Southern Energy and Environment Expo 2008

An annual event showcasing renewable energy technologies and sustainable economics in a context of responsible environmental stewardship.

When: August 22-24, 2008
Where: The Western N.C. Agricultural Center, Fletcher, North Carolina 28729

Glorious Glazes

Armstrong Gallery is hotsing five renowned ceramic artists in a group show, Glorious Glazes. Artists include Ricky Maldonado, Elaine Coleman, Tom Coleman, Emily Rossheim, and Steven Hill…

When: August 1 - September 27
Where: Armstrongs 150 East 3rd Street, Pomona, CA 91766

The Green Dot Awards strive to reward and promote forward-thinking businesses that create environmentally friendly products or services, and to recognize revolutionary business plans and proposals.

Submission deadline Deadline: september 15, 2008
For more details go here

The show stealer at GLOW yesterday was hands down, Usman Haque’s Primal Source…

Could this replace fireworks someday…that would be cool by me…

via NOTCOT

Everyday Spraygraphic will pick from one of its member’s Creative Projects and spotlight the work here on Sprayblog.

Today, this cool image comes from Spraygraphic Member, Jacyquelyn Bond creative project, Circus Girl series

Spraygraphic interview with John Sharifi

SG: Please tell us about yourself?

JS: I really don’t like to call myself a painter in the traditional sense. I just enjoy creating things, and it doesn’t necessarily have to involve paint. I’m a “Creative.” Plus, it just sounds pompous to me to say “I’m a painter.” I’m no Caravaggio.

SG: Where do you currently live and work?

JS: I live and work in Orange County, California. And no it’s not like how it is on the tube.

SG: What mediums do you work with?

JS: I’ll tinker with tools ranging from photography and spray paint to graphic design. My paintings are primarily in oil.

SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.

JS: First and foremost is inspiration, if it’s personal work. Sometimes inspiration comes into play with a commission too, but usually not. If it’s a painting, I will do a couple of sketches and when it’s right I transfer it to the canvas. I’ll do an under painting with earth tones and once it’s dry I’ll go into it with color. The under painting helps a lot with overall tonality.

SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?

JS: I’ll just switch gears and do something else. Typically I get blocked when I’m trying too hard and for me that kills the creative process. The initial part of making something should be fluid and after that comes the analytical part.

SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?

JS: In my friends, music, film, and pop culture or sub cultures. I get inspired by people and the work they produce.

SG: Where has your work been seen?

JS: The Brewery in L.A., Thinkspace , Miranda Gallery , Ashley gallery in Philly, Subject Matter O.C., Rubber Rose, in some magazines…etc.

SG: Where will it be seen next?

JS: I’m working on a new series and I’m in talks with a couple of Los Angeles based galleries. So, somewhere in L.A. I’ll let you guys know when the series in finished.

SG: What is your dream art assignment?

JS: Anything with full creative control and ample compensation.

SG: What is your favorite color?

JS: The combination of orange and brown.

SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?

JS: Currently it’s Zdzislaw Bekinski . He’s work is pretty dark but it’s just so powerful and poetic, it commands the viewer’s attention. He really had something to say and you can tell that the best way for him to say it was through a visual medium.

SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?

JS: The Cheese Monkeys by Chipp Kidd

SG: Ever do a self-portrait? Where is it now?

JS: Once. It’s in the garage waiting to get painted over.

SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?

JS: Downtown San Diego. On the weekends a group of us ride our bikes through there. I started a bicycle gang, “The Monsterfalcons.” My buddy Kevin heads the San Diego chapter. It’s not really a gang; it’s just a group of graphic designers, artists and illustrators that like riding bikes. The name comes from this guy Mark watching a censored T.V. clip of Die Hard. You know the part that he says “yepi kai hey mother f****er.” Well, in the T.V. version he yells out “yepi kai hey monsterfalcon,” We just found that hilarious.

SG: Any final words of advice?

JS: Analyze your mistakes in your art and don’t just dismiss them. It can be formula for life as well, to refine. I also like to add that this is a cool little community. It’s always great to see other peoples work, professional and otherwise. If anybody wants to drop me a line, feel free to tell me my work sucks or you think it’s awesome. Let me know. I can also be reached through my website

You can also check out John’s work on his Spraygraphic profile page

Images: 1. Betrayal of the Cosmonaut, 2. Girl, 3. Against the Grain 1, 4. Fallen, 5. Against the Grain 2, 6. Jarred, 7. Embrace 8. Industry, 9. Sharifi

Everyday Spraygraphic will pick from one of its member’s Creative Projects and spotlight the work here on Sprayblog.

Today, this cool image comes from Spraygraphic Member, Kelly Flanagan’s creative project, 2D series

San Francisco Theater Festival
The Bay Area’s amazing and unique one-day live theater extravaganza showcases 100 theater groups and solo artists on 14 stages. Shakespeare, comedy, drama, musical theater, 20 children’s shows, solo performances, improv.

When: Sun, Jul 27, 11–5 pm
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Yerby Buena Gardens, Metreon and Zeum

THE ADI PRIZE FOR JEWISH EXPRESSION IN ART AND DESIGN
The Adi Foundation seeks to nurture the work of artists exploring the nexus between art and Judaism. This competition is open to artists from all disciplines. This year’s theme is Rupture and Repair. For more info on the competition, go here

Phase I: Deadline December 1, 2008

The official winner of Wal-Mart Watch’s Unofficial Wal-Mart Logo Redesign Contest is Chris Clark! Check it out some of the other submissions here