pictures by joe hammers
Showing posts with label Kansas City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kansas City. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Baconfest and the Birthday of Charlie Parker
Saturday, August 29th
Baconfest! The morning greeted me to half a dozen tents being set up on the street below. There were a handful of food booths with bacon delights and a pig corral that held a very tired but cute little pink pig. At 11, Patrick (from Foundation next door) turned on the tunes and the party was started.
Part of the Pistol prerogative is "snaking" free food and booze. Baconfest is such an occasion where it is my duty to do so. From the secret location of my room, I surveyed the crowd with an an eye details to help the success of my snaking. Wristbands would be a problem, but not with long sleeves. I threw on my light thermal and went to see what Baconfest was about.
Baconfest was a testament to all that Bacon is - a desert, a pizza, an alcoholic beverage. There were large pans brimming with crispy strips and a vendor doling out the most delicious bacon barbecue sandwich I'd ever tasted. Since admission was thirty dollars, all of the food and drinks were free. Since the festival was in my front yard, the entire thing was free.
At two the festival wrapped up and I returned, well fed, to my base. Eventually I got so bored I needed to get out of my room. I went to the Plaza to scout out job opportunities. In the evening there was a show next door and I snaked some more drinks before going to bed.
Sunday, August 30th
I woke up at 9 and listened to my audio book for an hour while Cecil attempted to win my love back with the virtue of annoyance. At 11, Joe burst in and told me that if I wanted, the Hearts of Darkness' crazy red-head stepchild, The Dirty Force (Top of the Bottoms) were going to preform at a Jazz funeral/birthday celebration for the famous Charlie Parker, and if I wanted we were invited to go with.
Well, I wanted to clean the Pistol, but how could I turn down that offer? Originally we dressed in normal clothes, but Joe reported the Dirty Force were going to be dressing up, after all, they were taking part in a Jazz funeral procession - or more like were the procession (Dirty Force is a Funeral inspired Mardi Gras band). So instead of jeans, I donned a brown pencil shirt and forties style red blouse, red lipstick, and my new gold wedges. I finished putting up my hair and we were off.
There were four carloads of musicians and their instruments. We arrived at Lincoln Cemetery to find it full of cars. There were probably eighty to a hundred people standing around, a dozen or so with saxophones. We milled about for fifteen-ish minutes and then the eulogies started. There were four speakers followed by a jazz improve by the saxophone players. The event ended with the funeral procession by The Dirty Force. The whole thing probably lasted an hour and a half.
Joe and I went home, changed, and immediately left again for cheap Mexican food. Then we came back to the Pistol. I napped, then awoke to start sweeping and dusting.
At seven Halliday called and picked me up a half hour later - drive in movie at 8. We picked up a pizza, some drinks, and joined up with some of her friends that we'd met at the show on Friday. Halliday had tricked out her trunk with a cooler and blankets, although it paled in comparison to another couple who brought their porch rocker, table, and a rug.
The movies were Halloween II and Inglorious Bastards.
Halloween II was a grizzly attempt at making a horror movie but relied on cheap tricks to try to scare its audience. The effects used blood and guts as a crutch and the story was choppy at best. Not enough psychological play and too much stabbing. There is no way one man could kill a hospital full of people. Not even if that man is Michael Myers. Oh, and the whole "I love you brother" at the end. Lame.
Inglorious Bastards was supposed to be a film about killing Nazis and I was disappointed. I thought that Tarantino would have used his great tricks to make an excellent film, but I don't think the movie lived up to the trailer.
The night was fun none the less and I am going back to the drive in next weekend for Greaserama.
Baconfest! The morning greeted me to half a dozen tents being set up on the street below. There were a handful of food booths with bacon delights and a pig corral that held a very tired but cute little pink pig. At 11, Patrick (from Foundation next door) turned on the tunes and the party was started.
Part of the Pistol prerogative is "snaking" free food and booze. Baconfest is such an occasion where it is my duty to do so. From the secret location of my room, I surveyed the crowd with an an eye details to help the success of my snaking. Wristbands would be a problem, but not with long sleeves. I threw on my light thermal and went to see what Baconfest was about.
Baconfest was a testament to all that Bacon is - a desert, a pizza, an alcoholic beverage. There were large pans brimming with crispy strips and a vendor doling out the most delicious bacon barbecue sandwich I'd ever tasted. Since admission was thirty dollars, all of the food and drinks were free. Since the festival was in my front yard, the entire thing was free.
At two the festival wrapped up and I returned, well fed, to my base. Eventually I got so bored I needed to get out of my room. I went to the Plaza to scout out job opportunities. In the evening there was a show next door and I snaked some more drinks before going to bed.
Sunday, August 30th
I woke up at 9 and listened to my audio book for an hour while Cecil attempted to win my love back with the virtue of annoyance. At 11, Joe burst in and told me that if I wanted, the Hearts of Darkness' crazy red-head stepchild, The Dirty Force (Top of the Bottoms) were going to preform at a Jazz funeral/birthday celebration for the famous Charlie Parker, and if I wanted we were invited to go with.
Well, I wanted to clean the Pistol, but how could I turn down that offer? Originally we dressed in normal clothes, but Joe reported the Dirty Force were going to be dressing up, after all, they were taking part in a Jazz funeral procession - or more like were the procession (Dirty Force is a Funeral inspired Mardi Gras band). So instead of jeans, I donned a brown pencil shirt and forties style red blouse, red lipstick, and my new gold wedges. I finished putting up my hair and we were off.
There were four carloads of musicians and their instruments. We arrived at Lincoln Cemetery to find it full of cars. There were probably eighty to a hundred people standing around, a dozen or so with saxophones. We milled about for fifteen-ish minutes and then the eulogies started. There were four speakers followed by a jazz improve by the saxophone players. The event ended with the funeral procession by The Dirty Force. The whole thing probably lasted an hour and a half.
Joe and I went home, changed, and immediately left again for cheap Mexican food. Then we came back to the Pistol. I napped, then awoke to start sweeping and dusting.
At seven Halliday called and picked me up a half hour later - drive in movie at 8. We picked up a pizza, some drinks, and joined up with some of her friends that we'd met at the show on Friday. Halliday had tricked out her trunk with a cooler and blankets, although it paled in comparison to another couple who brought their porch rocker, table, and a rug.
The movies were Halloween II and Inglorious Bastards.
Halloween II was a grizzly attempt at making a horror movie but relied on cheap tricks to try to scare its audience. The effects used blood and guts as a crutch and the story was choppy at best. Not enough psychological play and too much stabbing. There is no way one man could kill a hospital full of people. Not even if that man is Michael Myers. Oh, and the whole "I love you brother" at the end. Lame.
Inglorious Bastards was supposed to be a film about killing Nazis and I was disappointed. I thought that Tarantino would have used his great tricks to make an excellent film, but I don't think the movie lived up to the trailer.
The night was fun none the less and I am going back to the drive in next weekend for Greaserama.
On the blog again
Much has happened since I last wrote.
I drove the Oregon Trail, made some yard sale cash, saw friendly faces, and made some trouble here in K.C.
Before driving out from Poulsbo, my brother, his wife, and I had a yard sale. Lessons were learned and I will have to remember, Saturday is the most lucrative day. My brother took most of my money on Sunday as "dues" so I left early to pack for my trip.
Sunday night my good friend Tami and I met up for some navy bar escapades and in the early morn, my mom and I left for Kansas City.
Monday, August 24th
One month since the day I left Kansas City, I left Poulsbo. Monday I was sick from allergies and so I didn't drive much. The drive was the same one we took in May - Poulsbo to Bozeman. The Motel 8 had Golden Girls and I fell asleep watching them.
Tuesday, August 25
Bozeman, MT to Scott's Bluff, NE. The drive was much shorter. This time instead of crossing into the Dakotas, our trek took us south into Wyoming and from there into Nebraska. We met the Oregon Trail at Fort Laramie near the Nebraska border and followed it to our day's destination at Scott's Bluff.
We weren't purposely tracing the trail, but today's modern-day highway follows it because of the natural ease of the land - the very reason pioneers chose the route. Although coincidental, the historical part of it was the most exciting part about our trip.
In Fort Laramie, the rain was pouring hard enough we were unable look at the site (no umbrellas) although I did strike up enough courage to hike a short distance to Oregon Trail tracks that had been cut into solid rock. A mile or so away was Register Cliff, a cliff face (go figure) that contained the signatures of thousands in its side. There were many from the 1800's (the earliest I saw was from 1820), although sadly I saw one carved as recently as 2005. Near the tracks I found a very faded, but distinguishable signature from JR - 1888 next to a much larger and legible Sam and Peggy - 1979.
"The sandstone rocks near Guernsey .... Here, the trail ruts are not to be missed since they are carved into the stone. Some gouges are more than four feet deep! These deep ruts result from years of wagon wear and from intentional cutting by emigrants attempting to ease the steep passage up from the level river bottom to the High Plains. .... A short drive from the trail ruts back through Guernsey takes visitors to Register Cliff, .... Following a day’s journey from Fort Laramie, emigrants spent the night at Register Cliff and inscribed their names into the rock face. The earliest signatures date to the late 1820s when trappers and fur traders passed through the area, but most of the names visible today were carved during the 1840s and 1850s when the Oregon Trail was at its height. Today, visitors can walk along the cliff base to view the signatures up close."
Wednesday, August 26th
We started the day at Scott's Bluff National Monument. The fog was so thick nothing could be seen until we were upon it. Then the fog cleared to reveal a bright blue sky with the fog cloud hovering inbetween the towering rock formations of the bluff. It was awe inspiring to stand there were at one point a good 150 thousand plus people traveled through to the west. We walked the tracks from a few yards and then were on our way.
The second stop of the day was at Chimney Rock - another monument on the Oregon Trail. We arrived as the museum opened. I was surprised to find out that Chimney Rock is significantly shorter than it was when the pioneers rode by - I'd say maybe even 50 - 60 feet shorter.
We didn't stop at Courthouse Rock, but did at a Pony Express station. After said Station we booked it across the rest of Nebraska to Lincoln and from there to Kansas City. We arrived late in the night and rose again early to take my mom to the airport.
Thursday, August 27th, I slept. Oh, and started Travels with Charley
Friday, August 28th
I met Halliday and we went to a basement show where I oddly enough ran into a new hiree at Hammerpress. Eric, was hired to run the larger automatic platen presses by Brady and it is he who vies for my hours. I crushed him and then laughed at his remains. No not really, we laughed about our meeting and had a good time. He might come to the show on Tuesday at the Pistol.
Speaking of the Pistol. I should be cleaning it right now. Joe has lived here more or less alone for a month and it looks it. I need some air fresheners too. Uriah is moving out with his girlfriend Jenny. Lame.
I drove the Oregon Trail, made some yard sale cash, saw friendly faces, and made some trouble here in K.C.
Before driving out from Poulsbo, my brother, his wife, and I had a yard sale. Lessons were learned and I will have to remember, Saturday is the most lucrative day. My brother took most of my money on Sunday as "dues" so I left early to pack for my trip.
Sunday night my good friend Tami and I met up for some navy bar escapades and in the early morn, my mom and I left for Kansas City.
Monday, August 24th
One month since the day I left Kansas City, I left Poulsbo. Monday I was sick from allergies and so I didn't drive much. The drive was the same one we took in May - Poulsbo to Bozeman. The Motel 8 had Golden Girls and I fell asleep watching them.
Tuesday, August 25
Bozeman, MT to Scott's Bluff, NE. The drive was much shorter. This time instead of crossing into the Dakotas, our trek took us south into Wyoming and from there into Nebraska. We met the Oregon Trail at Fort Laramie near the Nebraska border and followed it to our day's destination at Scott's Bluff.
We weren't purposely tracing the trail, but today's modern-day highway follows it because of the natural ease of the land - the very reason pioneers chose the route. Although coincidental, the historical part of it was the most exciting part about our trip.
