Don't Think Twice Collective

:::Game ON!

2010-08-23T13:03:00.004+01:00

Wednesday 25th August · 19:00 - 23:30

Game On! is a new exciting type of event to debut at the Mash Gallery, it is a pay in games tournament with the purpose of offering a cash prize to the victor! also live music and booze.. whats not to like? :)

=====MAIN TOURNAMENT====(played on wall size HD Projection system)===
Call of Duty::Modern Warfare 2

Each contestant wanting to participate in the main tournament will pay in (£4)
(-50p, for event costs) which will be added to a money pot that the overall winner takes home! so basically more players = bigger prizes! ^_^ (oh and also a winners t-shirt lol)

=====JUST FOR FUN======(projector 2)====
Super Smash Bro's Brawl

those who just wanna chill with a beer and play some non serious games
can have a go on the second setup, which is another wall sized projection :)

=======RETRO CHALLENGE====(mini competition on hd screen)=====
Sonic 2 - speed run 1 zone best time

another smaller setup in the gallery will be the "retro challenge" here players
can enjoy a classic arcade/console game where they pay 50p for a crack at
the highscore - (highest score at the end of the night collects the cash).

So... think your pretty good do ya? well get down to mash and get yer game on!

Mash Gallery
Haydock Street
Saint Helens, United Kingdom

Stephen Ball, New artwork

2010-08-21T17:08:00.000+01:00

New Work From Nick Walker

2010-08-21T10:58:00.001+01:00

New Work- Stephen Ball

2010-06-28T14:25:00.000+01:00

progress

2010-06-27T11:14:00.002+01:00

Stephen Ball painting at Mattoo's Tattoo studio

2010-03-29T18:09:00.000+01:00

Helly to Selly (Help for Heroes)

2010-03-20T12:27:00.002Z

As many of you will know, on July 3rd a charity bike ride will set off from St Helens to Selly Oak, Birmingham in order to raise money for Help for Heroes.
This was organized by a lovely lady called Claire Smith, as on October 13th 2009 Claire's partner Andy Reid was horrifically injured by an IED while serving in Afghanistan with his regiment, 3 Yorks. Thanks to the amazing medical care he received at both Camp Bastion and Selly Oak, Birmingham, he is now out of hospital and at Headley Court as a triple amputee. His strength, courage and determination have seen him walking unaided less than 3 months after the incident.

In order to help with the fundraising, the Dont Think Twice Collective will be supporting the event and charity, with Stephen Ball jumping on his bike and joining the ride, 3 fundraising exhibitions, and in collaboration with Renaissance Film Productions, will be producing the ‘Helly to Selly documentary, and exhibition.

If you would like to get involved or help, there are several ways to show your support
*donate online at http://www.justgiving.com/HellytoSelly2010
(If you would like to donate, but cant donate online, each rider will most probably be carrying round a sponsor form, and also very soon at various locations around town look out for the helly to selly collection tins)
*Join the Help for Heroes St.Helens Pub Crawl......Get your army gear on and show your support to a great cause...turn up...cough up.....and drink up! http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=401058995585&ref=ts

ARTISTS NEEDED!!!!!!!!!
The Venues been confirmed but the date hasn’t yet so I’m not going to announce it till closer to the time, but in mid may, the Don’t Think Twice Collective will be hosting a charity exhibition, and fundraising night in St.Helens.
Can’t hold an exhibition without artwork, so we need YOU, all work will be for sale, you choose the percentage of the sale that you would like to donate to the charity....simple as........ Because of restricted wall space, I’m firstly asking all artists who are interested to drop me a link to examples of your work......or email me a photograph at Dontthinktwice@hotmail.co.uk

ALSO NEEDED, during the bike ride, and during all press opportunities, the riders will be wearing ‘HELLT to SELLY’ t-shirts, but they haven’t decided on a design yet, want to design a t-shirt, that will be seen by a lot of people, get in the papers, and might even be on telly, message me for the details!!

Thank you! ;-)

Dont forget::::
Donate at- http://www.justgiving.com/HellytoSelly2010
Keep upto date with the riders progress at- http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=251425958629&ref=ts
Get involved with the exhibitions at- http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=10189801871&ref=ts

Welcome To The Soapbox:::

2010-01-19T12:56:00.000Z

Welcome to the SOAPBOX

2010-01-19T12:51:00.000Z

Don't Think Twice invite you to the SOAPBOX festival taking place in St Helens throughout the following months.
Please see the list of confirmed events below for details

The Don't Think Twice collective invites you to the SOAPBOX

An exhibition of work by Stephen Ball, Nicola Ellis, Ian Edmondson and Neil Rothstein

'This exhibition aims to challenge the format of The Godfrey Pilkington Art Gallery, opening the space up to form a creative arena, offering visitors a selection of video, sculpture, painting and installation and providing St.Helens with a community arts platform that encourages creative collaborations between art, music and commercial spaces'

Exhibition runs from Monday 25th January to 13th February 2010
Godfrey Pilkington Gallery, gamble building, victoria square, sthelens

Private view Monday 25th January 6pm-8pm

=================
Refreshments provided
=================
Exhibition continues at Bar Java from 8pm till late

You are also invited to SOAPBOX LIVE

Held at Fluid Live Lounge Friday 5th February

7:30pm

£2 entry

For your entertainment, there will be performances from the following dj's:

The 2009 UK DMC Battle champion Dj Rasp

China or die

Rubadub

Skana's John Hayhurst

Along with the following artists for your visual pleasure:

Stuart Harris with L.A.S.E.R Graffiti (follow this link to see video explanation of this ( http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgraffitiresearchlab.com%2F%3Fpage_id%3D76%23video&h=39e7d57ae0e312a12705c98a1216f23c )

For one night only, the gentlemen from up at SkinKandi will be doing a LIVE TATTOO SHOWCASE, bringing their art form to the center stage

St.helens UCCREW will be showing more than a few Orthopedically challenging turns, jumps, spins and flips on the dance floor throughout the evening

The SOAPBOX is a series of events organised by the Dont Think Twice Collective. the festival aims to provide a platform that offers local creative individuals the opportunity to showcase their talents, along with encouraging collaboration between their chosen art forms.

Don't hesitiate to hit reply with any queries or for any further information about any of the above events or the collective itself, or follow the links below.
(SOAPBOX) http://www.facebook.com/events.php?ref=sb#/event.php?eid=284103926351&index=1
(SOAPBOX LIVE)http://www.facebook.com/events.php?ref=sb#/event.php?eid=250407408569&index=1
( Don't Think Twice collective) http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=182790725323

Stephen Ball paints a GoPenguin for St.Helens Council

2009-12-09T23:15:00.000Z

New Art-Stephen Ball

2009-10-21T15:21:00.002+01:00

This Is Hans

2009-06-22T11:24:00.004+01:00

Imagine if Lichenstein had a child with faile........Check out the work of Hans...

http://www.flickr.com/people/you_need_hans/

Vhils.....

2009-05-18T18:07:00.003+01:00

Alexandre Farto Aka Vhils,

Ive seen this artists work a few times but only just really checked out the website, absolutly amazing use of space!,,,

see for yourself!!

James Diable and Wayne Hill @ @ once less harmful & more pleasure-giving

2009-05-11T17:01:00.001+01:00

Media factory 4th floor Tuesday 5pm-6pm start@ once less harmful & more pleasure-giving

Working from a Preston based studio space, James Diable and Wayne Hill are affectionately inspired and driven by the observation of and connectivity with the day to day traditional market place and the tangible Preston lives that exist within this space. Through collaboration and creative liaison they negotiate and blend the mediums of paint, creative writing, mechanical art and drawing. UCLan graduates and connoisseurs of Northern mustard, '@ once less harmful and more pleasure-giving'is an amalgamation of personal study and retrospective work investigating portraiture, the application of paint and symbolic connotation. Regards James Diable

Video Tour of the justice exhibtion

2009-04-26T13:36:00.003+01:00

fantastic exhibition based on old mugshots held in a jail, featuring prominent graffiti artists (like the amazing c215) makes a powerful statement about how we perceive convicts, and how we treat them as individuals, and makes us question the justice system as a whole.

(be sure to turn on the sound in the video player)

2009-04-26T13:27:00.001+01:00

more animated goodness this time from the clayton brothers

2009-04-24T19:30:00.001+01:00

a wonderful short created by the famous james jarvis in collaboration with nike...

Onwards from akqa on Vimeo.

Sketch-fu footwear design challenge

2009-04-06T18:36:00.004+01:00

i recently came across this website (core77.com) apart from being an excellent news page for product/general design and art, it has a pretty interesting thread in its forum for submitting sneaker designs its still ongoing (100 pages last count) worth a quick look

sketch-fu

core77

Dan Witz

2009-03-31T13:02:00.002+01:00

Possably one of my favourate street artists, his use of space, and attention to detail is un rivaled!!!!

http://www.danwitzstreetart.com

We only went and won it!!

2009-03-25T15:22:00.002Z

Dont forget to pencil this exhibition in your diary.

Dont Think Twice Collective, Winners of Best Visual Arts award at this years St.Helens Culture Awards..............but we wouldn't have won it without the help, support, and submissions from you!

to celebrate this we invite you down to Bar Java, Westfield Street, St.Helens on April 2nd (from 7pm) for our celebration Exhibition, all work shown on the night will be by some of st.helens Freshest and finest artists, this is a show NOT to be missed, All work will be for sale, and all the money goes directly to the artists, the collective, and bar java will not be taking any commission on the sale...

...So come down, support the growing creative culture of St.Helens,
and basically join us in celebrating our award win!!!

::::::artists confirmed so far for the celebration exhibition so far::::::

*Stephen Ball (St.Helens)..........................Graphic Street Art
*Neil Rothstein(Manchester/St.Helens)..............Twisted oil Painter
*Nicola Ellis(Preston/St.Helens)...................Fine Print and sculpture
*Dan Greenham(The Strawberry....lol/St.Helens).....Portrait fine artist
*Stuart Harris(Liverpool/St.Helens)................Graphic Artist
*Lee Guy(St.Helens)................................Tattoo, Street Art
*Paul Cousins(St.Helens)...........................Fine Landscape Artist
*Jayne Murphey(Manchester).........................Fine Portrait Artist
*Phil Swaine (St.Helens)...........................Graphic Artist/Photographer
*Helene Hughes (St.Helens) ........................Illustrator

