July 23, 2010 •
Well friends, its time for me to take a break.  It’s a wonderful thing to have access to anything and always be connected, but for me it has also become a giant distraction.  When you find yourself constantly consuming the work of others and no longer making work of your own, you know you’re in trouble.  So, with that said, I’ll be spending a bit less time around the interwebs. I feel like this is a great chance to just get out and do things. (It’s still summer, after all!) My hope is that it’ll help me refocus and refresh myself, as well as my work. I’m not entirely sure how long I’ll be away.  Honestly, I haven’t thought that far ahead.  If you’d still like to get in touch though, you can always send me a little e-mail!

Well friends, its time for me to take a break.  It’s a wonderful thing to have access to anything and always be connected, but for me it has also become a giant distraction.  When you find yourself constantly consuming the work of others and no longer making work of your own, you know you’re in trouble.  So, with that said, I’ll be spending a bit less time around the interwebs.

I feel like this is a great chance to just get out and do things. (It’s still summer, after all!) My hope is that it’ll help me refocus and refresh myself, as well as my work.

I’m not entirely sure how long I’ll be away.  Honestly, I haven’t thought that far ahead.  If you’d still like to get in touch though, you can always send me a little e-mail!

July 22, 2010 •
The Gocco finally arrived this morning! First project planned for it… some long overdue business cards. 

The Gocco finally arrived this morning!

First project planned for it… some long overdue business cards. 

July 13, 2010 •

As if I wasn’t mesmerized by letterpress enough already. This video has been making the rounds as part of an interview that Grain & Gram did with Nick Sambrato of Mama’s Sauce.  There are some wonderful photos on the site as well.  Head over here for the interview: http://grainandgram.com/nicksambrato/

On a side note… how great is the layout on that site??  Personally, I can’t wait to see more from them.

(via Share Some Candy)

June 17, 2010 •

Radiolab

Radiolab Logo

Lately, I’ve really gotten into WNYC’s Radiolab show. The latest of which brings us to a conversation at Hunter College in NYC, involving Oliver Sacks (a famous neuroscientist and author) and Chuck Close (the artist known for his giant portaits).  Both of these men were born with what’s known as Face Blindness, meaning, well,… that they can’t recognize faces (though it sounds like it’s just problem with humans).  Unless there is some oddball characteristic about a person, neither man will be able to point that person out after talking to them.  

I was aware of Close’s paralysis and how that affected his work, but I had no idea he that he couldn’t even recognize faces.  It’s just really fascinating stuff.  If you’re curious about topics like this, I would definitely recommend checking the show out.

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/

June 17, 2010 • • chrispiascik
via chrispiascik: Ramen Noodles: It’s kind of funny that Ramen Noodles have become the go-to, poor-artist or student food. I know I’ve been there… … and I’m still eating them on a consistent basis.  It’s odd, but I’ve kinda grown to enjoy them.

via chrispiascik:

Ramen Noodles:

It’s kind of funny that Ramen Noodles have become the go-to, poor-artist or student food. I know I’ve been there…

… and I’m still eating them on a consistent basis.  It’s odd, but I’ve kinda grown to enjoy them.

June 10, 2010 •

Failing is Doing

Every two weeks, Design is Love has their InWords discussions about a different topic.  The most recent of which is asking people to share their biggest obstacle and how it affects their work and well-being.  In my case, the biggest obstacle is usually fear.  Fear of failure, making wrong decisions, offending someone, etc. (Heck, there’s a bit of fear just in typing this.)

Honestly, the fear is pretty irrational most days.  This often leaves me stuck though, unable to make any sort of progress.  I’m not naive enough to think I’m the only person who gets stuck like this.  It seems pretty common.

Thinking about my own failures reminded me of a personal story from Frank Chimero involving a parachute, a conversion van and failure.  (Way more interesting than what I’m writing, I assure you.)  There’s something he mentions that makes a lot of sense to me.

“Every movement is positive, simply because it’s movement.” 

What I’m realizing (or maybe accepting now), is that in order to get anything done, we have to disregard these worries.  For me, it’s just working and letting ideas out. They might be crap… and that’s okay!  It’ll put me one step closer to doing something better.

February 22, 2010 • 1 note •

UPDATE: Sea Legs - A new show from Jolby and Ashley Forrette!

I’ve been a big fan of Jolby’s (the duo of Josh Kenyon and Colby Nichols) work since seeing it featured on Kitsune Noir’s Desktop Wallpapers last year.  In only a few days, they’ll be opening a new show in collaboration with Ashley Forrette (an excellent photographer who’s also based in Portland).  All of the pieces will be based around mythologies, legends and superstitions of the sea… which sounds pretty fantastic to me! (note: The rhyming was completely unintentional, I promise.) Like half the events I come across, I would love to go, but can’t since I live on the opposite side of the country.  It definitely looks like it’ll be a wonderful show and if you can make it out, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Opening Reception:
Thursday, February 25 (6-11pm) at Together Gallery, 2916 NE Alberta St. Suite A, Portland, Oregon.
The show will be running from then until March 20, 2010!

For more info and some sneak peeks, you can check out Jolby’s blog.  You’ll also find some nifty little icons to use on your Facebook profile or as your Twitter icon to show you support!

**UPDATE**
You can now view the whole show online right here!
You may also purchase pieces from the show through Together Gallery.
February 17, 2010 • 1 note •

The Big Team Scribble!

Big Team Scribble

While I sadly missed out on The Scribble Project’s last big collaboration, I know I’ll be submitting something this time around.  All you have to do is print out the train carriage template, draw something fun (by hand, no digital), scan it and send it in!  The drawings have to be limited to black and white since they’ll be used for a coloring zine.  Everyone should totally try to submit something by the deadline (now Feb. 26th!), especially since all profits from the zine sales will be donated to UNICEF.  If you’re interested in finding out more about The Scribble Project or want to be involved, go here!

February 15, 2010 •
My website is finally up!  It still needs a little tweaking as I get used to Cargo.  Check it out at www.stephenkissel.com.

My website is finally up!  It still needs a little tweaking as I get used to Cargo.  Check it out at www.stephenkissel.com.