Joey Ryan @ Cafe 939 Boston

Joey Ryan, an artist represented by one of my clients Mophonics, was in town last weekend tying up a tour with Jay Nash and the Gabe Dixon Band. His voice resonates so perfectly on the heart strings, it was a fantastic performance and such a treat to see a client perform in person after admiring their commercial work for so long.

Here is a snippet from a new song, "Permanent" taken Friday with my Blackberry- hence the poor quality...



And a more legitimate taste of Joey's talent...
As It Must Be

Michael Jackson - Iconic Pepsi Commercial

This commercial from the King of Pop, Directed by Bob Giraldi, has become a part of advertising folklore. While filming the spot Michael Jackson's hair caught fire from a pyrotechnics mishap on set hospitalizing the star.





Update: Bob Girladi talks about his career with Michael Jackson in AdAge.

It's Hard to Imagine a World Without Michael Jackson

Take some time to visit the offical Michael Jackson YouTube channel for all of his hits.

Art in All Things: Rosemarie Fiore

Rosemarie Fiore is ignoring all warning labels about play with fireworks. Her new show, "Pyrotechnics" Firework Drawings 2009 is the result of just that. I found the images via Wooster Collective and had to know more. These beautiful, colorful, distressed, but still controlled paintings are made using layers of paper and different types of fireworks, each with a different quality. Beautiful aren't they?In addition to fireworks, Fiore has experimented with lawn mowers, pinball machines, waffle irons, and even the classic amusement park ride The Scrambler. Yep, The Scrambler, the ride that guaranteed I would throw up time and again, - in essence a huge Spirograph...check out the video below!

Through the Eye of the Artist: Director Xandy Smith

Now, I hate to pit my talented friends against each other, luckily most of them are not in direct competition, but I say without hesitation that Xandy Smith is one of the most talented, intelligent, and technologically skilled artists I have the luxury of knowing.

Xandy is a director with work in Music Videos, Commercials, and a few feature films in his sights. His skill with lighting and photography makes each piece of his work stunning and almost romantic, regardless of the DP (director of photography), proving Xandy himself is a true director of the look of his films, not solely the talent - an impressive combination. See for yourself, and visit Xandy's website for more.

Tim Burton Does Alice in Wonderland 2010

Sixty Years after the Disney animated feature I was obsessed with as a child, one of my favorite director takes on the classic story of Alice in Wonderland. Granted the story has been told countless times, with numerous film, tv, stage, live action and animated versions, this new interpretation is highly anticipated. The director that has brought us Edward Scissor Hands, Beetle Juice, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and countless other darkly twisted tales is sure to bring out the underbelly of the fantasy story. I imagine it much more like the live action version where the scary monster comes through the looking glass than the technicolor disney joyride. Today the first glimpses hit the web - enjoy!




USA Today has additional exclusive images - go check them out!

Artists at Work

Something relaxing, exciting and inspiring all at the same time about being able to peek in on the creative process.

Shepard Fairey

Shepard Fairey from Arkitip on Vimeo.

Logan Hicks, Galo and Sixten Paint at a Sportie LA Party ( I was lucky enough to attend this one, Logan Hicks' Stencil was sick! The detail was incredible.)

Boston Artist Leah Giberson

Poppytalk Handmade featured the work of Boston mixed media artist Leah Giberson today and I couldn't help but share. Not only is her work stand out beautiful, and affordable - but she's a Bostonian!

She makes mixed media painting based on photos of mainly mid-century architecture and design. My favorites (that i hope to treat myself to as a set for my birthday) are her chairs. I love the use of shadows, they remind me a bit of Hockney's pool paintings.

Wouldn't they look great in a set?
Check out all of her work in her etsy store.

Outstanding Wedding Videos

As a soon to be wed I must admit my normal free time -that has traditionally been spent hunting for fun videos or advertising has recently been divided - to scour wedding blogs.

The good news? The cross over! Check out some of these amazing and/or hilarious wedding videos/invitations and more.

Stop Motion amazingness...