In Fort Laramie, the rain was pouring hard enough we were unable look at the site (no umbrellas) although I did strike up enough courage to hike a short distance to Oregon Trail tracks that had been cut into solid rock. A mile or so away was Register Cliff, a cliff face (go figure) that contained the signatures of thousands in its side. There were many from the 1800's (the earliest I saw was from 1820), although sadly I saw one carved as recently as 2005. Near the tracks I found a very faded, but distinguishable signature from JR - 1888 next to a much larger and legible Sam and Peggy - 1979.
"The sandstone rocks near Guernsey .... Here, the trail ruts are not to be missed since they are carved into the stone. Some gouges are more than four feet deep! These deep ruts result from years of wagon wear and from intentional cutting by emigrants attempting to ease the steep passage up from the level river bottom to the High Plains. .... A short drive from the trail ruts back through Guernsey takes visitors to Register Cliff, .... Following a day’s journey from Fort Laramie, emigrants spent the night at Register Cliff and inscribed their names into the rock face. The earliest signatures date to the late 1820s when trappers and fur traders passed through the area, but most of the names visible today were carved during the 1840s and 1850s when the Oregon Trail was at its height. Today, visitors can walk along the cliff base to view the signatures up close."
Wednesday, August 26th
We started the day at Scott's Bluff National Monument. The fog was so thick nothing could be seen until we were upon it. Then the fog cleared to reveal a bright blue sky with the fog cloud hovering inbetween the towering rock formations of the bluff. It was awe inspiring to stand there were at one point a good 150 thousand plus people traveled through to the west. We walked the tracks from a few yards and then were on our way.
The second stop of the day was at Chimney Rock - another monument on the Oregon Trail. We arrived as the museum opened. I was surprised to find out that Chimney Rock is significantly shorter than it was when the pioneers rode by - I'd say maybe even 50 - 60 feet shorter.
We didn't stop at Courthouse Rock, but did at a Pony Express station. After said Station we booked it across the rest of Nebraska to Lincoln and from there to Kansas City. We arrived late in the night and rose again early to take my mom to the airport.
Thursday, August 27th, I slept. Oh, and started Travels with Charley
Friday, August 28th
I met Halliday and we went to a basement show where I oddly enough ran into a new hiree at Hammerpress. Eric, was hired to run the larger automatic platen presses by Brady and it is he who vies for my hours. I crushed him and then laughed at his remains. No not really, we laughed about our meeting and had a good time. He might come to the show on Tuesday at the Pistol.
Speaking of the Pistol. I should be cleaning it right now. Joe has lived here more or less alone for a month and it looks it. I need some air fresheners too. Uriah is moving out with his girlfriend Jenny. Lame.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
On the road again...soon.
Back to Washington.
My stay in Portland is hours from being over. I'm ready to go back to Kansas City, but things are looking like they'll be different than I planned.
*** No KCAI. I'm going to be doing an independent study with Martin French instead. I'll be taking the class I was going to be taking originally (Illustration Visual Vocabulary - Wednesdays @ 11) but online, instead of in person. Since I've taken the class before, it is a chance to stretch my wings and see if I can't take the ground running this time around.
*** More working. Two jobs, at least. Hammerpress will be one, but according to an email I received today, it looks as though Brady may not be able to pay me for as many days as I was anticipating. Halliday works at a teashop where the work is easy and when it isn't busy, I would be able to work on my own projects. Only down point is; would they take me from 6 to ten? Halliday goes in at 3.
Option number two is the infamous Lulu's, where I understand the manager stinks to high heaven, but Uriah worked from 6pm to ten or eleven, so I imagine I could too - bonus, it is located about a block away from Hammerpress.
Option three is Grinders, a bar/greasy spoon also not far from Hammerpress.
I'm sure there are more, most of which include food service, but I will have to see what they pay to better ascertain how many I will have to take on. I've wanted to work as a bartender, maybe now is a good time to try it out.
Things I've got to do when I get back:
1. FIX BIKE! No more squeakage. I want to be able to ride it to work and I will annoy the shit out of myself if it squeaks all the way there.
2. Find job - no more than two week time span for this
3. Reestablish myself at Manny's.
4. Create poster for Pistol show - no more than two week time span for this
5. Check out the arts INKubator and make sure my stuff hasn't been thrown out
6. Eat either Mayan Tostada or North African plate at YJ's
7. Find local doctor
Thursday, August 13, 2009
KCMO tie up.
So I haven't posted in some time, but now I'll start back up.
To tie up my last week in KCMO, I took part in a dance show, did well enough that the troupe asked me to join while I'm in town. Carla, from PNCA, showed up at Hammerpress and started interning in Wendy's spot on Tuesday and Thursdays. I left on Thursday the 23rd and have been gone for three weeks. I've been in and out of cell service/internet and have traveled many miles....
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Thoughts
Tuesday and Wednesday didn't have much to offer in the way of interesting events.
Tuesday I printed over 1000 business cards before lunch and found wearing tennis shoes makes a large difference with how quickly one can get 1000 done with (I did not mention this to Brady as he has commented before how he thinks it's odd I wear flip flops all the time). Some packaging was done, and some "limited edition" stationary printed (actually Brady trying to find a use for some old ledger pages).
Tuesday night there was a show, but between biking, and little sleep the previous night, it wasn't anything that grabbed my attention enough to stop me from falling asleep.
Wednesday had more printing, and some screw ups to go with. I cut down thousands of inserts and prepped the presses for tomorrow. Brady and I discussed an art print idea, and I have to make some sketches, but he's up for me adding to my portfolio (the ABC print has been a big hit).
I've got to get working on my zine. I've decided it is going to be a collection of American mythology. My first one is going to be on Pecos Bill, then Paul Bunyon. I want to do issues on John Henry, Casey Jones, Hiawatha, and Johnny Appleseed as well (probably in the order). Time is passing way too quickly and that is where I am going to....
So, here I am in Kansas City. More than once, I've looked around me said; "Where the fuck am I, and how the fuck did I get here?". At times, I don't know what to make of it.
I'm sitting here and trying to think of how I can possibly write the sentiments that are rolling around in my head. Forgive me if my point doesn't come across exactly, but then I am trying to hash out a point where I am jumping forword, and I can't say I entirely make sense, even to myself.
Is it possible for there to be an alternate reality, in your reality? It feels like I've been dropped into a place that I've actually been for years, and just now time has caught up with me. The people I've met, the places I've been - I feel an easy familiarity that would speak of age, the only lacking quality being memories. I've never made friends this fast, or become part of a community so quickly. It isn't my home, but it is my refuge.
Thinking of Portland, I know time goes on, but I can't grasp it. I know I have a life that exists there, but it isn't tangible.
Coming here, I've realised how much of myself I've sacrificed in the last year. What I am, and who I love has been set aside in a futile attempt to build something in a place that doesn't have a foundation to start from. Last year I put a lot of work in, had it credited to others, and was dismissed due to a lack of acceptable communication, that was never addressed due to a lack of acceptable communication. Every step that I've taken seems like a battle hard won. I'm tired of it. I need to regroup.
In comes Kansas City, a place where I know no one and now know everyone. Doors are opening without me asking - or begging. I have that feeling at the tips of my fingers - the one where you know your art is progressing and it's all you can do to make more. fuck I don't want to jinx it, but I think my creative blockage is coming undone - I just realized this. I've been struggling with concepts since last September...
I'm being asked to make art outside of art school and there is even the possibilty of my making (alittle) real money at it. I have a great deal of creative freedom, and what more could I possibility demand of my situation? I'm going forword - fast. I feel powerful and as though (just maybe) finally I am an artistic contender.
And all of this comes with the added benefit that I've done it as myself. I dance when I want to dance, swear when I want to swear, drink when I feel like it, eat properly, socialize when, with who, and how I please. My speech has improved with the absence of art school and once again I sound as though I've read a book.
I'm carrying on and still don't feel like I've quite captured where I am coming from or even more importantly, where I am going, but the main point of this rant is that I am staying. Not forever, but for the next semester. Kansas City has more in store for me and I need to explore it.
I don't mean this to be insulting to anyone back in Portland. There are a handful of excellent friends there who I love dearly and miss, (I will keep writing!!!) but you must understand, I am recharging. I'll be home in August for a bit to tie up some ends, so you will see me soon.
Tuesday I printed over 1000 business cards before lunch and found wearing tennis shoes makes a large difference with how quickly one can get 1000 done with (I did not mention this to Brady as he has commented before how he thinks it's odd I wear flip flops all the time). Some packaging was done, and some "limited edition" stationary printed (actually Brady trying to find a use for some old ledger pages).
Tuesday night there was a show, but between biking, and little sleep the previous night, it wasn't anything that grabbed my attention enough to stop me from falling asleep.
Wednesday had more printing, and some screw ups to go with. I cut down thousands of inserts and prepped the presses for tomorrow. Brady and I discussed an art print idea, and I have to make some sketches, but he's up for me adding to my portfolio (the ABC print has been a big hit).
I've got to get working on my zine. I've decided it is going to be a collection of American mythology. My first one is going to be on Pecos Bill, then Paul Bunyon. I want to do issues on John Henry, Casey Jones, Hiawatha, and Johnny Appleseed as well (probably in the order). Time is passing way too quickly and that is where I am going to....
-----------------------
So, here I am in Kansas City. More than once, I've looked around me said; "Where the fuck am I, and how the fuck did I get here?". At times, I don't know what to make of it.
I'm sitting here and trying to think of how I can possibly write the sentiments that are rolling around in my head. Forgive me if my point doesn't come across exactly, but then I am trying to hash out a point where I am jumping forword, and I can't say I entirely make sense, even to myself.
Is it possible for there to be an alternate reality, in your reality? It feels like I've been dropped into a place that I've actually been for years, and just now time has caught up with me. The people I've met, the places I've been - I feel an easy familiarity that would speak of age, the only lacking quality being memories. I've never made friends this fast, or become part of a community so quickly. It isn't my home, but it is my refuge.
Thinking of Portland, I know time goes on, but I can't grasp it. I know I have a life that exists there, but it isn't tangible.
Coming here, I've realised how much of myself I've sacrificed in the last year. What I am, and who I love has been set aside in a futile attempt to build something in a place that doesn't have a foundation to start from. Last year I put a lot of work in, had it credited to others, and was dismissed due to a lack of acceptable communication, that was never addressed due to a lack of acceptable communication. Every step that I've taken seems like a battle hard won. I'm tired of it. I need to regroup.
In comes Kansas City, a place where I know no one and now know everyone. Doors are opening without me asking - or begging. I have that feeling at the tips of my fingers - the one where you know your art is progressing and it's all you can do to make more. fuck I don't want to jinx it, but I think my creative blockage is coming undone - I just realized this. I've been struggling with concepts since last September...
I'm being asked to make art outside of art school and there is even the possibilty of my making (alittle) real money at it. I have a great deal of creative freedom, and what more could I possibility demand of my situation? I'm going forword - fast. I feel powerful and as though (just maybe) finally I am an artistic contender.
And all of this comes with the added benefit that I've done it as myself. I dance when I want to dance, swear when I want to swear, drink when I feel like it, eat properly, socialize when, with who, and how I please. My speech has improved with the absence of art school and once again I sound as though I've read a book.
I'm carrying on and still don't feel like I've quite captured where I am coming from or even more importantly, where I am going, but the main point of this rant is that I am staying. Not forever, but for the next semester. Kansas City has more in store for me and I need to explore it.
I don't mean this to be insulting to anyone back in Portland. There are a handful of excellent friends there who I love dearly and miss, (I will keep writing!!!) but you must understand, I am recharging. I'll be home in August for a bit to tie up some ends, so you will see me soon.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Up close with lightning bugs
Sunday morning I did a whole lot of nothing. I read some books and did some emailing.
