AVALIIS //The Creative Collective of Leigh Ashlind

//HUMAN FLIGHT I stumbled across this video yesterday from a...

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:45:59 -0500

//HUMAN FLIGHT

I stumbled across this video yesterday from a friend’s facebook post, as I believe I have watched this video over 10 times in the last 24 hours. Personally, I am beyond amazed with the concept of flight - and given that they use rapid speed film and are able to catch such phenomenal footage, I find myself completely mesmerized.. I believe you will be too.

//HAPPY HALLOWEEN Hands down, this time of the year is my...

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:14:12 -0400

//HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Hands down, this time of the year is my absolute favorite. The fall leaves, the brisk cold air, bonfires, and the constant need for hoodies. I love it. I am also quite entertained and visually stimulated by all the folklore and stories that come out this time of year - even as a small boy, there has always been a mystery to this time of year… and for a guy who has horrible ADD, add a bit of mystery to anything, and you will have my undivided attention.

Anyways, every year for Halloween I try to take a night and carve a pumpkin - I always love doing it, as it allows me to get creative away from the computer. This was the pumpkin I did for this year, which was done with an exacto knife and 4.5 hours of listening to Moving Mountains on repeat.

//MEET KOREY SHRUM. I have realized lately that I have a number...

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:46:35 -0400

//MEET KOREY SHRUM.

I have realized lately that I have a number of blog entries that I have been meaning to write about, but just haven’t found the energy to write about them - or I have started them, but just never finished. If only I could get paid for writing unfinished blog entries…

This is one of those entries in which I have been meaning to write for the past few weeks. This is the 2nd entry of a series that I started to do that profiles the lives and current investments of my friends. Over the years I have honestly been amazed and blessed to have crossed paths with such amazing and talented people. People who are chasing dreams, taking risks, and living life abundantly in their own terms. This would pretty much sum up my friend Korey.

Meet Korey Shurm. I met Korey a few months after I moved to Nashville, as he came here for similar reasons as I did - in pursuit of furthering his music career. A few months ago, a number of changes came into his life and he made the decision to step down from his band - as a modeling contract was offered and he accepted. In a matter of months, the guy had come from never modeling for anything in his life, to doing runway shows for huge name companies, doing an insane amount of photoshoots, and has already been flown up to NYC due to receiving interest from the top modeling agencies in the country. It truly is amazing to see this thing unfold.

The cliché that comes with being a model is something that I imagine every model must take on - some embrace it as their own, as some aren’t even aware of it… as for Korey, he simply defies it. I think this is what I respect about him the most. Strong but yet humble. A combination that is the basis of his integrity and for this, I hold such a value in Korey’s personality and our friendship. Korey still has this purity to him, as though he is still untainted by shortcomings of the world, which might come from growing up in a small town, but I see it as something so admirable, as though it is something I once had and have lost throughout the years. I am jealous.

Roughly about a month or 2 ago, Korey was chosen to act in a short film for a film festival here in Nashville. I remember him telling me about how it all went after it was shot, and how excited he was, as he wouldn’t stop saying how awesome it was going to turn out. It wasn’t until last week that I finally was able to see it… He wasn’t lying. The short turned out AMAZING. I was blown away - so I had to share it:

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO.

Keep the dream. It might change form, but it is made uniquely for you.

// INSOMNIAC HALLOWEEN TSHIRT DESIGN The other night I got a...

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:36:48 -0400

// INSOMNIAC HALLOWEEN TSHIRT DESIGN

The other night I got a call from my good friend Geoff who works over at Insomniac, ( an event company who specializes in putting on dubstep events/concerts all over the world). For their upcoming Halloween event in Southern California, they asked me to design a shirt that would follow the theme of their promotional video, which is absolutely amazing - the colors/tones, set, and production was orchestrated perfectly. You can watch the video HERE, if you are interested.

Featured above, is the design I came up with for the event - The direction I was given was: Try to follow suit of the whole Alice in Wonderland concept, with a creepy twist.. however try to not make it look TOO ‘Hot Topic’.

Hands down, this was a fun project to mess around with. I simply love this time of year.. the month of October is a month long holiday for me. I love everything that comes with the Halloween season, so having a chance to be encouraged to get a little creepy with my work was really enjoyable… So thank you Geoff!

Photo

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:03:55 -0400

//Meet Maika Maile Maika is the lead singer of a band called...

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:40:31 -0400

//Meet Maika Maile

Maika is the lead singer of a band called ‘There For Tomorrow’ who is based out of Orlando, Florida. Besides the fact that they are a talented group of guys, I have also have had the great privilege of doing a number of merch designs for these guys over the years - anytime I get the opportunity to work with a band that I listen to and respect, makes my job that more enjoyable.