Stephen Ball Hits London

2009-03-11T21:39:00.002Z

Banksy Hits London

2009-03-04T10:53:00.002Z

The drawings of Victor Timofeev

2009-02-24T11:43:00.004Z

http://www.victortimofeev.com/

Your Kid Can't Do This

2009-02-16T17:37:00.004Z

Canberra 6th—14th February 2009 The Legislative Assembly

Melbourne 16th—26th April 2009 Famous When Dead Gallery opening night — Friday 17th April

Sydney 20th—27th June 2009 North Bondi Sandpit select showing of works

http://yourkidcantdothis.com/

Concrete Canvas Stetchbook, featuring Stephen Ball & Neil Rothstein

2009-01-26T18:03:00.002Z

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/542353/
BUYBUYBUYBUYBUYBUYBUYBUYBUYBUYBUYBUYBUY

SHEPARD FAIREY 20 YEAR RETROSPECTIVE

2009-01-17T15:22:00.001Z

THE INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART / BOSTON

FIRST MUSEUM SURVEY OF INFLUENTIAL STREET ARTIST SHEPARD FAIREY OPENS AT THE INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART/BOSTON

SHEPARD FAIREY: SUPPLY & DEMAND
FEB. 6 - AUG. 16, 2009

Boston, MA – On the 20th anniversary of the Obey Giant campaign, the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston opens the first museum survey of Shepard Fairey, the influential street artist who created the now iconic Obama poster. Stickers and posters of the artist’s work have appeared on street signs and buildings around the world as part of a guerrilla art campaign of global scale. Featuring over 80 works, Shepard Fairey: Supply & Demand traces the artist’s career over 20 years, from the Obey Giant stencil to screen prints of political revolutionaries and rock stars to recent mixed-media works and a new mural commissioned for the ICA show. In complement to the exhibition, Fairey will be creating public art works at sites around Boston. On view at the ICA from Feb. 6 to Aug. 16, 2009, Shepard Fairey: Supply & Demand is accompanied by an expanded, limited-edition box set of Supply & Demand, the retrospective publication of the artist’s work, in addition to exclusive limited-edition prints only available at the ICA Store.

Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand features work in a wide variety of media – screen prints, stencils, stickers, rubylith illustrations, collages, and works on wood, metal and canvas. These works reflect the diversity of Fairey’s aesthetic, displaying a variety of influences and references such as Soviet propaganda, psychedelic rock posters, images of Americana, and the layering and weathering of street art. While his visually seductive imagery draws in his audience, Fairey uses his work as a platform to make statements on social issues important to him. The artist explains his driving motivation: "The real message behind most of my work is ‘question everything."

Initiated by former ICA assistant curator Emily Moore Brouillet and developed by guest curator Pedro H. Alonzo, the retrospective exhibition examines prevailing themes in Fairey’s work including Anti-War/Peace, Leaders of Change, Hierarchies of Power, Music, Excesses of Capitalism, and Activism.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exhibition Related Programs

Artist Talk: Shepard Fairey
Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, 6:30 pm
The subject of a new ICA survey exhibition, Shepard Fairey shares insights into his work which shifts easily between the realms of fine, commercial, and even political art. Tickets: $20 general admission; $14 members, students (with valid ID) and seniors. This program is made possible through the generosity of Vivien and Alan Hassenfeld.

OBEY Experiment
Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, 9 pm - midnight
On the opening night of his first museum survey, artist Shepard Fairey DJs at the ICA’s wildly popular Experiment party. Tickets: $25 general admission; $20 members and students with valid ID. 21 +

Lunchtime Gallery Talk
Shepard Fairey: Supply & Demand
Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, noon
Exhibition curator Pedro Alonzo shares his perspective on working with Shepard Fairey in a program tailor-made for the lunch hour. Free with museum admission. Space is limited. Free tickets are available first-come, first-served one hour before the program. Ticket holders receive a 10% discount at the Water Café. May not be combined with any other offer.

ICA/AIGA Design Series: Design as Social Agent
Saturday, April 4, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Bringing together speakers from the fields of design, street art, music, and politics, this day-long event frames Shepard Fairey’s work within the context of grassroots civic action, punk rock, and 80s graffiti and skate culture. Featuring Steve Heller, Elliot Earls, Nicholas Blechman, Luba Lukova, Cliff Stolze, Caleb Neelon, PIXNIT, and Mirko Ilic. Ticketing information TBD.

Bike Tour: Shepard Fairey Off Site
Sunday, May 17, 10 am
Sunday, June 28, 10 am
Exhibition curator Pedro Alonzo leads a bike tour of Fairey’s public work in Boston and Cambridge. Stopping at six locations along the way, Alonzo will talk about the context, content, and culture of the artist’s work and the relationships between graffiti, public art, graphic design, and advertising. The tour will cover approximately 10 miles. Tickets: $20 general admission; $15 ICA members, students, and seniors

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.ICABOSTON.ORG

The Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210

www.icaboston.org

WWW.OBEYGIANT.COM

Radical Cross Stitch

2009-01-12T17:45:00.002Z

I’ve been working on stitching QR Codes for some time now. I’ve been doing them on regular Aida fabric (14 count mostly) and they’ve been working really well. So I decided to do it large scale. This project was stitched with black and white finger knitted wool and stitched on animal fencing (which is tough to work with but has a lovely strong and square grid).

