Artist/Designer Friend in Prison
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- 49 Responses
- discoduro0
Send him soap on a rope.
- lukus_W0
People have to be given the chance to make amends.
It's human nature that we fuck up sometimes - if we don't give people the chance to make up for their mistakes, we might as well give up.
- moldero0
"For a forum full of abstract, creative thinkers I'm surprised at how many single minded, judgmental, projectionist responses this question has generated." -whatthefunk
"An bunch of über elitist designers who run an online design community and think that their shit doesn't stink. Can also be referred to as the QBN Reich." - urbandictionary.com
- Anders0
Bring him a camera = pics or it didn't happen
- Douglas0
The thing I've been thinking about is the actual talent as an artist your buddy might have. Is he technically good, but low-brow like a David Choe? If so, he might be a dime-a-dozen. If he has the ability to think as a rebelious "fine artist" like a Dash Snow or a Dan Colen, he could maybe use this jail time to his advantage/credibility, much like a rapper would. If that's case, you could suggest he make some bold moves with his art. Start challenging gun laws through art or exploring himself and his decisions conceptually. Or if he's just a normal dude, who's pretty level minded, but just made some bad life moves, maybe he can just spin some clay pots or something.
- d_rek0
Also... the kids that the non-profit deals with are just that... KIDS. Your friend is (and presumably was at the time) an ADULT. There is a big difference there.
And also for the record I haven't taken a single cent from the non-profit. All of my services have been and will continue to be donated.
- d_rek0
whatthefunk,
The kids i've met through the non-profit are being given a chance to succeed because cultural, social and familial conditions have left them without the opportunities that most of us take for granted.
So what's your friends excuse? The money was good and easy so he decided to sell drugs and guns because he was too fucking lazy to use his god given ability to become a CONSTRUCTIVE member of society? Or that he fell in with 'the wrong crowd'? Those are poor excuses. So what if he COULD have become the next big CD or Designer or who gives a fuck... the fact is he became a fucking DRUG DEALER AND GUN RUNNER.
Anyway it looks like your friend is getting a second chance - whether you consider that second chance the US Penal System or having a friend who's willing to support him and reach out to him while he's serving time - that most of the kids that i've met might have NEVER gotten if they were in his shoes. He should be thankful that a) he's not lying in some ditch somewhere face down and b) he has a friend like you to support him.
It's ok for you to be his friend. Nobody is condemning that. I think you should just be more realistic about the situation and less dismissive of the things he's done.
I also don't understand the emotional investment you seem to have with this individual. From what you say it doesn't sound like you've been that close of friends in 5 or so years and then all of the suddenly he ends up in jail and he needs a friend? C'mon dude. You're looking like a huge patzi right now.
- whatthefunk0
For a forum full of abstract, creative thinkers I'm surprised at how many single minded, judgmental, projectionist responses this question has generated. You all are commenting as if I'm the one in prison and it's offensive that you're criticizing my actions regarding how I interact with a friend. It's cool to have a Chick of the day thread, and FMT with stolen music, and ask how to get free fonts, and posts about pot but the second someone actually posts a “real world” question regarding some heavy shit most of you get your panties in a bunch, perhaps it's a class issue, perhaps it's a white collar crowd, but overall the responses have been immature and fucking pathetic.
Jimbo, do you REALLY think he's the guy who waved a gun at you, REALLY DUDE?!?! Are you that biased and prejudice to think that one guy who sells a couple of guns in the US represents ALL people who have murdered, killed, and robbed? Really, what a fucking simpleton. Isn't it surprising that if you get caught with a certain amount of weed it's a felony - a felony for a FUCKING PLANT! There's a designer on here who branded an identity for a Detroit non-profit for underprivileged kids and he was criticizing my friend as a fuck up and agreed to anothers comments supporting cyanide – what a pussy sell out. Most of you who responded negatively would jump at the chance to redesign a website for a non-profit involved with people from “the other side of the tracks” for a dollar while simultaneously judging their actions as if they should be thrown in the gas chamber. Tisk, tisk.
I'm the idiot for thinking that maybe this forum could present some ideas for me to help out an artist/designer friend. For those who didn't post I applaud you, you move on without offering an opinion because who the fuck cares, it's one dude, he's not a BP executive or anything. To those who gave some constructive ideas, hell yeah, thanks for sticking to the project brief and staying on track – true professionals. But to those who lashed out with hate and prejudice, shame on you. What's the tag line of this website, it's “For a better tomorrow.”
- Jimbo820
"nerdy design crowd" and "right winged nursing home" responses?
All I know about this guy is that whatthefunk thinks he's a good guy and he's in prison for selling guns while on probation for other stuff. Outta those two points I'm gonna draw my conclusion on him from the later.
Fair enough he's your mate and all, but he's not my mate. For all I know, he could have been the one that sold the gun to the twat who waved one in my face a few years back because I didn't hand over my phone instantly.
Cool for looking out for your mate and all, but that's your business, don't get arsey when strangers don't want to help make a convicted gun dealer's time inside pass quicker.
My two cents!
- Projectile0
teach him to weld more guns and sell them to other prisoners. That way, the whole "overcrowded prisons" problem will drastically lessen, and the whole "repeat offender" thing will lessen too.
on a serious note, seriously do what you will for this bloke but do not invest too much time and money, unless it can actually benefit you. People like this will go downhill again as soon as they smell the sweet smell of freedom again, he'll forget all about you.
just being realistic
- CALLES0
hmmm maybe you should research some kind of organization that showcases art work from inmates. thinking about it... let do it and be rich!
- CALLES0
well if i were you i wouldn't kind of try to set him with a job or whatever unless you are really sure he has learned his lesson. jail kind of makes you promise you will never do it agian. it is that kind of hell. he is your friend. you should know. take it from there
- I hear you, he's got about 4 years to go, 1 down for time served in countywhatthefunk
- just a friend, not his motherwhatthefunk
- Ouch! Hope he keeps head strongCALLES
- whatthefunk0
no shit calles, felt like I was in a right winged nursing home for a second. I actually typed a whole pissed response and then I said fuck it - half of those people should be in prison for the horrid work on their websites - that's the true crime against society.
nah calles, they call him Verbal
- adqt0
Get him The Artist's Way, he has plenty of time now to do it. Hopefully it will help him get his life back on track. I haven't gone through the book yet, it'll take me going to prison to finally do it. Looking forward to that next year.
- see, I knew there were some cool peeps in here - almost lost all hope!whatthefunk
- CALLES0
btw is his name kaiser soze?
- CALLES0
Geez... i guess we have the nerdy designer crowd over here... no of you have done shady shit or hang out with the wrong crowd?
- DrBombay0
The fantasy world that some of you people live in is fascinating.
- whatthefunk0
So a couple good suggestions, thanks guys.