Changethethought™

As some of you may or may not know I work as an Art Director at Cactus, an advertising agency in Denver. We are growing right now in a big way and we are currently and for the first time in over two years, seeking some new people for our creative team. Essentially we are seeking an Art Director and Copywriter. We need an Art Director who is quick and capable of producing with a solid understanding of core design principles like typography, composition, color and is able of incorporating those elements into branding and advertising. In turn, you also need to be highly conceptual and able to think through all mediums in terms of creative problem solving such as new media, web, broadcast, print and branding. Our copywriters are quick on their feet and capable of making the most of jobs both large and small for a broad range of clients.The official Cactus description and contact information is posted below (note: we are hiring NOW and looking for people to bring on board as soon as possible so if you have the right stuff do not hesitate to contact us.)

CACTUS IS SEEKING:
“At Cactus, CREATIVE is KING. Our village is growing and we’re looking for a great new “mid-level” creative team (two-years of great stuff): a copywriter and art director tandem. If you’ve got the book to prove it, and you’re half or the whole team, we should talk. We’re looking for the right duo — a copywriter/AD combination who can throw together concepts that stick. Don’t be shy if you’re only half of the equation, we can do the matchmaking if necessary.While a good resume, relevant experience and strong references are important, we require you have an impressive portfolio and creative work samples to be considered for a position with us. If you’re interested, send your resume to 303.455.0408 (fax) or careers@sharpideas.com This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with “creative team” in the subject line.”

written by Christopher | tags: Advertising, Art Director, Cactus, Copywriter, Denver, Jobs

When you work at an advertising agency it’s commonplace that people drop by the office looking for business. This includes all kinds of people in the creative business, motion graphics agencies, production companies and photographers. One such individual, a photographer by the name of Greg Friedler dropped by the office this morning. Greg is a transplant from New York who is on the lookout for new projects in Denver.

I absolutely love photography of people and Greg’s work really impressed me. He is able to capture the personality of his subjects in his images in a way that really connects at a visceral level. He doesn’t shy away from nudity either and I think there is something artistically captivating about seeing someone off the street in the nude. His images are raw and beautiful. I was really taken back by his pictures of Havana as well. I have always wanted to go there, especially after having had lived in Miami.

Best of luck to you Greg.

written by Christopher | tags: Art, Denver, Greg Friedler, Photography

Well, if you live in Denver and you work in the advertising or creative community and, yes one more and, you spend some time online, you have probably heard of the Denver Egotist by now. They have stirred the best and probably more the worst in us over the past year but all in all, those of us who have participated in their rise have no doubt experienced a bit of a group catharsis. They have been supportive of me and I can’t express how much I appreciate that since Denver really is a tough town to have a go as a creative. Regardless of how you feel, they have got everyone talking and sometimes flat out yelling at each other. That to me, is a good thing. That is also what the internet is for. They have provided an outlet and we have vented.

They are celebrating their 1 year anniversary tomorrow, Thursday this week from 5 to 7:30 at the Breckenridge Brewery. So, if you want to get together and maybe hug it out after all the mud-slinging, then this is your chance. Better take advantage.

written by Christopher | tags: Advertising, Denver, Denver Egotist, Denver Egotist Anniversary

My band Peña is playing at the Larimer Lounge in Denver this Sunday for the Denver Post underground music showcase BBQ lead-up. If you’re a fan of bands like Mogwai, Don Caballero, and Slint, you should come check it out. You can download discounted tickets that are good for a free beer by clicking here.

written by Aaron Ray | tags: , Denver, Larimer Lounge, Peña

Todd from Joyengine sent me a note about this today and asked if I would do a little write up about it, so here it is. I was really impressed with the conceptual nature of some of the work and really like that it is something very different and contemporary. It is also nice that it can be seen right here in Denver.

So without further ado, here is the press copy:
“Artyard Contemporary Sculpture presents an exhibition of a new body of work by Colorado artist Joseph Shaeffer in an exhibition titled, CONFRONT(A)VOID. This is Shaeffer’s 3rd solo exhibition at Artyard. A reception, with the artist in attendance, will be held on Friday, May 23rd, 2008, from 6 -9 p.m.. This exhibition continues through June 29th, 2008. Artyard Contemporary Sculpture is open Thursday through Saturday from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., and by appointment.

For more information visit Artyard online at www.artyardgallery.com or call (303)777-3219. Artyard Contemporary Sculpture is located at 1251 South Pearl Street minutes from downtown Denver”

Unfortunately I am flying out of the country this weekend so I won’t be able to attend but if you are in the city, please do stop by and check it out. It looks like it will be an interesting show.

written by Christopher | tags: Abstract, Art, Denver, Joseph Shaeffer, Sculpture

Tonight at the 400 in Denver. Emit and Scribe will be presenting new works.
The show will feature silkscreen posters, prints, and original drawing and photos.
If your in Denver come by the 400 and check out the stellar work.

