December 2012
1 post
B.I.B - KEEP IT MOVING
Thank you for supporting the Dark Arts by following my work and projects through STUDIOBIB.COM and the B.I.BLOG over the past years.
STUDIOBIB.COM will be replaced by ALLISTERLEE.CA and BLACKISBEAUTIFUL.CA in the new year.
ALLISTER LEE is my new portfolio site.
BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL is my new visual database of black markers from Artline to Zebra, gradually showing the wide variety of...
September 2012
1 post
4 tags
BLACK CAT IS THE BEST
A trio of black marker strays from SF/PDX trip.
SCHOLASTIC BLACK
Copped from Utrechts art store. Came in a pack of assorted colors. Really basic silhouette, similar to Crayola. White barrel with black rings on bottom, with the color name printed on the side. Conical nib. Not the greatest marker. Makes thin lines, kinda goes on sketchy. I remember Scholastic from back in grade school. They gave...
August 2012
5 posts
10 tags
BINGO
A slew of new pickups and stash stuff from always-on-the-lookout DIET HTK from July SF trip.
BINGO MARKER
I’m never really on the lookout for Bingo Markers. This is the first one i’m adding to the marker collection. I see them more often than not at dollar shops, but I guess I never really considered them to be “true” black markers. In fitting with the criteria, this...
12 tags
HAPPY MEAL
This is a mixed bag of mini markers which I got from a couple different sources.
The last 3 came via marker trades with JUSTSOMEMARKERS, the first and third came from an ebay score, and the second one came from the homey Skam that runs Homebase in Toronto.
EL MARKO (MODERN VERSION)
This is a modern version of the El Marko, which for the longest time was my Holy Grail marker. I had found a...
2 tags
FIXED GEAR REVOLUTION 4
China’s premier annual cycling event is just around the corner. Great to work with Beijing FG again to develop the graphic collateral and product for Fixed Gear Revolution 4.
For more information, program and registration check out the Beijing Fixed website.
6 tags
DUCK DUCK DUCK DUCK DUCK GOOSE GOOSE
This is a selection of medium metal barrel markers from the marker trades with M from justsomemarkers.com. Great assortment of the edding 3000 series from different years, featuring different label details and characteristics….plus a couple strays.
EDDING 3000
This entire series range are a classic silhouette and construction. Prominent edding side brand colors, wordmark, and italic san...
4 tags
SUPERBROAD
A while back I came upon a really great website JUSTSOMEMARKERS that contains beautifully shot images of markers and intellectual dissemination of marker history.
The entries look at a diverse range of markers that fall within the vintage-to-rare spectrum, as well as companion pieces that show different marker applications and usage, and some in-depth stories behind some marker brand design...
July 2012
1 post
DESK JAZZ - STRAIGHT NO CHASER
Images from the DESK JAZZ show of work from Tom Messenger and myself that opened last thursday at Compound Gallery in Portland.
Show runs until July 28th, roll through if you’re in the area.
All artworks, prints and posters, including the Studio BIB 500 Marker Poster available to purchase at the gallery and ONLINE.
For availability and other inquiries...
June 2012
1 post
DESK JAZZ
I’ve known Tom Messenger for about a decade and we’ve tried to come together to do little DIY print projects together, but i’ve always wanted to do more substantial projects with him.
We’re both studio hermits and while looking through the variety of work we both produce, we noticed a point of intersection in the images that focus on the tools of our trade.
Tom does...
May 2012
6 posts
12 tags
EL MARKO RIDES AGAIN !
Another mixed bag of markers, most of which came from an ebay lot I popped on last month. Lot of nice classics in the mix.
EL MARKO WATERCOLOR
Wow. The El Marko was my Holy Grail for the longest time until I got one from the homey DIET HTK earlier in the year. This is the watercolor version - same silhouette as the other el Marko, but a white body. Nice multi-faceted chiseltip. Really nice...
8 tags
METAL DETECTOR
Here’s a power grouping of vintage metal markers that I got off of ebay. Not often that I get to see these older specimens just out and about, so when I saw them up for bid, I had to pop. All amazing specimens that wow with bold, clean design and sturdy quality construction.
MARKTEX TEXPEN
A vintage piece that seems to be the precursor to a Dalo Texpen. Rubber pump on the back...
BUT IN BLACK - 002
A great buncho older style markers, but not in black. Just a reminder that there are still a lot of markers out there that I need to track down.
AUTOPOINT
This has the same body silhouette as the el Marko. I’m pretty sure it’s the same manufacturer, just different label imprint.
MARKETTE
One plastic and one metal body Markette…but not in black. Really nice throwback...
5 tags
SANFORD 69
This is a great pick-up. Complete set of in-package vintage Sanford 69 markers.
Does 69 mean something else in marker code ? I have this other Magic Marker that has 69 on the label, and that one is small scale as well.
Cardboard slipcover, styrofoam tray slides out to store markers.
SANFORDS MARKER DELUXE 69
Really like these mini metal Sanfords. Have the modern version, which...
7 tags
INK-AN EMPIRE - HECHO EN PERU
Heres a slew of markers my friend Suzette copped for me when she went to Peru. There’s an entire world of markers out there - gotta start getting more international pieces in.
KP 580
First thing I noticed about this is the packaging. Rather than plastic clamshell they shrinkwrap it to the cardboard backer. Guess it’s a cheaper option. Nice basic bullet tip marker. White screened...
VAGABOND SKATEBOARDS - PRO MODELS
Been working with Shanghai based Vagabond Skateboards as creative director to develop their deck program and special projects since their inception in 2010.
Fresh off their Vietnam and Thailand tour, the gang got together last Sunday to premier their video from the trip, and launch of their first Pro Model decks.
“Hello My Friend” was shot by Charles Lanceplaine over a 2 week...
April 2012
3 posts
STUSSY STOCK STITCH TEE
Close up detail of the marker illos I made for the front and back graphics of this STUSSY STOCK STITCH TEE.
Available as part of this seasons tee lineup online at the STUSSY STORE or your LOCAL CHAPTER.
SOLITARY ARTS - MINI SKATE SHOP - MAXIMUM RESPECT...
Many-a-moon ago I woke up hazy and confused in a foreign land surrounded by a stranger and a trio of curiosities; a The Last Days of the Golden Age of the Handmade tee, a Solitary Bird tee, and a hand-shaped deck of unknown origins adorned with a mysterious, mystical-looking symbol.
And so began my first steps in pursuit of the Solitary Arts.
It’s been an enlightening journey...
CAST SPELLS
March 2012
11 posts
CHARLIE BLACK
BLACK ICE
BABY GOT BLACK
QUALITY > QUANTITY
U&LC archive scans.
5 tags
THE HOLY GRAIL
I dont know how and why it came to be, but at some point during the past 5 years, I became semi-obsessed with trying to find a Flair El Marko. Well the search is over, and I have one in my collection now. Big thanks to DIET for unearthing this gem.
FLAIR EL MARKO
Top to bottom greatness. Simple cylindrical cap. Sleek design. Gloss black tube tapers out and ends with a roundish square...
10 tags
THAT SHIT CRAY
More marker goodness courtesy of DIET HTK - a bunch of Crayola and Crayola looking markers.
WHITEBOARD MARKER - DAISO
I picked this up as a 3-pack from Daiso. Man, that place fell off. The one on Market Street and the one in Japantown had pretty much no markers. Last time I went to the one in Redwood, they had heaps and heaps of different ones. This is a good quality, well built marker. Nice...
5 tags
MMM MMM GOOD
ESTERBROOK CAMPBELL KID BRITE-LINE MARKER
Really love this marker. Came in a 4 set of RED/GREEN/BLUE/BLACK. In all other cases where I have got marker sets, I always keep the black and donate or ditch the other colors. Think I’ll keep this set together. Made by the good people at Esterbrook, solid plastic construction, wrap around sticker label. Features classic Campbell script...
10 tags
BLACK POWER MARK
Still more markers from SF. DIET - HTK coming up on all kinds of marker finds.
