Coming Out... of Hibernation

That's Keen is back... sort of.

Stay tuned, friends. Good things are on the horizon

zzZZZzzzzz...

That's Keen is taking a break to stop and smell the roses (as if you didn't notice). Watch this space for more fun in the future - promise!

Book 'Em, Mike!

photo by Dave Kinsey via FecalFace.com

The altered book ain't nuthin' new. That being said, the stuff artist Mike Stilkey is doing at the moment is totally rocking my world. I may have emitted a tiny gasp when I came across his work, I was so impressed! As a bibliophile, art lover, and color maven who organizes her book spines in aesthetically pleasing ways (nerd alert), his stuff is right up my alley. The Fecal Face interview gives a great glimpse into his studio as well. Reading and painting... can't go wrong with that.

Brad is Rad!

Simplify, simplify, simplify! This is usually good advice for any situation, and it is especially true when it comes to good design. Speaking of good design, know who gets me all hot 'n bothered? Bradbury Thompson, that's who.

Let's all get into our time machine and head back to the early 1940's when Thompson started cranking out awesomeness for Westvaco Inspirations, and pushing graphic design into the future simply by using old tools in new ways. His use of photography, typography, and color is so inspiring, Google image search his name and I promise you will not be disappointed. The above spread is my favorite, and has been since I started studying graphic design.

...Use Color for Bait.
Color, states the scientist, is a wavelength. But color is more, says the artist: color is the lighted tree at Christmas, fireworks on the Fourth of July, the Mardi Gras, the Rose Bowl game, New Years Eve on Time's Square, the flower vendor with his pushcart crowded with geraniums, the girl in a striking hat who turns heads in the Easter Parade, the first night at a smash-hit musical show, the midway at a County Fair, the crack drum and bugle corps that swings down the Avenue on parade. Color is everywhere, because, as any artist knows, the whole sweep and movement of life vibrates with color...

Some day I will find an old lady selling a bunch of mid-century Westvaco issues at a garage sale 20 for $1 and be in Bradbury Thompson design heaven; until then I will continue to be inspired by his innovation, honesty, and simplicity.

Heavy Rotation

The Blakes - The Blakes

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below

Crocodiles - Summer of Hate

Handsome Furs - Face Control

The Cribs - Ignore the Ignorant

When I'm too busy to update my blog, what am I busy doing, you ask? Lots of stuff - all of which is accompanied by good music. One of these days I will make my loyal blog readers a downloadable mix, until then go find these goodies at your local record store. Happy listening!

Change Is In The Air

I think we both know how much I have been slacking on the blog in recent months. I'll spare you the lengthy apology and explanation for my absence, so let's just pick up where we left off shall we? In addition to life keeping me busy these past months, I have also been invited to be in an art show - Collective Conversations In Clay: Merging Media. The show opens this Saturday (please come out and support me!) and my finished piece, No. 9, is that lovely square accompanying this post. I am pretty damn proud of it, but I am more proud to say that along with its completion I have set many wheels in motion for the months ahead.
It's good to be back. Now that's keen.

Panes!

This post will do a body good, not your waistline per se, but you will be at peace knowing you have discovered one of the best sandwich shops in the city:
Panes Bread Cafe at 3002 N. Sheffield.

I cannot take credit for finding this gem (that feat belongs to Amber), but I can take credit for eating a gazillion sandwiches and deeming them all to be delicious. Loyal readers you know I am a sandwich connoisseur and I would never lead you astray, so trust me when I say you cannot go wrong with any of Panes' goodies served on their homemade breads. Turkey Turkey, Super Panes, Portobello Mushroom, Roasted Beef, Sloppy Pollo... the list goes on. Chips are included and you will get a ton of food for not a lot of cash; speaking of which, they are cash only so come prepared and make sure you have a little extra for dessert: the amazing monster cookie. If salads or pasta are your thing they have those too, but the bread and sandwiches are where it's at.