Hi, we're OK Great, a tight-knit crew of designers, writers + artists, hell-bent on delivering the best in art, design and culture. The world is a big pile of awesome. We're the spoon. Dig in.
I’m willing to bet that the decision to become self-employed is never easy for anyone. If it was a breeze for you, nice going and where the hell did you come from? I’d like to share some of my own experiences in starting a business with my husband with the hopes that it pushes some of you further towards that next step. After all, besides occasionally waking up at 4:30 in the morning because my heart is beating too fast from accounting nightmares where I’m trying to cash checks but they fly away in the wind or my arms just fall off, I’ve never, ever, ever been happier or more successful in my entire life. I want everyone to feel that because it’s AWESOME. True, success is really one of those painfully subjective words, but take a quick poll of your friends and see what they believe to be success. You’ll probably hear the words happiness and freedom a lot. Oh, maybe money too. Yeah, definetly money. But that’s a work in progress.
Here are some signs (after the jump) that indicate you should GO FOR IT. That is, if you have a real, concrete idea and not just a “wish,” like, I wish I was a dolphin:
Many of you are probably familiar with the artists/toy makers/creators of all things cute+happy, FriendsWithYou. To celebrate the opening of Section 2 of the High Line Park in NYC, they teamed up with AOL to create a 40-piece environmental installation called Rainbow City. As you can see from the pictures above, this installation is pretty much a playground of brightly colored inflatable creatures, and it looks like so much fun! If you are planning a visit to NYC, the exhibition will be open until July 5, so you still have some time to swing by and check it out. You can visit FriendsWithYou’s website for more photos & information.
Ryder Doty is a clever illustrator from Cali. I found his work on flickr and after digging through his illustrations, I really appreciated his clean style + visual wit. When your logo has an eyepatch on it, you are already in good standings with me.
I love finding a Make Something Cool Every Day folder hidden in an artists portfolio. It’s a great chance to see an artist’s natural talent shine through (speed, consistency, personality). Check out Marius Rosendaal‘s contribution to MSCED!
It’s no news that I love the Walker Art Center. But this find just takes it to another level. Amazing performing arts flyers archive—via the walkerartblog.
In honor of the spectacular news that there will someday soon be a Brian Wilson biopic from the writer/director of “The Messenger,” (also an excellent film) I thought we’d take a look back at some of the incredible album art created for The Beach Boys. I’ve always been pulled in by the music – the tingling harmonies, the innocent lyrics all wrapped up in gorgeous chords that seem to sort of say I’m sorry, I’m lost, I’m confused and I don’t know why. Even if upon first listen it sounds like these young california men are just talking about cars and girls. Besides the masterpiece of Pet Sounds and the relatively recent reworking and excavation of the infamous Smile, there are tons of songs and tons of albums to discover. There’s a lot of hope, curiosity, heartbreak and loneliness in the music all at the same time. That’s my favorite kind of song.
See some of the more “psychedelic” album covers after the jump…
While in NYC earlier this week, I heard about an exclusive club in Jersey (who doesn’t want to join a club in Jersey??) founded on the notion of destruction. Get together and destroy shit with the weapon of your choice. Sounds intriguing right? Well it’s not. It’s a members only club dedicated to super-rich people getting together to smash expensive stuff. I’m sure they think it’s some sort of liberating, existential exercise; but in this economy? It’s ridiculous.
Lindsey Mayer-Beug is a talented designer, illustrator and motion graphics wizard from Brooklyn, NY. Her work has a cool trippy digital collage look to it. Almost like a Photoshopped recreation of a dream.
Canadian illustrator Julie Morstad creates creatures that remind me of the lightness I felt as a child. You know, when you jump up and it feels like you’re flying. Imagining worlds that ignore the lesser things in life. Like—adulthood.
