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Last month Cowie and Fox contributed to an art charity event, called Art to Boot. We had to “art up” a pair of Blundstone boots and they’d go up for auction, money raised went to I Heart Van Art. It was a collaborative effort with our Creative Director, David Manzl and Senior Graphic Designer Nicole Phillips.

Check ‘em out:

I recently watched a short documentary about the dying art of hand painted billboards. It was created by Stella Artois (yes….a big corporation, but it’s a really inventive way to promote your company!), and it featured colossal paintings completed during a 28-day period on a 20- by 50-foot wall in SoHo.

According to some people the technique of hand painted advertising is making a come back, but it’s hard to believe it when we live in such a fast paced society where a 20 foot billboard can be printed off and hung within a few hours.

Apparently the larger companies are willing to fork out the big bucks because it’s authentic and it creates a spectical in the city or a “buzz.” I can definately understand that, since you can actually watch the image appear over a period of time, while the guys are dangling above the city in their rigging.

I am blown away by the skills they have. Unfortunately I don’t think those skills will be passed on to too many more people in the future if their industry really does die.

So next time you think of designing a billboard, why not think of the artists and get it hand painted for a change!

Check out the documentary here:

If you’re from Vancouver or if you’ve visited Vancouver, i’m sure you’ve noticed the art installations all around the city from  Vancouver Biennale.

I wanted to share one of the latest additions that i’ve noticed. It’s right here near the Cowie and Fox offices in Yaletown. Just down on Nelson street there’s a “concrete park” where this giant sculptural head rests.

It’s called Eros Bendato Scrippolato and is created by Igor Mitoraj from Poland/Italy.

On February 27th I checked out a sweet art show on Granville street. You walk in, purchase a $5 pack of mystery cards created by various artists, then you open them up and start trading with people in the gallery. It’s the most socially fun art show i’ve ever been too. I’m totally looking forward to checking out their other event Hot One Inch Action.

If you want to submit art or just check it out sometime, go here: http://www.hotartcard.com

$15 bucks later and some awesome trading, this is what I settled with:
(Top right corner: designed by awesome CF creative director David Manzl)

Released in Singapore, these ads are cute and effective with a little dark side. Although these ads do make me wonder how safe Play-Doh really is, because i’m sure almost every kid has atleast tasted Play-Doh in their lifetime. (Mmm salty.) Does anyone know how true their “non-toxic” labeling is?

This film discusses advertising and inspiration. It reveals the work and wisdom from some of the most influential advertising creatives of our time. It’s currently screening across America right now. You can request screenings near you, so go ask to bring it to Vancouver!

Learn more at: www.artandcopyfilm.com

Watch the trailer: