Lion cat

I made a lion's mane for Books the Cat.

He hates it. He doesn't want to be so ferocious.


It looked a little goofy anyway.

Creative Mornings PDX: Zora Phoenix

A few weeks ago I got to hear Zora Phoenix's Creative Mornings talk. She is a self-categorized gender illusionist, dressing more understated and realistic as she performs drag and burlesque. 

The theme for this month's talk was Sex. Zora's insight on this topic was that everyone, regardless of appearance or gender, is sexy.

This month's theme

As a leading member of the Portland burlesque scene, Zora has aided in creating a community open to all. She teaches burlesque classes that allow women who've suffered abuse and men who want to be more in touch with themselves, along with many others, find and refind their own form of confidence. She also produces and preforms in numerous burlesque and drag shows, all while keeping a typical corporate day job.

It was really interesting to hear how all the different aspects of her life and different facades she has, from a business man during the day to a gender illusionist at night, make up who she is. She doesn't want to be just one thing, each aspect of her life informs the others and allows her to be exactly who she wants to be.

It was a great message - the best you can be is yourself. No two people are the same, so no one can express themselves in the same way. We need to stop comparing ourselves to others, and be okay with being who each of us are, even if thats not the social norm or similar to what other people are. The best I can be is the best version of me. Thanks Zora.

Talking with My Dad

My dad, John N. Frank, has always been a writer, and last year he ventured into play writing for the first time.

He put on his play, New Years Eve at Grandma's House, last April at Piven Theater with members of a theater troupe he formed. It was the story of his childhood, growing up in an Italian-American family in New York City. You can read more about that performance here. 

New Year's Eve at Grandma's House poster

I also did all the designs for it, which can be seen here.

Now, this year, he is on to his second play, Talking with My Dad. Also a personal subject, it explores the continued relationship between parent and child, even after the parent is deceased. 

My dad, as a kid, and my grandparents.

My dad has started a fund-raising campaign in order to bring this next play to the stage. Perks include tickets to see the show and meeting the cast. Please consider donating - here.

Or, go see the show later this year if you are in or around Chicago!

Sunday Morning Typography

Vibe of Portland

About a month ago, I started volunteering with Vibe of Portland, an organization that brings art and music to schools where funding for the arts has been cut. I work as an assistant art teacher in an after school program for 6th - 8th graders. Its been awesome to get to know the kids and see them get so excited about creativity.

As an artist and a kid who loved art class, I know how important art education is. Kids need to develop the creative side of their brain, not just the analytical. It is necessary for a fully rounded individual. Art also allows them a place to escape from routine, a place to do whatever they want, to be and express themselves, and to discover their own ways of problem solving.

Its a really great organization to be a part of, and I'm so honored to be working along side people who are passionate about the subject.

In a week and a half, Vibe is hosting an event at Migration Brewery. A portion of all proceeds from that night go to support Vibe. All you have to do is go out for a beer as usual and you'll help more kids have access to art programs. Also, Migration makes really good beer and they have $11 pitchers for happy hour as well as $3.75 pints and $3 - $5 appetizers. But only until 6pm. So get there early and support Vibe!

On another note, I'm excited to start doing some design work for them soon.

Creative Mornings PDX: Andi Zeisler

The theme for this month's Creative Mornings talk was 'Rebel'. Andi Zeisler, co-founder and editorial/creative director of Bitch Media, was the perfect person to talk about this topic. Her magazine uses a conventional medium to critique pop culture, subversive from the inside. 

Andi Zeisler

She talked a lot about how the alternative compares the the main stream, and how the two overlap. For example, magazines used to be the main big media, but now the internet has taken its spot, leaving them to become the alternative. Similarly, big companies use underground movements like graffiti to market their main stream products. So then where is the divide? Its not always so obvious.

It was really interesting to hear her view point on print media. I always hear nowadays about how print is dying because of the internet, but she talked about how people used to say the radio was going to die because of movies. Or how movies would die because of tv. And now how magazines will die. None of those things died, they just focus their attention on more specific topics and a smaller audience, making them more specialized.

