On Saturday I had the unique opportunity to be part of Art for Africa (a non-profit organization that unites artists globally with the goal of helping raise awareness and support for the more than 15 million children under the age of 18 who have been orphaned as a result of AIDS.) Please visit their site to learn more. A truly amazing organization!

The event was held at Rooster & Moon Coffee Pub (I highly recommend this clever establishment … coffee shop by day, pub by night … brilliant!) in Denver, CO. Local artists donated work to be auctioned off to raise money for Art for Africa. I was invited to play a few tunes, and donate some art. I enjoyed learning more about the vision of Art for Africa, seeing the wide array of pieces the artists donated, and connecting with fellow creatives.

Little did I know I would be bringing home a new employee to join me in the creative cave/octopus garden. But, there he was … a whimsically crafted octopus. The piece was created by Kate Nickel (a fellow alumni of Rocky Mountain College of Art!) I knew this masterfully crafted mollusk would be the first of what I hope will soon be a massive octopus collection. So I put in my bid, and won the little crocheted cephalopod!

Kate's cleverly crocheted cephalopod creation

He now resides near my desk (with Tessa’s handcrafted crow … another favorite iconic creature of mine), so I can keep an eye on him, he is after all a Bandito Octopod. He has been eyeing my ipod all day, not sure if it is love or theft he has in mind. It is nice to have a new member of the creative team, though, tess will always be employee of the month! Mr. Octopod has that crafty cleverness that is always welcome here at the creative cave. Thanks Kate for your donation/creation.

As for the octopus collection, I am on the hunt for more wonderous octopus creations … had my eye on this pricey little gem since creating my brand …

the crown jewel of the octopus collection

Here are a few other items on the wish list:

for playtime in the office

because every studio needs a bit of Pixar magic

not sure if this would fit in the studio space ... but talk about a conversation piece!

I recall hours of my childhood watching these sticky little fellas crawl down the windows

this would be official dress code for the office (all other clothing optional)

OK, this would also be part of the dress code

an odd lamp ... a pretty close match to the lfcreative brand ... illuminating!

Just you wait Bandito, soon you will have many friends and the Octopus garden will thrive with creative oddities!