Jark and Mason

A Most Wonderful Design

2011-04-11T19:25:00.000-07:00

Working like a mad scientist, Mark recently redesigned and relaunched www.most-wonderful.com, just in time for the debut of his new book, The Nowhere Special. But the poor guy won't sleep! He's already working on his next book called Stop Stopping, and has designed a few book covers for it as part of his design+writing method.

The Nowhere Special is now a book

2011-04-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

Description:
First published as a blog (thenowherespecial.blogspot.com) and now as a book, The Nowhere Special is a collection of short stories, snapshots, essays, and prose compiled from the artistic mind of Mark Searcy to champion the notion that a medium influences how a message can be perceived. Blogs read differently than books—even when the words are the same, the meaning feels different when you can hold it in your hands.

Details:
6"x9" | 160 pages | perfect bound paperback | $16.00 | Buy it

Also, download the free promotional desktop wallpaper so you can stare into the future while you work!

Jason: Art Rag Revisionism

2011-03-24T16:59:00.000-07:00

I hung a little installation at the Blue Sky Gallery today on their "No Strings" wall/corner. So if you are in downtown Portland near the south park blocks, pop in and see the amazing Mary Ellen Mark show, and in the corner near the flat files see my re-purposed old Art Digest magazine covers! They'll be up for about a week and a half.

Jason: Of Stables and Shadowboxes

2011-03-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

Friend and old studio neighbor Alec Zemper asked if I wanted to be in their group "sketch book" show over at their lovely drawing studio/gallery The Stables and of course I said yes, whatwith a charming space like that. The event is Saturday evening, March 26th, 8pm, 910 SE Taylor.

For my 'sketches', I did shadowbox versions of some of my scarf designs. I've been in Photoshop lately, redoing my files and designs to have them digitally printed... and I've been in 'layers' land, so that gave me the idea of playing with the depth of the designs. Pieces are 6.5 x 6.5" x 1.75" deep. Mixed media.

Jason: limited edition OLO glass art bottle

2011-02-10T19:14:00.000-08:00

Today Heather of OLO, the fragrance line for which I brand and design, brought by the limited edition glass art bottle made by Andy Paiko for me to photograph. There are 10 made and they retail for $275. Pretty!

(I've noticed Andy's work before at the Portland Craft Museum, and being a huge fan of reliquaries and such, of course I love it!)

Bigger Collages

2011-01-05T14:49:00.000-08:00

POSTED BY MARK: New Collages, Big Ones.

A few months ago, I found an old photo-scrapbook at Goodwill that had never been used. The pages were all blank and luxuriously aged to a perfect golden brown. I have been dreaming of using these pages to experiment with making larger collages, but in my current workspace I don't have the room to open the large-format, vintage LIFE magazines and balance the compositions without burying everything in sight. But as a holiday treat, a couple friends asked me to house sit while they were visiting their families and I had a whole week with a huge dining room table to myself.

I am excited about how the big collages are turning out. I still really like the small format of 5"x7", but working with the glowing vintage paper was dreamy. I really want a studio... and another art show before I am covered in collages!

See more collages on my Flickr page.

Two DD40 Songs Released

2010-11-16T12:56:00.000-08:00

POSTED BY MARK: New DD40 Songs
DD40 is now on SoundCloud!
Now you can listen and share DD40 music with your friends within your favorite social networks.

Real Deal - Sounds like the new funky.

Real Deal by DD40

Smile For Me - Sounds like monsters growling as you dance for your life.

Smile For Me by DD40

You can also listen to these songs for free on the Flash Cassette Player that I built to play them.
www.thisdotcomtaken.com > MUSIC > DD40
TIP: Dragging the tapes from their bottoms helps them slide in the player easier.

Collage Book

2010-11-09T15:03:00.000-08:00

POSTED BY MARK: Paper and Glue and You.