QR Codes, or Quick Response Codes are an open source mobile phone read bar code type technology which originated from Japan (download the free reader here). While the Japanese tend to use QR codes for communicating public service information ie public transport timetables. The introduction of QR Codes to Australia has largely been based in advertising (ugh).

So I’ve been working QR Codes in cross stitch as a way of exploring non-corporate alternatives to this potentially very interesting and useful communication medium.

The piece designed for The Streets of Melbourne is designed to make a very clear statement on the irony of a privately owned and operated city square. A space that, within Western culture, has traditionally been the primary space for free speech. And of course this space in particular is part of the traditional gathering grounds for the people of the Kulin Nations.

http://radicalcrossstitch.com/

Idle Hands

2009-01-07T10:30:00.002Z

Seatle Snow Sculptures of Aly Lenon

2008-12-23T16:15:00.002Z

These prints were made by simply pushing our faces into fresh powder on cars. They are all concave but create a super cool illusion of 3D sculptures. Enjoy.

Stephen Ball Sketch Book

2008-11-29T15:29:00.004Z

Zoo Bar, painting Session, Stephen Ball

2008-11-15T15:34:00.003Z

Opens wednesday 19th Nov

Lovely!

2008-11-06T15:55:00.001Z

On Thu, Nov 6, 2008 at 1:29 PM, Stephen Ball wrote:>

Hello, My name is Stephen Ball im 23, and im an artist currently based in
> St.Helens in merseyside.
> attached to this email are some examples of my work, hope i can get involved
> in any future exhibitions!

>> Stephen Ball

To: Stephen Ball (spirit_of_the_sun@hotmail.com)

Hi Stephen These are lovely, but, are not really what I am looking for, for the gallery. Perhaps you could try Mooch art gallery in Manchester, they might think your work is what they can sell in their gallery. Best wishes, Sophia

The Artwork of Ian Francis

2008-11-05T15:13:00.001Z

http://www.ifrancis.co.uk/
Ian Francis
Ian Francis was born in 1979 in Bristol, England, and graduated from the University of the West of England with a degree in Illustration. His work concentrates on the particulars of modern experiences — things like television, world events, celebrities, and day-to-day living.

The Artwork of Ryohei Hase, Tokyo based Illustrator

2008-11-04T14:29:00.001Z

http://ryoheihase.com

Secret Santa Art Swap 2008

2008-11-03T16:53:00.000Z

Its that time of year again, so get ready to start swapping art! The second Secret Santa Art Swap is upon us, courtesy of The Dont Think Twice Collective.

The deal is that artists from whole over the globe will make and send an original piece of art, and in return recieve a piece from another artist somewhere else in the world.

WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO:

1... email your NAME, ADDRESS, and a link to your work to dontthinktwice@hotmail.co.uk Closing date for entries is 29th November 08

2... Ill take all the names and a secret santa will be drawn for each artist out of a big fat hat!

3... You will be told by the 1st December which artist you will have to send an original piece of art to.

4... Make some art that you'd love to get. What you put into this you'll get back. Remember that it must be an original piece of art.

5... Post your artwork to the artist who's name i will give you by 11th of December, in plenty of time for christmas.

6... Dont Think Twice Collective are not responsible for secret santa's being lazy fools, or the postman stealing your art..

Get cracking!!

Stephen Ball at London, Southbank & Cans Festival 2

2008-11-01T13:55:00.004Z

old work for your eyes to feast upon

2008-10-22T14:43:00.001+01:00

New Banksy exhibition in New York

2008-10-09T15:45:00.002+01:00

http://thevillagepetstoreandcharcoalgrill.com/menu.html

Kinsey! www.kinseyvisual.com

2008-10-06T11:41:00.005+01:00

...thanks ste for showing me these.....this artist is truly one of the most exciting i've seen for years......some amazingly stunning images...........i MUST PAINT.......EVERYONE CHECK IT OUT.....NOW!!!!!!!!!

Be There!!

2008-10-01T12:59:00.002+01:00

D*Face Lands In London

2008-10-01T12:50:00.002+01:00

Each one weighs more than a tonne and was placed in several locations around london!

Dface quoted in the evening papers.
"These works are part of a movement against an ever increasing clampdown on street art. It's an art form that's inspired generations and spawned this whole scene where a Banksy can sell for hundreds of thousands and be shown in top galleries and be lauded by the establishment. Yet at the same time, with all the Big Brother-style surveillance on our streets, it's getting harder to actually create street art where it's meant to be"

2008-09-30T22:02:00.004+01:00

here is a small collection of some glass vessels i made.

they are kilnformed glass, fused and slumped in the kiln at temperatures above 800 degrees.
everything i make is unique and can not be recreated.
i might post more at some point.

our day out

2008-09-30T21:27:00.003+01:00

here are some flics from our little day out in Liverpool the other week

New Banksy in New York (In Progress)

2008-09-29T16:57:00.002+01:00

Latest

2008-09-24T15:55:00.000+01:00

BAR JAVA,
new exhibition of work by Stephen Ball just started, its your chance to catch a bargain, and last chance to come and see Jayne Murphey's work

Home Grown Deadline aproaching,,,,,,,29th-30th sept at rennies between 10am-3pm,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,be there, with work in hand!!!!!

and also make sure you get to the opening night at bar java on the 8th october from 7pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-09-20T19:11:00.005+01:00

The top three winners from the John Moores painting doo dah....judge for yourself people.....this is the top of the pile shizzzzzzzins at the moment...........can we do better?...i think we probably can....

