Q.KESHI Collection – by wickedQ & MyKokeshi

QKESHI Collection Release Event

For the past few months, wickedQ has been brainstorming on a project involving two things they admire most: custom toys/characters and handmade art. Once again, we wanted to take it a step further and join forces with our friend BelaDonna and her current project, MyKokeshi, to help bring our idea into finished products with an experienced manufacturer.

So, what are Kokeshi dolls?
Kokeshi are Japanese wooden dolls. Their shape are extremely basic and usually are decorated with traditional japanese colors and designs. When we saw these dolls we knew we could bring our distinctively modern character and pattern designs to these very unusual canvas.

Our Q.KESHI doll collection currently consists of three EXCLUSIVE lines:

The first one, based on MyKokeshi’s Mini-Me Collection, consists of two characters representing the wickedQ team, Daissy and Reina. These were limited to one per version, but can be requested through us.

Q.keshi_Reina&Daissy

The second line of Q.KESHI are The Characters. They include three character designs by our own, Daissy, and handcrafted by BelaDonna. The characters are The Demon, The Reaper and El Duende. These characters are portrayed as cute and mischievous beings. Their style reflect wickedQ’s personality and history. Namely El Duende, which embodies Daissy’s own life philosophy of el Maldito Duende. This collection is LIMITED to 8 dolls per version, so make sure to reserve yours!

Q.KESHI_Deamon

Q.KESHI_Reaper

Q.KESHI_Duende

The third line of the collection are our Patterns. Each design is uniquely hand drawn and painted on the doll by Reina. This line consist of the three colors that are heavily identifiable with wickedQ: red, turquoise and bright mustard. Each color is LIMITED to 4 dolls, including few Special editions (different inks and/or different artist).

Q.KESHI_Patterns

The Characters and Patterns will be available for purchase at the end of September in our Q.KESHI Collection Release Event. Remember these are extremely limited and will sell out fast, so make sure to keep checking our blog for news and updates on the event and how to purchase.

We’d like to thank BelaDonna for her enthusiasm not only for the Q.KESHI Collection, but for wanting to spread the love of art, design and spirit for collaboration with local talent.

>>> Q.KESHI Collection NOW AVAILABLE here: http://wickedq.bigcartel.com/ <<<

{rockin’ out for a cause}

This week wickedQ was delighted to be commissioned to design the logo for Lil’ Rock Stars. The project was brought to us by Urbe Prima‘s singer/song writer/guitar player/composer/mathematician/promoter/(need to say more?), Leonardo Linares. Having been part of the Rock for Hunger Creative & Production team, Leo knew that wickedQ’s playful yet polished approach would help Lil’ Rock Stars re-create and energize their image for a more specific audience; young musicians and potential sponsors. We were happy to finalize our design while maintaing the essence of their main branding. Please check out their Wish List and help support Lil’ Rock Stars along with other local organizations trying to make a REAL difference in our community.

ABOUT LIL’ ROCK STARS:

Rock for Hunger partners with local after-school programs to provide tutoring to underprivileged children in the downtown Orlando community, focusing on the basic areas of reading, math and computer skills.

In 2009, Rock for Hunger started an educational field trip program called Lil’ Rock Stars. The program was designed to encourage the imagination and creativity of young mind. The Lil’ Rock Stars program will give children the confidence and nurturing needed to help them get excited about education and fulfill their dreams.

Lil’ Rock Starts Wish List:

• Monetary Donations
• A bus or van
• Volunteers
• Backpacks, shoes, socks

If you are interested in hosting a field trip or volunteering for Rock for Hunger’s Lil’ Rock Stars Program, please contact: Chris Goyzueta at chris@rockforhunger.org

Other RFH Programs include:

• Rock for Hunger Fest
• Talk for Hunger
• The Dreams Center
• Food Sharing

RFH MISSION

Rock for Hunger exists to inspire individuals of all cultures to join together through music, education and peaceful solutions in order to end the cycle of hunger and poverty.

www.RockforHunger.org

{concept to completion}

SPIKI RELEASE – Saturday, May 30 2-6PM @ Urban Outfitters [The Mall of Millenia]

A few of us have had the pleasure of sharing in the process that has gone into Nakanari’s first original vinyl figure, Ninja Spiki. Nakanari’s Ninja Spiki is the latest project from Mai Hiro – a collaboration between self-taught artist Tony Shian Nakanari, our dearest friend Soujohn [co-founder of Mai Hiro], and Dave “Outtamymind” Quiles.

Vinyl Pulse and Toys R Evil have covered the development and help illustrate how lots of planning along with hours of production, refinement, and long nights can push a team of talents to produce a must-have piece. The original Spiki will be available for sale at the release as well as exclusive prints, paintings, apparel, and other merchandise. Three more versions of Ninja Spiki will be displayed and available for sale online:

• Space & Cartoon Safari offers the light pink version.
• Dragatomi offers the “Game of Death” version.
• Kidrobot offers the dark pink vesion.

So pencil this one in and be ready to enjoy music by RockSteady Sound System and view featured work from Banana Virus [Taiwan], Bunka [France], Keith Poon [US], Mr. Kone [Mexico], Fury Animals [Hong Kong], kaNO [US], Paul Shih [Taiwan], Shon [Taiwan], Tobyhk [US], and Vanbeater [US].

