Changethethought

Just wanted to say thank you to Yay Everyday and Yay Monday for the links on their websites, both of which I check often and consider fantastic sources of information. Someone over there picked up on what I have been laying down last week and linked me up on both sites. I usually try to check Yay Monday out at the first of the work week every week and was really excited to see my work posted there this week. Thanks guys.

By the way if you are looking for my work on this site you can find it by clicking any of the following: Print, Illustration, Personal, Apparel, Typography.

written by Christopher | tags: Changethethought, Ctt News, Yay Everyday, Yay Monday

Changethethought added a new editor this week. Justin Blyth joins us from Amsterdam and will be dropping in from time to time to load the syringe for an injection of creative inspiration. His work was featured earlier this week and wrote to express an interest in contributing to the blog. Thank you so much justin. You can read all about Justin here.

If you are interested in contributing to Changethethought, just send 3 links to something you think would fit into Ctt’s content along with a link to your own site. Send your emails to hire(at)changethethought.com

written by Christopher | tags: Changethethought, Ctt News, Justin Blyth, News Editors

Well, 2008 was an insane year. So much happened that I did not expect. I set out, very deliberately, at the beginning of last year to start a whole new version of the site and really push myself both personally in my own work, and also strive to hunt down as much content as humanely possible to create a legitimate blog that can serve as a real source of daily inspiration for the modern designer. It wasn’t easy since I work full time as an Art Director at an advertising agency, and it has been straining many times, but it has been worth it. The site has come so far, and I have plans to keep pushing it further.

Just before the holiday I got word that Uptown Magazine will be publishing a special double issue (2 covers) for the inauguration of Obama that feature two of my illustrations. Currently I am also working on a new television spot for the Colorado Lottery . I also re-concepted and art directed along with all of my hard working friends at Cactus, the new version of the Own Your C campaign along with a new version of the website for which I am still pushing for further development. Thank you to my new writing partner Lee for all of his work on the new campaign. The OYC work included 5 new T.V. spots created with the amazingly talented people at Lifelongfrienshipsociety. I had more fun working with them this year than probably any other project I have worked on. NYC is amazing. I cannot wait to go back. I was also asked to contribute a small piece and make some predictions for trends in 2009 by Computer Arts Magazine. You can see and read this in the current issue (also pictured above). I also appeared in the 50 covers/50th issue of Advanced Photoshop Magazine U.K. this month. I am currently working on printing a new series of A3 posters and continue (outside of my day job) working on creating new posters and work (a recent poster is pictured above).

I am still looking for new partnerships both for the site and for new creative projects. I am still seeking a art/design rep to help me secure more design/illustration work and am always looking for new freelance projects. My work at Cactus is going very well though and I feel blessed everyday to be working for such a tremendous agency and be surrounded by so many talented and kind people. I plan on staying there with people I truly care about for some time.

I am just perpetually interested in growing as a creative and a person and that means taking on as much as I can handle. I will also be pursuing my acting career more aggressively this year and will be getting my first head shots soon. Basically, I refuse to sleep until I pass out.

I am also currently shopping for a house and have decided to hunker down for a while in Denver. Its beautiful here. Its an up-and-coming city and I want to be a part of making it a better place to be a creative.

2009 is going to be a big year and don’t let the media get you down. We can make the world better and turn things around. We have before and we can do it again. Stay positive and keep creating. Thank you so much for the support and keep your eye out because Changethethought is going to charge on.

written by Christopher | tags: Cactus, Changethethought, Ctt News, Obama, Own Your C, Uptown

Happy New Year everyone. 2009 is going to be a big year, I can feel it. It will be a big year for me personally but I also hope it will be a turning point for America and hopefully the rest of the world. Playtime is over and now we have to own up and start kicking in to make this world a better place for future generations. Lets get started in a big new way this year.

Thanks for seeing Changethethought through 2,063 posts. I promise much much more this year. Thank you and have a safe and happy new year.

written by Christopher | tags: Changethethought, Ctt News, Happy New Year

So I was working on this psychedelic triptych, just for the hell of it, and finally finished it last night. I threw it in my personal section because I wasn’t really sure where else to file it. I hope you dig it. I think for my next round of posters I may print these up. If anything, just because I want to hang them in my own home to freak people out a little bit. Most people aren’t accosted by introspective art every day and I like to put some in my home especially in private places like bedrooms or bathrooms to force people into that zone where they have to confront themselves a little bit and think. We may take that for granted because so many of us spend so much time plugged into the current of digital art and culture but most people have yet to enter that space. So, it is easy to take them off guard and I love to see how they react to work like this.

