DJG Design

On the release heels of David Seume’s “Will Ya Be My Friend” music video, DJG is one month into another big project, growing a pile of art for the debut book of Lawrence, KS writer Chad T. Johnston. The book is titled “The Stained Glass Kaleidoscope” and is a memoir of sorts surrounding creativity, inspiration and pop-culture through a spiritual lens. It has been in production since late 2007.

Creative process, cultural analysis and research for Johnston’s book can be found here. And be sure to check out the artwork creative process too! DJG has been fortunate to not only read over many drafts (and it is impressive!), but is also honored to be featured in a chapter on creativity alongside artist Henry Darger. Johnston’s interview with DJG can be found here.

Above Art & Photography by: DJG / Mar-Apr. 2010

-djg

Lots of lint in the DJG residence-work space per many cats mixed with hardwood floors. Well, if it’s not lint, then it’s hair. In honor of this, but mostly just for a fun, DJG has finished up a project that started about a year ago called “40 Days of Lint”. Actually, it’s not completely done as a big piece of art including all 40 lint kitties is still in production! For now, enjoy them individually! -djg

Lint Kitty by: DJG / 2009-2010

The first day of Spring brought six-or-so inches of snow! Many Kansas City, MO  USA residents are probably tired of it by now, but with the sun threatening to melt it all in a matter of days, DJG’s experimentation  in snow creatures continued.

Welcome Headless Snow Stallion!

It had all intentions of birthing into a whale but somehow turned into a small bodied, broken legged giraffe laying down with a 7ft.+ tall neck. When the neck came toppling, it became a horse, naturally. But, with exhaustion setting in, as well as the sun and dinner on the table, “Quits” was called and the horse left headless. It’s now a little pile of horse apples. Enjoy! (Special Thanks to Ol’ Man Winter’s March Madness!) -djg

Snow Sculpture & Photo by: DJG / KCMOUSA / Mar. 2009

What a treat to find such kind words complimenting DJG stuff on a couple blogs out there. Thanks to those who continue to slap the stuff around the internet town!

“…some­thing that’s a work of art.” -Brown Paper Bag

“Design that is organized chaos.” -Summer Blog

Thanks & Thanks! -djg

Shot by: MMG / The Brick, KCMOUSA / March 12, 2010

Thanks to those who made it out to the premiere of David Seume’s “Will Ya Be My Friend” music video by Mur Mur Man at The Brick on Friday, March 12, 2010. It was really special to play the video twice on a big screen, with a lovely set of Seume music between, as well as have DJG video production art littering the wall (pictures are sure to come crawling out of the wood work)! Thanks also go out to the great music sets from Joel Kanne and Thom Hoskins!

Here are a few pictures by MMG from the video premiere and production art exhibition.

Extra thanks to Philip James Cheaney, who couldn’t be there but was in spirit. He helped immensely with birthing this video and adding tremendous additional flavors to it. Be on the hunt for more work from DJG & PJC of Mur Mur Man in the future! After fourteen months we can close the book, but not the browser!

Go see it and share with your friends “Will Ya Be My Friend”! Go see it and share with your friends “Will Ya Be My Friend”! Go see it and share with your friends “Will Ya Be My Friend”! Go see it and share with your friends “Will Ya Be My Friend”! Go see it and share with your friends “Will Ya Be My Friend”! Go see it and share with your friends “Will Ya Be My Friend”! Go see it and share with your friends “Will Ya Be My Friend”! Go see it and share with your friends “Will Ya Be My Friend”! Go see it and share with your friends “Will Ya Be My Friend”! Go see it and share with your friends “Will Ya Be My Friend”! Go see it and share with your friends “Will Ya Be My Friend”! Go see it and share with your friends “Will Ya Be My Friend”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Special Thanks to Sheri at The Brick!)

-djg

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The video is currently making the internet rounds. Here are a few compliments and kind words! Thanks so much and thanks for sharing!