Originally I came across this video of Maika about a year ago and was deeply moved by his story, his strength, and his outlook on life. But I have since forgot about it until this morning, when I got a call from a friend of mine on the west coast asking about this video. After going through the archives, I found this video and decided to watch it once again. Just as I imagined, it hit me as hard as it did the first time I watched it. Thus, why I thought it would be a worthy blog post.

I hope this has the same effect on you, as it did on me.

//Meet Marcus Baney. I met Marcus about 7 years ago at a random...

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:54:22 -0400

//Meet Marcus Baney.

I met Marcus about 7 years ago at a random gas station some place deep into the heart of Illinois. The back story of our friendship is quite long and random, however it is irrelevant to the purpose and topic of this post.

To know Marcus and his heart, you have to meet him and dig deep. From the outside, he is a intimidating solid mass of muscle with tattoos that cover roughly about 80% of his body. However, from the inside, he is one of the most genuine guys that I’ve ever known, with a true heart for understanding people and seeing them for who they truly are. Marcus has a way of telling you how it is. A straight shooter. No filter. Which is something I highly respect about him.

Roughly about a year and a half ago Marcus moved to Nashville to further pursue his photography career, and upon moving here he got involved with a homeless outreach called People Loving Nashville. People Loving Nashville is all about community, building friendships, and investing in people’s lives. One night, Marcus talked to me about digging a bit deeper, and pursuing a project that he had been thinking about doing for some time. A project that would tell the stories of some of the guys that he was meeting, through the use of photography. What started out as an idea blossomed into reality… starting last night, and bringing only a SLR that uses film and the clothes on his back, Marcus is living side by side with 4 different guys who live on the streets, living as they live, to capture their lives and stories through the eye of a camera. Through this experience his intention is to create a photography book about his time living on the streets - and telling the stories of each of the guys whom he is living among. (all proceeds of this book will be donated to People Loving Nashville)

I find myself having such a huge respect for Marcus and this project. Taking the time off work to invest in these people’s lives, to live and sleep on the streets, where most people take vacation time to head to a resort, eat expensive dinners, and let the time pass by while laying on the beach- is truly admirable. This whole project is such a reflection of Marcus’ heart. It truly is.

I sit here thinking about the return of Marcus with the stories and photos he will have after this… the life lessons that he will have learned and perspective he will gain. I can not help but think that this is a story that needs to be told, not for a ego boost, not for praise, and not for winning over a few hearts… but for the sole fact of one man’s willingness to take on the burden of a complete stranger and be their voice. To legitimately care. To genuinely invest. To be ultimately humbled.

This is my friend Marcus Baney.

For more information on what Marcus is doing: Click here.

//IN FEAR AND FAITH MUSIC VIDEO TRAILER This is a trailer that...

Tue, 03 May 2011 13:50:24 -0400

//IN FEAR AND FAITH MUSIC VIDEO TRAILER

This is a trailer that was put out for a song of the new ‘In Fear and Faith’ EP.. I will not lie, I have a soft spot in my heart for epic melodic music dubbed over slow motion throw downs. God Bless America.

//DISCOVER THE JOURNEY Recently I had the opportunity to work...

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:53:32 -0400

//DISCOVER THE JOURNEY

Recently I had the opportunity to work with some of the amazing people over at Discover The Journey, by designing out a series of 7 different informational cards for a upcoming campaign that they are launching called ‘Give 7’ : A partnership that people commit to giving $7 a week to advocate for children facing injustice across the globe.

Each card profiles a specific group of children who face a certain injustice - in which the card is given as a reminder of your commitment and contribution in a ongoing effort to promote change. (Above is an example of one of cards used in the campaign)

DTJ is a solid group of visionaries out to make change. Please take a minute and visit their website - www.DiscoverTheJourney.com

//RAINNY AND COLD SATURDAYS : The last few weeks have been just...

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 19:00:00 -0400

//RAINNY AND COLD SATURDAYS :

The last few weeks have been just about anything but easy sailing, as harsh winds have demanded a number of changes to take place in my day to day life. From this, I have become more and more dependent on my saturday and nightly bike rides to clear my head a bit and try to obtain some sort of clarity through all the distractions and demands.

As I was about to start my ride today I randomly got a call from a childhood friend who now lives in San Antonio. For the next hour we discussed our lives and our futures, what we wanted out of life, what are desires and passions where - and somehow make those passions and desires breath air by breaking the mold of ‘American success’. After wrapping up our conversation, and expressing our mutual appreciation for the discussion we’d just had, I jumped on my bike and began to ride into the flow of the city. With a head full of thoughts, I just couldn’t shake our conversation. What does it really mean to live a life of legacy? To each person it is a different answer, but if I ask myself the question “If tomorrow I woke up and everything I had ever worked and planned for, was taken away, how differently would I live my life… or more importantly, how would I invest my time?” It drastically changes things.

