Creating the future through art, tech and design.

I’ve recently finished up an art/design collab project with UNYQ armor. UNYQ is a company based out of San Francisco that creates prosthetic cases for amputees. They are based in 40 countries around the world. Through medical engineering and 3-d printing they create fashion forward products with a futuristic twist and amazing artistic design. They approached me for a collaboration on a community engagement project. My focus was to create a series ofprosthetic cases for amputees to wear in a fashion show entitled runway for peace. This show was put on by Plitz fashion for Charlotte international fashion week as part of the HEAL Charlotte campaign. Kiser Corp was also a featured sponsor of the event.  This was all a huge honor.

In my collaboration with UNYQ, Not only did I have a series of prosthetic cases to design, but I also worked on a scoliosis brace and designed a mock UI (user interface) for the sensor that fits inside it (This was clearly for aesthetic purposes for the show). So, I also had a chance to work with Tyme, a company that makes smart clothing & sensors and Intel, a company that makes the computer processors that run these things.  We had under a month to put this all together.  This was my first ever art director lead project on a national and international scale. Yes, they gave me full artistic range and had complete trust in my abilities and ideas to pull off something fresh and futuristic. This is all I ever wanted in this creative industry,  this, and to be able to use my designtalents for positive outcome and growth throughout the world. The true challenge of this project was working with a team, whom no one had ever met face to face, that were spread out throughout 5 cities and 2 countries (Charlotte, SF, Boston, Phoenix Philadelphia and Spain). The models were also all flown in. We all had to be on the same page, knowing that our time frame was limited with an important community cause at hand. The day of the event, everyone flew into Charlotte and all met up with me at the McColl center studio. It was all our first time ever meeting each other outside of skype and email.  This was an amazing effort and a great group of people to work with, the world isn’t a huge distant heartless place, it really is small and there are people that are trying to make a difference for the better, including myself. I thank Lisa Twerdy for all of efforts in getting me on the right track with this project and Lyn Kim as well, I couldn’t have pulled it off without their help. I’m a mere designer/artist who likes to the make the world look beautiful, beneath the surface and beyond. I will also be working with UNYQ to create a limited edition Kiser corp Prosthetic case, stay tuned.

UNYQ Prostetic case work in progress

UNYQ Prostetic case work in progress

Welcome to Charlotte...

For the past few months, the city has been under turmoil due to a recent police killing of Keith Scott. There have been protests and lots of civil unrest in the Charlotte community. So there are important conversations that need to held and that are being held. It's nothing new though, its nothing new to this country, this stuff has been going on in every city, not just Charlotte. We just sort of love to have that "it'll never happen to me" syndrome, maybe that's more of an American thing.

The week that these recent events happened in the city was also the week that we'd started working with the gang prevention program for local teens. I was approached a few months prior about taking on the project, I'm always weird about things that describe youth as "at risk", I think people are just misunderstood and just need someone to relate to. I then found out it was in my old neighborhood, an area of the city where my heart is, the area that helped mold me. The same area where I gave my life to God, which is also the same area my good homie lost his life some 22 years ago. So of course I jumped at the opportunity. I built a 3 man team, including myself and went in to speak to these teens, all male, all minorities. Using art as our catalysis, I really just wanted to get their understandingof what they thought of society, the city, their futures in general. In doing this, we also provided them with vital history lessons and lessons on choices, and helping them understand the importance of creating opportunities for each other. We were only there for a four week session, but I'd like to think we made a difference through art and conversation. However we'll continue to check on them throughout the year. Most of them probably wont go into an art career, that's ok. We're trying to build better tomorrows.

The New Mission Control

We're about to start a 9 month artist residency in August at the McColl center for art and innovation. It's one of the largest community engagement residencies in the country. Our residency will be based around the intergalactic soul exhibit and will be heavily inspired by graphic design, coding & digital illustration. It's a great opportunity and I'm very excited. We just got our assigned studio photos and have already worked out some program engagements for the community. New artwork coming soon. It means a lot to be doing this in the home town. for the hometown, on a national level.

The Blackboard

My good homie Marquis Bradshaw aka The Magi reached out to me last year to come up with a design for his upcoming film release and debut. In 2 weeks, The blackboard documentary premiers in San Fransisco. I wanted to come up with something "rockish", with a touch of punk and flair of hip hop. Here's the final graphic below.

9 months

I've been away for 9 months. It feels like 2 days. A little over a month ago, I was sitting in JFK airport awaiting a flight back to NC. It was 5:30am and we'd just given an art talk on Intergalactic Soul. I glanced over at my partner Jason and he was asleep uncomfortably in the airport chair. My other partner Q, was wandering throughout the airport. Me, I just wanted an orange juice. the simple things. We were exhausted and had just caught a red eye flight out of Portland, Oregon. Jason and I had literally been up for 24 hours. It was then when it hit me, a little over a year prior, my design position was terminated at my job. I remember sitting in the meeting with my art director & communications manager and them telling me that my talents exceeded that sports job, they told me to go be a super star.  I didn't think much of it, because I was so devastated over the news, it put me in such a different place. I remember getting two 6 figure offers for other design positions and I didn't even care about the money, despite needing money. People thought I was crazy, perhaps I was, but I listened to the universe and my most high and it didn't feel like the right situations for me.  I wanted to be able to build on our own ideas. I wanted to stay in touch with our own souls in our creative efforts. 

