Corn On The Beach...

Yes it is where I currently call home, and where my children have spent most of their young lives, but I am not a total fan of SoCal and do not plan to live here forever... But it is times like theses where we join together with some good folks, fill up a large pot with some of the Pacific Oceans best. Boil it for an hour or so

and drop in a grip load of fresh California Sweet Corn that puts a smile on the face worms the belly and keeps me content to terry here a little longer.

Well summer has come and is almost gone.
Hope you have had a good one and if you have not had an opportunity to get out and enjoy any of it best be getting to it....

Cheers,
'MrRay'

It Has Been a While...

Sampleing up some new ideas for the i-Phone wallet.
Keep ya posted as the details get hammered out...
Til then,
>>>--"keep On Crow'N--->

Cheers,
'MrRay'

Build It from the Book Shelf: Tipi For The Wee Ones: Intro

The worst part of being employed as a Designer in this silly industry known as the Apparel Industry is the time when you have to put aside the creative, the exploration of ideas, the sketch books and hunker down and actually build the ideas that you have been working on into detailed pages, or tech packs. These documents are filled with mesurments, color call outs, trims, fabric codes and everything that you need to make a garment... You have to think and do repetative work. The brain hurts at the end of the very long day and the mind sometimes wanders in the middle of it all.....

It is on one of these wandering mind moments that I all of the sudden thought about this book.

This was on super heavy rotation when I was 6 or 7 until I was well into my High School days.
But as other interests crept into my life it was eventually placed upon the book shelf to begin a long rest of extended years until the day my mind wondered...
As I cracked the pages for the first time in maybe well over 10 years, my childhood came rushing back as I feasted upon each page. I admit that many of the projects within it's yellowed and worn printed papers look as if they may be fairly easy to accomplish and build in my older age. In my youth I spent most of my time with the book and my imagination only, rarely daring to take the risk in failing miserably in an attempt to build the projects found between its covers.

But what young and restless boy does not dream of having his own Tipi?

I have had the opportunity to only visit a few while partaking in the world of scouting and dreamed of one day having my own. I am older now living in a residence that offers me a small SoCal back yard and have a few wee ones of my own who might just get a kick out of having one to play in.

So I am about to take on the task of building a miniture Tipi. I plan on taking the instructions and pattern, of what seams simple and straight forward, for a full size 17'-24' Tipi,

cutting the measurements in half and with a little luck and some dedicated time I will have something to mess around with the Kids in.

We shall see.

Well time to get to it. Keep ya posted on how it goes.
Now go build someth'n.
Have a good weekend

>>>--"keep On Crow'N--->
Cheers,
'MrRay'

Lee Marvin, "Wandering Star" Paint Your Wagon, 1968

 A fine tune for the middle of the week. Enjoy.
Back to it...
Cheers, 'MrRay'

ESCAPE TO VICTORY - England vs Sweden in Kiev from Beija Films on Vimeo.

Stumbled upon this fine moving picture the other day. It comes following the steps of Paszport! – a limit release zine collaboration from the Rig Out and creative agency Mother London. The film fills the void following along with folks from England as they travel and gather together with like minded countrymen at the Euro Cup 2012. After watching their team lose on penalties in an unbearable and heartbreaking final, you may ask yourself why? Why would anyone would travel hundreds of miles to foreign lands, with the great possibility they (their chosen team) will not come away victorious?. View the above and it will may shed light onto your question. Like most things that become an obsession or passion it all can be traced back to goodtimes, no matter what the final result.

Back to it...
>>>--"Keep On Crow'N--->
Cheers,
'MrRay'

From the Bookshelf: Nose Art

Picked up from the local library the book Nose Art: 80 years of aviation art. Sad to say that it was not worth even picking up from the local book borrowers. Kind of bummed on that. There was a few, very, very few, gems in the ruff with in this book. To save you from wasting your time looking through the book on your own....
Pulled a few to share.

Back to it...
>>>--"Keep On Crow'N--->
Cheers,
'MrRay'

Somethin' to Think About... Work

"Give everybody a dime's worth of work for their nickle."
          Nick Wooster. (interview in CODE magazine, issue 21. spring/summer 2012)

Back to it...
>>--"Keep On Crow'N--->
Cheers,
'MrRay'

Trim The Fat

Spent the other day doing a little chop shop on a few pairs of trousers.
Make'n the old new again with a nice cleaned up fit.

Back to it and have a great week.

>>>--"Keep On Crow'N"--->

Cheers,
'MrRay'

In the Hands...

Found a while back and popped a shot with the 'ol mobile device.
It has been very busy but very good over here in REDCROW land.
Been building goods for a side project so there may not be a lot of regular content for a while. Plan to not totally disappear as we did earlier this year. That was no fun for anyone.

Well back to it...

