Interviews
By David Dean on September 3, 2010
Few people have the ability to literally make you smile without saying a word, to somewhat instantly put you in a good mood, even if only for a brief moment. It’s not that stand-up comedian/actor Matt Braunger looks like a cute puppy or anything, he just has that unique, umm, ability? Way? I don’t know what the word is. Even reading his tweets, regardless of knowing what they are about, and often times making no sense, you still find yourself smiling. He is the kind of guy you want to go on a weekend bender with, but also call after a bad breakup, because his ability and way are not forced, but sincere. Does it sound like I have a comedian man-crush? Maybe. Will you after reading this interview? Yes.
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Fashion
By David Dean on September 3, 2010
Serial Dish
By Dana Seals on September 3, 2010
I just arrived home safely from four days on the road, workin’ it. You know… drumming up business, attending a meeting, and exhibiting at a two-day conference.
Something I noticed about this conference that makes it stand out in my “Top Conferences Ever Attended” list is that this one was brimming with guys trying to hit on me. Usually there is the one, or maybe the two, guys who give it a shot and then move on (or not). However, this time I was a hot commodity. Maybe it was my professional outfit. Maybe it was my company’s amazing booth. Who knows really. But it was pure animal magnetism.
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General
By David Dean on September 1, 2010
Being somewhat of the curator for the gallery that is Serial Optimist, or really, being just a fan of art, I spend hours upon hours searching, reading, and looking at different art from current artists around the world. Chad Wys caught my eye earlier this year, and I found myself going back to his site every few weeks to enjoy his work. Chad was nice enough to engage in a very thoughtful conversation about himself, his work, and his aesthetic.
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General
By David Dean on August 30, 2010
“Take time to look around us. The rediscovery. Wait. See more than watch.”
“First and foremost: Imagine spontaneous images that are good, that make us smile when we observe and discover the everyday life, things that make us happy. That is what interests me, what amuses me.”
“Through my work, I try to create a visual primer. When people see my pictures and are also beginning to see their daily life in a little more positive way, that’s what I like.
In the era of mobile phones, computers, game consoles, Facebook…where all these practical tools have become vital players in our daily lives, it is important to realize that it is also the simple things in our everyday lives that can be just as fun, and beautiful.”
-Sandrine Estrade Boulet
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Serial Dish
By Dana Seals on August 27, 2010
I have a confession to make. I am loving this vampire trend. I have read all of the Twilight and all of the True Blood books. Subsequently I have watched all the movies and shows. Many times. Over and over again. As in, I can recite them. This is nothing new: back in the day, I read the Anne Rice books, marveled at how Dracula came to be, watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and even auditioned for the Interview with a Vampire movie when I was 9.
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Fashion
By David Dean on August 27, 2010
General
By David Dean on August 27, 2010
‘As news-gathering departs from paper form and is conveyed instead through the television and internet, the newspaper becomes a nostaligic and old-fashioned object. I describe the beauty of the ritual experience of newspaper-reading by describing the paper as a tactile and fragile object in the language of craft. The pieces in this series are entire issues of The New York Times encased in hand-embroidered cotton muslin. I select a photograph from the paper; usually a strong image suggestive of power, leadership or communication; and embroider the image onto the fabric, applying colors in a painterly way and layering line and thread. Portions of the image remain as outline and threads tangle and unravel from the fabric.’ -Lauren DiCioccio
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Dallas
By David Dean on August 27, 2010
In 2005 Heidi Dillon did what we at Serial Optimist are extremely big advocates of: she had a sudden inspiration, a vision, and decided at that moment, no matter what, she would make it happen. That vision was The Fashionistas, which has since turned into one of the most prominent organizations in Dallas. Heidi is known for speaking her mind, being blunt, and someone who won’t let anything or anyone get in the way of making her aspirations a reality. What people might not understand, is that behind every aspiration, is the commitment to help others, to contribute to the greater good. We dipped our toes in the deeper end of the water that is Heidi Dillon, and let me say, the water feels nice. She has a strong personality, yes, but how could that ever be a negative? The most important ‘F’ word in her life is Family, and I would guess her most sincere, beautiful smiles come when she is surrounded by them. Continue reading for a conversation with Heidi.
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General
By David Dean on August 27, 2010
Markus Vater is a well known and established German artist mostly known for his paintings. However, his work in animation, photography, and my favorite, his drawings, show just how talented Vater is in all mediums. His line drawings are so different from his paintings; humorous, insightful, simplistic, and just somewhat cute. Continue reading to see more. (Click image to view full size)
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Few people have the ability to literally make you smile without saying a word, to somewhat instantly put you in a good mood, even if only for a brief moment. It’s not that stand-up comedian/actor Matt Braunger looks like a cute puppy or anything, he just has that unique, umm, ability? Way? I don’t know what the word is. Even reading his tweets, regardless of knowing what they are about, and often times making no sense, you still find yourself smiling. He is the kind of guy you want to go on a weekend bender with, but also call after a bad breakup, because his ability and way are not forced, but sincere. Does it sound like I have a comedian man-crush? Maybe. Will you after reading this interview? Yes.
