kula designs

i'm back..again.

2011-08-11T03:57:00.000-07:00

Maybe if I had a iPhone I would post more stuff? I have done so many project since the last very boring post.

Me and James just got back from a little over a week in the UK. It was my first time there and I liked it. The food was so-so...and its not the most healthy, but I had a blast. Europe is sure different than the states. Its been a long time since I had been somewhere my money was no good.

I liked London and I could see us living there. It just so happened that the kids are feeling feisty at the moment, and have taken it upon themselves to do some rioting. It was 4 days in when we left yesterday. Many people had been wounded and hurt. Its just for fun at this point. There is no reason to do this. Its pretty sad. Every night we were watching it on TV and it pulled at your heart. Working peoples homes, cars and businesses getting looted.

Well now that I have my passwords changed, there will be more creative coming back to this blog. Part of me wanted to start a new one, but most of me...just decided to keep this one. Look for new stuff soon.

cheers
kai

sorry...not really keeping up.

2009-12-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

Hey.

I have been slacking on the blog thing. Its funny I asked my friend Maddie to blog so I could see what was going on in her head from across the country and then I don't do the same.

The holidays make me feel the need to write. I don't do Xmas cards. Its not that I don't want to...its that I always loose peoples addresses. And then asking for them again seems silly so I just don't do it. Maybe one year, I will get my shit together and do it...the other thing is, I don't want to put that one typed out letter in it. The one that says everything that has gone on for the last year. I would rather hand write a card and leave it at that. Call me. Shit text me and I can tell you in a sentence whats going on. <3

That being said...this is whats going on.
Living in New York has been great. Its been the best move I have ever made. Hard and sometimes lonely, but really good. I never thought I would be living in this huge city. I guess I had weird feelings about living in a city I had only seen in the movies. Many movies. And people had said that New Yorker's are mean and uptight. I have found the exact opposite. The people I see here, the ones that are working hard and living for today are wonderful. They help each other with nothing in return and are kind and open. Loving even.

Getting use to not having a car. Something I had relied on for so long. My day's are planned with how much time it takes to get from one point to another point. My feet have stopped hurting (or at least I have stopped complaining about them hurting) and I know that you need to always wear layers (in all seasons) and having a good bag is important. I have to plan things out far in advance. My life was very easy in Milwaukee, I had my routes to places. I had a car to get me there. And when I am waiting for my "J" train in the morning, and the wind is killing my face I remember that I made the choice to sell my beloved Jetta. I made the right decision to sell the car. I am glad when I don't have to sit in traffic in the morning and at night to get to my job on Long Island. Its only an hour+ commute, but its opposite of the people that work in NY. The train is empty and quiet for the most part. And it gives me time to meditate and start my day with a new outlook, every day. Its peaceful. I feel peaceful.

Living with James has been great. He is an amazing partner. We have a very large apartment (by NY standards) and its very comfortable. Leon is happy. We have a sanctuary to come home to. It may not be in the best neighborhood, but I feel comfortable. And we found a market pretty close to the house that has everything we need. Target is far and we have not made the trip there yet, but we will. And we have a guest room (with no bed in it yet, but we will) for anyone that wants to come stay.

Making friends has been hard. People in our "community" are kinda clicky. I have made a couple of new girl-friends and that is nice to be able to have friends to talk with. And I have some new responsibilities, which is nice.

All in all this place is amazing. There are people here from everywhere and when you walk down the street you hear every language possible. It makes me feel like I am in the right place and when I wake up next to the love of my life every morning, I know I made the right choice.

xo
kai

welcome home?

2009-10-15T19:50:00.000-07:00

moved. bushwick, brooklyn. I have been here a month tomorrow. working 'on' long island. living in a huge city. adorable apartment. healthy relationship with an amazing man. commuting to work on the subway. meeting new people. not meeting new people. feeling lonely. new meetings. not riding my bike. not driving. sore feet. great coffee. diversity. happy kitty. lots of people in a small area. hawaiian food delivered. new ring. lots of ipod use. strange new co-workers. drop off/ pick up laundry. missing target. grocery shopping with backpacks. dharma punks meditation.

just a few new things happening in my life.

i am overall happy.

MOVing!

2009-09-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

Really...this time. Not a fake out move. I am really leaving Milwaukee. 6.5 years in a city that was never even on the radar. Its been amazing. I have found somethings out about myself, that i would never have seen in another place. I will miss it here. I have some AMAZING friends. I have some really good memories with people i am no longer close with.

