It took awhile, but I finally ordered myself one of my own iphone cases from Society 6. I must say, they are legit!

I currently have 45 cases available right now, so there is a BIG selection. Take a look at them right here: http://society6.com/JeffClaassen/cases.

Thanks for looking!
- Jeff

The awesome and amazing ice cream sandwich shop in town, Batch, has been good to me.

A couple of months ago they commissioned me to paint them a “How To Order” sign because customers were a little confused by the process. I’ve done a lot of commissions, but I’ve never done one quite like this. Their flavors and options change daily so the chalk feature works out great for them. Here is what they originally had.

And the new hotness.

They also serve root beer floats. YUM!

See ya!
- Jeff

PS. If you’re in need for some artsy commercial work let me know.

I am so incredibly excited that my project has been fully funded. Although, now that it is fully funded it no longer feels like my project. It is now OUR project because you are the ones that have made The Puzzle Painting become a reality. Because of that I have decided to add a couple of bonus rewards in limited amounts. What are the new rewards? I’m glad you asked. I’ve added card cases and wallets using the same graphic that’s on the T-shirt. Check it out…

“Let’s Kick It Card Case”

“Let’s Kick It Wallet”

There are only 20 available for each. Hopefully, they sell out in 10 seconds like a Taylor Swift concert. Oh wait, I’m not a pretty young blonde that sings pop love songs.

If you’ve already backed the project and would like to add one of these to your pledge simply add $12 for the card case or $17 for the wallet. There has been some confusion with backers changing their reward when they decided to add an item to their pledge. Trust me, it’s much easier to keep the same reward and just add the extra amount. Also, just so you know, the reward you choose is not set in stone. Once the project deadline happens and the funds are released I will send out a survey asking you exactly what you’d like. If you have any questions please visit the project page and send me a message.

Visit: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jeffclaassen/the-puzzle-painting

Thanks Everybody!
- Jeff

Dear Coral,

I probably should have made this last year. You know, since Elliott is almost 2, but I procrastinate sometimes. Anyway…

Thank you for being such a great mama to our kids.
Even though they make us crazy.

Happy Mother’s Day! from jeff claassen on Vimeo.

I love you!

This weekend was very exciting because “The Puzzle Painting” reached it’s funding goal of $4k! Yes, I did a few cartwheels and squealed like a little girl at a Taylor Swift concert. Thanks to all of you that have backed this project and shared it with your friends.

The really cool thing about reaching this goal early is that we still have 17 days left to continue to raise money for the project, which is great because the whole idea was to make a HUGE painting. The more people that back the project the bigger the painting will be.

If you would like to support the project, but don’t want a piece of the puzzle there are some other fun things available like an exclusive bottle opener keychain, sticker packs, greeting cards and also an exclusive t-shirt design.

Check out The Puzzle Painting project at: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jeffclaassen/the-puzzle-painting

Please keep sharing the link on your social media outlets like twitter, google+, facebook, tumblr, etc.

Thanks again!
All of your support really means a lot to me!

- Jeff

Coral put Elliott down for his daily 11am nap and this is what happened?

I guess he only naps when he wants to now?
I really hope not. This kid is a like a Rambo Spiderman.

The end.

Of naps.

- Jeff

I haven’t had shirts made in about 3 years. Mostly because I had to put my printer in storage. I thought it would be fun to offer an exclusive shirt as part of my “Puzzle Painting” project. This time around I’ll get them printed by The Shirt Peddler, which is a local SLO business. They’re good people.

I made the above drawing for the shirt graphic and it’s already been sold on Kickstarter, but I’ll be taking orders of the actual shirt for the next 17 days. This is exclusive to backers on Kickstarter, so the only way to get one is to order it before May 23, 2013.

I love soft tees and I’m sure you do too, so I will be using the Tri-Blend Tee from American Apparel. It’s probably my most favorite shirt of all time. This will be a two color (black and white ink) print on Athletic Grey tee. It will be available in men’s (size xs, s, m, l, xl) and women’s (size s, m, l, xl). Once the campaign ends I will post an update with specific sizing information so you know what size will be best for you.

If you’d like to get in on the action and pick up a shirt or two please visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jeffclaassen/the-puzzle-painting. When you click that link you’ll see all the “reward” options on the right side of the screen, including the shirt.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

Thanks!
- Jeff

The boy and I let mama sleep in this morning. She’s had a long busy week and deserves to stay in bed until 10am. So, how do two dudes spend their time together. Cuddling on the couch, duh! Oh, I should mention, we have an ultrasound picture of Elliott doing that hand on his cheek thing. It’s his signature move.

There was also a lot of eating and throwing hot wheels across the room. And one of us had a N A S T Y S T I N K Y diaper. I won’t say who, but I will say that every diaper seems more disgusting than the previous. Not sure how that is possible, but it is.

- Jeff

The other day with Evy, who happens to be 11 years old.

“Evy, check that out. There’s a hobo talking to a parking meter.”
“That’s nice,” she said. “I like when hobo’s have friends to talk to.”

This girl cracks me up.

After toying around with this idea for so long I’m super excited to have finally launched the thing. And even more excited that people have come together to help support it by picking one (or multiple) rewards and sharing the project on their social networks.

The way Kickstarter works nobody will get anything they pledged for if the project isn’t fully funded. So, please keep sharing and spreading the word!

Thanks, Everybody!

- Jeff
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jeffclaassen/the-puzzle-painting

When you’re a kid you aren’t scared to suck at something. When you’re an adult you are embarrassed to suck so there is a lot of stuff you don’t try. You expect to be good right away and forget that the only way to get good is to practice and work through the sucking phase.

If there is something you really want to learn and be good at, whether it be drawing, cooking, cartwheeling, kissing, selling cars, playing guitar, sewing, public speaking, skateboarding, whatever…you need to accept that you will not be good at it in the beginning. If you REALLY want to get good at something it is worth devoting time to it because the time you invest will not be wasted and is way better than living with regret.

Now get out there and suck at something! Before you know it, you’ll be good at it.

Saw this super sweet “Succulent Wheelbarrow” at Sal’s Paradise this morning. It looked like the work of Fluid Bloom and a quick text message to the owner confirmed that it was. I think it’s awesome that a flower shop can have a recognizable signature style.

With Mother’s Day (May 12) right around the corner I highly suggest checking out Fluid Bloom. They’re in downtown SLO on the corner of Chorro and Pismo and can be reached at 805.784.0415.

Support local!

- Jeff