i love everything else though. you cannot beat minneapolis for live music.
can anyone guess what awesome music venue is being portrayed in this webcomic? bearded bunny bonus points if you guess correctly.
Showing posts with label minnesota music scene. Show all posts
Showing posts with label minnesota music scene. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
things i hate about live music (webcomic)
i love everything else though. you cannot beat minneapolis for live music.
can anyone guess what awesome music venue is being portrayed in this webcomic? bearded bunny bonus points if you guess correctly.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Cloud Cult bunny art
The newest bearded bunny is Cloud Cult, referencing the local band here in Minneapolis. I wrote a blog a few months ago about why Cloud Cult should be your new favorite band, and since then I have seen them three more times live and appeared (very briefly) in their latest music video. I also saw the lead singer Craig Minowa(who is the subject for this bunny drawing) in St. Paul protesting the RNC and promoting planting trees.
If you are looking for a great band, a good role model, or just want to see a stunning live show make sure to check out cloud cult.
For those fans of the band, see if you can find the numerous references to Cloud Cult songs in the bearded bunny image. You can buy this bunny on my etsy page, by using the secret code "CRAIG" (so far only my blog readers have access to this code).
Also make sure to browse the many other bunnies available for sale.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Turning Junk Mail into Art
An interview with Artist Rev K
by William Hessian
Just over a year ago, I was turned on to a local artist in Minneapolis who was sending out free drawings of Oprah Winfrey to collectors. This idea, mailing art around the world, was one that parallels some of my own projects (art trading/ sketchbook of doom/creature exchange) and therefore caught my trembling excitement.
The artist is Reverend K. Since I received this awesome hand drawn Oprah card, Rev K and myself have crossed paths in a number of really interesting ways. After viewing his work on myspace, I invited him to feature his larger Oprah paintings in an art show I was having at my gallery. I have run into him at many local music venues, most recently at the U of M's Coffman and the Hexagon. We were even, quite randomly, in a Cloud Cult music video together.
In a few short conversations with the artist, he revealed to me a Junk Mail Art project! Once again, a project that rivals one of my very own, you can watch the video of my junk mail project here. Rev K's junk mail project is quite different, and quite brilliant. I have asked Rev K to answer a few question about his junk mail art project to be answered right here:
Can you briefly explain your junk mail project?
Rev K: Yeah, sure Billy, and thanks for the interest. Junk Mail Art are drawings I've done on the backs of junk mail envelopes. I number all of them, sign them and write a few positive declarations on the back. I then give them freely over to the fates allowing the finder/receiver the option to keep, give or toss the piece as they see fit. Often I leave them on a table or at the bar, sometimes I give them to someone I think may enjoy or appreciate them.
(here is a sample: left at the Urgent Sound Gallery Feb 23rd, 2008)
When and where did the idea for your junk mail art project come from?
The Junk mail thing started initally by accident. As I'm sure just about any phone doodler will tell you junk mail is the perfect disposable medium; It's cheap, plentiful and usually onhand. On occasion the end result would impress me so I started keeping some of them.
I found that many of these drawings were a lot freer in form than some of the stuff I'd set out to draw. This got my wheels turning. Why shouldn't I take junk mail, which is essentially garbage and recycle it into art? There's lots to go around, and I can always use practice drawing. Also, who doesn't like getting "art" for free?
My first intentional piece was created back in January. It was more doodle-like--filling in around the margins. I numbered it 1,000,000, thinking it has to have been at least the millionth piece I'd received, and have numbered down since.
How many envelope drawings have you done so far?
I'm currently in the 999,930s.
What are some examples of places, venues and people to which these original works go?
The Hexagon Bar or Turf Club seem to be the venues most frequently used for lift off. But I've left them at venues all over town: The Nomad, Big V's, Statiu's, 331 Club, 400 Bar to name drop but a few. I tend to give the ones I particularly like to individuals. Often a performer I enjoyed or a server I like. This goes slightly against the survival-of-the-fittest concept that I initially had but tough, it's my project I can do what I like.
Where was the most interesting place you have left one of your works, or the most interesting response from a person who you gave one to?
A guy told me he's got two of them on fridge at home. I like that I've been elevated to the hallowed spot of their kids' art.
I have to ask, how did your name, Reverend K come about?
