Food for thought?

Today's Chainman Banner brought to you by Gandalf the Whyte and Scrapbook: a story of art - hardcover successfully funded on Kickstarter - pre-orders via Whytes Online coming soon!

You know, when I was young back in the 1980's I used to play chess with my grandfather using a set of hand-carved pieces from around the time of the first great war. One day I remember him explaining to me how in only 25 years we would be living in the 21st century - a time of profound technology change.

Well, the millennium may have turned, but the first decade of the 21st century, affectionately known as 'the naughties', was actually pretty dismal in technological terms. Sure, we saw the rise of instantaneous global communication which is ostensibly available to everyone, but the real meat of innovation seemed somehow stifled.

Then something really interesting came along - crowdfunding - the real game-changing and democratizing platform required not just for innovation, but also revolution and maybe even a real second Renaissance. Not like in the past with many lives lost in rebellion, but a future where many lives come together to ensure that ideas, inventions, and great works of art aren't lost.

It wasn't until I started browsing current and successful campaigns on Kickstarter that I truly realized the power of the crowd to decide and I can't help but wonder how different familiar turning points of history might have been had there been such a platform for inventors like Charles Babbage with his Difference Engine or the Avro Arrow or a million other things that could have been.

And finally, just maybe, with crowdfunded success it is starting to feel like the 21st century might be alright after all...

What do you think? What projects would you must like to see funded by the crowd?

What is the first rule of being creative?

Never Give Up!

Today's Chainman Banner Brought to you by Fight Club, Cinnamon Vox, Crowdfunding and Scrapbook: a story of art.

Looking back over the rise of information technology, the home computer and instantaneous global communication we discover that there was a time when artists faced specifically arbitrary barriers to expressing their own unique taste.

Imagine living in the middle ages when artists were beholden to royal or theological patrons.

Imagine being an impressionist when impressionism was looked down upon because it didn't conform to the fantasy standards of the Salon at the time.

Or imagine being an independent film maker, author or illustrator from the 1960's who longs to create their own original artwork but runs into nothing but marketing decisions from corporate jerks.

Whom, controlling production, distribution and advertising also have the ability to force you as the artist to compromise your own ethos if you want to survive.

Ever heard of the dreaded casting couch? "Sure darling, I'll give you the world, but first you got to do something for me..." Can you imagine not only your career, but literally your ability to eat that night hinging on selling not only your creativity but an intimate relation to your body?

Let's just say that the abuse of creative individuals by a fundamentally jealous system has a very long history indeed.

Not that challenges aren't vital for the evolution of creativity and the arts, just that there came a day when "desktop publishing" became a thing, then digital video editing and eventually more and more tools for "professional amateurs" to express themselves without permission of the "big guys."

Then something even larger came along - the Internet. Artists were now armed with the ability to circumvent everything traditional and connect directly to your audience.  Finally - big-badda-boom - everything traditional is shaken to it's core with crowdfunding - the world's first truly democratizing platforms - where anybody can be a backer and transparently support creative entities* directly.

*Plus technology and a million other social entities who have been waiting to flourish outside capitalistic antics.

So, what's all this reminiscing about? Well, from the artists point of view I'd have to say the direct abolishment of tyranny and slavery when it come to individual creativity.

Is there any wonder that today artists like myself and my family would fight tooth and nail for the freedom to be authentic and independent?

Will my crowdfunding campaign succeed?

Hi, my name is Dylon and I am artistic spectrum - which means that the world I inhabit often doesn't make very much sense to me.

A few years ago a close friend of mine who was a gifted musician jumped off a very tall bridge attempting to get a similar point across - it didn't work.

After this I decided that I wanted to help other artists and creative individuals who might not be heard in this turd of a world. But, as an archetype starving artist myself - who often can't make head nor tail of the system - I didn't know where to begin.

"How could I help others if I couldn't even help myself?"

After many failed attempts I finally realized that I simply didn't know enough and set out to educate myself.

This turned out to be a difficult task and I became very disoriented and lost.

Then in the autumn of 2014 my father, multimedia artist Jack Whyte, came along and suggested that I help him with a winter's project to in his words, "help stave off cabin fever."

At first I was somewhat resentful, like surely there must be something more important I could be doing to help keep my family warm - hunting mammoth maybe? Then I recalled some old wisdom that when you can't build your own dreams, you should help somebody else build theirs.

