Has to be one of your best people pieces ever Anne. As I read through the interview, I thought his observation that ‘People on the internet seem to like repetition’ was going to be it. My analogy being with TV soaps, which are more repetitious than the cowboy movies I watched in the 40s and 50s ever were, but you kept me waiting for the very best until the very end: I loved Max Kolomatsky’s ‘creativity = muscle’ idea/approach to what he does. I never thought of it before, but now I know the things I do every day (write, make boxes, draw maps, bake bread) strengthen me as a person, and they do. Suddenly, weeks away from being 80, there are ways in which I feel better about myself than ever before, thanks to you and Max. Bless you both - a truly, wonderful insight!🐰
Wow, that is VERY COOL akaKevin, that you are feeling so good about yourself as your 80th approaches. I hope to follow your lead! And I'm very glad you enjoyed the interview so much. Yay!
Definitely one of my favorite issues, Anne! If Max is representative of his generation, there is hope for us all. I love that he recognized the charm of the handmade flyer on NY streets (although I am, sadly, not a New Yorker), since that isn't what I would expect to hear from a younger person these days. Something about that pure originality and imperfection has always appealed to me. And Max's philosophy of doing things just for kicks and especially if it puts a smile on someone's face, is something we all should try to do more often, artist or not. I think you and Max have a lot in common, both of you bringing joy for joy's sake, and having such a lovely outlook about the goodness of people. LOVE the idea of deliberately noticing people being kind to each other! I am going to start doing that whenever I go out.
Jill I am so happy to hear that Max's story inspired you! And I do think he struck a chord with me because, as you likely know, I'm all about offering my work for free. I forgot about the noticing thing until I mentioned it in the comments earlier today, but I'm going to be giving it a try myself the rest of the week.
THIS! "I think you and Max have a lot in common, both of you bringing joy for joy's sake, and having such a lovely outlook about the goodness of people."
As a graphic designer in my past life, I really love these renovations! And the whole idea of doing it to both please himself and the "client"—if the client ever sees it!!!! Pure heart and genius.
I LOVE the story about Max. How truly uplifting (there really ARE good people in the world) and it brought a big smile to my face. Thank you for sharing that with us. :)
SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE! Max stands out I think because he took such an original approach, but it's everywhere. I had a friend who, a few years ago, vowed to just deliberately notice examples of people being kind to each other in the city and she was blown away by all she witnessed.
Yayyy for Max! Thank you, Anne, for bringing us his story. The advice for artists to give yourself space to do something just for fun really landed with me. It’s something I’ve been trying to do myself and it’s very encouraging to hear someone else say it out loud. Especially an artist with Max’s talent! Those flyers are really stunning. Side note, I think any flyer with Comic Sans on it should be retooled, but I’m sure there aren’t enough artists on the planet to take that job on. Looking forward to hearing what you do with that $64 that’s burning a hole in your pocket, Anne!
I was curious to see if Comic Sans was still a thing and indeed it is still an option in my version of MS word. Remember it was one of like, eight options to choose from?
I'm looking forward to my adventure as well. I have most of Wednesday set aside. Hh boy!!!
I had heard of this project before but I like it even more after you posted this interview. Tempted to make a shitty flyer and post it on Myrtle Avenue for a free graphic design upgrade...
Also, you buy valium for your neighbors?! Where exactly do you live again?
Wow! I loved this interview! Restores my faith in the creative people who know how to nurture themselves and to also give back to their community in a fun way! Good work Ann!
Thank you CK! Yes, he's really got the retro thing going on for these biz flyers. His other stuff, if you check out his IG, strikes me as more contemporary.
Ha! This totally reminded me of how a couple of years ago, someone stuck a flyer for housekeeping services to the front door of our building. It took me 15 minutes, Windex and a lot of elbow grease to scrub off the remnants of paper and glue, she must have epoxied the darn thing to the glass. Seemed like a terrible way to make the first impression, so I thought I'd be a helpful person and text her to say, hey, NOT a great way to do this. As one less naive than I might expect, she didn't take lightly to the critique and replied with a barrage of guilt-tripping about her life, and how she's just trying to make a living, and shame on me. Blah.... Being a guilt-prone person (yes, I was raised by a Jewish mom) I felt bad, and her flyer was JUST. SO. CRAPPY.... So I redesigned it and texted it to her. She replied with a stream of satisfied emojis and that was that. I thought at the time how much fun it would be to do this all the time. But, I didn't do that, nor did I bother to put it to Instagram — because being an actual working designer, I have no time for either LOL. (Wait, I don't even have Instagram...) I did ponder if there were other designers in this city who just couldn't help themselves, and I am so happy to see that yes, they're out there indeed. Kudos!
