#Avgeek art you can actually afford

I’m a big fan of art and a big fan of aviation as well. I’m also quite certain that I’m not the only one. As aviation becomes more affordable for humans and more interesting to the mainstream media (possibly also humans, but opinions will differ), the magic of flight and the business of travel touch more and more people every day.

As an increasingly diversified group of people begin to really ‘geek-out’ on aviation, and as firms in the space proliferate, the demand for aviation is really taking off. 

There are a few really capable firms out there (like MotoArt and Fallen Furniture) that are re-purposing decommissioned aircraft parts into stunning pieces of art and furniture, but.... unless you’ve got a FAT STACK of cash or a corporate office to decorate, that stuff is probably outside your budget.

For those of us living within more modest means, 08Left.com offers attractive compositions in the form of framed art prints, posters, coasters, T-Shirts and even sofa cushions.

“We‘ve owned and operated a card and stationery design company called Mango Ink for 9+ years,” says Ryan Miller of 08 Left. “In 2014 we decided to start another website to focus on aviation and travel-themed artwork. 08 Left is a combination of multiple passions: art, design, travel and aviation. Aviation is a form of art. Just think about the boldness, the delicacy, the intricacy and the organization that enables us to see the world. We wanted to create art that would capture some of that.”

Miller says that aviation is for everyone. 

He’s all about high quality product for a fair price. His idea was, and is, to create something that average enthusiasts might actually be able to afford. The main focus of the company’s work thus far is airports: towers, aerial-perspective layouts and stylized codes are among the many designs. Additionally, some very cool options exist that feature various aircraft bits (i.e. noses, windows, turbines, wings) and other flight-inspired presentations boldly shaded and seen from compelling viewpoints.

“It's our style,” says Miller of his bright and uncomplicated, almost 

Warhol-y art. 

“Clean. 

Modern. 

Simple. 

Uncluttered. Colorful. 

It's just what we like and it's the only art we can create – art we would want.”

Miller hopes that others will like the concepts at 08 Left as much as he does. I know I think it’s all just fab. The agreeable price-points are meant to allow folks to build a collection…. perhaps displaying the places they’ve been or the destinations they’ve yet to see.

Posters at 08 Left will run you US $22.99 – US 37.99. Art prints range from $49.99 – $74.99 and metal prints come in two sizes as well. If you’re looking for an airport that isn’t part of the existing offering, these guys are happy to make it for you. 

***A note to readers. The background image for this blog is by 08 Left.

Gary Larson's av-doodles

I've always admired Gary Larson's talent. His single panel "Far Side" comics were syndicated in almost 2000 newspapers for 15 years. They can appeal to just about anyone, and without the use of vulgarity or belittling any specific group. Simple and earnest, his highly-relatable (and sometimes silly) sketches made us laugh for years... one tableau and clever caption at a time.Though he retired in 1995 for fear of becoming repetitive, Larson's body of work is profound and will no doubt remain popular for many years to come. 

Here are some of his best cartoons featuring aviation and the wonder of flight:

Thanks for the chuckles Gary!

Travel accessories for people who really just don't care

Do you march to the beat of your own drum? Do you really just not care at all what others think of you? Do you love to travel? If you answered “YES!” to these questions, I salute you! Being different isn’t easy.

Here are some travel accessories that might appeal to you:

1.  I’m tired and I don’t care

This is an oldie-but-a-goodie. The SkyRest Travel Pillow (a.k.a. that massive tray-table sleeping wedge) has been a staple of the SkyMall catalogue for as long as any of us can remember. The man shown sleeping in the photo is basically a celebrity. Bless his heart! He looks so serene. For the low, low price of just US $29.95, you too can drool all over your tray-table and garner looks of jealously and admiration from your fellow passengers. And if you’re really lucky you might just become a celebrity too; because thanks to the wonders of mobile technology and social media, “passenger shaming” is now a thing.

Get it here:  http://www.skymall.com/skyrest-travel-pillow/99010.html

2. I’m tall and I don’t care

This one really has the internet up in arms. The Knee Defender got some major press recently after a United Airlines flight diverted to Denver because two passengers had a fight over the use of it… and that is not the only reported disturbance. The device is cheap (US $22) and simple: two plastic bits clip onto your open tray-table and prevent the person in front of you from reclining their seat. Many airlines have banned the product and some have likened the use of a Knee Defender to smoking or doing drugs on the plane. This one could get you in trouble, but its fine as long as you don’t care.