At first it was about anonymity. I didn't want to use my name on my myspace account so I chose Rev K. I had already launched the religion of Oprah-Haus and wanted a buffer between me and the Harpo legal staff. Also, I am an ordained minister. It only cost me 20 bucks in the back of the Enquirer.
Have you reversed your attitude towards junk mail? Do you now enjoy getting blank canvases in the mail?
I have definitely become more choosy of my canvases. I can afford to be cuz they just keep coming. There are a few letters I get that I have grown to love getting: Fidelity has nice long envelopes, while MPR has cute little ones.
What medium do you use to create the entertaining, often hilarious, and always clever subject matter?
Black Sharpies and, of course, junk mail envelopes.
(the fly (one of my personal favorites). left at the kitty kat club may 24th, 2008)
You have numbered these works starting from one million counting backwards, did you ever consider actually carrying it out all the way to #1?
Christ no. I may ride that train til my end, but a million? And in the future all junk mail will be automatically downloaded to the chip in our heads.
I do boast to owning one of your junk mail artworks in this project, during our chance meeting at the Cloud Cult music video filming at Como Zoo. Do you think anyone may at some point try to go back and find and collect these works? Maybe collectors will seek out your stomping grounds to meet people you know in order to interview the crowd for possible art holders?
Frankly, I'm just touched you still have yours. Hard to know what anyone will put value in. My hope is that someone will look at them, enjoy them and maybe keep them. On top of that I do a little moralizing on the back about loving each other and taking care of each other. I hope that part sticks too.
(heres the junk mail art I own. Received during the making of the Cloud Cult music video)
If you enjoyed this article make sure to visit Reverend K's myspace to browse his art and all of his junk mail collection. Meanwhile, I do hope to continue to run into him in the near future, and I plan to survey his myspace to follow the ongoing excitement that is attached to your junk mail art project. I wish rev K the best of luck continuing this excellent series of work.
A big thank you to Rev K for taking part in the interview and shedding light on his project.
This blog has earned me the:
by William Hessian
Just over a year ago, I was turned on to a local artist in Minneapolis who was sending out free drawings of Oprah Winfrey to collectors. This idea, mailing art around the world, was one that parallels some of my own projects (art trading/ sketchbook of doom/creature exchange) and therefore caught my trembling excitement.
The artist is Reverend K. Since I received this awesome hand drawn Oprah card, Rev K and myself have crossed paths in a number of really interesting ways. After viewing his work on myspace, I invited him to feature his larger Oprah paintings in an art show I was having at my gallery. I have run into him at many local music venues, most recently at the U of M's Coffman and the Hexagon. We were even, quite randomly, in a Cloud Cult music video together.
In a few short conversations with the artist, he revealed to me a Junk Mail Art project! Once again, a project that rivals one of my very own, you can watch the video of my junk mail project here. Rev K's junk mail project is quite different, and quite brilliant. I have asked Rev K to answer a few question about his junk mail art project to be answered right here:
Can you briefly explain your junk mail project?
Rev K: Yeah, sure Billy, and thanks for the interest. Junk Mail Art are drawings I've done on the backs of junk mail envelopes. I number all of them, sign them and write a few positive declarations on the back. I then give them freely over to the fates allowing the finder/receiver the option to keep, give or toss the piece as they see fit. Often I leave them on a table or at the bar, sometimes I give them to someone I think may enjoy or appreciate them.
(here is a sample: left at the Urgent Sound Gallery Feb 23rd, 2008)
When and where did the idea for your junk mail art project come from?
The Junk mail thing started initally by accident. As I'm sure just about any phone doodler will tell you junk mail is the perfect disposable medium; It's cheap, plentiful and usually onhand. On occasion the end result would impress me so I started keeping some of them.
I found that many of these drawings were a lot freer in form than some of the stuff I'd set out to draw. This got my wheels turning. Why shouldn't I take junk mail, which is essentially garbage and recycle it into art? There's lots to go around, and I can always use practice drawing. Also, who doesn't like getting "art" for free?
My first intentional piece was created back in January. It was more doodle-like--filling in around the margins. I numbered it 1,000,000, thinking it has to have been at least the millionth piece I'd received, and have numbered down since.
How many envelope drawings have you done so far?
I'm currently in the 999,930s.
What are some examples of places, venues and people to which these original works go?
