Look Closer...

It is finaly done.
The fruits of some intense labor.
It was a long road to getting this done, but it turned out pretty good.
Check it out.

this is what it looks like, being tired...

some people spend their lives making their mark on the world.
i get paid to do it for other people.
hope I don't forget to make my own

somewhere along the way, it begins to reveal itself to you.

to my friends, Robin and Ian

this summer has been a poignant one for me. i have had the privilage of attending several weddings (including my own). part of me wants to mourn the loss of something that i can't quite put my finger on. our lives certainly have changed in the years that we first knew each other, and in many ways, we have each taken the path, that will inevitably move us towards the realizations of our own stories and at the same time, strangely, away from each other’s. it's a life i used to fear and assume (naively) was about giving up. choosing one path inevitably excludes so much that it can look like settling to someone who has yet to make those choices that start their own paths.

my point is this. i see now that we are all moving towards something far more rewarding than i ever thought possible, something sweeter. this adulthood that i feared for so long is about settling... but in a way i could have never understood. it is about finally making the choices that allow us to be the people we never knew we could be. it is about making choices bigger than us in the hopes that we will learn to be better than we are now. it's about faith. and it's more beautiful than anything we could have done in our youths.

congratulations Robin and Ian. two of the most inspiring and beautiful people i know. it has been a privilege to know you both and watch you grow. may each step you take together be sweeter than the last.

www.dancepoddance.com

Alright folks.
It is finally here.
We have been working a long time now, and I can finally say that Dancepod is going down. Please check out the web site we have created for further info.
09.09.06
11pm Portland
Party with Berlin, Mexico City and NY
all at once.
Big ups to Marty.
Way to go all!
visit www.dancepoddance.com for more.

handle with care.

my little brother.

My younger brother, Ryan, got married this weekend to his love, Amy. Congradulations to the both, and welcome to the family Amy. Times like these really expose how fast this all goes. Make time.

and yet it can still tun your heart inside out with it's beauty...

blood for ink.

Happy birthday Dave!

where the heart is.

Oh sweet lord, how the days just grow in beauty.
I'm finally starting to feel like I'm home.
Spring does that. Sets you straight.

I've been sick the past weeks. I miss my friends.

Just got one of the most beautiful cd's I've listened to in a while.
"The Pirates Gospel" by Alela.
You have to send her some money, and she sends you back a handmade package.
visit www.aleladiane.com to buy one of her gems.

always.

yes.

a long week...

lots of lost sleep.
thinking on the toes.
new friends made (good to work with you James)
good to get something made.
good to be back home now too.

ohh...

okay.
So I saw this one on the way to work, and I had to walk all the way back home to grab my camera.
Either this is a "tag" done by some genius who lives on my block, or this is a really random thing.
I read "tag" immediately, but only from one angle, when you walk around the tree it totally changes and doesn't spell anything.
Either way... an amazing thing.

happy birthday, baby.

The Swells

Come see the beginning of something big.
Marty Schanpf and co. will be presenting a lecture / perfomance on his newest (and most ambitious project to date) dancepod.
Come hear some amazing words in conjunction with beautiful participatory performance led by Tahni Holt (choreographer of Monster Squad). Believe me, this is more than a lecture. And you will be able to say that you were there when it all started.
Join the revolution.

Tomorrow.
8:00
The Student Union
Reed College.

feeling... dizzy...

I am driving a few blocks from my house, when I look up at a stop light to see the face of my friend Alana's face looking down at me from the RED LIGHT billboard. You can't help but start to wonder if this is some sort of strange dream. If it is, what does it mean? I immediately crashed into the Cinemagic building in front of me.

Alana is the one on the left. She is now overlooking all of Hawthorne.

good job.

lucky.

Spent the whole day working on getting my up-and-coming wedding in order.
Man, am I glad I found her.

Check out the latest screen printed poster... more in the works.
Dave, let's get together an make something cool for the wall. (you too Eric)

thankyou.

I want to thank everyone for making last night a success.
Good to see so many friends and loved ones in one place.
4 of 5 paintings sold in 3 hours!
Thanks to the patrons of the arts who were willing to spend their well earned cash on my humble attempts. (Driscoll+Bonnie, Robin+Ian, Delaney, and an unnamed investor (thanks mom)).
Already getting inquiries about future stuff...
I wonder if I have started something bigger than I had thought.
Still one lonely painting left. 3 more weeks on the wall.

Working feverishly to get a more propper web site up to show you guys all of the other stuff I have been working on. I think the screen prints could be a really cool way to get my stuff to people without such a hefty price tag. I also have a bunch of smaller paintings that folks might like. Still working to get the rest of my large paintings done.

Here we are now.

If you are reading this, it is most likely that you have visited the Aalto lounge and have seen my recent paintings.
Thanks for taking the time.
What is this site?
well... it's a blog, sorta.
Actually it's a really easy way for me to get hold of you.
That's the whole point of all of this.

Introductions.
toholdyou. is an art based design collective.
It is collective in that I am a designer that tends to work in many mediums, and work with many talented folk.
Sometimes I am making T-shirts, sometimes I am making soundtracks. Every time I am trying to get closer to you.
that's it.
We all have our day jobs. Mine's in the graphic design field.
In everything I do, I am trying to change the way you see things.
This is my attempt to do it for good.

I would really like to meet you, if I haven't already. It's always good to share ideas.
If you have any ideas, you should feel free to let them be known here.
Or e-mail me (sean@toholdyou.com).
This site will ultimately become much more than a blog. It will be a place to share my ideas and use you as a sounding board. We can work together or separately. Our world will get smaller and smaller.

I can't wait.

It's your's if you really want it, Robin. (not this one. the one on the invite.)

There will be a big huge sticker on the painting (on the invite below) tomorrow for you, Robin.

I have just put the finishing touches on the paintings...
I have no idea what to expect from this effort.
I hope it will bring us closer.

Here is another painting for you to enjoy.
Pictures from the show to follow.

ART SHOW!

Come see my show this Friday!
It was a last minute thing, but I am glad for the opportunity.
Tell everyone you know, and have a drink with me.

Friday, February 10.
8pm
Aalto Lounge
34th and Belmont.

still trying...

you should go to this.

Here is something I think everyone should see. It is a performance put on by my dear friends Tahni and Marty. They are both so incredibly ambitious and talented that it will definitely make you re-examine what you are doing with your time. On top of that, the performance is stunningly beautiful.
This is the poster that I designed for the occasion. It is in the process of getting screen printed and plastered around town. Thanks DISJECTA and the Regional Arts & Culture Council for fronting the cash!

happy damn new year!

The key to a rediculous end to a rediculous year.
1. Buy your fiance as much booze as you can afford (long island ice tea works fine).
2. Shake your ass to DJ Aquaman @ Berbatis.
3. Go to an afterparty @2:30, lie your way onto the guest list, and then steal their beer.
4. Swear off drinking in '06.

Here's hoping it gets better...
not that I can complain.