I have been a fan of Illustrator Patrick Long’s work for a while now. He has a new piece up in the “SNOW site installation” at PICA in Portland. I like the fact that his linework can look ordinary and hip all at the same time.

Platform Gallery is showing four prints by Scott Fife. Measuring approximately 25″ x 19″, each paper edition was printed by Sidereal Press in Seattle.

Fountain of Youth is an exhibition at the Davidson Gallery of 20 new works by Jenny Schmid. Her etchings feature contemporary themes mixed with a hodgepodge of historical elements, such as medieval castles coexisting with girls skateboarding.

Some bad news over at the Twilight Artist Collective:

At some point between noon and now (on Dec 22nd), someone managed to steal 3 pieces of art RIGHT OFF THE WALL at Twilight Artist Collective. 2 5×7 encaustic collage paintings (with Lemurs or a Monkey in the image) with black frames ~ $200 each, and a 5×7-ish painting of a crane on canvas ~ $100. This must have been a quick and nasty grab, probably while I was busy wrapping a purchase at the counter. If ANYONE has information, or sees these art pieces out there, please contact Twilight immediately. We’ll gladly take them back, and in return we won’t have the thief arrested. This is SO LAME, especially in these already hard economic times. Not only is this a blow to our business, but also to the local artists they stole from.

Thanks to West Seattle Blog for getting the word out…

This site has interesting facial snow sculptures on cars around Seattle. I’m having a hard time believing these are real!

2008 has been a great year for music both live and downloaded. My top 11 song list is based on tracks I have repeatedly listened to in ipod mixes or were amazing live performances.

1. MGMT “Time To Pretend” – The flowing, distorted bass synth, wobbly lead and dreamy lyrics makes this genre busting track the classic of the year.
2. Kraak & Smaak “Squeeze Me” – Soulful vocals from Bristol-based Ben Westbeech over an addictive funk break.
3. Cut Copy “Lights & Magic” – DFA’s Tim Goldsworthy produced this album and helped sprinkle his disco synth dust all over this epic track.
4. The Dandy Warhols “Mis Amigos” - the rolling rhythm chugs along under faded steel drums keeping the song super upbeat.
5. Beck “Gamma Ray” – Produced by Danger Mouse, this song features 60′s style go-go beats with Beck’s laid back vocal delivery.
6. Jamie Lidell “Little Bit Of Feel Good” – I think Jamie channeled Otis Redding when writing this modern soul classic.
7. Fleet Foxes “White Winter Hymnal” – Seattle’s Fleet Foxes self-described “baroque harmonic pop” really comes through on this uplifting gem.
8. Common Market “Trouble Is” – This one gives me chills when the double time chorus comes in. Great rhymes over a funky organ track.
9. The Faint “The Geeks Were Right” – Hip moving catchy single keeps The Faint on top of the electro-dance throne.
10. Q-Tip “Won’t Trade” – “I wouldn’t trade it for nothin’ babe” goes the soul sample, with Q-Tip weaving his lyrics around that repeating phrase. The Abstract is back after 9 years with this one!
11. Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head ” Beard Lust” – Seattle electro-poppers bust out this super funny song about facial hair. “Where’d you get that beard? I grew it. How’d ya keep it so clean? I shampoo it.” Keep it classy, NPSH!

Seattle Photographer Chase Jarvis has self published a photographic book titled “Stevens Pass“. This limited edition run of 2500 is a collection of images from Stevens Pass Ski Resort, which has been operating for 70 seasons. Chase has a great eye and really captures the fun and the excitement or skiing and snowboarding in his action shots. As a bonus the next 50 people that order the book will get 2 free ski passes to Stevens Pass.

OkOk Gallery just informed me they cancelled their art book sale because of the weather. Now go outside and sled!

My friend Rachael mailed me a copy of the new issue of Louis Liard magazine, an international creative journal published four times a year. The cover artwork was done by Seattle artist Ryan Molenkamp. My wife Joanna and I did artwork for the issue as well. This is a great ‘zine so get your own copy!