The Hexagon Bar or Turf Club seem to be the venues most frequently used for lift off. But I've left them at venues all over town: The Nomad, Big V's, Statiu's, 331 Club, 400 Bar to name drop but a few. I tend to give the ones I particularly like to individuals. Often a performer I enjoyed or a server I like. This goes slightly against the survival-of-the-fittest concept that I initially had but tough, it's my project I can do what I like.
Where was the most interesting place you have left one of your works, or the most interesting response from a person who you gave one to?
A guy told me he's got two of them on fridge at home. I like that I've been elevated to the hallowed spot of their kids' art.
I have to ask, how did your name, Reverend K come about?
At first it was about anonymity. I didn't want to use my name on my myspace account so I chose Rev K. I had already launched the religion of Oprah-Haus and wanted a buffer between me and the Harpo legal staff. Also, I am an ordained minister. It only cost me 20 bucks in the back of the Enquirer.
Have you reversed your attitude towards junk mail? Do you now enjoy getting blank canvases in the mail?
I have definitely become more choosy of my canvases. I can afford to be cuz they just keep coming. There are a few letters I get that I have grown to love getting: Fidelity has nice long envelopes, while MPR has cute little ones.
What medium do you use to create the entertaining, often hilarious, and always clever subject matter?
Black Sharpies and, of course, junk mail envelopes.
(the fly (one of my personal favorites). left at the kitty kat club may 24th, 2008)
You have numbered these works starting from one million counting backwards, did you ever consider actually carrying it out all the way to #1?
Christ no. I may ride that train til my end, but a million? And in the future all junk mail will be automatically downloaded to the chip in our heads.
I do boast to owning one of your junk mail artworks in this project, during our chance meeting at the Cloud Cult music video filming at Como Zoo. Do you think anyone may at some point try to go back and find and collect these works? Maybe collectors will seek out your stomping grounds to meet people you know in order to interview the crowd for possible art holders?
Frankly, I'm just touched you still have yours. Hard to know what anyone will put value in. My hope is that someone will look at them, enjoy them and maybe keep them. On top of that I do a little moralizing on the back about loving each other and taking care of each other. I hope that part sticks too.
(heres the junk mail art I own. Received during the making of the Cloud Cult music video)
If you enjoyed this article make sure to visit Reverend K's myspace to browse his art and all of his junk mail collection. Meanwhile, I do hope to continue to run into him in the near future, and I plan to survey his myspace to follow the ongoing excitement that is attached to your junk mail art project. I wish rev K the best of luck continuing this excellent series of work.
Let's all hope to turning Junk Mail into Art and spread peace wherever we go!
This blog has earned me the:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Free Records, Comix & music
Today, I was strolling down Lyndale in Minneapolis on my way to vote. I stopped at SOO gallery, and one of my favorite stores Robot Love. In the front I saw a promotional CD called I Heart Comix Scion CD Sampler Volume 21. This promotional CD came with 2 CDs and an impressive case. I popped disc 1 in the CD player and was damn impressed. The high tempo nearly rave music featured some great unheard beats and I dug each song. Disc one has 8 songs and disc two has nineteen more.
Once I got to the church I vote at, I had the Protokill- Moving Forward blasting, and the preschool kids walking to the playground were getting into it as well. I am now listening to disc 2 and so far it has another great mix of songs. I have not explored this genre very deeply, however, it effects me a great deal. I find the songs very motivating.
As you can see from the picture, this is the best free promotional mix tape I have ever found. If you enjoy techno, rave, or fast paced music you need to check them out, I Heart Comix. The comics section is coming soon, and based on the CD art, looks to be very interesting. The music can be sampled on their myspace page and I am sure you could get a promotional CD from them if you sent them a message. It may even be available for download somewhere. I strongly recommend it. This will be my new art creating soundtrack for the next week or so.
Once I got to the church I vote at, I had the Protokill- Moving Forward blasting, and the preschool kids walking to the playground were getting into it as well. I am now listening to disc 2 and so far it has another great mix of songs. I have not explored this genre very deeply, however, it effects me a great deal. I find the songs very motivating.
