Last Friday evening we held a special launch party for PROOF! no. 5, which features the work of painter Gary Kaemmer. The event was held at the Steam Plant and coincided with their own First Friday event with none other than Mr. Kaemmer himself in attendance. It was a great turnout.

One of the evening’s surprise visitors was Leonid Bergoltsev, the subject of our inaugural PROOF! publication. Leonid’s photography of Soviet life in the 1950s through the early 1990s is amazing. He’s shown in the photo above, second from left. Joining him (left to right) is J. Craig Sweat—our photographer for the latest PROOF! issue—Gary Kaemmer, and yours truly.

To receive your free copy of PROOF!, visit proof.johnstonprinting.com.

posted by: CK Anderson  |  category: random thoughts  |  comments(2)

This helpful sign is on the southwest corner of Brown and Spokane Falls Blvd. Apart from the dreadful design, I wonder how effective it is. I mean, if your mental capacity is such that you need instruction in the art of crossing a street, should you really be out of your house?

And what if the flashing hand appears while you’re in the middle of the intersection—but you didn’t notice the part that says, “Finish Crossing If Started”? Will you know what to do? Or will you simply stop in your tracks the moment the flashing hand becomes the Red Hand of Impending Doom?

Granted, in a city known for its callous disregard for pedestrians, any effort to encourage foot traffic is welcome. But are we really that stupid? (Don’t answer that.)

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment

Johnston Printing’s latest edition of PROOF!—the fifth in a series—is now available. This issue features the work of Gary Kaemmer, an artist with a penchant for painting portraits of famous artists in their own individual style. With over 70 paintings under his belt, Gary demonstrates an amazing ability to work in a myriad of painting techniques.

PROOF! showcases the service offerings of Johnston Printing. As with all of the previous issues, AMD selects each subject, designs the tabloid-sized publication, and writes the narrative, offering unique insights into a talented regional visual artist. A special mention to J. Craig Sweat, who not only photographed our subject and his work, but also made the original suggestion to consider featuring Kaemmer.

To receive your own free copy of PROOF!, visit proof.johnstonprinting.com. And to meet the artist himself, join us on First Friday, September 2, beginning at 5:00pm at the Steam Plant in downtown Spokane. Gary Kaemmer will be on hand to share his perspectives about his Famous Artists Portraits.

posted by: CK Anderson  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment

It’s not often that CK takes a vacation. Something about owning your own business. So when he scheduled this week off, we knew there’d be questions. To that end, we’re glad to offer the above photograph, sent via his iPhone, as evidence that CK is on a family road trip and not (a) in rehab, (b) scaling the 15,000-foot Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat, or (c) meeting with advisors in preparation for a possible third-party presidential run. With any luck, he’ll be back in the office on Monday.

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment

Take the online color challenge to find out. –via Roslund Photography

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  comments(2)

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment

In an article on how to become a faster writer, Michael Agger quotes Stony Brook professor Robert Boice:

“Binge writing—hypomanic, euphoric marathon sessions to meet unrealistic deadlines—is generally counterproductive and potentially a source of depression and blocking.”

So if I look a little down lately, it’s because the AMD suits are unrelenting in their demands of me.

Even more interesting, however, is an observation by Saint Louis University psychologist Ronald Kellogg:

“Experts approaching a serious writing assignment may spend hours, days, or weeks thinking about the task before initiating the draft.”

That’s definitely my approach. Oh, and Kellogg also has some words for those of you—you know who you are—who think that this stuff is easy:

“Writing extended texts for publication is a major cognitive challenge, even for professionals who compose for a living.”

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: the writing life  |  make a comment

When I read this…

“Sometimes, when people think ‘outside the box’ the result is something interesting and revolutionary. And sometimes all they do is remind you why there was a box in the first place.” Rob Long, writer and producer

I was reminded of this:

“The most important lesson of the avant-garde was to be free of all pre-conceived ideas, particularly those of the avant-garde.” Valentin Silvestrov, pianist and composer

posted by: Aaron Bragg  |  category: random thoughts  |  make a comment