The Dirtbag Diaries

As some of you may know, Walker Cahall handles most of the design work here at the Dirtbag Diaries, and as the name suggests, he is my brother – seven years my junior.  Now, all the older brothers out there know that complimenting a younger sibling is a risky and delicate business. Their heads may balloon with pride before eventually imploding like a dying galaxy. When Walker began destroying me in video games, I was forced to retire in order to save him from himself.  I may have to do the same with mountain biking if Walker keeps pedaling hard. It's just my little way of upholding the big brother status quo.  

Right now though, I’m going to put two decades worth of strategic dead arms and psychological warfare on the line and say it – little brother went big.  

While he works as a graphic designer and technical illustrator, Walker is first and foremost an artist with a strong environmental component to his work. His work -- especially his prints and experimental digital pieces – are awesome. The concepts so clever. Conflict of interest you say? As I clearly explained above, complimenting is not in my best interest, and I’m not the only one who thinks this 23-year-old’s work has merit.  In 1996 at the age of 10, Walker had his first gallery show. That same year, Art News ran a full-page article on the young prodigy. This week, Portland-based clothing company Nau has featured Walker’s series on sustainable energy on their web site. Completed two years, the series took months to create. I’d post it here, but I have to send you to Nau’s site – the Collective.

P.S. For those big brothers out there, relax. According to this NY Times article, we will always remain atop the dog pile, so have a little sympathy. I send this link to Walker at least once a week, so that he doesn't beat himself up too badly.

P.P.S. The next episode will be out shortly.