New chapter in my life. And why not go to the biggest city in the US? ok I will try it. And i get to go be with the most wonderful person I have ever met. He makes my heart skip beats. Its f-ing amazing. And a new job, still doing what I love. Its all meant to be. I put it out there and the gods looked down and said "ok, this is gonna go smooth". Today I sold my car, its hard to release that hold on that last possession. The first thing I have ever paid off and really taken care of in my life. But its just a car, and I am excited about NOT having a car in a city where that is totally possible. And now we have a cash cushion to make any money blows a ton easier. I am excited. I am not sure its really hit me yet. Tomorrow is my last day at my job. A job that I have learned so much and have so many great friends. All of its hard to leave...and I don't do change so well.

It feels right though. I had applied for so many jobs and this was the one that I was most qualified for...and i got it from 4 states away. Someone has to be looking in on me.

more blogs coming from NY soon...

xo
kai

feeling inspiration

2009-06-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

We just got back from three lovely days in NYC. I feel a little uneasy sitting in my cube. I have spoke before about how I feel like my creative juices stop flowing in wisco. I have to go out and look for it, and search out other people who inspire. When we were in NY, I saw it everywhere. From the silly boots the women are wearing, the subway tiles, on coney island, Brooklyn flea, amazing coffee shops, fun bikes, union square madness, silly diners and the people. Wow, the people. Whoever said the people that live in NY are assholes, was possibly just an asshole. I met some amazing people, people who look you in the eye when you are speaking with them. I feel as tho I am a good judge of character, and I met some great characters.

So I feel inspired. I want to cut things out, glue things, make things...shiny things...dull flat black things...I want to see things float and tear apart my clothes, just to make new ones. I think maybe its time to live someplace I have never been. The problem is I work. I have bills to pay, so having a job is important.

I know I will be missing James when he leaves and this is a great opportunity for him. I also feel like the love we have is strong, and can withstand a ton. We fought so hard to make this work, when it felt everything was against us in the beginning. And now we have a strong connection. I can feel it.

photos coming soon. i pinkie swear.

things i like for the week

2009-06-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

•this blog, brings me happiness...everyday.
•me and the boyfriend are going on a trip to nyc!
•sunshine
•fixie pixie
oh and this photo....

holy bike balls.

2009-05-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

I built a bike. I am too lazy to take a good photo of it...but its wonderful and i have learned a ton. I feel alive on my bike. And going to the gym blows so I like to ride my bike until my back is burning. It took me two weeks to take it apart and put it all together. oh and some $$$. The guys at Ben's sorta helped me. When I walked in and said I did not know anything, I think they thought they could sell me the $250 Deep V's. But I had done my homework and knew that I was not going to get bent over today. Yes, I didn't know shit. I was not going to spend all my hard earned money on some wheels I would not be using to the best of their ability. So I bought the cheaper ones, and they helped me. It turned out to be a good experience. I had bought a cheaper Peugeot from a funny guy in South Milwaukee. He was a character...bill was his name. A good dude. He had bought the bike for his wife in the 80's. She never rode it. I took it home and promptly started taking it apart.

I love my bike and its so much more rewarding knowing that I put it all back together...with a little help from these guys.

kx

mendo - little late

2009-04-25T17:41:00.000-07:00

It has taken me awhile to get a blog written after the trip to my old home town. I have been back for almost two weeks already and I am just now sitting down to write this. Maybe I needed to process it?

Me and James planned a trip from our trip, up to the sleepy town of Mendocino. We were going to stay with the lovely Freda-n-Tim (somehow that just reminded me of fish-n-chips for some reason?) and I was told that someone I had gone to school with had bought the Mac House in downtown mendo. So I called and got a good rate on a sweet little room for James and I. We got into town around 2pm on Saturday. I drove in the long way, around the headlands. I had butterflies in my belly.

*A little back history on mendo for me: The last time I lived in mendo, it was 92...right after I turned 18. I was really messed up on meth, and I needed to get out of there. I was not happy, and I was causing more chaos than good. I left with a sour taste in my mouth. And went north.*

So coming back was always a little weird for me. I had never really resolved the feelings, I felt when I left. It's a small town...maybe 2000 people/animals. maybe. I had finished high school there barely. I had a ton of people I had lied to, ripped off, and pissed off. I did not have a lot of people who were friends. And I was a shit person. So when we pulled into town, I still half expected a bunch of drunk guys in pick-up trucks to start throwing rotten eggs at me, and yelling obscenities. That did not happen. When we passed the flats the usual crowd (maybe not the same people, but the same flannel/truck/dog combo was down there) and it brought back all the memories...spending my life chasing a high, because I was bored. And let me tell you this town in one of the most beautiful places I have lived. You forget that when your so busy getting a buzz to make life- livable. Me and James checked into our room, and went to the bakery to get some pretty good coffee (thanksgiving coffee is putting out some good stuff) and a cinnamon twist. (for bean) We then walked up to Mendoza's (which was bought by Harvest market) and got some snacks. Its weird to walk the same streets you feel you know, but it's like a different land now. I saw Big Al. He looks pretty good. Some things never change.