As my ride continued, the temperature began to drop, as a slight rain started to pour down… I was a few blocks away from the Union Station Hotel (pictured above), and figured I would ride over there and watch the trains come in and out of the train yard, as I waited the storm out… After about 20 mins of looking down over the train yard, a short old man came waddling up behind me, camera in hand, and obviously a tourist- As I turned to greet him, his response gave his identity away as his thick British accent bellowed out from deep within his plump belly.

Upon this British man’s initial curiosity for American made trains, we stood there for the next hour discussing all things under the sun. It was a much welcomed new friendship as we talked about how different our countries were, and the beauty of our homelands. I couldn’t help but be slightly bias. But coming from a man, who spent the entirety of 65 years of his life living in his motherland of Leeds, England - he was quite fond of the States. I found it quite interesting that the biggest complaint of a man who had never been to US before, was truly disgusted with our culture of having to tip someone for a beer. I couldn’t agree with him more.

As our conversation proceeded on, I couldn’t help but see the contrast but yet similarities in our lives and the roads we are both currently taking. Here stood a man who after 29 years of working in the Blue Line in England, was for the first time leaving his country and exploring the world - defying the normal. Then there is me, a young man in his twenties, with my whole life still untainted and a body that is still able- trying to figure out what defying the normal is for me. There we stood glazing upon the train yard, just two guys who’s paths had randomly crossed for 1 hour under a walkway. Just two guys from different corners of the globe, at different places in our lives, traveling the same road trying to figure it all out. Its quite poetic when you think about it.

Our conversation came to an abrupt end when a sudden multitude of lightning attacked the city. As we briskly shook hands and ended our conversation, I jumped back on my bike and tried to race the storm, but was engulfed by the likings of a monsoon, moments later.

“Some people drift through their entire life. They do it one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time. It happens so gradually they are unaware of how their lives are slipping away until it’s too late.”
- Mary Kay Ash

// CALIFORNIA DREAMING With the nights getting longer and the...

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:12:23 -0400

// CALIFORNIA DREAMING

With the nights getting longer and the days getting warmer, the boys of summer are starting to take the field back in San Diego - I can not even begin to stress how much I miss this. I spent alot of time here in Petco Park while I was living in San Diego, I remember rallying up the guys, jumping on our bicycles and riding a few blocks down to the stadium. We would pay $5 for lawn seats - then spend another $5 on the ‘5 for 5’ deal which would get you: Soda, a hot dog, popcorn, peanuts, and a cookie. Yeah, for $10 total, we lived like kings for those 9 innings. Petco Park is hands down one of the most beautiful parks in all of America, sitting in the heart of the Gaslamp District, it overlooks the whole San Diego skyline - you have to see it to get it.

These were great summer days.

//THE TALENT SOME PEOPLE HAVE TRULY AMAZES ME I have realized...

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:36:52 -0400

//THE TALENT SOME PEOPLE HAVE TRULY AMAZES ME

I have realized that most recently the content of my blog has been primarily over ran by a countless number of YouTube videos… Not to say that I am ignoring all other forms of art, but I have just been stumbling upon some truly amazing videos that portray so much creativity, talent, and originality.

This is a video I came across a few months ago and became quickly mesmerized by their rendition of these 2 songs, let alone their musical talent. I randomly came across it again today and figured it was ‘blog worthy’ - so I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

To everyone at SXSW: I am jealous.

//THE WORDS OF THE WISE. “Here’s the thing about...

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:38:12 -0400

//THE WORDS OF THE WISE.

“Here’s the thing about telling stories with your life. It’s going to sound like a great idea, and you are going to get excited about it, and when it comes time to do the work, you are not going to want to do it. It’s like that with writing books and it’s like that with life. People love to have lived a great story, but few people like the work it takes to make it happen.”

-Don Miller

danivitale: So true

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 00:19:23 -0500

danivitale:

So true

//THIS IS HOW YOU KEEP KIDS PLAYING MUSIC…

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:30:00 -0500

//THIS IS HOW YOU KEEP KIDS PLAYING MUSIC…

//UNCONTACTED AMAZON TRIBE: FIRST EVER AERIAL FOOTAGE I can not...

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:04:00 -0500

//UNCONTACTED AMAZON TRIBE: FIRST EVER AERIAL FOOTAGE

I can not even begin to express how much this video intrigues me. How much I envy the ignorance of this tribe, never being tainted by the western world, nor the curse of technology. The simple life.