Finally, I decided if I didn't get out of the apartment I was going to go crazy. I drove towards the Plaza, and stopped at the World War I memorial (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Memorial) . The park was almost empty and so I had the monolith and surrounding grounds to myself. The National WWI Museum, as dedicated by Congress, is under the memorial, and I missed it being open by half an hour. It seems that this is the largest WWI memorial in America. Funny, why is it in Missouri? The 1929 dedication says; "for those who fought in the World War". At the time, one probably could not image what would have passed 20 years hence the date. "World War I is (one of) the most forgotten of this nation’s wars, yet it sowed the seeds of World War II, and as noted, it marked the emergence of the United States as a global power, and as a defender of democratic allies against forces of totalitarianism and aggression. "
I waded in the fountain outside for a few minutes before going up to the main memorial and climbing on the blind seraph-lions. The view from the top is magnificent, and I hung out there for awhile, just thinking. What am I doing?
After the WWI memorial, I drove to Barnes and Noble, where I read magazine and books until I got antsy and left. I did find a neat idea for a sketchbook made out of paint samples. I am going to attempt to make a dozen or so to sell at the zine symposium.
Back at the Pistol, Joe, Tara, and Zack (Zack and Tara run the screenprinting shop downstairs) were hanging out while Uriah and his band practiced upstairs. I chilled with Joe and the crew until Uriah and co. were done. Jared plays the drums in Uriah's band and after practice he invited me to go swimming at his house.
Jared's home is about twenty minutes out from the West Bottoms. He lives with his parents, sister, brother-in-law and nephews. They all pooled together to buy a home that was large enough they could all make it home and it happened to come with a pool. We waded around for a hour or so before getting out and going on a walk.
Jared happens to live near a small wooded area that includes a pond and trails for walking. If one knows anything about lightning bugs, one knows these are the sorts of things they love (woods and water, not necessarily trails for walking). The lightning bugs were out in abundance. Jared was telling me his some of his childhood stories and I admit I was a bit distracted by watching the blinking bugs. They look like little floating L.E.D. lights. At one point on our walk, we were an audience to a lightning bug show spectacular, glimmering over a mini meadow.
Jared caught one and gave it to me to hold. Apparently, lightning bugs are very friendly and let you hold them as they scurry across your hand and blink. My lightning friend and I bonded for a good fifteen minutes until he got bored and flew away. Around one or so I said goodnight and headed home.
Oh, did I say I went to the video store for Buffy season four? Well I did and started watching it before bed.
Finally, I decided if I didn't get out of the apartment I was going to go crazy. I drove towards the Plaza, and stopped at the World War I memorial (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Memorial) . The park was almost empty and so I had the monolith and surrounding grounds to myself. The National WWI Museum, as dedicated by Congress, is under the memorial, and I missed it being open by half an hour. It seems that this is the largest WWI memorial in America. Funny, why is it in Missouri? The 1929 dedication says; "for those who fought in the World War". At the time, one probably could not image what would have passed 20 years hence the date. "World War I is (one of) the most forgotten of this nation’s wars, yet it sowed the seeds of World War II, and as noted, it marked the emergence of the United States as a global power, and as a defender of democratic allies against forces of totalitarianism and aggression. "
I waded in the fountain outside for a few minutes before going up to the main memorial and climbing on the blind seraph-lions. The view from the top is magnificent, and I hung out there for awhile, just thinking. What am I doing?
After the WWI memorial, I drove to Barnes and Noble, where I read magazine and books until I got antsy and left. I did find a neat idea for a sketchbook made out of paint samples. I am going to attempt to make a dozen or so to sell at the zine symposium.
Back at the Pistol, Joe, Tara, and Zack (Zack and Tara run the screenprinting shop downstairs) were hanging out while Uriah and his band practiced upstairs. I chilled with Joe and the crew until Uriah and co. were done. Jared plays the drums in Uriah's band and after practice he invited me to go swimming at his house.
Jared's home is about twenty minutes out from the West Bottoms. He lives with his parents, sister, brother-in-law and nephews. They all pooled together to buy a home that was large enough they could all make it home and it happened to come with a pool. We waded around for a hour or so before getting out and going on a walk.
Jared happens to live near a small wooded area that includes a pond and trails for walking. If one knows anything about lightning bugs, one knows these are the sorts of things they love (woods and water, not necessarily trails for walking). The lightning bugs were out in abundance. Jared was telling me his some of his childhood stories and I admit I was a bit distracted by watching the blinking bugs. They look like little floating L.E.D. lights. At one point on our walk, we were an audience to a lightning bug show spectacular, glimmering over a mini meadow.
Jared caught one and gave it to me to hold. Apparently, lightning bugs are very friendly and let you hold them as they scurry across your hand and blink. My lightning friend and I bonded for a good fifteen minutes until he got bored and flew away. Around one or so I said goodnight and headed home.
Oh, did I say I went to the video store for Buffy season four? Well I did and started watching it before bed.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Case of the Missing Teapot
Saturday started out with me attempting to brainstorm an idea for the variety show in July. I tried to get somewhere, although between Buffy and the growing heat, I didn't. A few sketches were my pathetic result.
Around noon, Cali came back from escapades about town and told me about an up and coming young designer Monkey Wrench Clothing (http://www.monkeywrenchclothing.com/). Cali, being a designer herself, had traded a swimsuit for an adorable dress, right up my alley. I decided to get out of the house and drive toward Crown Center to check out the lady's booth.
Should it have not been raining, the plaza outside Crown Center would have been filled with people celebrating Kansas City Chalk and Walk Festival. However, the downpour had reduced the participants to a soggy smattering. Monkey Wrench Clothing occupied three of the, maybe, seven tents set up outside. I found the clothing to be fabulous, expertly crafted, and just my style. There were few dresses that I would have liked, but none in my size. In the end, the designer took my measurements and agreed to make me a custom dress in a teal gingham print. It pays to be in with local designers.
As it was lunch time, I headed back in Crown Center to search out some grub. Crown Center is built by Hallmark and includes a giant Hallmark store, go figure, Crayola store, as well as a small amount of second tier stores. The only large name I saw other than the previously mentioned was Victoria's Secret. The design is over done and in the end looks like a food court at a theme park. Also, the shopping area is carpeted and in my opinion, that always makes a mall look dirty verses welcoming.
The one thing Crown Center does have is food. There were at least a dozen places worth looking into for a quick bite. The one place that finally claimed my cash, was Fritz's. Fritz's is unique because your food is delivered by train and then conveyed via a weight sensitive contraption straight on to your table. It was probably the coolest hamburger I've ever eaten. Cheap too. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDeYFZV4xKE&feature=related)
Come 8ish, Halliday and I went out to the Infoshop, a small venue/used bookstore that reminded me of a place back in Bremerton. I think the claim to fame there, other than shows, is their zine collection. It was extensive, massing together all of the underground zines that Kansas City has produced and any the proprietors could/can get their hands on.
There probably weren't more than 30 people at the show, but because of the small size, that was perfect. Everyone was dancing and getting into the groove. It was wicked hot, but worth staying inside for the atmosphere.
I got a free tank top from Modie Bones, a local guy just starting up, met some neat guys from the Intolerants (from Portland, http://www.myspace.com/theintolerantsband) and ended the night with great, slightly rockabilly, rocking from the Muddy Udders (http://www.myspace.com/muddyuddersband). I offered the Intolerants a place to stay at the Pistol and some dinner if they wanted it, and they took me up on it. Halliday and I showed them the way back around 1:30 after an excellent show.
Back home I started cooking dinner (the Intolerants supplied an apple pie) and Joe pulled me aside. Foundations was hosting a show with three touring bands and Joe had agreed to watch the door. Things led to other thing (purposefully being elusive) and a teapot with two thousand dollars went missing.
Needless to say, drama went down. Halliday left, a chair or two got thrown (Foundation's owner and not at anyone), trash cans were turned inside out, the Intolerants questioned (that made me angry), and the Pistol searched until four am when I told Joe to go to bed - if the teapot was still in the Pistol, it would be in the morning. The touring bands left angry and without being paid.
I took control and had to force the issue of sleep and in the end, that is what happened (I did too after some more Buffy).
Sunday
I awoke the next morning at eleven, and helped the Intolerants get their things together while profusely apologizing. When they left, I looked around the Pistol and all I saw was a mess. There were no clean dishes, a mountain of them in the sink, cat hair and dust threatening to over take the living room, and the actual Pistol still had not been cleaned up since the Sodafest. With a call into Uriah, 12:30 was the start time of what would become known as the deep clean.
For five hours, Uriah and I did every possible cleaning task we could think of without busting out power tools. I sweated to the Hearts of Darkness practicing while I sweeped out the Pistol and rearranged furniture. As I attacked a couch, I found what we'd been looking for. A little china teapot stuffed with money.
The rest of the day included resting (with Buffy), going grocery shopping with Uriah, a nap, and going on an uber long night bike ride with Uriah and his friend Jared. Multiple people commented on how nice the Pistol looked.
*Neat foot note: Jared has a pool and invited me to go swimming. Finally, water!
Monday
Again, I attempted to work on the poster, but 100 degree heat made me start feeling sick. I think I'm going to carry around a gallon jug for drinking water, I need it.
At seven I had a member's meeting at the Arts INKubator. We talked about how to turn some space into a store and how to promote the press best on first Fridays.
I came home, went for a short ride, and finished season three Buffy. What will I do now?
I need to figure out a way to work at the Pistol, the crazy heat thing is making it so I am incredibly unproductive.
I posted this from the Arts INKubator, and I might make a habit of coming down here to cool off for a few hours every night.
OH! p.s. the coolest thing happened last night. Joe's friend Kyle found an old suitcase full of vintage items from the 20's-1940's from a guy named Carl. Some awesome finds included: school notebooks, a school paper, vintage valentines, love letters, telegrams, and drawings. I traded him some Hammerpress for a few key items.
Around noon, Cali came back from escapades about town and told me about an up and coming young designer Monkey Wrench Clothing (http://www.monkeywrenchclothing.com/). Cali, being a designer herself, had traded a swimsuit for an adorable dress, right up my alley. I decided to get out of the house and drive toward Crown Center to check out the lady's booth.
Should it have not been raining, the plaza outside Crown Center would have been filled with people celebrating Kansas City Chalk and Walk Festival. However, the downpour had reduced the participants to a soggy smattering. Monkey Wrench Clothing occupied three of the, maybe, seven tents set up outside. I found the clothing to be fabulous, expertly crafted, and just my style. There were few dresses that I would have liked, but none in my size. In the end, the designer took my measurements and agreed to make me a custom dress in a teal gingham print. It pays to be in with local designers.
As it was lunch time, I headed back in Crown Center to search out some grub. Crown Center is built by Hallmark and includes a giant Hallmark store, go figure, Crayola store, as well as a small amount of second tier stores. The only large name I saw other than the previously mentioned was Victoria's Secret. The design is over done and in the end looks like a food court at a theme park. Also, the shopping area is carpeted and in my opinion, that always makes a mall look dirty verses welcoming.
The one thing Crown Center does have is food. There were at least a dozen places worth looking into for a quick bite. The one place that finally claimed my cash, was Fritz's. Fritz's is unique because your food is delivered by train and then conveyed via a weight sensitive contraption straight on to your table. It was probably the coolest hamburger I've ever eaten. Cheap too. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDeYFZV4xKE&feature=related)
Come 8ish, Halliday and I went out to the Infoshop, a small venue/used bookstore that reminded me of a place back in Bremerton. I think the claim to fame there, other than shows, is their zine collection. It was extensive, massing together all of the underground zines that Kansas City has produced and any the proprietors could/can get their hands on.
There probably weren't more than 30 people at the show, but because of the small size, that was perfect. Everyone was dancing and getting into the groove. It was wicked hot, but worth staying inside for the atmosphere.
