Of Montreal Blik Surface Graphics? What’s Next?

Of Montreal is a band that has seen success as the result of good music (arguable), but also good marketing (possibly also arguable, but not as much).

First, their music video for “Wraith Pinned To The Mist And Other Games,” featuring cutsy-wootsy pop art animation, garnered wide attention from the web nerds. Then, the same song was used, slightly altered, for a obnoxious yet hypnotic Outback Steakhouse commercial.

And now comes of Montreal’s wonderful new shenanigan for their new album, Skeletal Lamping… Blik Surface Graphics inspired by the album artwork!!

A true of Montreal fan benefits hugely from this offer, as purchasing one $40 set also gives a code to download the whole album digitally. So, after doing the math, if each song is purchased at $0.99 apiece digitally and there are 15 songs, the graphics pretty much only cost $25. Which is not bad at all, especially when one considers that these are these are extremely intricate packages with many pieces.

The David Barnes package (click here to view) has 105 movable and reusable pieces, and the Gemini Tactics package (click here to view has 55 movable and reusable pieces.

Compare that to something like this Lacy Sunday package by Jan Habraken, which only comes with 4 colors in three packages, and you REALLY get an idea of what a good deal this is. If you’re an of Montreal fan.

Or maybe you just like their graphics and want to sell the code for the album download.

First Thursday, Pioneer Square, July 2008

Alright, this is a bit late, but a late post is better than a non-post, correct?
Here are some of our favorites from the July 2008 First Thursday Art Walk! Enjoy!

Bryan Mandronico’s kooky, sci-fi inspired paintings aren’t just expertly colored; his use of clean lines, abstract shapes, and negative space make well-balanced, powerful pieces.

Bryan Mandronico shows with a little gold leaf and acrylic paint that sea creatures, popes, and aliens can hang out together without a hitch.

Erin Kendig, also known as Little Red Girl, didn’t have many pieces for sale on this day. Nonetheless, her space, which was shared with previously covered Ryan Molenkamp, was one of the hits of the 619 Building.

Two tree lovers embrace in Erin Kendig’s beautifully inked and intricately plotted drawings. (Note the little red girl in the lower left, watching the lovers.)

Stacey Rozich’s Birdhaus Complete is a colorful display of different birds. Watercolors on paper.

Stacey Rozich’s Problems at Sea offers a new take on seafaring. Watercolors on paper.

Ryan Bubnis Installation at Perihelion Arts, Phoenix

Came across a really cool and involved solo installation by Ryan Bubnis! The gallery seemed to give him an entire gallery world of his own. I particularly like the last installation and the adorable and awkwardly-shaped sculptures. Photography by Cecilia Singer.

Where The Good Thoughts Grow
Featuring new paintings, drawings, sculptures and installations from Portland artist Ryan Bubnis.

Partway through…

Drawing spread on the wall.

Some sculptures on shelves.

Wood chunks, yarn, and pine cones!!!

Side shot!! LOVE IT.

Was on display Friday April 4th-30th @ Perihelion Arts, Phoenix Arizona (www.perihelionarts.com/)

Seattle’s Garde Rail – Folk Pop Show

GARDE RAIL – FOLK POP! EXHIBIT
Garde Rail really crafted an amazing exhibit this time around, featuring a good group of artists with varying styles. The gallery did find them to be quite harmonious, however, and fit them all into a new subgenre known as “Folk Pop.” It was deliciously tasty, and will run from now until Saturday, April 26th. It’s highly recommended that you check it out IMMEDIATELY!

Robots on crunchy little textures surfaces, courtesy of the mind of Tim Hooper, an outsider artist from Tennessee. He blends humor and illustrative skill to create one of a kind cutesy pieces for everyone who likes to smile.

The work of Gregory L. Blackstock may be rather confusing upon first sight, but it’s the story that makes it deeply more interesting. Blackstock is autistic but possesses extraordinary abilities to create art and music and speak multiple languages. The above drawings depict different “Buzz Bombs,” or firework helicopters. His drawings come from his need to document everything he sees, and his other pieces are much more intricate than the ones shown above.

Ab The Flagman’s depiction of the American flag, using wood pieces and bedposts that were subsequently painted red, white, and blue.

The amazing three-dimensional work of Kevin Titzer, who uses driftwood from the Ohio River to craft his unique characters.

Paul Cordes Wilm is from Birmington, Alabama, and his showcased work is a blend of collage and paint. The above picture is collaged from newspaper coupon pages. Yay!