A Gift Guide for the Artist in Your Life

My friend Justin Hackworth recently posted a gift buying guide for photographers. The guide is titled A Gift Buying Guide for Photographers. It's a great idea and I recommend checking it out. I liked that idea so much that I've decided to write a gift guide for the artist in your life. I'm calling it A Gift Guide for the Artist in Your Life.

So here are a few things I would suggest purchasing for an artistic friend.

Art:

Photo Cards



One word: classy. Give six of these to your friends and family, keep one for yourself and save that last for me. Perfect.

Potter Press Poster



I'm a big fan of pretty much everything that Erin and Nick Potter make. Your artist friend will appreciate your taste in both art and music when you buy them one of these show posters. This one even hangs above my bed.

If you'd like to buy one in person and you're in the Salt Lake area head down to Signed and Numbered to pick one up.

Joao Silva Print



Joao Silva was recently very badly injured while reporting in Afghanistan. A site has been set up to raise funds for his recovery. These prints a beautiful and a very important part of history.

Print:

The Love City Success Story



The Love City Success Story is my zine about photography, journalism and art. It features photos that do not show up online, musings on creativity and #3 even has old film camera reviews.

Artists love old film camera reviews.

Communication Arts Subscription



Communication Arts is the (well deserved) industry standard in creative arts. The day the photography annual comes is my favorite day of the year.

If I were to recommend only one gift, this would be it.

The Art of Looking Sideways



The Art of Looking Sideways is 534 pages of inspiration. When I need a creative nudge I get this book out.

Film:

Exit Through the Gift Shop



Exit Through the Gift Shop is a brilliant and hilarious documentary that follows the strange rise of the artist Thierry Guetta. It is a film directed by Banksy and features many of the generation's great street artists.

Everything good you've heard about this film is true.

(A related item is Banksy's book, Wall and Piece.)

Music:

The Lower Lights



I can personally attest to the greatness of the Lower Lights. In fact, I am purchasing this very album for my mother for Christmas.

(I can say that here because she doesn't check my blog very often.)

Buke & Gass



I first heard Buke & Gass when they were featured on a Radiolab podcast. Their music is quirky, dramatic, startling and totally worth your time.

The Low Anthem



The Low anthem is, hands down, my favorite band. They are mellow, beautiful and still underground (so you can be the person who gets to show everyone this great new band.)

Buy this cd. Place in cd player. Repeat.

Gear:

Timberland Earthkeeper Boot


I love these boots. Love them. They're nice enough for looking good in town and durable enough to handle Utah's outdoors. Timberland really killed it with these boots. Buy these for your artist friend and they will surely be looking for reasons to get dirty, in style.

Last words:

Do you know what your artist friend would appreciate more then all of these things combined?

Socks.

Just kidding, the real answer is your support.

I'm beyond blessed to have the friends and family that I do. This year has been great for me, I don't think I could have done it without the encouragement, support and love that I received. Those are gifts that are both free and priceless.