Hey, the 2010 season for Shakespeare & Company is live on their site and tickets are for sale! You can follow this link and see a cool preview of the brochure which will be in mailboxes in a week or two. We’re happy with how this came out this year – some great strong images and a nice overall design that is hitting on all cylinders. Check it out, buy some tix!

The first 5 copies of “Imagining Shakespeare” just arrived via UPS from Hong Kong! The rest are on a slow boat somewhere – I don’t have a delivery date yet but I will let everyone know as soon as I have a solid date for the distribution and signing party.

These are the first copies we have gotten and they are gorgeous – beautifully printed and they smell good (designers know what i mean – that lovely smell of fresh ink hot off the press). What a treat.

Excellent NING portal to designingamuseum.org – an interesting project that has multiple facets – bringing to life a design-centric museum (virtual at this point, in terms of permanent location) but also the idea of a crowd-sourced “create a new museum from scratch” project. I’m still working through the deep website (for those who don’t know, .ning is a social-networking platform that can be used by individuals and organizations to create stand-alone social networks around particular topics or interests. Check it out at ning.com )

Hey Berkshire Creatives – take a look – we can work with these folks AND we can look at this idea as well in terms of some of the stalled ideas and projects that we have had. Also, wicked cool embedded document solution using issuu.com that I just discovered and am totally stoked on! Stay tuned!

Check out the top-ten list from Lesley Ann Beck for why YOU should be at RADIOACTIVE!. #11 – Getting your photo taken with your kick-ass friends by Borg-Paparazzo, GPS enabled, FULLY wired Kevin Sprague! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5260273&l=e902a1708b&id=607168355

When is the thunderbolt going to happne?

Photographer Kevin Sprague To Speak at Norman Rockwell Museum During Artist & The Photograph Lecture on February 27

Published on 24 February 2010 by DHeck in Blog, Press Release – Current

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Photo by Kevin Sprague. �Kevin Sprague. All rights reserved.

Berkshire photographer Kevin Sprague will present a lecture about his work at Norman Rockwell Museum on Saturday, February 27, starting at 5:30 p.m. The event is part of the new lecture series The Artist & The Photograph: Contemporary Perspectives, presented in conjunction with the Museum%u2019s current exhibition %u201CNorman Rockwell: Behind the Camera.%u201D Mr. Sprague will explore contemporary uses of photography, including digital composition and photographic narrative; a reception with the artist will follow. Admission to the event is $10, $7 for Museum members.

Kevin Sprague is a photographer, graphic designer, and visual artist living and working in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. He is the author or %u201CImagining Shakespeare,%u201D about his imaging work for the theatre; the graphic novel %u201CMuse;%u201D and the novel %u201CViewfinder.%u201D The owner of the design and marketing agency Studio Two, Mr. Sprague%u2019s images can be seen across media in collateral materials, posters, web sites, fine art collections, magazines and book covers. Past exhibitions include %u201CPostmarks,%u201D an evolving series of digital compositions featuring floral elements with antique correspondence; and %u201CTidal Forces,%u201D a 2004 collection of black and white prints exploring an imaginary intersection of water and architecture. Visit the artist%u2019s Web site: http://kevinsprague.com

The Artist & The Photograph: Contemporary Perspectives Saturday Series
February 27, March 27, and April 24, 5:30 p.m.

Explore contemporary pathways in photography, from assembled narration to the moving image. Upcoming lectures include: Kevin Sprague (February 27), Gregory Crewdson (March 27), and Jonathan Doster (April 24). All events include a reception with the artists following the lecture. For more information, contact the Museum at 1.877.861.2299.

Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera
On view through May 31, 2010

Find a fascinating parallel universe to Norman Rockwell%u2019s paintings in the meticulously composed photographs that informed his work. Based on the recently released book Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera and advances in the Museum%u2019s ProjectNORMAN digitization project, the exhibition pairs Rockwell%u2019s photographic references with original artwork to reveal, frame-by-frame, the creation of the artist%u2019s iconic paintings.