As you can see from the picture, this is the best free promotional mix tape I have ever found. If you enjoy techno, rave, or fast paced music you need to check them out, I Heart Comix. The comics section is coming soon, and based on the CD art, looks to be very interesting. The music can be sampled on their myspace page and I am sure you could get a promotional CD from them if you sent them a message. It may even be available for download somewhere. I strongly recommend it. This will be my new art creating soundtrack for the next week or so.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
The Next Big Push
Newspapers
During my American art tour this summer, my art hunts hit six state newspapers. The main flow of traffic to my website and my free miniature art hunts came from these articles, most notably in the Salt Lake Tribune and KATU Portland. My next step is to write a new article expressing my thanks to each city & news media for help in making my art hunt successful. I should be spending these moments writing this blog, to write the letters to the editors. Along with a few pictures, a recapping of the hunt, I will be trying to propose a future art hunt in their city. The goal will be to bring more people to my website to see the completed hunt pictures and movies and drum up demand for future art hunts.
The Videos
Yahoo! and Jumpcut sponsored a series of videos depicting my art tour this summer. There is only one more video left to be completed in the series (featuring salt lake city). You can watch my art tour videos on my website or in previous posts on this blog. Once the final video is edited on the Jumpcut website I will be pressing Yahoo! to feature my videos and lead people to watch and get involved with the online video editing program Jumpcut.
The Minneapolis Proposal
Then, once all of my thank yous are finished will come a proposal to the city I live in, Minneapolis, for a giant miniature artwork hunt. The proposal will hopefully be met with open arms as I plan to get Minneapolis' art scene behind my next big Art as Treasure project! The animal selected for Minneapolis' miniature art subject matter....the octopus. Why? I will reveal it in a future blog.
Please make sure to browse my blog and check out all of the new projects I am working on.
During my American art tour this summer, my art hunts hit six state newspapers. The main flow of traffic to my website and my free miniature art hunts came from these articles, most notably in the Salt Lake Tribune and KATU Portland. My next step is to write a new article expressing my thanks to each city & news media for help in making my art hunt successful. I should be spending these moments writing this blog, to write the letters to the editors. Along with a few pictures, a recapping of the hunt, I will be trying to propose a future art hunt in their city. The goal will be to bring more people to my website to see the completed hunt pictures and movies and drum up demand for future art hunts.
The Videos
Yahoo! and Jumpcut sponsored a series of videos depicting my art tour this summer. There is only one more video left to be completed in the series (featuring salt lake city). You can watch my art tour videos on my website or in previous posts on this blog. Once the final video is edited on the Jumpcut website I will be pressing Yahoo! to feature my videos and lead people to watch and get involved with the online video editing program Jumpcut.
The Minneapolis Proposal
Then, once all of my thank yous are finished will come a proposal to the city I live in, Minneapolis, for a giant miniature artwork hunt. The proposal will hopefully be met with open arms as I plan to get Minneapolis' art scene behind my next big Art as Treasure project! The animal selected for Minneapolis' miniature art subject matter....the octopus. Why? I will reveal it in a future blog.
Please make sure to browse my blog and check out all of the new projects I am working on.
Friday, June 20, 2008
random gross drawing..
GROSS
part of the fun of moving out of our store front gallery, is finding my pile of odd drawings and paintings. Here is one I did on cardboard as a study for a series of 'gross' paintings. consequently, if you come to our last art show ever...the BYOA (bring your own art) show, you can buy this very drawing for only 2 dollars. One of about 60 drawings and paintings I am selling for $2 to help raise money for my art tour!
LOCATION
BYOA BRING YOUR OWN ART FINAL SHOW
Billy and the Old Man Design
4338 shady oak rd.
Minnetonka, MN 55343
952 933 2514
Sunday, June 22nd 5pm
5 musicians
Dozens of artists
Bring your OWN art to hang
Free wine & fruit
One dollar raffle to win art & more
BYOA WEBCAM!
And if you cannot make the show, you can watch the BYOA show on live webcam this Sunday starting at 5pm (webcam). Watch the 4 musical performances and the dozens of artists LIVE!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Painting with Ten Foot Poles tonight!
Ten Foot Pole painting all weekend long!
Billy Vs Matt 9
Painting with Ten Foot Poles
Labor Room - Adventure Festival
Center for the Independant Artists
Minneapolis, MN
June 6-8th, 2008
Friday, June 6th(tonight) 4pm-10pm
Saturday, June 7th (tomorrow) 4pm-10pm
Sunday, June 8th 1pm-6pm
Click Here for more information!
also come see the video of last weekends Art Battle!
