BILLYKIRK

Brooklyn Watercolorist, Allison Maletz

billykirk — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:33:31 +0000

Jam Session, 2012 15″ x 20″

Click HERE to get to know more about the super talented Allison Maletz and my new painting by her.

www.allisonmaletz.com

RIP Levon Helm of The Band

billykirk — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:58:29 +0000

Sad to hear one of the finest singing drummers is now gone. I remember checking off “The Best of the Band” along with a bunch of other classic rock bands on my BMG postcard in the late 80′s or early 90′s. I played that album until I knew every lyric and a lot of the guitar chords. I lived in a apartment building and my roommates and we amassed hundreds of BMG discs over the 3 years we lived in that complex and that one set the bar for me. The Band continues to be one of my favorite bands effortlessly mingling Rock & Roll, Country with Southern Soul and Motown.

Letter From a Repeat Billykirk Advocate

billykirk — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:38:21 +0000

This sums up WHY we do WHAT we do…..

In case you haven’t noticed, I’m seriously addicted to your products… I love it all so far – the 165 medium carryall, 95 shoulder satchel(s), key ring, 92 card case, and the 150 journal… all amazing and exquisite…

I’m a 40 year old guy who grew up in the sticks of western NY. I’m now a creative director in NYC. My wife and I have two small daughters, and one of the things that has been important to me is trying to find things that function well in my own life (and reflect my values and aesthetics) that will endure long enough for them to some day inherit as vintage pieces, like I did with some of my own dad’s stuff. Objects that have the story of me in them, but whose narrative continues with them.

I think with your stuff I have found that…. Not sure why this is so important to me, but I think it has to do with a sadness about the sense of disposability that everything around us seem to have these days, which is so at odds with the permanence of love of family and passion for what some of us still hold true – quality, vision and dedication to craftsmanship. Not to over-dramatize, but the kind of work you do seems to be fading from our cultural heritage when at one time it seemed so abundant that it was taken for granted. I hope you guys keep going for a long time, making great things that remind us of what’s really important.

Cheers,
Aaron

Frank Black and The Catholics – I Will Run After You

billykirk — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:40:38 +0000

The Photography of James Minchin III

billykirk — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:23:54 +0000

James Minchin is an LA based photographer that, among other things, deals with musician and band photography. James doesn’t subscribe to a heavily produced, studio style look but rather lets the outdoors or the musician’s natural environment become his backdrop. For the last 20 years James has been able to capture those rare moments that breath life and a certain sincerity into his photographs. I picked up his print of Willie Nelson with guitar a while back and have recently found out that his web-site, www.jamesminchin.com has been updated with new images.

If you are interested purchasing any of his work please contact: amy@jamesminchin.com

I have selected a few shots that show his incredible eye.

Willie Nelson
Stevie Wonder
Ryan Adams
Mumford & Sons
Robert Cray
Band of Horses
Jamey Johnson
Tom Waits
The eagle is one of my personal favorites

Jayhawks, “Save It For A Rainy Day”

billykirk — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:58:46 +0000

Forecast calls for rain so I thought I would share a tune from of my favorite bands, The Jayhawks. This is off their 2003 album, “Rainy Day Music.” For me, it hard to touch the greatness of their very first alum, 1992′s “Hollywood Town Hall” but there are some real gems on this one.

Billykirk ‘Worn-In’ No. 22

billykirk — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:27:54 +0000

Our Cousin Will is the proud owner of this little gem.

No. 67 in Black with Vintage OD patch and Trout stamp. We gave it to him around 7 years ago.

Congrats to Will and his impeding nuptials to Leyla!

Tatsuro Nishimura & his 1984 Sinar P2 Box Camera

billykirk — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:30:32 +0000

I met Jersey City commercial photographer Tatsuro Nishimura at The Wharehouse Cafe’s 2 year anniversary party in DT Jersey City a few months ago. He was there with his box camera, lights and all the guests were lining up for a photo. I got to talking with him as I have always been fascinated with the old box camera photographs from the Civil War and seeing images of my Great, Great, Great Uncle General George Henry Thomas photographed in various poses by the likes of Mathew Brady. So, this is my modern day Civil War photo.

Gen. George H. Thomas, The Rock of Chickamauga by Mathew Brady ~ 1860′s

If you want to have Tatsuro come to an event or take product shots I highly recommend it. He is a real good guy and has years of experience shooting for Ralph Lauren, Piaget, Cannon, etc.

Photos by Downtown Natch

Tatsuro Nishimura
646 713 9612
tatsuro.pc@mac.com
www.tatsuronishimura.com

Neil Young, Randy Bachman & Margo Timmins, “Prairie Town”"

billykirk — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:54:55 +0000

“To fly with the best sometime you have to leave the nest.”

Billykirk ‘Worn-In’ No. 21

billykirk — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:33:04 +0000

Matt, a Music Supervisor from London and repeat customer since 2007 just sent me a nice sampling of his well-worn Tan and Natural Veg Tan items. Click to enlarge.