JR Hits it big in New York

2008-09-19T14:09:00.002+01:00

2008-09-15T16:21:00.005+01:00

Some breathtaking pieces of sculpture.....from the Staglieno cemetry in Genoa.......they have influenced my work in ways i'd forgotten......they seem painted......they seem real.......they seem to be sleeping..........they live...........

Make up your own mind

2008-09-15T12:52:00.001+01:00

In 09-06-08, a group of 30 Pixadores invaded Choque Cultural Gallery (São Paulo-Brazil) in protest against the marketing, institutionalisation and domestication of Street Art, by the Gallerys and the Public Power.

All paintings of Gerald Laing (Pop Art), Speto, Titi Freak and others were tagged by the Pixadores.
The Best Pixadores of SP were summoned by the black and white invitation.

Submission for Concrete-canvas.com charity T-shirt

2008-09-10T18:53:00.001+01:00

old work-Live Painting

2008-09-08T21:42:00.002+01:00

Home Grown

2008-09-03T10:15:00.001+01:00

Fresh Banksy in New Orleans

2008-08-30T15:14:00.000+01:00

Social Suicide-----Design By Christy Leigh

2008-08-23T18:40:00.001+01:00

Chasms........opening?...

2008-08-22T15:14:00.000+01:00

We are nothing, no-one.In search of kicks they can never give us. A three hundred and sixty degree circle dome of emptiness surrounds us. We are doomed forever to be addicted to a fatal germ of hatred for ourselves. Our redemption can be nothing but torment and pain. A thin clingy film of uncomfortable sweat covers us. The film covers our ears, our eyes, our mouths, our noses. We cannot move, think, feel. Utterly trapped in the gridlock of theories and concepts, there is no escape. You are a fraud, I am a fraud, you are a failure. I am a failure. You are condemned. I am condemned. Conditioned, controlled and condemned. Your life is just a single grain of sand in a vast desert. Live or die, it doesn't matter. The icy winds that blow carry nothing but hopelessness, worthlessness, pointlessness, misery. The more you just exist, just survive, just are, the more your soul erodes, the more you become an empty shell, a walking corpse. In short, the more you live, the less intelligent you become. Hate your life, love your death. Accept everything. Be used. boredom is bliss.

Social suicide.......technicalsins

2008-08-22T14:55:00.002+01:00

Deadline...at the moment 10th of January

We are looking for an eclectic..edgy work.....powerful...your owntake on how you see this septic society....or how yourself is affected(effected?) by the insipid erosion of your liberties.....

...Examine the government ethos behind the amount of cameras watching you....the so called war on terror....then ask the questions...is it really the reason.....we are a small nation....and they want us to become smaller...isolationist......

use any means...any method to get your feelings across about this....anything you feel will express the importance of freedom of choice to walk anywhere...and not be watched or listened to...
....We would like as many of the group as possible to take part in this....a show of strength if you will....its up to artists to defend freedom of expression......so start thinking......start questioning......and get creating......

Rothstein

Stay beautiful

bolton

2008-08-21T11:40:00.001+01:00

i love it dude....it makes a nice logo too, ill put it as the banner for a bit, keep it fresh in our minds!!!

This is what they want from us!

I would like to confirm (rather vaguely) a photography workshop and a graffitti workshop to run all day 10-4 on Saturday 11th October in Bolton town centre within the context of a out door marquee with a passing shopping audience.

we will be doing the graffiti workshop

2008-08-21T02:42:00.003+01:00

I am now a fellow blogger!

I have been thinking about the Bolton thing and just messing around with different ways we could display/ link our artwork.

The flic above is just so we can get an idea of what our stuff would look like if we did cut outs.
It might be a nice and simple way of bringing our work together, whilst allowing each other to work at our own pace and in our own way.

create is just a word that sprang to mind
its what we do!

let me know what you think

Rothko

2008-08-18T18:12:00.001+01:00

he isnt that bad really!

Little Girl Giant, Liverpool, september 5th...Who's coming?....not neil!!!

2008-08-18T18:07:00.002+01:00

In May 2006 something incredible happened in London. For four days the city stopped in its tracks and marvelled at the sight of a gigantic wooden elephant, and a little-girl giant in a green dress. Hundreds of thousands of people jammed the streets, astonished at the scale and beauty of the spectacular Sultan’s Elephant.

Now Artichoke, the company that brought that event to London, is working with the engineering genius behind Royal de Luxe’s giants, François Delarozière, and his company La Machine, to create a magical and astonishing new show especially for Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008.

The precise details are a closely-guarded secret, but what’s certain is that it will be huge in scale and utterly unlike anything seen in Liverpool before: an unforgettable piece of live theatre, played out against the landmarks of a great city.

Founded by Helen Marriage and Nicky Webb, producers of extraordinary live events, Artichoke works in unusual places: in streets, public spaces or in the countryside. Previous projects include the first arts programme at Canary Wharf in the early nineties, and the transformation of the Salisbury Festival from a local event into what The Times called ‘a miracle of modern British culture.’

