kind of nuanced brush strokes and shading that makes a Sharpie blog editor proud.  He describes his foray into the business side of skateboard art as a “life-size game of poker” – he wants to serve as proof that people can make their craft their career.    

 

“The actual process of putting Sharpie ink down on skateboard with the intention of creating art changed my life forever,” says Mark.  And I love this: “Moral of the story is follow your path, the one that’s going to make you happy. Risk is fun…” Yes!  See Mark’s passion come to life in the images below, and read about how he discovered skateboard art and made it his life’s work.  

 

How did you get started as a skateboard artist?  

 

My path into the art world was formed at a very young age.  I remember being a third grader setting up an isle on my deck in Minnesota painting pictures in celebration of Van Gogh’s birthday.  Ironically it was a drawing course my senior year of high school that almost kept me from graduating.  With a bad taste in my mouth for art education I skipped art school altogether and moved to Colorado to pursue a career in the ski world and basically lost touch with art.  During this time I found skateboarding.  Skateboarding changed who I was; I learned a more mature sense of aesthetic value from skateboarding.  It was February of 2004 when art struck back and came into my life in a dramatic fashion.  I was back home in Minnesota following a knee surgery and picked up my first skateboard.  I painted it black and white and started sketching for the first time in years.  What followed was a burst of creative energy I had never experienced, within the first five months between picking up a pen and my first show I drew 15 skateboards.  In June 2004 I had a show with some friends at a night club in Minneapolis and from there art was a part of life in major way.  

 

Life isn't always rosey when trying to make a living as a skateboard artist, but Mark Rivard follows his passion.

Tell us a little about your genre.  Are there lots of artists who do what you do?  Where are they concentrated?  What makes your work stand out from the rest?  

 

I guess I would be considered a skateboard artist.  It’s certainly not all I’m into but my skateboard illustrating is definitely the cornerstone of what I do.  It’s interesting how many people are doing skateboards, when I started I didn’t have a computer or any clue about what was going on in the art world, but as time went on and I began to investigate the internet I learned that skateboards are a very popular canvas.  I think it’s a pretty obvious canvas choice for a lot of skaters.  Skate graphics have an incredibly rich history.  Now through outlets like MySpace I’ve learned of hundreds of skateboard artist located all over the world.  Skateboarders and people in this particular corner of the art world know that there is really nothing too unique about using skateboards as canvas’, but in retrospect that community of artist is tiny so when I put up my boards on wall covered in art they tend to pop.  I feel like skateboards allow an artist a true freedom of all the rules spoken or unspoken in the art world.  That’s why people skate; it is an activity and lifestyle that has no rules.  When you go to an art opening at a upscale gallery for contemporary art it can be a lot like a funeral, quite and dark clothed people discussing politely the art, but when you come to an opening of an artist that is skate oriented you’ll find a DJ and most likely several kegs.  My opening for a show in Belgium ended up in a game of SKATE (like the HORSE version of basketball for skateboarding) in the rain on the street in front of the show.  That’s what makes this kind of art stand out, what makes my particular art stand out I’m not sure.  Very traditional artist has told me that it has a fresh feel, like any schooling hasn’t tainted it. 

 

How would you describe your style?  

 

Detailed Scribbling.  Fast.  Unforgiving.  A clean mess.  Abstract realism.  I never sketch anything out ahead of time; it’s Sharpie straight to the board.  When I’m doing a skyline or something that needs accuracy line for line it’s a stressful style.  There is no planning, no grids, just do or die style.  That’s probably why I’ve drawn six skateboards with the Minneapolis skyline; it’s taken me six attempts to get it right.  The cool thing is in the process of getting it right I created five other pieces of art that all were worthy works.  I would sum up my style as improv unrehearsed art. 

 

 

How did you come to use Sharpie markers in your work?    

 

I started my first board with ball point pens and that wasn’t working then I think I used some other type of marker that would smear, then I found and Ultra Fine Black Sharpie and it was the only thing that would not smear and stuck to the boards.  Eventually I started to figure out that my Sharpies could be manipulated like a paintbrush.  They could shade and created different consistencies in lines.  Sharpies have become the only pens that I can use on anything, they draw on canvas, and wood, paint, plastic, glass, and you name it you can draw on it with a Sharpie. 

