Category > Consumed by Creativity
John Bonadies runs his own graphic design business in Champaign, Ill. and I stumbled upon his wickedly amazing talent through a friend who forwarded me his Kickstarter project: a virtual letterpress for the iPad. There are so many Kickstarter projects out there, it is almost overwhelming. But, when people have an exciting concept and they have already completed a huge majority of the legwork — how can one not support such a project? On April 21, the project was fully …
Local artist Jillian Nickell is phenomenal. Her illustrations are well-crafted, full of imagination, and extremely elaborate. I found out about Jillian's work through posters she had created for local music shows. But it doesn't stop there. Her artwork is available in quite a few places and in various forms. Jillian's work (a playful collection of animals in the form of sewing supplies and a trip down memory lane to the playground) can also be found on the beloved Threadless site …
Sara Czosnyka's designs blow my mind. I've never truly been a hat person — but I want practically every hat Sara makes because of her attention to detail and her innovative use of materials. These hats are sexy and before commercial clothing stores jumped on the hat bandwagon, Sara was pumping out some amazing pieces of her own. Her company, Process and Content, constantly receives rave reviews nationwide. And as a former U of I student, Smile Politely caught up …
Not only is Bonnie Fortune (above on the right) a third year MFA student and educator in Art and Design, but she is also the curator for the newest exhibit, EveryBody!: Visual Resistance in Feminist Health Movements, 1969-2009, at I space — the University of Illinois' art gallery in Chicago. EveryBody!, according to Fortune, is an exhibition dealing with radical visual culture surrounding feminist health movements past and present. It combines video, web, mural, poster, performance, illustration, and even wallpaper …
Tyler Bergfield is a feverish painter. Not only does he sell some of his work on Etsy along with his girlfriend, Millie, but he also shows his artwork around Champaign-Urbana. I was first introduced to Tyler's art on my former roommates' wall. It was a cross-section of a slice of meat. Fleshy and raw, it was so realistic and detailed, you could almost pick it off the wall and smack it right down on the grill. For being someone who …
Tomorrow at 9 a.m., Art Mart in Lincoln Square Village will be hopping like any other Saturday morning during Market season. But this particular day marks the beginning of something we hope will become a new tradition. Art Mart will be enlisting in the help of Chef Matt Zagorski, a well-known pie chef who knows his way around the kitchen more than most people. his (fairly short) life as a chef has already led him to appearances on the Food …
Former editor of Smile Politely, Lindsey Markel, has her hands in almost everything. She's a modern-day Renaissance woman. Her newest project called, You Are Among Friends, is a magazine to empower girls and young women alike. It can also be found as a free podcast featuring local musicians and thinkers. So, here's to Lindsey and all the work she does. We miss you here at Smile Politely. Let us begin: Name: Lindsey J. Markel Sparkle Location: downtown Champaign, Ill. Consumed …
Jessica Phillppe, aka J. Phlip, grew up in Champaign, and after deciding to become a DJ, developed a fast following as one the finest around. Her "Twice as Nice" series with DJ Mertz at the former Nargile turned plenty of heads each week, and she went on to spin at basically every joint in town that featured DJs. After she won a contest called Beauty and The Beats, she did a little touring with DJ Collette, a well-known house DJ …
I stumbled upon Bethany Cooper’s artwork while I was searching Etsy’s local galleries. Bethany’s work is extremely affordable and also very darling. I received so many compliments on my bee earrings and pendant, I had to spread the word about these little gems. Two pieces I’d like to buy next: the red bird and the bunny cameo pendants. Or perhaps the peeking snail. It’s so hard to choose because I truly admire all her work. When going to purchase gifts …
Cynthia Oliver’s proverbial plate is piled high. In no particular order, she’s a mother, professor, poet (with her body and on paper), dancer, an artist, choreographer…the list seems endless and demanding — yet she always appears calm and collected. On her website, a quote she wrote reads, “In my work I want to get dirty, acknowledge demons, hail the angels, tell secrets and celebrate conflicted, complicated, glorious lives fully lived.” And oh — does she ever. On that note, Smile …
Most Recent Arts Comments
nice fishnets you’ve got there, dan!