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One Response to %u201CPhotographer Kevin Sprague To Speak at Norman Rockwell Museum During Artist & The Photograph Lecture on February 27%u201D

1. Photographer Kevin Sprague To Speak at Norman Rockwell Museum During Artist & The Photograph Lecture on February 27 | Norman Rockwell Museum %u2013 Kevin Sprague says:

   February 20, 2010 at 10:44 am  (Edit)

   [...] Find a fascinating parallel universe to Norman Rockwell%u2019s paintings in the meticulously composed photographs that informed his work. Based on the recently released book Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera and advances in the Museum%u2019s ProjectNORMAN digitization project, the exhibition pairs Rockwell%u2019s photographic references with original artwork to reveal, frame-by-frame, the creation of the artist%u2019s iconic paintings. via nrm.org [...]

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Hey everyone! I hope that you’ll consider coming to my talk at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA Saturday, Feb. 27th at 5:30pm. I’m going to be talking about my working process as a photographer and image maker with some commentary about the parallels between contemporary photography techniques and Norman Rockwell’s use of photos as resources for his paintings as described in the excellent, currently-running exhibition at the Museum “Behind the Camera”. I hope to be giving a sneak peak at the upcoming 2010 season illustrations for Shakespeare & Company that we’ve been working on the last couple of months as well as some discussion about my soon-to-be shipping book “Imagining Shakespeare”. Please come!

It began two years ago when Bose Corp. product designer Sam Aquillano and Philips Color Kinetics designer Derek Cascio were discussing ways to boost the profile of the Massachusetts design community. The state is a hotbed of product design, architecture, urban planning, interior design, video game animation, graphic design, and apparel, but Aquillano and Cascio realized that most people outside the design community have no idea that everything from the Swiffer to the video game Rock Band originated here.

Interesting article about the development of a new museum of design in Boston, that will be “nomadic” and occupy empty retail storefronts for a period of time. Lets get this out to the Berkshires!

Photo by Kevin Sprague. �Kevin Sprague. All rights reserved.

Berkshire photographer Kevin Sprague will present a lecture about his work at Norman Rockwell Museum on Saturday, February 27, starting at 5:30 p.m. The event is part of the new lecture series The Artist & The Photograph: Contemporary Perspectives, presented in conjunction with the Museum%u2019s current exhibition %u201CNorman Rockwell: Behind the Camera.%u201D Mr. Sprague will explore contemporary uses of photography, including digital composition and photographic narrative; a reception with the artist will follow. Admission to the event is $10, $7 for Museum members.

Kevin Sprague is a photographer, graphic designer, and visual artist living and working in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. He is the author or %u201CImagining Shakespeare,%u201D about his imaging work for the theatre; the graphic novel %u201CMuse;%u201D and the novel %u201CViewfinder.%u201D The owner of the design and marketing agency Studio Two, Mr. Sprague%u2019s images can be seen across media in collateral materials, posters, web sites, fine art collections, magazines and book covers. Past exhibitions include %u201CPostmarks,%u201D an evolving series of digital compositions featuring floral elements with antique correspondence; and %u201CTidal Forces,%u201D a 2004 collection of black and white prints exploring an imaginary intersection of water and architecture. Visit the artist%u2019s Web site: http://kevinsprague.com

The Artist & The Photograph: Contemporary Perspectives Saturday Series
February 27, March 27, and April 24, 5:30 p.m.

Explore contemporary pathways in photography, from assembled narration to the moving image. Upcoming lectures include: Kevin Sprague (February 27), Gregory Crewdson (March 27), and Jonathan Doster (April 24). All events include a reception with the artists following the lecture. For more information, contact the Museum at 1.877.861.2299.

Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera
On view through May 31, 2010

Find a fascinating parallel universe to Norman Rockwell%u2019s paintings in the meticulously composed photographs that informed his work. Based on the recently released book Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera and advances in the Museum%u2019s ProjectNORMAN digitization project, the exhibition pairs Rockwell%u2019s photographic references with original artwork to reveal, frame-by-frame, the creation of the artist%u2019s iconic paintings.

