Montana Spray Paint is the Bomb!!!
Who doesn’t love graffiti art when it’s not on their building? A good can of paint isn’t just for bringing life to a concrete wall or to somebody’s nerves — it’s also the perfect medium for expressing artistic notions through vivid colourations and swift, inspired gestures. I’ve always enjoyed dabbling in graffiti and stencil art on the side of my designer schemes, because there’s nothing like that gratifying sense of separation bridged by the push of a button and the motion of an arm to achieve something unexpected. I especially love the vibrancy, coverage and longevity of Montana Spray Paint, which even comes in various spray nozzles to suit your desired coverage application. I always feel like a kid in a candy store when I’m at Curry’s Art Store on Queen Street West in Toronto, where they’ve got two full walls of colours and a product setup that I would love to have at my home. I hope you like the artwork below!
Love at First Print
Printers are the brilliant counterpart to the photographic capture — copies of copies on top of a singular moment or intentional instant. With my Epson ET 16500, it was love at first print. Before I picked up this beauty, I was always the advocate of the cheap printer workhorse. But one morning, I ran out of ink and had a moment rather beside myself. I can’t imagine I was the first or last to indulge in the madness of printing blank pages when one expects vivid colours and well-defined lines to greet them fresh out of the mechanical oven. But that was that, and no longer would I ever run out of ink — and could now print to my heart’s desire. This printer’s EcoTank can print as many as 10,500 pages in black — and doesn’t require you to buy those silly cartridges for the cost of a new printer.
Bud’s Coffee in the Beaches
When you try to imagine the perfect espresso bar, what do you have in mind? Good coffee goes without saying, and a delicate-yet-possessive aroma is a must. But people also value distinct little features that win them over from the lighting and amiability to the decorations and—of course—not having to wait. Bud’s Coffee in Toronto has been my go-to cafe for a while. Because I do much of my creative work from the garret of my house, having a place to go and escape the occasional bout of isolation while also feeling inspired is a stroke of luck every time. Bud’s is a low-key and cosy home away from home for anybody that needs a reason to get dressed in the morning. Maybe I’ll see you there!
Vivienne Westwood Still Has It
Clothing is yet another implicit link between like-minded artists whose lives are not fulfilled until the barrier is broken. At the head of the trend is Vivienne Westwood, an embodiment of punk as it speaks through thread, button, colour, and style — with enough creative individuality to define an entire era. Vivienne Westwood is my favourite of British fashion designers, and her arrival on the scene was uncannily-timed to juxtapose with a revolution in music, art, and thought as natural as the history it belongs to. Over time, her style has evolved gracefully while always paying tribute to its punk roots and that carefree, surreal charm. I absolutely adore her unusual prints and mix-and-match coats and shoes that are each and every one perfect for each other. There’s simply no such thing as a miss-match with Vivienne Westwood, whose collections are always a priceless expression of ‘who gives a f**k’.
El Catrin Destileria
Mexican food is a one-of-a-kind dining experience best shared with friends and family in a cultural ambience, which El Catrin Destileria in Toronto does so well through its impressive mural decorations and smart, cosy atmosphere. You’ll find all of your Mexican favourites here along with some modern staples and cuisine creations. Mexican food is easily one of the most exciting and flavorful foods in the world thanks to its effortless adoption of new ingredients and recipes throughout history — with the latest versions of its time-honoured dishes undoubtedly the most delicious ever. I’ve always found it funny how looking away from the stone-mortar guacamole-making is hard no matter who you are, which is just one of the many features of its personable service topped off by excellent ingredients and food. https://www.elcatrin.ca/
ID Magazine Knows How to Keep it Fresh
Ever since its first publication 40 years ago, ID Magazine has remained faithful to its youthful, rebel theme, and never runs out of contemporary styles, models, and artists to fill its pages. As a designer, I’ve found that inspirational mediums are a matter of creative taste as opposed to any clear-cut industry relevance — which means that new ideas come from the most independent places. With ID Magazine, its punk-era street style vibe is a canvas for visualising new impossible designs that resonate with originality, and I genuinely appreciate anything that keeps its edge over time — which ID Magazine seems to have only sharpened with the years.