Soo is smile politely in the business of editing comments? Interesting. Way to preserve our 1st am.
great. another TGIF documentary.
This movie is a throwback in the best possible way. Such a delight. By the last scene, I was actually grinning ear to ear!
There are plenty of war movies that do not show one second of fighting or death or blood. There are many feel good war movies. This movie is meant to be inspirational and uplifting. I don’t watch the boondocks because that show is degrading and racist. I…
I think Cameron and scorsese are addicted to the innovations of movies rather than the actual movies themselves. As we saw in Avatar. The look was amazing but the tale was as old as time haha. And as far as Scorsese is concerned he’s made plenty of…
thank gha’al for dan hill
You are right, the Scorsese “vision” of the future is much more horrifying. This actually surprises me because Cameron seems like the MOAR MOAR MOAR TECHNLOGY!!! guy. What does Scorsese even mean “there is no subject matter that can’t absorb 3D?” Yeah a sensitive love story could…
What type of war movie is a “feel good” movie. Look out Hitla, here we come!!!! That doesn’t make them seem as educated men like the Tuskeegee were. Take that Mista Hitla… It was garbage and a the Boondocks creator wrote the script. Have you ever heard…
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Most Recent Comments
Nope. It’s the back (east) side of Urbana Tire Company at 202 S. Vine. How much is a hug and kiss worth? Do I have to take them all at once or can I break it up?
FACT: Silverfish feed only on carbohydrates, such as starches and sugars. They will not consume proteins or fats (the main materials from which human beings are constructed). THUS: That was not actually a human waiter we were conversing with, but rather a lifelike simulacrum created from semi-digested Fruit Loops.
nice fishnets you’ve got there, dan!
is that illini auto on main?
The geniuses at the News-Gazette site have it all figured out. This happened because we don’t have the Chief!
Pamela - Are the roasteries in Seattle as clean as CSR? It always disturbs me a little that it is so clean in there.
Now you will be able to munch on pizza and shrimp cocktails in downtown Urbana (whilst a DJ spins?) after your dissolution of marriage http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/features/its-your-business/2012-02-05/its-your-business-new-pizza-place-downtown-urban Is this a franchise of a Reno pizza joint, or just a coincidence of name? http://www.blackrockpizza.com
Signs someone is “fishing” for a factual anchor: 1. Starts call to radio with: “I’ve been an Illini fan for (XX) years” or “I’m a diehard fan,” as if somehow that unverifiable claim will justify the 5 minutes of B.S. that follows. 2. Makes reference to KenPom…
That’s what she said.
Black dog and Siam terrace is where I always go after my divorces.
Love CSR. Apart from making my way through the regular roasts in 1/2 pound increments, I also like to pick up some of the little sample packets of the flavored stuff for when the lady and I feel like getting crazy. Sticky Bun is pretty nice.
If you happen to be getting a divorce, or fighting a DUI prosecution, downtown Urbana is a great place to eat.
HUUUUUUGE fan of their Black Velvet roast…It makes up about 75% of my coffee intake. LOL CSR is definitely one of those Champaign institutions that I brag about to people not from here. :-)
We like CSR too! We french press at home and I leave the lid off while it steeps—letting the ground beans bloom. Then, like in your tasting, I scoop off the top layer before pressing. We really need to invest in a burr grinder though, as I…
Confidential? In this state? Hahahahahahahhahahaha
just confirmed: there will be white russians served. the art abides.
big lebowski at the art. mark it, dude.
There’s a great video promo out for “Company” too: http://vimeo.com/36077847
Wow, His Majesty took the time to answer your polite plea. It’s been a while since I spoke fluent arrogance, but allow this attempt at a translation: “I deeply regret the embarrassment…” = I wish we hadn’t got caught and it wasn’t a big deal really. “...and…
I love the Guitars
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FACT: Silverfish feed only on carbohydrates, such as starches and sugars. They will not consume proteins or fats (the main materials from which human beings are constructed). THUS: That was not actually a human waiter we were conversing with, but rather a lifelike simulacrum created from semi-digested Fruit Loops.