Artichoke believes that the arts shouldn’t only take place behind the closed doors of our theatres and art galleries, choosing instead to put on events that, though ambitious and complex, have something to say to the widest possible audience. By putting on extraordinary shows that change the way people look at the world and working with the best creative minds, Artichoke produces events that live in the memory forever.
DatesOpening 2008 5 Sep 2008 - 7 Sep 2008

Home Grown- Open submission exhibition

2008-08-16T14:11:00.003+01:00

Are you an artist or art student living in St.Helens???

Think your creative skills are too good for your home town???

PROVE IT!!!

Submit your work to Dont Think Twice Collectives "Home Grown" exhibition showcase, the best will be chosen for an exhibition at Rennies Gallery, Bridge Street, St.Helens!
And the best of the best will be chosen by public vote and will win a CASH PRIZE!!!

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY!

*There are no size restrictions, but please conferm your sizes with a us before hand!
*All selected artwork will be displayed at rennies from monday 6th october- saturday 1st november
*All 2d submissions must have wire or string on the back to hang, not mirror plates! get in touch if your unsure what to do!
*All mediums and styles accepted within reason! anything too offensive will not be displayed!
*3d work will be accepted depending on space and size
*Artwork can be for sale (rennies takes 25% comission)
*all artists enter their work at their own risk!
*£3 submission fee per painting! the best piece of work, voted for by the public will recieve a cash or voucher prize, the amount will depend on the amout of submissions!

Any problems call steve on 07982665799
or email dontthinktwice@hotmail.co.uk

Get creating!!!!.........submission forms available soon

london

2008-08-08T05:14:00.005+01:00

just about to leave london (5 and a half hour couch trip) back to st.helens.... im completly exhausted, but full of inspiration again thanks to my random wanderings around the streets of shorditch and brick lane today.......

I also went back to the cans festival to put up more stencils...they are all destroyed now........doesnt help if i put wet stencils back into my sketch book

Cans Festival

2008-08-06T21:27:00.001+01:00

Stephen Ball painting at the cans festival, Waterloo

King cigarette-snuffed out by her midgets

2008-08-05T14:19:00.002+01:00

ART CANNOT BE HALF HEARTED....YOU EITHER DO IT, AND IT BECOMES YOUR LIFE...OR YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT......THERE IS NO THIRD WAY....

doorways to insanity,
doorways to insanity,
doorways to insanity,
doorways to my insanity,

open then close....then open...then close

in searching i found the razors edge, the insecticide perfume,
pernicious fortune,

all paths lead here,
destiny unfound, international razors

non sequiters...and misnomers

shunning good grace, denying your friends,
this torture womb,

dissecting motives, gladly giving everything

as they sadly take your life away.....

(Rothstein)

Stay Beautiful

My inspirations!

2008-08-04T16:20:00.000+01:00

touch us.................with your minds

2008-08-03T23:58:00.001+01:00

dont forget to get in touch with us if anyone else is after getting involved in the social suicide gig. we want ideas from every end of the spectrum so fear no boundaries people!

also dont forget to nip into rennies next week for the final week of the DTT takeover. we will keep you posted to where everything is going next

finaly heres a forward from ste sent out on the facebook group......... for those of you that arent facebook addicts.......

Jayne Murphey, Solo exhibition currently on in Bar Java, Westfield street, this will be on for a few more weeks....... (go see it and buy something before she realises how great her work is and up's the prices.......lol)Stephen Ball has a few pieces of work in the Level 1 Gallery, in the world of glass, St.Helens.......Ian Edmondson, has a few pieces of his glass work in the chapel gallery in ormskirk........thats a great exhibition.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS...........Free the art.......................... each artist donates a piece of art based on the theme of freedom, these will be displayed on the street, somewhere in St.Helens for the public to take away for FREE!

Deal em' Up!.......................Playing card re-design,,,,,,this is still in the pipeline,,,,,,,,,,need more people to get in..............St.Helens chain book...............who wants it next?

If you are interested in taking part in any of these projects, send me a message, and ill tell you more!!!!...adios!

love and curls

nicola

x

So here I am.........

2008-08-02T11:58:00.000+01:00

I'm sitting here.....its now...my mind racing furiously with possibilities.....for the first time in a long time....im just one person...no clashes...no conjoined internal conflicting mayhem...fucking things up...confusing friends casting suspicion on my decisions and devices....are we tortured..or do our innate mute possibilities destroy the essence of our pleasure?......Is art something you are...or something you do??...............a hurricane of emotions is sweeping around me..........

Study the past and make your own future.....

There would seem to be equality at the moment, with us all....no resentment or totalitarianism....i've been able to express myself clearly and with much clarity.....a strange calm has descended.....its all there at last....

I was woken by thunder a few mornings back...i felt like i was in a different existence....it was dark but felt like day....the sun was dripping forth its murderous radioactive lava...the lightening was prodding my mind to some kind of mysterious resolution.....Release..repair...relate....jungles, cities on fire....undefined shadowplay....could i pick on the whims of a thousend or more?....deciphering scars and digging graves...?