Get it here: http://www.gadgetduck.com/

3. I’m probably lost and I don’t care

T-shirts emblazoned with trite statements or "grey-area" humor are the hallmark of the person who could not care less. For the indifferent globetrotter, this one by SpreadShirt is ideal. You’re probably the kind of person who doesn’t worry much about whether they’re in the right hotel, at the right gate, on the right plane etc. When used properly, this shirt ensures that OTHER PEOPLE can easily determine where you’re supposed to be, and worry about s#^% for you.

Get it here: http://www.spreadshirt.com/if-lost-and-or-drunk-please-return-to-glow-in-the-dark-C3376A9308248#/detail/9308248T815A317PC122069282PA1659

4.  I’m very anti-social and I don’t care

If this product appeals to you, you’re probably a jerk. But, since you don’t care if people think you’re a jerk or not, you want it. Maybe you already have it. This veil of secrecy and seclusion is called the “B-tourist” and is the brainchild of some Israeli design students. It has a handy pocket for your pepper spray and industrial-grade hand sanitizer. I am very keen to hear from anyone who has seen this puppy in action.

Not sure how you can get your hand on one of these, but it’s photographed from almost every conceivable angle here: http://www.designboom.com/design/idan-noyberg-gal-bulka-flight-comfort-b-tourist-strip-05-12-2014/

5. I am not sober and I don’t care

It’s hard not to marvel at the last accessory on the “I don’t care” list. The ingenuity of it! Drinks at the airport are always too expensive and many airlines now charge for booze as well, what’s a person to do? Look no further than “Flip Flasks”, the perfect footwear for the traveller who cares so little about hygiene (or anything, for that matter) that they’re prepared to drink out of something that has foot AND dirty floor-junk all over it. These babies come in three styles: Plain, pot leaf making peace sign, and skull and crossbones. WARNING! this product is not intended for use in US airports where shoe removal is mandatary.

Get it here: http://www.flipflask.com/buy.html

Call the pilot!

Still frame from awesome show intro

A few months ago I went to Las Vegas to attend the Future Travel Experience conference and exhibition and finally see the American desert, which I've been fascinated with for years. It was my first time in Vegas as well as attending this particular conference, so I was pretty excited. On top of that, I would be hanging out with Mary Kirby, founder and editor at Runway Girl Network (an aviation news portal that I write for) and Seth Miller, a talented aviation journalist, blogger and friend.

In Sin City we also met up with videographer Roger Williams, with whom we'd cooked up an idea for an aviation web-series. We were going to shoot a pilot!!

We had a very fun few days listening to thought leaders in travel technology, airline top brass and the supplier community, and spent a lot of time shooting video. We decided to cut all the footing into short vignettes so as not to tax our viewer's attention-span. Seth and Mary's vignettes were ready first, but today I saw one of mine.

While I'm still a bit uncomfortable watching myself on camera, I'd call this short clip and the others a success. Many thanks to Roger Williams for the great camera/edit work and cool intro sequence. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this concept.

We're going UP!

Watch Mary Kirby: http://vimeo.com/108640740 
Watch Seth Miller: http://vimeo.com/109216170 
Watch me :) http://vimeo.com/112032994

Why Hamburg is now home

I took my first real job fresh out of college (2008) with an aviation trade magazine and website called PAX International. In the beginning I felt way out of my league, but every day my confidence grew and so too did my fascination with the industry. I was determined to learn as much as I could, make connections and improve the publication.

23 year-old me at my 1st big
 trade show (ITCA) in Barcelona

Pretty soon I found myself attending trade shows and conference in fun (and often sunny) places like South Florida, California, Dallas, Barcelona and Nice. Not too shabby. Another place I traveled to often was Germany... specifically Hamburg, as it was/is the home of Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) - the world's largest annual trade-show for cabin interiors, in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC). 

While not so sunny and a little more serious than Barcelona, for example, it was clear to me that Northern Germany was a hot spot for aviation and I continued to travel there for Aircraft Interiors Expo every year. 

We took this photo when
 I came to visit in June 2012

Then in April 2012, at the end of a great AIX in Hamburg, I got ditched by some friends in a dark and sweaty nightclub in the red light district. Moments later I found myself being chatted up in that same sweaty nightclub by a cute German guy. We could hardly understand one another over the music and through the language barrier, but he assured me that he was a pilot. He eventually succeeded in convincing me that he was probably not a serial killer and his friends were hilarious, so we hung out for the rest of the night.

In June 2013, after more than a year of way-too-long Skype chats, millions of text messages and lots of lonely nights, I said "F#$% it." I quit my job at the magazine, sold my belongings and bought a one-way ticket to Germany. 

I won't say it's been easy leaving Toronto, my friends, my family, poutine, pea-meal bacon and the English language to come to this place, but I'm glad I did ... and I'd do it again.

Author's note:  He was not a pilot BTW, that was just his pickup line. I still like him.