I want to do a few things this next go round with my posters that are a little less direct and more open to interpretation. I hope you dig it. If not, that is fine too. Its art you know. You can’t please everyone. These were digitally-collaged using found imagery.

They are loosely based on the concept of identity, memory and the infinite nature of the space-time continuum.

2009 is going to be a good year. I can feel it. Expect a lot of new work and a better website (if I can find the money to upgrade it). I am going to bust my ass this year like there is no tomorrow. And there may not be a tomorrow with 2012 around the corner. You never know.

written by Christopher | tags: Changethethought, Ctt News, News, Personal, Posters, Print

Alright this isn’t exactly the most important news I have posted recently, but I have finally turned to the Facebook darkside. It is even more addictive than everyone warned me it would be.

Needless to say at this point, I have started a Facebook group for Changethethought where you are welcome to suggest topics or discuss things related to graphic design or anything else you might be interested in that effects your life as a creative. And thank you so much for reading the blog up until this point and also for all of you have been so kind as to send me news about your work or something you have found that you would like to share with others. It has been a rewarding experience thus far and it has only just begun. I hope to learn even more about you on Facebook.

written by Christopher | tags: Changethethought, Ctt News, Facebook, Facebook Group

I have been working hard lately on several new poster ideas. I have put some of the results up in the work section of the site. I have a new Obama poster that I want to get ready for the inauguration. The poster measures in at 18×24 inches and is 4 screens. I actually want it screen printed this time and I am looking for a good screen printer (preferably one here in Denver, Colorado). If you know of one please drop me a line. I am also working on another series of smaller A3 posters as well. Two of those you can see in the Print Section of the site. One of which is a revised version of an older poster I did a few months back. I am working on 2-3 more of those as well and then I will be doing another run of A3 posters. Probably sometime within the next month. The other posters are just a personal experiment I have been working on lately collaging found imagery together to create psychedelic landscapes. You can see two of those in the Personal Section. More of those to come as I get to them. I probably won’t print those but who knows.

Also, I am still seeking artistic representation (an art rep) to help me find new projects. I am also still planning on rebuilding the site sometime in early 09 and I will be looking for relevant sponsors and advertising. If you would like to take a look at the traffic numbers and are considering advertising please send an email to hire(at)changethethought.com.

Basically between Changethethought and my 9-5 job as Art Director at Cactus, I am busting it pretty hard right now. I love what I do though and that is why I do it. I will also be working on a new television commercial right after Christmas and we just released our new series of commercials for the Own Your C campaign also. Lifelongfriendshipsociety did an amazing job on the spots and I will be getting them up on the site, along with a full right up on the new direction we chose for the OYC campaign this year in the very near future. You can actually see the spots at Motionographer right now.

Thank you for all of the emails and support. Full steam ahead.

written by Christopher | tags: Changethethought, News, Personal, Posters, Print

I will be speaking tomorrow night or today (November 21) depending on when you are reading this at the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art as part of the 3rd installment of the Applied Ideas discussions. I will be speaking alongside some highly respected peers in the local art and design scene including:

Rick Griffith (MATTER),
Aaron Ray (Legwork Studio),
and Ian Coyle (Superheroes, Inc.)

I would especially like to thank Ian Coyle for inviting me. I will be speaking in an open discussion forum about style in a post internet design environment, overexposure to the perpetual internet design community, design for designers (or designers as an evolving consumer group), and possibly design in the emerging global economy (depending on time).

Please do stop by if you are in town and check it out. I apologize for not writing about it earlier but this week at work almost killed me and I have just not had the time to sit down and compose.

The discussion begins at 7:30 and you can find MCA Denver here:
1485 Delgany Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 298-7554
Get directions

I hope to see you there.

written by Christopher | tags: Applied Ideas, Changethethought, Ctt News, MCA Denver

So a local artist and designer, Josh Holland, was kind enough to bring this to my attention yesterday and I can’t say I was all that happy about it.