So I swallowed my pride and we got to work. Spending almost every day for the better part of a year crafting a Scrapbook based on his sixty plus year career as a professional artist who has worked in just about every medium imaginable.

Unlike any project we had collaborated on in the past - and there have been many including 7 previous titles - this Scrapbook had no rules except that it would be formatted so that it could be read for free online, potentially printable and would cover the evolving story of my dad's interest in art and the creative process.

"A true full-colour memoir as it were." 

This meant that we were free to create the story he wanted to tell. Each night he would write and sketch out what he wanted to add the next day, photograph art and artifacts and I would help him assemble pages and edit text as we went along.

"Then it came to me like a bolt out of the blue!"

I was finally helping an artist find their voice and in doing so I was able to add to my own repertoire by learning how to see as they saw - the closest thing I can related this to is a Vulcan mind meld from Star Trek.

With how to let creativity evolve, knowing when to stop and how to literally create something from nothing by working without constraint being just a few of the skills imparted.

It was like learning ancient secrets of transmutation as our project took shape almost magically and dad jokingly started to refer to me as the Sorcerer's Apprentice. For those who know his story there is a wonderful running gag about "Mickey Mouse" experiences being carried on here.

As I mentioned, previous works used to be much more meticulous - such as cleaning individual pixels for print reproductions - an almost ridiculous task these days.

Dad also kept a journal of our progress, which is included in Scrapbook as a story within the story. Like the time I arrived at his house one spring day only to find that it had almost burnt down in the night thanks to a rogue icicle working it's way down the wall into a live electrical socket.

Or how I eventually convinced him and my lovely wife, Ashely, who spent those barren winter days minding our family gallery and cultural gift shop at the Harbour Centre on the Gore Bay waterfront, to run a crowdfunding campaign for the production of a hard cover edition. Not a difficult task after we received the gorgeous Scrapbook prototype from our local print shop.

Of course we had no idea what we were doing and our first campaign on RocketHub was a complete flub and despite all our efforts we are still only 35% funded with 32 hours to go on Kickstarter.

So, will our campaign be a success?

You decide...

Scrapbook: a story of art on Kickstarter

This is not intended as an advertisement or spam - you can read the whole story for free at scrapbook.whytesonline.com and follow our content across most social media networks with the hashtag #JWScrapbook

If you agree that we will succeed then please share, repost, ask questions, become a backer or do whatever you are capable of and we thank you in advance. 

Will you be the one who makes all the difference?

Today's Chainman Banner brought to you by Strong Arm Tactics and Scrapbook: a story of art - with just 4 days to go on Kickstarter we are scouring the Cosmos for patrons and/or angel investors for one of the most amazing books ever written.,,

Down to the wire?

Today's Chainman Banner brought to you by the full spectrum of experience which is Scrapbook: a story of art.

It look a lifetime +1 year to produce Scrapbook, how long will it take to get printed?

You decide.

To receive the $3500 we have already raised we need to reach our funding goal on #Kickstarter
before Labour Day.

Will you contribute and share to help us succeed?

Stumped on crowdfunding?

As always, my wife sums it best! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1961131186/scrapbook-a-story-of-art

Scrapbook: a story of art continues... Part III

Hi B - Unexpectedly received a box of old art slides yesterday - was this the painting you mentioned remembering?

Jack

---

Hi Jack,

I have been away but came back to  your charming pocket art. I really love it and have it sitting on my coffee table .... so thank you! 

Looking at "Granny" brings me way back and the painting looks much like I remember it except in my memory she is wearing a blue dress with white polka dots and her flesh tones were more realistic. Perhaps we did the painting together and I added what I wanted. I wonder where she is now.

On a different note, I emailed a friend at the Arts Council. She has often seen the Generals at my home. If she has any suggestions for funding for your project I will let you know.

Hopefully you are enjoying your summer.

B

---

B - Hope you're having great summer. Glad that you like Pocket Art - an idea I originally created back in the 70s as personal gifts - revised to gauge the response of today's market. We have been selling some at the shop, but isn't it funny how people can be reluctant to look at something new?

About Granny - the slides we received were an unusual circumstance with colours somewhat faded from the original - her fate remains unknown.