We then went to the headland, straight down Lansing St. There is this big cement slab that we use to sit and drink beer on. The last time I was in Mendo, the headlands had all been cut back to kick out the bums, and to make it easier to catch the underage kids drinking. They have all grown back now, and it's like it use to be...lots of blackberry's, big bushes, and bums "camping" out. The path was rough and muddy. Lots of memories. We passed kids drinking beer (whatever was on sale that day :)) and that same vacant look in their eyes. Dirty hoodies and Ben Davis that looked like they had never been washed. We were taking photos, and looking like tourists. People said hi.

Down on the beach. People drinking (the same sale beer) and making food on the fire pit. The sun was setting and I think I could feel why my mom had decided to move here in the first place. Its pretty amazing. Freda and Tim came to the room, and we all went to the bench at Portuguese Beach and sat and talked. It got cold. We went to the Mendo Cafe for burritos. The prices have gone up and they took all the good stuff off the menu. oh well.It was fun. And F&T are great to talk with. After me and James went into the hot tub - a first for him- and it was HOT. We then snuggled up in the yummy bed and went to bed.

Easter Sunday. I decided I could not stay in bed any longer and went up to the Bakery to get us some coffees. This was the town I remembered...there was only a couple locals out, but otherwise it was ghost town. I walked past Corners of the Mouth. I walked up the steps at the bank and had to sit there for a couple of minutes. I had so much unresolved history in the small quaint village. It was time to make my amends. I said I was sorry for all the things I had done to the town and the people who lived in it. I said I was done feeling like I owed this town something. I no longer wanted my stomach to turn when I made the left hand turn into the town I once knew. I wanted to walk away this time with the feeling that I had left the old Kai behind. And was able to see the beauty and stare out at the bay and feel like this place that had once brought so much joy and pain...was now just Mendocino. An amazing place where I had grown up.

We had reservations at the Mac House and had a yummy breakfast that was included in the price of the room. It was really nice. Then went north to Fort Bragg. Not the town I remember. I guess a ton of people have moved here and the vibe is much more hippy than redneck. We went and saw Madame Chinchilla at Triangle Tattoo. She gave us a rad tour and took our photos. Its a great museum of all things tattoo. Lots and lots of history.

Then onto Fred's in Cleone to say our last goodbyes to Freda and Tim and see Fred. Its been a long time. This was a place I spent a ton of time at. Lots of great parties. It felt like home.

Then more north to Leggett...but this is good left for another blog at some point.

cheers.
kai

that one day....

2009-03-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

march, 15th 1998

I decided on this day that I would no longer use alcohol to make me feel better. And every year I celebrate this, with an anniversary. For the last 8 or so years it includes Sushi and the local strip bar. I have carried this tradition with me from state to state....it is usually the people that are closest with me...this year the posse included James, Lora, Jenny h, Tracy, Todd, Bill E., Joshie, Margret, Addie, Clayton, and me. We had a nice time at dinner, lots of sushi eaten. Thank you for dinner, lover.

I got the most wonderful cake made for me. James had it made. My nick-name is Pork Chop. The cake was so fun.

Then we were off to the strip bar. And the story is going to end there. The people who went know how much fun was had! What up VIP, bitches.

I Love you all for celebrating with me.

xo
k

things i luv today

2009-03-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

•croutons on my potbelly salad
•my boyfriends butt
•katy perry's distorted face
•my boss jeff g.
•clean white sheets
•payday!

<3<3<3
meow,
k

spring!

2009-03-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

I have not been posting recently because I have been busy at work and trying to stay afloat. I have been doing some crafty things tho. And I figured I would tell you about them now. I got really excited about making the cards in my last post and I thought I could sew that on anything. So my new adventure in embroidery is to fine silly sayings in french/Italian/ Spanish and change them so they have swear words or something silly in them, and then stitch them onto a hoodie or something. So far it seems to be working out. I have "i fucking love you" in french sewn into my orange sweatshirt. in script. its pretty cute.

As far as anything much else? Not really much going on. I have had a couple friends visit in the last couple of weeks and its been really great. Being able to see Claire's face and see Angela giggle, has lifted my spirits. And as much as I have friends that live far away...I know they are only a plane ride away.

Money has been making me a little bummed. Everything seems to cost more, and I seem to have less and less money to do things with. Its depressing. We are in a bad spot here in the World, and I have a gut feeling it's gonna get worse before it gets better. I keep putting myself out for design/production freelance work. And my HP will provide for me. This I know.