We talk about Black Excellence all the time. but I wanted to represent my Black Excellence. It meant a lot to bear the strength my parents gave me, my grandparents and all those generations before me. Bearing that strength during the most difficult times and to fight through anything because you know the ills of the universe have nothing on you. We keep fighting, creating and inspiring. I'm not the first person to lose a gig and I've definitely been through harder challenges but I'm very passionate about such things and that's a trait that I can't help. All I can do is rely on my Black Excellence and just strive for greatness. We're here. I thought about how far we'd come in 9 months. 9 months is enough time for a new life to be created. The irony...and by the way, I never got that orange juice I was searching for. Here are a few new illustrator space badge designs. #intergalacticsoul #BE #community

So this is what its like...

We are preparing for an interview with NPR next week about the art exhibit. This has been quite the adventure up to this point. We just finished up a magazine interview yesterday as well. We bought this from the ground up. I stand proud. In my thoughts, I now have a new understanding  of patience, confidence, trust and selflessness. I can even draw a conclusion to how these things can be the true recipe of love. There's something to be said about facing your biggest fears head on. I've face down my fear many times. I've even faced my own mortality. In bringing you guys this show, its not about fame. This is about something much larger than myself. This art and design is a platform, a voice to those who lack certain understanding. Love is the true demonstration to exhibit patience in the time it took to put this together. Love is the confidence to be solid in my ideas and skills to aid my message. Love is the courage to chase and capture the dream and turning it into reality. Love is trusting myself to stay focused and letting go and keeping my faith, even when times are at their toughest. Love is the selflessness of not doing it for myself, but making sure this message goes far & beyond to reach others. This is progression. Progression in my journey to become eternal. Intergalactic Soul yall.

Almost home

The past year has been one of my toughest but they say either you're going into a storm, you're in it or you're coming out of one.. a year ago we put these intergalactic soul plans into action for the year 2015 and in another month the show opens.  It's good to put your ideas into motion and see them actually come together. I had a bunch of critics, a bunch naysayers and just people thinking it couldn't be done the kiser corp way, even people that are suppose to be in your corner, but its done. I rely on my experience. It hasn't been easy and there have been so many outside obstacles a brother had to go through to get here, but I'm here... still standing.  I'm a bit more broken yet still the most complete I've ever been. I'm going into new career directions now, taking on more consulting & teaching rolls. I'm more accepting of the changes that are happening around me and in my life. I'm becoming alot better at seeing these upcoming road bumps in my journey to liberation. So once this show goes up, I'll be able to breathe easy. I may even shed a tear or two, because this journey to get to this point has been insane. The people only know the finished product they don't know about what you go through or what it costs you. Our first major exhibit.. and better yet its all graphic design based. I always wanted to be one of those fancy graphic designers who's work could simply be viewed as visual art. Instead of selling some pointless product, lets sell the idea of equality and peace and make the world a better place. I fall back on our old god city slogan:  educate, assist and entertain the people through artistic expression. Pops I made it and I know mom would be proud.

pluto


Intergalactic soul poster official

Last week we had the opportunity to present Intergalactic Soul at Pecha Kucha. Here's the offical show poster.. I just finished designing it and would like print to sign a few limited editions. I wanted to design a retro style one as well to go with the color version. An actual poster set of 3 -5 designs.  It was very important to me that we bought these ideas from the ground up, ourselves. Everything from branding, to marketing, to the actual artwork that's on display... Its was important that we showcase a variety of skills to get our messages across.. so that we leave no one wondering what it is that we are talking about. I know in the art world it often seems that we as artist (especially us conscious ones)  try so hard to be as weird as possible that the message that we are sending to the people that need it gets lost. Here are the first 2 posters of the set. Intergalactic Soul. Imagination x consciousness.

Bars & stars

Here's the follow-up to a piece I posted earlier.. these things are always a work in progress. The space race. I finally got the type treatment the way I wanted it.  We're getting ready to present intergalactic soul at Pecha Kucha 13 this week. In my up-bringing, I was always taught to know history, to have that solid understanding and base of history is always important. The importance to go beyond George Washington chopping down a cherry tree or what was lightly taught in school. History is very important in any subject. Without that foundation  history you're just doomed to keep repeating it over and over. Its a key element to a positive future. Intergalcatic Soul ya'll, the show opens in July.  I'll explain these concepts Thursday night.. stay tuned.

