Posts Tagged ‘P.U.P.’

Free Work Wednesday – 09.22.10

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

10″ x 18″ – collage, spraypaint, acrylic, chalk, RCA Dome fabric, wood glue on wood (framed)

Alright folks, it’s Wednesday and we all know what that means….FREE WORK WEDNESDAY! I had a lot of great submissions and it was definitely hard for me to choose a winner. If I didn’t choose yours, don’t worry…there will be plenty of other chances. I will be posting a new piece every week. Remember to share the link with friends and family on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, word-of-mouth, etc. It will be a lot easier for me to stay motivated and continue this if there is a lot of interest and input. No fun in having a contest with one person. More competition, you might say? well then polish your literary skills and may the best person win.

The winner for last week’s Free Work Wednesday is Caralyn with “Momma’s Got a Squeezebox (left) and Daddy Never Sleeps at Night (right). Congratulations! I felt those titles went great together because they flow well (probably because they are lyrics from a Who song). I was a huge Who fan growing up and Keith Moon was one of my early inspirations to start drumming. The titles work well separately but fit into a context that helps viewer know they should be viewed as a pair. Note to Caralyn: email me your address so I can send you your free art. Email is nathanmonkart@gmail.com Thanks!

It’s great to see what everyone came up with. That’s what I love about art. Everyone gets something different out of it based on your life experiences. Great job people! Now it’s on for another round! Tell your kids, tell your wife, and tell your husband because I’m giving away another piece of art!

See you next week when I will announce the winner.

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Another Success at P.U.P.

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

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Detail of “The Onset of Decline”

Last night, I was lucky enough to display three new works at the P.U.P studio located inside the Murphy Building. This was my second time displaying some of my art there and once again it was a great time. This time around, I wanted to do something different than last month’s opening. I wanted to create works that conceptual related with P.U.P.’s transit initiatives.

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Detail of “Great American Streetcar Scandal: Part Two”

After reading a small fact on their website about how Indiana is ranked 43rd for mass transit ridership in the nation. I also knew from first hand experience that Indiana doesn’t have sufficient mass transit choices. After doing more research, I learned that along with Ohio, Indiana was the leader in the interurban rail system. I wanted to learn how Indiana’s public transit system came from such a different place from where we are now. So after reading more about this topic, I was inspired by the rise and fall of the interurban transit system and these works were a result of that. I want to purchase a book called “Indianapolis Railways” and continue to learn more about the history of Indiana’s rail systems.

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“The Onset of Decline”, “Great American Streetcar Scandal: Part One”, & “…Part Two”

Back to last night. Once again, I had a wonderful time. I was actually able to take my wife and son around the Murphy Building and check out some of the studio/gallery openings. We didn’t see it all unfortunately but I hope to make it a more regular event. I had some great conversations with people as always. The topics ranged from Indiana’s rail systems to the lack of accessibility of some ‘high art’ and the pretentiousness that comes along with it. It is always interesting to hear other people’s opinion about topics that I am inspired by and truly care about.

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Inside the P.U.P. Studio

I think the whole First Friday event at the Murphy Building was a success. There were a ton of people! It was IMOCA’s first night in the building and with that they drew a huge crowd. P.U.P. had an awesome night as well and sold a ton of Dome wallets, purses, messenger bags, and Dome Flakes. You should check out P.U.P.’s website to see these. They are all made out of the RCA Dome roof material which is Teflon-coated Fiberglass. They saved it from being thrown in a landfill and are now putting it to good use. Silver In The City also carries some of these. They are a great gift idea that with your money gives back to the community. 60% of the profit is donated back into Indianapolis parks which is definitely needed. Grab a one of a kind gift and a piece of history!

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Another view of the People for Urban Progress Studio

Don’t forget this Friday Dec. 11 I will be at the Artsgarden all day from 10am-9pm selling original works of art for super cheap! I am talking $20 cheap. These will be great holiday gifts for anyone. I will have a wide range of work so come on down and check it out! There will be 20+ artists booths to check out. The Artsgarden is connected to Circle Center Mall so it is easily accessible as well.