I was anxious to get started on a new round of collages but wanted to start fresh. My collage box was full of scraps and I couldn't get myself to just throw them all away, so I decided to glue them in a book for my friend Amelia Harnas.

This actually was a great exercise. I felt that I was able to work quicker AND I discovered a few new compositional techniques AND my collage box of scraps is now scrapless! AND I get to send it across the country to a dear friend.

See the slideshow on Flickr... it's like turning the pages.

The Nowhere Special - Book Cover

2010-10-11T14:41:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: Book Cover Design
Book cover for The Nowhere Special
http://thenowherespecial.blogspot.com

I was asked a couple weeks ago by an esteemed art director if I designed book covers, and of course I said yes, but I still haven't heard back from him. So while I wait patiently, I'm turning my feelings of rejection into something beautiful.

Jason - a photobooth at Blue Sky Gallery

2010-10-03T16:53:00.000-07:00

Come celebrate 35 years at Blue Sky Gallery next weekend where I will be doing photobooth shenanigans! 11:35 to 6:35...

Jason - recent doingses

2010-09-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

Mark got the Little Read Writers together so I could do some b&w headshot style portraits - something I haven't done in awhile. I managed to do them in the tiny living room-sometime-studio. Recently, friend Steve paid a visit and I had to get a shot of that beard, 'cause, well, I like a good beard.

Jason TUMBLz

2010-09-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

So I've started a tumblr. Let's see how I keep it up! It will be pics on one art historical figure at a time; maybe some movie stills of note; and who knows what else!

Jason - OLO and PAUPER team up for smells!

2010-09-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

Heather made a scent inspired by my scarf line and I. "Pauper" will be available this weekend and soon on her website, which I've also been working on as of late.

Last Chance

2010-08-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: You still have this weekend!

Last day to see my art show is Monday Aug 30th!

You can check them out digitally here...
www.flickr.com/photos/thisdotcomtaken/sets/72157605848703...

Small Things Can Make You Feel Smaller
A collection of recent collages by Mark Searcy

Reading Frenzy - 921 SW Oak St. - Portland, OR - www.readingfrenzy.com

Small Reminder

2010-08-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: Show Reminder

I'm excited to finally see these collages in frames! They look better in person because they were made without a computer.

You can check them out digitally here...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisdotcomtaken/sets/72157605848703498/

Small Things Can Make You Feel Smaller
A collection of recent collages by Mark Searcy

Opening Thursday, August 5th 2010, 6pm-9pm >> Show runs through August
Reading Frenzy - 921 SW Oak St. - Portland, OR - www.readingfrenzy.com

DD40 + Lady Gaga - Bad Romance Remix - Free Download

2010-07-27T15:29:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: Free Download!

DD40 is hard to explain. It's not quite dancy... not quite trance-y... it's somewhere inbetween. It's technically created for a good pair of headphones.

BUT I'm anxious to get a little DD40 on the dance floor this summer, so I remixed Lady Gaga a new one! Enjoy.

Download it here.

You can also listen to this song for free on the Flash Cassette Player that I built to play them on my website...

www.thisdotcomtaken.com > MUSIC > DD40 - New

TIP: Dragging the tapes from their bottoms helps them slide in the player easier.

Summer Jams

2010-07-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: New DD40 songs released.

Summer Ride - Sounds like taking the scenic route.

Double Disappear - Sounds like realizing you've always had the power to teleport.

Listen to these songs for free on the Flash Cassette Player that I built to play them.

THISDOTCOMTAKEN > MUSIC > DD40 - New

TIP: Dragging the tapes from their bottoms helps them slide in the player easier.

DD40 - The Clouds Are Breaking

2010-07-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: New DD40 CD Released!

Hey hey hey! My new CD is done done done! I had a fun time designing this one too. I'm already looking forward to the next one... maybe this fall/winter?

Buy it here.
Listen to it here.
(TIP: Dragging the tapes from their bottoms helps them slide in the player easier.)

