Josh Kenyon and Jolby. They continue their proud tradition of making our jaw drop this month with a new Zine and accompanying art exhibit entitled “&1: Everyday Shenanigans.” You can tell by the title that -despite their serious talent- this collection of mustaches, monsters, and plenty more where that came from, is more boisterous than serious. That sense of amusement makes it all the more worth our consideration and your consideration. Should you happen to be in Portland, OR on August 7th, we heartily recommend showing your appreciation in person by popping into the exhibit opening at Artful Goods from 5-8pm for a heaping helping of good-natured nonsense.

Josh Kenyon and Colby Nichols, known collectively as Jolby, are launching their first solo show entitled “Home is Where You Make It.” The exhibition tells the story of a boy named William’s adventures in an aging forest filled with musically inclined animals, dark characters, and backdrops for every mood. The project reflects the lives and experiences of the artists, and expresses themes of hope, faith, isolation, and rebirth through a collection of visually striking images. If you’re in San Diego, check them out Subtext starting February 21st. If not, get a taste here.

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Josh Kenyon and Colby Nichols have been on our radar (as well as each other’s) for quite some time now. While it’s often said that familiarity breeds
contempt, their familiarity has bred nothing but appreciation of the other’s awesome design work. The two talented artists, who have both contributed to some of the same projects, are now a team. As art directors of the Portland and Chicago offices of Tangible Worldwide, Nichols and Kenyon  have teamed up for their first project, a limited run poster promoting Tangible Chicago. To sneaka closer peak at the work being done at the burgeoning interdisciplinary design agency check out their new site and then stop by their online shop to snag yourself a poster before they’re all gone.

Boarders and bikers alike are rightfully drawn to designs by the inspired master shoesmiths at DC Shoes. While the company specializes in footwear for the extreme sports set, they're also known for enlisting some of the world's most fertile minds to collaborate on their creations, turning canvas sneakers into canvas works of art. In certain cases it's not always advisable to wear your art where you might get it dirty, so the good folks at the Subtext store in San Diego have decided to make an exhibit out of some of their favorite custom designed footgear. The Kicks exhibition, presented by Subtext and DC Shoes, kicks off on January 25th and features super sweet shoe designs from some of our favorite artist pals like Colby Nichols and Josh Kenyon, amongst many others. So if you're in the San Diego between January 25th and February 7th feel free to check it out as Subtext will be donating 25% of the gallery commissions to the Red Cross to help the families who were affected by the recent Southern California wildfires.

Two of our favorite artist pals, Josh Kenyon and Colby Nichols, recently became involved with the Music Saves Lives Gibson Guitar Project, an awesome Gibson/musician/artist collab whose proceeds will go towards very good things. Five Les Paul guitars were signed individually signed by Coheed and Cambria, Pennywise, Bad Religion, and Meg and Dia, then made their way into the hands of Josh and Colby, who customized the guitars with their own unique styles of hand painting. Check them out and fall in love here, but don’t worry if you lack the funds to nail one – you can also scoop up similar artwork from the same place in the form of one of a limited edition prints (proceeds of which will also benefit the Music Saves Lives Project). The guitars are being auctioned off one at a time — and there are just three left — so hurry up, place your bid, and form your band.

Chuck Anderson Prints: Read JS Review | Buy It ($35 – $65; shown as 2)

Holy kaleidoscope! We’d paper maîche our houses in these were they a bit more weatherproof. Until that day, we’ll just enjoy their sparkly-ness from the comfort of our climate controlled living rooms.

20×200: Read JS Review | Buy It ($20; shown as 3)

Jen Bekman’s affordable art project let’s you choose from a wide variety of wonderfully curated print, photographic and mixed media limited edition offerings — and at 20 bucks a pop, there’s nothing snooty about it.

Ice Cream: Read JS Review | Buy It ($69.95; shown as 5)

We reviewed Ice Cream, an awesome (and shiny) selection of 100 of the most significant emerging artists working today…but anything from Phaidon will make the creative people in your life happier than a two-year old with a Snack Pack.

Colby Nichols Prints: Read JS Review | Buy It ($7 – $50; shown as 4)

This up-and-comer is filling my daily monster quotient with his prints, paintings, and sketches of zombies, toothed animals, and one-eyed beasts. His tees are rather awesome as well, but I guess that’s for another post.

Richard Goodall Underground Store: Read JS Review | Buy It (prices vary; shown as 1)

The only place to go for the biggest selection of everything urban artsy. Aside from the tragic exchange rate you’ll experience shopping here (if you live in the US), there is not one bummer about this art and culture superstore. Prints, originals, designer toys, skate decks — it’s a winter wonderland.

I’m digging the illustration work of Colby Nichols, the silent half of the Substratum Apparel line. An Art Institute of California graduate and now San Diego resident, Colby’s love for the line and shape mix with his humor and passion creating complex stories that guide us to the very core of his strange brain. Strange indeed, but quirky, entertaining, and often silly as well. Check out some of the prints, apparel, and other goodies in his little online shop.