Oh and I have someone in my life that makes me feel good. I have been learning a ton about what he does. I am glad I am with someone that has such passion. Its refreshing and nice. And I am happy to share with him. We went to the Roast Barista Jam on Friday and that was fun, we went to the chili cook off on Sunday - also super fun. Its nice to just have someone fun by my side. :)

cheers
Kai

ps...expect a fun post next week(with photos)...I am having a party!

I don't even send cards....

2009-02-20T10:47:00.000-08:00

but I am making some. And they are cute. Me and Lora had the first crafters anonymous meeting last night. And we made embroidery cards. It didn't cost much...(it was hard getting out of Michaels cheap tho) and they were pretty easy. And for some reason today, I can't stop making them. I go through fazes where I am totally into one project and it gives me joy...until I over-do it and then I forget how much joy it brought me and I am on to the next project. Kinda like my drinking. weird.
xo
k

copyrights

2009-02-11T11:15:00.000-08:00

Something weird happened to me in the last week. I had a photo that I took at my boyfriends house up on my face book profile. And I was asked to take it down, by someone I would call a friend. This person said that I may offend some rabbi's he would like to add. So being the nice friend (hee hee) I am...I removed it as my profile picture. I did not think much of it...and but was not totally comfortable with that decision. It was not about the photo...it was the reason I guess. I feel like if you have friends that are going to beoffended by other friends...then really is face book the place to add them? Whatever, I did not think to much of it.

Until, I looked and saw that this person had taken a drawing I drew from my own personal website and was using it as their profile photo?! Which seemed weird. I think this person did not know that art is a special thing like that...and unless you ask someone to use your images, it's weird and not right. I really did not know how to handle this situation. I mean, I wanted them to take down the image, which they did after a couple of times. I also wanted to know why they would ask me to change a photo of myself because it MAY offend. I know what your thinking...who cares. I mean it's not like I had my shirt off and boobs out.

end result: I changed my photo. He deleted the one he took from my web page and I deleted him from my friends. It still leaves me with a creepy feeling.

Any suggestions?

porno rugs

2009-02-06T09:16:00.000-08:00

I think my new project is going to be a latch hook rug of a naked chick. I went to the premiere of Handmade Nation last night. And it gave me some fuel for my crafty fire. I think I can make any project I set my mind to...so I am gonna start big. With a huge naked rug. I can't wait to walk all over her huge boobs. :)

3:33am

2009-01-29T07:30:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning cold...and in a panic. I am not sure what happened, in the last few days. My heart has been ripped out and I can see it on the floor bleeding. I cant stop crying at my desk (at least I don't face anyone) and the pain in my stomach feels like I just ate some rocks.

My love was real, true and pure. It was the good kind. The kind that makes you nervous. The kind that makes you want to wear your best underwear and sing songs. And cook (even when you don't know how). And be silly and know its OK. I trusted this person with my thoughts and feelings.

This is what heartbreak feels like? Is this why people write sappy songs and make bad decisions? I have been through a ton of shit in my life and every time I loose a love it feels like it hurts worse than the one before. And no deaths in my family have hurt me as much as feeling like I gave my heart and it did not work out. And in this situation today, the person says they love me too. But they have to do what they think is right, and that means not being with me.

I know that when I read this some time from now...it will hurt less and I will be still alive, sober, and living my life. I will be ok. I always am. It hurts really bad right now. It seems to me that life is too short to give up someone that shares your heart. And making the change to fix things inside you because you are worth it and the people you choose to be with are worth it, but some people don't share that feeling. They are not willing to even try. They say "they can't" and give up. And I deserve better (this is where I convincing myself) and to be treated with respect and admiration. I want to be with someone that will not lie to me.

Maybe I am getting the karma back for all the lies I have told in the past. Maybe this is a lesson I am ment to learn? Maybe this all happened for a reason. Something I can't see right now.

I do know that I can take the time I was spending on them, and put it into things I want to do for myself. Stuff that was easy to put off and shelve for another day. Well that day is today. I am alone once again (with the exception of leon...and he is tired of my tears too) and I will be fine.

wow

2009-01-23T11:50:00.001-08:00

Wang Zhijie, lives and works in Beijing. Amazing paintings.

Littlest Duffer- b/w

2009-01-22T08:06:00.001-08:00

oh mark, how i love you so...

2009-01-14T07:17:00.000-08:00

I wish I was rich so I could buy expensive art. This is not even that expensive, but lass I cant afford it. Someday for sure. Thank you Mark Ryden for still keeping your art cheap enough so I consider spending the money I am saving to pay my electricity bill, but too expensive to really do it...

*1/21/09 side note: this print sold out in less than two hours. gone. never to be hung in my house. oh well, good things come to those who wait*

hell yes, let's...

2009-01-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

I spend some of my waking time reading blogs. I needed to blog about one that I read today. Its pretty much summing up most of what is great with the world. in a nutshell.