Jason - The New Website Is Up

2010-07-07T18:52:00.000-07:00

After a few years of just showing my photography, my website has been revamped to show more of the things I do. APPLIED ARTS, if you will.

I'm having an art show in August

2010-07-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

Opening Thursday, August 5th 2010, 6pm-9pm | Show runs through August.
Reading Frenzy - 921 SW Oak St. - Portland, OR
http://www.readingfrenzy.com/

See more collages on my Flickr page - http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisdotcomtaken/

No Turning Back | 5"x7" | Collage on paper

See Through Space | 5"x7" | Collage on paper

Spent my weekend with a glue stick

2010-06-28T15:56:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: Another round of new collages uploaded to my Flickr page.

DD40 Thai Pop Remix (with lasers)

2010-06-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: New DD40 Songs!

Lhow Lenum - DD40 Thai Pop Remix... with LASERS!
- - -

This was a fun challenge... to take a Thai Pop Song, recreate it,
AND remix it with the bits of the original song...
then add a laser fight at the end!

Will It - Sounds like making a collage.

Listen to these songs for free on the Flash Cassette Player that I built to play them.

www.thisdotcomtaken.com > MUSIC > DD40

TIP: Dragging the tapes from their bottoms helps them slide in the player easier.

areyoumadatmes

2010-06-23T00:10:00.000-07:00

mark and i were in our friend amelia's video awhile back for their song "the west". i thought i posted this but i did not and so am doing so now. a lovely little ditty!

Jason makes COOL HUNTING!

2010-06-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

COOL HUNTING called and I got a write-up. YAY!!!!!!

The Longest Spring

2010-06-16T18:08:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: New DD40 Song Released

The Longest Spring - Sounds like how the Portland Spring of 2010 feels.

Listen to this song for free on the Flash Cassette Player that I built to play them.

www.thisdotcomtaken.com > MUSIC > DD40

TIP: Dragging the tapes from their bottoms helps them slide in the player easier.

Small Things Can Make You Feel Smaller

2010-06-15T18:41:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: More new collages uploaded to my Flickr page.

New DD40 Music

2010-06-09T13:46:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: I have a few new songs available at thisdotcomtaken.com > MUSIC > DD40

2112 East Republican - Sounds like a 911 phone call from inside the closet.

You Are Not The Boss Of Me - Sounds like it's about time.

As always, you can listen to any of these songs for FREE on the Flash Cassette Player that I built to play them --> thisdotcomtaken.com.
TIP: Dragging the tapes from their bottoms helps them slide in the player easier.

Online Art Show

2010-05-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: I'm having an online art show.

I now have over 40 of my recent collages available over at Thisdotcomtaken's Online Shop. Each one is signed/dated, and comes wrapped in a protective sleeve. They also slip easily into any standard 5"x7" frame... and they are only $20 (shipping is free).

I'm also looking for other places to show them... just putting that out there.

Jason : Campers In Camera

2010-05-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

A gaggle of us went camping last weekend on the Salmon River near Mt. Hood, in a little area sometimes separated from 'land' if the river is high enough... that is lovingly referred to as Gay Island. I took some portraits of everyone - now posted on flickr - and was inspired to pose two of my fellow revelers as the Hardy Boys, wherein I subsequently came home and made the book cover 'happen'.

Jason : foulard additions

2010-05-20T21:09:00.000-07:00

I've recently been working on some more PAUPER output, slowly making their way to Etsy as well as the local Frances May shop, which is celebrating two years tomorrow with a lil' party from 6-9 pm.

Jason: Wig- Out Photobooth

2010-05-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

Friend Chloe (of Reading Frenzy fame) had a birthday party at the Eagle Lodge on Hawthorne recently and Jason Mitchell (of Pink Martini office fame) helped me put together an appropriately-themed photobooth set for her Wig/Hat-flavored party. Pix can be seen over on my flickr account.