Hey everyone! I hope that you’ll consider coming to my talk at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA Saturday, Feb. 27th at 5:30pm. I’m going to be talking about my working process as a photographer and image maker with some commentary about the parallels between contemporary photography techniques and Norman Rockwell’s use of photos as resources for his paintings as described in the excellent, currently-running exhibition at the Museum “Behind the Camera”. I hope to be giving a sneak peak at the upcoming 2010 season illustrations for Shakespeare & Company that we’ve been working on the last couple of months as well as some discussion about my soon-to-be shipping book “Imagining Shakespeare”. Please come!

High lawn farm rocks!

Now here is a great article about one of our leading lights of Berkshire commerce – Barrington Coffee Roasting Company (www.barringtoncoffee.com). Imagine – making waves in Grand Cayman by bringing the first really good cup of coffee there. Great post by Erin Hulbert who has the enviable job of spending 15 days (fifteen!) in Grand Cayman training new baristas – now there’s some commitment to quality process! Kudos to BCRC.

there are less than 3 days left. 81% there. $415 left to raise. we can do it!

if everybody can add a little bit (like $5) to their pledge, we might just make it. (thanks to those who have updated their pledge and welcome to the new backers!!)

space:
I cleaned & packed up & out of the Storefront on Feb 1st and left the key tacked to the wall. It was strangely easy to do. I felt ready to be back in our usual atmosphere of “not knowing where we will be and when”. Going back into hiding so-to-speak, out of the eyes of passer-bys and off the culturally marked grid. Since then we have resumed meeting in a few of our random places, one being Karen’s warm and welcoming studio/space in Lenox where she offers Pilates and her own special magic. www.karenleecentral.com

The other space is the Dalton Ballet school owned and operated by the amazing Michelle Furlong who is Kalei’s primary mentor. I have known Michelle through the dance studio “scene” since I was (what they now call) a “tween” in the Berkshires. She as a Cantarella dancer and I, Terpsichorean all the way. It’s a beautiful thing to share the connections and see how they have grown over the years.

sound:
Lance and I re-recorded some of the spoken words for Widows Walk and he has been finely tuning the section….prepping to add more. I chose “mystery song” from something we did this summer for the Interlude: Connected Through Lights section. Cosmic, primordial, gooey, open. This is one that is my offering to all of you. Gestures for givers. With special talent added from Lita.

We chose his song “the story of you” as our Entering/Overture music. A beautiful piece with a cinematic quality that I feel brings the listener into space and into heart. We are going to look closer at that piece as the choreography gets clearer. He is composing to us and can shift and morph to my changes…as opposed to Frederique’s music which came as a surprise at first into the piece when she sent me her newest arrangements/demo winter 08-09. This is music I listen to and dance to over and over and over again and never tire of. Complex journies over sand and sea. Rich tones that speak of a multitude of sacred and profane influences. I first imagined that her music would be live and the other sections (what are now Lances’; recorded) But getting her here from Barcelona isn’t going to work for our debut in April. I am excited to be working in more tracks off the original demo. She is in my heart. www.frederiquemusic.com

“Music alone can be the means by which the souls of races, nations and families, which are today so apart, may one day be united.” Hazrat Inayat Khan

movement:
A lot flowered via the seeds of the public movement offerings for the residency. Some of that has been carefully added into the garden of the piece. Feedback from the Open Rehearsals keeps me running from my notebook, to that source in my imagination, to the performers and back and forth refining and wanting to find the exact fit for this or that. What are we bringing to life? What is being brought to life in spite of us? Questioning from Lita in rehearsals makes me have to speak when I would rather free-fall, direct or move. This has been good though, I have learned that it is part of bringing us all into what is happening. AND Something is happening.

costumes:
it is a fabric thing at this point. catherine and i have to decide. some samples are in the mail on their way to me from Oakland. interesting things are coming of this as we now have the added extra creative challenge of working in Lita on stilts. and the cathartic finale which i cannot reveal to you, that includes a costume “thing” that may take some time to figure out. once we settle the fund raiser here we can purchase the fabrics and materials we need and get ON it.

action:
We have set the debut as April 17th at Jae’s Spice upstairs in the ballroom (thank you Joyce!)
We will have a 7p and 9p showing. tickets can be reserved on my website after sunday.
Friday the 16th will be our rehearsal in the space, which you are welcome to sit in on if you like. contact me if you do.
We are hoping to tech. everything on Wed.