Musical goodness...check out Grammie in the lilac and feel free to sing along.


Fresh Hubby of Bel Air?

Some of my favorite guilty wedding pleasures? StyleMePretty, OnceWed, GreenWeddingShoes, 100LayerCake, Rock N/ Roll Bride, A Backyard Wedding, and of course Martha.

Mullen Comes Out of the Woods and Into the City

Ad Agency Mullen uses it's ad skills to promote it's own big move into Boston proper from it's home on the North Shore.
Cute right? Illustrated by Rad Sechrist (Deer) and Nook (Turkey.)

Tom Jones Give's a Little Love to the Origins of Animation

Betty Boop, Steamboat Willy, Gertie the Dinosaur, and now Tom Jones joins the pioneers of animation in this new video for Give a Little Love. The bouncy, bendy black and white animated Tom Jones character fits the cheery mood of the tune and I think is a really great homage to the classics.



The video was directed by EMMA and Del of Pulse Films. (via Contagious)

Attack of the Hammer Pants

The first thought that came to mind when i saw this viral/stunt was...why am i never around when these things go down? I think this arena of advertising must make the day of anyone who witnesses and I'm just waiting for some savvy Creative to bring some unexpected commercial happiness into my day! 

Hello - a troop of Gold Hammer Pants wearing Hammer Time Dancers bomb a hipster jean store?! Hilarious!

This creative advertisement came from director Marc Klasfeld for the new A&E show Hammertime.

Yellowstone - Serene Video from Andrew Curtis

I found this little gem on Vimeo this morning and couldn't pull myself away. It brought me back to my own trip to Yellowstone, (when i thought i might become a ranger and never leave for a few days.) Made completely from still photos using the Nikon D90 and set to a soundtrack which induced beautiful, peaceful, meditation (Is it Fleet Foxes?) The word i keep coming back to is serene. Enjoy.

Yellowstone from Andrew Curtis on Vimeo.

Mauricio Pierro Illustrates the Latest for Caloi Bikes

How could you not take a second look at these illustrated ads for Brazilian Bike Company, Caloi (via FabraQuinteiro, São Paulo, Brazil?) When i saw them on Ads of the World i had to check out the rest of Mauricio's work immediately. As a whole his portfolio, of personal work mixed in with commercial projects, is even stronger than each of the individual efforts, what a fantastic signature style.


Wouldn't Mauricio's work make for a great cartoon? he thought so too! Check out his animated rendition of No Country for Old Men.

Photographer Marcus Palmqvist for Twist & Tango

I stumbled upon this beautiful campaign a few days ago on Le Book shot by Marcus Palmqvist for Twist & Tango. Marcus was kind enough to send me some of the pictures to share with you all. What initially grabbed my attention was the way Marcus captures movement in each frame, whether it be his subject literally frozen in motion or the light moving or inspiring motion in the scene.

Really beautiful, airy work. Thanks for sharing Marcus!

Marcus Palmqvist is represented by Adansky.

Literal Video Craze

It seems like these literal music videos have been popping up all over the last few days, from my Facebook to Perez Hilton. Why? Because they are SO good!!

See for yourself...
Total Eclipse of the Heart Literal Version


White Wedding Literal Version


What are your favorite Literal Video renditions?

The Beatles:Rock Band Trailer Debuts at E3

I havent' found who made it yet but will post the info as soon as I do! Doesn't it shout the fun and energy of The Beatles?

Update: It was made at Passion Pictures director is Pete Candeland and animator Robert Valley. (credits via Cartoon Brew)

Check out the cinematic trailer:



And the E3 Debut Trailer:

Toyota Prius finds Harmony Over the Rainbow

This commercial, (I know you have probably all seen it) brings the biggest smile to my face whenever i see it, it reminds me of Dorothy's first steps into Munchkin Land and Charlie's Chocolate Factory at the same time. The insane amount of choreography, both physically and between the director, DP, and VFX team to pull off such a large scale tapestry of moving people pieces is amazing.

Check out the spot:


...and a making of!