QUARTET DRY ERASE
Quartet is a dollar store brand that produces good quality product. Solid plastic construction. Chisel Tip. Makes nice dark ink lines. Really good ink quality for a dry erase, which usually contains lighter black or brownish tint inks. Made in China. Has bilingual french-english body text so I...
9 tags
SET THE REKORD STRAIGHT
Started the year off with a great haul of markers from NY -SF trip. Here’s another trio of pick-ups to review from that stretch.
PAPERMATE M5 FLIPCHART MARKER
This seems to be a familiar marker silhouette for Papermate product. Heavy plastic construction, ribbed band between barrel and tip, smooth cylindrical cap. Minimal marking on the side. Just displays PAPERMATE wordmark...
2 tags
THE CHOICE OF A NEW GENERATION
Most times, I pop the marker out of it’s packaging and add it to the collection pile. In this case, perhaps i’ll leave the packaging on a bit longer, or maybe never take it out.
PEPSI MARKER
All purpose chisel point marker. Plastic construction. Wrap-around plastic labeling. Features Pepsi logo and brand colors. Wonder where they sold these ? I kind of like the idea of...
SOME GIRLS - DANGEROUS CURVES
Here’s a look at the piece I made for the Dangerous Curves group exhibition at Compound Gallery that opened last nite.
The piece is a re-interpretation of the re-issue of the Rolling Stones “Some Girls” album cover artwork.
Drawn with black markers, the composition features an interpolation of B.I.B superheroes and marker packaging and comic text.
Pop by and take in the...
February 2012
23 posts
DANGEROUS CURVES
Have a roll through COMPOUND PDX during tomorrows First Thursday art crawl if you’re in the area.
Whole bunch of talented peeps showing work that interprets their connotations of “Dangerous Curves”.
Opening reception March 1st.
Show runs from March 1st - April 1st
7 tags
PRECIOUS METALS
The SF marker pick-ups keep coming. DIET - HTK really dug around to come up with these oldies.
CUDAHY PACKING CO
This marker was produced for the Cudahy Packing Co. by manufacturer unknown. Super solid metal construction. Screw cap. Triangle wedge felt nib.
TEX RITE PRODUCTS - DETROIT
I’m not 100% sure, but I suspect this marker originated from this company. The clip...
MORE MARKER ADVERTISEMENTS
Second part of the scans I came across at CREATIVE PRO, from an article written by Gene Gable.
2 tags
THE POWER OF THE DARK SIDE
I try not to covet, or prescribe any higher value to objects unnecessarily. That being said, i’m not popping this marker out of it’s packaging to give it a full test review.
Thanks again DIET. Another dope find !
DARTH VADER BLACK FELT TIP
This thing comes inside a bag, cardboard backing, the cardboard triangle isn’t even popped out, where you’re supposed to...
5 tags
A LOT OF MARKS-A-LOT
The bounty of marker pick-ups courtesy of DIET - HTK continues…
AVERY LOGO
The Avery logo was designed by Saul Bass in 1975.
This guy was an amazing designer. I think it’s really cool how aspects of design/graphic design are found within the different specimens of my marker collection. Understated details and factoids and interesting histories contained in each and every...
ATLAS SPRING 12
Complete product shots of Atlas Spring 12 collection I developed with the team are online now via the Atlas website.
A good selection of tees, fleece, cut-and-sew, hats, decks and a couple hardware collaborations with Spitfire and Thunder Trucks.
Available in-store now. Support Bay Area’s finest.
2 tags
MARKER ADVERTISEMENTS
Came across these scans at CREATIVE PRO, from an article written by Gene Gable.
7 tags
SUPER. SIMPLE.
More additions to the collection courtesy of DIET - HTK .
PAPERMATE - TORPEDO
It’s not properly called the torpedo, but it looks like one, and there is no other markings on this one other than a fading Papermate wordmark. I found what I thought was a marker with the same shape last year, but when I uncapped it, it was actually a hi-lighter. So I’m happy to have something with such...
2 tags
CROSS PATHS
Picked up this marker on ebay…
HELLO KITTY MINI MARKER
This is a common licensed marker - the base design is the same, but the manufacturer slaps on a different plastic wrap label. I have a bunch of Disney and Marvel licensed mini markers, but nothing from Sanrio. So yeah, this label features Hello Kitty, doing her Hello Kitty thing - walking amongst a backdrop of cupcakes, purses,...