Haha Maria, I like your story even better than Max's story, because it's just SO MUCH MORE NYC. And it's very funny that you had the same impulse, though you didn't have the time. But that kind of makes it more of a NYC story too!
I really dig Max's design style. It's so clear that he gets a lot of enjoyment out of doing this kind of work — and it's not easy! The best kinds of "work" assignments are usually the ones that no one asks you to take on. They're jumpstarted by your own drive to do something or know something.
Other readers here have noticed how thoughtful and grounded his answers were. Surely, hitting the social media jackpot can do weird things to a person, but he seems to understand how the game is played and doesn't want it to impede his joy. Kudos to him, and you, Anne, for sharing his story with us!
Melanie I didn't think of it but you're right. His love for his work really does shine through in his designs. They're fun and lighthearted without feeling dopey or saccharine.
Max DID mention that he had to delete IG from his phone because, like many folks, he got a little too into the game, but yeah, so far so good.\!
Nothing can beat NYC when it comes to people. I experienced it during 9/11, and blackouts. And come on, where else can one find a talented young artist who redesigns flyers. Awesome!🤗🤗🥰
There's something about it, Olivia! I think the city draws people like this, of course, but then because the city is what it is, they're actually inspired to do more interesting things then they other might have.
Has to be one of your best people pieces ever Anne. As I read through the interview, I thought his observation that ‘People on the internet seem to like repetition’ was going to be it. My analogy being with TV soaps, which are more repetitious than the cowboy movies I watched in the 40s and 50s ever were, but you kept me waiting for the very best until the very end: I loved Max Kolomatsky’s ‘creativity = muscle’ idea/approach to what he does. I never thought of it before, but now I know the things I do every day (write, make boxes, draw maps, bake bread) strengthen me as a person, and they do. Suddenly, weeks away from being 80, there are ways in which I feel better about myself than ever before, thanks to you and Max. Bless you both - a truly, wonderful insight!🐰
Wow, that is VERY COOL akaKevin, that you are feeling so good about yourself as your 80th approaches. I hope to follow your lead! And I'm very glad you enjoyed the interview so much. Yay!
Definitely one of my favorite issues, Anne! If Max is representative of his generation, there is hope for us all. I love that he recognized the charm of the handmade flyer on NY streets (although I am, sadly, not a New Yorker), since that isn't what I would expect to hear from a younger person these days. Something about that pure originality and imperfection has always appealed to me. And Max's philosophy of doing things just for kicks and especially if it puts a smile on someone's face, is something we all should try to do more often, artist or not. I think you and Max have a lot in common, both of you bringing joy for joy's sake, and having such a lovely outlook about the goodness of people. LOVE the idea of deliberately noticing people being kind to each other! I am going to start doing that whenever I go out.
Jill I am so happy to hear that Max's story inspired you! And I do think he struck a chord with me because, as you likely know, I'm all about offering my work for free. I forgot about the noticing thing until I mentioned it in the comments earlier today, but I'm going to be giving it a try myself the rest of the week.
THIS! "I think you and Max have a lot in common, both of you bringing joy for joy's sake, and having such a lovely outlook about the goodness of people."
What a great origin story for Mr. K.
And I loved the transparency and wit of the way you started your final question:
"What I think I hear you saying, or that I'll say because I want you to say it..."
LOL I might do more of that in my interviews going forward, David. It felt good to decide what someone should say!
As a graphic designer in my past life, I really love these renovations! And the whole idea of doing it to both please himself and the "client"—if the client ever sees it!!!! Pure heart and genius.
Yes! Wouldn't it be fun if everyone did something like this in their own profession?
Mr. Kolomatsky is my new favorite New Yorker too!
Yay! Glad you enjoyed Ms. Hess!
I LOVE the story about Max. How truly uplifting (there really ARE good people in the world) and it brought a big smile to my face. Thank you for sharing that with us. :)
SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE! Max stands out I think because he took such an original approach, but it's everywhere. I had a friend who, a few years ago, vowed to just deliberately notice examples of people being kind to each other in the city and she was blown away by all she witnessed.
Glad you enjoyed, Amy!
