What I love about art is how diverse it can be; the possibilities of expression are endless. Just recently we came across a new form of art that rocked me out of my chair. The concept of John Tootabeanie’s art made me chuckle, but so very intrigued at the same time. His idea was to take the graffiti off the walls of bathroom stalls, college campuses, libraries, school desks or anywhere he could find a great saying or drawing and turn it into wearable art that makes a great fashion statement. You’re sure to turn heads with his clothing line!
When I first read his e-mail about what he did, I was thinking how crazy it all sounded. I immediately went to his web site to see what he could possibly be portraying through his unique art. When I got to the store, I was amazed to see the stuff we can only see when we’re “indisposed.” The concept is great; I mean who isn’t fascinated by the writings on the wall in public restrooms? Is there one person that can honestly say when they are in these places and see this graffiti on the wall, they don’t read at least one? It’s just human nature to do so, even if it is vulgar. So Tootabeanie takes these sayings and drawings we all laugh at and have to read, and makes them into a shirt… GENIUS.
I admit, there have been a few times I been in a restroom or in some bar and saw something written and said, “Man, that would make a great shirt.” Now I found someone who went the extra step and actually did that.
This goes to show how awesome the creative mind can go and how the possibilities arise if you just take the time to smell the opportunities that lie right under our noses. What’s great about this is that Tootabeanie’s art is interactive; if you see something on the walls that just makes you laugh or is so gross you have to share it, now you can. All you have to do is photograph it and submit it to him via his web site. How great is that?
Now, aspiring artists take note of this: Inspiration is everywhere, you just have to keep an open eye. Tootabeanie here is surely a good role model for that with his creative outlet. His work shows you that art is all around us, and how it affects us is what makes it so powerful. His work is not unique because it’s found everywhere, but how he takes the simple writings and graphics and contorts them into his own concept making a unique fashion design, is down right masterful.
Tootabeanie’s concept also makes a rad fashion statement, placing him into a few art categories making this even more special. I remember back in the 1980s how cool it was to wear shirts with crazy sayings on them. It’s still popular today, and I have a few sarcastic t-shirts that I wear religiously, especially if they express my personality or if they portray something I find to be “so true.” I would surely wear these shirts because so much of what I read on the walls portrays my personality or is something that’s “so true.” There are also people who like stuff that’s so whacked out they must wear it. Tootabeanie has a shirt that has a drawing of a bread loaf, and a man saying, “Dude, I just pitched a loaf.” We all know what that means, but it’s portrayed in the terms of bread. It’s awesome! Tootabeanie’s shirts are definitely a guy’s choice for fashion, because it’s everything we love to read and we can take it with us when we go and show the world what really lies on the walls of the “MEN’S BATHROOM!”
If you want to check out Tootabeanie’s fashion/artistic world, then check out his web site at www.letterfromjohn.com and tell him The Expressionist sent you. This is something you will have to see to believe.
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