The super details are not really needed: A girl & her dog - who have been living out of their van for the last year, are back home in Portland after traveling around finding herself. She made a divorce final and she left her wedding ring in the tip jar at a coffee house in the NE of Portland. Anonymously.

Her quote" Speaking of amazing tips, a lucky barista in NE Portland clocked out of her shift last week and rode her fixed gear bike home while wearing my wedding ring, which I uncerimoniously and anonymously removed from my right hand and tossed in the tip jar. And I didn't even force her to listen to me talking about the damn rain."

She is staying with friends now. I love people.

I think that I need to hear more about peoples self-less doings to make me realize that i get the most joy in the world helping others. And regardless of how I am doing, I need to put my stuff aside and take a backseat to someones pain and/or happiness. It feels good. Every time. All the time.

that's it.

2008, you were pretty good to me.

2009-01-04T19:52:00.000-08:00

Things I am grateful for in 2008. in no order.

• I am just celebrated my 10Th sober nye.
• my mom's health is still pretty good.
• I still love the job I go to everyday.
• I have a boyfriend that care very much for.
• I have realized that people are not anyways what they show on the outside, and in turn they can tell you things you should change and not do those thingsthemselves.
• I am learning about how NOT to have expectations.
• I have a wonderful friend Claire who has come back into my life.
• Leon the cat is doing great.
• my sponsor bill is great.
• I don't need anything.
• I have started riding a bike, and it makes me feel good.
• I still have hope in living in Portland at some point, but have just turned that shit over.
• I still have all my teeth.
• I have a great small group of people in my life that know me, and judge me very little. :)
• Rett has come into my life and let me draw this great book, and paid me for it.
• I feel safe.
• I can trust women, even if they are crazy.
• My home is great.
• I have lots of good memories from this year: riot fest, starting my book, someone leaving my life- so that opened me up to new friends, b&l's Halloween party, going to NYC for the first time, growth with some amazing people, seeing my friend James change so much, Sundays at beans, my mom and i really making changes in the way we relate...and a ton of other good stuff.

my christmas card

2008-12-27T22:26:00.001-08:00

sundae

2008-12-14T17:15:00.000-08:00

Today,I WAS inspired. From the minute I got my lazy ass out of bed, I knew I needed to put fuel to the fire. So I met Jenny at hi-fi and started drawing. I got one more page complete of my book and that feels good. We tried to make it to the bike swap, but alas it was just getting done as we got there.

So I came home and cleaned the bathroom (nothing like a dirty sink to make me creative) and decided to get rolling on the xmas gifts I had bee putting off! And here are a couple of them.

Yahoo.

digging deep

2008-12-13T09:40:00.000-08:00

I have been working on drawing this kids book for the last couple of months now. It has been fun and stressful at the same time. I have had days where the drawings just come flowing like water, and other days when I cant quite get the proportions correct and I spend more time erasing than I do drawing. And then there are times when i don't want to draw at all, like i doubt my ability. I think I have it inside, but its sometimes really hard to find.

I want to do other stupid shit with my time. Then two weeks have past, and i am still not feeling very creative. I have this wonderful set up in my house to be doing projects and i have not been using it. I told myself i wanted to make all these fun gifts for xmas and i have not made anything and i am leaving for Oregon in less than two weeks...shit.

So what do I do? I need some creative juices flowing. My friend Jenny said that there are girls in Milwaukee getting together under the name wemakeshit - I am very interested in this. Sometimes its hard to find other people that have similar interests as you...here. In Oregon everyone has some project or something going on, but i have been hard pressed to find people here with the drive and creativity. It seems like it gets drowned by the Pabst, sometimes?

I mean don't get me wrong I have some friends that are very creative. My friend Lora always produces the most amazing things, and I have two friends named Jenny H. both of them are amazing artists. And they blow my mind with the work they have put out. I am inspired by these people along with the ones that don't even know they are creative, like the way James makes the most amazing latte art on my coffee in the morning, or the way people people express themselfs through what they wear.

I have to dig deep to find these things and sometimes I can see it everyday- all the time.

thanks, now i am gonna go do something creative.

k

shortest fun

2008-11-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

Wends 11/28/08
This is going to be difficult to write. As I am on my blackberry on the train. We have been traveling now for just over 24 hours. And we are still about 2 hours from NYC. I have a splitting headache from shitty coffee and not enough water. But, its been a great time. The trip from mke to Chicago to DC last night was easy and somewhat painless. Sleeping in coach kinda blows, but we made it work. We brought lots of food and snacks so we spent very little money on food. Except the so-so breakfast this morning. I woke up and we were riding along some river in Pennsylvania. It was so so pretty. Lots of snow on the ground.

