Empire State of Mind
Let's admit that we're all thinking about it.
I really appreciate you taking the time to read this. Let’s go.
In this edition:
Art News
Current Obsessions
A Painful Process
Cartoon
Hire Aaron Aalto
Codex
Art News
Columbian Painter Fernando Botero is dead at 91
The new Manet/Degas exhibition starts at the Met on September 24 and ends Jan 7, 2024
Procreate announces new animation tool called Procreate Dreams out November 22
Current Obsessions
James Blake dropped this. Why isn’t anyone talking about this!
Saying “Why isn’t anyone talking about this?”
→Apple One interview (It’s long but it’s worth it notice when he refers to the music being “designed”)
→This one with Brian Eno (short and sweet)
I’ve been waiting around for months for a record I can listen to on repeat. I didn’t expect it would be James Blake who would deliver what I’d describe as a beautiful tapestry of sonic ecstasy. I dug a little deeper and found an interview where he drops serious gems.
In one part, he confesses that this record was made without the need to acquire a new skill. In his previous work, he was trying to improve as a songwriter. Here he is being himself. Oh and his thoughts on AI are worth listening to.
A Painful Process
Successful drawing is the result of some painful and patient labor.
- John Croney
Beauty is a result of pain. I’m reading a book on drawing the human figure and this idea came up—again. Have you noticed this pattern? I think this is one of the reasons that make us artists sort of weird creatures. We pursue beauty knowing very well that it will be painful. It will demand patience. The Process will test our endurance, but persevere we must. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
Cartoon
What do you think? I’ve started a new series called Caartoons. I call this one “Empire State of Mind”. How many of you were asked this question last week? “How often do you think of the Roman Empire?” The meme spread like wildfire. Funny how things spread online. It’s weird stuff and I like it.
Hire Aaron Aalto
You probably know me for my illustrations, but before I was making things online I was a product designer and still am. Anyway, I’ve been missing working with other designers and being part of a product team. So if you or someone you know is hiring a product designer let’s talk.
Here is my portfolio
Codex Society
I was interviewed recently and spoke about our upcoming plans with Codex Society. If you’re feeling adventurous →Listen to it here
Main idea: We’re designing an experimental service that provides US members with a monthly curated selection of used books shipped to their door.
We’re still working on this but I’ll keep you posted and you’ll be among the first to know where to sign up if you wish. ⚜️
That James Blake interview was too good. And I'm so excited for the Manet/Dega exhibit!!