“…I walked into The Brick knowing that the video was going to be cool, but I was pleasantly surprised by David Seume’s thoughtful, breezy tunes and standout vocals…” -Karl Eggers of The Dive Poets / St. Louis, MO

“This is just beautiful. It could be a 2d sidescrolling video game. There were many levels here, a water level, a riding in a cart level, a space level. There’s alot of imagination here…great work on this inspiring work.” -Micah Buzan, Musican-Artist / Kansas City, MO

“Utterly charming, visually whimsical and breathtaking, the video for “Will Ya Be My Friend?” is a colorful stop-motion animation of imagery that illustrates the simple premise of the song without distracting from its message. Singer David Seume’s voice goes from sweet falsetto to let’s-be-real raspy. What a treat for the eyes and ears…” – Present Magazine / Kansas City, MO

“Really great animated music video for David Seume’s Will Ya Be My Friend.” -Casey Conroy (No. 22) at Quipsologies, a Division of Under Consideration

“I know such talented people. I feel very fortunate.” -Chad Thomas Johnston, Writer-Musician / The Stained Glass Kaleidoscope / Lawrence, KS

“Ooooo. Bee-utiful.” -Steve Mehallo / Designer, Writer & Educator / Sacramento, CA

“Thank you. Really, thank you. It’s a great baby. Showed it to students. Everybody loves it.” -Eric Pervukhin / Artist, Designer & Educator / Springfield, MO

“The final product sees a cutout of Seume explore a lush wonderland set to his memorable tune, inspiring relationships and adventure along the way. Fans of the original Super Mario Brothers (and other retro side-scrollers) will want to blow the dust off the ol’ 8-bit Nintendo after watching this music video. -Nerdy Frames

On Friday, March 12, 2010 singer-songwriter David Seume will debut his “Will Ya Be My Friend” music video. It will be held at The Brick in Kansas City, MO  USA. After that it will hit the world wide web running. For now, you can check out the teaser! DJG and PJC of Mur Mur Man Productions spent the better part of a year on the video and look forward to many more. In addition to the music video debut, DJG will be exhibiting some of the production art. (Special Thanks to David & Philip & Sheri!) -djg

See this DJG poster BIG!

“Judging from this teaser, this video may be one of the coolest things you’ll see all year.” – Present Magazine

“It’s gorgeous…” - The Pitch

From January to mid-year 2009, DJG set the foundation for a music video to the tune of “Will Ya Be My Friend” by Kansas City, MO singer-songwriter extraordinaire David Seume. Shorty thereafter, Philip James Cheaney of Ursuline Design in New York City took the controls. Together, DJG + PJC = Mur Mur Man.

Ladies and gentlemen, here it is…well, at least the teaser for our three headed child! The final product will debut on March 12, 2009 at The Brick in KCMOUSA. After that, it will be up on the wires for everyone to dive into. (Special Thanks to DS & PJC & The Brick & Present Magazine!) -djg

Video by: DJG & PJC of Mur Mur Man / KCMONYCUSA / 2009-2010

PS: The month of Frienduary, go grab Seume’s debut record “It Is What It Is” for only $2, yep two bucks! Do it!

Last year a great book curated and designed by Ethan Bodnar  titled “Creative Grab Bag” was well-received. A select group of artists were given different artistic tasks pulled from a hat and then delivered the goods! DJG was so glad to include some work (a painting and a personal art piece) for the publication, as well as have some friends involved!

Now, Ethan has put together an exhibition of select “Creative Grab Bag” art to be on display at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, CT February 19 – March 4, 2010. It isn’t known if DJG has work in the show, but regardless check it out if you’re in the area and take some pictures…maybe even buy a book! More information can be found at Ethan’s site.

(Special Thanks to Ethan!)

-djg

“Mid America Manifesto”, 1819 Central Gallery’s fantastic 5 state poster and print showcase is moving to Czar Bar in Kansas City, MO  USA on Friday, February 26, 2010. If in the KCMOUSA area, check it out! DJG has a handful of things in it! The exhibition won’t be available to see much longer! More information can be gathered at the following links.

1819 Central Gallery Official Site / 1819 Central Gallery Facebook

The  feed sack poster at the top was tag teamed by DJG and Never Sleeping! The artist behind the Czar Bar version (above and yellow) is unknown at this time, but thanks for the extended exposure!

(Special Thanks to Scott and Ben and Billy and Czar Bar!)

-djg

In what may be equally the most flattering and weirdest-cool thing in recent memory, somebody out there in the world at a blog called GRAFFITV has made a video tribute to DJG poster art…and set it to music! It’s almost as if DJG has died or something? Perhaps in some ways. Regardless, if you’ve got seven minutes to spend on DJG then this is it! (Thanks so much Graffitv!) -djg