CLUTTER ad

First ever ad for ITEM hitting CLUTTER Magazine's 13th issue. The ad feature's the one-off Creme Moji.

Custom FRAMESICLES

Set of custom FRAMESICLES at last weeks LAUNCHPAD exhibit. The items were done by a few local Artist/Designers that included graff veteran Steve-Dave who will be working on a full set of 'sicles later this year. His is second from the left in this image.

UNKL decks

My Gravedigger decks (58" in length) for Boardeli Longboards have finally arrived back from UNKLBRAND with an amazing hand screened pattern.

The decks will be on display over at LAUNCHPAD next week and up for sale via Boardeli very, very soon.

LAUNCHPAD

ITEM will be participating in the upcoming LAUNCHPAD show here in Edmonton.

The show will includes customized FRAMESICLES by local Tattoo Artists as well
as a number of custom Vinyl pieces. Plus a limited line of hand screened longboards
by UNKLBRAND!

Once Upon a Time: The Kouri Monster Lamp Custom

The second custom Monster brought to you by my main man from Chicago Chad Kouri.


Currently on display with Made in The West.

SALVADOR mailbox

SALVADOR!!!

EDITH Mailbox : Discontinued

EDITH mailbox is now discontinued.

I've reached my production goal of 15 and have officially ceased production.
Thanks to those that have taken the time and effort in obtaining one from me.

I am now working on a wall mounted mailbox as the third entry in the series.
The Salvador stand-up mailbox will only be a one-off while the upcoming wall unit will be available in a small production run similar to Edith.

Custom MUNNY

ITEM entry for LAUNCHPAD next month....

Made In The West / Kouri MONSTER debut

The second custom MONSTER lamp is set to debut at a wicked show here in Alberta called Made In The West. The exhibit which opens Friday May 22nd in Calgary, will focus on design talents based in Western Canada.

The latest MONSTER by Chicago homeboy Chad Kouri is appropriately titled Once Upon a Time : Kouri Monster Custom. For me this a perfect departure from Motomichi's version and really has Chad's stamp on it. He's basically taken a household design piece and reworked it into Art.

Images coming soon.

SALVADOR mailbox

SALVADOR will be the second entry for my mailbox series. Currently being fabricated and ready for display by the end of May. As well i'm working in a removable planter attachment for the top that is not shown.

Muttpop Display

Had a chance to rattle off a little side display piece with my pal Kevin Holm which we both used to house some of our MUTTPOP vinyl.

Random Shot

Wider shot of Orange Edith sitting infront of Soapbox Films in Burbank. This project actually scored Lettuce the Design Green Award with a first place finish in the Environments category.

Moji Custom

Pretty stoked to line-up a Moji custom by Brooklyn Artist Lou Pimentel. More customs with local designers have also been lined up for the year.

Exhibit Watch

Another Munny show here in Edmonton this spring which will also include a bunch of customized Framesicles by local Tattoo Artists and Graphic Designers. More to come.....

UNKL vs. Boardeli

Boardeli's fresh series of decks from UNKL are close to being released. March 1st pre-sale!

Kouri Monster Custom Update

Chad Kouri was cool enough to send me this progress shot for his upcoming MONSTER lamp custom. Apart from this teaser, i'm completely clueless as to what the final product will look like.

The lamp may make a few exhibit appearances this year. Fingers crossed!

Nakamura Deck

Recent image from Motomichi of his deck for Boardeli hanging out in New York.

Just Because

MONSTER does Miami

Motomichi just fired over images from HEIST where our custom MONSTER made a recent appearance.

I'm pretty happy to have this shown in public again as it's last outing at Toronto's IDS show was less than stellar. Some hefty damage came about to this item during shipping to and from the event. But luckily we were able to piece her back together and have another crack at it.

I really liked the way the light came through on this shot.

Upcoming Collaboration

Another collaboration in the works for '08. This time out it's with Edmonton graffiti artist Steve-Dave. Very excited about this one.

More details to follow.

Soapbox Films Install

Big, big thanks to Russell at LETTUCE for sending me this image of Orange Edith installed at Soapbox Films in Los Angeles.