About the Artists: [from nakari's blog]

Tony Shiau Nakanari was born 1979 in South Taiwan and is a self-taught artist and designer. He serves as project director with brand collaboration in toy design. In 2004, he worked with B.B.birdy, premier toy designer to be the first to launch Taiwanese designer toys. He also is the creator of the Funny Club Show tour and Cross-over Show, and co-created Project Vinyl. In 2009, Nakanari created a new brand called
Mai-Hiro with co-founder, a talented local artist named soujohn.
Nakanari’s work has been exhibited and collected around the world.”

Dave “Outtamymind” Quiles was (hold your tongue) born on a pirate ship on Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, WI. He gave up his villianous bucaneering upbringing to pursue a career in art and design, all while getting a biochemistry degree. He moved to Florida after a wind spirit suggested it to him on a whisper carried on a breeze. He designs, he daydreams, he creates, and, every once in a while, sleeps. His projects include everything from furniture and children’s books to jewelry and sculptures. He is known to push the boundaries of wall art with his multi-planed acrylic sculptures. He’s also known to push the boundaries of mind-control. YOU WILL LIKE HIM AND HE IS YOUR NEW FAVORITE ARTIST…WELL…BESIDES NAKANARI…AND BANKSY’S PRETTY AMAZING…AND SO IS VAN BEATER…OKAY WELL…YOU’LL APPRECIATE HIS WORK MORE THAN BEFORE…SO YEAH…HE’LL SETTLE FOR THAT…

John “Soujohn” Sousa was born in 1984 on a military base in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Then ended up in Florida, and decided to hold it down for the O-Town. Soujohn is the second half behind the creative force known as Mai Hiro, serving as the brands art director and occasional PR rep. He is well known for his…. well nothing, really, he’s pretty much the secret weapon in the Mai Hiro arsenal. However, while hard at work developing and refining Mai Hiro’s artwork since co-founding the brand he’s had time to develop some of his own musings.

{shades of black}

Last Saturday, May 16th – As all the preparations for the second Back in Black T-shirt Exhibit were coming together, it seemed that even the city of Ybor was dressing up for the event with a sixty percent shade-of-black hat. But the cloudy, wet weather didn’t seem to keep anyone away! Kenny [Rabbit in a Box] and I arrived at Czar just on time to see the result of a great collaboration between our friend Joshua Smith [aka Hydro74] and new inspiration Chris Parks [aka PaleHorse]. Together they managed to once again forge one of the greatest combinations of art, design, music, freebies, and beautiful people.

T-shirt designs from 123 Klan, Black Axe, Brian Morris, Dan Mumford, God Machine, Jimiyo, MAD, Maxx242, Munk One, OG Abel, Ryan Smith, Tristan Eaton, Wes Humpston, and personal favorites Julie West and ISO50 are available. But only until the end of May, so order yours before they’re gone!

courtesy of PaleHorse team

Support local talent! — Be sure to mark your calendars with upcoming events which will leave you inspired while you promote constructive criticism to the budding artists in your area! Your feedback and support help great ideas become a reality!

{EXCESS}

EXCESS is an upcoming art show. The main focus will be on issues concerning consumption and efficiency in our culture. wickedQ has been helping out other locals of Orlando on getting this show going. The first step was to create an identity for it. In the future we will be updating with the rest of the material that will be created for the event. 

Here is an excerpt from the call for entries:

How about an art show about ideas?

EXCESS.

A multimedia art show confornting issues of efficiency, consumption and waste.

Now accepting submissions from artists and designers that address the theme of EXCESS, especially its role in contemporary culture.

Works that investigate and engage the pertinent issues of efficiency, consumption and waste on a critical level are encouraged, as are those that utilize efficient methodologies or recycled materials. Works of all media welcome.

Here is a sneak preview of the identity for the show and it’s original sketch.

 

 

wickedQ will not only help the advertisement and look of the show, but will also contribute with pieces. We are hoping for a big turn out for both entries and public. If you’d like to participate in the event (Date and place to be determined), please contact Rick Jones at rickjonesprojects@gmail.com

{it is that time of the year}

Yep, ADDYs are just around the corner and wickedQ is definitely being part of it. This year, the wickedQ team is helping out the Ad 2 board with some visuals for the Gallery Night. 

The team will be there as well as at the Gala, so don’t forget to come and show your support for the local agencies, designers and students! 

Remember to get your tickets soon. We’ll see you there!

{official photoshoot}

Last month, the wickedQ team had their first official photo shoot. 

     

 

You can see more out takes on their flickr account. Don’t forget to comment and tag your favorites!!

wickedQ’s flickr.

{inky business}

While thinking of ways to promote wickedQ, one of the first things we wanted to do were business cards. Being print designers, one of our favorite things is ink and we wanted to experiment with it and printing processes while making our very first business cards. We decided to print them ourselves with one of the greatest inventions ever: Print Gocco! Here are a few pictures of our 3A.M adventures in the gocco world.

Daissy cutting the square cards.

 

The first screen is burnt.

 

Official gocco uniform: comfy pijamas, hair up and keeping coffee handy.

 

The first wQ gocco print.

 

After all, gocco IS japanese!

 

The backside of the cards were printed first.

 

Then the front side was printed.

 

wQ working hard like always.

{sticky situation}

As we gather elements to promote the creation of wickedQ, Daissy and I were able to reach out to those who can help materialize our vision. With their support, we were able to tackle our goal head on and, of course, creatively. Thanks to the help of Leo and Nitesol‘s team, we will be able to bring awareness with one of the simplest ways to promote. Stickers!!!

Leo checking our print.

 

Daissy and the giant sticker sheet.

 

we approve!

 

Thanks again for reading and soon we will post about our adventures n the gocco world!

-reina.