Privacy Settings - DD40

2010-05-13T16:45:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: New DD40 Song Uploaded

Privacy Settings - Sounds like the moment you call someone a hero.

Listen to this song for free on the Flash Cassette Player that I built to play them.

www.thisdotcomtaken.com > MUSIC > DD40

TIP: Dragging the tapes from their bottoms helps them slide in the player easier.

Help Jason win.

2010-04-16T13:02:00.000-07:00

Swatch is having a contest where I could win a collection of their new "Colour Codes" line - styles reminiscent of their early days. I would love to rock them out in my next video (now in brainstorming and concepting stages). If you are on FACEBOOK, please go over and vote for me. Thank you!!

http://apps.facebook.com/howiwearit/entry/266/?ref=mf

Bunches of Brand New

2010-04-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - NEW COLLAGES! - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - NEW WRITING! - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - NEW WEBSITES! - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Fudge Factory Comics
Azsa West
DUST Clothing
Thisdotcomtaken Shop

For even more news and updates be sure to check out my website. - www.thisdotcomtaken.com

That's The Shot

2010-03-17T19:51:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: This photo turned out looking like a painting, so I made it available as a 23"x17" gallery quality Giclée print via Society6!

PRINT DETAILS: Gallery quality Giclée print on bright white, matte, smooth surface, 100% cotton rag, acid and lignin free archival paper using Epson K3 archival inks. Custom trimmed with 2" border.

New Typewriter Collages

2010-03-17T19:43:00.000-07:00

POSTED BY MARK: I just uploaded a nice little collection of Typewriter Collages to my Flickr page. I'm hoping to do something with them soon.

Jason: Frances-May installation for PauperVoile

2010-02-10T13:01:00.000-08:00

I finally have my display done in the Frances May boutique, 1013 Southwest Washington Street, Portland, on the Ace Hotel block. Stop in and check it out if you are walking by! It's a bit gothic (No! Really?!), with wooden hands pierced by arrows.

Now that I have the display done, and some special-ordered extra-wide organic voile having just gotten into my hands last night, I'm getting ready to print another batch to supply the slow but steady 'demand' for my creations.

Jason: The Peeps Winter Photobooth 2010

2010-02-07T20:39:00.000-08:00

New portraits over on my flickr page...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonkinney/sets/72157623374919428/

I recycled the photobooth from a recent holiday gig and had peeps come by for their 'close up'. It was the last time I got to use the white sunburst feature, seen here behind the people in the booth. It is 7 feet wide and quite the task to transport, not to mention get up three flights of stairs to the space where I shoot these portraits. Anyway, taking it apart after the shoot made the photographs I've taken with it all the more special, and we are no longer in the studio space where I made it to be a hanging light fixture.

I'm already planning a peeps booth for summer, so there will be more chances for 'close ups'.

Jason: "I live here! I live up in you!"

2010-02-03T09:46:00.000-08:00

Friend Tristan and I went out to enjoy some sunshine in what appears to be the beginning of the February Fake Out here in Portland. Mount Hood co-stars in the background! (Music: Boccherini, Quintet... La Musica Notturna delle strade di Madrid, G.324, OP. 30)

By Something, I Mean Nothing

2010-01-27T21:37:00.000-08:00

I recently acquired a beautiful portable typewriter - an Adler Tippa S - and have fallen in love. In addition to making Typewriter Collages, I have also been writing small pieces that attempt to construct a memorable visual that only written words are able to create. They look like writing, but read like a picture.

I wanted to create a way to share them, so I am compiling the pages as a ~~blog~~ typolog called
By Something, I Mean Nothing.

I am also offering the original pages for sale. Even though they are just words on a page, surprisingly they really do look good in a frame, and who knows, one day they just might be compiled into a bestseller! One can dream... until the dream becomes a reality and the dream dies.

Sea Of People

2010-01-22T17:32:00.000-08:00

I made some more typewriter collages today. Enjoy!
See more on my Flickr page.