7 tags
SUPER SHARKIE
COLD STEEL SHARKIE
DIET had this one in the marker stash for me and I knew what it was immediately. Well kind of. This is a marker to be used on some Bourne Identity close quarters fighting type situations. Manufactured by Cold Steel, this marker is made from glass-reinforced plastic and built for impact in self-defense situations. The marker part is actually quite thin in relation to the...
6 tags
IF IT DON'T MAKE DOLLARS...
Another trio of markers from SF travels, courtesy of DIET - HTK
SANFORD MR.SKETCH
This is the fourth or fifth version of Mr.Sketch marker in my collection. This has the fruit-faced border like the other one in my collection, but the AP seal is of a different design. And the fine print label detail is a different PT size and font type. Still SERIES NO 20000. Not sure if this specimen was...
5 tags
THREE THE HARD WAY
Another 3 markers from DIET HTK round-up.
CRAYOLA TOTAL TOOLS JUMBO
This thing is awkward. Total tools is right. The base cylinder has the same silvery plastic wrap label found in cheap bootleg markers. Not a fan of this rounded font Crayola wordmark. Huge awkward rubber grip bridges the barrel and tip. Makes nice dark, even lines on plain white paper, but trying to mark on different stock...
11 tags
BLACK. METAL.
Whole slew of metal-base markers to add to the collection, courtesy of DIET - HTK.
BEROL LIQUID TIP 1100
Love this. Great stubby shape. SOLID one-piece metal construction. Side labeling screened on. Simple BLACK/WHITE color markings. Sparse details, Just says Berol.LIQUID TIP wordmark, ALL SURFACE MARKER with permanent ink, in a black box, and 1100, product code on side. Classic Berol...
2 tags
BIG, BAD AND HEAVY - DIET HTK
HUGE thanks to the homey DIET - HTK for scouring the Bay Area streets hi-and-low for the past year and stashing away a grip of black markers, comics, and related oddities for me. A digger of the first quality, super generous and always down to help a brother out.
The next whole slew of marker updates in the weeks ahead are mostly from SF trip,filled with all the dope marker stuffs DIET...
ATLAS / AT LAST.
Been working with San Mateo-based purveyor of skate-goods-and-good-times, Atlas, to produce a line-up of apparel and hardgoods. Full selection available in-store now, complete product photos soon come.
EQUAL DISTRIBUTION - ALLISTER LEE
Happy to have the continued involvement of San Francisco-based Equal Distribution in promoting a selection of my printed material, artist projects and original artwork through their website.
The Studio B.I.B 500 poster, Atlas Artist Series decks, a selection of custom illustrated marker strips, and original marker mascot illustrations are available now to purchase.
Please pay a...
ROUGHS
Atlas x Allister artist series. BACKGROUND FILL ORIGINAL ART ROUGHS.
ATLAS x ALLISTER LEE ARTIST SERIES
Detailed photos of ATLAS x ALLISTER LEE artist series skateboard decks.
2 different bottom graphics, available in a range of sizes.
First 50 in each series come with hand-drawn certificate inserts.
Available now in-store or contact Atlas direct to inquire about shipping.
RUN B.I.B - ATLAS INSTALL
Here are detail shots of art installation I put up last week to coincide with
Atlas x Allister Lee artist series skate deck.
Installation is up now, until March 12th.
Pop in. Peep art. Purchase decks. Pop out.
ATLAS
209 2nd Ave.
San Mateo, CA
94401
RUN CYCLE - STUDIO PROCESS
Working shot of RUN CYCLE illo at STUDIO B.I.B space. Dec 2011.
4 tags
BUT IN BLACK - 001
So the other thing that often happens while looking for black markers, is I find really cool examples of markers…but in colors that are not black. So I keep them around, because I like their design, and hope I can find the same model in the future…BUT IN BLACK.
SANFORD NEPO
This thing is a mini marker back when Sanford’s was still labelling their stuff Sanfords.
REMBRANDT
...