Salutory, the deep dark place
the laughing burden,

divided and
together
throwing yourself down the corridor

Motions-counter motions
insane actions, and beautiful distractions
pour forth and give me your,
crass and pitiful fortune

the clocks stop now.....

abyssal....colossal...soaring....laughter

time alone....is your fear

Rothstein

stay beautiful

Feature Artist- Joshua Considine

2008-07-31T13:00:00.000+01:00

I saw this painting a few weeks ago at St.Helens Open arts competition exhibition, and i thought it deserved a prize,,,oh well fucking council! when will they sort themselves out and give praise to the young great artists that deserve it!!!

Feature Artist......Joshua Considine

2008-07-31T12:44:00.000+01:00

Dont think twice at Rennies, Bridge Street, St.Helens

2008-07-28T15:46:00.000+01:00

Antony Gormley, Trafalgar Sqr Fourth Plinth "One and other"

2008-07-23T21:53:00.000+01:00

http://london.gov.uk/fourthplinth/

keep checking the site for sign up details!!

social suicide- something to get the ideas coming in your brain tanks

2008-07-23T20:40:00.000+01:00

dear all,

here are a few ideas regarding the 24hr surveillance project that was put forth by Neil a few days ago. sprung from our brains while propping up the bar in java one Monday evening, we hope they Will get your creative juices flowing

24hr CCTV is inescapable- is it really for our own protection? hidden in lights, signs etc
who's watching the screens? who's watching the watchers of the screens? who's watching the watchers of the watchers? where does it end??
do people now have 'safety paranoia'?- are people being turned against each other
is there enough security in the streets and towns, in your own homes? are the papers telling stories to scaremonger?
constant fear of terrorism
celebrity culture- people throwing themselves in the firing line- big brother
all emails, text and phone calls can be traced and read
neighbourhood watch. are your neighbouring curtains twitching??

these are some little notions for you folks who are looking for a place to start

tar

nicola

Don't Think Twice (Devlin & Damon)

2008-07-23T20:26:00.000+01:00

Dont Think Twice's youngest members, Devlin & Damon, Age 6

2008-07-23T11:15:00.000+01:00

Banksy's reaction

2008-07-22T14:51:00.000+01:00

Paper 'reveals Banksy's identity'

2008-07-18T16:48:00.000+01:00

Several pictures purporting to show Banksy have appeared over the years
Mysterious graffiti artist Banksy is a 34-year-old former public school pupil called Robin Gunningham, The Mail On Sunday has claimed.

The paper says it has identified the "guerrilla artist" from a photograph taken four years ago in Jamaica, which shows a man kneeling by a spray can.

But a spokeswoman for Banksy refused to comment on the report. "We get these calls all the time," she told the BBC.

"I'll say what I always say: I never confirm or deny these stories".

Banksy's stencilled artwork appears unannounced in public spaces around the world.

In January a piece of his graffiti in Portobello Road, west London - which shows a painter finishing off the word "Banksy" - attracted a bid of £208,100 in an online auction.

But the artist is also renowned for his audacious stunts - such as leaving a life-size replica of a Guantanamo Bay detainee at Disneyland in 2006.

His fiercely-guarded identity only adds to his subversive appeal - and members of the Hollywood elite including Christina Aguilera and Angelina Jolie have snapped up his paintings.

'Extremely talented'

Banksy's graffiti is highly collectable, but is often removed by local councils
The only solid biographical fact about the artist is that he was born and raised in Bristol.

It has often been rumoured that his real name is Robin Banks and that his parents think he is a painter and decorator - but no-one close to Banksy has ever verified these stories.

Now, the Mail on Sunday claims to have uncovered his true identity.

The newspaper says it traced the artist using a photograph purporting to show Banksy at work in Jamaica in 2004. Former friends and acquaintances identify the man in the picture as Robin Gunningham.

Scott Nurse, who went to the £9,420-a-year Bristol Cathedral School with Gunningham, tells the paper he was "extremely talented at art".

"I am not at all surprised if he is Banksy," he is quoted as saying.

Luke Egan, an artist who later exhibited with Banksy initially denied knowing Gunningham, but eventually agreed he had shared a flat with him.

Asked by the paper whether Gunningham was Banksy, he replied: "Well, he wasn't then". Gunningham's father Peter said he did not recognise the person in the photograph, while his mother Pamela maintained she had never even had a son.

'Crushing disappointment'

The picture the Mail claims is of Banksy was taken by Jamaican photographer Peter Dean Rickards.

It first appeared on the internet and then in the Mail's sister publication, The Evening Standard, in 2004.

The artist's stencils often convey subversive political messages
Banksy's agent Steve Lazarides told The New Yorker that Rickards' picture did not depict his client - although Colin Saysell, an anti-graffiti officer in Bristol who has followed Banksy for years, concluded the photo was legitimate.

Two years later, Banksy insisted the public should never discover who he is.

"I have no interest in ever coming out," he told Swindle magazine.

"I'm just trying to make the pictures look good; I'm not into trying to make myself look good.

"And besides, it's a pretty safe bet that the reality of me would be a crushing disappointment to a couple of 15-year-old kids out there."

Nicola Ellis "Dont Think Twice" @ St.Helens Festival

2008-07-18T16:37:00.000+01:00

Stephen Ball "Dont think twice" @ St.Helens Festival

2008-07-18T16:34:00.000+01:00

Neil Rothstein "Dont think twice" @ St.Helens Festival

2008-07-18T16:32:00.003+01:00

Ian Edmonson "Dont Think Twice" @ St.Helens Festival

2008-07-18T16:27:00.001+01:00

Social Suicide

2008-07-15T15:44:00.000+01:00

YOUR RIGHTS ARE NOT ABSOLUTE!!!

