Non-profit organization, 826LA presents Chickens in Love, an online pledge-a-thon, fundraiser, full-length album, and one-day music festival. 826LA workshop students, ranging from 7 to 13 years, wrote these songs in an 826LA workshop titled Songwriting with The Submarines, led by singer/ songwriters John Dragonetti and Blake Hazard of The Submarines.

From there, the kids had the opportunity to write their own music and lyrics in their own bands. The result was a full-length album titled, Chickens in Love, with 12 songs from 826LA students who then had their songs covered by Los Angeles-based musicians including, She & Him, Fiona Apple, Cold War Kids, Tim and Eric, The Submarines, Summer Darling, The Happy Hollows, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Dum Dum Girls, The Growlers, Crystal Antlers, and The Pity Party. Check out some videos of the original songs, followed by a sample track of the recording artist who covered it:

The Peeps: “Mamacita”

Coldwar Kids cover of “Mamacita”

The Taco Shells: “Mexican Food”

Summer Darling cover of “Mexican Food”

The Gummy Bears: “So Sleepy”

Fiona Apple’s cover of “So Sleepy”

The public can listen to these songs and bid on their favorites, with all proceeds going directly back into the organization itself, that will help fund writing and tutoring workshops for kids in L.A. (Pledges of $30+ will also be tax deductible!) When the bid closes on April 30th, 2010 the band that raises the most money will win the ultimate bragging rights with the 826LA Gold Record! The one-day Mini Music Festival showcasing Chicken in Love songs will also be held at the Echoplex on March 6th

Support children’s literacy and creativity through this great cause! Pledge now!

When you first look at the work of London-based illustrator Thereza Rowe, you instantly feel warm and fuzzy inside. Her vivid paper designs remind us that it’s never too late to have a childhood. Thereza Rowe is one of four artists we’ve collaborated with for our recently released Papercut Series wallets, and we know that after you read the recent interview we’ve conducted with her, you’ll feel the same way.

Can you tell us a little bit about the theme of your wallet designs?

I wanted to create a magic forest scenario, where everything is calm and soothing and your imagination can be unleashed to create your own narrative from the scenery and characters involved.

East End

Southbank

Charing Cross

Where are three places in London you absolutely cannot live without?

1. The East End: I just adore that area. It’s so randomized and diverse, and fool of colour and inspiration. Whenever I need to refresh my ideas process, I spend half a day there and it usually does the trick.
2. The Southbank: I love walking along the river looking at my favorite bridge (Hungerford Bridge), being amused by the people around and just taking in the aesthetic beauty and mood of the city.
3. Charing Cross: Where the best book and art supply shops are! And I also love Camden Town for its markets and the canal, very inspiring…

What is your creative process like from conception to completion?

It normally starts from drawing and playing with paper cut outs on my sketchbooks. They work like a laboratory for ideas and are essential, especially within the brainstorming process. After that, it changes almost every time depending on the project. Sometimes I have the ideas sorted in my head and start drawing from scratch and sometimes most of the elements that I sketched on the Moleskines end up in the final piece. I also like making mood boards with both my own past sketches and things I collect. Taking photographs and documenting is also a big thing for me, I carry a camera with me at all times. The completion bit is usually a joint venture between myself and the art direction party I happened to be working with. It’s all great fun though, all the phases.

Are there any future projects you’d like to share for 2010?

There are a few projects coming up and I’m excited because a couple of them involve collaborating with artists whose work I absolutely adore. I’ll keep you guys posted.

What is your reaction to the phrase, “Print is dead.” ?

Nonsense, utter rubbish! Although it’s all so good to have such a massive archive of good online publications, nothing compares to the tactile feeling of holding the physical object, a book for example always translates into pure joy for me.

Last thing you’ve seen on TV that’s made you teary-eyed.

Forest Gump…It was on the other week and having seen it twice before I didn’t think I was going to be in tears again from about 25 minutes into the film through to the final credits…I’m such a softy!

What do you do when your creative juices run dry?

Anything from taking a trip into somewhere cool in London, sitting around in some random place with my Moleskine, watching the Pink Panther cartoons, drinking a fresh pint of pink milk, listening to great music…This could become quite a list…

A typical Sunday morning would consist of…

A total guilt free ’sleep-in’ followed by a heart brunch. Nowadays my Sundays have become my ‘lazy, do what you like, even if it consists of doing nothing’ day. It’s good to have a day off to rest and recharge the creative wires.