We seem to be living in a time where more and more things are becoming specialized towards one specific idea, and I think thats okay. I'd rather go to one produce store, one vegan store, and one general store to get all of my groceries and know they're all the best than to get everything in one place where nothing is as good. If that is the product of rebellion, its definitely not making the world a worse place.

Zeisler went on to say that if you define yourself as a rebel, there inevitable comes a time where you become engulfed into that thing that you are rebelling against. She made an important point about how working for money and working because you love it don't always have to be opposites. Just because you love it doesn't mean you should do it for free, but making money doesn't necessarily mean selling out. You can still maintain all of your alternative ideas while making money. 

I think the overall message I am taking away is that the best way to navigate the movement of culture between mainstream and alternative is to stick to doing what you love instead of focusing on which category it lies in. You don't have to play into main stream culture, but being against it just for the purpose of being against it won't get you very far.

Me again

And, in honor of Valentine's Day, they had cute creative-themed candy hearts.

Creative Mornings talks the past two months were great too! Last month G Cody QJ Goldberg talked about building handicap accessible playground, and the month before Liz Forkin Bohannon talked about a shoe company she created employing woman in Africa in order for them to have money to go to school. The talks are always interesting and inspiring and I'm so glad something like this exists!

Leg Warmers

Made the first one over a year ago. Finally finished the second one yesterday.

Its not too fun to make two identical things in a row, but I'm so glad I have them now for this cold weather!

Good for wearing with boots, or just around the house. 

Happy Hour & Co.

Today marks the fateful day that Happy Hour & Co. opens its Etsy doors!

My good friend and old art school chum, Brianne, has put her artist talents and knack for clever humor to good use. She has teamed up with fellow conspirator, Emma, who lends her master typography and illustration skills. Together they make a pretty darn good greeting card team.

Inspired by their favorite hour of the day and the great company they keep [like me?], their cards are funny and cute and just the right amount of straightforward. Perfect to send to your bffs around the globe. Snatch some cards up now, before they're all gone! or reprinted. 

Get them here - Happy Hour & Co. Etsy 

My Spice Sage site redesign

I currently work as a designer for an online spice retailer, My Spice Sage.
They recently undertook a site redesign. Not only do we now have a much more focused aesthetic, but they opted to make the move from photographic images to illustration. This is very exciting for me, because now I get to spend all my time drawing fun food things.

I've added a new section of these illustrated banners here, as well as below, for your viewing pleasure.

Tofu

I made a sweater for Tofu, my friend Kim's dog.

I'm getting pretty good at this animal sweater thing, I wonder what animal I should make one for next? 

Creative Mornings Pdx: Matt Wagner

A few weeks ago I went to hear Matt Wagner talk as part of Creative Mornings, a lecture series for the creative community. Matt is an owner and curator at Hellion Gallery here in Portland, and is a strong advocate for the arts. 

In his talk, he compared the artist to the plumber, both hired for a specific purpose, both well versed in their fields, yet one you pay no questions asked and the other you always want to haggle down to a lower price. The idea of a starving artist has become so romanticized in our culture that people use that as an excuse to not pay for art. But art is important and has just as much value as an unclogged drain. In his gallery, Matt helps artists find life long careers instead of having to live from show to show with a different day job.

Theres me, front and center.

It was inspiring to hear how much people care about art. He also said some things about how lots of artists don't fully believe in what their doing but that no matter what, things we create do have value. Made me think that maybe I should get back into doing more art. 

I look forward to checking out his gallery soon and attending the next Creative Mornings talk coming up this Friday! 

You can listen to his whole lecture on the Creative Mornings website - here

Books the Cat

A long drive across the country means lots of time for knitting. This sweater was intended for a dog, but came out too small and so was inherited by Books.

He doesn't hate it...

Beard of Beez does it again

With a team of just three, we still got 3rd place at trivia last night!