Chicago Structure

This past weekend was my first visit to the windy city of Chicago. To say the least, I am looking forward to going back – beautifully clean city, pleasant people, great food, and amazing architecture. No complaints from yours truly.

Wood Metal Printer Blocks

Not vintage themselves, these image and letter printer blocks are for the most part made from vintage molds- another find along the Portobello Rd. street market.

The Colors of Portobello

Notting Hill is always a destination for me whenever I’m in London. And the Portobello Road street market, itself being in the Notting Hill district, is not to be missed while there. Although I remember it being more of an adventure in my first trips, it’s nevertheless always a source of new inspiration and interesting finds among its hodgepodge of curbside pop-up stands and freestanding shops.

Maviology

Maviology is a magazine created and distributed by the Mavi Jeans clothing company.  Based in Istanbul at the Mavi headquarters, the publication is a constantly evolving barometer of what’s going on in the fashion and art communities.  Along with many other bloggers and artists, The First Few is very happy to have been included in their current Summer 2010 issue.

Graphic Clarity | Change Of Plans

There’s something to say about malicious false advertising- and then there is advertising that unintentionally doesn’t deliver the correct message. In the case of the above, there was clearly no devious scheme involved, but it surely made me stop and think about the many pieces of art and graphics that I work on that are intended to convey a message, mood, or idea. It certainly pays to step back from your hurried task and try to look at it from the perspective of a person uninvolved.

Paper Fortress Films | Keeping Up With Stebs

I stopped by the Paper Fortress to see what Mr. Stebs Schinnerer had been up to since last visiting with him (March 23, 2010)- and it looks like he’s been a busy man, to say the least. He’s been on a country-wide tour with his friend Johnny Cupcakes for the Suitcase Tour / Back To Basics 2010 capturing all the events on video.  He’s been creating promotional video for the charity Autism Awareness (video below).  And… he’s been keeping busy producing video for the hugely popular online magazine, Highsnobiety/Selectism (video below)- and these are just a few of the milestones so far this year.  Stop by the Paper Fortress Films site to see more of his quickly-growing portfolio of personal and commercial work.

New York Eats | Mike’s American Bar & Grill

Of any place in which I’ve ever eaten, Mike’s American Bar & Grill stands out as one of the very best and most memorable- for so many reasons. It was located at 46th St. and 10th Ave. in New York City, in the area known now as Clinton, more appropriately know as Hell’s Kitchen at the time of my patronage years ago. The neighborhood was low-rent, which made it affordable to the many actors who worked in the Broadway shows and for students like myself. It was also home to the many crack dealers, crack addicts, hookers, and their visiting clientele. So, not a pretty picture do I paint. But alas, there was always Mike’s.

Martha’s Vineyard Fiber Farm | Juniper Moon

For an island of only 87.48 square miles in size and already holding a population of 15,000 year-round residents (75,000 during the summer), it actually had room for a successful working livestock farm. Well, from 2001 to 2009, the island played host to The Martha’s Vineyard Fiber Farm (now called Juniper Moon Farm since expanding and relocating to Virginia). Owned and operated by Susan Gibbs and her boyfriend Patrick Manning, the farm produces absolutely beautiful organically dyed wool knitting yarn.

Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer- What’ll You Have?

No Opener Needed!

Pabst is the real deal. The same original quality, made with care and consistency in America’s heartland, Pabst Blue Ribbon has often been referred to as the every-man’s-beer- hence, it’s adoption by the harbingers of all things authentic- the Hipsters. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with having appreciation for the good stuff…

Ebay Time Machine | Rolling Stone Oct. 5, 1978

Ebay is the ultimate time machine. Where else could a person just type in what they’re looking for from a specific place and time and actually have their wish granted? Ok, it’s not exactly a sure thing- but, if you’re patient, sooner or later you’ll find it- as with this Rolling Stone magazine from 1978. I had been looking for this particular ’78 Rolling Stone because it contained the last interview with Keith Moon. A few occasional Ebay visits finally paid off – and for a mere $9.52 (plus S&H), it was mine.

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