 

 

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

Sharpies have become my medium of choice because of consistency.  They write on anything.  I have learned to use my Sharpies like paintbrushes; they can change their ink distribution over time with use.  I still have that first Sharpie pen I ever drew with.  The tip is basically gone but I still use it to shade.  Sharpie tips can be used as a tool long after the ink has run dry.  I never throw a pen away; sometimes I’ll ever burn the tip a bit to reduce the ink flow for a dryer more of a grayish look out of a black pen.  The other unique thing I’ve discovered with Sharpies is the only thing that can lift the ink once it’s been laid is another Sharpie.  You can actually move the ink around with different pens as you draw, for instance if you were to open a fresh Sharpie and start to draw but wanted a little less ink and a lighter look you can take an older Sharpie or a burnt tip Sharpie and move that ink around even after it has dried.  This creates a lighter look and enables black and white shadowing with only a black Sharpie! 

Trees can't just run around naked.

Tell us about some of your own favorite work.  What seems to get the most attention or is most coveted by others?  Why do you think people are drawn to your work?
My favorite pieces change all the time.  I have gained the most accolades from my Skyline pieces; those seem to be real attention grabbers.  Location based pieces always sit well with the audience because they are directly relatable.  It’s funny because even doing a show in Seattle some of my work that was best received was my Minneapolis skylines which really didn’t even belong in that show and I almost left those boards at home.  What that tells me is that people are attracted to my architecture sketches because of the style they are drawn not necessarily because of what is drawn.  I think people are into my work because it crosses a lot of boundaries, it’s not the same sketch done thirty different ways.  My work crosses into all types of thought provoking subjects, one thing I’ve began to do in order to better explain what I’m doing is write explanations or stories that go along with each piece.  I once had a person tell me at a show that they loved how I was able “connect the industrial with the natural”, after hearing this I thought I’ve got to do something to explain my art because that was not what I was going for.  Now when I display art I have begun to show it with handwritten descriptions and those descriptions have become some of my favorite work, I love to write.  I take old skateboards break them in half, paint them white and handwrite the literature that goes with each piece.  I’m trying to create a font that is unique to my work and will often write it out once and then rewrite the whole narrative again and again overlapping the first giving the written descriptions an aesthetic all their own and this added a huge amount of depth to the shows. 
 
Can you describe the process you go through to create your work?  How many hours does it take?  Is it a free-hand approach or do you create a template in advance?    
I never really preplan anything, I’ll have an idea of what the end result will be but I never make practice sketches or templates.  My abstract stuff is totally random; no idea when I start what the end result will be and it almost always changes throughout the drawing.  With my skylines I just pick a centrally located building and make one line that is prominent and then base the rest of the city off of that line.  I’ve done some boards that have only taken a couple of hours and others that have lasted for years.  I think the board that took the longest was my Breckenridge panoramic mountain view, that board took around two years and actual drawing time over 30 hours of pen connecting with the board.  If it’s a piece that requires a lot of attention like a skyline it can take a long time to finish. 

What are your inspirations?


Inspiration comes in an endless amount of formats. I am always inspired with travel and new places. Europe makes me want to create and create and create. Something about being there and just the little things about the lifestyle over there makes me want to write and draw. I think I could live in Europe without a TV. The simple process of creating art and seeing what kinds of opportunities are presenting themselves in my life because of art inspires me. I know that this doesn’t sit well with a lot of people but I love the business side of this crazy idea of having a career in art, I love it, it’s life size game of poker. I love to think that I am doing something so many people told me wasn’t going to work because of lack of an education or experience. Having something to prove has always been the biggest source of inspiration for me. I’ve found no matter what you do or what your path someone out there is always going to drop marbles on your sidewalk. Critics are inspiration.

 

What statement are you trying to make, if any?  What do you want people take from your art? 

I don’t know if I’m really trying to make any sort of statement but I do want to send a message.  I want my art to serve as proof that people can make their craft their career, that the path that seems the most logical doesn’t always make it the right path.  I once had a great upper level job at what was then the fifth largest snowboard company in the world.  I had a job that where I’m from would have been considered a dream job by most of my peers.  Benefits, great office, salary, I loved the industry but I left that job to wait tables for $2.13 an hour and have more time to get back to focusing on my art.  It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.  Moral of the story is follow your path, the one that’s going to make you happy.  Risk is fun…

 

 

Sharpie’s tagline is “Write Out Loud!”  Does this apply to your work and if so, how?

Absolutely!  That actual process of putting Sharpie ink down on skateboard with the intention of creating art changed my life forever.  All the work I’ve done with Sharpies is prime example of “Write Out Loud!” it’s what I do!  

 

Eye-catching

Mustached Man in Mountains

Cityscape

Straight Up