>>>--"Keep On Crow'N--->
Cheers,
'MrRay'

Just like the text layout....
Let's have a good one!
Cheers,
'MrRay'

Ink on Paper

Been at work with a new project that is helping keep the lights on and the roof over the families head. It has been a busy week filled with a few super late nights but a good week for sure. It is always nice to look back and see that things are actually happening and progress is being made.

Also have been plugging away with some ideas for REDCROW as well, such as a new tag for some neck tie projects.

Well no rest for the weary... back to it.

>>>--"Keep On Crow'N"--->

Cheers,
'MrRay'

From the Video Valt: Twelve O'clock High

Been on this kick lately watching old films that are about the "War Birds" of WWII.
The most recently viewed film was Twelve O'clock High.
By the Movie Poster above it is kind of misleading as I am not quite sure what movie they were selling as it has nothing to do with "the women"...?  To find out about the actual story of the film click the link above.
What good is just watching a film and not taking advantage of the digital media that is at the ol finger tips? So here are a few stills that I shot while enjoying this classic flick. Side note, this film uses actual air footage that was shot on bombing raids on Germany by both American and German camera men.... There also is a lot of really great detail through out the film.

 

since we are sharing might as well add a great clip from the film.

Well the weekend is fast approaching.  I hope your week has been a good one and that your weekend is even better.
Back to it.

>>>--"Keep On Crow'N"--->
Cheers,
'MrRay'

Out 'N About.

Did some digging and wandering...
Back to it.

>>>--"Keep On Crow'N"--->
Cheers,
'MrRay'

A new week is upon us...
Let's make it a good one!

>>>--"Keep On Crow'N--->
Cheers,
'MrRay'

Something To "THINK" About.

"Thinking is the hardest work in the world. That's why so few of us do it."

            Ralph Waldo Emerson

Cheers,
'MrRay'

Let's Not Forget!

Between all of the BBQ, major car sales, and time off work here in the States on this Memorial Day, let's stop for a moment and remember those who have given their life for our country!

>>>--"Keep On Crow'n"--->
Cheers,
'MrRay'

From The Wood Pile: The REDCROW Shelf {Final}

Once the shelf went up all of my junk and clutter piled on the work table was cleared off and the studio is finally put together.

There is something about having and organized space that is so inviting and motivating to build and create. The funny thing is there was a point in the middle of the shelf build that I actually did not want to finish it because I knew that it would be complete and the project over. I think sometimes the journey can be just as great or better than the destination. Well, time to get to building the goods that have been piling up behind the excuses.

If you have built anything lately please share I would like to see what others are working on.
Back to it.

>>>--"Keep On Crow'n"--->
Cheers,
'MrRay'

From The Wood Pile: The REDCROW Shelf {part2}

Another very busy week has passed by and now we are beginning a new. Where does all of the time go?
Let's continue the build of the shelf...
We have cut and painted all of the main structure of the shelf. Now the real fun begins, adding of the graphics.
Now some folks out there are very "traditionalists" when it comes to hand work, as in it must all be done by hand... Well folks sorry to disappoint but living in this day and age and keeping to the moto of "making do with what you have" I have a computer and AI and a printer. Not to say that I do all of my work on the computer but where I can cut some corners why not I have it?  Just another tool in the tool chest, right? I am sure if you are reading this then you must agree to a point as you are reading this on a blog that is on the internet that is on your computer.  As you will see in the end product, there is plenty of handwork that goes into it, even a bit of sweat and blood.
With all that out of the way. I did a few ruff sketches with the 'ol pen and paper. Found the one I liked the best. Scanned it in and did a nifty layout. Built the line art and some layers. Printed it out on a bunch of 8 1/2"x11" paper (I only have a basic printer) Trimmed up the paper

and taped it all together.

Final layout.

First pass of some color over a base coat of white and a go at some "distressing" to help build up some layers.

Now this is why the use of the computer. After a little razor blade time cutting out the letters, slap her down and a quick pass with a brush and some paint. Time saver (?) Since there will be some hand love after all is said and done no need to be perfect here.

Painted fun. Now ya could stop here and call it a day but no sweat as of yet so grab the wood files and different sanding grit and

work some aging magic. My favorite part is going over it with some wood stain, it really is just like magic, it comes to life. Photos no good at showing the depth and detail.

One graphic is not enough and sticking to the "product" shelf that it has become it needed to have some glorious cheesy slogan graphics as well. Came up with a little cracker filled with motivation >>>--"Keep On Crow'n" ---> 

After all is said and done on the graphics time to put all of the pieces together and actually build the shelf. Here she be, Graphics on and "aged". Hooks attached. All painted primed and hung on the wall in the studio space.

I have dolled up the studio and filled the shelf with props and tools. I think I will keep ya hang'n and reveal the final space tomorrow. Till then get back to it and have a great and productive week!
>>>--"Keep On Crow'n" --->
Cheers,
'MrRay'