What would you like to be remembered for?

Someone who’s managed to remain a child at heart, who was kind, happy, made people smile, supportive of others, fulfilled and lucky enough to work with what they love.**

It was an honor taking a glimpse inside Thereza’s world. Your work is truly inspiring!

You can check out her wallet here!
And visit Thereza’s website here!

Poketo is proud to present one of four Papercut Series artists, Jared Schorr, and his incredibly cute and intricately hand-crafted wallet design. A graduate from Art Center College of Design, currently residing in Montclair, California, Schorr has worked with such publications as GOOD magazine, and the New York Times. After conducting a recent interview with Schorr, we were pleased to get to know him not only as an artist, but a devoted family man, a dreamer, and an infectious optimist.

Can you tell us a little big about the theme of your wallets design?

I wanted to do a wallet with a lot of monsters running and having fun–kind of like a Ryan McGinley photo. You don’t really know what is going on, but you wish you were there. Though the monsters are running for their lives, they are still enjoying themselves.

What can’t you construct out of paper?

There is NOTHING. Mwahahaha… nah, there’s lots.

All of your characters in your art work seem so happy. What are they happy about?

I think that my characters’ happiness is just an extension of my own happiness. I am so excited to be alive and doing exactly what I want to be doing.

Have your dream collaborations already happened? If not, who would you like to work with in the future?

I’ve been really fortunate to have some amazing collaborations. There are still people out there though. I would love to work with Mike Perry. I imagine him being like an octopus with four brains cause the dude is soo creative and never puts out anything bad. Plus, there is a TON of it. I would love to make some prints with Studio On Fire. Amazing craftsmanship! I think it would be fun to brand a season for Target. I worked at Target stocking the shelves for four years so it would be cool to see my work all over the place. McSweeney’s would be a dream as well because..they’re McSweeney’s. You don’t get any better.

What impact do you hope your artwork brings to other people?

I mostly want my work to make people happy and put some sunshine in someone’s day. I hope that it makes other people want to make art. I think that that is the greatest compliment. When someone sees your passion and it creates passion in them.

Is there a brand or type of paper you work with the most?

I was trying to use Martha Stewart Collection paper. Amazing colors and its really easy to cut, but it is harder to find so I use mostly paper from the Paper Source.

Biggest influences as a child?

Bugs Bunny, skateboarding, chocolate, and San Francisco.

If you were commissioned by the City of Los Angeles to do a public arts commissioned project, what would it look like and where would it be?

I think it would be amazing to design a children’s park. What I can imagine is like a 100′-200′ long metal wall that stands about 4′ tall. It would be winding in and out so it could be a maze, but it would have designs and cutouts so you could play hide-and-seek or climb. I would try to put it in a very visible park. Let’s make it happen cause I want to play there!

Happiest when ________. Want to punch ________. I’m afraid of ___________.

I’m happiest when I’m with my wife and son. I want to punch the end of (500) Days of Summer. I’m afraid of losing my hands. **

Thanks Jared for your time, and we hope to work with you soon!

You can find his wallet here!
And visit Jared’s website here!

There’s a huge movement taking place right now in Los Angeles in the arts. Very slowly but very surely is this city starting to gain credibility in the international art scene– autonomous from the once prevalent stereotype of Hollywood glamor. So 2010’s L.A. Arts Month is particularly important for the city because it is a chance for L.A. to join together through a creative lens and not through the Lakers. Through the coming together of different cultures, and not through disparity.

There is a ton of interesting programming happening, but here are the ones that stood out:

1. 1/14: The 19th Annual International Los Angeles Photographic Art Expo
2. 1/14: Culver City Art Walk
3. 1/16: Miracle Mile Art Walk
4. 1/16: Urban Interventions
5. 1/22: Between Science and Magic @ SMMOA
6. 1/25: VIA/LAND Gonzalo Lebrija/ Sunset Boulevard VideoTRONS
7. 1/30: Art Circles at the Getty

Things I want to look out for is how art is integrated into the city, what kinds of people these events will attract, and what the attendees reactions are to art. So close your eyes, take a deep breath, and free your minds!