I got a free tank top from Modie Bones, a local guy just starting up, met some neat guys from the Intolerants (from Portland, http://www.myspace.com/theintolerantsband) and ended the night with great, slightly rockabilly, rocking from the Muddy Udders (http://www.myspace.com/muddyuddersband). I offered the Intolerants a place to stay at the Pistol and some dinner if they wanted it, and they took me up on it. Halliday and I showed them the way back around 1:30 after an excellent show.
Back home I started cooking dinner (the Intolerants supplied an apple pie) and Joe pulled me aside. Foundations was hosting a show with three touring bands and Joe had agreed to watch the door. Things led to other thing (purposefully being elusive) and a teapot with two thousand dollars went missing.
Needless to say, drama went down. Halliday left, a chair or two got thrown (Foundation's owner and not at anyone), trash cans were turned inside out, the Intolerants questioned (that made me angry), and the Pistol searched until four am when I told Joe to go to bed - if the teapot was still in the Pistol, it would be in the morning. The touring bands left angry and without being paid.
I took control and had to force the issue of sleep and in the end, that is what happened (I did too after some more Buffy).
Sunday
I awoke the next morning at eleven, and helped the Intolerants get their things together while profusely apologizing. When they left, I looked around the Pistol and all I saw was a mess. There were no clean dishes, a mountain of them in the sink, cat hair and dust threatening to over take the living room, and the actual Pistol still had not been cleaned up since the Sodafest. With a call into Uriah, 12:30 was the start time of what would become known as the deep clean.
For five hours, Uriah and I did every possible cleaning task we could think of without busting out power tools. I sweated to the Hearts of Darkness practicing while I sweeped out the Pistol and rearranged furniture. As I attacked a couch, I found what we'd been looking for. A little china teapot stuffed with money.
The rest of the day included resting (with Buffy), going grocery shopping with Uriah, a nap, and going on an uber long night bike ride with Uriah and his friend Jared. Multiple people commented on how nice the Pistol looked.
*Neat foot note: Jared has a pool and invited me to go swimming. Finally, water!
Monday
Again, I attempted to work on the poster, but 100 degree heat made me start feeling sick. I think I'm going to carry around a gallon jug for drinking water, I need it.
At seven I had a member's meeting at the Arts INKubator. We talked about how to turn some space into a store and how to promote the press best on first Fridays.
I came home, went for a short ride, and finished season three Buffy. What will I do now?
I need to figure out a way to work at the Pistol, the crazy heat thing is making it so I am incredibly unproductive.
I posted this from the Arts INKubator, and I might make a habit of coming down here to cool off for a few hours every night.
OH! p.s. the coolest thing happened last night. Joe's friend Kyle found an old suitcase full of vintage items from the 20's-1940's from a guy named Carl. Some awesome finds included: school notebooks, a school paper, vintage valentines, love letters, telegrams, and drawings. I traded him some Hammerpress for a few key items.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Postering
Yesterday printing continued, after I assembled a half dozen mock-ups of the invites I printed the other day, so the bride-to-be could show her family.These are pictures of the poster as it stands now. I played around with the bottom line a bit before settling on the brown version. Looking at them, I might switch up the third and fifth lines, since I feel like it is weighted on the top.
Digging through Brady's type was amazing. Typesetting is incredibly relaxing, so long as I'm not setting anything 18 point or below. (odd fact: Brady doesn't use composing sticks. He typesets in his tray)
Brady likes the poster enough he is going to print around 300 or so and sell them. He said he was even going to put it in the online store. Woot!
I'm excited for the next couple of weeks. We have a few projects that I am going to be creating as well as working on reprinting a variety of cards that are running low.
After work Halliday and I met up to put up posters around town. Joe only puts up twelve or so, which shows that he has not refine the art of poster plastering. Halliday and I drove around to all the usual spots and then some. Any business that looked promising I asked if they would put up a flyer. 99 percent said yes, in fact only one said no. Halliday was surprised how many people had places for posters. By the end of our tour, we deducted there weren't enough and next time would have to print more. For the next show I am going to silkscreen 20 or so and then copy 50 to put up everywhere we can think of.
We came home and I watched some Buffy while Halliday and Joe watched some weird Japanese version of a punkrock movie.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
"Hello, my name is Karen and I'm addicted to Buffy."
So I'm a little behind.Sunday, June 7th
I started out the day writing this blog but then I realized, it takes me an hour or so to get everything how I like it, and the day was lovely, what on earth was I doing inside? I dropped what I was doing, jumped in my car and went exploring. That ended up in me being behind, but was worth it.
My first stop was the River Market, an open air combination of flea market, farmers market, and restaurants. What made me pull over was the flea market and I was lucky enough to have the coincidence of the farmer's market being there as well.
The flea market prices were outstanding - twenty-five cents for bright orange mugs, three dollars for a Carmen Miranda head cookie jar. I know what you're thinking; "Karen, you came home with that cookie jar didn't you?" No, I promise I didn't. The only thing that found it's way back to my place was a little ceramic sugar bowl in the shape of an orange.
Around the flea market was a line of shops and a museum dedicated to a steamboat wreck found in the Missouri river. One of the shops was called "Vintiques" and a seductive row of atomic chairs outside the door lured me in. The chairs were a little misleading since only one room was housed an assortment of furniture, however I was wonderfully lead astray.
The glory that is Vintiques is an assemblage store. Wares inside were paper, found items, a variety of embellishments, ribbon, and about anything I could possibly think of to use for altered art. Some highlights were a button wall, vintage travel guides to Latin America, a basket of skeleton keys and a case full of early century door fitting. Although I would have like to walk out with more, I limited myself to a handful of vintage photos and a 50's pamphlet on cooking. The owners said if I wanted to bring in any art I would be welcome since they sell assemblage art on the wall.
Bobby had mentioned the River Market Antique mall as being worth a visit, and so with the directions from the folks at Vintiques, I headed a few blocks away to check it out. I have found that flea markets in the Northwest are depressing. Most items are obnoxious in price, and sellers typically aren't keen on haggling. This apparently is not a running trend in Kansas City. Three stories of a large labyrinth-like warehouse were packed with finds. Not the junkyard sales items made to look like antiques finds, but honestly cool items, at affordable prices.
The dining room set of my dreams and I bonded almost as close as me and a 1940's bathing suit. I would have bought the suit if the color had been something other than salmon and yellow, I almost bought it anyway. A set of atomic era chipboard cutouts of blue collar workers (that could have looked neat on the Perceivers selling table) also almost found their way home with me, but, for what they were, the price was high. I ended up leaving with nothing but had an enjoyable adventure in antique hunting.
Around three o'clock or so, I found myself finished with the River Market district and went in search of my next destination - the Plaza. Some research showed the Plaza is modeled after Seville. I think this would be the case if Seville were to have a love child with Rodeo drive, and that child were fuse with a strip mall, then imbued with the essence of American supersize, dropped in a boiling vat of consumer idealism, then finally served with a side of terracotta colored paint. In otherwords the Plaza is a mildly Spanish (Southern Californian?) themed open air mall that houses the Armani Exchange and Coach stores among others. All the stores are on the higher end, the lowest price ranges being Gap and Barnes and Noble. A trip into Urban Outfitters revealed a great summer dress that I will wait on. Maybe I could treat myself to it for my birthday.
When I couldn't hold off the hunger any longer I grabbed a salad at a swanky "Tuscan bistro" with a fantastic little balcony. Happy hour appetizers were only $2.50 and that's how I unexpectedly had a shrimp cocktail to go with my salad. A table full of self-admittedly drunken 50-somethings chatted me up a bit (amazingly not about how I reminded them of their children) and then I left to seek out my last stop; KCAI.
The Kansas City Art Institute is situated on a little hill flanked by art museums. Next door to the ceramics building is the Kemper Museum of Modern Art, recognized by the giant spider creature out front, and across from the painting building, the city museum and sculpture park. Trees shade KCAI's lush grounds and an old castle-like main building plus gated entrance make it seem like someone's private estate.
With the evening light being perfect for walking, I meandered over to the sculpture park and made it my business to either touch or climb on all of the statues except for the "Thinker" casting (it was too high). I am an avid believer that public art should be touchable, maybe I'm out of line for thinking so, after all I'm no sculptor, but I had fun.
Three things I saw in the sculpture park I'd never seen live before:
* Four, twenty-five foot fiberglass badminton birdies
* A praying mantis, I even touched it!
* A wild bunny
I came home and spent the rest of the evening starting what is now a horrible habit of watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Seasons one-three are on Hulu and I'm hooked.
"Hello, my name is Karen and I'm addicted to Buffy."
Monday, June 8th
Monday morning I finished the poster for the show next week, played around with color and placement. Looking back, I could have been more conservative with color, but I learned something new and will be able to use color minimally and to my benefit next time.
Around two, I met up with Jen from work and we went to the DAV thrift store to look for some sweet threads. Again I was amazed by the deals, six dollars being expensive. Kansas City is an actively thrifiting community, but not over crowded. The selection isn't picked through and one can find put together a perfectly decent outfit. This trip was very successful. I scored a little black dress, t-shirt, sweater, belt and jacket for under twenty dollars.
Yes, you did read sweater and jacket. No, I don't have enough jackets (this one is so sweet I can barely describe it, but picture the most perfect 70's track jacket, white with green stripes, and you're close). The sweater is actual vintage, red with little buttons on the collar and shoulder. While I many not be needing it now, eventually I will be in a time or place where it is cold and I will wear it at that point. It will look smashing with my brown pencil skirt. Jen picked up a shirtdress, jean jacket (she has a jacket fetish too) and Asian inspired robe.
I dropped Jen off at her home so she could go to class, then I booked it to the Arts INKubator for a tour around the studio. As there are only eight INKubator Press members I believe it will be somewhat akin to having an entire studio all to myself. The place is large and when I print I can set up on an entire table. The drying racks have too large a grid for me to use, but there is yet another table I am free to take over when my printing threatens to overwhelm my space.
I went home to print off stencils (and watch an episode of Buffy) then returned to print thirty or so band posters. There are two downsides to the INKubator.
1. The inks. Are speedball acrylic based and runny. The bulk red that has been provided is an orange red and when mixed with blue to create purple, simply turns red-brown.
2. The emulsion. This is a huge downside. They have provided some sort of crummy blue colored junk that barely stand up to the hose used to wash it out. I accidentally washed out my screen twice and after about ten prints the stuff stated flaking. I intend to find out what PNCA uses and see if it can be ordered.
By the end of the night I didn't have much progress. I left around eleven or twelve, tired and knowing I'd have to start over from scratch.
I came home, watched some Buffy and went to bed.
Monday, June 8, 2009
West Bottoms and the Pistol Social Club
Here are some pictures of the West Bottoms and the Pistol Social Club. Below is a train passing through about two blocks away from where I live. You can't see it, but all of those cars are full of coal.
The back alley of the Pistol. The white door leads inside to The Ship and Foundations, the architectual salvage store. The windows above is the back of the Pistol.
A Photographic moment with some signs in the alley.
Warehouses by the Pistol. Come to think of it, I think that's the other side of the alley. The next picture is looking down the street infront of the Pistol towards the train.
The front door of the Pistol Social Club I live on the second floor. My room is the far window above the screen printing shop. The picture below that is the hallway leading up to my place.
The kitchen. The giant table/bar used to be a stage. There is a dishwasher but it doesn't work. The stove is below the funny lamp in the corner. Then there is a picture of fluffy Flora.
The livingroom. I tried to capture the beautiful light that happens at sundown, but I don't think my camera is capable. That's Joe sitting on the couch and my room is on the otherside of the red-orange wall. Joe's shrine is a few pictures down.
