ARTIST: Steve Hickok
Today I had the pleasure of being introduced to Atlanta-based artist Steve Hickok. Despite being a visual artist myself, I don’t often find work that immediately illicits the responce: “I want THAT on my wall.” … but that’s exactly what happened when I saw Steve’s work.
As a direct descendent of the famous “Wild Bill Hickok,” Steve’s family name has been a Western legacy for generations. A true Arizona native, Steve was born in Phoenix where he developed an affection for his natural surroundings which he combined with his artistic talent.
Combining a variety of techniques, Steve approaches each square as if it already has its own personality. Painted outside to weather in the sun, scratched or sanded by the street, or left in the storm to be washed by rain, a myriad of emotions envelop Steve’s work. Over the last few years Steve has photographed over 10,000 images from different parts of the world, which he incorporates into his squares.
Steve’s latest series, “Stories and Squares,” uses the handprints of children adopted by friends and family. Visit SteveHickok.com to view this series along with his other work.
BARACK N ROLL
The Obama Campaign had better design than any other Presidential race in my lifetime. During his campaign, the website Design for Obama provided a place for artists to share grass-roots poster art they had created for free download, while inspiring others to create their own original works. Shephard Fairey’s social realist “Hope” poster became 2008′s enduring image, inspiring scores of artists to take their designs to the streets, rallies and registration drives, and homes and in offices around the country. The contributors range from prominent graphic and street artists to young up-and-comers.
Today, this outstanding poster collection serves as a matchless historical document of the most innovative electoral campaign in living history, and the widespread visual creativity that helped pave the way for Obama’s victory.
CHESTER FRENCH: VIP Experiences
So yeah yeah yeah, CNN is running an article on why these dudes are the smartest kids in pop music. But what I’m really interested in is whether or not the VIP Packages listed for purchase on their website are legit or not. Allow me to elaborate…
In addition to being able buy their athletically-themed album off their website, you can also inquire about a limited number of experiences with the band.
ENDURANCE Packages ($250) where you get to work-out with the band (“You spot them, They spot you.”) followed by a game of 2-on-2 b-ball.
Not to be out done: THE SLUMBER PARTY Package Slumber Party Package: $874.36 (Limited to 5 packages). When Chester French is in town for a gig they will sleep over at your house. You must provide sleeping bags and cartoon-themed pillowcases. D.A. and Max wake up before everyone else and make your family bacon and eggs for breakfast. Chester French dedicates a song to you at their concert.
And finally, the AFRICAN SAFARI Package: $75,000 (Unlimited packages).
Un-bah-lievable. I’m a little curious, a little nervous, and very entertained.
CNN HERO: Doc Hendley
My new friend, Doc Hendley, was just featured on Larry King Live as a CNN:Hero. Doc, a bartender from North Carolina, saw a need in developing countries for clean water – so he used the skills he had as a bar-keep to come to their aid. For the past 4 years, Wine to Water has been hosting wine tastings to fund their projects in Sudan, Ethiopia, Cambodia, India, Uganda, and Haiti.
Watch the videos and read his story at CNN.com/heroes!
