Links We Love, Vol. 41

• Elegant fun: The Official Tooth Fairy Kit.

• You want music? You wanna dance? Then check out this video from The Black Keys. Don’t be surprised when you find yourself singin’ and swayin.’

• From the “Then and Now” department, here’s a look at the evolution of cereal box design since the 1940s.

• Not personal, but supremely efficient: The All-In-One Card Stamp.

• One more blast from the past: Celery flavored Jell-O. Yum.

VANGEL

Picking Up The Brush Again

Remember the saying “once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget”? We may have a paint-smudged example of that life lesson here in our office.

VANGEL Senior Art Director Kevin Shults attended Columbia College in the late ’70s, majoring in graphic design. There he took one painting class per semester ­– eight classes in all – taught by esteemed surrealist painter and professor Sid Larson. During Kevin’s four years at CC, he entered exactly one piece of work in one art show, and that was for a class assignment: a charcoal drawing in a 1981 Columbia Art League exhibit.

Years go by. Kevin marries, has children, and moves up the ranks as art director at VANGEL. He produces countless successful marketing campaigns. He mentors middle-school kids, judges student advertising projects and teaches college graphic design classes. He tours the country picking the mandolin with bluegrass band Midnight Flight.

But he doesn’t pick up a paintbrush.

Then in late 2011, Kevin, finding his children entering adulthood, his touring days with the band at an end, and a little extra time on his hands, decides to create an oil painting for CAL’s “Seven Deadly Sins (and the Seven Holy Virtues)” exhibit.

Apparently, not even 30 intervening years, fatherhood and an initial dearth of Winsor & Newton oils can stop a talented artist when the muses call.

The portrait, titled “Greed,” engages the eyes, toys with the mind, and has won the acclaim of the local art crowd. Among entries from 65 artists, Kevin’s oil painting was singled out for a third-place ribbon at the exhibit’s Jan. 25 reception.

Kevin and his painting have also become media darlings, featured in the Tribune for two weeks running.

How to explain his immediate success? Is it Kevin’s years of creating fabulous visual concepts at VANGEL? The training he received as a student at CC? Muscle memory? Is he an artist savant? You be the judge.

You may view Kevin’s “humorous and timely” piece at the exhibit through February 25.

VANGEL

The New Commish

Congratulations to our very own Kevin Shults, Senior Art Director at VANGEL, for his recent appointment to the City of Columbia’s Cultural Affairs Commission.
The twelve member commission advises the city in matters pertaining to arts and culture, and makes recommendations on city funding of arts programs and services.
Next time you want to bitch, gripe or moan about public art, here’s Kevin’s phone number: 442-5551. Call anytime–he’d love to hear what you have to say!
VANGEL

Vote for First Chance for Children!

 

The campaign we created for First Chance for Children has won a Philly Award! It’s now in the running for the “People’s Choice” award.
Help us get out the vote!
Here’s a note from our client, Jack Jensen:

Dear Friends,

Yesterday we were notified First Chance for Children’s public service campaign has won a Philly Award, from the Nonprofit Connect organization of Kansas City, MO. This is great news and I think it will help us expand our message.

Good things happen when so many people and groups come together.  This would not have been possible without the creative energy of VANGEL and the FCFC staff, the financial support of the Kelly Foundation and the City of Columbia’s Public Communications Resource Advisory Committee, and the leadership of Phil Peters who got this project going.

I would like to ask your help in winning the People’s Choice Award. Just go to Facebook and “like” our entry here. FCFC is on the 3rd row from the bottom, on the left side of the page.


Many large nonprofits in Missouri have great ads, so it is going to take a lot to push little First Chance for Children to the top.

You can only vote once, so please share with family and friends!
Thank you for your help,
Jack C. Jensen
Executive Director
First Chance For Children
1010 Fay Street
Columbia MO  65201

Brooke OmarBrooke Omar - Creative: Brooke used to work at one of those mega-agencies on the left coast. Coincidentally, she creates wonderful TV and print campaigns. She brings a keen eye to the creative process – and a fresh perspective to our work.

Links We Love, Vol. 40

 

VANGEL