My room. Not too much going on there. Just the old air mattress and my computer. It is pretty large and the ceilings are very high. Brady might have a desk I can add, that would be a welcome change as sitting on the floor kind of sucks. You can see my shelves there too. I didn't take a picture of the otherside of my room since there isn't anything to see but the frenchdoors and my clothes hanging up.
The back alley of the Pistol. The white door leads inside to The Ship and Foundations, the architectual salvage store. The windows above is the back of the Pistol.
A Photographic moment with some signs in the alley.
Warehouses by the Pistol. Come to think of it, I think that's the other side of the alley. The next picture is looking down the street infront of the Pistol towards the train.
The front door of the Pistol Social Club I live on the second floor. My room is the far window above the screen printing shop. The picture below that is the hallway leading up to my place.
The kitchen. The giant table/bar used to be a stage. There is a dishwasher but it doesn't work. The stove is below the funny lamp in the corner. Then there is a picture of fluffy Flora.
The livingroom. I tried to capture the beautiful light that happens at sundown, but I don't think my camera is capable. That's Joe sitting on the couch and my room is on the otherside of the red-orange wall. Joe's shrine is a few pictures down.
My room. Not too much going on there. Just the old air mattress and my computer. It is pretty large and the ceilings are very high. Brady might have a desk I can add, that would be a welcome change as sitting on the floor kind of sucks. You can see my shelves there too. I didn't take a picture of the otherside of my room since there isn't anything to see but the frenchdoors and my clothes hanging up.
and that's what there is to see. More West Bottoms pics will come, but yesterday was hot and I didn't want to fry my brain while taking pictures. As you might be able to tell, there isn't alot of shade out here.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Fashion and lightning
Most of Saturday morning was spent working on my zine entries. I finished them and emailed the pages to Madeline, the zine producer. After seeing one of the local zines in a bike shop, I decided I could do whatever I want and that would be sufficient. There wasn't any particular rhyme or reason to the content. My end product was a pair of simple collaged illustrations depicting faux saints, Saint Simeon - the patron saint of broken hearts, and Saint Katherine - the patron saint of contempt. I'm not sure how they'll be presented, but really, the point was to contribute, I'm not too picky how they turn out.I did take a break around 11 at which point Uriah came home and rounded me up to go bike shopping. He'd found a bike yard sale with some affordable finds. As we arrived, my perfect bike was being rode away with a baby in the basket, a Schwinn 3 speed with basket and fenders. Alas. I looked around and found another Schwinn, brick red, with a basket and fenders, but no gears. If I'd been in Portland, I'd probably have gone home with it, but if I'm this far away and am going to buy a bike to take home, I want a ride with gears that would make it possible for me to get myself up a hill.
Out of the twenty or so bikes, there were only two (including the red one) that fit me. It turns out that most bikes are too tall for my short stature. Neither had gears, so I went home empty handed. Uriah scored with two bikes for 20 and 5 dollars respectively. We hit up the bike shop to get him some new tires and then came home.
About five I headed to Sunfresh to get ingredients for lemon squares and promptly got lost. Not too badly, but it was a good thing I gave myself some time to get there. The lemon squares were rushed since time was crunched to be at the fashion show. When I left I thought I'd botched the squares up. In the end, looking back I just didn't cook them for long enough. I also forgot the top poofs up before settling down to be delicious and smooth.
The fashion show was set up in the middle of 18th street, with a long runway running from one end to the other with a sheet of L.E.D. light covered fabric shielding the "backstage" from view. Obviously the road was closed off and people crowded in to stand as close as they could. Crowd run off went into the surrounding buildings and hung out windows or stood on the roof.
The theme of the evening was Summer in Space and each designer was to interpret the theme how they deemed. I missed the first two collections, which were only five pieces each, but I got there in time to see Halliday's creation walk down the runway on a green alien model. After bullying my way to where she and some friends were perched, I watched the rest of the show in somewhat comfort balancing on a director's chair.
The collections that I can remember off hand were
* Super Nova - a bright group of 60's-ish style dresses
* Super Nova - a bright group of 60's-ish style dresses
* Oblivion - also dresses but immaculately made, unified with a corset top theme (also had the best models, many of the models didn't have a clue how to walk down a runway)
* I can't remember the name of the designer but her outfits morphed into other outfits
* Peggy Noland - an 18th street institution whose designs were something out of Playhouse Disney
* Birdies - the 18th street lingire store who used plastic bubble helmets (what I would have done), but not to their best advantage
Joe showed up near the end and helped Halliday take her things to her car. Since she was headed home, I decided to hit up the potluck at Bobby's even though I was running a bit late. When I arrived the potluck was winding down, but folks were still there. I brought some beer as a token and replacement to the botched lemon squares.
The reason for the potluck was Bobby's roommate Dave's birthday. Dave used to work at Hammerpress, but after many months of only working Saturdays he decided to call it quits for a bit. I also met a fellow Illustrator named John. John graduated about a year ago from KCAI and has been making a living as a full time Illustrator ever since. He says his work load goes up and down like a rollercoaster, but is enough to get his bills paid. The keys to working as an illustrator, as John has found, is promoting one's self in every avenue possible and finding a work method that produces work quickly but good enough a person can live with it.
I only stayed for about two hours since by the time midnight rolled around I was one of the last people left. I drove home and intended to go to bed, but an insane lighting storm brought me outside. Joe said it was heat lighting and it probably went on for about half an hour before any rain came.
I know I am in the midwest, but it feels very east to me, the lightning was certainly a midwestern experience.
*and now for a historical side note.
I was snooping around on the internet and found some history on the West Bottoms:
"The West Bottoms was originally referred to as the “French Bottoms”. It was the site of trade between French trappers and Kansas Indians. The area was established by the trappers as an area of commerce. The West Bottoms became the receiving point for goods offloaded from steamships traveling upstream on the Missouri river due in part of the western immigration and trade with Mexico over the Santa Fe Trail. The importance of the area increased with the advent of the railroad. The stockyards (established in 1871) then chose to develop there because of the livestock that came in from the Southwest over the rails. A whole city grew around the stockyards.
The Union Depot was built on Union Street where hotels, bars and restaurants flourished. Over 90 percent of the value in Kansas City lay in the West Bottoms. A devastating flood in 1903 ended the investment in housing, schools and churches. However, the agricultural, meat packing, freight and industrial investments continued to grow. By then the rule of thumb was clearly established namely the economic vitality of the city was determined by the economic progress of the West Bottoms.
The stockyards flourished through the 1940s and at its peak only the Union Stock Yards in Chicago were bigger. During World War II Darby Steel Corporation built most of the Landing Craft Tanks (LCTs) that were used in various amphibious invasions. The plant built one craft a day and floated them more than 1,000 miles down the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, Louisiana prompting their “Prairie Ships” nickname. Darby’s plant at the mouth of the Kansas River could hold eight 135i LCTs and 16 LCMs (Landing Craft Mechanized) in various stages of development.
With economic hard times the West Bottoms took a drastic hit. The first economic blow came with the ending of World War II. There were over 20 thousand jobs lost when the extensive military construction in the city suddenly ceased. The second economic blow came in 1951 with a major flood. Packing companies and supportive industries moved out of the area and many closed their doors forever. The combination of these two events was cataclysmic.
There were 50,000 jobs lost in the span of 5-6 years and the city was half the size it is now. With the job loss people stopped shopping downtown. With the economic downsizing the city slipped and was unable to save itself and collapsed. Because the city’s tax base crumbled it could no longer maintain its streets, bridges or engage in meaningful investments.
In 1974 Kansas City and the American Royal tried to reclaim the stockyards by building Kemper Arena. The stockyards biggest heritage is the annual 6-week American Royal agricultural show held each October and November at Kemper Arena. Kemper Arena was also the site of the 1976 Republican National Convention where Gerald Ford was nominated for President. Along with the building of Kemper Arena there have been many buildings constructed and several multi-million dollar companies have set up shop in the West Bottoms area. This redevelopment has begun to attract upscale and artistic tenants to redevelop buildings and helping reestablish the West Bottoms area." - from westbottoms.com
Saturday, June 6, 2009
First Friday
I finished the packaging! No more rep boxes for me.I packaged until 4:30 ish, at which point we started getting ready for First Friday. Hammerpress is one of the stops on the First Friday circuit, so naturally Brady wanted the shop in top shape. We sweeped and scrubbed and priced for about an hour at which point Bobby, who I finally met, went to get beer and the party was started.
Hammerpress did indeed get busy. The garage door was opened and people came streaming through. Outside, Lindsay, Brady's partner, set up her vintage, 1950's, snowcone trailer much to the delight of the crowd. She was swamped from the minute she opened to when she sold out later in the evening.
Around seven Halliday and Joe came by and I joined them on a walk around Crossroads. Eventually Joe drifted on his own, and Halliday and I went to go see some of her fashion line, which was part of a photoshoot Sicon gallery was premiering. The art of Kansas City is very crafty. Metal sculptures, quilts, eccentric fashions, and assemblage art were popular. There was a fair amount of photography as well. I was told by one that Kansas City was weird, but really, I think I've seen lewder and wilder things in the galleries of Portland. I'm just not phased so easily. I guess T.B.A. does that to a person.
One difference between Portland's First Thursday and Kansas City's First Friday is the party atmosphere. I feel like Portland is saturated with art, and thus First Thursdays really aren't that big of deal. Yeah people come to look around, but not throngs of people. I know myself I've thought "oh, I'll be able to see that later when there aren't so many people around." Here, alot of venues open just for First Friday. Art isn't in every coffee shop, and most of the city doesn't encounter it on a day to day basis. The people that showed up to party, weren't just the "artistic" types. It seemed like the whole city came down. Beer flows freely and bands are playing out on the street.
We wandered for probably two or three hours before calling it quits. Halliday had to grab some shirts she'd made for a store and I was getting overwhelmed by the crowds. We parted ways and I went back to Hammerpress to grab my stuff. I was waylaid when I arrived and helped ring people up for a bit. The night started settling down and I bowed out for the evening.
Bobby invited me to a potluck tonight. I'm not sure what I'll bring. Maybe lemon squares. The Hammerpress crew will be there around 9 to ten, which is the perfect time for dessert, but then if I bring lemon squares, it will seem odd for me to bring them to work one day.... The 18th Street fashion show is also today, at sundown. Halliday has a dress that will be part of it, I'm excited to see it walk down the runway! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5464304 There is great promotion with having work in the show.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Up and getting away
Monday was hot. Too hot, at least in my apartment - so I decided to bolt and do some exploring.
I drove back to Westport and bided my time. I did a little looking at American Trading Company - the Kansas City version of Buffalo Exchange and found nothing worth buying except a dress I could have possibly taken in - it was a size fourteen, and a wide brown belt which I'd seen the other day. I got the belt, but not the dress. Maybe I should have, but then again it was twenty-five bucks, so maybe not.
After spending way much to time in ATC, I mosied over to McCoy's, a local brewpub, and enjoyed their deck for an hour or so. I arrived around four and happy hour was at five so I just sat it out and read the local weekly newspaper. Decks are a big thing out here, and it is a trend that makes sense. The weather is so nice, why would someone eat inside, when they can eat out. McCoy's deck is especially fine with trees and umbrella shades taking the heat off the sun. At night, it is all lit up. Halliday recommended McCoy's to me as one of the best decks in KC, and I can see why she'd think that. Come five, I ordered a pitcher of beer and found it to be too much, after having a glass and a half, I gave the rest to a couple nearby.
Westport is where Halliday works and I briefly visited her before setting off to find Utrecht. The Utrecht here is not as large as the one in Portland, but it has a little of everything. I grabbed some paper for printing and a few scratch boards.
The night ended with Up, the new Pixar flick everyone has been talking about. The only movie theater I could think of was in the Power and Light District so I headed downtown to find it. I had a very interesting movie experience and I will elaborate further when I get back home, right now everyone is waiting on me to go to a potluck, I think I'll pick up some drinks to bring.