Our Scrapbook hardcover campaign still has a couple of weeks on Kickstarter and has been gaining support - as always we appreciate any assistance and are grateful for any insight we receive.

Jack

---

Jack

I asked a friend who used to be the community access person for the Ontario Arts Council about funding and am forwarding her reply which regrettably is not too helpful.

B

> Date: August 25, 2015 at 8:23:16 

>

> Unfortunately there is no funding that I know of for such a project. I would recommend 

> that he contact Visual Arts Ontario and ‎ask what they suggest. Also if he has worked 

> with a public gallery over the years or a curator they could help.

>

> Finally, if a university is willing and able to take his archives that would help.

>

> It is a huge issue but hopefully he has worked with some consistent people over the

> years.

>

> Not sure this helps.

---

Original Post - July 5th, 2015 - "I would like to share an amazing story with you..."

Continued - July -23rd, 2015 -  "The story continues to unfold...

Why are you against democracy?

Cannot fathom people who see crowdfunding as begging when it is the only platform which can rightfully be called democratic in our ever-so corrupt world. I like to ask them what would Canada be like today if the Avro Arrow had been given a democratic option of Kickstarter instead of being blackballed by greedy back door polotricks? You know - the kind of hollow political tricks played by those who believe striding atop their high horses and knocking the severed heads of their opponents around the polo pitch to be "Jolly good sport!"

Trust me, the next time there's an election in my neck of the woods you'll find me on Kickstarer, GoFundMe, IndieGogo, RocketHub funding genuine people, stories, ideas and technology - the things that really make a difference.

Would rather have million shares than million dollars?

Today a fan mentioned how much they enjoyed the newspaper article for Scrapbook: a story of art, but wondered how we ever hoped to make any money? First and foremost I responded that money was most certainly not everything  - but in the case of free online products the paradigm has already been trendset by groups like Radiohead with 2007's Rainbows - a free album which in the band's owe words made them more money than everything they had done previously - combined.

Of course Radiohead had a chance to build a following for the content which is exactly what we've done by reaching out with the free online edition of Scrapbook.

First, Second, Third and Fourth - We have 4 different resolutions designed to accommodate every device and connection imaginable - just choose your device - smartphone - tablet - laptop or desktop - Android, Mac and PC - Scrapbook is always free!

Fifth - We have the full resolution PDF digital edtion which is the best overall value in my opinion? Why? Because you get more content than in any other form - including all the dates, details and other little Easter eggs woven into Scrapbook: a story of art. Plus you're directly helping the artists you love create more of the content you crave!

Sixth - For something even more current not take a look at the 1 minute and 1 second flipbook edition of Scrapbook for the modern zero attention span generation?



Seventh - If your appetite for data consumption is even greater then get a load of the Scrapbook Tapestry Poster - featuring all 456 pages laid out in sequential order much like Jack Whyte's Time Pieces. The way we look at it is that if there are over 1000 pictures in our poster and every picture is worth a thousand words than you've just looked at over a million words in a single glance.

Eighth - Last, but most certainly not least is our RocketHub campaign for the print edition of Scrapbook. This is the most exciting venture for me, not only have I been chomping at the bit to run a crowdfunded campaign with my family since before the concept was even invented, but we also have no idea where it could lead. At worst, crowdfunding is a terrific means for artists in our position who are interested in testing interest before investing in production.

Having created many independent and contract projects we are also anxious to tap the potential for unbridled creative freedom that this platform has come to offer as a middle-ground between the two extremes.

Can you think of any other ways you'd like to see Scrapbook: a story of art presented?

Clippings... At last our social media campaign begins in earnest!

Fresh clippings from The Manitoulin West Recorder for Scrapbook: a story of art by Jack Whyte.

Aaaarrrrrggghhhhhffffkkkrrrrffff!?

I promise that I'm not lying when I type that Scrapbook: a story of art is one of the most amazing and original books that you'll ever read! Plus - it's free!

Our first video promoting Scrapbook...

The idea behind our initial Scrapbook introduction was flipping through all 456 pages as quickly as possible - the soundtrack just sort of fell into place - what do you think of the result?

Another hot day in the digital forge and this is the result - what do ya think?

Jack Whyte launches Scrapbook along with new gallery and invites world to visit for free!

