toholdyou.

Make Over Take

2011-06-19T20:41:00.001-07:00

I've moved shop.

I'm phasing out toholdyou.com and can be found at makeovertake.com

Come on by and check it out.

endless ocean endless sky

2007-10-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, but I've been busy.
Just finished a sereies of two posters to commemorate the performance of a dear friend, Tahni Holt.
"endless ocean endless sky", is a dance performance told in 100 chapters through movement, light, sound, and architecture.
It also happens inside of a giant inflatable iceberg.
Definitely worth seeing.

oct 11-14
the commons: PNCA

check it out her site here for more.

I will be selling both of these hand screened posters in an edition of 35 each @ $16 a pop or $30 for both.
They will be available at the performance, but contact me if anyone wants to claim one ahead of time.

You can also buy them online here.

it's all for you... it's for you all.

2007-07-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

just finished another series. starting to draw some connections here. more to come, i hope.
the goal it to get a few different ones and then possibly a show? possibly selling? who knows.

done.

2007-07-17T17:10:00.001-07:00

Hot off the presses.
8 color screen print.
Hand pulled in my basement.
Edition of 25.
Feels good to get something made.

this just in...

2007-06-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

look at what I just got.
If you are really nice to me, I might stamp your hand.
If you're really, really nice to me... I will stamp whatever you want.
This is going to be great for keeping track of who has paid to get into my house.

pick one

2007-06-30T19:01:00.000-07:00

screen printing... in the works.

never closer.

2007-06-26T22:34:00.001-07:00

spell it out.

2007-06-26T21:49:00.000-07:00

A friend, and fellow co-worker, Ben has started his own web site dedicated to the beauty of typography. Thought type was boring? You're not exposed to thisdayintype.com. If you got what it takes, you may just be able to make his calendar.

check it out

I even got to have a go at Memorial Day.

Visit my day.

I'm Famous!

2007-06-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

Finally, I am being recognized as the model I truely am.
This is the latest Nixon ad we've made, starring skate phenom Paul Rodriguez Jr.
Of course, anyone that knows my work (or my smarmy jacket) will realize that it's my wrist highlighted in the shot.
I wasn't threatened at all to have P-Rod in the ad as well. I hope it gives him some street cred.
A nice mashup of work from two amazing photographers (Jason Nocito and Ray Gordon).
It was fun how we pulled this one together.

Now I sit back and wait for the royalties roll in...

read me.

2007-06-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

I have been reading this book lately and really digging it.
I especially dig it because it was written by my favorite Portland performance artist-come-movie director-come-writer.
The fact that most of the storries are both messed up and beautiful helps too.
Oh yeah... and the jacket that comes in either yellow or bright pink.
I liked the yellow.

swallow

2007-06-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to post this for a while.
My good friends Marty Schnapf and Tahni Holt and a few other folks put together a little performance/ concert about a month back. It was all for the finale of Marty's installation at the downtown Stumptown called "the swallows", in which Marty had projected a series of words on the wall of Stumptown.
10 of us (Marty, Tahni, Sarah Farrell, Tom Thorson and Nancy (interiors project), Jesse Lichtenstein, David Neevel, Liam Kenna (Megadome, Snuggleups), and Katie O'Brien-Clarke (Iretsu)) all created a song around the words from Marty's show. The fun part was that each of us joined in and contributed to each others songs. It was all strung together by a performance/drinking game conceived by Marty and Tahni. Hard to explain, but it worked.

Lots of folks showed up for the performance, and although we didn't have much of a sound system (or stage for that matter) everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

The best part for me was meeting a ton of cool new people. I hope to stay in touch.

my contribution.

long time coming

2007-06-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

this one too.
if you can, listen to the song "the risen lord" by will oldham off his album "black/rich music".
it's killing me right now, not sure why now.
"now I must conquer the fear of life"

this is what I have been doing currently...

2007-06-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

in answer to the question.
been getting into painting again.
not sure what direction it's going right now.

i have to say something if i want to sing....

2007-06-07T23:13:00.000-07:00

my legs are so tired from all this standing still.

when we touch...

2007-06-06T23:16:00.000-07:00

it's spring.
everything is burgeoning.
i can feel it.

forgive my lateness.

2007-06-05T00:10:00.000-07:00

things are on the horizon.
i don't think I will be keeping this site as it is now.
much more interested in connecting with more image than word.
thinking about making a change...
stay posted.

currently.