I drove back to Westport and bided my time. I did a little looking at American Trading Company - the Kansas City version of Buffalo Exchange and found nothing worth buying except a dress I could have possibly taken in - it was a size fourteen, and a wide brown belt which I'd seen the other day. I got the belt, but not the dress. Maybe I should have, but then again it was twenty-five bucks, so maybe not.
After spending way much to time in ATC, I mosied over to McCoy's, a local brewpub, and enjoyed their deck for an hour or so. I arrived around four and happy hour was at five so I just sat it out and read the local weekly newspaper. Decks are a big thing out here, and it is a trend that makes sense. The weather is so nice, why would someone eat inside, when they can eat out. McCoy's deck is especially fine with trees and umbrella shades taking the heat off the sun. At night, it is all lit up. Halliday recommended McCoy's to me as one of the best decks in KC, and I can see why she'd think that. Come five, I ordered a pitcher of beer and found it to be too much, after having a glass and a half, I gave the rest to a couple nearby.
Westport is where Halliday works and I briefly visited her before setting off to find Utrecht. The Utrecht here is not as large as the one in Portland, but it has a little of everything. I grabbed some paper for printing and a few scratch boards.
The night ended with Up, the new Pixar flick everyone has been talking about. The only movie theater I could think of was in the Power and Light District so I headed downtown to find it. I had a very interesting movie experience and I will elaborate further when I get back home, right now everyone is waiting on me to go to a potluck, I think I'll pick up some drinks to bring.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Vice and junkyard dogs.
I'm still acclimating to the weather. I feel sticky from when I wake up till about ten at night. There is a subtle blanket of heat that makes it hard for me to concentrate on anything and Sunday was excellent proof of that.
I intended to finish the poster mock up and start in on my zine, but instead the day was spent reading and meeting the colorful folks of West Bottoms.
Uriah and his girlfriend Jenny came home and I briefly talked to them before they went back to Jenny's place, I don't think I'll be seeing a lot of them around.
The warehouse where the Pistol is located, also houses a variety of other occupants. One is "The Ship" - an old bar that has been dismantled and rebuilt downstairs to form a modern sort of speak easy. The aesthetic are 1940's dive and resemble an old galley, thus the name "The Ship". It is used from time to time as a practice space for bands. Joe took me downstairs to meet a Cajun inspired group and we got to talking about St. Maximo.
Joe has an intricate shine in his living room that houses a Guatemalan figure of St. Maximo - the patron saint of vice. It is surrounded by liquor bottles, cigarettes, money, and a wide assortment of other things. The Ship houses a similar one. A Latin mix of Mayan mythology and catholic dogma; the purpose of Maximo is to take one's vices away. It used to be, and in some places still is, for a week in February a man would dress up as Maximo, and while sitting still like a statue, people offer him their vices. Over time, Maximo has somewhat become the patron of the West Bottoms.
Since the day was somewhat cloudy, I took a walk and explored more of the area than I was able the other day. During the day there isn't anyone to bother me and so I feel safe wandering around, so long as I don't go on certain streets. The buildings looked abandoned, but as I found out later, they're not.
Old warehouses tower like a science fiction city that has been emptied. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again, the whole area is surreal. Looking back, it is the sort of landscape a video game would have. The men in combat suits should have been dropping out the windows. In October a few of the warehouses are opened as giant Haunted Houses with names like "The Beast" and "The Chambers of Edgar Allen Poe". I'm told tickets run from 25 to 30 dollars and the only amazing thing about them is the size.
West Bottoms also has a Graffiti gallery. Some of the professionals of Kansas City have taken one of the walls and made a large mural of their work. Kansas City has a fair amount of artistic graffiti on it's walls, not just on warehouses, but all throughout.
The sun came out and I had to go home for a while, but later as the evening came, Joe and I went for a bike ride tour of the Bottoms. Uriah is a bike master and collects bikes to rebuild, then sell. Alas he sold a my-size bike just before I arrived so I rode around on a little BMX bike with no breaks. Since there are no people or no hills in West Bottoms, this is not a problem, my foot worked fine, well it did until I biffed it. Stupidly I tried riding down a gravel road and totally ate it. I scraped up my arm and possibly broke my little toe.
Joe and I walked over to one of the seemingly empty warehouses and went inside to find a bathroom to clean up my arm. Instead of empty, the warehouse has apartments, artist studios, and even a print collaborative. I met a few of the residents and sat for a bit then we rode on.
We ended the night at Vic's, a nice, older man who runs a woodshop/junkyard. He had a first aid kit to patch me up and we ended up spending a few hours talking to him. Vic is the type of guy people don't mess with. He talked a small amount amount the past, but I can only guess the rest, and what I can say is Vic has seen parts of the street I hope I never see. Before we left, Vic introduced me to Rosie, his junkyard/guard dog. Vic says she won't eat my face off once he introduces me to her. I believe him, both on the fact that now Rosie knows me and the fact that she'd eat my face if she didn't.
West Bottoms gets a bit rougher at night, so I didn't stay out too late. Instead I came home and watched Terminator on Netflix. Man have movie effects changed...
I intended to finish the poster mock up and start in on my zine, but instead the day was spent reading and meeting the colorful folks of West Bottoms.
Uriah and his girlfriend Jenny came home and I briefly talked to them before they went back to Jenny's place, I don't think I'll be seeing a lot of them around.
The warehouse where the Pistol is located, also houses a variety of other occupants. One is "The Ship" - an old bar that has been dismantled and rebuilt downstairs to form a modern sort of speak easy. The aesthetic are 1940's dive and resemble an old galley, thus the name "The Ship". It is used from time to time as a practice space for bands. Joe took me downstairs to meet a Cajun inspired group and we got to talking about St. Maximo.
Joe has an intricate shine in his living room that houses a Guatemalan figure of St. Maximo - the patron saint of vice. It is surrounded by liquor bottles, cigarettes, money, and a wide assortment of other things. The Ship houses a similar one. A Latin mix of Mayan mythology and catholic dogma; the purpose of Maximo is to take one's vices away. It used to be, and in some places still is, for a week in February a man would dress up as Maximo, and while sitting still like a statue, people offer him their vices. Over time, Maximo has somewhat become the patron of the West Bottoms.
Since the day was somewhat cloudy, I took a walk and explored more of the area than I was able the other day. During the day there isn't anyone to bother me and so I feel safe wandering around, so long as I don't go on certain streets. The buildings looked abandoned, but as I found out later, they're not.
Old warehouses tower like a science fiction city that has been emptied. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again, the whole area is surreal. Looking back, it is the sort of landscape a video game would have. The men in combat suits should have been dropping out the windows. In October a few of the warehouses are opened as giant Haunted Houses with names like "The Beast" and "The Chambers of Edgar Allen Poe". I'm told tickets run from 25 to 30 dollars and the only amazing thing about them is the size.
West Bottoms also has a Graffiti gallery. Some of the professionals of Kansas City have taken one of the walls and made a large mural of their work. Kansas City has a fair amount of artistic graffiti on it's walls, not just on warehouses, but all throughout.
The sun came out and I had to go home for a while, but later as the evening came, Joe and I went for a bike ride tour of the Bottoms. Uriah is a bike master and collects bikes to rebuild, then sell. Alas he sold a my-size bike just before I arrived so I rode around on a little BMX bike with no breaks. Since there are no people or no hills in West Bottoms, this is not a problem, my foot worked fine, well it did until I biffed it. Stupidly I tried riding down a gravel road and totally ate it. I scraped up my arm and possibly broke my little toe.
Joe and I walked over to one of the seemingly empty warehouses and went inside to find a bathroom to clean up my arm. Instead of empty, the warehouse has apartments, artist studios, and even a print collaborative. I met a few of the residents and sat for a bit then we rode on.
We ended the night at Vic's, a nice, older man who runs a woodshop/junkyard. He had a first aid kit to patch me up and we ended up spending a few hours talking to him. Vic is the type of guy people don't mess with. He talked a small amount amount the past, but I can only guess the rest, and what I can say is Vic has seen parts of the street I hope I never see. Before we left, Vic introduced me to Rosie, his junkyard/guard dog. Vic says she won't eat my face off once he introduces me to her. I believe him, both on the fact that now Rosie knows me and the fact that she'd eat my face if she didn't.
West Bottoms gets a bit rougher at night, so I didn't stay out too late. Instead I came home and watched Terminator on Netflix. Man have movie effects changed...
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Grand Tour de Kansas City
Saturday was spent doing two things: exploring the West Bottoms and going on a grand tour with Halliday and Joe.
During the day, nothing much goes on in the West Bottoms, or at least nothing goes on outside. It's so hot I can't blame anyone. There aren't any trees and the only refuge from the heat is in the shelter of the warehouses. I think the optimal time to run around here is probably at dawn and sunset, I'll do the latter tonight, maybe I can borrow someone's bike. The riding around here would be great.
The grand tour included all the major highlights of Kansas City. KC is far more interesting than I could have anticipated. It is a happening city, and I guess I should have known that due to how large it is. All cities have a counter culture worth looking into, Kansas City's just happens to be right up my alley. Then again; it could be my hosts. Halliday and Joe seem to know a large group of people. Everyone we ran into I was introduced and there is no possible way I could remember all their names, but everyone was friendly, I even met a guy who went to PNCA.
A few highlights of the tour included:
- Westport, trail head for the Santa Fe Trail, and home to the oldest remaining building in KC. Westport also is a indie hangout and has the equivalent of the buffalo exchange, an excellent brewery, and the Broadway Cafe - which put a Starbucks out of business.
- Thrift stores, the prices are what thrift store should have. Here, you can buy a thrifted dress for five dollars or under and such things as the dollar barrel exist.
- The city of fountains, the only city with more per capita is Rome.
- Shakespeare in the park, doesn't open until July.
- Riverfront Market
- KCAI and the surrounding museums, not part of the art institute chain as I previously suspected, the grounds seem worth looking through.
- The Plaza, an older part of town that has been remade into an expensive outdoor mall.
Joe gave me some info for an upcoming show, today I'm going to put together a poster for it and work on my zine.
During the day, nothing much goes on in the West Bottoms, or at least nothing goes on outside. It's so hot I can't blame anyone. There aren't any trees and the only refuge from the heat is in the shelter of the warehouses. I think the optimal time to run around here is probably at dawn and sunset, I'll do the latter tonight, maybe I can borrow someone's bike. The riding around here would be great.
The grand tour included all the major highlights of Kansas City. KC is far more interesting than I could have anticipated. It is a happening city, and I guess I should have known that due to how large it is. All cities have a counter culture worth looking into, Kansas City's just happens to be right up my alley. Then again; it could be my hosts. Halliday and Joe seem to know a large group of people. Everyone we ran into I was introduced and there is no possible way I could remember all their names, but everyone was friendly, I even met a guy who went to PNCA.
A few highlights of the tour included:
- Westport, trail head for the Santa Fe Trail, and home to the oldest remaining building in KC. Westport also is a indie hangout and has the equivalent of the buffalo exchange, an excellent brewery, and the Broadway Cafe - which put a Starbucks out of business.
- Thrift stores, the prices are what thrift store should have. Here, you can buy a thrifted dress for five dollars or under and such things as the dollar barrel exist.
- The city of fountains, the only city with more per capita is Rome.
- Shakespeare in the park, doesn't open until July.
- Riverfront Market
- KCAI and the surrounding museums, not part of the art institute chain as I previously suspected, the grounds seem worth looking through.
- The Plaza, an older part of town that has been remade into an expensive outdoor mall.
Joe gave me some info for an upcoming show, today I'm going to put together a poster for it and work on my zine.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Catching up - Part 3
Finally, I have time to write about the good stuff.
Hammerpress
is the dream I thought it would be.