More information can be found: www.laartsmonth.org

(P.S. Wells Fargo customers get discounts!)

Allow us to introduce FAESTHETIC; by artists, for artists, the Fast Aesthetic! A collection of art and oddities from around the world, Faesthetic is presented as part book and part zine, and we are happy to announce that we’ve collaborated on the Poketo x Faesthetic wallets that many of you have already caught a glimpse of!

Founder and creator of Faesthetic, Dustin Hostetler, a.k.a. UPSO, has featured an array of talented artists, and he took some time out of his busy schedule to quench our inquiring minds with his thoughts, inspirations and little snippets of everyday life!

1. We’re excited about the Poketo x Faesthetic wallets! Can you tell us why you chose Dan Funderburgh as the designer and where you first discovered his work?

Dan Funderburgh was in the 2005 issue of Faesthetic. His work has evolved leaps and bounds over the past 4+ years, but as soon as I discovered his art I was a fan. The pattern he created earlier this year for our Scion show made perfect sense for a wallet.

2. What inspired you to create Faesthetic? Can you tell me a little more about your Studio Sans Nom and how it all started? P.S. How is it like co-owning it with your wife?

I started publishing Faesthetic in 2001 as a way to document all of the amazing art I was finding online. I was worried that the temporary nature of the web wouldn’t properly archive all the talent I was falling in love with, so I did my part to archive it for myself.

Studio Sans Nom is a project between myself and my wife Jemma. In some ways it’s a clearing house for projects we work on separately, but it’s also a great excuse for us to work on projects together. In addition to Studio Sans Nom (which covers tradition print and web design projects) we also do things like Purpastoe. Working with Jemma is awesome. We work from home, and are around each other 24-7. Thankfully we get along really well and respect each others’ work so it’s a great combo.

3. Who first exposed/inspired you into the world of art, and who are 3 artists you would like to work with in the future?

I was raised by creative people. My mom is a graphic designer and painter, and my dad was a chef. They surrounded my life with creativity and are the reason I’m an artist today. If I had my way… the three artists I’d love to work with in the short term are: David Byrne, Mark Mothersbaugh and Stefan Sagmeister. I know it’s a long shot, but I really want to work with the creatives that have been inspiring me since day one. It’s always been my goal.

4. As a graphic artist yourself, you’ve designed for some big clients. What was your first design project ever?

Wow… good question. Beyond school work, I started out doing flyers for friends’ bands and DJ sets when I was in college. Those early poster projects set everything in motion for me.

5. What’s your favorite hot-spot to hang out in Ohio on a Friday night?

My favorite spot in Toledo is a bar called the Ottawa Tavern. Drinks are crazy cheap (pitcher of PBR for $4!) the staff are all my friends, and the shows are always free. Life is awesome in Ohio.

6. If you weren’t an artist/curator/publisher, what else might have you pursued?

Without a doubt I’d be a chef.

Look forward to a recipe next time! Thanks Dustin for taking the time, super stoked on our collaboration!

While supplies last, we are giving away this latest issue of Faesthetic and the Poketo x Dan Funderburgh wallet with online purchases of $100 or more at poketo.com. Get them before they are gone!

You can tell that artist Claudia Carieri is having a lot of fun with what she does. Her bubbly energy rubs off when you see her art. So much of the work she creates carries a simplicity that’s playful, brimming with character, and never boring. Check out the super Poketo wallet she designed with us and read on for more about Claudia, her secret dreams, and her affection for monsters.

Hi Claudia! How was your morning?

Not so good…my boyfriend snores a lot! 

You state in your bio that you are attracted to simple concepts and shapes. Why? And who/what are some of your other inspirations?

I don’t think there is an effective inspiration. I love when color is the main character of the illustration. It creates the composition impact. Simple shapes give a strong imprint to the colors and vice versa. 

How did you begin your art career? And what was the moment you knew that this was what you were supposed to be doing? 

I frequented the New Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, but since I was a child I knew that I loved drawing! Since nursery school my parents were impressed with my ability to mix colors and create funny characters. I think drawing is the only thing that I really can do well! 

