It’s a big month for UCSB and the University Art Museum. On April 24th, the Dalai Lama will be visiting campus, and in conjunction, the Art Museum is showing a huge exhibit entitled “Toward Enlightenment: The Sacred Art of Tibet.” It displays some highly elaborate fabric paintings dating back as early as the 1500s. They’re still bright, still strong; details as thin as a hair are still crisp as ever. How they last that long, I don’t know. Go see.

I saw a handful of Tibetan monks on Day 1 of their Sand Mandala creation. I’m a believer in drawing and painting, and how those can never be replaced in a digital world no matter how quickly and easily design can be done. I say the same for what I saw these monks doing yesterday.

Tibetan monks painting a sand mandala at UCSB's University Art Museum.

Four monks were centered around a square platform about 4 feet wide. On it is a (memorized) hand drawn pattern on which they place sand of dozens of colors. They do this by rubbing a metal scraper against a funnel containing sand, using vibrations to control the flow of sand that falls onto the platform.

On Saturday, April 25, there will be a procession, as all Tibetan Sand Mandalas are ultimately destroyed, and the sand is released into moving water. Click here for more information on the event. It’s definitely not something that can be seen often. So if you’re around Santa Barbara on Saturday, spend a day out on the beach in this heat and join.

“It might be weird, and it might be stupid. But it’ll be unforgettable.” – Johnny Cupcakes, on everything.

These are the words I tend to forget when unsure about a piece, a project, or an idea. So Johnny Cupcakes sums it up quite nicely for anyone who constantly faces the boundaries of the norm and judgment from the critics.

Johnny Cupcakes’ story isn’t about luck. It isn’t about being “discovered”. It’s about a good idea that sprouted from various interests, and grew as a result of inventive thinking, efficient decision making, and risk taking with a dash of gut instinct. (At least, that’s how I see it). It’s a breath of fresh air. Although I love the fairytale story every now and then, what I love about John’s story is that it had nothing to do with being at the right place at the right time. It truly proves that success can be had just by sticking with an idea and making it work because it is one’s passion.

I talked to Johnny a bit after the show, and did a mini interview for his website about doing freelance design and what that means to me as an independent artist. It’ll probably be edited into an interview piece of all the interviews done that night, so check out www.johnnycupcakes.com now and then to catch that and other updates on his college lectures series.

Johnny Cupcakes is a multimillionaire who doesn’t advertise in the corporate world. A guy whose fans tattoo his cupcake and crossbones logo on their arms and necks as a token of their devotion and appreciation. A college drop-out who is now being sought after by college programs like my client (the Technology Management Program, who put on this event) to inspire students about entrepreneurship. And yet, he is still a humble fellow. No luck there.

Side note: I am now a new owner of an authentic Saved by the Bell trading card thanks to Johnny’s surprise goodie bags that were taped to the bottom of each seat in the lecture hall. Read his story and you’ll know why receiving a Saved by the Bell trading card from Mr. Johnny Cupcakes himself is not as bizarre as you would think.

IV Theater filling up for Johnny's talk.

Johnny Cupcakes goods being sold in the back of the theater.

The talk.

JC fans during the post talk meet and greet.

Getting the Canon ready to take pictures.

A fan of the fans.

I never leave my sketchbook/journal at home, so I can always remember who I run into.

Every quarter, I put together a poster for the Technology Management Program (TMP), one of our clients here at Ocean o’ Graphics. Their aim as a program is to help students learn how to get their work out there – not just read the books and do the projects, but make something unique and change the world with it. This week’s model entrepreneur? Johnny Cupcakes.

Johnny Cupcakes (aka. John Earle, well, the other way around) started his clothing line as a joke back in 2001 after dropping out of college. 8 years ago, he was selling t-shirts from the trunk of his car. Today, he is a multimillionaire and entrepreneur who is currently on his college tour to talk to students about how it all happened.

To anyone in the Santa Barbara area… Johnny Cupcakes is coming to town.

Last Saturday, Cut&Paste, launched its 2009 Global Tour in Los Angeles. I got the chance to drive down and catch the event at club Avalon in Hollywood (which for me, is usually a hip-hop infused night spot, so it was interesting to see a change in there).

The 2D competition launched the event, with eight competitors battling it out to create an entire design from scratch based on a theme. The first heat called for a tattoo based on “human nature” and the second involved a lunch box design based on “time.” Check out the site to see what the designers came up with.

With Cintiqs firing up, fonts in place, digital cameras ready to take pictures (the only photos that could be used were of anything taken at the event during the 15 minute competition), four artists at a time worked on stage while judges breathed down their necks. Huge screens projected from each Cintiq, and a camera followed the artists on a main screen to showcase their workflow. In the end, the one female of the eight 2D competitors won the event. She showcased her drawing skills quickly and efficiently, which I think is what helped her win it… simple brush tools in Photoshop put to good use, and a quick application of vector graphics and color made for a clean 15 minute composition.

A friend from high school, Vince Akuin, was one of the competitors, and advanced to the second heat during the competition. He wowed the crowd during the first set as he painted his tat design on a photo of his calf, which set him apart from the others who used vector graphics over plain white canvases. He’s an amazing artist and illustrator. Check out his blog to see his work. Congrats Vince.

All in all, Cut&Paste was a fun event. It had a fast paced vibe which is pretty much how it always feels when there are deadlines to be met, not to mention 15 minute intervals with hopes of winning Wacom tablets, trips, and fame. I tried my hand at the audience 2D competition. It was for a 55DSL t-shirt design revolving around the theme “The Fifth Dimension.” Hm. They suggested, “Think psychedelic western.” It seemed a lot of people were taking the logo and adding science fiction decor around it, so I decided to draw. All fun.

The event is going up to the Bay, to the east coast, to Europe, and Asia. Catch it if you can and have a good time being surrounded by artists, art enthusiasts, and big timers battling it out on stage… battle… at a club… but with artists. :)

The side of Club Avalon in Hollywood.

Gigantic projectors showing the workspaces of the competitors.

One of the announcers had a mouse painted gold around his neck. The one on the left is the guy who says "Finish Him!" in Mortal Kombat. Or is it Scorpion's "Get over here?" I can't remember which. Either way, it was tight hearing him say it in person.

DJ! He played throughout the event, sneaking some "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by the Beatles over some hip-hop. Loved it.

Battle going down.

A friend from high school, Vince Akuin. Amazing artist.

Center screen.

The winning 2D piece by Janee Meadows. And she still had time to kill.

Asking competition questions as my supportive boyfriend looks on. (You can only see his chin though).

Above: photo by Jason Lewis.

Playing around during the audience competition.

The beginnings of my illustration for 55DSL. All fun.