There will be an aspect of the piece that includes the “audience” but it will be rehearsed. Stay tuned for details in your email about that if you were a participant in any of the free public offerings. I will be calling on those folks to come be a part of it if they are available and feeling brave.

that’s it for now, my apologies for not getting the free offerings movie done yet. I have been distracted by numerous activities seen and unseen.

be well all!

Cmon everyone – pledge a little bit to Stephanie’s Kickstarter project – she’s pretty close now! $10, $25 – Let’s go! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/539788822/creatures-of-habitat-for-sale/posts/6863?ref=email&show_token=277294cb4d61dee8

Have you heard about Fabrica? Design fellowships underwritten by Bennetton for design-focused people under 25. I’m not under 25 – if you are you should be applying to this. I’m interested in fellowship, grants, sabbaticals – coming to that point in my career when I think I could benefit from such a thing. Anybody out there want to connect me to a great fellowship? Rome Prize nomination?

But really, I’m serious!

Radioactivity at QPC

We were on-press today at Quality Printing for the IS183 Radioactive Bodega invitation. This beauty is going to be hitting mailboxes all over the region in about a week or so, and you won’ be able to miss it! Studio Two Designer Amanda Bettis (the talent behind everything BIFF) has been crafting this piece with the help of is183’s Executive Director, Hope Sullivan. “If it glows, it goes” is the creative brief here.

What we were going for was something that reflects the crazy ambitious nature of the annual art school dance party, arguably “the” social event of the year in the Berkshires – a time when all the Creative Community comes out to outdo the year before. So the piece is big, over-the-top colorful, dense, post-apocalyptic, dazzling… But, we also wanted to get that scrappy, is183/Bodega quality into the piece, so we went with a lightweight 60lbs Cougar uncoated sheet, basically the weight of decent typing paper.

For those of you who are into ink on paper, you can almost see the train wreck coming – super high ink saturation, absolute coverage, and a thin uncoated sheet. An incipient disaster for dot gain if there ever was one. By all rights this job should have been a real problem on-press, with the colors dulling down and the blacks washing out. But thanks to a lot of careful prepress on our end learned over years of printing saturated images in 4-color process on uncoated sheets (it’s kind of our trademark) and some absolutely fabulous proofing, plate making and press-handling at QPC the job looks amazing. Kudos to Mike Hickey and Kim Czarnecki and all the other talented professionals at Quality who have made a huge effort and a multi-million dollar investment in new presses and CTP workflow (computer to plate) the last few years.

Look for it in your mailbox. And I think it is fair to say that QPC and Studio Two will be celebrating a national print award later in 2010 for this one.

Radioactive Press Sheet

Pros at work at QPC

Studio Two Designer Amanda Bettis and Intern Allana Kellog

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 7:17 pm and is filed under Work. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Edit this entry.

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We’re launching a new website – an addition to our home site, www.studiotwo.com. This new site is a place where we can show people more about what we do, how we do it, and the things that we are thinking about or inspired by. After 15 years as one of the leading creative studios in the region, we are enjoying new opportunities, directions and challenges thanks to our inquisitive and entrepreneurial clients and the revolution happening all around us in media. Take a look!

Nick Whalen is in Haiti. Nick has had a long association with the troubled country and has travelled there numerous times over the last 5 years or more. He has worked as a photojournalist for NGO’s and created a non-profit foundation to bring surplus soccer 9football) gear to Haitian children over the last few years, creating teams in the slums that compete, get food and clothing support, and a chance for something better.

I’ve helped Nick out a little the last 4 or 5 years as he has worked to develop his career as a photographer and social thinker. Take a look at his photos, if you can bear to. He’s in the thick of it.

Nice blog post about the new packaging for Barrington Coffee Roasting Co. It’s great to see real-world customer experience out there with one’s efforts. Oh, and by the way, the new packaging just won a Graphic Design USA award for Packaging! Congratulations to Heather and the whole Studio Two/BCRC team for a great creative effort on bringing this to fruition. Creativity Lives Here!