Breitenbush Hot Springs Panorama

2010-01-19T10:10:00.001-08:00

Breitenbush Hot Springs Panorama, originally uploaded by ThisDotComTaken.

We had a relaxing rainy Sunday at Breitenbush Hot Springs, soaking in the beauty of the Mountains and fog. A much needed recharge to get the New Year back on the right footing.

Be sure to check out the bigger size!

This Is Not Your Dream

2010-01-05T17:17:00.001-08:00

I like the challenge of physical collages. You can only be as precise as your scissors and x-acto will cut. After the glue sets, there are no undo's. Adding words with a typewriter is an exciting risk that keeps a viewer's eyes glued to a picture for a few seconds more as they read in another layer of meaning.

Happy Shoe Beer!

2010-01-04T16:06:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve was a lovely little soiree over on Gay Ave with the gays. We shot some footage so some could remember what they may not remember the next day. The music is Enno Morricone... some dialog comes in at the end. Appy Ewe Ear!

Jason takes a New Year's Eve Portrait

2010-01-03T19:32:00.000-08:00

A friend was in town and I decided to take his picture before heading out to the New Year's Eve party that evening.

New Desktop Wallpapers

2009-12-23T09:37:00.000-08:00

New Desktop Wallpapers Released!
Visit my flickr page to download them all for free!

Good Game - Desktop wallpaper series No. 15 - 1920 x 1200 px - Digital Collage
Here For A Reason - Desktop wallpaper series No. 14 - 1920 x 1200 px - Digital Collage
Stick Up - Pink Release - Desktop wallpaper series No. 13 - 1920 x 1200 px - Digital Collage
Inside Outside - Desktop wallpaper series No. 12 - 1920 x 1200 px - Digital Collage

Woody Friend

2009-12-22T13:42:00.000-08:00

My friend Michael in Charleston (I miss it!) made this video with Fuzzco. My favorite is the Sawdust Angel part. Check out his furniture, too. It's gorgeous.

-jason

Photo Booth Busy-ness

2009-12-22T13:11:00.000-08:00

I just did two new photo-booths for clients at their annual holiday parties. The first was for Hanna Andersson (children's clothing); and a few days later it was time for Stumptown Coffee's south-of-the-border themed throw-down at the Holocene club. There is still glitter on the floor of the living room, and I'm sure there will be sparkles lingering for awhile, no matter how much I vacuum.

Jason sings in a Pink Martini sing-a-long

2009-12-18T17:10:00.000-08:00

For my third attempt at ACK-ting, I got to be in a sing-a-long that Thomas Lauderdale and Co. put together for a little Pink Martini Video Holiday Card... They did a good job - the stop-animation spider is fabulous! Happy Holidays!

Production Day

2009-12-14T18:31:00.000-08:00

Jason and I are really missing having a studio space to work in. Our little one-bedroom clubhouse/apartment has been overtaken with our ongoing projects! But inspired by the Project Runway season we recently checked out from the library (and have been glued to in the wee-hours of the night), we half-expect to hear Tim Gunn knocking at our door encouraging us to "Make it work!"

Jason is hard at work in what was once was our living room on an upcoming Photobooth. There is Styrofoam, glitter, paper, and dissected pinatas everywhere! I always get excited watching how his Photobooths progress. Jason always seems to have amazing things worked out in his head, and seeing them take shape feels like such a treat to watch.

I just got more of the guts printed today for my self-published book, and I'm currently hand-sewing the signatures together. New copies of Where The Wind Blows And The Kite Strings Wind will be available for sale at the upcoming Publication Studio's Publication Fair this Sunday Dec 20th! You can also read the book online at thisdotcomtaken.com > SMALL PRESS > Wind Blows ...although it reads a bit funny online when you can't hold it in your hands and turn the pages.

The Neutra Face Prints

2009-12-09T23:18:00.000-08:00

Gallery-Quality Neutra Face Giclée Prints - Now available for your walls!

