Daily Keemo 08.30 - Gas Mask

Gas Mask 15
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I keep this list of words near my desk where I paint. (I use the word paint loosely) The list of words ranges from peoples names to words like plumber, raygun, accident, old rotary style phone, silly things like that. This list comes in handy when I have painters block. One of my favorite words on the list are "gas mask". (Some of you may remember a while back the series of Gas Mask paintings.) Well, I've decided to revisit some of those old series and add to them. What better than to start with the old Gas Mask series. So, with that, here #15 in the Gas Mask series.... Enjoy!


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Daily Keemo 08.27 - Paris

Paris #15.

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This is the 15th in the "Paris Postcard" series. I was looking over my bookshelf and there was a bunch of papers shoved between a couple books. Among other things there were about 15 postcards that were of different photos taken in Paris during the 1920's. This one in particular is called "View of the Eiffel Tower". All the postcards are very Paris and they make me want to travel and get out of the US for a while and see the other parts of the world where things are new and even simple things are filled with wonder. With that.. Enjoy!

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Daily Keemo 08.26 - In Park

Portrait of Man Who Was Sitting Alone At Park.

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I feel like I'm skimping on this one but I'm going to leave the story out on this one. The title pretty much sums it up. Once in a while I suppose it is important to let the portraits just speak for themselves. Not to mention, I know you are all creative enough to come up with something that is ten times better than I might write. With that... Enjoy!

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Daily Keemo 08.25 - Ninja Mask

The Ninja Mask #3
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I just can't let another day go by without another ninja mask! Good fun!...Enjoy!

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Daily Keemo 08.24 - Louder Than Bombs

A Chord (A Alternative) 1 of 7
or (5 stories for 216)

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I have started this story 5 times. Really. I guess I'm not sure what is the exact point that I am trying to get across here. The first time was a story about this drawing. The bombs, the people, the music... all that stuff. The second was a story about where this great guitar chord card came from that is used in this drawing. (They came from Studio 216. If you are near Dallas/Ft Worth, I highly recommend a visit to the gallery. "tell em' keemo sent ya!") The third was about wonderful people, that do wonderful things and when you see them you can tell they are surrounded by others who enjoy these wonderful people for the wonderful things that they do. The fourth story was about how friendship can span time and distance if you allow it to and how it is possible to understand some people better in a few days than some in a life time. That brings me to this story; The Fifth Story, which I guess is about all these things; friendship, time, distance, kindness, giving, bombs, music, people, texas, mail, not to mention Studio 216 and the Granbury Gang and all the other things that connect us and made it possible for this piece to happen. Wow, that sounds pretty lofty and I am not sure what is more abstract; this drawing or this story. Either way, I know there is something here for us all and if we tilt our heads just right, both the drawing and the story make just enough sense, that there really is no abstraction at all... Enjoy!





(Special thanks to S & K at Studio 216 for all the great cards and other goodies. You guys are the best.)

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Daily Keemo 08.21 - The Last Button

When Blue Is The Color Of Change. (The Last In The Button Series)
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I don't think I have ever posted a portrait of my mom here. I've posted Grandpa Joe and many of my brothers but I don't think Mom has been here. Long story short, she went through here own blue period the last 5 years. It isn't necessary to share all the details. We have all gone through blue periods and we all understand that keeping the details private is necessary. (Especially in forums like this) However, with that said, those periods can define us at a certain moment as it is hard to not wear those emotions on your sleeve. The time has come for her next portrait to be a bright yellow or orange. Her blue period seems over. Here is to going through rough times and coming out on the other end stronger than ever! Here is to Blue being the color of change...Enjoy!





Only 25 of these buttons will be made available. Once these 25 button are gone, that is it. I have worked with the printer to make sure that each button is individually numbered to reflect it's placement in the set. (If you are the 5th person, you will receive button #5 of 25.) (Special requests for button # can be made if available.)

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Daily Keemo 08.20 - Wonder Drug

No Diet, Wonder Drug Proved Successful! 1957.
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You know, alot of what I like about design from past decades is how different alot of it is. Different techniques, different ideas, different angles, different fonts, different graphics, different design tools, different printing techniques and then I run across ads like this one from 1957 and realize that while alot of that has changed maybe alot still remains the same about us. I'm pretty sure that I just heard the text from this ad, "Proved Beyond Any Question of Doubt!" and "No Calorie Counting" and "Reduce Without Diets or Exercise!" and "Eat What You Like!" on TV earlier while watching a bit of the Olympics. There is a saying that is something like, "the more things change, the more they stay the same." I suppose that this may illustrate that just perfectly. With that... Enjoy!

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Daily Keemo 08.19 - Not In The Bible

The Word Prejudice Is Not In The Bible

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This is the 12th in the "Book of Facts" series. I was going through a bunch of books that were stored away in boxes down in the basement. I ran across this old book of facts. It is just page after page of wierd, fun, interesting, not so interesting, silly facts. After about 2 pages, I thought, "this is perfect!" So, here are some of the interesting facts, you will find in this painting...Enjoy!
- (Most Importantly) The Word Prejudice Is Not In The Bible. ( I repeat, prejudice is NOT in the bible.)
- Often A duck swims while sleeping.
- from 1835 to 1837 the United States had no national debt.