This version had a few customizations such as a lockable flap at the back as well as an increase in width to accommodate video tapes, packages, etc.

We also switched our construction from basic shop metal to stainless steel which will eliminate potential rust over time. A lesson learned from our first Florida based client.

More images to come.

POL Oxygen Clip

POL Oxygen.

ITEM playlist : QOTSA - Misfit Love

This tune has been stuck in my head for months since I had a chance to catch QOTSA here in Edmonton. Brilliant, brilliant show.

08 Project : Part 9

BOOM! = Black/Grey?

08 Project : Part 8

In regards to the legs on BOOM!, I keep thinking about Claude Cormier's Lipstick Forest at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, which I finally had the pleasure to see in person this past summer. I remember first seeing this in an old issue of AZURE way back in 2002 when it was completed and haven't shrugged it off since.

So this is pretty well the main drive to use branches for the legs at this point. Not sure if i'll go more direct and go with the pink on this one. I have this urge to do a piece in a high gloss black/charcoal.

08 Project : Part 7

Funny how the BOOM! lamp seems to be developing. First the 'head' is 6 feet off the ground and angled, then straightened out for a table top version, and now finally sitting directly on the ground.

It's kinda evolved into a cousin of MONSTER by the looks of it. Difference this time is that BOOM! looks to have legs and a more direct 'vinyl' feel to it which was the original drive behind MONSTER.

Now the thought process switches to material. Right now I am thinking of using heavy tree branch cut-offs for the legs (painted...hot pink? red?). No idea about the 'head' just yet, but I am actually considering discarded cardboard boxes to reduce weight and waste.

MONSTER Sighting

The Nakamura custom MONSTER has made an appearance in the latest issue of POL Oxygen. Big thanks to Kellie Holt for the inclusion.

08 Project : Part 6

Change of direction from the original model and sketches with the head no longer at an outward angle (balance issues). It now has more of a gory approach (unintentional) with the body ripped in 2 with the insides exposed and hanging out. Not the most pleasant point of inspiration but could work out well visually.

Official working title will now be the BOOM! Lamp.

HEIST / Art Basil Miami

Motomichi was cool enough to approach me to include our custom MONSTER lamp for the upcoming HEIST exhibit in Miami. The event takes place during Art Basil Miami (December 6-9) and will include Artists such as Madsteez and a personal fave of mine, Bigfoot.

EDITH custom

A Yellow EDITH is on it's way to a client in Florida with some minor customization where the usual 'MAIL' wording was replaced with a house number. I actually dig this version quite abit.

08 Project : Part 5

Had a chance last night to work out some quick scale models for the 'o8 project as well as another piece that's in the works.

I seem to be leaning towards the name BOOM! right now.

08 Project : Part 4

Bit of a spark today regarding the '08 Project after coming across a few pics of Japanese Blood Grass.

I'm pissing around right now with the 'explosion' component of the piece and completely forgot that I had planted a few of these last year in the garden. The color is absolutely brilliant in it's full glory and has a wicked name to boot.

Still wondering though what the hell this piece is to be. Lamp, speaker, birdhouse, etc. Might say fuck it and leave it as an outdoor sculpture.

Latest Collaboration

Stained a bunch of my Gravediggers this weekend for an upcoming collaboration with UNKL and Boardeli.

Very, very stoked about this one.

Aesop Rock : None Shall Pass

I'm absolutely hooked on this right now......

Studio Shots

My inhouse employers.....always watching......

The studio's gas tank.

'08 Project : Part 3

Kinda diggin' this direction........

'08 Project : Part 2

Finally sitting my ass down tonight to work on the '08 project.........

'08 Project : Part 1

Finally got a jolt to kick start a project that's been going no further than a napkin sketch. No name for it yet though.

Sketches and notes to follow as they come.

Elemente Top 5

Elemente Magazine was cool enough to list me in their Top 5 Up and Coming Designers list for their October issue with some very kind words from writer Todd Hirsch.

Calgary IDS

Image of Orange Edith and Framescicles from the Calgary Home and Interior Design Show that's taking place this weekend.

Big thanks to Greg Ball for taking these pics.