Each print is large - approx 17"x20" - and only costs $40!

Collect them all over at Mark's Society6 Store - http://www.society6.com/studio/marksearcy/store

PRINT DETAILS: Gallery quality Giclée print on bright white, matte, smooth surface, 100% cotton rag, acid and lignin free archival paper using Epson K3 archival inks. Custom trimmed with 2" border.

Slow Motion Banana GARY

2009-12-09T13:08:00.000-08:00

Tristan and I made a new GARY video yesterday.

SLOW MOTION BANANA GARY: A video experiment with slow motion, double-exposure, and bananas - set to the new DD40 song, Medio.

GARY - It Shall Be Fun.

See more GARY at www.internetgary.com

Hear more DD40 at www.thisdotcomtaken.com > MUSIC > DD40

DD40 - Neutra Face MP3 - Free Download

2009-12-02T23:20:00.000-08:00

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Neutra Face - Free MP3 Download
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Download -> Neutra Face : An Ode To A Typeface
(TIP: Right-click the link and select "Save Link As..." to save the file directly to your computer)

Watch -> YouTube Video
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You can also listen to more DD40 (double-dee forty) songs for free with the Flash Cassette Player that was built to play them on my website... www.thisdotcomtaken.com > MUSIC > DD40

TIP: Dragging the tapes from their bottoms helps them slide in the player easier.

Label Making for the next OLO scent, ERASTUS, out Dec. 5th

2009-12-02T22:53:00.000-08:00

My friend Heather's OLO fragrance line is dropping "Erastus" this weekend at Nationale on E. Burnside, and I cranked out the labels for it this evening. I could go on about it, but her blogspot has some fine words. Oh, okay... my favorite passage is this:

"Erastus' primary note is tobacco. It's a cleaner, fresher tobacco than Victory Wolf. Victory Wolf was all about the scent tobacco and wood leave after the flame consumes them. Erastus is before the fire. Fresh tobacco and aged wood. I added a touch of silver needle and oakmoss to give it more of a forest feel. Like taking a walk through the woods and rolling a cigarette while you check out the view. I've never actually smoked a cigarette. Really. I'm from North Carolina where you take your first puff of a cigarette as soon as you are off the teet. Not smoking in the South is just not normal. I should at least dip. But it's true, not one drag. It's still a ritual that gives comfort just watching. It looks like it puts you in a nice place. Until you start coughing all over and turning yellow as you age. But for now, I like to imagine old Erastus taking a walk through the Cascade Range. He gets to a cliff looking over the ocean and rolls up a smoke. He is content. I like that."

It's funny, after Polo and Benetton in junior high and high school, I wore no fragrances throughout the 90's. But I started wearing McQueen's Kingdom when it came out, then came across Luca Turin and Chandler Burr's goings-on about the scent world, and I've been fascinated for awhile with the smelly stuff. Still wearing Kingdom (my favorite, even though Turin hates it!); Dior Homme (gorgeous!), Bulgari Black, a vintage batch of a men's Chanel Cologne I got on Ebay for a steal; and then Heather comes out with Victory Wolf and it smells of after-a-forest-campfire-with-your-favorite-friends and my little shelf grows wonderfully crowded with various liquid thoughts and worlds. (But remember - Never put on too much fragrance! Subtle smells, people! Subtle smells!)

-Jason

Neutra Face Video

2009-11-30T11:54:00.000-08:00

Here's our spoof on the Lady Gaga "Poker Face." It's called Neutra Face: Ode on a Typeface.

Design Smells

2009-09-22T17:20:00.000-07:00

Nationale on E. Burnside, near the corner of 28th, is having an OLO launch on Friday, Sept. 25, between 5 and 7pm. Come by if you are around. OLO is a new fragrance line created by my friend Heather, with myself doing the design and branding (yay, little bottles!). "Nationale 6/7" has been in the store recently, and Friday will be a 'hello' to "Victory Wolf", a cedar, cade, tobacco composition - read: romantic bonfire. A 9 ml bottle is $20.