Yayyy for Max! Thank you, Anne, for bringing us his story. The advice for artists to give yourself space to do something just for fun really landed with me. It’s something I’ve been trying to do myself and it’s very encouraging to hear someone else say it out loud. Especially an artist with Max’s talent! Those flyers are really stunning. Side note, I think any flyer with Comic Sans on it should be retooled, but I’m sure there aren’t enough artists on the planet to take that job on. Looking forward to hearing what you do with that $64 that’s burning a hole in your pocket, Anne!
Glad it landed for you Laura Rebecca.
I was curious to see if Comic Sans was still a thing and indeed it is still an option in my version of MS word. Remember it was one of like, eight options to choose from?
I'm looking forward to my adventure as well. I have most of Wednesday set aside. Hh boy!!!
Love this story! And what he’s doing! And how you put it together! A joy to read!
Thank you Marie! It was a fun one to put together!
I had heard of this project before but I like it even more after you posted this interview. Tempted to make a shitty flyer and post it on Myrtle Avenue for a free graphic design upgrade...
Also, you buy valium for your neighbors?! Where exactly do you live again?
And my doorman dispenses dog treats, Rob. It's quite the candy land around here.
Loved this guy’s spirit!!!!
Meeee too Lisa! He struck me as very appreciative on top of being creative and adventurous.
Wow! I loved this interview! Restores my faith in the creative people who know how to nurture themselves and to also give back to their community in a fun way! Good work Ann!
So happy to hear your reaction. Thanks Sallie!
"That’s enough $$$ to buy a Valium for all my neighbors who freak out when there’s an inch of snow on the ground!" ... when I tell you I *cackled*...
Haha! I should also dispense valium at the entrance to the Key Food when people are storming in to do their pre blizzard grocery shopping.
My new favorite piece. What a great message for artists. Love his vintage style.
Thank you CK! Yes, he's really got the retro thing going on for these biz flyers. His other stuff, if you check out his IG, strikes me as more contemporary.
Will follow him! Thx!
Ha! This totally reminded me of how a couple of years ago, someone stuck a flyer for housekeeping services to the front door of our building. It took me 15 minutes, Windex and a lot of elbow grease to scrub off the remnants of paper and glue, she must have epoxied the darn thing to the glass. Seemed like a terrible way to make the first impression, so I thought I'd be a helpful person and text her to say, hey, NOT a great way to do this. As one less naive than I might expect, she didn't take lightly to the critique and replied with a barrage of guilt-tripping about her life, and how she's just trying to make a living, and shame on me. Blah.... Being a guilt-prone person (yes, I was raised by a Jewish mom) I felt bad, and her flyer was JUST. SO. CRAPPY.... So I redesigned it and texted it to her. She replied with a stream of satisfied emojis and that was that. I thought at the time how much fun it would be to do this all the time. But, I didn't do that, nor did I bother to put it to Instagram — because being an actual working designer, I have no time for either LOL. (Wait, I don't even have Instagram...) I did ponder if there were other designers in this city who just couldn't help themselves, and I am so happy to see that yes, they're out there indeed. Kudos!
Haha Maria, I like your story even better than Max's story, because it's just SO MUCH MORE NYC. And it's very funny that you had the same impulse, though you didn't have the time. But that kind of makes it more of a NYC story too!
Do you know if she used your redesigned sign?
I actually have no idea! But, obviously I doubt she'd exopy it to our door again :D
I really dig Max's design style. It's so clear that he gets a lot of enjoyment out of doing this kind of work — and it's not easy! The best kinds of "work" assignments are usually the ones that no one asks you to take on. They're jumpstarted by your own drive to do something or know something.
Other readers here have noticed how thoughtful and grounded his answers were. Surely, hitting the social media jackpot can do weird things to a person, but he seems to understand how the game is played and doesn't want it to impede his joy. Kudos to him, and you, Anne, for sharing his story with us!
Melanie I didn't think of it but you're right. His love for his work really does shine through in his designs. They're fun and lighthearted without feeling dopey or saccharine.
Max DID mention that he had to delete IG from his phone because, like many folks, he got a little too into the game, but yeah, so far so good.\!
Nothing can beat NYC when it comes to people. I experienced it during 9/11, and blackouts. And come on, where else can one find a talented young artist who redesigns flyers. Awesome!🤗🤗🥰
There's something about it, Olivia! I think the city draws people like this, of course, but then because the city is what it is, they're actually inspired to do more interesting things then they other might have.