Author Archives: BNI

ARTIST FEATURE: STELEKON INTERVIEW

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Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a creative that has always aspired to integrate my creativity with my work. I have been an art director, an illustrator, a marketing director and ran a business and loved it all. I have been lucky enough to work in the action sports space most of my career, which has allowed me to use my artistic skills while creating and building brands. I was one of the guys who started a brand called Dragon Optical back in the 90’s. I was the creative side that created the Dragon logo, all the art and did the marketing and branding worldwide. I have also lent my creative help to brands like 17, OAM, Billabong, Poor Specimen Productions and several other brands over the years. I love helping out.

One thing that I have really enjoyed doing is collaboratives with brands and artists.
I started it at Dragon working with legends such as CAP, Scrojo, Mike Giant and Dalek. I have continued it with Anarchy working with Hydro74, Brian Ewing, Mike Fisher, Jesse LeDoux, Skullebrities, Superstar Dickie, Julie West and MFNTIMEBOMB.

Recently, I have been doing a lot more poster art and am really enjoying it. I love to create art that is inspirational, ironic and has a positive message. I just enjoy creating and the more I can do the better. I love doing it and I hope people out there enjoy what I do. Nothing is more rewarding then someone stoked on your work. I also  like doing collaborative art projects with other artists and would welcome that opportunity with other artists.

How did you come up with the name STELEKON?
I never really had an art name or tag for myself for years. I guess I just never thought of one I thought was cool enough to use. When my son was little one Halloween he could not say skeleton and he would pronounce it as STELEKON. It was genius and I loved it. Not a real word but sounded familiar and had a great ring to it. I think it’s an unusual name that is fun like the art I do.

What are some projects you have coming up?
I am working on a few art shows for this spring/summer at the moment. I am always working on new art every day as well. The big thing I am working on is building a STELEKON project/movement. With all my years in building brands and my interaction with so many great artists at all levels, I am developing a new project that will help artists all over the world. Can’t let the whole cat out of the bag yet but, it is going to help artist the world over, be an inspiration to new artists all while creating a grass-roots empowerment brand. I wish I could say more but it is still in the works and it is a completely new idea for a cause brand.

Where do you get your inspiration for your art?
My inspiration comes from the world we live in. There is so much great design in our environment that we take for granted. I am inspired by street graffiti, street signs, news headlines, street art, other artists, company branding, architecture and all of the other ironic things that surround us.

How would you describe your art?
The best way I could describe my art is an iconic-pop approach to the world we live in. I want my art to be bright and fun while sending a positive message. I really ENJOY merging Pop Art influenced images with my own highly graphic aesthetic. To me, it is adding color and energy to the mundane and creating ironic snap shots of the world we live in.

Who are your favorite artists to work with?
That is a tough question. I have enjoyed working with a bunch of them. I think I enjoy working with the ones that enjoy working with me. I like artists that are positive and love what they do. You know, stoked to be creating and doing what they love rather than being cranky. Its art, not everyone can do it. Enjoy what you do.

If you could collaborate on a project with any artist, who would it be?
Any artist? I think collaborating with Roy Lichtenstein in his era on a piece of art would have been amazing. He is a true inspiration and I have always been a fan of his work and the Pop Art movement.

Anybody you would like to give a shout out to?
I would love to give a shout out to Hydro74, Brian Ewing, MFNTIMEBOMB, Dalek, Heldorado, DVice, Superstar Dickie, Scrojo and all the artists out there making it happen and doing what they love to do. I am inspired by all of them and the great things they create. Special thanks go out to Hydro74 for inspiring me and pushing me to do more.

Jthree vs. PostLiving Designer Coffee Tables

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Came across this work by Jared Nickerson, after a referall from a friend. I always take notice when I see Jthree’s very colorful and well designed products. The table package you can purchase comes with 3 Images mounted onto MDF, a Set of Side Table Legs ,
2 Saw bracket picture hangers, and 4 Specially designed coasters by the Jared.

To pick these up for yourself or see more check out PostLiving.

Jared Nickerson AKA: Dead Astronauts – My Favorite Lover

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While perusing Facebook for news and gossip I came across a post by artist Jared Nickerson about his latest creative endeavor into music. His digital artwork is amazing, so naturally I had to listen to this demo from the upcoming album! I really enjoyed it for one and secondly am super impressed by Jared’s versatility. Check out the sample above and let me know what you think of the musical stylings of Jthree, I mean . . . Dead Astronauts!

Vocals & Lyrics: Jared K. Nickerson
Production: Paul Aspin & Jared K. Nickerson
Backing vocals: Delores Kyle

Repeal from Halfcut Clothing

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Just got my new Halfcut T-shirt in the mail! Limited Edition #17 of 50 with oversize printing and premium inks on this Tshirt!