Hammerpress consists of five people. Brady Vest is the founder/boss and does most of the printing. He and Matt are the only full time employees. Matt works on a lot of the computer designs with Jen, who is increasing her hours to help the work load. Wendy is a older lady who does all the shop keeping and organization that is needed for their store. Finally Bobby is another printer who comes in a works on Fridays and Saturdays. I haven't met him since he was off this Friday.
The shop is going through a change. The bread and butter of Hammerpress is wedding invitations. A custom designed, handset wedding invite costs around 3500 dollars. The pricing is new as well. From what people have been saying, not many people understand what it is that Brady does, well people looking for wedding invitations that is. Brady said what he does is more like painting than printing. When people ask for one of his creations they are asking for a piece of fine art and apparently that doesn't sit well with most. Along with the new higher price, there is a waver customers sign off on saying they are okay with signing off on a drawing, since by the time Brady has a proof it is too late for major changes.
The newer option is a computer designed invite which is then printed using a metal plate ordered from Michigan. Most of the design elements used in the computer designs are from existing type that has been scanned in, thus still retaining an element of the hand-done. Though, this too takes time. Jen estimated a custom invite take four to five days to finish. Since invites is not all Hammerpress does, they are attempting to streamline the process by creating twelve layouts customers can choose from, then customize with their names and wedding colors. Those will be out in June.
Hammerpress does a great deal of design work for businesses too. Anything from posters and menus to cd covers and business cards. Some is handset, some is computer made, it all depends on the price bracket. Brady does almost all of the handset design work and almost no design work on the computer.
Posters are to Hammerpress somewhat as stocks are to a persons paycheck. They don't make much at the time of printing but payoff over a longer period. Brady mentioned that there are four or so to be done in the time span that I'll be here and that I'll get to work on those when they come up.
Stationary is the last part of Hammerpress and a large part of their business. I'll get into more of that as I describe what I do around the shop.
Wednesday, May 27th
Upon arrival I was taken on a tour of the shop. The front room is a store where prints, cards, and some things that Brady thinks to be interesting reside. Brady is a self proclaimed pack rat and so the decor is a little garage sale chic. Although anyone who knows my taste should know that is not a bad thing. The office is to the left of the door and that is where all design work takes place.
The back half of the shop is where all the printing happens. Hammerpress has nine presses, three of which are Ruths (Vandercook Universal I). It also has a jaw dropping amount of type. Brady has accumulated so much type he has to store some of it in his backroom because he doesn't have room in the studio. I think I might have drooled when I was looking through their drawers. For those of you who looked at Abra's type catalogue, you know that page where all the circus and western fonts were? Yeah, that's Brady's type cabinet. He even has a few alphabets of wooden fonts that must be a good five or six inches in length. There are just about as many crazy ornaments and vintage image blocks as there is type. Brady gets his type from a variety of locations, auctions, eBay, Craigslist, and some of it is new from the foundry in San Francisco. His type is his pride and joy and rightfully so.
Brady returned from a large stationary trade show in New York a day or two before I arrived. Through shows like that and representatives is how he sells his product to other stores. Once, through the New York show, Urban Outfitters hired him for a job of printing 25,000 alphabet cards.
Anyway, Wednesday was spend folding cards and preparing orders that came out of the show. Wendy helped me and showed me the ins and outs of packaging. She also offered up some ideas about where I should go around town.
***!* for anyone who wants Hammerpress ephemera, you should contact me. Make-readies and old merchandise are all at my disposal. There is a whole backroom full of stuff that Brady intends on just throwing out if anyone isn't interested in it. Old wedding invites are up for grabs too. I know that sounds funny, but they are some of the coolest stuff there. *!***
That night I intended to make dinner for my roommates, but I fell asleep and the gas went out until June 1st. So no cooking for me.
Thursday, May 28th
This day I spent printing. I printed 300 plus wedding invitations for a friend of Brady and about the same for some cd packaging. I've already learned a few things:
- most of Hammerpress' work is on cardstock. It's cheap and takes printing well. Some design work is on different types of paper, but a fair amount is on simple cheap cardstock.
- designing at an angle on the press bed is not as hard as it looks, just time consuming. One also needs a wooden corner to build off of, but I think something like that could easily be made for PNCA.
- every press has a character of it's own, no matter where you go.
In the evening Joe and I went over to Halliday and her roommate Danielle's where Halliday made a delicious stirfry for us. We had some wine and sat around enjoying the evening until Joe and I left for a succession of houses where I met a bunch of people.
The night capped off at this house where we "porched it". Somehow it felt like a flashback to a 1920's speakeasy- if I could flashback to the 1920's. That feeling probably had to do with the girls who lived there. They were flappers a bit in look and much in spirit.
I learned about the zine culture of Kansas City, which is very little. I was invited to submit to two coming out this month and I think I will. I need to work on mine, I'm not sure what the topic will be on. Oh - in all of this I went to a place called the Arts INKubator Press and will be taking part in their co-op for the summer. That's where I'll be screen printing.
Friday, May 29th
More rep packaging today. A great deal of rep packaging actually. Jen was helping me put things together and said that this is a once a year occurrence that means big business. Eventually Hammerpress intends to do all of their sales to stores through representatives.
About mid morning bus loads of people came through Crossroads from a convention happening at the Art Institute Kansas City (AIKC), so I didn't get much done but sales were great. I stayed late and hung out talking for a bit. Jen and I are going to go thrift storing on Monday, which will be great since for once in my life I didn't pack enough.
The Led Zeppelin themed party consisted of a bunch of people with one thespian hostess dressed up in a velvet jump suit and some music videos playing in the background. Around ten we went to Davey's Bar to see some bands. The show was rocking, at least the first two bands that played, by the time the third was on, it was one am and I was getting tired, so the last two didn't strike my fancy in the same way.
After, we grabbed some Mexican food and then I was dropped off to go to sleep.
now here I am. There is a cat name Flora demanding my attention and shedding great piles of hair, all over my bed, in revenge for not getting it. I need to go get ready. Later I am having a grand tour from Halliday and I think I'm going to go stare at some trains.
My first week was fantastic. Hammerpress is inspiring, laid back, and welcoming. The Pistol is a ready made social network that I am welcome and included in. My weeks here are already getting booked with a potluck, fashion show, first Friday, and a trip to St. Louis on the horizon. Good things are happening.
p.s. one of my oldest friends (dating back to elementary school) lives and hour and a half away. Going to go see him sometime too.
Hammerpress
is the dream I thought it would be.
Hammerpress consists of five people. Brady Vest is the founder/boss and does most of the printing. He and Matt are the only full time employees. Matt works on a lot of the computer designs with Jen, who is increasing her hours to help the work load. Wendy is a older lady who does all the shop keeping and organization that is needed for their store. Finally Bobby is another printer who comes in a works on Fridays and Saturdays. I haven't met him since he was off this Friday.
The shop is going through a change. The bread and butter of Hammerpress is wedding invitations. A custom designed, handset wedding invite costs around 3500 dollars. The pricing is new as well. From what people have been saying, not many people understand what it is that Brady does, well people looking for wedding invitations that is. Brady said what he does is more like painting than printing. When people ask for one of his creations they are asking for a piece of fine art and apparently that doesn't sit well with most. Along with the new higher price, there is a waver customers sign off on saying they are okay with signing off on a drawing, since by the time Brady has a proof it is too late for major changes.
The newer option is a computer designed invite which is then printed using a metal plate ordered from Michigan. Most of the design elements used in the computer designs are from existing type that has been scanned in, thus still retaining an element of the hand-done. Though, this too takes time. Jen estimated a custom invite take four to five days to finish. Since invites is not all Hammerpress does, they are attempting to streamline the process by creating twelve layouts customers can choose from, then customize with their names and wedding colors. Those will be out in June.
Hammerpress does a great deal of design work for businesses too. Anything from posters and menus to cd covers and business cards. Some is handset, some is computer made, it all depends on the price bracket. Brady does almost all of the handset design work and almost no design work on the computer.
Posters are to Hammerpress somewhat as stocks are to a persons paycheck. They don't make much at the time of printing but payoff over a longer period. Brady mentioned that there are four or so to be done in the time span that I'll be here and that I'll get to work on those when they come up.
Stationary is the last part of Hammerpress and a large part of their business. I'll get into more of that as I describe what I do around the shop.
Wednesday, May 27th
Upon arrival I was taken on a tour of the shop. The front room is a store where prints, cards, and some things that Brady thinks to be interesting reside. Brady is a self proclaimed pack rat and so the decor is a little garage sale chic. Although anyone who knows my taste should know that is not a bad thing. The office is to the left of the door and that is where all design work takes place.
The back half of the shop is where all the printing happens. Hammerpress has nine presses, three of which are Ruths (Vandercook Universal I). It also has a jaw dropping amount of type. Brady has accumulated so much type he has to store some of it in his backroom because he doesn't have room in the studio. I think I might have drooled when I was looking through their drawers. For those of you who looked at Abra's type catalogue, you know that page where all the circus and western fonts were? Yeah, that's Brady's type cabinet. He even has a few alphabets of wooden fonts that must be a good five or six inches in length. There are just about as many crazy ornaments and vintage image blocks as there is type. Brady gets his type from a variety of locations, auctions, eBay, Craigslist, and some of it is new from the foundry in San Francisco. His type is his pride and joy and rightfully so.
Brady returned from a large stationary trade show in New York a day or two before I arrived. Through shows like that and representatives is how he sells his product to other stores. Once, through the New York show, Urban Outfitters hired him for a job of printing 25,000 alphabet cards.
Anyway, Wednesday was spend folding cards and preparing orders that came out of the show. Wendy helped me and showed me the ins and outs of packaging. She also offered up some ideas about where I should go around town.
***!* for anyone who wants Hammerpress ephemera, you should contact me. Make-readies and old merchandise are all at my disposal. There is a whole backroom full of stuff that Brady intends on just throwing out if anyone isn't interested in it. Old wedding invites are up for grabs too. I know that sounds funny, but they are some of the coolest stuff there. *!***
That night I intended to make dinner for my roommates, but I fell asleep and the gas went out until June 1st. So no cooking for me.
Thursday, May 28th
This day I spent printing. I printed 300 plus wedding invitations for a friend of Brady and about the same for some cd packaging. I've already learned a few things:
- most of Hammerpress' work is on cardstock. It's cheap and takes printing well. Some design work is on different types of paper, but a fair amount is on simple cheap cardstock.
- designing at an angle on the press bed is not as hard as it looks, just time consuming. One also needs a wooden corner to build off of, but I think something like that could easily be made for PNCA.
- every press has a character of it's own, no matter where you go.
In the evening Joe and I went over to Halliday and her roommate Danielle's where Halliday made a delicious stirfry for us. We had some wine and sat around enjoying the evening until Joe and I left for a succession of houses where I met a bunch of people.
The night capped off at this house where we "porched it". Somehow it felt like a flashback to a 1920's speakeasy- if I could flashback to the 1920's. That feeling probably had to do with the girls who lived there. They were flappers a bit in look and much in spirit.
I learned about the zine culture of Kansas City, which is very little. I was invited to submit to two coming out this month and I think I will. I need to work on mine, I'm not sure what the topic will be on. Oh - in all of this I went to a place called the Arts INKubator Press and will be taking part in their co-op for the summer. That's where I'll be screen printing.
Friday, May 29th
More rep packaging today. A great deal of rep packaging actually. Jen was helping me put things together and said that this is a once a year occurrence that means big business. Eventually Hammerpress intends to do all of their sales to stores through representatives.
About mid morning bus loads of people came through Crossroads from a convention happening at the Art Institute Kansas City (AIKC), so I didn't get much done but sales were great. I stayed late and hung out talking for a bit. Jen and I are going to go thrift storing on Monday, which will be great since for once in my life I didn't pack enough.
