Ever find yourself biking down the road noticing the trees are dead calm, but it’s still very windy on the road? Elementary answers from our new ‘HOW AND WHY: Weather’ book discovered HERE.
Archive for the INSPIRATION Category
INSPIRATION. HOW & WHY: WEATHER
Monday, August 16th, 2010NORTH SHORE. LAKE SUPERIOR = FREE AC
Monday, August 9th, 2010
It’s hot in the Midwest today. Luckily Lake Superior acts as a giant air-conditioning unit for Humans and Animals alike. Enter the cool calm HERE.
INSPIRATION. PIT GAME
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
While spending time at the Cedar Lake Cabin the Humans found this vintage PIT game on the shelf. The vibrant orange bell and agricultural graphics clearly had to be photographed and shared. Enter the PIT, click HERE.
RED • WHITE • BLUE
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
Everyone have a swell 4th of July weekend.
INSPIRATION, WORDS. A MINNESOTA FORESTER
Monday, June 28th, 2010
A Minnesota Forester:
“I’ve lived in the woods all my life; I learned how to cut and peel popple as a kid, helping support the family. I knew the names of all the trees and many of the other plants, and where they grew. After high school I went to a very good forestry school, and when I graduated I still knew next to nothing about the forest. I knew nothing about what makes the forest tick; and I know damned little more now, but I’m learning some of the questions we’ll have to answer if we’re going to grow the timber we need. I knew that we can’t just keep cutting and shoving seedlings back in the ground, and expect to come back in thirty years and cut again. This forest is one of the most complicated things in the world. Every part of it affects every other part. We’ve got to find out what things affect the soil, and what the function of the different plants is, and the function of the birds and animals, and the ground water and surface water and the sun and the snow and what really happens after a burn . . .
NATURE. JUNE RAINFALL
Friday, June 25th, 2010
It has been an unusually rainy June and the yard is insanely green. I demanded that the Humans let me out (under their watchful eye) for my favorite treat, fresh grass - so good. Check out some serious grass mowing HERE.
INSPIRATION. KODAK 104 / OUTFIT
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
MEMORIAL DAY
Monday, May 31st, 2010
Via Wiki :: Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil War), it was expanded after World War I to honor dead Americans from all wars.
Remembering and enjoying the beautiful weather.
ART. LUTSEN CHAIR, INDIA INK + WATERCOLOR
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
India Ink + Watercolor on Birch plywood
Land of the extremes. We received word Minneapolis was going thru an abnormal heat wave, reaching tropical temps with insane humidity. Which brings on the comments “it’s too hot”. While it’s crazy to think only a few months ago we were experiencing a 100Âş difference. And at the same time people below the equator are having their fair share of winter. Makes you think and appreciate the multiple climates we live in - cherish the change.
This artwork was inspired by our Lutsen Chair Photo from the “Plastic Views” collection. The photo was taken on an extreme day at Lutsen, MN; lots of snow, lots of wind. This painting / drawing version of Lutsen Chair depicts the actual weather of the day. Sometimes 1/60 of a second does not capture the true ambience.
INSPIRATION. 1970’s FAMILY CIRCLE DIY
Thursday, May 20th, 2010
The Humans recently picked up the full 1970’s Family Circle DIY Encyclopedia set. The books looked like they had been on the shelf together for many years. Probably never even opened because the inside still looked brand spankin’ new. The volumes contain not only good design but amazing modern ideas worth trying. More from these beauties later…
Details found HERE.
NATURE. MOREL HUNTING
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010
The novice mushroom hunters found these little black morels. Please do not give the Humans too much credit for the hunt, because they found them growing in the backyard. Obviously not true hunters like myself. Nevertheless they were excited to stumble upon these little fungus soldiers. Click HERE to explore the morel.
INSPIRATION. EPISCOPIO PACKAGING
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
Projectors are for Humans, chasing lights on the wall is for critters. How does that spot get on the wall, and why do I have such a hard time catching it? The Humans are less intrigued by the lights spots, but did find the packaging on this little Episcopio Projector to be irresistible. Those vibrant colors and simple line graphics never fail to intrigue. Even the included light bulb had inspiring packaging. See the projected light, click HERE.
INSPIRATION. MY NAME IS SIMON
Thursday, May 6th, 2010
Simon, a Computer Controlled Game. I excel at visual hunting so with all those blinking lights and beeps this is a game for me. I leave the memory aspect to the Humans (they need the practice). It is hard to resist the the urge to beat Simon but even if you can’t beat him at least you can enjoy the color spectrum. Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, Green, Red…Test your skills, click HERE.
ART. WHISTLER CHAIR, INDIA INK
Monday, April 26th, 2010
India Ink on Birch plywood.
It is Monday so the Humans decided it was the perfect day to share their Whistler Chair piece. The drawing was inspired by their Spaceship photograph shot in the summer at Whistler, Canada. Get in the grain and ink HERE.
This piece was also in the show “Plastic Views”
PHOTO. SATURDAY CIRCLES
Saturday, April 24th, 2010
INSPIRATION. DRAFT A PLAN
Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
The Humans spent the past weekend spring cleaning the Habitat for me. During the overhaul they re-discovered this vintage drafting kit they picked up at an estate sale. It’s quite amazing that everything you need to design your own skyscraper, comes inside this little box. Well, it might take a little bit more than a mini drafting table… but the Humans couldn’t resist documenting the vintage packaging and great old typography. Tools like these make you appreciate the efficiency of computers and respect how everything was created not too many years ago. Get inside the box HERE.
INSPIRATION. ARCHITECTURE BY TEAM
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
You may have noticed my recent hiatus from my daily ramblings, my apologies. The Humans have been keeping me busy with team building exercises for the past few weeks. Ugh, enough of all this team work I am all about getting individual credit for my unique abilities. They don’t seem to share my sentiment. However, we were all intrigued by this seventies architectural teamwork book. Join the team and check out the typography, click HERE.
