[Image via www.thisisnthappiness.com]

Have you ever looked closely at a newly printed paper after it comes out of your printer? Pay close attention to the spacing and placement of all those tiny ink dots.

Now imagine doing all of that by hand!
Well it’s not just a thought, it’s actually being done by the folks over at http://thehumanprinter.wordpress.com

They’ve churned out some amazing work!

It reminds me of seeing some similar work when I was way younger.
My mother had a friend whose son ‘dotted’ a beautiful picture of a horse’s head.
Pretty neat and has always stayed in mind.

Here is some of their work and an example of their work flow:

Oh yeah…I really like how each artist has their own special “dot” signature, very cool!

For some reason while writing this I can’t help but bring to mind that hilarious commercial for the Copy-Cat printer:

-Ego

I’d like to get something out of the way….I really admire collage / montage work!

…and having said that I would like to introduce you to one of my favorite collage artists, Mr. Winston Smith. Yes, it’s same name of the character in George Orwell’s 1949 novel Nineteen Eighty Four (1984).

?

…. Time for a Flashback ….

Even today I can still clearly remember the day I was looking over the artwork on Green Day‘s Insomniac album.

So Surreal!

I was amazed by the sheer-awesomeness of the cover / booklet artwork.
So impressed that I spent a great deal of time looking it over from front to back, and eventually hanging it proudly on my bedroom wall.

…and there it would hang for years to come until I eventually took it down for a move…

But, low and behold 14 or so years later I would come to find out that the artist behind the Green Day cover art was Winston Smith. I guess I could have just looked a little harder to find his name on the album art…but I was young and oblivious…

At that point I had never heard his name, and only can remember seeing his work once or twice in the past.

I found his site recently and was shocked to make the connection. Check out www.WinstonSmith.com and let me know what you think. =)

Even though I connected him to Green Day’s Insomniac album art, he is probably best known for his work with the late comedian George Carlin and the band the Dead Kennedys.

What I really admire about his artwork is his use of old / vintage clip art from various print sources. There’s something glorious about working with retro images that I enjoy, and it’s really neat to see what other artists can come up with. So naturally I’m drawn to Smith’s montage art…

Another cool thing about Winston Smith is that he doesn’t stick to any one particular medium with his artwork. He has even done pieces on Darth Vader’s helmet as well as long boards.

..It makes things spicy!...

But one of my favorite places to see his art is on condoms! Yes that’s right, he’s done rubber work! You can actually purchase these non-boring condoms directly from www.CondomMania.com – Check them out!

“Smith’s collages are works of great beauty and space, and more than a little psychedelic. Sometimes one can almost see them move.” – Jello Biafra

So what say you?

-Ego

This was my personal Photoshop project for today…I had a real bad case of designers-block before doing this piece. I should be good to go for another couple of days. I think…Ha ha. Enjoy!

-Ego

It's a small world after all!

I, like many others in this world, grew up watching classic Disney movies. Many of them do not sit well with me anymore seems how I am now an adult. Although, recently I learned about a lost piece of Disney history that may have never resurfaced if it weren’t for the persistence of Roy Edward Disney.

Roy E. Disney - The Resurrector

I’m referring to the short animation known as Destino, it was a collaboration between the surrealist painter Salvidor Dali and Mr. Walt Disney. The result is something that is both beautiful and dizzyingly surreal! Thanks Mr. Dali!

Ahead of Their Time

Production of this 6-minute animation was started in 1945 and unfortunately was ditched due to financial difficulties within the Disney corporation. In 1999 Roy E. Disney, Nephew of Walt Disney, unearthed the unfinished short and called upon Disney Studios France to complete the project. After it was finished it finally premiered on June 2, 2003 in Annecy, France and was nominated for an Academy Award for Animated Short Film.

Full film, great quality:

Just in case this video gets disabled, here is another version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzzZa5o1q5k

For a little more on the collaboration between Disney & Dali and a description of the artistic techniques Dali used throughout his career, click HERE.

Ok, you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here! GET!!! (There’s a whole Internet out there!)

-Ego

with Steroid Relish

Warning: Extended use of this product may or may not cause Gout!

The power of protein packed into a conveniently sized bottle!

Be part of the latest health trend and place your order for MeatWater!

Krautkramer’s MeatWater to be exact!

If your taste buds aren’t tingling now they surely will after you learn that they have over 40 delicious flavors, some of which include: Dirty Hot Dog(pictured left), Texas BBQ, Sushi, Wiener Schnitzel, Cheeseburger, Escargots, Peking Duck, Tandoori Chicken, & Kenyan Beef Stew.

Don’t leave home without the ultimate High Efficiency Survival Beverage!

But wait! The fun isn’t over yet!…

There is also a MeatWater song that is available free, which can be found HERE.
(Albeit, protein for your iPod.)

Meat flavored water is not a new concept, Jones Soda Co., can be credited with their sale of the Christmas Pack, featuring the flavored soda Christmas Ham. They have also sold a Turkey & Gravy flavored soda in their Holiday Pack, which was first introduced in 2004.

-Ego

The subject today is…Street Art, or what some call Guerilla Art.
I really admire this particular art genre and anything that has to do with leaving random bits of artistic expression in public places. But, with everything comes misunderstanding and criticism.

Fine Art!

Many people disapprove of this art genre…some even call it graffiti, but I decline to do so! However, I do make a distinction between what I think is art and what I consider vandalism.

I really don’t like the defacing of business fronts, other artist’s work, or public property(such as people’s cars). Nor do I like those nasty scribbles everywhere that usually turn out to be gang symbols…

On the other hand, I don’t mind seeing the sidewalk stencils, the sticker art, or wheat-pasted posters…I mean what else would I look at while walking places?

Which reminds me of the reason why I’m writing this post…

Back in 2006, when I was first introduced to street art, I began taking photos of all the wonderful pieces I could find.
Originally, I never got around to uploading them to my former website/BLoG…but the other day I figured it would be cool to dig them up and share them with everyone, cause who really knows how many of these awesome ‘public-art’ exhibits are still around. I do know of a few that still exist.

So sit back and relax while we take a time-trip back to the not so distant art scene of San Francisco street art!

Click HERE to view my online gallery via Flickr.com

…or…

Click HERE to view my gallery in an online slide-show.

I will preiodically add to this gallery, and if anyone would like to add something to it just leave me a comment or email me here: ego(at)halfassbackwards(dot)com

Also be sure to check out:

Banksy.co.uk[world renowned street artist]
80sPurple.com[clothing & accessories, including OBEY]
BombingScience.com[markers, spray paint, & art supplies]

Feel free to comment!

-Ego

This morning I found a great list of “60 Beautiful 404 Error Pages,” from the stellar PSD tutorial resource site, 10Steps.sg. [I recommend any designers out there to add 10Steps.sg to your RSS feed reader, they've always got fresh unique content!]

…I’m actually psyched because I was able to be featured in the list(after the fact), and I thank Johnson Koh, founder of 10Steps.sg, for including my 404 page in the list.

There’s just something about seeing your designs featured on another’s website that will always bring a smile. =)

-Ego

Only Human
By Ego Mnemonikos 

Clueless are our minds
Consumed by fictional greed,
The ones who are much stronger
Stand back to watch us bleed…

What does this poem mean to you? 

-Ego