James is a super rad companion for travel. Very easy and chill. We were sharing stories and music. Its been very pleasant.

new add: 12/1/08
So I did not finish the blog on the train. My reception was bad and the emails I did send did not come through. I am back at work today and have downloaded some photos.

So we got into NYC at around seven on Thursday. Brian just happened to be coming back from the parents so he met us at Penn Station. And we all took the subway to his house on the upper west side. Super nice neighborhood. And really cute apartment. I guess its big in the New York kind of way. It was super cute and comfortable. He had made us a cute sign and had photos of us cut out and placed inside towels. He was pretty much the best host anyone could ask for. I had told him I really wanted to see the city at night from a boat or something, and go to Chinatown. We did all of that and more.

Friday: We woke early. Got dressed and headed out. Breakfast was yummy. I love that everyone uses Challa bread for the french toast. And we took the subway to Chinatown. The minute we stepped off the train, we were overpowered with people selling knock-off bags. Louie Vitton, which sounded more like ui-vitton, ui-vitton. I was gonna buy some sunglasses, but was afraid of getting angry at people for pushing shit. So i didn't. Instead i bought a shirt for my mom and some Hawaiian candy. Oh and the yummiest bubble tea, ever. lychee. yummmm.
And then we went to this really cute park to wait for RP. The park was great, lots of chinese playing some game with cards and chips...i can only assume they were gambling. And a old grandma taking a nap in her wheelchair. It was sunny and nice out.

And then we decided to walk to Gimme! coffee shop and during that time we walked through little Italy, and some of Soho. And ended up with a yummy latte at Gimme!. And then it was more walking to get some hot dogs and sit in Washington Park

(which is still under construction) and into Chelsea. It was a ton of walking but so fun. We ended up by the meat packing district. And sat by the Hudson river for awhile. My feet were killing me by then. It was so pretty though.

And then to John's pizza and had the best pizza in the city. So good. Across the street there was a place to get pedicures, so me and Brian did that. And James took off to go meet Lizz about a job at Stumptown (more about that later) and we took the train to the meeting. We also had time to stop at the biggest diesel store I had ever seen in my life. Pretty stimulating. And over-priced. All the people that worked there were assholes. And i like a scarf but it was $170 bucks!

The meeting was great. I love going to meetings in different city's. It makes me feel at home.
And then we all decided to go to the Empire States Building. It was a little cold, but so pretty at night. You could see the whole city. It was amazing.

And then to times square...which is something you have to see if you have never been to NY. its pretty amazing. I little over the top, but very cool. And then some more food. And by then we had been out on the town for 12 hours and it was time to hit the hay. I am tired all over again just writing this out. To bed we went.

Up early again, breakfast at a great diner by Brian's house. And off to the train station. By cab this time. And waited a bit and got on our train to DC. Which was an easy ride. And then to our train to Chicago. Not so easy. We just happened to get an old train with no outlets, and small bathrooms. Unlike the train there. And there were two kids behind us, the whole time. And one of them got really sick and was throwing up all night. I felt bad for her. The sound was horrible.

But all in all it was a great trip. super fast, and very very fun.
Thank you Brian for being an amazing host. And RP for making it more fun...And James for being a wonderful travel partner.

kai

colorific.

2008-11-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

I started coloring one of my pages in photoshop. That shit is pretty hard. I have a ton of layers and my file is too big to fit anywhere,but I am enjoying the results. When you look at this, please remember this is not at all what its going to look like when its totally done. Just me trying to figure out what I am doing. :)

passion fruit

2008-11-19T09:37:00.000-08:00

so me and James were at my favorite Hawaiian food place in Chicago on Saturday. And we were drinking passion lilikoi juice. And he said that in the UK the passion fruit are black. I grew up in Hawaii and the passion fruit I have eaten have been yellow. So i did my research. And here is what I have come up with.

Wikipedia told me : The two types of passion fruit have greatly different exterior appearances. The bright yellow variety of passion fruit, which is also known as the Golden Passion fruit, can grow up to the size of a grapefruit, has a smooth, glossy, light and airy rind, and has been used as a rootstock for the purple passion fruit in Australia.^[1] The dark purple passion fruit (for example, in Kenya) is smaller than a lemon, with a dry, wrinkled rind at maturity.

and here are the photos.

james

2008-11-19T09:31:00.000-08:00

the card i just finished for james. i like it. and he likes it.

roast barista jam

2008-11-19T08:07:00.001-08:00

a poster i designed earlier this summer.

nyc!!!!

