Painting With A Typewriter

painting with a typewriter
Chromatic Typewriter © Tyree Callahan

Washington-based painter, Tyree Callahan, modified a 1937 Underwood Standard typewriter by replacing the letters and keys with color pads and hued labels. Presto: painting machine! Callahan submitted the Chromatic Typewriter to the 2012 West Prize competition, an annual art prize determined by popular vote. As of this minute, Callahan is in the 8th position with only 17 votes separating her from the 2nd place artist. (To overtake #1, she needs 42.) Voting is conducted through a free iPhone/iPad app that exists solely for the purpose of making art visible to the public and the brief “Help us give an artist some money.” OK!

Chromatic Typewriter © Tyree Callahan
Chromatic Typewriter © Tyree Callahan

It’s all about the Chromatic. Callahan writes via Facebook:

“Iphone/iPad/iPod users! I need your help! This is the latest project out of Studio E. It’s Called the Chromatic Typewriter and it is my entry for the $25,000 2012 West Prize. Voting is not currently open to desktops (not even sure if it will be, which is a let down), but those of you with iProducts can download the West Collects app to vote for your favorite. (Hint, hint!)”

Chromatic Typewriter © Tyree Callahan
Chromatic Typewriter © Tyree Callahan

Another tool that blurs the line between visual artist and storytelling wordsmith gets my thumb’s up. All info via Colossal, who also points out the typewriter-based art of Keira Rathbone.