Drawing Stories with Travis Millard
Episode 2: What if Travis was Rusty?

It was held over Travis’ head for many years that his parents almost named him Rusty. Here, Travis ponders what direction his life would have gone, what turns it would have taken, what riches may have been gained if he was a “Rusty.”

I know the two names I might have been named. One is now my middle name. The other sounds is a Russian name that sounds like “napkin” in spanish.

I’m Cuban. I love pinball machines. This blows my mind.

tiltwarning:

Cuban artist Abel Barroso’s 2012 installation “A Country, An Illusion (Un Pais, Una Ilusión)” features pieces dealing with the themes of borders, geography and emigration, all filtered through the artist’s signature wry sensibility. The centerpiece work, The Emigrant’s Pinball Machine (Pinball del Emigrante), is composed of seven interactive games, each offering the hope of entry into a glamorous capitalist city, symbolized by a row of skyscrapers. These wooden creations—eschewing the colors, lights and sounds of traditional pinball machines—depict various methods of getting there, but the illusory nature of the quest is evident.

Paper Boobs
Daddy Push

Sneak peek and info for new Crankbunny How-to book series!

I haven’t been updating facebook and the official twitter Crankbunny shop feed. Busy busy me has been hunkered down writing and doing all the art for my latest book project. (Official name will be released at the end of May)

Unlike the last book - Paper Puppet Palooza - which was printed with a publisher, I will be jumping happily into the “self-publishing” pool and releasing the book through Crankbunny. This is something that makes me scream and growl with joy.

The new how-to book will actually be a series of small storybook tales that focus on making and learning how to make pop up cards, paper doll puppets and paper toys. Each book will have a few projects in them and focus on a particular paper craft technique (that way if you have NO interest in paper dolls, you can skip that tomfoolery).

Because it is self-publishing and printed in low runs, Crankbunny will have full control of the artwork, themes and content. I can put out a new book in the series within a couple of months (instead of… years). These books will also be printed and hand assembled in the United States (not in Singapore, shipped by barge across the world…).

I love how-to books —- but they are dry and never do a good job of fostering imagination and wonder. I believe only “hybrid storybook telling” and “instruction” can do this. Each book will make the individual reader / future creator feel special, unique and inspired.

The book series will also be chocked with fun personal extras that a large publisher would never be able to wrap it’s many cogged-wheeled head around. Like what? Well, one example is… Each book in the series will have additional project materials, templates and video content accessible only through the internet with special secret passcodes. And ofcourse, there will be a digital version of the book also available.

“Faux Accords”
FUTUREBRITE

Futurebrite formed due to a chance encounter between Oakland denizen Karen Kanan Correa (vocals) and Brooklynite Josh Grant (production) on an airplane. After their current projects faded out, the coed duo decided to collaborate in Grant’s studio overlooking the East River. What spawned was beat-heavy electro pop with a dark edge but also melodic enough to redeem itself as romantic. Read more about the future release here!

I like fireworks. A ton. So this video is awesome. It reminds me of the time I lived in Northern Michigan. I was able to see the huge Fourth of July fireworks display they did over Lake Michigan right on the beach. The fireworks were so close that they were above everyone lying on the sand. I screamed out “IT’S LIKE SKY SCULPTURE!” Everyone started laughing and clapping.

I also have know Miss Karen K C for way too long. She is one of my oldest friends and super talented. Everything she does is amazing and inspiring. I think about her daily.

The Robohand Project - 3D-printed hands for children and adults who are missing fingers or entire hands.

Makerbot has released an inspiring video about how a group of hackers started a project that aims to take the cost and complexity associated with hand prosthesis out of the process.

Read the full blog post from Makerbot here to learn more about the project.

Donate to the project!

Another reason I love the folks at Makerbot & Resistor! (Resistor is hack / inventor collective in Brooklyn that is associated with Makerbot. I would take classes there sometimes).