2008-11-17T07:17:00.000-08:00

I am getting excited about the trip that James and I are taking to NY, next week. I am not really sure where we are going to go in the city, but i dont really care. I do know that we are only going to be there for about 30 hours total. And we are on the train for about 46 hours total. So its more about the train trip than the nyc trip. but its gonna be fun!

xk

pretty much the raddest thing

2008-11-13T12:49:00.001-08:00

no need for words....

rabbit

2008-11-12T09:36:00.001-08:00

from way back. he's cute.

xk

wet ink.

2008-11-11T06:28:00.000-08:00

well in the last 5 days I have created 3 more pages, of this kids book. I am spending all my weekends doing this. It felt a little funny, on Saturday night at 9pm when i am drawing. Other people are maybe out having fun and I am covered in pencil and erasing like a mad woman.

I sent off the pages to the writer of the book and he had some changes. But nothing major, and nothing that I was totally upset about. He loves the characters I have created and is already talking about another "my littlest..." book. So that means more characters. I am hoping for a little girl and dad story or... who knows. More books mean more $. Which is rad. And he is no hurry. No deadlines can make me procrastinate. And can also stop me from working so hard. So i set up my own deadline of the end of the year for all the pages in ink. And then start after the first of the year on the color. very exciting.

I am also a big supporter of all things local. Especially radio and WMSE is amazing. They are having their pledge drive to fund the station and in our screwed up economy its harder and harder for small independent radio stations to stay alive. I gave a little money, not that I have much. But i am more than willing to go without for a minute so that something as rad as this radio station can stay on the air. good stuff. so if your reading this...call them and give them money or go to the website and give them $ there.

cheers.
k

Punk Rock Auto Mechanics...

2008-11-07T06:38:00.000-08:00

I have to give a mini-shout out to my favorite client of the week...
Jake from Riverwest Auto. He is my fave. And here are this silly projects that I made this week. As well as being a rad client, he is a great mechanic. I never feel like I am getting screwed. I am aware I bought an expensive car, and it costs A LOT! to fix it. But he is good to me. And in turn I am good to him...and its nice that he likes my designs. In this day and age its pretty cool to be able to do design for people that have a respect for it.

And on another rant, I guess the job to have is a designer. It seems like everywhere I turn, I am running into another graphic designer. I mean I get why people want to do this...but it sure makes it hard to leave town to find a new job. My point being, if you have a good design job someplace that treats you decent, stay there. And unless some magical door opens someplace else, consider yourself lucky to not be getting someone more ranch or pushing something through a drive-thru window. Be happy that you GET to have the job you have. And don't take it for granted by being on facebook all day, poking people. :)

love u,
kai

i think i may be in love...with paper.

2008-11-06T13:26:00.000-08:00

readymech & nanibird

I have just found the most wonderful gifts.
I love ALL things crafty...and the people that make them.

thank you world.
kai

my little dude.

2008-11-05T09:01:00.000-08:00

Wow...what just happened last night? Was history just made? It was a big big deal. And as i sat at my drawing table, just around the corner from the TV that was on...I was getting excited. My friend from NY sent me a photo from his phone of being in Times Square and all the people. Pretty freaking amazing...

But as the TV was telling me that history was changing...I was trying to draw another page in this book that is unfolding underneath me. I have a plan now when I sit to draw, I have a system that gets the ball rolling. I was wondering if I could do this...make a couple of characters and stick with them. And every page I do I like more than the last. Which is good because I have a ton of pages to go...and as I am sure I will get stuck, I am still enjoying this very very much.

I like that I can keep a blog and post the pages...as they go. And it will soon tell a story, of how i re-learned to draw. What kind of style grabs my eye. I like retro stuff, but with an old school tattoo system of thicks and thins. I do need to figure out my pen situation. I have been using microns, but they don't go over the blue pencil very smooth. And so i end up erasing A TON! And that is just a waste of time. This is not something that I am confident in so I need to find a new pen. I have been looking for this one pen and i can only seem to find it online. So i guess that's where I am gonna have to buy it from.

Also i finally finished and bound the books for Brad & Lisa. They looked really good. I have not heard from them since I left them in their mailbox. Sure hope they got them. I spent my Saturday night doing that. But in the long run that project was so worth it. Oh and Riverwest Auto ( i re-designed the logo a while back) asked me to do a yellow pages ad and a non-xmas postcard for them. I heart Jake. He said I could put a skull and crossbones on it. And NO Christmas shit. rad. I really could not ask for a better mechanic and client. I will post that when its finished.

things are good. going on the train to NYC for thanksgiving. just to roam around. more before then i am sure.

xk

and so it unfolds....

2008-10-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

I spent last weekend drawing my heart out...not that this jpeg does it justice, but the overall product came out good. I feel stronger about my two characters and the process is becoming easier. I also am learning stuff about pencil/pen/blue pencil that i did not know. Like how it translates in photoshop and the steps i need to take to get the image ready to be colored.