It blows my mind how this tribe, and very few other tribes left in the world, have no idea that the rest of the world exists. They have no concept of windows, watches, pictures, currency, war, or even meeting up for dinner on a Friday night. I am taken back by this. Truly taken back, that people like this still exist in our day of age. For instance, the line in this video that mentions the common cold would wipe out the entire tribe … what?!, I am dumbfounded by this statement. It makes me feel as though our civilization is so dirty, that we as a whole have lost such value in simplicity that we have been cursed by the very thing that ‘frees’ us.

I see such a urgency to protect this. Maybe out of my own longing to save something pure and unaffected by everything we have perverted…

//INDESTRUCTIBLE JENNY MAVITY Meet my friend Jenny. I met Jenny...

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:24:00 -0500

//INDESTRUCTIBLE JENNY MAVITY

Meet my friend Jenny. I met Jenny a number of years ago, while we were both living in San Diego. 2 years ago Jenny - a proud new owner of a brand new Vespa moped- rode her Vesta to ‘In n Out’ one sunny afternoon to meet up with some friends. After indulging in the most amazing burgers that Southern California has to offer, she started up her Vespa, and pulled out of her parking spot on a quite busy street … in a split second, Jenny gets pounded by a full size SUV…

To say the least: Jenny took flight - giving the Wright brothers a run for their money, the Vespa was totaled, and Jenny was rushed to the hospital: Besides all the road rash, gashes, and blood, Jenny ended up really messing up her leg REALLY bad, (I feel like she broke her femur, or something in that sort, but I can’t exactly remember… none the less, she had to have a very intensive surgery on it..)

So with all that being said, I made her a cake with a great illustration of this event, which I declared to start a national holiday: ’Happy get hit by a truck and live day!”

With this all being said, HAPPY GET HIT BY A TRUCK AND LIVE DAY, Jenny! (sorry, I am a couple of days late, but who is counting, right?! )

//TO EVERY KID WHO GREW UP BELIEVING THE FORCE WAS REAL This is...

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:01:22 -0500

//TO EVERY KID WHO GREW UP BELIEVING THE FORCE WAS REAL

This is absolutely BRILLIANT. I came across this gem today for the first time, and hands down, this is my absolute favorite commercial of all time.

//NEW BLOG DESIGN Being that its the new year, which has brought...

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:37:00 -0500

//NEW BLOG DESIGN

Being that its the new year, which has brought me to make many changes in my every day life, the //AVALIIS structure, and even projects that I am investing my time into. In the begining of the year I spend some time updating the //AVALIIS website with new small changes to the site, along with uploading a handful of new artwork. At the time I wanted to redesign the blog as well, but didn’t have time to really commit to doing it… until now. Personally, I never really liked the layout of the previous blog, but it worked- and I just didnt want to spend the time re-doing it… After about a year and a half of ‘putting it off’, I finally took the time to re-design the layout..

Completely changing topics. I sit here listening to Terminal. This CD was the soundtrack to a summer I spent under the trees on the east side of Michigan, with some of my best friends back in 2003. I was fresh out of high school and was just discovering the vast number of doors that life had to offer. I was fearless. Driven. But more importantly, passionate. A time where I was discovering my limits and living my life recklessly and abundant. I distinctively remember one summer night meeting up with a few friends to go bowling. As the night went on I had a discussion with my friend Josh about how I wanted to just get out of town for bit. Without second guessing, the two of us jumped in my car at 11pm, bringing only the clothes on our backs, and headed west. We made it to the west side of the state, but didnt feel as though we were far enough away, so we pressed on.. Driving south and through the night, we landed in Indiana for a few hours of sleep. Waking up, we pressed on.. ending up in Chicago. At this point, we decided we would make 1 phone call to give a heads up to our parents to let them know we were gona be gone a few days, and then turned our phones off for the remainder of our trip. Needless to say, our girlfriends at the time were so pissed when we got back.

We spend a handful of days searching the city. roaming. no rules. Two penniless guys being richer then we had ever been. Smoking huge cigars. Eating cheap pizza. Getting clothes for the day at random goodwills. Simply living life abundantly.

This was the first moment that I realized the freedom that the road gives. I sit here typing about this trip, and I realize that after all the tours I have been on, all the traveling, all the moves, this trip- this spontaneous trip we took back when we were untainted dreamers, was my freest of moments.

In honor of this memory and yesterday’s blizzard in Chicago, I decided to post this picture. I look at all that snow and do not envy the north in the slightest bit right now. Suckers.

//WORDS OF WISDOM FROM MICHAEL...

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:51:25 -0500

//WORDS OF WISDOM FROM MICHAEL GENTILE.

michaeljohngentile:

“and thus, dear students, we have arrived at the formula for understanding women”