Scott Campbell: Make It Rain

by Karen Day

Born and raised in a fishing camp along the banks of a muddy bayou in rural Louisiana, all the esteemed tattoo artist Scott Campbell wanted to do as a youngin' was "draw pictures all day long." That aspiration is today a reality, with the results on display not only on the bodies of some lucky individuals, but in his first major solo presentation opening this weekend at O.H.W.O.W. in Miami, which will showcase his neo-baroque aesthetic via sculptures, paintings, drawings and photography.

Before opening up Saved Tattoo in Brooklyn, Campbell worked as an illustrator. Realizing that inking was a way to keep both himself and his pocket happy, he set off to travel the world and refine his craft. Master it he did, and these days he applies that same logic to laser cutting, which he uses to etch everything from laptops and books to leather chairs, tables, paintings and dollar bills.

His underlying wit and antiquated stylizing dovetailed with his sheer drawing skills and passion for tattooing have made Campbell one of the most sought-after artists in the world and positively redefined how we view the art form.

More images after the jump.

Make It Rain Opening reception: 11 April 2009, 8pm-midnight
Beginning 11 April 2009
O.H.W.O.W. Gallery
3100 NW 7 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33127 map
tel. +1 305 633 9345

One Light Art Lamps

by Bailee Wolfson

Remastering old tea sets, trumpets, helmets and more into one-of-a-kind lamps, Howard Dernberger sources treasured vintage items from the home and around town to recycle them into lamps for his line called One Light Art Lamps.

Dernberger, who has been making lamps since his childhood, takes care to preserve the original object in the process of making them. It's this impeccable attention to detail that breathes new life into the antique objects, making each one truly unique and joining function with the art of collecting.

With an ever-changing inventory, it's best to contact Dernberger directly (see below) for an updated list of his latest creations. Or, if you find yourself in Northern California, stop by Verdigris in the small town of Occidental (where we first discovered his lamps) or Christensen-Heller Gallery in Oakland. (See location and details on his site.) Dernberger is also happy to customize any heirloom or coveted antique you would like made into a lamp.

Contact Dernberger by email (artlampsby1light [at] comcast [dot] net) or visit the One Light Art Lamps website for more information about his work and to browse his collection of one-off lamps.

Telegramstop

by CH Contributor

by Laura Neilson

As older methods of correspondence become more obsolete in today's digital age, TelegramStop brings the best of the old and the new world. Through the company's website, anyone can send vintage-era telegram to any country in the world for a flat fee of $4.70.

After typing in a message on TelegramStop's homepage and previewing how the telegram will look, it's dispatched via post to its recipient. Harkening back to the authentic telegrams of Western Union's heyday, words appear in a classic typewriter font on vanilla-colored paper stock with the text "[STOP]" inserted wherever you punctuate with a period. Delivery usually takes 4-6 business days.

Founded by Mark Sehler and Ranjan Tharmakalusingham only a month ago, the Melbourne, Australia-based enterprise has already become a popular alternative to e-mails and traditional greeting cards. "It pretty much confirmed our thinking that the romance of the humble telegram as a form of communication has been lost in the modern world," notes Sehler.

The duo are currently working on new features, including an option to write your telegram in advance and specify for a later dispatch date, as well as special template designs for different occasions.

Pow Wow!

by Doug Black

The bond between brothers can be a tumultuous one, but the musical fruits are plentiful. Just ask the Kinks' Davies brothers, the Greenwoods of Radiohead or the National, who can claim two sets of brothers. This grand tradition extends to Brooklyn-via-Jersey siblings Edward and Jeff Nazareno, who perform under the moniker pow wow! The two have been playing music independently for more than 11 years, but only decided to join forces three years ago. And starting last year, they began to record and produce a string of poppy gems in their Brooklyn studio.

Adopting some of the best sonic elements of the last half century, pow wow! have a studied timelessness. Slurred vocals echo Spoon's Britt Daniel, which perfectly pair with the songs' apathetic take on love and romance. The song "23 19" has the meandering guitar riffs and vocal delivery of the Velvet Underground, while "You Can Take Me" could be a '70s soft rock standard.

Rounded out by a full band, pow wow! are busy playing New York area shows, with a July tour that will stretch from Montreal to Florida. To keep up with the band and, more importantly, download a bunch of their songs, take a look at their blog.