Apparently an Illustrator thought it was O.K. to steal one of the posters from my Obama download section and sell it back to Newsweek for the above article. I would never have known about this had it not been for Josh contacting me. So far, I have been unable to get my hands on a copy of this particular issue of Newsweek since this is the prior issue (marked October 20th) to this weeks November 2nd issue.

Yes, the posters are available for free download on the site, but there is clear copy before every download declaring that downloading the images and files does not pass on copyright ownership or distribution for point of sale rights. I can’t believe an illustrator would have the gall to just steal something like that and use it without even annotating where they got the image from. Furthermore, I can’t believe a publication like Newsweek would not even check to see where the image had come from. If you would like to send an email to Newsweek letting them know it’s not alright to use other artist’s and designer’s work without permission you can do so at this email address or just click on the image above this post.

I am trying to contact Newsweek now to let them know I am not o.k. with them using my imagery without permission. I’ll let you all know how it turns out. Yes, I created the posters because I wanted people to have free access to signage and I do realize that I am of course using Obama’s image for this. That goes with the territory, all I am asking from Newsweek is a proper credit.

written by Christopher | tags: Changethethought, Copyright, Newsweek, Obama, Rip Off

I have just posted several new works in the Print and Illustration sections of the site. I have posted a new poster set titled, ‘Live Fast & Die Young’ as well as the first two in an ongoing 50 part study I have embarked on using nothing other than simple geometric forms, single colors and Helvetica. This study will take some time and doing but I thought it would be a good way to pull me back to the basics of Graphic Design.

I have also a fun illustration I recently created for Cactus about the greatest haircut ever dreamed up by mankind, as well as the small ad campaign I created for the Toofy Film Festival.

I am also considering running a special on Obama Posters starting one month prior to the election. Stay tuned for that.

written by Christopher | tags: Changethethought, Illustration, News, Posters, Print

Here is a little refresher about DATA, whom I wrote about a few months back:

DATA (Designers Against Tibetan Abuse) is a new organization that has come together recently and opened a new project that will include a book featuring various designers, digital artists, illustrators and photographers joining together to raise awareness of the terrible issues faced by the Tibetan people.

All proceeds derived from the sale of the book will go to charity and if we have enough people express a willingness to participate we will take our idea to the following charities:

Tibet Foundation

Tibet Society

I was asked to contribute to the book and I actually designed 3 different A3 sized posters before finally landing on something I liked with the third design. I usually work in A3 format and it was just a happy accident that was the size designated by the project. I settled on using a Buddhist symbol called the endless knot. The endless knot is symbolic of Buddha’s mind and represents endless wisdom and compassion and is meant to be reminiscent of the cyclic reality of existence. I felt it was a good symbol for the seemingly cyclic bondage that Tibet finds itself in and cannot seem to escape and yet despite this they have maintained a certain kind of spiritual peace throughout this state of occupation. However, I also wanted to envoke a little bit of a call to arms by speaking directly towards the ‘Free Tibet’ chant you can’t really seem to escape in trendy culture. I have felt that without real action that statement seems a little hollow and I wanted people to think about that.

The chosen design I am referring to is the top of the 3 images above. The following two were designs I decided to reject. I wanted the final product to be as direct as possible and I felt the first design brought the message home the best without muddying the idea too much. I will post more later about DATA after the book has been published. You can see them along with the rest of my work in the print section.

written by Christopher | tags: Changethethought, DATA, Designers Against Tibetan Abuse, Posters

The large format 24 x 36 Obama Commemorative Posters are now in the official Changethethought storefront and are available for purchase. These posters were produced with the utmost attention to detail out of respect for Barack Obama and all that he has achieved. This poster was featured and sold at the Manifest Hope show at the DNC in Denver, Colorado.

The posters are produced in bright vivid color and will easily fit a standard American-sized poster frame. They have been printed on extra heavy durable 80lb Mohawk Felt paper which gives the print a canvas like texture while holding true to the color. Every single poster has been signed and numbered. A limited quantity were printed and several have already sold at the Manifest Hope show. The posters are selling for $50 dollars a piece and a percentage of the profit from every sale will go towards the Obama for America campaign.