Then Saturday night Dec. 12, I will have some of my work hanging at the Indy Hostel during the “Both Sides of the Beat” hiphop/spoken word show. It should be a blast! I hope to see you there.

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Who’s that guy? Oh yea, I’m wearing a name tag….

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Mass Transit Works

Saturday, November 21st, 2009

I have been lucky enough to be a part of December’s First Friday event at the P.U.P. Studio. For those of you that came out on November’s First Friday event, I want to say thanks once again. It was a great experience and only you guys showing up makes it worth it all. Maryanne and Michael are doing great things to make Indianapolis a better place so come out and show them some love! They have t-shirts, Dome Flakes, Dome Bags, and other goodies for sale so help support one of Indy’s great non-profits by purchasing something. Also, tell your friends! Word of mouth makes a bigger impact than you think. You can learn more about People for Urban Progress HERE!

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A WIP (work in progress) shot of 2 of the 3 new pieces

I will be creating three new works for December’s FF event. They were inspired from a small paragraph I read on P.U.P.’s website actually. I was reading up on what they were doing about the transit initiatives and was kind of blown away by a statistic. From there I did some more research on some other sites. You should check out the site to see what I mean. It involves the past successes of Indiana’s mass transit rail system and the state’s current lack of sufficient public mass transit system. Indianapolis is a great city and it could be taken advantage of and appreciated more if the city was more easily accessible, not just by car. I know we have IndyGo and Amtrak but those are very limited as far as routes especially to and from the suburbs. We can do better than that.

After digesting this information and pondering about it, I got to creating. The works will not be a story board or a time line of Indiana’s rail system history. It is definitely a more abstract approach to the idea and the work. And with subtle representational images, I hope to bring the viewer in and possibly start an internal dialogue about transit solutions in Indianapolis. I don’t want the works to be exclusive but I also don’t want them to seem like a Jr. High poster board assignment either. I think I will stick to my witty titles to help bridge that gap and get the conversation started.

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A WIP (work in progress) shot of 2 of the 3 new pieces

One of the works is on a reused canvas mounted in an old frame. The other two are on wood which will be mounted in older found frames as well.

You can see these three new works on Friday Dec. 4 at the P.U.P. Studio (Studio 213) which is located in the Murphy Building, Fountain Square. The studio will have it’s door open from 7-10pm. I hope to see you out there and we can talk more about trains because trains are awesome.

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First Friday @ P.U.P

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

First off, I just want to say I had a great night at the Murphy Building for November’s First Friday event. There were a lot of people, great conversations, talented musicians, and don’t forget the delicious wine.

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Visitors viewing my artwork

I also want to say thanks to Maryanne O’Malley and Michael Bricker (founders of People for Urban Progress) for giving me the wonderful opportunity to show my work in their studio. It is a really great space that has a lot going on. They had information about their transit initiatives, Dome Bag Project gear over on the other wall, P.U.P. T-shirts, Domeflakes, and more!

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Some of the laser cut Dome Flakes

I was really pleased with the way my artwork fit into their space as well. They brought in a lot of traffic and at times there were crowds of people gathered to check out my work. I met a lot of friendly and interesting individuals whom I had some really nice conversations with. I really enjoy being able to mingle and interact with the viewer’s of my work. It is always interesting to hear there thoughts and questions.

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The table of treats for the visitors

My artwork wasn’t the only reason people were headed to the studio. Like I said, P.U.P. had so much to offer. I was able to purchase a clutch purse for my wife and a matching bi-fold wallet for myself. These were from their Dome Bag Project where they fabricate functional accessories out of the Teflon coated Fiberglass material that the RCA Dome roof covering was made out of. It is such a wonderful idea that saved an enormous amount of perfectly good material from being tossed in a landfill. You can pick up bi-fold or tri-fold wallets, clutch purses with or without the shoulder strap, and messenger bags from Silver In the City on Mass. Ave or contact them at info@peopleup.org for more information about how you can own a piece of history.

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My wife’s new purse and my new wallet!

I just want to say thanks again to everyone who came out to see my work and check out the P.U.P. studio. Thanks again to Maryanne and Michael. Please check out their website to see what they are all about.

