Upcoming Show!

Hello people!

Feel’s like it’s been a while since we last had a chat.

Good news!

I’ll be exhibiting at the Flat Iron Arts Building, for their ‘First Friday’ show, and their ‘Beyond the Coyote’ exhibit.

The ‘First Friday’ exhibit is September 3^rd from 6pm ‘til 10pm.

And the ‘Beyond the Coyote’ exhibit is

Friday, Sept. 10^th 6-10pm

Saturday, Sept. 11^th 12pm-10pn

Sunday, Sept. 12^th 12-6pm

I’ll be showing some of my photography pieces; some work that has never been seen outside a computer screen.

I’ll be showing alongside my very good friend Esther Holwerda, who has some incredibly amazing work showing as well.

Here’s the kooky twist, all art will be displayed in the hallways of the building.

So while it may get a little crowded at times, it’s a show you won’t forget. So, for those who can make it out, it’s quite a site to be seen.

A lot of good artists showing a lot of good art.

Check out the flyer attached for more info.

There’s a suggested $10 donation at the door, but if you’re strapped for cash, just tell them, they should let you go. If you feel like creating a scene, feel free, just call it performance art.

I look forward to seeing you all. And if you can’t make it, it’s quite alright. There’s still more to come.

--Nick

PS- Casual Dress! There’s no AC!

PS2- Saturday & Sunday from around noon until 3 or 4pm are usually less crowded, fyi.

Almost forgot

I did this little piece on one of many blank 5x7 canvas boards. (see the painting-a-day series)

The subject, along with the story behind it, is light, child-like, and sort of whimsical.

So I tried to paint in that style. There is an artist in California, Nicole Smith, who does very great paintings of everyday good things. (candy, teddy bears & other assorted fluffy animals) and her style really suites her paintings.

So I tried to get that sort of free flowing, fun loving brush stroke style that Ms. Smith does so well, only I used acrylics instead of oil. (simply because I'm WAY too impatient to wait for paint to dry)

Hopefully some new work soon. I'm waiting for that creative fire to start smokin'.

Rally Around

I have 10 pieces donated to the 'Through The Pain' benefit for Matthew Leone. For sale at the Double Door, & Hard Rock this past Friday & Saturday, August 20, 21st. Hopefully they sold. I unfortunately couldn't make it to the shows, which looking amazing by the way. Former q101 radio host, and current JBTV host Ryan Manno & crew put together an amazing lineup. Dozens of musicains & bands donated some extremely rare, and some one-of-a-kind items that were auctioned off. (For example, a prototype guitar for the guitarist from Disturbed. So literally, only one exists, this guy was generous enough to give it up in order to raise money for a fellow musician.)
Ryan was kind enough to let me donate some CD artwork that had been shown at 'Artapalooza' last year.

For those of you who don't know, or didn't hear about this:
On July 6^th, Madina Lake bassist Matthew Leone came to the aid of a woman being physically assaulted by her husband on the 1300 block of West Ohio Street. After intervening and calling Chicago police, Leone was beaten by the man and left unconscious in the street. Matthew’s brain injuries were so severe that multiple surgeries have been required to remove portions of his skull. Matthew does not have medical insurance and is currently recovering at home.

As soon as I read this, I knew I had to do something.
So many people rallied to support this cause, at times, it rendered me speechless.
My best wishes to Matthew and his recovery, and my thanks goes out to Ryan Manno for allowing me to do participate in something amazing.

From what I've heard, the concerts were a huge success and tons of fun. I wish I could have been there to see it.
Read more about Matthew, his band Madina Lake & Through The Pain at their sites.
Be excellent to each other!
--Nick

A Potbelly's Experience You Wish You Had

A few weeks ago I sent in an online application for Potbelly's Inc. for a design position in one of their headquarter buildings in Chicago.
 Potbelly's, you know, the place that charges $7 for a peanut butter & jelly sandwich? And is closely resembles the interior decor of a Bennigin's? Yep, them.

With every chain store, be it Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger King, Borders, etc, etc, on their applications they have several odd questions like "Have you ever visited company X? If so, explain your experience.
I'd grown weary with the stale, hum-drum answers that point out the high caliber friendly staff, my order being filled in a timely manner; Not to mention trying to creatively highlight my attention to detail, my work ethic, and qualifications.

What follows is the actual questionnaire I submitted to Potbelly's Inc. along with my resume.