Thanks!

-jason

Photo-Layer Collage

2009-09-15T01:43:00.001-07:00

Tristan, originally uploaded by ThisDotComTaken.

This photo collage is most definitely inspired by David Hockney. I study his photo-collage work often, but I also took in an equal part of inspiration from the work I do with my MacGyver Camera. I always wondered what the image could look like if the overlapping was controlled. I am in love with the narrative this process creates. I can't wait to shoot another one.

I already want to print this out... Huge...

I want to get lost inside all the little nuances that are layered on top of each other.

The Music Don't Stop

2009-09-14T14:52:00.001-07:00

I just released two more new DD40 songs.

Try Again and Again sounds like being able to ride a falcon, and my newest track, Rags To Hide The Riches, will make you realize what your eardrums feel like when they are tickled... no joke...

...it really tickles.

Listen to them for free at www.thisdotcomtaken.com >MUSIC > DD40

2009-08-18T22:06:00.000-07:00

I've given birth to a new voile design. Inspired by The Sleeping Beauty legend and later artist's treatment of it, and adapting some Arthur Rackham figures and a dragon found in an old type foundry book. The middle image is Burne-Jones' 'The Knight Enters The Briar Wood', from his Briar Rose Series, a longtime favorite of mine. A made this scarf the smaller size similar to The Dance scarf, as I have limited space to work at present. Available at paupervoile.etsy.com and at Frances May in Portland!

Two New Songs!

2009-08-07T19:16:00.000-07:00

I just released two brand new songs today!

THISDOTCOMTAKEN > MUSIC > DD40

TIP: dragging the cassette tapes from their bottoms helps them slide in the player easier.

Portland Heat Wave 09

2009-07-30T12:23:00.000-07:00

It's been in the hundreds here in Portland. Staying within one degree of breaking the records. It is quite miserable when you have no air conditioning... until... you go to the river!!! Jason has gone there every day this week, and I was able to go for the past two days in a row. There is really nothing you can do in the oven that is your house/studio back in the city (other than have a heat-stroke), so we just chalked up another heat-induced vacation and got our swim on. The water is so clear and beautiful. There is nothing like floating on your back down the river and watching the treeline slowly scrape at the sky. Thoughts of the heat and work escaping with the bubbles out of your ears.

I can still hear the river calling me today, as it's still very hot, but things are starting to cool off and at least feel tolerable, with the outlook getting back to normal by the middle of next week.

Desktop wallpaper series No. 5

2009-07-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Vision Quest - Desktop wallpaper series No. 5 - 1920 x 1200 px - Digital drawing
Visit my flickr page to download it for free!

Portrait Booth Project

2009-07-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

I have been watching these photos pop up lately from John Brubaker, a local Portland photographer. I bumped into him while I was still the Art Director for the Portland Mercury. At the time he was working on his Polaroid 366 project where he dedicated himself to taking a Polaroid-a-day for a whole year. I was able to include one of those Polaroids as a cover for the Portland Mercury one week.

These photos are from his Portrait Booth Project, and I continue to draw inspiration with each new image he reveals. He goes out to find a sweet spot somewhere in Portland, sets up a booth on the street, fills it with strangers, and then shoots them with his 1968 Polaroid Land camera. I admire the dedication, and love the results.

Polaroid Party

2009-07-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

Tristan and Kate came over the other night and we had a fun time shooting Polaroids. It made me want to take more photos with my friends!

Desktop wallpaper series No. 4

2009-07-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

Cougars - Desktop wallpaper series No. 4 - 1920 x 1200 px - Digital drawing
Visit my flickr page to download it for free!

more mark

2009-07-10T15:29:00.000-07:00

but there's more mark after lunch. so rosy.

Portrait Day

2009-07-10T15:04:00.001-07:00

Jason floating above the clovers.

lay day jun eh sue lerbe.