I am really enjoying it. And the light table i snagged from work is helping too. I like the hard, but porous surface to draw on. Sometimes the table is not enough for the sharp line that i like from my trusty pencil. Me and pencils have a love hate relationship. I want to love and end up changing it all the time once i ink it all in. And inking is a whole other process that is frustrating. I have been using microns for awhile now. They do amazing things on tracing paper over pencil, but the cheap computer paper i have been using (horrible, i know) doesn't want to take the ink. So i end up putting a little ink and erasing the pencil and finishing the inking after. Not the best. I am looking for new pens. I wish i had the balls to use a quill. I know the India ink goes down so much better. But i need more practice with that.

So here is page two. And hopefully there should be a check in the mail soon. I am excited about this book and also excited about the money this book will provide. and getting paid every two pages is going to help, so i can purchase James's computer from him and start the color process at home. So bring on the $$$.

take care
Kai

ever so slightly redundent class....

2008-10-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

So i took a screen printing "class" last night. I went into it thinking we were going to be able to make an image on a screen. I was wrong. It was all about how to do this at home. And after being in the screen printing industry for many years, this was a waste of time and money. But i did learn something i had never thought of. You can take your screens off and store them flat to be used again. I guess most of the screens i had delt with were in permanent. And you had to re-claim them to use them with new images. Which becomes more expensive because you have to buy a ton of screen printing cloth. But you can use your images again and again. I like this idea.

So I may invest in some screen printing stuff. But, it may also go to the back burner with my building-a-chair idea, that i was so hyped about last week. My head is so full of great creative things to do. And yet most of them, money is needed to get started. I did figure out that my bookshelf-chair is only gonna cost me about $100 bucks. Which is rad. And to get set up screen printing, its a little more than that. I have also been wanting to make some more stencils. The ones i did make with the fabric spray paint worked pretty good. And to set it all you have to do is dry it. I like that. Maybe i will make gifts for xmas like this. And i was at the goodwill on capital the other day and noticed they have a ton of zip up used hoodies (don't tell) and i can print on those. Most of my friends don't give a shit about used clothes. :)

Also i have been thinking about doing a comic, about people i know. I like the idea of trying to close my eyes and see people that are close to me and try to draw them in a funny way. And then put them all together. Sounds fun. I have been spending what little money i do have on art books to get better at drawing the figure, and i sure with the library had more art books. :(
They tend to be a little more expensive, so i get why they don't have them.

So with the juices flowing, i am off to learn more about how to place ads and design someone's marketing ads. blah.

k

drawing & process

2008-10-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

I have been up late nights try to get these two characters (son & father) to come to life. Drawing can be very therapeutic. I have this feeling of calmness when i am drawing. and my cat sits on my feet. It feels right. I like to play some music. It chills in the back of my head and makes me feel alive.

Since I started this blog this morning, I have got my first rough sketches approved and the client is excited. And that makes me very happy. I was worried the direction I was going in was going to be wrong. my current work has a retro feel to it and it worried me a little.

but now on to final sketches and COLOR. I am going to re-learn how to color in photo shop. we will see how that goes. I wish i had a fucking computer. this is becoming a problem now. And its time to resolve it. soon. :)

So now i should go back to work and keep doing stupid clipping paths till i cant see anymore. Sometimes work is so just a paycheck. And other times its makes me so happy. I did score a rad chair today. its baby blue and looks like it came from the mental ward.

ciao
k

getting started...again.

2008-10-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

hi.

so this is my first blog of my new blog. wtf? I am working on having a site to put up photos of my freelance design work. And getting feedback. I am currently working on two projects and hope for more to come. my job doing production/design for the last 8+ years has been stuffing my creative side...that was patiently waiting for me. I think I have found it. (not that i don't like setting up files and putting boxes with ads in them at .378 from gutter...thanks for TP paying my bills while i can make stuff - i heart you job)

I am going to take care of it. And to start I have set up a good desk for it to be nurtured and caressed. I have moved my music over there and will be investing in some good 'stay at home headphones'. I plan on making all of my Xmas presents this year and now have a spot to do that. As well as paint....something I have been thinking about for awhile now. You know how musicians 'have to play' music to keep their souls alive...well i need to be making stuff. And seeing something accomplished...even if it blows. it feeds my soul and in turn my soul feeds me. so here is the start, of the new Kai. I am going to be writing when i can. I still am on the money trail...and buying a new computer may be in my future. Until then I will be blogging when i can. And i can on my silly blueberry phone, so that may help.

so keep your eyes peeled for new photos and new projects.
here is my short list for now:

new lip gloss recipes
more mini journals for small thoughts
an oil painting
kids books
a comic about alcoholics
light switch covers for everyone

pau.
k