You can purchase one here.  International orders and credit cards are accepted. Posters are shipped in durable heavy .125 inch thick tubes to prevent damage during transit.

written by Christopher | tags: Barack Obama, Changethethought, Commemorative Poster, Obama Poster

I wrote about this last week but the Toofy Film Festival is fast approaching this weekend and you can see a preview of some of the films above. The nice guys behind Toofy decided to offer an added incentive for those of you who want to attend the show by offering a discounted pass through Changethethought along with a free t-shirt. It’s a pretty good deal for an entire weekend of independent film. You can read more about it below. I also did the advertising, including writing the copy for and designing the posters this year. You can see those above along with a preview of some of the movies at the show. It should be a beautiful weekend this weekend in Boulder, so it should be a great place to be.

The Toofy Film Festival has teamed up with changethethought to provide you with a Toofy Film Festival pass for only $20 (a $30 value) AND A FREE TOOFY T-SHIRT. A portion of the proceeds goes back to support changethethought. This pass will get you into all 6 Independent Film Showings plus the Toofy After-Party Fashion Show taking place on Saturday night. Visit <http://toofy.com/changethethought/ for more information. This offer is ONLY available through this webpage and can be extended to your friends and family so be sure to forward this email to them.

HOW TO PICK UP YOUR FREE SHIRT:
Give your full name to the person behind the counter in the Boulder Theater box office to pick up your pass. Once you have your pass, enter the Boulder Theater and go to the Toofy merchandise booth. Present your printed PayPal receipt at the merchandise booth and pick up your free shirt. One free shirt for each pass sold. While supplies last.

ABOUT TOOFY:
Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14.
Toofy loves movies and he wants to share the finest independent flicks from around the world with you. The Toofy Film Festival is taking over the Boulder Theater on Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14. After the film programs, stick around for the Toofy After-Party Fashion Show. To learn more about Toofy, please visit <www.toofy.com

written by Christopher | tags: Changethethought, film, Film Festival, Movies, Toofy Film Festival

I have been working to help promote the Toofy Film Festival this year because I think it is a good thing and helps forward the independent art and film community. Consequently they did a little interview with me this year that has been running locally (here in Denver and the Colorado area) on the Altitude network. You can watch it above.

Since I did a little work for them the boys at the Toofy Film Festival have teamed up with changethethought to provide you with a Toofy Film Festival pass for only $20 (a $30 value) and a portion of the proceeds actually go back to help support Changethethought. This pass will get you into all 6 Independent Film Showings plus the Toofy After-Party Fashion Show taking place on Saturday night.

I was personally really impressed by the festival last year and that is why I got involved this year. It’s a very laid back atmosphere and it is a really fun event to attend. Not to mention Boulder is beautiful this time of year and always a nice place to visit.

You can visit the Toofy Changethethought page for more information. This offer is ONLY available through this webpage and can be extended to your friends and family so be sure to forward this email to them.

ABOUT TOOFY:

Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14.

Toofy loves movies and he wants to share the finest independent flicks from around the world with you. The Toofy Film Festival is taking over the Boulder Theater on Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14. After the film programs, stick around for the Toofy After-Party Fashion Show. To learn more about Toofy, please visit the Toofy website.

written by Christopher | tags: Changethethought, film, Film Festival, Movies, Toofy Film Festival

Well, I was asked by readers via email and in comments for more detail about the Manifest Hope show here in Denver. In short, it was an amazing show but more so an amazing outpouring of individual talent and expression unified as a single voice around a central message. Every artist I spoke with felt the same. We see the error of the last 8 years and we know things have to change. We also know that it is going to take more than just one politician to do that. It is going to take all of us taking action and becoming more involved in our own system.

I spent a little time speaking with Ron English, and he said that this show wasn’t about making money or gaining recognition, it was about forwarding a cause that we all believe in. He said, and I agree, that he loves this country very much and that he takes it very personally to have had to watch our image be tarnished by some absolutely despicable decisions. We need to turn the page on this era and admit the error of our ways and usher in something that serves us all better. That is what the Manifest Hope show was about and that is why all of the artists, including myself have worked hard to promote someone we feel will begin doing that for us.