"the most substantial extension of the states executive power over the citizens in 300 years"

In the next few months...we will be workin as a group to make a stand against the erosion of our rights....we are in a state of flux at the moment...a paranoid state of delusion....our government is pulling the curtain of illusion around us....of terror suspects....42 day detention without appeal....and the majority are walking into this with there eyes closed.....one cctv device for every 14 people in the country.....4.2 million overall and growing daily.....the most watched society in the world......is it just for our protection?.....in this country of quasi- democracy we are supposed to have a say about all this.....in reality we have no voice.....we have no right of meaningful protest or demonstration.....so people don't bother....we are sleepwalking in to a police state....orwell wouldent know wether to laugh or cry.....we as a collective will make a stand....we will make people listen to this....subversivley...or overtly.....read this...absorb it....use it.....create something to change things........drag yourselves out of the apathy...of the little niche you have created....look around you.....its time to act....

Rothstein

stay beautiful

FEATURE ARTIST- Stuart Harris

2008-07-13T16:50:00.000+01:00

Stuart Harris, Liverpool born designer took an interest in electronics, science and art at an early age, he was influenced by the upbringing of his artistic father and video game culture. After high school he developed his skills in digital arts during a gap year, creating a few small video games along the way. A year later he returned to education, successfully completing 3 courses at St Helens and becoming involved in the local creative scene. During his years at the college he developed a taste for the use of unique materials and the immediacy of graffiti in his artistic approach, complementing them with his taste for digital and techno style.

"My artwork often deals with minimalist forms which have a very refined and satisfying shape and the way these forms interact to form relationships or a greater structure or meaning. Material is key, I dislike sterile exhibition spaces. To have the viewer experience the extra dimension a carefully considered material brings to a piece is rewarding. Interaction is fantastic it gives life to a piece."

New work

2008-07-11T13:12:00.000+01:00

Dont think twice logo's by Stephen Ball

2008-07-09T15:40:00.000+01:00

New Work from the collective

2008-07-09T15:32:00.001+01:00

Dont Think Twice @ Rennies Gallery, St.Helens

2008-07-08T12:16:00.000+01:00

Dont think twice arts collective exhibition at Rennies Gallery (Above the shop).....Artwork by

Stephen Ball
Nicola Ellis
Neil Rothstein
Ian Edmonson
Stuart Harris
Roisin Curren
Alan Bridge
Sue Waine
Live painting showcase......Date to be confirmed

Logo design by Andrew Flint

2008-07-08T10:18:00.000+01:00

dont think twice logo design by Andrew Flint

2008-07-08T10:14:00.000+01:00

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/-skizzo-/GetAttachment.jpg[/IMG]

Upcoming event

2008-07-07T13:58:00.001+01:00

Dont Think Twice Paint the town take over at Rennies arts and crafts, Bridge street, St.Helens

Work by......

Stephen Ball
Neil Rothstein
Nicola Ellis
Alan Bridge
Roisin Curren
Stuart Harris
Sue Waine
Ian Edmonson

exhibition starts 14th July,,,

Don't Think Twice @ St.Helens Festival

2008-07-07T13:55:00.000+01:00

Besides the rain, chavs, and muddy children, the weekend was a buzzin success!
ill post the pics when i get them,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Dont think twice history

2008-07-02T18:00:00.000+01:00

I thought id give you some insight into what we do as a creative collective, and what we plan to do...........

the collective was founded by stephen ball & neil rothstein. they became friends through there mutual passion for art, so they decided to start organising exhibitions of their work in bar java, in st.helens....after doing this for a few months, people started to take notice, and the collective started to grow, with artists from varied creative backgrounds joining us!

some of the artists we have worked with over the last few years include:

-Cat London.........Photographer
-Ian Edmonson.........All round creative demon
-Stuart Harris.........graphic designer/artist
-Nicola Ellis.........Fine print artist
-Amber Roberts.........Painter/landscape architect
-Jayne Murphey.........Fine artist.,,(current exhibitor at bar java)
-Helen Tinsley.........Fine Artist
-Emmer Winder.........Photographer
-Alan Bridge.........Photographer
-Diane Worthington.........Fine artist
-Roisin Curran............Graphic Artist
-Marcjon Nimmo............Graphic Designer/artist

this is just a small list of the artists who exhibited their work at Bar Java.....

Recently, the Dont Think Twice collective has been involved in Channel 4's big arts project, the opening of the Pavillion at Edge Hill train station, various members help to install and supervise the Antony Gormley, Field for the british isles exhibition, and the up-coming Sthelens Festival........

Well done Jayne Murphey for your 3rd place at St.Helens open arts competition......well deserved!!!

New artwork

2008-07-02T12:32:00.001+01:00

Dont Think Twice @ Sherdley Show

2008-07-02T12:27:00.000+01:00

this weekend, the dont think twice collective will be holding a live painting showcase, artists involved are

Stephen Ball
Nicola Ellis
Neil Rothstein
Ian Edmonson
Stuart Harris
Alan Bridge
Matt Butterworth

hopefully it wont be a complete fuck up like all council run events are!!!!!!!!