Have you ever visited a Potbelly location? Where? Describe your experience.
Oak Lawn, Illinois. On a cool spring evening, a friend and I decided to stop in for a quick dinner. As we entered, we were both surprised to find an acoustic guitarist perched on a platform above us, plucking constant out-of-tune, yet oddly soothing background music during our time there. The menu had a vast array of goodness to select from, and the gentleman who took our order was extremely polite in announcing to the staff, and other patrons, and anyone within a 3 mile radius, my friend’s extremely particular/ peculiar ordering habits. Thankfully, he has since toned down his antics and will now remove lettuce and tomato himself.
Also, after a long 13 hour day displaying in an art show at the Merchandise Mart, in downtown Chicago, Potbelly’s was the only shop still up & running. They comforted me with a fantastically hot soup, and refreshing sandwich, along with a quiet atmosphere where I was able to get away from the days chaos, even if it was only for 15 minutes.

What do you like about Potbelly?
I find myself oddly drawn to the copious amounts of signage that guide me through the building. Whether it be a hand directing me to the menu, vintage wall décor, or a sign stating that Potbelly’s PB&J is in fact better than the one’s my mother use to make. (which I disagree with, however, I don’t feel the need to bring it up with staff or management)

Why would you like to work for Potbelly Sandwich Shop?
I’m a big fan of the free smiles. If that attitude carries over into the ‘behind the scenes’ element of Potbelly’s, I’d enjoy coming into work each day.
Or the possibility of .99 cent pickles daily would also do the same.

Describe a specific situation where you have provided excellent customer service.
There is no particular story of heroic customer service that I can think of, however, I have assisted many clients and customers with a gentle yet reassuringly firm hand hold, from the very beginnings of a project through it’s completion. As well as the occasional check-up to make sure everything is still going smoothly.


They never called back for a follow-up...

Be good. As always, more to come...
--Nick

Thank yous

 just want to send a thank you to everybody who showed up at the Beverly Art Center Photography opening reception. Thanks for braving the stale stagnant heat inside the main gallery.
It was an honor to show next to some really amazing photographers.
The show is up until July 3 if you still want to check it out.

If you're interested in purchasing a piece, my prices are low (affordable for any persons income; as art should be), the art is all original and hand crafted by yours truly, and there are many different styles to choose from.
Starting at $10 and up.

On a side note, one of my biggest heroes and inspirations, musician Jason Newsted (formerly of Metallica, EchoBrain, IR8, & Papa Wheelie) has taken to painting and has his first solo show in the Micaela gallery in San Fransisco. (to have your first show be a solo show is ... huge, to say the least.)
Personally, I think his art is honestly amazing. And, while I'm crushed I can't find a flight to SF for under $1200, I'm glad I can see some work online. (read his bio, he's got a work routine & ethic similar to mine.)
If you're in that area, GO SEE THAT SHOW.

As always, Ladies & Gents, there is still more to come. I'll keep you posted.
Until then, check out the site, email me about a piece, or pass my name onto someone that needs to jazz up their walls.

Thanks.
--Nick

Come out, say hi, have a drink, and see some great photography by some great artists.
Should be a good time.
See ya there!.
--Nick

Photo Overload

**UPDATE**
This post was written the 8th of May but for several reasons it never was published.
Now, oddly enough, is the perfect time to post this. (the entry below talks about my photography habits, etc.)
It is NOW appropriate because I have been accepted as an exhibiting artist in the Beverly Art Center's 3rd annual Photography Exhibit.
The details for the show are as followed:
Beverly Art Center Digital Photo Exhibit
June 4 - July 3
Opening reception is Friday, June 11, from 7:30 to 9:30pm
I will be showing a large version of one of the very popular paornoramic-esqe type photo compositions.
Stop by, say hello, drink some sparkling grape juice or wine, vote for me as 'viewers choice', and see some really nice work by some very talented photographers. It should be a good time.
--Nick
**END UPDATE**
If you've met me for more than 10 minutes, you know that 99% of the time, I've got my camera on me.
Now, I've never taken a photo class, I just snap shots that catch my eye. Or things that I might be able to reference in a piece of art later. (I've got a lot of those)

But in 2004, while in the middle of a semester at Trinity Christian College while snapping photos for a graphic design class I had, I randomly, and with no real reason (at the time) decided that every shot that I snapped would be saved.
If it's an out of focus or blurry photo, an accidental shot, too dark, too light, and anything else ... it was all staying, no deletes allowed.

So since that day, yes, every picture I've ever taken is saved. Dozens of CD's and hard drives hold all these memories. Precious or not. It's there. It's become almost a documentary of sorts. All the everyday places I've gone, things I've seen, people I've met, good times, bad times, it's all there.

Eventually it'll be organized, and turned into a flip book or picture mosaic or timeline or something.

While art is in the process of being made, I figure I'll share a few shots I got recently.
Take care, Everybody!

--Nick