Billy Vs Matt 8: Cave Man Vs Dinosaur
click here
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
I am in the new Cloud Cult video
My girlfriend, my dad and myself all went to Como Park this Winter to be a part of Cloud Cult's music video for: Everybody here is a Cloud. It is another great song & video by one of my favorite bands.
here is me:
Here is 7 reasons why Cloud Cult should be your new favorite band and if you are in the Twin Cities come see them at Rock the Garden in June.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Cronkite Satellite Bearded Bunny
Bunny #50 is a tribute to local musician/artist and good friend Ryan Simonet and his one man band called Cronkite Satellite. His energetic shows can be experienced in Minneapolis for a few more months before he leaves the country to influence another culture with his sound.
Simo is a great artist, which all should experience.
All of my bearded bunnies are now available for purchase. I am the first 48 bunnies on Etsy for only 5 dollars each or $8 per pair. Each bunny is hand signed and limited to 10. I also accept art trades.
If you are wondering where my original bunnies are going, you need to read about art-o-mat.
If you are interested in donating to my art as treasure: art tour 2008 I am giving away a free bearded bunny for any donations.
Make a bearded bunny a gift for yourself or your loved ones today.
See my Etsy shop
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Killer Art Show
Killer Art Show
Part of my job at Billy and the Old Man is curating and hanging art shows every two months. This month I have gathered 6 great local artists from Minnesota. I am a big fan of the artwork of these artists and I hoping for a great show.
Along with setting up the artists, I also work on getting musical performances for our art openings. For the Killer Art show I have two one man acts, Cronkitte Satelite (Ryan Simonet) and Adam. Also, for the first time we are getting a Jazz band in the doors to play. We are very excited.
Poster
Along with gathering the musical and visual artists to display and perform, I also create the postcards, market the shows and hang the shows. It is a large workload every two months, but I really enjoy pulling everything together. I created three different postcards for the Killer Art Show and also created the poster which you can see above.
If you are in the Minneapolis area, you need to come check out this art show. Free wine and cookies, live music and great local artists! What more could you want?
Check out my Art Tour 2008 and also Airbrushing projects. If you want to see more of my popular bearded bunnies check out the Bearded Bunny posts.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
7 reasons why Cloud Cult should be your new favorite band
1. They Paint Live on stage
In fact, their live show is one of the best I have ever seen. Locally, only the Stnng is anywhere near as entertaining (and i prefer Cloud Cult's music overall). Scott West and Connie Minowa both play music in the band but also PAINT LIVE ONSTAGE! The works are typically sold by auction after the show. The paintings are really impressive to watch being created and being a visual artist myself, are really impressive stand alone works. As if you did not already have tons to look at with a full stage of six members, some who play up to 5 different instruments over the course of the show the painting just add that touch of brilliance to their live show.
2. Green Friendly
Every CD is made with recycled materials. The band would rather not exist than leave a negative impact on the earth. Craig and Connie live together on an organic farm.Craig is also currently an environmental scientist. The band even built their entire studio out of found materials, please see #8 for more info about how incredible globally conscious this band is. It is extremely commendable.
3. Their Music
Currently, six musicians play over 8 different instruments to create a very monumental sound. Lead singer, Craig Minowa has a voice and the overall sound has a very Modest Mouse flavor. Meanwhile, each song has an epic arch and I think every member of the band does vocals in some or multiple songs, which adds impact to certain lyrics especially when all 8 are hitting the words together.
4. Minnesota
Damn right. Local boys (and girls). Cloud Cult is a Minnesota based band and proud of it, and therefore I am proud of it as well. No cheesy Fargo accents either.
5. Subject Matter
This is a heartbreaking reason, but the lead singer Craig Minowa and his wife (visual artist & musician) Connie Minowa lost their two year old son in the night a few year ago. Craig, being the main songwriter for the band (possibly the only songwriter) focused subject matter on the very emotional loss of his son. While the songs are depressing in nature they are oddly uplifting and motivating. To know that they went through such a devastating loss, and be able to turn it into beautiful music is a wonderful skill. During the year following his son's death Craig wrote over 100 songs while the band barely hung together.
6. The Meaning of 8
The new CD "The Meaning of 8" is phenomenal. I do admit I do not own it yet, its in the mail on the way to me right now. However, during their concert I witnessed last week they played a number of the new songs and every single one of them blew me away. I do own "Advice from the Happy Hippopotamus" which another mega impressive CD which I highly recommend to anyone, and I am even more excited about "The Meaning of 8". Buy "The Meaning of 8" or their other great albums online at Cloud Cult's homepage
7. MTV
This video should explain the rest: Helping the environment with Cloud Cult.
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