With that said, I will leave you with nearly 50 images of both the show and the private after party. It was one of the best times I have had in a long time and I was absolutely thrilled to be there. It’s not something I will ever forget. I did manage to sell the first signed, numbered and framed poster that was in the show along with several more in the Manifest Hope store. I am signing the remaining posters next week and then they will be shipped to Merchline in Florida so they will be available for purchase the second week of September.

Be sure to click ‘continue reading’ to continue on and see the nearly 50 photos of the rest of the art in the exhibit. The photos also include some of the street art around the exhibit.

Continue reading »

written by Christopher | tags: Andenken Gallery, Changethethought, Denver, Manifest Hope

Well, try as I did, I was not able to get tickets to watch Obama speak tonight. I pulled out every stop but it just didn’t happen. I am planning on running by the Andenken Gallery one more time today for the Manifest Hope show and give away some posters I did for MoveOn.org this week along with what is left of the stickers I made a year or more back. So, if you are in the neighborhood today, stop by and pick up some free stuff.

I have been creating stickers and t-shirts for MoveOn all this month, and if you are at the speech tonight they will be selling the t-shirts afterwards. I don’t get anything from the sales, but I do believe some of the money goes towards the Obama campaign.

I think tonight will be a moment to remember in American history. I have zero doubt that Obama’s speech will be anything less than amazing. I just hope this pushes on through all the way. I really do. I will be downtown in Denver tonight with my wife and hopefully some friends to watch it happen wherever we can squeeze in and catch it on T.V. Then I will be out tonight downtown for a while. Even though I won’t be in the arena, it is still amazing to be living here in Denver while this is all happening. It really is history being made. It has been very surreal and I am so glad that even in a small way, I have been able to be an active part.

Hope may be a 4 letter word, but those are 4 very powerful letters that when combined can create a movement and make history.

written by Christopher | tags: Barack Obama, Changethethought, Denver DNC, DNC

Alright, it is almost 3am and I still have to go to work tomorrow because I am a regular person and not quite famous enough to call my own shots. But, I have to write briefly about the single most surreal night of my life so far. This week I have met and spoke with Shepard Fairey, Ron English, Date Farmers, a producer for the Charlie Rose show and several other people that I guess are important and I didn’t even know who they were when I was talking to them. I was invited into the VIP section of the Manifest Hope show tonight since I was a contributing artist and it really just blew my mind. Ron English knew who I was, so that was fucking awesome. The reason he knew me though was because of my rant about Upper Playground and his poster. He said this blog was the only blog he has ever left a comment on. That was kind of awesome. Shepard Fairey talked to me and a coworker about having a family while doing the crazy shit we all do. That was a hot topic since my wife is ready to start a family of our own. It was the last thing I ever thought I would talk to Shepard Fairey about. Pretty weird.

I saw Moby tonight at the show. The VIP show also had Sarah Silverman speaking, she was hilarious, along with the mayor of San Francisco. He is one good looking politician. I was then treated to a private show by Ben Gibbard, the lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie along with the members of The Postal Service and Rilo Kiley. Rilo Kiley admitted it was the first time she had ever played guitar for a live audience. That was cool. Sam Flores, David Choe and I have no idea who else were all walking around.

A friend and local artist who was in the show went out wheat pasting with Shepard Fairey this week and will be featured in his documentary about the entire Manifest Hope show. His artwork in the show was all purchased by Morgan Spurlock, the guy who starred in the Supersize me documentary.

In a nutshell, it was wild. Just wild. I was so excited to be there. It felt like the culmination of a long hard road we have all fought to take as artists and designers who have thrown our full weight behind the Obama campaign. It was fantastic to be around all of these people and know we were all there together for something we really believed in.

Ron English is awesome by the way. He knows a lot about politics and I was lucky enough to get to talk to him for a while. I watched him work his way into a potential interview with Charlie Rose as well. Damn would I like to get to do something like that someday.

Oh and I also sold my poster featured in the show and apparently I had sold a bunch of posters at the Manifest Hope official store. That was good news but I decided to donate my sales back to the Obama campaign and back to benefit the cost of putting on the show. I will be selling the remainder of the posters, signed and numbered on the site soon though for about 75% less than what they are selling them for at Manifest Hope.

I will do a full image posting about the show later this week.

