oh no !!! (#7)

It has been a few very full months. My wife and I moved apartments and I moved studios while working on many projects simultaneously, and the time has sprung forward.

If you’re in Chicago, I currently have artwork hanging at Backlot Coffee at Western and Montrose (for one more week, until April 6, 2025). Included in these pieces are new toner and acetate transfer prints, a collage, a new mailer from Field Of Grass called “Vinegar Days,” more prints, and a painted banner. I’ve always loved showing work at cafes. It’s a setting that harmonizes with my belief that art should be affordable and is for the people. Backlot also has excellent cold brew.

The pieces hanging at Backlot Coffee in Chicago, IL, including the new Field of Grass mailer “Vinegar Days.”

Anyway, I’ll make prints of some of these pieces soon. Or a small zine/booklet of some kind. Or both? I don’t know yet.

As far as studios, I’ve got a corner in Dan Grzeca’s studio now. He was kind enough to rent out part of his space to me, which helped me get out of my previous basement-like studio and away from so many centipedes. It’s rad, I love it.

RESOURCE ROUND-UP:

I want to start sharing a few useful resources with each update.

thistothat.com
I’ve been using this site for like 20 years at this point, and I love that it still exists. The site lets you pick two materials and tells you the best ways to glue them together. Paper to metal, plastic to wood, whatever. It’s helpful info to have all in one place if you make things.

French Paper
Colorful paper stock made in a water-powered factory. Envelopes too! Great for your paper projects or just to have colorful stationary supplies. A favorite among poster makers.

Olfa blades
Japanese company that makes great knives and scissors. I have the graphic arts knife and 6” scissors and they both feel nice to use. I’ve heard the rotary cutters are excellent as well…might have to order one of those soon.

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. Don’t let the nazis win.

-Ben