Kiser corp. pop up

We just finished up a quick drink and draw session last week at the Discovery Place's Science on the rocks geek out event. I'll admit, its been over a year since I've done any comic stuff. So i went to get my bag of supplies and I noticed that I had an abundance of prints. Prints from shows in Brooklyn, Baltimore, Raleigh, Columbia..etc... Prints on prints on prints.. everything from fan boy stuff to sneaker stuff to original ideas... I want to get rid of the inventory before I start the new season. Check out the sale over at my big cartel page.

http://kisercorp.bigcartel.com/


It doesnt affect me, so it's not my problem, problems.

2 conversations I had this week made me ask this question. Why do certain people choose to be silent about injustices or certain issues that plague us as society? ( I know that's a loaded question, because people have different ideas of rights & wrongs) When did it become ok to NOT know whats going on & to never know what always has been going on?  How many people have to die before we step up & say  "that's not right"? Why is it cool to follow religion but not have any consciousness about your surroundings or history, better yet, to have no knowledge of the most high that you follow & even worse, no knowledge of self. What have these people been fed? When has it ever been ok to be selfish enough to only worry about yourself while others suffer? It's never been in my nature to rock with these ideas, (its hard not to have compassion or empathy for fellow man, especially when those people suffering look just like me, I don't have to know them personally) but it's in my nature to let these people know.

The idea of a most high doesn't come in the form of pointless materialistic offerings, but in the gift of your third eye, your mind, the gift of knowledge & the gift of unconditional love. I thought love was universal.  I just wrapped up the astronaut food packaging designs for the show... for those that like to be fed nonsense free of independent thought. Have another bowl & take another sip.

We have a Q & A lecture session that will accompany this art show. I say again, my 25 pieces are all based off of real life conversations and situations I've been in... I could do 50 more.. easy.

 

 

Why so angry, they're always angry

Here's a sneak peek at one of the space race pieces, there's a few directions I'm thinking about taking this in. All of these pieces are based off of real life situations I've been involved in. Yes, they come from a true place. Some of the conversations I've found myself involved in have been quite magnificent. I hope people get it. event though we have to wrap these things up in an imaginary package to get our voices to be heard... I'd like to think of myself as a chef, feeding society  my perspective of things, what its like to "be". So I'll take these vegetables and hide them in the triple strawberry cheesecake. Now, eat your breakfast, its important.

Imagination x consciousness

First and foremost, I'm extremely proud of how we've put this idea together (thanks to Jason Woodberry & Quentin Talley).  The upcoming intergalactic soul art exhibit, I've created a series of posters to assist with the story telling of the show... another form of visual communication using some graphic design skill. Here's one of those poster designs that will also translate into t-shirt design with the tagline to the show, imagination x consciousness. I think we're onto something here, from the work, to the brand, to the musical score and we have already captured the ears & eyes of some heavy hitter international art buyers. Im no artist, just a designer that can illustrate.  We've finished up all the art and we're wrapping up the performance piece now. I'm really thinking of turning this into a graphic novel.

Chasing Forever

Let me preface this entry by saying that February 12th will mark 20 years since my mom passed away. It makes me realize how thankful I am of the 16 years that i had with her. I hope that I can enrich lives as she did, as some others that have passed on that were close to me as well.

 Nothing comes easy in this art & design world, however I try to make it look as flawless & easy as possible. That gives people a misconception that I haven't been at this everyday for the past 13 years of my life. I'll never be satisfied... never. I'm chasing forever. I don't even know what I am anymore... some sick hybrid of a designer/artist type being. As long as I'm able to execute these concepts that spring from my mind though, I'm happy. At the ripe age of 36, I'm starting to realize the blessing of this talent that I have. A realization of self worth & an unconditional love for who I am and what I'm about. I hope everyone gets the chance to find that happy place, whatever it may be. Lets strive to be positive & remembered forever. Lets make the world a better place & for those of us lucky enough to be deemed as "artist", whether it be, visual performing or whatever, lets speak with our creativity and inspire greatness in others, because this here,  is a blessing...

I've just finished up the latest "off the wall" poster for the j dilla tribute.

dilla black white

Walt Disney/ESPN reached out to me...

As I prepare to create this Kiser 10 project, the graphic design journey has been quite gorgeous I must say. This illustration journey has been beautiful as well. As we embark on future endeavors, I really would like to publish another art book entitled "x". It would be a simple look back and a look forward at some of the lovely things I like to create and have created. Just a fun project of self reflection, more so for myself, in order to stay humble and to keep up the hustle.

Intergalactic 2015

As we step into this new year of 2015, we will embark on the intergalactic soul missions, to do what it takes to bring awareness of issues that plague this world and the universe through our art... Using our graphic design, illustration and multimedia talents to make bold statements about equality for mankind & alien kind.

With two pieces that debuted in the Art Basel cosmic connections exhibition of 2014, fellow artist and friend, Jason Woodberry and I will introduce the intergalactic soul art exhibition. Below is a sneak peek of the space patch designs that will be introduced and printed for the show