SHOW. “PLASTIC VIEWS” COLOR METAL PRINTS
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Even more from PLASTIC VIEWS. Here are the color lomography images currently on display from the Humans art show. Each image is printed on white enamel sheet metal, float mounted, and ready to hang on your wall. Enjoy some color lomography up close by clicking HERE.
SHOW. “PLASTIC VIEWS” B&W METAL PRINTS
Monday, March 8th, 2010
More from PLASTIC VIEWS. As mentioned previously, the Humans currently have an art show on display the entire month of March at Pizza Luce in Duluth, Minnesota. For those we may not be able to attend in person the Humans wanted to share some images from the show. Here are the black and white lomography images currently on display. Each image is printed on brushed sheet metal, float mounted, and ready to hang on your wall. Printing on metal is an interesting alternative to paper. Metal prints are can be hung without frame or glass for a less traditional approach to displaying photography. Enjoy some black and white HERE.
INSPIRATION. AMERICAN / INDIAN BOARD GAMES
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
I am a pretty avid gamer (especially floor hockey) but board games are not my forte. However, the Humans enjoy a classic game of Monopoly now and then. Especially with these classic Americana graphics, which is an interesting dichotomy to the sinister graphics of Pachisi of India. Perhaps the game teaches you to float like the hovering figures on the box.? If so this game might belong in our Exploratory post. Wherever it might fit they both have great vintage color and typography.
Check out board game close ups HERE.
PHOTO. RECALLING WHISTLER
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Canadian Spaceship. Look what our friends to the North spend their time building, space pods. The Humans used their Holga camera to capture another surreal world at the top of Whistler Mountain. In the middle of July without Olympians at the top o’ the Mountain one is inclined to believe that tiny space creatures are lurking near your feet. To look for Canadian space creatures, chick HERE.
INSPIRATION. QUESTION / LOVE
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
Happy Valentine’s Day. Spread the heart.
INSPIRATION. OLYMPICS + CANADA + STAMPS
Monday, February 8th, 2010
INSPIRATION. VINTAGE PAINTING
Friday, January 29th, 2010
Ah, you have no idea how particular the Humans are about their artwork. Sure, they like a wide range of art but when it comes to actually putting a hole in the wall and looking at something day after day, that is true commitment. Well, they overcame part of their fear and hung this vintage campfire painting above the balance bench. This piece reminded them of a camp site on their Isle Royale venture. Warm up by the fire by clicking HERE.
INSPIRATION. VINTAGE CLEANING BOXES
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
Before the modern day of annoyingly jam packed graphics and warnings on packaging, there stood a time for simplicity. Where minimal graphics, bold type and strong floods of colors remained king. Here are a couple examples of vintage cleaning boxes that have caught the Human’s eye over the years. Personally, I avoid anything having to do with water or cleaning, but you can clean up and check them out HERE.
TRAVEL. BANFF - LAKE LOUISE - JASPER
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
One word, epic. These look a bit rocky and huge for me but the Humans spend last February exploring Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. Why does everyone always forget about our Northern friends… it is big, beautiful, and really clean - oh Canada. Like I always say if you aren’t in Canada then at least look at some pictures and recollect the greatness. Travel People. Observations of the Canadian Rockies from Banff to Jasper are readily available by clicking HERE.
INSPIRATION. LEAD PACKAGING
Friday, December 11th, 2009
Listo and Scripto have created some sweet-o packaging. The Humans love to draw and these two companies provide the goods to make it happen. They tell me it feels good to sketch and actually make something tangible in this control alt delete world. Check out the great type and color details HERE.
INSPIRATION. EXPLORATORY BOARD GAMES
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
Did you know that board game box tops are the best place for an evening nap… The Humans pulled out their classic Ouija board and Close Encounters board game to see if they could make contact. No contact was made (this time) but the great typography and muted colors were much enjoyed. And not to forget that amazing Parker Brothers logo. You don’t see board game design like this anymore.
To see if you can make contact click HERE.
MC GOODS. TRANSIT DESIGN PROCESS
Monday, November 23rd, 2009
The snow is on its way. The Humans have unpacked their snow gear, lined up their boards, and secured the habitat hatches – winter, bring it on. My snow gear is built-in thick fur, but I prefer to stay sprawled out in front of the window for the next few months. After many years being transported hillside, the chairlift became a great friend to the Humans winter fun. Hence, they created their Transit design based on this visually correct utility. The design was inspired by a chairlift photograph, shot at Copper Mountain, CO during a Academy Snowboards photo shoot. The lift and two of the lift lines were screen printed and an additional line was stitched with thread to add a textural element to the one-dimensional design. To view the chairlift / transit design + t-shirts and other garments, click HERE.
TRAVEL. ISLE ROYALE BACKCOUNTRY
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
The Humans survived Isle Royale. Thank goodness, someone needs to prepare my meals. Here, is the foot long tale as the Humans tell it…once they stepped off the dock they were on their own trudging down a small footpath with all the gear on their backs. Sweating hot to bone aching cold, wearing eau du bug spray (that was of zero assistance). After hiking too many miles, they found their first campsite, a spot on the peninsula in Huginnin Cove. They pilled up a couple logs to sit on, boiled some water to drink, ate some grub on their private beach, and caught some much needed rest (no campfires allowed due to preservation of the Island). The days repeated with more hiking, moose stalking, rain, mosquitos that actually had teeth, food rationing, stinky socks; creating one of the best adventures to date - crazy Humans. To see more of the one of the most unspoiled places on earth, click HERE.
Hope you enjoy the Island my friends.