Life is crazy.

written by Christopher | tags: Changethethought, Manifest Hope, Obama, Obey, Ron English

Since I have been away the past 2 weeks in Brazil, I have not been able to blog since I have had little connection to the internet nor the time to continue writing. I  stole away today though so that I could mention that I will be exhibiting in the Manifest Hope show in Denver the week of the Democratic National Convention. I am extrememly excited to be a part of the show and I have my friend Scot LeFavor to thank for securing my entrance into the show.

The show is being curated and judged by the likes of Shepard Fairey and Moby, to name a few and is guaranteed to be one of the most exciting art shows this year. I will be exhibiting the first poster in my series of 2,000 signed and numbered Obama Commemorative posters. The poster will be framed for the show and is 2 feet by 3 feet in size. The rest of the posters will soon be available for sale in my online store in September. There will also be posters for sale at the Manifest hope show and at certain locations during the DNC.

Here are the details of the show from the Manifest Hope website:
“Art plays a pivotal role in creating cultural momentum. The Manifest Hope Gallery celebrates that role and shines a spotlight on artists across the nation who use their voices to amplify and motivate the grass roots movement surrounding the Obama Campaign. The Manifest Hope Gallery highlights the central themes of the progressive grass-roots movement- Hope Change, Progress, Unity and Patriotism.

The Manifest Hope Gallery will be open to the public in Denver, CO at the Democratic National Convention, between Monday August 25th, 2008 through Thursday, August 28th, 2008 between the hours of 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

The Manifest Hope Gallery, housed within Denver’s Andenken Gallery, and an additional transformed warehouse space, spans 10,000 sq. ft. and will draw together a works as varied as the voices of the artists who created them. Manifest hope will showcase some of the finest modern contemporary artists, acclaimed NY painters and sculptors, activated grass roots and street artists, and present the most widely recognized pieces seen throughout the 2008 presidential primary campaign, as well as newly commissioned works and previous works on loan from some of the United States top artists.

Manifest Hope, along with its online partner MoveOn.org, challenges the artistic world to engage their local communities in a significant and meaningful way, by inviting all artists to compete for a chance to present their works alongside these acclaimed and celebrated artists. Visit the online gallery for details.”

I am very excited to be a part of this show. You can see the amazing list of artists below. If you live in Denver. Please try to come down and check out.

Here is the list of contributing artists:
Aaron Martin // Adrian Sanchez // Alexis McKenzie // Amy Martin // Amy Rice // Andy Howell // Alex Pardee // Cathie Bleck // Casey Ryder // Chanel Kennebrew // Chris Pastras // Chris Yates // Cydney Payton // Dan Monick // Date Farmers // David Choe // David Lanham // Deroy Peraza // Diederick Kraaijeveld // Eddie // Elizabeth Rosen // Emek // Evan Hecox // Frank Chimero // Franke // Gary Baseman // HVW8 // Irene Hardwicke Olivieri // Jason Alberto // Justin Alberto Garcia // Jason Giglio // Jeff Zimmerman // Jesselisa Moretti // Jude Buffum // Julie Adler // Justin Bua // Kate Luscher //Kay Tuttle // Keith Negley // Kofie // Leontine Greenberg // Lisa Anne Auerbach // Lisa Congdon // Lukas Ketner // MAC //Max Ginsburg // Maya Hayuk // Mear One // Mel Kadel // Melanie Reim // Morning Breath // Munk One // Nick Dewar // Pete Yahnke // Philip John Lumbang // Ray Noland aka CRO // Rebecca Berdel // Retna // Rick Griffith // Ron English // Ron Keas // Sam Flores // Sarah Hoskins // Scot Lefavor // Shannon Bonatakis and Josh Holland // Shepard Fairey // Cypher13 // Todd Lockwood // Tom Slaughter // Mike Moore (Tres Birds) // Van Taylor Monroe // Zara Gonzalez // Zina Saunders // Zoltron // Aaron Axelrod // Thomas Brodhal // Ginger Che // Catia Chien // Christopher Cox // Grotesk // Damon Locks // Zach McDonald // Tres Birds // Adrian Tucker // Arellano Harvath // Antar Dayal // Vincent Comparetto

written by Christopher | tags: Art, Changethethought, DNC, Manifest Hope, Obama