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More good news on the art front

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Don’t forget to come out tomorrow night, Friday Nov. 6 to the P.U.P. Studio (People for Urban Progress, studio 213) to view some of my work and check out what P.U.P. is up to. They have a lot of great projects going on right now that are all geared towards improving Indiana and giving back to the community. Stop by to have some fun with us and learn something while you’re at it.

Down the hall at Big Car Gallery will there will be the “Dead Zone Boys art show inspired by the new album by Jookabox.

Artists in the show: Jessica Sowls, Jim Walker, NERS, Liz Janes, John Clark, Erin Drew, DM Stith, Ryan Irvin, Craig McCormick, Casey Roberts and Tom Streit.

Also that night, Pattern-Hungry Records will be presenting a night of hip-hop, spoken word, and everything in between. Exploring the art of poetry on and off the beat, Both Sides of the Beat will showcase hip-hop and spoken word artists presenting their most adventurous work. Featured performers will include Pattern-Hungry Records recording artists Lorax, Ligyro, and Yeti One appearing together as Twin Monster alongside spoken word artists TJ Reynolds, Ace One, Neil Cain and Dan Marquis.”

If you haven’t checked out the new Red Bus 2 album, you can do so here. All the songs on the album were written and performed by Yeti-One, Ded Flower, and Lorax. It also features Ace One, Rusty Redenbacher of the MUD KIDS, and T.J. Reynolds. Killer stuff.

On to more great news.

I recently applied to be a part of the “Buy Indy Art/Give Indy Art” Holiday Shopping Experience in the Indianapolis Arstgarden. This event will be hosted by The Arts Council of Indianapolis and Be Indypendent and take place on Friday, December 11 from 10am-9pm. This event is to encourage the purchase of original, local art whether it be for a gift or even for yourself because let’s face it, you deserve something good every once and awhile.

So now that you now what it is, you need to know that I got accepted to participate. I am super excited and already have a lot great work ready to go for the show but I will still try to have as much available as physically possible. It is going to be a lot of smaller, more affordable work that will be easier to give as a gift and especially easier to carry through the mall….

More details about the Artsgarden Holiday Shopping Experience in the future.

Time to get back to work…

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P.U.P. & N.M.A.

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

I just got back from the studio of the non-profit organization P.U.P. or People for Urban Progress. I was there hanging some of my work to get ready for this month’s First Friday event. This all came about after I spoke with co-founder Maryanne O’Malley at last month’s First Friday event. I just happened to be strolling down the hall from Big Car Gallery and their studio caught my eye. I was welcomed inside and told about their mission.

“PEOPLE FOR URBAN PROGRESS (PUP) is an Indianapolis-based 501c3 non-profit organization that promotes and advances public transit, environmental awareness, and urban design. We stand for project-based urban progress.”

One of their current projects is The Dome Bag Project. “Working with local artist Cheryl Harnishfeger, PUP has designed and developed wallets, clutches, messengers bags, and bike messenger bags made from the roof material of the former RCA Dome. 60% of the proceeds from the sale of these items will benefit the Indianapolis Parks Department, which will use the funds to install the same material throughout the city. Each Dome Accessory is hand crafted and uniquely designed.”

I had never heard about this organization let along this project so when I found out I was super excited. It was such a great idea and an act that I admire greatly. Instead of letting the extra-durable RCA Dome roof material to be tossed in a landfill, they were proactive and used it as a way to give back to the community. I think Indiana needs more of these kind of acts and P.U.P. is one who’s definitely leading the way.

After speaking with Mary about my art, she was kind enough to let me hang some of my work considering that our missions are some-what intertwined conceptually. I am definitely lucky to be a part of this month’s First Friday event at the P.U.P. Studio. It isn’t just any old studio to hang work in. For me, the studio represents so much more than a place to hang art.

Please do yourself a favor and visit their website. You should really consider purchasing a wallet, a purse, or a messenger bag….or all three! They are one of a kind and truly a piece of history. Festivites should start around 7pm this Friday, November 6 in Studio 213 in the Murphy Building at Fountain Square. We hope to see you there!

People for Urban Progress

Studio 213

1043 Virginia Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46203

EMAIL: info@peopleup.org

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