I had a fun time working on a chalk drawing drawing for the Art of Rock Festival yesterday, in downtown Lincoln. Checked in at 9am and decided to draw some little Monsters jamming out. Working with chalk is more work than you’d like. Fortunately I had a nice shady spot in front of the Zoo Bar, so I was spared from the blazing hot sun many other artists were contending with.
Melvins poster on sale at Gigposters.com
August 3rd, 2010
http://www.gigposters.com/classifieds/detail.php?siteid=11528
Go check it out. Available until I run out.
and Thanks!
July 12th, 2010I just wanted to add a personal note of thanks to everyone who bought my art last month. I am really happy that you have a piece of mine now, to enjoy, and which can live with you in your home. The show sold out- so I am very happy not to bring anything home and have to store it!
Thanks!
Here’s a photo that Heather Sticka took of me looking ecstatic:
Moto
July 12th, 2010I just got a new lens for my camera and have been testing it out in different environments. Here’s a photos of my motorcycle that I think turned out pretty nicely. The lens is a Nikon 50mm 1.8, and is manual focus. I have a lot to learn about focus!
closing party
June 23rd, 2010I’m going to have a “closing party” for my show, Tuesday June 29, from 7 to 9 pm. All remaining artwork will be sold to “best offer” cash and carry (or personal check is ok). Several of the big paintings will probably go for cheap, so if you are looking for something new for your house, apt, room, cell, or box, come get some.
Spatium Gallery- 14th and O street – 2nd floor.
mid June update
June 16th, 2010I took on some contract work with the Nelnet Marketing department working on interactive projects. So far – I have had to reacquaint myself with tables based design (for email templates); something I haven’t thought about in years! I have also been working closely with the other designers, creative director, and art director on ideating some new projects. There’s a 3 minute motion-graphic piece, a 30 second commercial, a website redesign, and a bunch of other things on the docket. It should be a fun month and a half or so!
The art is coming, the art is coming! With some of the proceeds of my art show, I’ve got my hands on a few more canvases of a variety of sizes from 24×24 to 30×40, so not as huge as the big ones in the show. I am working on compositions for them, and when and how to paint them. I am also about to print this Melvins poster finally-
I just got the positives back today, and will probably print Saturday if all goes well. A bit late for promotion, but they are mainly going to be merch for Melvins to sell at the show.
an interview on High Fructose website
June 5th, 2010Last week High Fructose contributer Chris McCreary sent me some questions about my new paintings- check it out: http://www.hifructose.com/the-blog/682-an-interview-with-ben-swift.html
more show photos
June 5th, 2010slightly blurry and washed out, a look at the room. I neglected to take any pics during the show. Some other people were popping off shots, so I hope to get them soon.
show preview
June 3rd, 2010Thanks to Angel! and Trevor! for their help tonight, I was able to hang my paintings for Friday night’s opening. We got them hung square and true despite some challenges in the wall surface… cross your fingers. Here’s a preview shot just to get your saliva rolling:
I think the show is going to look great! I still need to hang a few more things, and get the remnants ready to go, but the bulk of the art is up and ready to swoon over. Right? See you Friday!
paintings are ready
June 2nd, 2010I managed to complete the paintings and we are ready to hang! I will probably do some last minute touch ups but I feel like they are ready to show! Going to hang tomorrow night.
clockwise from top left: Pure, Loaded, Tiger Beetle, Reload
another big painting
June 1st, 2010
5th painting ready to go for the show Friday. I need to do the finishing work on all of these, will take care of it tonight and tomorrow.
Melvins – HoB
June 1st, 2010
I was lucky enough to get to work on a poster for Melvins again to help promote their upcoming show at House of Bricks in Des Moines, IA. I decided to go a little cartoony on this one, doodling the band name as a twisty arm thing. I scanned it in and messed with it, turning it into a vector object, then I added the color and texture in Photoshop. I am printing this guy this week, 3 colors – the final print size should be around 18×10 inches. This will be the first poster I print with my new screens. Excited!