From: Http://www.halfcutclothing.com

Halfcut Clothing : Signature “HC” Snapback

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I met Halfcut Clothing through our Deals of Christmas promo and really liked what I saw! Well, guess what? They just released the Signature “HC” Snapback. (which I love) The only thing negative that I can say is that it’s a shame that it’s only limited to 40 pieces! On twitter I was raving about this being the NEW Classic hat. Hopefully some of you out there will be lucky enough to get your hands on this Snapback cause it’s sooooo tight!

Click here to get to the Halfcut Shop, and don’t forget it’s limited to 40 pieces, and once there out, we’re out of luck!

Bni Deals of Christmas : Spanky Stokes

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This is one of the nicest Vinyl Toy Figures I have seen in a long time. Spanky brought these in for me to see in person a while back and I was amazed by the quality of the design and all of the moving parts. If you like Vinyl Toys or have thought about starting a collection this is a must have! (FYI, The all black colorway is limited to 100 pieces and I know he has sold a bunch of them already!)

A little more info on these:
Designed by Jesse Hernandez, THE BEST colorway available for his Ozomahtli figure, the “Obsidian” edition is exclusive to SpankyStokes.com and you have a chance to snag this baby up for 30% off the retail price… in fact you can save 30% your entire purchase in their online store by using coupon code “BNIHOLIDAY”!

This beauty measures 9″ tall and features a beautiful gloss black/matte black finish… unlike any other colorway so far. The figure has two articulated arms, a removable headdress, and an articulated head (yes it swivels!!!), and is limited to just 100 pieces worldwide… don’t miss this deal!

If your interested to here more about my friend Spanky Stokes head over to his site which is in my opinion the top urban vinyl toy blog out there, and head over to his shop where in addition to the Ozomahtli are several custom vinyl toys by Spanky himself!

Bni Deals of Christmas : Elektrek Clothing

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Deal #6 is Elektrek Clothing out of Montreal QC. I really appreciate the classic look of this line as well as the variety of design styles to choose from. The great thing about Elektrek is that from designing to printing and marketing they do it all!

A little more about Elektrek Clothing:
We’re a brand and print studio in one. We believe in creating and growing with our brand from the beginning of a new design to the final print and package. Not only do we provide our own service but we’re more then welcome to share the same love and care with your next project as well!

Be sure to hit up there store and see what’s good: Elektrek Clothing Shop

Bni Deals of Christmas : Among Villains Clothing

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Don’t be a hero… Among Villains has a mission and great T-shirt Designs too. Check out there shop to get the discount!
A little more about Among Villains:
Among Villains is a project over one year in the making that is detail oriented and message driven. Deriving much of my influence from the punk and hip-hop scenes, I found a common ground with the strong political messages within their music and lyrics that would typically be deemed offensive or wrong, but made perfect sense to me. “Advocate villainy, abrogate virtue” is the tagline of my company, and it carries an omnipresent dark sarcasm throughout my line with it that I feel is vital to the image of the brand. Most people in society that are slapped with the “bad guy” label are usually just the opposite, and vice versa, so what that phrase is really saying is to do what YOU feel is right, not what the law says is right. I find so much to be wrong with the justice system in general, and the officers sworn to uphold it, whom are protecting and serving no one but their own self interests. Isn’t it wrong when our safety net makes us feel unsafe? Among Villains is my personal answer back to all of the corrupt law enforcement officials, the lying politicians, the greedy big businesses of the world, and anyone who supports their ways. Every product from this line has a bold message with an unmistakable meaning, so if you feel the same way about what’s going on in the world as I do, I invite you join in and wear an Among Villains product proudly. The truth of the matter is, “people should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people”
- take a stand for something. Among Villains

Bni Deals of Christmas : Vicious History Clothing

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On the 4th deal of Christmas we give you Vicious History Clothing. I’m really feeling the shirt Grave Robber, how about you?

A little more about the VH via their website:
Vicious History
is a Massachusetts based clothing company created in 2010 by Chaz Matses. We specialize in contemporary apparel which incorporates a vast range of historical influences into its designs. Our company’s purpose is to create inventive and unique apparel that allows us to share our artistic vision with our customers.

Go to the shop to get a serious discount of 25% off by using the code BRANDNEW upon check out. Vicious History Clothing Shop

Bni Deals of Christmas : Halfcut Clothing

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Halfcut Clothing T-shirt Discount For our 3rd Deal of Christmas, here is Halfcut Clothing. If your looking for something a little different get in on this deal! While Halfcut inspired by the visuals of the 1920′s it’d definitely for the modern man with a sense of style. A little more info: Halfcut Clothing is a Pennsylvania based clothing company established in 2011 by Vincent Serio and Chris Werner. Inspired by the appeal of the 1920′s, a decade filled with decadence, liberal movements, innovative technology, and groundbreaking music. We aim to revitalize an era that changed pop culture forever. Our goal is to combine the trends of the “roaring twenties” with elements of modern fashion to produce an artistically unique line of clothing that can be enjoyed by all. Here is a link direct to their store: Halfcut Clothing Store