SOCIETY6 PROMOTION

Greetings Followers! Just letting you know that I have several prints ready for an upcoming birthday gifts or to start your early Christmas shopping and now you can get them with free shipping! Click here for the promotion to begin, it runs through October 11th.

UP ON SOCIETY 6!

In my pursuit to diversify and shotgunning the market with my work I am now on Society 6. I'm still looking for the right platform that supports artists in the best way but I think this platform is there. Stay tuned for more hand drawn quotes and future finalized dropcaps ready to be given to a loved one or placed on your wall.

Here are two questions for you: 1) what's one of your favorite quotes that could make it to print? and 2) what platform do you use to sell your work?

A LETTER A DAY UPDATE

Greetings! Just updating my flickr account where my collection of drop cap creations is growing. This has been 365 days of exploration and skill building with just 50 days to go. I was told that it takes 10,000 hours or 10 years to begin to master a skill. This is just one project that I have started so as to grow skills in drawing, drafting, and creating new and original concepts. If you are thinking of working on a skill or talent, start today and make it daily! 

Check out my Instagram account for daily submissions. 

H - 206/365

L - 222/365

Z - 221/365

W - 219/365

COFFEE WITH A PRINT

The Linear Narratives show is coming down tomorrow and I'll be there from 3-6pm at Everyday Joe's. Drop by and pick up a print and I'll treat you to a coffee! Limited numbers of prints will be there so get there quick!

H#fortcollins #colorado #everydayjoes #monday #prints #linearnarratives #coffee

RECENT PRODUCTS IN THE STORE

Prints made for the Linear Narratives art show are now available through my new store page. Check out the link for more pieces. My hope is that the pieces from Linear Narratives can continue to tell stories within your home.

LINEAR NARRATIVES - Fort Collins Showing

It is my pleasure to announce that my LINEAR NARRATIVES pieces will be released in print version in my hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado at Everyday Joe's Coffee House. The show will run from August 3rd to the 28th and on Friday the 7th I will be discussing my narratives between 7 and 9 pm. 

After meeting the art director of Everyday Joe's Coffee House on Instagram we put together a time to show pieces he enjoyed seeing on my feed and website. This will also be the first time my pieces will be available in print versions with only 50 pieces of each made. I hope you can make it and grab a few pieces for your home! Nothing would make me happier than seeing you telling your own narrative to friends in your house using my art.

Everyday Joe's Coffee House

144 S. Mason St.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
970.224.4138

Recent Work - Commissioned Gig Poster

This piece was commissioned by a thoughtful husband wishing to add the final touch to a surprise birthday party for his wife. The illustration became a gig poster for the concert he and his friends put together. It was a pleasure moving away from corporate level work and doing something more illustrative. For more detailed shot of the poster go here.

As a freelance designer I am always opened to these types of commissions as the client was looking for a meaningful and unique product and open to spending money for it. This seriousness is than transferred to my work as I pull hours out of nowhere to make it happen.

It is a joy to see this proudly displayed and as a memory marker for generations to come. A birthday celebration lived on in a gig poster.

Day 1 of Signpainting at Doc Guthrie's

After several years of not touching walls for street art or mural purpose I have been hitting the brushes quite often lately. Today I finished 1 of 5 signs for a Shanghai based old-school barber shop called Doc Guthrie's. It was a pleasure working with the crew from there as they value craftsmanship from the hand as seen in their accomplishments with scissors and straightedge. Many older Chinese stopped and observed while the young and modern zipped by thankfully missing the scaffolding. It's interesting to see who values a more tangible and authentic experience.

It's interesting to pursue this craft in this overproduced and glossy city I have called home for going on nine years. Stay tuned for more work!

Process...

Not needing lights, using the "natural" light of the city.

Placed between the glossy, manufactured experiences.

SPRING COCKTAILS AND PRINTS - 7PM Wednesday, April 15th

This Wednesday the Union Trading Co will be releasing their new menu along with prints made by myself. So stop by fro a refreshing drink and a print to bring some spring time flavors and colors to your home! It starts at 7pm and goes late. Located on 64 Fenyang Rd near Fuxing Zhong Rd with the entrance on Fuxing Zhong Rd.