Opening Reception 7-10pm
The 400
1010 Bannock Street
Denver, CO
303-446-0400

written by Kris Fry | tags: Denver, Emit, Scribe, The 400

Jack Ryan Schuler is now a Denver resident with a book full of confident and effective design. He graduated from the Art Center College of Design. Following graduation he lived in a loft above skid row in downtown Los Angeles while working for Shimoda Design Group. Shimona is an architecture firm that has done commercial interior work for Lord’s Couture, MTV and Rolex. He almost became a back-up guitarist at one point for Kelly Osbourne. He is in Denver now looking for an agency or design firm to call home and I would imagine he is also seeking freelance in the interim. Visit his site and send the guy an email. We don’t want to lose him.

Link discovered via The Denver Egotist.

written by Christopher | tags: Advertising, Denver, Graphic Design, Jack Ryan Schuler

I went to see Explosions in the sky last week in Denver, being as they don’t play too many shows each year I figured I should catch them while they were here. It turns out this was only their second time in Denver, apparently last time they visited was 7 years ago and there was no one at the show.

Being a big fan of “Post/Math” rock, It’s surprising I’m not a bigger fan of the band; I enjoy them, but I don’t “love” them. When I listen to them at work all the songs kind of sound the same, however, seeing them live was a good choice. When the first notes of “First Breath After Coma” kicked in I actually got goose bumps. The sound at the newly remodeled Ogden theater was really good, It was loud yet warm and clean. They performed flawlessly and the structure of the setlist was a good mix of soft and loud keeping the momentum.

What is going on with the audiences at these shows lately? It was a mix of indie rockers, middle aged bald men, and hippies! It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a show with that much pot blowing through the air. I guess epic instrumental rock is their only choice outside of Widespread Panic. Let’s just hope people don’t start confusing this genre with jam bands.

written by Aaron Ray | tags: Denver, explosions in the sky, ogden theater

Tonight at The 400, “Evolver - New works by Thinkmule” starting at 7pm. If you’re in Denver get over and check out the awesome work. In my opinion, Thinkmule is one of the best in Denver. Creating detailed, layered, and repetitive compositions, his style feels very fresh and innovative. On top of that he is an amazing designer and poster artist.

written by Aaron Ray | tags: Denver, The 400, Thinkmule

If you haven’t stopped by Denver’s own Andenken Gallery to check out the paintings of the petite-powerhouse Leslie Minnis, then make some time to do so. Her paintings are just phenomenal. It is nice to see something that transcends trendy right now as well. The art world kind of pisses me off right now because so much of it is turning into art for artists, but there is something in Leslie’s paintings that go beyond our bullshit scene that the everyman could relate to. That is what I think is missing from a lot of art right now. Everyone poses like you have to be ‘in-the-know’ to appreciate art right now, but art should be something you don’t need to know anything about and still appreciate. Art used to be the voice and expression of the masses as channeled through the artist, but lately it seems it is the voice and expression of trend seekers and the actual artists themselves. Of course art is always the expression of the individual artist, but that used to be a mirror for the culture at large. So by that judgment the current art scene seems pretty empty and self-serving, all style no substance. Of course I am talking about the art circles we move in, such as the ones promoted by magazines like Juxtapoz. Maybe that art isn’t supposed to be for the masses however. Lately it seems all any of this is about is ‘getting up’ and ‘getting over’. It’s no wonder you see the same people over and over again at shows because no one outside the clique has any reason to be interested.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. Do check out Leslie’s show. And if you don’t like my opinions, don’t read my blog.

written by Christopher | tags: Andenken Gallery, Art, Denver, Leslie Minnis

Local Denver Motion Graphics Designer, Adam Expinoza has updated his site with some nice work. He has become quite  popular in a City where the motion industry has been somewhat lagging. Local agencies have been using Adam as their secret weapon for a while now and he has been booked pretty solid lately. If you want to net him for your next project, you may find yourself on a waiting list.

written by Christopher | tags: Adam Espinoza, Denver, Motion Graphics

Celeste, in my humble opinion, is one of the best young local designers we ‘had’ in this city and now she is going the way of the birds. It is a shame really because she is genuinely talented. She is talented enough that two former high-up creatives from Fallon saw her goods and decided to take her in at their new shop, Zeus Jones in Minneapolis. Sadder still, she is taking her boyfriend Rob with her who was also very talented and works under the name Lifter Baron.

Its sad that you hear a lot of low-murmur whining in the Denver advertising and design community about the lack of talent and jobs available here, and that there is ‘not really much going on’. Then when we do have some raw talent here just waiting to create an impact, we let it go to somewhere else that apparently ‘is happening’.

Someone should have nabbed Celeste when they had the chance. She will truly be missed by those of us who know from firsthand experience just how far she may go.

written by Christopher | tags: Denver, Design Is Fine, Graphic Design, Lifter Baron