There are many wonderful monsters recurring in your work. What is it about them that attracts you? Do they each have their own characteristics?

My idea of a monster is something that’s not scary, but always funny. I’ve created a lots of monsters! Ones that are hand crafted too. They are essential for me. If a monster fits in any of my works, I’ll put it somewhere!

If you could have any other job than what you do now, what would you choose?

My secret dream is to become a movie director – a sort of Lina Wertmuller (I just have some ideas for a crazy screenplay!) and I also would love to work in a stationery store!

To see more of Claudia’s works, please visit www.claoodia.net

Our friend Luke Ramsey, artist and co-founder of the artist residency Islands Fold collaborated with us on a super fun Poketo wallet. Here’s an interview we did with Luke when he came down to do a show with us earlier this year. Read on to know more about his work and his residency.

Where did you get the idea for Islands Fold and how did it begin? Where did you grow up and how did you guys end up on Pender Island?

Islands Fold was inspired by a residency I had at The MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire. It was about fusing our interests in art and food. We ended up on Pender because our in-laws live here. We both grew up on Vancouver Island. Ange and I have traveled to many parts of the world and we can’t think of a better place to live than here. It’s remote, but it’s just a ferry boat ride away from two cities.

What does it look like over there and how are the surroundings?

It’s surrounded by snow capped mountains, forests, islands, beaches and oceans. A bounty of nature surrounds us and the community is solid. There’s a good amount of young people living here, and there’s room for more. It’s a nice mix with young families, retirees, blue collar workers, artisans, hippies and rockers.

How do you choose the artists you invite? Is there a formal submission process?

We invite artists we like and think are accessible. We also consider informal inquiries but we can’t accommodate all inquiries.

Art and health are the obvious focuses of Islands Fold. What is the relationship you see in both areas? How do they affect one another?

We all know that if you eat well you’ll feel well. As an artist I need to be reminded that art isn’t everything. Of course art is important to me, but there are other elements in life that are equally if not more so important. Food being one of those things. We all have to eat, so why not make it of high value?

Read the rest of this entry »

We’re very happy to introduce Maikon Nery, a Poketo artist who previously collaborated with us on our Dionisius House Tee design and now, a new wallet! Maikon’s strikingly beautiful art work never fails to sear your senses and capture your mind. Read on and you’ll see what we mean.

Hi Maikon! Where are you from? And how did you get started in art?

I’m Brazilian, from Londrina, state of Parana. I started since I was a boy scribbling all I saw ahead. I loved to draw and paint and my parents always encouraged me in this direction. They have kept my drawings since I was 4 years old.

Where did you get the inspiration for this wallet design?

The inspiration came from a song by the Brazilian singer Gilberto Gil. The song is called “The Three Mushrooms” and I was inspired in part by the lyrics “Makes room for my mind to get inside the magic room of Dionysus’ house.” Dionysius is the greek god of festivals, wine and pleasure. The idea would be something like the light through pleasure.
 
You do a lot of great work in collage and mixed media. What is it about those mediums that attracts you?

The textures, the sum of surfaces. I like to see what the limit is of these techniques and media. I like to experiment but what attracts me are the textures.

 
There is nothing really subtle about the work you do. Do you want to provoke a reaction in your viewers?

Yes, the provocation is a way of communication. In fact, I want to dialogue and try to make people feel what I felt when I was producing the piece. If that happens then it worked.
 

You’ve started a new design studio called Pianofuzz with friends. Can you tell us a bit about it?

We are a Brazilian design studio that manifests experimentation and collective production. Our priority in a project is its visual expression. So we make works for any surface or media. We love to think, conceptualize, research and create freely. Always trying as a result to overcome expectations with the visual refinement and implementation of each concept.

 
Is starting a design studio something you always wanted to do? And how did it begin?

The dissatisfaction and the desire to do things our way was what led us to start the studio. Yes, to have a studio has always been a desire from the days of college. But I always thought I should have some experience before.
 

When you design with your partner, what is the work flow like? Do each of you take specific roles?

Yes, we have defined functions but once we value the collective production, everybody participate in some way or in some stage of the project.

Thanks for chatting with us Maikon! Good luck with everything ahead.

To view more of Maikon’s works, please visit www.pianofuzz.com