4 x 6 Exchange submission

Art House Co-op has been putting out some great (free!) projects of lately. My co-worker and I have been participating in as many projects as our schedule will allow for, so many fun things to do and so little time! The 4 x 6 Exchange project had participants designing/drawing/illustrating on anything that was kept to the mandatory 4in. x 6in. dimensions. Participants post their submission to Art House Co-op, and in return receive a submission from another participant (hence the exchange). I thought this aspect was pretty cool, once the project is completed all participants have an original physical piece of art from some one they've never met (community- holla!). Below is my submission, I'm trying to do more this year- hopefully I can encourage some one else to do the same. The piece was done with a fine tip pen on wood paper (which I am fosholy going to use more!). I can't wait to receive my exchange in the mail- stay tuned!

A Book Called Forever by Rob Jelinski

Through participating in Art House Co-op's Sketchbook Project, I got the opportunity to connect with Rob Jelinski, an extremely talented artist based in New Jersey. For Sketchbook Project 2012, Rob went above and beyond simply creating a book with a number of sketches (like me, whooops!). He went as far as to create a microsite for his sketchbook, A Book Called Forever which features an original EP, a music list that inspired the work, a read list featuring other artists participating in Sketchbook Project 2012, videos, wallpapers and the list goes on (surf the microsite for yourself). I had the pleasure of creating a hand-lettered type treatment promoting an event that was held this passed Saturday in New Jersey and online, exhibiting some of the work featured in Rob's 2012 Sketchbook. It has been a truly great experience collaborating with Rob so far, he's working really hard to do cross-promotions with other artists which I feel enforces a much needed sense of community on a global scale and is oh so admirable (reeespect man!) Congrats on the success of your first exhibition Rob! Definitely won't be your last :)

Threadless + The Gap

I am trying to participate in Threadless challenges more this year (can you tell?). They had yet another great collaboration with The Gap where a number of winning submissions will be sold on Threadless AND at The Gap (what great exposure!). The theme behind this challenge was to create an iconic t-shirt, immediately I new I wanted to do something typographic. I have been hearing the phrase "Kindness is the New Currency" here and there and when I read about the challenge that was the first thing that came to mind. For a while now I have wanted to do a type treatment using script with lots of ligatures/flourishes and I finally got it done! I am quite pleased with the execution of this one if I do say so myself :D If you like my submission, please vote for it here!

St. Patrick's Day Lunch

St. Patrick's day fell on a Saturday this year, which meant I had the time to prepare some Irish fare before the revelry began. I asked my Irish homefry Marie for an authentic dish, and she sent on some info about Irish coddle. The recipe and technique was quite simple- veg baked with sausage AND bacon? I'm down. Although our family tends to like things on the saucy side, the broth we used in the recipe mixed with the starch from the potatoes and turned into a light gravy, which we spooned over top. The coddle was quite yummy, a great comfort food dish. This St. Paddy's day was extra special for me, mainly because I got to spend some good time with my Irish friends who have been living in TO for the past two years. Let's also note the Siege of Ennis is a little difficult, (especially if you have a couple drinks in you) but a good laugh nonetheless. Thanks so much for having us over Irish homefries! We Canucks had a grand ol' time :)

Threadless + Whole Planet Foundation

Threadless had a great design challenge where they partnered up with Whole Planet Foundation, a charity that is part of Whole Foods. Basically what happens is microloans are given to women in communities where Whole Foods products are sourced. Those women use the microloans for their local businesses, ultimately lifting themselves (and their communities) out of poverty. Before I started drawing I read some stories about the women who received the microloans, it is truly amazing how their lives can be changed with the purchase of simple things like goat or even a refrigerator. I wanted my concept to show how the process of how the microloans help women and their communities (infographic doodles are fun fun!). If you like my concept, PLEASE vote for it here!

Finally on Twitter!

Success! After much loafting I have finally joined Twitter! I know some of you are yawning since you have been tweeting for years (?) now, but this is a big deal for yours truly. As a creative I feel social media platforms are super important as a means to get your name, ideas and work out in the public sphere (for free!). It is incredible how we are all connected now though these same platforms, sharing thoughts and ideas from any corner of the globe happens instantly (a double edged sword, but let's use it for good!). I think a good rule of thumb is to encourage/support and follow others as a means to build your following (and not simply expect all of Twitter to be following you in a heartbeat). Bare with me as I make my way through the Twittersphere, but more importantly- follow me! @AnilN_Singh

Congrats Mr. Machel!

Congrats are in order for Mr. Machel Montano who picked up some solid wins this passed Carnival in Trinidad. Machel won Power Soca Monarch for "Pump Yuh Flag" and Groovy Soca Monarch for "Mr. Fete". Apparently the race for Roadmarch was quite close (the 'Roadmarch' is the song that is played/heard the most when masquerading bands pass judging points and cross the big stage on Carnival Tuesday). The race was between Fay-Ann Lyons' "Miss Behave" and Machel's "Pump Yuh Flag" (included the roadmix there), however special shout out to Iwer George who was also a contender with "No Pain" (and man- his riddim was TOUGH!). Fay-Ann did give Machel a run for his money, The Trinidad Guardian reported masqueraders actually dropping on the ground and rolling in FULL costume on the dirty road (laaaaaawd ah mercy!). However when all was said and done, Machel won Roadmarch for 2012 Carnival. He also won this title last year, let's see if he can do a Roadmarch hattrick for 2013 :) Congrats Machel!