The Led Zeppelin themed party consisted of a bunch of people with one thespian hostess dressed up in a velvet jump suit and some music videos playing in the background. Around ten we went to Davey's Bar to see some bands. The show was rocking, at least the first two bands that played, by the time the third was on, it was one am and I was getting tired, so the last two didn't strike my fancy in the same way.
After, we grabbed some Mexican food and then I was dropped off to go to sleep.
now here I am. There is a cat name Flora demanding my attention and shedding great piles of hair, all over my bed, in revenge for not getting it. I need to go get ready. Later I am having a grand tour from Halliday and I think I'm going to go stare at some trains.
My first week was fantastic. Hammerpress is inspiring, laid back, and welcoming. The Pistol is a ready made social network that I am welcome and included in. My weeks here are already getting booked with a potluck, fashion show, first Friday, and a trip to St. Louis on the horizon. Good things are happening.
p.s. one of my oldest friends (dating back to elementary school) lives and hour and a half away. Going to go see him sometime too.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Catching up - Part 2
Okay, so after driving approx 1850 miles, I was in Kansas City.
Tuesday, May 26th
Spent most of the day sight seeing. Mom wanted to see both Truman's home and Jesse James' farm, which conveniently happen to be in/near Independence. Truman's home was interesting although most of it was under construction so we were unable to see much of it. Jesse James' farm was simple, but really, there isn't too much to say on the matter except what was said in a short movie shown just before the tour of the farm house.
The most interesting part of Independence sadly didn't have much information on it. Independence is where many, if not most, of the Oregon and Santa Fe Trail pioneers started. Coming from where they ended, if was pretty cool to be there thinking about what it took to found my home.
The evening was spent picking up essentials that I'd essentially forgotten to pack. I briefly dropped off what I did pack at the Pistol Social Club (more about the Pistol later) and went back to the Quality Inn. Went to Walmart to get an air mattress and lights because my new room lacked furniture of any kind.
Early the next morning I dropped off my Mom at the airport and went to my first day of work...
Now for the really interesting stuff. What should I say first? Do I talk about the Pistol, Hammerpress or Kansas City first? Since I know most of you are interested to learn about the happenings at Hammerpress, that is the last thing I will describe. Haha! Actually, it makes sense to talk about things in order as I came across them, and well, that still puts Hammerpress last.
Kansas City
is not surrounded by amber wave of grain. Surprise! Surprise! It actually is very leafy and the suburbs remind me a little of North Carolina. The drive into town is obscuring since all the trees are the same height and one can't see beyond them. Kansas City itself (Missouri side, I've yet to really explore the Kansas side) is slightly smaller than Seattle, but the downtown is only slightly larger than Portland. The architecture is industrial chic. Joe (you'll get to know who he is soon) told me that Kansas City has enough concrete to rival Los Angeles (I only sort of doubt it) and is second to Chicago for trains passing though (I don't doubt it, I get to hear many of them personally). Either way, both statements reflect the culture of the place, if that makes any sense.
Neighborhoods are somewhat ethnically divided. There is a distinct mexican quarter, black quarter, italian quarter, etc. Joe says Kansas City it isn't as segregated as it looks off the bat, but no city is. However the cultural "districts" seem to make it so that each part of the city is vibrant in distinctly different ways.
Hammerpress is in a place called the Crossroad Arts District. It is what the Pearl is to Portland, but not yet as pricey. Once upon a time the warehouses were cheap rental space for artists, then fancy galleries moved in raising the rent and what we all know to be gentrification set in. Like I mentioned, the ritz that oozes from some places in the Pearl does not yet inhabit the Crossorads, but Kansas City is still in the revitalization stage.
Once booted from Crossroads alot of the artists moved to the West Bottoms, which is where I am now....
The Pistol Social Club
is both home and music venue. Actually, music venues are holed up and down this place. The section that I live in is drywalled apart from the show space. First I think I need to describe West Bottoms to really describe my home.
When Kansas City was a fledgling town, and even when it was not such a fledgling town one of the huge markets was livestock. In fact, I believe it was the market. Anyways, West Bottoms was the stockyards until Kansas City had no stockyards anymore. Already cris-crossed with train tracks/yards, they took over and the only thing to make it's home in West Bottoms that was not a warehouse or train related, was a rodeo area, now rarely used.
So I live in a section of warehouse surrounded by train tracks, and thus frequent trains. It's somewhat surreal. Upon first look, it seems sketchy, but really isn't. People look out for each other and there are almost no homeless or wandering souls. Joe says the surrounding warehouses are filled to capacity with a variety of people and venues. There is an auction house, screen printing studio, apartments, and an architectural salvage store to name a few.
The loft I live in consists of drywall made rooms, an old kitchen and communal bathroom. My room is huge with a brick wall, old wood floors, and gigantic windows that get glorious sun all day long. Alas, I have nothing to furnish it will, but my air mattress and plank shelves will do. The communal room is also a bit surreal. It seems like a set from a movie. It contains alot of large mismatched furniture that some how all pulls together to create a perfectly bohemian setting, although I think it became so by chance verses purpose. "Everything is here because it's too big to go anywhere else." Pictures will explain much better than I can.
I have two-four roommates depending on who is here. Joe is my only consistent roommate so far. Joe Hammer (fate says that is not a coincidence) is the manager of the Pistol Social Club and is the caretaker of the building. I gather he's in his early 30's or late 20's. His girlfriend Halliday spends time here often, but she has a place of her own too. She uses the space as a studio for her fashion line. Uriah and his girlfriend are here sometimes (Uriah is my third actual roommate) but I've yet to meet either. It seems he's been staying with his girlfriend and then they went to the lakes. They're supposed to be back on Sunday. Joe and Halliday are fantastic and have taken it upon themselves to include me the the local scene. They're into Rockabilly which is refreshing to get a dose of from time to time (again, fate says this is not a coincidence).
Did I mention the Pistol Social Club has a giant cap gun outside the building? Well it does.
Alright, well I have to go to a Led Zeppelin themed party and then a few shows or something, I'm honestly not quite sure. I'll finish this up later. Keep you waiting....
Tuesday, May 26th
Spent most of the day sight seeing. Mom wanted to see both Truman's home and Jesse James' farm, which conveniently happen to be in/near Independence. Truman's home was interesting although most of it was under construction so we were unable to see much of it. Jesse James' farm was simple, but really, there isn't too much to say on the matter except what was said in a short movie shown just before the tour of the farm house.
The most interesting part of Independence sadly didn't have much information on it. Independence is where many, if not most, of the Oregon and Santa Fe Trail pioneers started. Coming from where they ended, if was pretty cool to be there thinking about what it took to found my home.
The evening was spent picking up essentials that I'd essentially forgotten to pack. I briefly dropped off what I did pack at the Pistol Social Club (more about the Pistol later) and went back to the Quality Inn. Went to Walmart to get an air mattress and lights because my new room lacked furniture of any kind.
Early the next morning I dropped off my Mom at the airport and went to my first day of work...
Now for the really interesting stuff. What should I say first? Do I talk about the Pistol, Hammerpress or Kansas City first? Since I know most of you are interested to learn about the happenings at Hammerpress, that is the last thing I will describe. Haha! Actually, it makes sense to talk about things in order as I came across them, and well, that still puts Hammerpress last.
Kansas City
is not surrounded by amber wave of grain. Surprise! Surprise! It actually is very leafy and the suburbs remind me a little of North Carolina. The drive into town is obscuring since all the trees are the same height and one can't see beyond them. Kansas City itself (Missouri side, I've yet to really explore the Kansas side) is slightly smaller than Seattle, but the downtown is only slightly larger than Portland. The architecture is industrial chic. Joe (you'll get to know who he is soon) told me that Kansas City has enough concrete to rival Los Angeles (I only sort of doubt it) and is second to Chicago for trains passing though (I don't doubt it, I get to hear many of them personally). Either way, both statements reflect the culture of the place, if that makes any sense.
Neighborhoods are somewhat ethnically divided. There is a distinct mexican quarter, black quarter, italian quarter, etc. Joe says Kansas City it isn't as segregated as it looks off the bat, but no city is. However the cultural "districts" seem to make it so that each part of the city is vibrant in distinctly different ways.
Hammerpress is in a place called the Crossroad Arts District. It is what the Pearl is to Portland, but not yet as pricey. Once upon a time the warehouses were cheap rental space for artists, then fancy galleries moved in raising the rent and what we all know to be gentrification set in. Like I mentioned, the ritz that oozes from some places in the Pearl does not yet inhabit the Crossorads, but Kansas City is still in the revitalization stage.
Once booted from Crossroads alot of the artists moved to the West Bottoms, which is where I am now....
The Pistol Social Club
is both home and music venue. Actually, music venues are holed up and down this place. The section that I live in is drywalled apart from the show space. First I think I need to describe West Bottoms to really describe my home.
When Kansas City was a fledgling town, and even when it was not such a fledgling town one of the huge markets was livestock. In fact, I believe it was the market. Anyways, West Bottoms was the stockyards until Kansas City had no stockyards anymore. Already cris-crossed with train tracks/yards, they took over and the only thing to make it's home in West Bottoms that was not a warehouse or train related, was a rodeo area, now rarely used.
So I live in a section of warehouse surrounded by train tracks, and thus frequent trains. It's somewhat surreal. Upon first look, it seems sketchy, but really isn't. People look out for each other and there are almost no homeless or wandering souls. Joe says the surrounding warehouses are filled to capacity with a variety of people and venues. There is an auction house, screen printing studio, apartments, and an architectural salvage store to name a few.
The loft I live in consists of drywall made rooms, an old kitchen and communal bathroom. My room is huge with a brick wall, old wood floors, and gigantic windows that get glorious sun all day long. Alas, I have nothing to furnish it will, but my air mattress and plank shelves will do. The communal room is also a bit surreal. It seems like a set from a movie. It contains alot of large mismatched furniture that some how all pulls together to create a perfectly bohemian setting, although I think it became so by chance verses purpose. "Everything is here because it's too big to go anywhere else." Pictures will explain much better than I can.
I have two-four roommates depending on who is here. Joe is my only consistent roommate so far. Joe Hammer (fate says that is not a coincidence) is the manager of the Pistol Social Club and is the caretaker of the building. I gather he's in his early 30's or late 20's. His girlfriend Halliday spends time here often, but she has a place of her own too. She uses the space as a studio for her fashion line. Uriah and his girlfriend are here sometimes (Uriah is my third actual roommate) but I've yet to meet either. It seems he's been staying with his girlfriend and then they went to the lakes. They're supposed to be back on Sunday. Joe and Halliday are fantastic and have taken it upon themselves to include me the the local scene. They're into Rockabilly which is refreshing to get a dose of from time to time (again, fate says this is not a coincidence).
Did I mention the Pistol Social Club has a giant cap gun outside the building? Well it does.
Alright, well I have to go to a Led Zeppelin themed party and then a few shows or something, I'm honestly not quite sure. I'll finish this up later. Keep you waiting....
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Welcome to Kansas City. Feel free to be yourself whenever you want.
There is a lot to write about. I just got internet and have had three days worth of driving and two of internship madness. What I have to say now is that everything is wonderful, fantastic, and even better than I could have imagined. I will type more tomorrow.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Two more days
until I go.
I read this book on interesting things to do in Kansas. I felt like it was trying too hard to make something out of the towns it highlighted. There were a couple spots that might be worth seeing - however I hope the Missouri side of things will provide more highlights. The world's largest hairball can hold hold my attention for so long. Then again; I haven't been to Kansas yet, so who knows what I can expect. I just can't get the idea of endless fields of wheat out of my head.
I have a living situation finally sort of put together: http://www.myspace.com/thepistolkc
The Pistol Social Club is a rock venue/community gathering space. Apparently there is a loft above the warehouse. It isn't too far from where I'll be working.
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