art by mags! - urban folk art featuring recycled materials + diy design = t-shirts, mixed media, art prints, and more! New Orleans, Louisiana

blogbymags! portrait of the artist as a craftivist...

GOBAMA!

Yes, clearly I am obsessed. And clearly, I will admit, it is derivative of the Shepard Fairey posters, in a way.

But I'll defend myself by saying, the original concept was similar to that of my Bush "Evildoer" stencil that I did in 2000, which was basically just a headshot of The Shrub, stencilized, with the word "evildoer" underneath. So I was trying to think of something similar to do, but on a positive note, that might work as both a street stencil as well as on t-shirts and as a paper print. I didn't want to use the same words Fairey used ("hope" or "progress"), or the ones that are common on Obama campaign stuff ("yes we can," etc.).

So I chose the word "believe," because, basically, I want to believe. I'm trying to believe. And I'd like to inspire others to believe. When I'm listening to Barack speak, at least for those moments I'm listening, I do believe. And when it comes down to it, I definitely believe Barack more than I believe Hillary.

This is a spray paint stencil print, a test on 11"x14" 100lb Bristol board. It's not perfect, as it was way too windy outside today to get a good, clean print. But I'll be doing more on a warmer, less windy day. And perhaps with better spray paint, as this is just done with the cheapie 99 cent variety.

What do you think? Does it need more tweaking? Should I print up some tshirts and/or prints for sale? Would anyone actually buy this? Or should I just save this for surreptitious street stenciling and my own walls?

permalink posted Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Comments:

I'm obsessed too, kiddo. Gobama indeed. Keep up the good work. Hope you're well and loving life. Congrats to you for your return to NOLA...I always did love anthropology. xoxo

# posted by

Anonymous : February 28, 2008 7:16 AM

is this the christine i know? if so, i totally dreamed about you last night... that would be really freaky if it's you. if so, please email me!

# posted by

margaret coble, aka mags. : February 29, 2008 5:36 PM