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Daily Keemo 08.18 - Ninja

Time Multiplied By Paintings Divided By The Number Of Ninjas

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I have been working most of the evening. There are paintings everywhere. Really. Im not exangerrating. To my right. To my left. Behind me. In front of me. As I was taking a little break and looking around at all the work spread out I realized there was no ninja. There hasnt been a ninja in quite a while. Those of you who follow my work have seen the ninja pop up many times over the past few years. As I've said before, I can usually guage how seriously Im starting to take my artwork by the amount of time it has been since I have painted a ninja. If I was a mathematician it would look something like: Time multiplied by paintings divided by the number of ninjas equals the amount of stress currently floating around the air in the studio. So, for all of you who are taking things just a bit too seriously (and that includes your art collection) here is a ninja... Enjoy!

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Daily Keemo 08.16 - Trust Me

There Are Not Many Times When Starting From The Beginning Sounds Like The First Course Of Action

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I was sitting on the runway waiting for the plane to take off. I hadn't put my headphones on yet. I was tired and it was early and I was ready to get home. I turned the air up a bit and pointed it at my face. I looked out the window at the people loading our bags. I thought for a second that I was glad that I didnt do that for a living. I was ready to get home. I looked around at people getting situated, fussing over coats and bags and books and newspapers and voices blended together with the air blowing on my face and the plane rocked a bit as people moved about and I slipped into daydream staring out at everyone in the plane. I was tired and ready to be home. I closed my eyes and listened and daydreamed and was half asleep and for some reason I tuned into the conversation that was going on in the seats behind me. It was the tone of her voice when she said, "Well, that means we will have to start from the beginning." that got my attention. Her tone made me sad and there are not many times when I think that having to start from the beginning sounds like the first course of action. It is usually the last. There was a long pause and another voice replied, "I know that it will. We will be OK. You can trust me." There was a long silence and I slipped back into daydream again and the air blew in my face and I was tired and was ready to be home...Enjoy!

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Daily Keemo 08.15 - Love Story

Its The Small Moments That Give You Away. Part 2.

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(You may recognize this story from a recent drawing. I liked the story and thought it was worth creating another drawing for it...Hope you enjoy it.) There are these little moments when I know that we are meant for each other. Many people think that this is shown with grand gestures, big things but I've come to learn it is always the small moments that give us away. They are little looks, light touches, maybe its just when you talk you look at each others eyes. Phrases like, " I thought of you when...." or "This reminded me of you..." or "You would have liked this..." always give you away. This was a "I thought that you could maybe use this in your art" moment and she handed me a stack of old design books that were going to be thrown away at her office. "Even if you can't use them, I thought you would like them" See its those moments. Those simple moments. So, with that here is a page from one of those books ...Enjoy!

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Daily Keemo 08.14 - All Brains

She Was All Brains

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I had been gone for 4 days so after I brought my bags in from the car and we chatted a few minutes we decided to go out and have a nice lunch at a restaurant by our house. It's on the lake and there is a deck and you can eat out by the boats under the shade of the umbrellas that block out the sun and people in kayakes and sailboats and speedboats and row boats move around in the water just a couple hundred feet away. It is summer and this is nice. We all talk alot because we hadn't seen each other in 4 days. After a wonderful lunch and wonderful conversation the two of them stepped away from the table a minute and I sat, waited for the check and stared out at the lake thinking how wonderful it is to come home after days alone in a strange hotel room. Then I hear from behind me, "She was all brains... Nothing else." "That is too bad," said a second voice from the table behind me. I was trying to consider under what circumstances is being all brains a bad thing. I couldn't think of anything. I paid the check and met them outside by the lake. "You ready?" I said. "Yes, Im ready," she said. She looked beautiful in the Michigan sun and she took my hand and we started to the car and I couldn't help but thinking that she is all brains and so much much more.... Enjoy!

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Daily Keemo 08.12 - Chris

I Want To See How Much I Go For
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The email read, "I have been a fan for a long time. Can you do a portrait of me? I want you to post it on ebay though so I can see how much I go for." There was a JPG attached to the email. "Why sure. No problem." I replied. That was a first. So, here it is, a portrait of Chris, as promised... Enjoy!

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Daily Keemo 08.11 - Florida

Famous For It's Cleanliness

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An old flyer from a boat tour down in Florida. This has to be from the late 50's or early 60's. One of their many slogan was "Famous For Its Cleanliness" How great is that. Another was "The Best 2 Dollars You Can Spend". They even boast "Alligator Wrestling" Well, I suppose this speaks for itself...Enjoy! (Another great find from B&J. Thanks!)

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Daily Keemo 08.10 - Tattoo

Discuss The Merits Of A Design Based Upon The Profit Margin

I have nothing against tattoos. Not at all. I have one. Actually I'm not even sure that it qualifies as one really. It is just a stick man. Nothing more. A simple stick man. One like you might see hanging at the end of a rope after a bad game of hangman. I suppose I was trying to make some kind of statement at the time. I was much younger then when making a statement like that was more important than it is now. Anyway, I was just reminded of all this after seeing a guy this past weekend with his shirt off and carrying his arm in a way that proudly displayed his tattoo for everyone to see. (Like he was wearing a sling but there was no sling.) I suppose he too was making a statement about something. In the end I suppose we all make our statements everyday with our Land Rovers or the selection on our ipods or the tag on the inside of our collar or the water that we drink or the symbol on our shoe or the size of the hole in our ear lobe or the band name on our t-shirt or our season tickets to the theater or yes, the stickman that hides under the sleeve as your client wants to discuss the merits of a design based upon the profit margin. With that, here is to making a statement. No matter what you say and how you say it... Enjoy!

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Daily Keemo 08.04 - Designer

Simply A Portrait Of A Designer
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This is simply a portrait of a designer. She's good. I think I'll leave it at that for today... Enjoy!

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