How "Sparty the Mascot" Was Created...

People have been asking how "Sparty the Mascot" was created. Therefore, I give you this!...a time-lapse video that started with 4 blank canvases and ended with the finished product that is currently displayed at ArtPrize. How many points do you think it took to complete this 8ft x 5ft painting?

Sparty the Mascot - ArtPrize 2010

Today is already the LAST day to vote for Sparty the Mascot. If you are around the Grand Rapids or West Michigan area, you should already be fairly familiar with ArtPrize. If you have questions on how to vote, visit the website to figure out how to do so properly: www.artprize.org/voting. The vote code is 44881, or you can find it online by typing in "Tyler Way" when using the artist search function.




"We Run MSU" shirts are available to purchase online: http://shop.TWAYcollection.com

Joe Buys - Michigan Projects

My best bud flew back from LA to Michigan for a couple weeks to handle a few different projects. The first was an assembly program where he spoke with his old high school gym full of students. In addition to sharing his experiences about chasing dreams, he also performed a few songs.




His second (and third) orders of business were two music video shoots. One for his remixed version of "Shutterbug" and his featured music video for his original song, "Go Hard." Here are some still images, a preview trailer for the Shutterbug track, and some local media coverage.






Here's a little news segment from the local ABC-12 news station...

Flint Journal photo slideshow: http://bit.ly/cnrNmE
News article on mlive.com: http://bit.ly/9x5Acw
The fourth item on the list was a charity concert in downtown Chicago to benefit the non-profit organization, Barrio Bonito. I've shared with you previously about their cause, but in case you need a refresher, visit their website: www.barriobonito.org. Adrienne, Joe Buys, Vito, and myself made a mini roadtrip to Chi-city and take part in the event.

"Little Giants" Wins It

Can you say, "Guts?" Because that is what it took last night for MSU to call a fake field goal, which would have tied the game to send it into a 2OT. A great call and even greater execution to win the game with an exclamation point! Well done, MSU. Well done.

P.S. Here's a hint: the subject of my ArtPrize piece was at the game...

Joe Buys - Just The Way Your Are (Remix)

Joe Buys just dropped this little track for a special someone in his life. It's a nice little remix with a message that brought that someone to near tears.

David A. Smith - Sign Artist

No, it's not the NBA analyst Steven A. Smith, but rather, it's David. A crazy-talented and hardworking sign artist. This video makes me really appreciate the art even more than before. The best part is that since it is certainly a dying art form, David is teaching it to as many young people as possible to keep this craft alive. I love it.

Locally-Based Herman Miller Featured

Locally-based furniture company, Herman Miller, was featured in a documentation about their use of color and textile trends used in their products. I always see their semi-trucks around the Grand Rapids area, which are the best designed trailers I have ever seen on the road, and have driven by their headquarters in Zeeland numerous times. It was cool to get an inside look not only into their amazing buildings, but also to hear about their use of color and materials. I was pretty surprised to come across this video on the Hypebeast streetwear blog that I frequent on a daily basis. Who would have ever thought a company from Zeeland would every grace the front pages of the industry's top blog? Awesome. Good job West Michigan, good job!

Kim Way - Always Photographic

Kim is the best young photographer I have every come across. She can do it all: senior pictures, family portraits, nature scenes, business/fashion photo shoots, etc. She even has shot a few times for me, including for the Chris Paul sneakers that were auctioned at his charity event last Fall. Visit her site to see her work, learn more, and book a project: www.always-photo.com.

Art Prize - 7 Days Away

Being Awesome Takes Practice

I wish I had this teen help book when I was growing up, HA.

"I assure you, if you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you would be able to say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible for you." - Matthew 17:20

Dream Impossible - Live Your Dream

Denard Robinson for Heisman

It might have seemed difficult to follow-up a historic first game, but Denard figured out a way to do it. Not only did he lead his team down the field for a game-winning drive in the final minute of the game, but he also racked up over 500 passing and rushing yards. This guy is a one-man offensive machine. Too early for Heisman votes? I think not.

Johnny Knoxville Visits Detroit

Remember the 8-part series on Detroit? Well, Johnny Knoxville puts his twist on Detroit with a much more optimistic and up-lifting perspective. Seems like the hipsters are beginning to make their mark. This is the Detroit I want to be a part of and help to restore to its new glory.

ACK (All City Kicks) Moving to Eastown (Grand Rapids)

It's been in development for a minute now but has just now been made known to the public. ACK (aka: All City Kicks) is moving from their downtown Grand Rapids location to the cultural-rich Eastown (aka: Uptown). To prepare for the move, ACK is offering a Moving Sale for the month of September with selected items 30-80% off. Make sure to get there quick, especially if you have not yet been to the current, soon to be old, location on Division/Cherry. More things coming in the near future!

NEW: LeBron VIII Shoe Pictures

I thought it would be hard for Nike to follow-up with what was the greatest looking LeBron shoe to date last year. But from these early images, the LeBron VIII looks just as, if not more, sicker than its previous versions. But enough talk, see for yourself:





"The all-black color makeup is constructed of multiple textures. Specifically, the black flywire is noticeable in two distinct areas, while the predominance of the base is materialized of leather. Other features include black nubuck (midfoot area), black laces, a black visible Air sole unit, and the lion head LeBron James logo on the tongue." - NiceKicks.com

Childhood Discoveries

My family is in the process of moving from the house in Brighton, where I spent 15 years of my life. Unfortunately, with that comes A LOT of packing. While attempting to do so, I came across some rather special and funny pieces from my past. I wasn't able to capture everything, but found a few pieces I could share with you. Among my old "stuff," I came across numerous boxes of sport cards that I used to collect as a kid. After grazing through the cards of my childhood heroes, I rediscovered these dandies: 

Michigan's Finest: Charles, Stevie Y, Zeke, Joe D, Derek Jeter, and some Fab 5.

Rookies: G.Hill, Kobe, KG, Penny, and Frank Thomas. Wish the MJ was a rookie one, but still a classic!

Kind of ironic? Notice the subtitle, "Athletes Your Kids Can Look Up To." Obviously this is before the steroid episodes. Also included in the book were Sammy Sosa and Ricky Williams. Next time they should drug test the athletes before publishing a book of role models for America's youth, ha.

This was the very first shirt I ever designed; I think I was 13 or 14 at the time and in 8th grade. My drawing won the popular vote to be created into our 2005 class shirt. Our "team" name was "Four Men and a Trailer." The design includes our four teachers and some of my middle school best friends. Good times, good times!