N-Grained Inc. logo, vaguely tribal. What does it mean?
Heavy hitters like Mark Landvik, Jamie Lynn, Mike Parillo and a hit squad of other artists and photographers recently launched N-Grained Inc. Last time something like this came along it was Asymbol and that turned out OK. Here's hoping for the best for them. You can't buy much there yet, but go check out the story and peruse various coffee mugs, stickers and shirts.
Many of you know by now, but if I only get to one new person, it's worth it. My friend Kevin is down to his last nut. Cancer plucked the other from him like a tasty grape. I hope to never have to make an analogy like that again. Anyway, the medical bills are mounting. Enter good friend Scott E Wittlake:
Long story short, you can own Scotty's original artwork (as featured on one of his Lib Tech pro model boards). Just e-mail him @scottEwittlake@gmail.com and bid it up. All proceeds go to Kevin's medical bills.
For more ways to donate check out the limited edition Airblaster t-shirt here and the donation page here. Also, check out Kev's Cancer on Facebook. Drop a buck, protect a nut and help support the Portland shred scene.
Portland residents know that on First Thursday, downtown is where the art is. The wine flows like beer, the fancy duds come out. Not usually a scene for a bunch of snowboarders. November's First Thursday (the 4th) at The Lizard Lounge (1323 NW Irving Street) is fixing to crack that mold. The gallery, dubbed "HOOD is where the heART is" will combine a photo gallery and video premiere focused on that snow-covered pyramid Oregon knows well. Raffles of Shwood, Coal and RVCA gear, along with Timberline lift tickets and Lizard Lounge gift certificates will benefit the one and only SnowDays Foundation. Need another reason to show up? Widmer will provide the free suds (to those of age) and the party will be poppin' from 7 to 10pm. More info here. Cool interview about it here. Finally, snowboarding recognized as art, not just sport.
Northwest snowboarding art in pictures still and motion
A snowboard party crashed into an art opening last night; Friday, January 8; at Nemo design's HQ in southeast Portland. Hoodies and beanies packed the hallway by the hundreds, all less than an arms length from a complementary cup of something alcoholic. Jeff Anderson was on everyone's mind as it was his memorial art collaboration for was the root of all the good times. Two-artist collabos decked the hall and fascinated all.
A sampling of the art on display.
The place was crammed to the point of claustrophobia with snowboarders, artists, photographers, writers and all the usual Portland shred suspects. You couldn't drop a beer cup without some local shred head catching it and drinking the last sip. Rather than bore you with a list, I'll just refer you to Brooke's post on Yobeat, she took care of that for me.
The couple that I would like to comment on are Jamie Lynn and Terry Kidwell. Old-school and older-school. I had to stop myself from fanning out on both of them. Luckily, they were both locked in conversations with friends or other admirers the entire night. Terry is the common ancestor all freestyle snowboarders share. To see some of the boards he rode back in the day made me shake my head. Things like (roughly) symmetrical noses and tails and 4x4 inserts (mostly) that we take for granted were nowhere to be seen. You want one of the old sleds? Kidwell's auctioning them off soon.
Terry Kidwell next to some dinosaur bones and a huge bottle opener.
Jamie Lynn, well, he's rocking out now, but the way he rocked out 10-15 years ago, that's what I'm talking about. The style - and of course the method - that everyone wanted. Now he's moved on to music and art. Not only was his band performing live, but he took part in the art collaboration, too. Talk about multi-talented.
Keeping Northwest music alive, Jamie and Kandi Coded.
I never met Jeff Anderson. Unfortunately, he passed before I got into snowboarding enough to have a chance. My only experience of him is through photos, videos and now other amazing works of art. What an amazing person he must have been to have an event like this sprout up in his wake. Not only does he have wonderful friends that clearly mourn his loss, he has not and will never be forgotten. And they put together beautiful art in his name that brings people together. That's the kind of person to strive to emulate. To be remembered and loved after passing. To have stories told and glasses raised. Tears shed, but smiles spread. To have people come together and build a skatepark in your name. Jeff Anderson is Snowboarding. Jeff Anderson is Immortal.
I AM SNOWBOARDING will be on display at Nemo HQ until January 31 after which it will head to Colorado and SIA and the Winter X Games. To check out the art, buy a print or for other information check out iamjla.org.
If you were to name the first 10 snowboard companies that come to mind, chances are Aaron Draplin has worked for at least 9 of them. Beyond, hell, he's even done jobs for Mr. America-Episode 44-'A New Hope'-Obama himself. In the design game, this guy has turned it to 11 more than Nigel Tufnel ever did.
What I'm here to get across is that starting now (actually last night, hence the following pictures), Mr. Draplin's mastery can be found on the walls of Office at 22nd and NE Alberta, Portland, Ore. and you should open your eyes and turn your head toward it if you can.
Mini sample of Draplin's plywood logos (a shifty Colin Whyte turns his head in the fore)
Why would you go see it when you can just check out his blog or stare at one of the countless pieces of gear with his visionary Hancock on it? First of all, you can check out a super-compilation poster with "Pretty Much Everything Up To May 27, 2009." That's right, all on one orange sheet. Second, that's not all stokes, he's got some wall pieces. Which leads me to an anecdote, but first, a picture.
Fore: Gary - the World's Smartest Dachshund Back: Jim - Aaron's dad (white hair, aloha shirt, bigness)
I was with some friends getting ready to head to the grand opening. My buddy's wife says, "I'm not going to dress up even though I look like a soccer mom," to my friend and I, who are both in t-shirts and jeans. I'm about to say, "That's OK, he's not a 'real' artist," but catch myself right around the 'real.' My meaning was, he's not 'that kind' of artist. You know the kind, the martini-sipping, beret-wearing kind. Truth is, he's as real as artists get and we could use more artists like him. A trite complement, to be sure, but here's why: Passion. If you've ever read one of his blog posts (and I mean really read, followed all the links and looked at all the pictures) you start to get the idea. Logos from every epoch, continent and vocation. What sealed the deal for me, though, was this video.
Emotional stuff. Did you catch the spot towards the end where he nearly cries? He's legitimately concerned about the future of his craft and has true respect for where it's come from. I wish someone was out there to go off on me like that when my work wasn't up to snuff. After all, how is anyone ever going to get better? It would make my day if he wrote a letter to the sign company in Sedalia. Give them a piece of his mind, maybe send some links to some good work for inspiration. That's why we need more artists like him, hell, more people like him. People who give a shit. I'm against institutions in general, but if anyone is fit to start one, it's this guy (and Robin Williams from Dead Poets Society). Draplin Art and Design Institute, DADI. I want a nickel for every item that sells with that on it. Ha. Rambling. Here I am talking about living with passion while typing away indoors at the new idiot box. Moving on...
Aaron entertains all ages
The Aaron I met at the opening was friendly and social, then again, it was his party. Vodka drink in one hand, he spoke candidly about the show.
"It took more time to put the stuff up on the wall than it did for me to make it."
"I started planning this 5 days ago!"
Comic hyperbole or technical mastery? Everything he says could end in an exclamation point. He was always keeping people laughing and bringing passersby into the mix. Percentage of passersby who were new to him: probably pretty low as most of them were members of the Portland shrederatti. Oh yeah, he's from the Midwest, too, so he gets bumped up a couple extra rungs on the rad ladder just by picking the right parents.
If you missed the opening last night, you'll never get it back (at least not without some serious pull). Hurry and you can still check out Draplin's work at Office, 22nd and NE Alberta, Portland, Ore. Buy some field notes while you're there.