2007-02-08T22:51:00.001-08:00

new

2007-01-16T07:55:00.000-08:00

resolved to do more good.
resolved to see you more.
resolved to say something worth saying.
still trying.

Look Closer...

2006-12-03T13:29:00.000-08:00

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...

2006-10-28T18:57:00.000-07:00

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.

2006-10-09T23:55:00.000-07:00

to my friends, Robin and Ian

2006-09-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

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

2006-09-07T23:30:00.000-07:00

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.

2006-06-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

my little brother.

2006-06-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

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...

2006-06-15T23:13:00.000-07:00

blood for ink.

2006-06-05T15:40:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday Dave!

2006-05-22T21:44:00.000-07:00

where the heart is.

2006-05-02T13:23:00.000-07:00

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.

2006-04-17T23:40:00.000-07:00

yes.

2006-04-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

a long week...

2006-04-16T20:39:00.000-07:00

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...

2006-04-11T23:51:00.000-07:00

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.

2006-03-21T00:25:00.000-08:00

The Swells

2006-02-28T22:30:00.000-08:00

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...

2006-02-20T20:38:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-02-19T21:35:00.000-08:00

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

2006-02-11T14:43:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-02-11T12:33:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-02-10T18:33:00.000-08:00

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.)

2006-02-10T00:57:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-02-09T02:01:00.000-08:00

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...

2006-01-18T21:24:00.000-08:00

you should go to this.

2006-01-03T22:54:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-01-03T00:39:00.000-08:00

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.

the joy of melting.

2005-12-26T09:42:00.000-08:00

Things to do before your heart seizes from the dulling frustration of a desk job…

1. Visit a sunny fishing village in Mexico in the middle of December.
2. Do not make plans of any sort.
3. Get by on only the Spanish you know or can pick up… throw your other languages away. (they are not necessary and only confuse things)
4. If you can, have 15-20 baby sea turtles hatch under your sun chair while you are lying on the beach. They are so cute and you meet so many people that come up to look.
5. Eat cactus and other fruits, vegetables, and meats you have never before eaten. (you will find them to be good, and perhaps you will gain a healthy cactus addiction)
6. Close your eyes.
7. Breathe.
8. Be thankful.

the sounds of soothing...

2005-12-14T21:32:00.000-08:00

So the day finally came. The release of the "Soothing Sounds of Joel Kinunen" album, produced by my friends Dave and Seth. It was a real nice final product with 27 rad tracks from all sorts of folks (I even contributed one). The idea was to take a phone message that Dave and Seth had been collecting from Joel, and incorporate it into a soothing song.
The whole while, Joel was completely in the dark. Until last Saturday, at Binks, when David, Seth, and my other buddy, Eric played their soothing songs to a crowd of people, including Joel.

Check out the fruit of dickbirds loins at "http://www.dickbird.org/music/ssojk/ssojk.html". David did a beautiful job with the final product, and he even has some for sale (15$?!... THAT'S an F'ING STEAL!) Buying one would make an awsome gift for baby Jesus' birthday.

love,
sean

check it.

2005-12-07T21:27:00.000-08:00

check this out. it is my latest screen print screen. one of these days i am going to get hold of some t-shirts and put this stuff on them. then watch out...
OH! by the way.
I was listening to KEXP (my favorite radio station out of Seattle) and I heard this awesome cover of the Tegan and Sara song "Walking with a Ghost", covered by the White Stripes. I cant seem to get this song out of my mind... out of mind... out of my mind.
Tomorrow. DancePod warm-up party. The Avalon. DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION! and a bag of quarters. Pictures to follow, if you are lucky. Who are you?

lord?

2005-12-05T21:04:00.000-08:00

lord, i would like to thank my little brother chris for helping spread the glorious word of the holiday neck beard. and lord, i would like to thank david neevel for shepherding the revolution that is the holiday neck beard. and lord, if it isn't too much to ask, i was hoping that you might bestow on me the ability to grow a neckbeard, instead of a balding goat patch on my face... oh god, please. thanks lord. don't forget to visit dickbird.org to keep up with the revolution.

latest screen design

2005-12-03T17:30:00.000-08:00

Something Both Strange and Wonderful...

2005-11-29T22:00:00.000-08:00

Here we go.