Inspection of Envelope

A grand tribute to Sir Issac Newton, I’d say. Accompanied by some fish stamps that helped it get to us. Swim fishes!

Inspection of Letter

This is a multilayer piece of AWESOME! The side that is unseen in the photo below has the remains of a hand tracing, which we hope is the author’s. The other side is a spread of two different writings on top of one another and two children both thinking, “This room is full of air.” YOUTH is inscribed at the bottom. Truly a piece that is stamped by a young enthusiasm. We love the nail polish.

Thank you James!

You only see what we show you. A tiny fraction of the new and interesting objects. A pseudo secret army of delights. Progress you MIGHT get to view in the future, if everything goes right. There is an ultimatum of Cranky Yellow. I’ve been cooking it for years. I suppose it’s really up or down from here. Everyone line up.

There are rumors about Cranky Yellow; no one really knows what’s happening. Cranky monsters and kitsch might wait here alone. If they gather long enough, perhaps something will grow! Ticking and mingling as categorized truck-load sized hauls of vintage, handmade, antique and junk are pulled inside. The cover of darkness can hide all the troops. Each object represents a different niche in this every growing army. Someday they will all exist together and these cranky creeps will keep it up. HI, Auf, M.B. , B. & P. and L.V. — your stashes are earthquakes in my cranky hips.

The last giant gasp, as the three month clock ticks, is a family portrait. All the cranky forced to hug in close; to smile and bear it. You’ll look and remember then it collapses and folds. These boxes will hold more than memories. If you give it some time, it can stand on it’s own.

Under this roof and behind all the scenes we’re up to collaborative design work and art direction galore. Cranky is more useful than a heaping pile of dirty old stuff. Working together with talented people from across Saint Louis to create and develop new projects! Why hello Glitter, black baaah, dirty devil, and adapted — You’re all inspiration to fuel this dead cranky. Taking any step forward to just make it happen!

Finally and fairly, please don’t forget us! We did it before, so what makes you think this is the end? If you keep your cranky boxed up, away from the real world, it will burst back better than before. Believe it if you want to survive. It is all imagination from here.

P.s. Chuck, you’re right. Cranky Yellow needs to close, but I won’t grant you any favors.

From 1940-2002 the All Along Press space was a shoe store, Proper Shoes. The window displays in the storefront are once again filled with shoe boxes. However, in lieu of shoes, these screen-printed shoe boxes contain contributions from St. Louis artists in the form of zines, photographs, drawings, etc, functioning more like the shoe boxes in everyone’s basement, filled with memories, photos, and keepsakes. This piece is an homage to Proper Shoe and the history of the area, yet celebrates the new growth of the artistic community on Cherokee Street.

Also at All Along Press, Tate Foley will be showing an installation addressing the same themes of the destruction of the old, to make room for the new.

After swooping in on All Along’s Steven the other morning, I intercepted with Anna and was given an arm load of pretty Proper Shoe boxes! It was all rushed and hectic and Steven was being pulled around by a doggy on a leash. Drama + Rush.

I peeked the window earlier today and it’s full of these screen printed boxes. There are also some fantastic GIANT posters. You’ll have to see it all at the opening on Saturday!!

Part of the South City Art Walk! Gallery openings EVERYWHERE on Cherokee!

Based on the reactions, I avoided searching his name online as long as possible. I thought it might be a little overwhelming. You see: A.J. starred on season 8 of the fashion-fury reality t.v. show Project Runway. I had heard about him years ago dolling around as TrashBiscuit then again when he was hoisted into national scrutiny on the show.

A.J. hails from Saint Louis, which is why the reaction is a little more personal around here. Before I met with him I was hounded with questions. My sister wanted to know about Hiedie Klum. I was told to ask about “Mondo”. Then EVERYONE wanted to know “What’s he like?” — ARGH! That’s Madness!

I just needed to focus on his design work and let it help push inspiration through the art direction project… without all the drama of Celebrity.

When I met with A.J. for the first time, he mentioned his run on Project Runway. I diverted my eyes and sighed “Yeeeeaaaaaah, I’ve been trying to keep my knowledge of you to a minimum.” That’s wasn’t out of rudeness. He nodded and agreed.

