WeMake + sketchXchange

I wanted to share with you a little project I've been working on called WeMake and our first event series entitled, sketchXchange.

What is WeMake?
Born from the idea of creating a platform that fosters art and design within our community through hands-on experiences, workshops and design in action.

If you attend a WeMake event or series you’ve opened your self up to exploring…to being an adventurer and charting new territories. Or you’ve been here before and your honing and sharing what you already know. WeMake is an opportunity to let go and dive in with folks just like you.

WeMake it’s about making, making connections, making change, making a difference and make believing.

I've got a great team helping to make it all happen and we are really excited to collaborate and bring a new avenue for creativity to Portland.

The WeMake Team
Myself- Big ideas and make believer
Lizy Gershenzon- Workshops and pixel pusher
Scott Baker- Go to, designer, maker, illustrator
Darren Cools- Go to, designer, maker, illustrator


Come make it happen with us!

And now about sketchXchange!

sketchXchange is a chance to peep into the sketchbooks of some of our favorite local illustrators. Hear what inspires their work and learn about the process they use to create. You’ll bring your own sketchbook and mingle with other participants, have a beverage, and draw in a few sketchbooks. There are no rules, no themes (unless you have one for your book) just pens, pencils, sketchbooks, and friends. This isn’t a slide show event, guest illustrators will be sharing their actual sketchbooks and you’ll have an opportunity to purchase some of their work.

WeMake’s first sketchXchange was with the dynamic duo Jolby
Josh Kenyon and Colby Nichols of Jolby were incredible speakers and so awesome! About 30 people gathered last Friday night to be inspired, sketch in a few books and mingle with other illustrators and designers from the community.

One of the highlights for me was their discussion on creating their first children’s book, “ The King’s 6th Finger”. The book was launched during a Kickstarter campaign and has since been published in hard back. It is a lovely collection of illustration and whimsy. During sketchXchange, the original sketches covered an entire wall, and participants had an opportunity to see the process unfolding in the various sketchbooks throughout the room.

About Jolby
Jolby is the collaboration of Josh Kenyon & Colby Nichols. They try to achieve two goals within the work they create: “Tell a memorable story” and “make people smile.” Check out some of their awesome projects!

You can read more about the night on our WeMake blog.

Photo’s courtesy of Jeff Freeman Photography

Amazing Paper Wonders

If you don't know who French artists Zim & Zou are, you should hurry over to their site and check them out. They do some amazing paper craft work and their latest endeavor for the Somerset House PICK ME UP – A Contemporary Graphic Art Fair, is just awesome! The Cabinet de Curiosités is a combination of meticulously crafted jeweled birds, insects and sea animals...and there's lot's of glitter too! So Fabulous!!!

Pictures by Arthur Janin

Henri's Walk to Paris

Saul Bass' rare children's book is back in print and it's so wonderful! Bass was one of the legends in graphic design and was best known for his work in film posters and motion picture tittle sequences. One of his famous titles sequences' was the animated paper cut-out for The Man with The Golden Arm. But he also designed some well known iconic corporate logo's, including ATT, Jetstream for Continental Airlines and United Airline's Tulip logo.

The children's book, Henri's Walk to Paris was created in 1962 with Leonora Klein. It is so delightful and full of bold colors and simple illustrations. Kept as a collectors collection and out of print for 50 years, this month it is being reprinted and is now available. You may not be a child, but if your like me you will still enjoy owning it! I can't wait for mine to get here!

“Henri’s Walk to Paris is the story of a young boy who lives in Reboul, France, who dreams of going to Paris. One day, after reading a book about Paris, he decides to pack a lunch and head for the city. Along the way, Henri gets tired and falls asleep under a tree. And this is when the story gets really charming. What Henri sees, we see, in a flowing panorama of pictures conceived by the eminent graphic designer Saul Bass.”  

Via Amazon

Tangy, Sweet and Tart

The work of 16 year old Christina Otero is stunning for such a young person. One of her series entitled “Tutti Frutti” is a compilation of self portraits using fruit and stark colorful make up to capture an almost seductive yet innocent look. The colors really pop and her wide eyed expressions bring it all home. Check her other work out too...I think she's got something!

Nerdy Typographic Prints

These simple prints by Nerdwire may not be the best in typographic art, but I still think they're pretty sweet and they do capture the characters of the games. I really like the pac man one!

Jerod Gibson's  has a Star Wars series which is similar. Being a Star Wars fan, these are awesome!

The Roast Campaign

I've been working on this little campaign starting with the logo and invitation and now I'm on to adverts and event graphics. It's been fun to create and see it come to life. I made the little pennants and a mega phone from paper for the invitation..now were onto corsages and centerpieces. I love these little roses :)

Photo shoot!

playing around with color and effects

So sweet!