2009-07-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

After lunch foto of Mark on the lawn. Why not.

Desktop wallpaper series No. 3

2009-07-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

Night Rider - Desktop wallpaper series No. 3 - 1920 x 1200 px - Digital drawing
Visit my flickr page to download it for free!

Desktop wallpaper series No. 2

2009-07-09T10:21:00.001-07:00

Back to the Future - Desktop wallpaper series No. 2 - 1920 x 1200 px - Digital drawing
Visit my flickr page to download it for free!

Ocean and Sky

2009-07-08T12:22:00.001-07:00

Ocean and Sky
1920 x 1200 px
Digital drawing

My first of a series of digital drawings that I am offering as desktop wallpapers. Visit my flickr page to download it!

sew-n-tell

2009-07-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

My friend Michael Godfrey back in Charlotte did this gorgeous fabric piece (one of many he's done over the years).

I Got You

2009-06-14T21:29:00.001-07:00

I Got You
8.5" x 11" | Digital

I spent part of my Sunday drawing, and the rest of my Sunday pacing the apartment. Next Sunday I'll have to try drawing and pacing at the same time.

Strangers in the night

2009-06-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

Stranger
8.5" x 11" | Digital

This is a drawing I made last night when I couldn't sleep. I am starting to love using these imaginary paints and pencils that are in endless supply on my computer. They are easy to work with, easy to store in my little apartment, and no mess! Plus Photoshop CS4's rotation tool and a Wacom tablet help make the whole process feel more natural... and magical!

Not Paper Collage Blog

2009-06-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

Looks like I got a double-dose of inspiration today. I just discovered Not Paper, a nice blog about collage. It features interviews with a myriad of collage artists from all over the world. Its one of those blogs that makes you realize that blogs have become the new magazines.

It was a nice surprise to see an interview with Mary Emma Hawthorne featured on the site. She is a friend of mine from Texas, and makes beautiful collages like this.

Max-O-Matic

2009-06-10T12:50:00.000-07:00

Getting a daily dose of inspiration, I stumbled upon the work of Max-O-Matic through Society6. I am immediately drawn towards his zine and collage work. Thank you Max-O-Matic! Your work made me want to draw today.

Get inspired... check out more at maxomatic.net.

Vacation Time

2009-06-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

It's vacation time. I have a few friends from Dallas coming to visit Portland next week. Meet Justin and Christina. The two of them volunteered a great deal at Art Prostitute.

Christina has recently been making these great prints, available on her Etsy shop. Eash one is based on a letter of the alphabet, and she is even offering the ability to create custom designs matching words that you choose... say for example, P is for "Portland" or B is for "bridges" and "bicycles." [Hint]

N is for nature.

I is for insect.

She also keeps a great design blog christinalikes.com.

I am getting excited to see what Justin has cooking, as he recently launched his own project called Serious is Easy, and has been making images like this for it.

The two of them also both share the same love for film photography, and I am looking forward to dusting off my Holga and Polaroid cameras when they get here.

Before After and After That

2009-06-09T20:34:00.000-07:00

In a tragic turn of events, this past week we had to move from our beautiful studio in downtown Portland. We were there just long enough to renovate it and get settled in for a few wonderful months, until the situation with the studio management became a nightmare.

What the space looked like before we got there.

What the space looked like after we poured our blood, sweat and tears into it.

What we are adapting to now.

As much as we want to cry about having to leave the studio, being out of the nightmare that came with it makes all the difference. Leaving behind the drama that comes with a drunken, unstable person that lets your rent checks blow away in the wind, and then has the gall to ask for another one, only to try and rent out your studio from underneath you to someone else because the work we did to it made it more valuable...

Okay. I'm not going back there.

We are already on the lookout for new, more stable, studio setup, and have even seen a few beautiful buildings around town. I get excited about the reality of our next studio being both legitimate and stable.

Until then. We are making the best.