So, finally – Here is our newly released website for Andy J! A co-collaboration of designer A.J Thouvenot and your friends here at Cranky Yellow!

http://www.andyjdesigns.com

Now, to keep all you die-hard Project Runway fans and gossip mama’s under-control. Here is a Cranky exclusive interview I had with A.J. about his future line, process and fashion work — No, I didn’t ask about Heidi

Enjoy!

Who is Andy J?
Andy J. is whomever or whatever I want it to be. It’s a platform fo my designs, that I expect to change and grow along with me.

How would you describe your personal ethos?
Carefree and imaginative. I’m always imagining what could be.

Where do you find renewed inspiration?
I find renewed inspiration all over the world around me. I’ve been inspired by everything from junk-food packaging to Julia Roberts. Pop culture is always bursting with new and exciting inspiration.

Can you explain your working process?
I attack different projects in varying ways. Sometimes my designs start with a pencil and paper, and other times I let the materials show me how to use them. I suppose it is a mix of traditional flat patterning and organic design.

What is the goal of your newest line of clothing?
To give women functional yet fun clothing with that special something extra that makes them reach for it first in their closet.

Are you currently working on anything exciting?
I’m currently working on my Spring 2012 Collection to debut at the end of September!

Do contemporary designers influence your work?
I’d say that contemporary trends definitely influence my work more so than individual designers. Designers themselves usually inspire me more with their attitude than aesthetic style. I interned for a short time for New York designers “Heatherette”, and I think you can definitely see some of that influence in my work. They taught me a lot about how to just go with your gut when designing.

Want to share any dirty secret scoop into the world of reality television?
When eliminated from the show, you don’t go directly home. All of the eliminated contestants are sequestered until the end of filming. No T.V., cell phones, books, etc.

What do you love and hate about the fashion industry at large?
I love that is can transform people. Clothing can completely change how people are perceived and how they perceive themselves. I hate that the industry sometimes forgets that is about helping people express themselves, not be put into little boxes.

Can you do any stupid human tricks?
I can dislocate my thumb, it’s not really that great, but it really grosses some people out.

If I combine my history, statistics and advice with yours we can better track growth and progress. Together we can tell a deeper tale of the state of small, local, self-producing economies. Queue in a recent project spark by two nifty STL crafters!

Introducing a ground-breaking Indie Craft Stats Project – for the Curious Craftepreneur! CRAFT BY NUMBERS!

NOW collecting monthly surveys on various topics regarding everything from crafter demographics to production methods and advertising venues. Etiquette and trends. That sort of thing. The giant database of craftormation will be be available in future installments on their website.

The collected information will only be used for good! A resource for the crafting community. Open data to utilize in drawing conclusions and monitoring various areas of art and craft business.

They have just released the first survey and invite all artists and crafters working locally and nationally to submit their response and data. The more contributors, the larger the crafterconomy picture!

GO TAKE THE SURVEY NOW! DUH!

Survey #1: Craft Shows – The Meat & Potatoes of the Indie Craft Biz

Brilliant and Thank you!! Can’t wait to see what the Crankies write you about this one…

Artist, musicians, dancers, poets, performers and creative citizens are invited to participate in Artica. Artica is a multi-media, outdoor participatory arts festival developed to provide the people of the St. Louis metropolitan area with the opportunity to come together as a community through creative self-expression. Artica’s philosophy is one of openness and inclusion. All are welcome to create, participate and celebrate on this sacred heritage site.

Photos from the 2010 event:

WHEN AND WHERE:
Artica 2011 will take place on Saturday, October 8th from noon to midnight and Sunday October 9th from noon to 8:00pm in the area around Dickson and Lewis Streets north of the gateway arch.

FUNDING:
Artica is funded by a generous grant from the Missouri Arts Council. They have money to pay artists for their work and participation in the event. Don’t miss your chance to collaborate in this interesting environment! APPLY!

Get all the Official Guidelines to Submit HERE! GO!

Find all the details at: http://www.craftysupermarket.com

We are all the same and nothing can change that. Right here, next to one another. We’re already in SPACE!

Thanks for the postcards! <3 the cosmic perspective!

What is Cranky Yellow? Does it exist in the real world or online only? How do we continue creating?

Is a long term shared space to feature art/junk + music and performance viable? How do we transform Cranky Yellow into a sustainable model? What is the best plan of action?

Does Cranky Yellow continue to live on Cherokee Street? Some where else? Saint Louis at all? Perhaps it’s a vision best left in the brain…

Everything must fall into place during the coming months. I can’t wait to share it with you.