“Access to arts and culture should be free for everyone,” says artist Jack Whyte. “Anyone can tour my 2015 exhibits online for free and - from anywhere in the world.” He and his son Dylon Whyte created a virtual gallery this past Spring where artworks are experienced up close and personally, as if literally standing in front of them.

"It's great to produce and present work on a scale of my choice, the way I originally envisioned it," Jack explains. As a young boy he never imagined having the opportunity to design and construct art without restriction. The discovery of a platform which allows for creative freedom has provided a new means for connecting with others.

Jack Whyte was born in 1939 in Toronto, Ontario - just before the start of the second World War. Having been influenced at an early age by a creative environment, he has pursued artistic practices as well as the adventure of invention for more than 55 years.

2015 marks the beginning of a new exploit for Jack, the release of his latest publication, 'Scrapbook: a story of art'. From modelling with Mickey Mouse as a child to showing at the Pollock Gallery and even winning awards for videos, this book recounts the journey and challenges faced by a becoming artist and the enormous adversity that life can throw at you.

In the autumn of 2014, Jack mentioned to his son, Dylon, that he was starting a book and could use some help with it. Over the course of a long winter and many toasty afternoons by the fire, they searched for, found, prepared and put together what has become a very personal and thoughtful one-of-a-kind memoir.

"It's not until you have the whole story that you really understand how the pieces all fit together," says Dylon Whyte. "It's also difficult to put everything into perspective when you're part of the story. Getting to the point where I can hold a part history in my hands helps me understand where I come from."

When Jack and Dylon started producing the book, it was just a collection of stories and images, but with months of collaboration and hard work, they have created an album that is delightfully personable and genuinely familiar.

"Jack tells you about the experiences that influenced him as an artist and includes all sorts of fun stories from his life," says Ashley Whyte, wife of Dylon and proprietor of the Whytes gallery on the waterfront in the Gore Bay Harbour Centre. "There is also an abundance of never-before-seen photographs and a wealth of artwork. When Jack named it Scrapbook, he really meant it."

Coming in at a whole 456 pages, Scrapbook was digitally published in June of this year and is available online for everyone to read for free. Although it was only meant to be a digital publication, new economic platforms have given Scrapbook the opportunity to become something more than just a concept.

"The book is obviously quite big and financing a print run on our own wouldn't be viable, so we talked about other options and crowdfunding came up as a potential," explains Ms. Whyte. "It's an incredibly different approach than anything Jack is familiar with, he has always done things on his own. It wasn't until only recently that we knew something like this even existed."

Crowdfunding is the process of funding your projects through small contributions made by many individuals in order to attain a certain monetary goal, typically via the internet. The model that has been around the longest is rewards-based crowdfunding, where people can donate and receive goods in recognition of their support.

Ashley and Dylon Whyte have taken Scrapbook to Rockethub; a platform specializing in arts and entertainment, to seek help in bringing Jack's story to life. They've launched their campaign and are working to raise $11,500 to cover the costs of printing a limited edition hardcover. In the meantime, Scrapbook remains free for everyone to read online and enjoy.

For more information about Scrapbook and how you can help, please visit their Rockethub campaign at: scrapbook.whytesonline.com

What's the longest you've ever worked on a single project?

WE'RE LIVE EVERONE! We've just launched our campaign on RocketHub and need your support. We are raising funds to produce...

Posted by Whytes on Monday, June 29, 2015

Scrapbook: a story of art is a project that I've been working on with my father - artist Jack Whyte - for the better part of the last year. That's longer than any previous book or chain project that I've undertaken! This story of art chronicles his passionate pursuit of creativity from an early age with 456 lovingly compiled and fully-illustrated pages. 

It's official folks!

I'm part of the zombie horde in The Darkest Dawn!

Big thanks everyone who participated in this experiment on Quora!

Based on your suggestions I successfully pitched my character as -

Leif Moore - Incongruous and possibly clueless viking hitchhiker suddenly caught in the middle of an unlikely northern Ontario zombie outbreak.

For anyone who might be interested you can find out more at Laps In Judgement Films.

I'm actually pretty excited to participating in this crowdfunded project - this sort of **** just doesn't happen in these parts very often! Also here is my original zombie audition video.



Thanks again to all me friends, fans, followers, foes and assorted family - I really couldn't do IT without you!