WESTWOOD ALES - Update on My Work Page

Had a small breather break and had the chance to upload recent work I did for Westwood Ales as their Art and Brand Director. I am enjoying working on both the conceptual and execution ends of this brand as I venture away from the desk now and look to expand our visual and brand presence in Shanghai and soon to other parts of Asia. This has been the first company I've worked for that I feel fully invested and full ownership as I am doing this work from the perspective of a part owner of the company. 

Stay tuned for more work! Now to tackle the website!

Linear Narrative Showing

Finally getting some time to sit down and write down closing thoughts about the past showing I was involved in. Previously, I was involved in a number of group shows and this was my first duo show. I am privileged to have shared it with Faith Hampton as we did well collaborating and using our respected skills to produce this month long event. I couldn't have asked for a better art partner. We have already begin planning for the next show as well.

"Where do you go from here?" was the common question I received from individuals attending the event. This was just the third step I have taken in my art and illustration career at I actually hadn't really thought about it. All my energy was placed on this one event. These past few weeks I have had some time to consider where to take the next step.

In some ways others have already taken the next step for me. In typical China fashion, without asking me or giving me an 3 hours to consider opportunities. Already my pieces have been flown to two other group shows. It's amazing the speed in which this country sometimes runs at.

Unfortunately, the marketing of the show was not to my standards as I realized I had done the majority of marketing among my circles of influence. Very little was done from the other side of things. I have learned my lesson in setting expectations, setting standards for others, and motivating within another culture. This aside, I have quite possibly stumbled upon another revenue stream in which to sell my art within. More of this to come later.

In conclusion, I owe much of the success to my wife for giving me the opportunity and challenge to see this through. Having time to complete the work is extremely valuable as in the past it was work done in the dead of night where my skill at precision sometimes lacked. Having time during the morning really did wonders. A special thanks to David Fox for capturing photos of the event! Also, a big thanks to all the friends for their support and to Westwood Ales for providing the party!

Prep for the Art Show Today

Yesterday was filled with bumps and glitches with the gallery but had fun with Faith in setting up my first art show! Couldn't have asked to do it with anyone else. Come by today, Saturday from 3-6pm for the Linear Narrative art show and have a Westwood Ales pint! 

Linear Narrative

It is my pleasure to invite you all to a join art showing Faith Hampton and I are having at Nade Gallery starting on November 15th with a party kicking it off at 3pm. Westwood Ales will also be serving pints with wine provided by the gallery starting at that time as well. We are excited to see the art we crafted spark conversation and story. 

Details:

November 15th through the 29th, Opening Reception 3pm - 6pm 

Nade Gallery

Jing An District

104 North Maoming Road

(near West Nanjing Road)

静安区茂名北路104号

NEW SHOP OPEN!

My pleasure to announce I have a shop open through Crated where you can find here. My goal is to post a hand letter quote a week as I continue my drawing a day project that you can follow on my Instgram. Christmas is coming and men need art in their dens as well!

COLLABORATION WITH WESTWOOD ALES

The visual identity of Westwood Ales

Westwood Ales mobile bar at the Abora Charity Fight. Photo by Stacey Wei

I have been busy of late working as Art and Brand Director for Westwood Ales in Shanghai, China. After months of discussion and collaboration we have made it official as the Westwood brothers are eager to take their brewing aspirations to the next level as demand for their crafted ales has increased.

Look for upcoming posts where I show the process and elements of the brand that we are currently building. Exciting months to come!

Check out Stacey Wei's website www.sweiphotography.com and my instagram for recent photos of our events.

RECENT WORK - The Union Trading Co.

Enjoy collaborating with the drink master Yao Lu in creating print concepts that visually embodied his cocktail creations. I turned to research I have done in vintage labels, typography, and graphics so as to create an experience and support the brand of The Union Trading Co.

Now there are more opportunities to expand these prints and ideas. Right now we are talking about cocktail and print release parties and I am searching for a platform to sell the prints online. I am excited to see where all of this will go, so stay tuned.

Definitely go for a refreshing and flavorful cocktail at The Union Trading Co. My favorite is the Boggis, Bunce, & Bean but that might change as there are 100 different cocktails on the list.

FIRST POST

Welcome to my journal where I aim to share life experiences, inspirations, process work, and what I am working on. You are welcome to dropping me a line and hope to create collaborations between creatives as well. Life is a journey and deserves a journal.