Trump Dic Pic

Via @trumpdicpic on Instagram

Let us hope the public never gets used to seeing Donald Trump's golden hair and his puffy and snide face which matches his arrogant speeches that are ignorant to America's ideals and most of her citizens.

"Fuck Donald Trump," many Americans advertise.

If you are of age, and you do not want the man to represent you or this country, vote against him. The creative rhetoric, intellectual conversations, and frustrations opposing Trump are good to raise awareness, but affirmative action lies in your vote to keep him out of office. 

Regardless, before election day on November 8, 2016, it is satisfying to make fun of Donald Trump and air him out for his absurdity, bigotry, and villainy.

For instance, Trump Dic Pic takes part in his shaming. Posters and stickers with Trump's screaming face appear in metropolitan areas. The colorful portraits of the Presidential candidate feature Sharpie text that is "most offensive or illustrative" of people's views against him. Some of the texts are ridiculous quotes said by Trump himself, like "women deserve punishment for abortion," "ask the gays," or "why can't I use nukes?" The comments and sentiments expressed on the posters alert the public to Trump's imperialist, privileged, and disrespectful attitude.

Trump Dic Pic photographed by Alex Young

These posters pop up in Downtown streets and inner-city neighborhoods where peoples are more diverse and more progressive, like Pittsburgh's East Liberty. The latest run of Trump Dic Pics is at 6119 Penn Avenue in the window of a former nail salon. Eight posters tease Trump and all of his flaws. "Don't boo, vote," reads one of the captions, which is a statement from President Barack Obama.

To explore more of the Trump Dic Pic movement or purchase posters to place around your community go here.

Fuck Trump.

Post 9 To 5 Thoughts Pixburgh Playboy Cap

Nine to five is a time frame during which some people grind professionally in corporate America. The eight work hours consume a good portion of the day. Sometimes after work, some people slip into a trap where they do not explore life outside the office. Sometimes, their daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. becomes unadventurous. It is easy for some people to fall into the same routine with no deviation day in and day out.

Post 9 a.m. To 5 p.m. Thoughts is the antithesis of this mentality. The after hours company is overseen by Pittsburgh-based stylish forces Pixburghcam and Yunngchi who express creative and cultural stimulation.

A quick browse on the two's socials here and here, and people can see how contemporary and past icons in fashion, music, and sport inspire their design aesthetic. Supreme, Dr. Dre, the Pirates, and Michael Jordan mesh in an Instagram post by Cam. Proudly, high fashion interchanges with streetwear, like an image of Louis Vuitton seat cushions attached to old paint buckets or a coffee table book tributing Bape's creator Nigo. A similar taste also applies to Yunng. See him study LeBron James' massive Nike advertisement for Cleveland or wear Carol Christian Poell, an unorthodox fashion label, matched with Nigo's Human Made. In their time, both Pixburghcam and Yunngchi celebrate a knowledgeable and specific niche of popular culture.

For Post 9 To 5 Thoughts, the designers work the classic Pittsburgh Pirates hat into something sexy. In two versions, a blue or white Playboy logo fills in the open space of the "P" on the black snapback hat. Officially called the "Pixburgh Playboy Cap," each order comes packaged with Playboy magazines cut from the 1970s. Use of the bunny from the men's entertainment company suggests a wondrous sex appeal around the city.

Get right and shop the hats here, although the blue bunny seems to have sold out from demand. For more on Post 9 a.m. To 5 p.m. Thoughts follow Pixburghcam and Yunngchi on Twitter.

Art and Exotic Cars

Art and Exotics' art car painted by Baron Batch photographed by Alex Young

The blue Porsche 996 hummed around a corner. Pittsburgh's Downtown skyline blurred on the car's passenger door. This was not a reflection but paint, and specifically an image painted by Texas import, former football player, and foremost painter Baron Batch. The car's driver was Matthew DeSantis, a business owner, photographer, and supercar enthusiast.

Via @matthewdesantis on Instagram

Other than an amazing piece of art, the 996 Carrera 4S is a traveling symbol that links Pittsburgh's creative and supercar communities.

In cities like Los Angeles or Miami, walkers and motorists regularly observe beautiful sports cars speeding down the highways or cutting through the Downtown streets. The cars' specialties are almost normal in these environments, so people may or may not stop to gawk at the vehicles.

Though foreign and high-performance vehicles are in Pittsburgh, DeSantis and his Art and Exotics event, an automotive art pop-up series, seek to make supercars consistently seen and relevant to a community that appreciates them most.

 "Anyone who drives these cars I want to know," DeSantis says. He is readily building a platform to showcase the exotic car community to Pittsburgh more creatively than the Auto Show or Vintage Grand Prix.

The Petrol Network, which DeSantis founded, connects car dealerships to the world of online influencing and implements an effective marketing strategy. The sports cars become more viewable thanks to promotion done by DeSantis and other media influencers on social network sites.

 "Move content across all social media platforms," he says. Utilizing Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter generates more followers, reaches more eyes, and further establishes a person's brand. While posting photos and videos of the cars and the actors in the creative community, DeSantis exposes two communities jointly, and perfectly promotes his Art and Exotics show.

Matthew DeSantis in front of his art car

What is most interesting about the 21-year-old entrepreneur originally from Long Island, New York is the analysis he uses to dissect his business. He is well aware of logistics and understands that to build a following one needs cohesive and frequent content. "The most engagement for an event usually happens during the week leading up to the show," DeSantis says. Also, weekly meetings at the inclusive Unstuck Pgh help further develop his concepts thanks to the circle talks provided by fellow local innovators.

Along with the supercars, like the Lamborghini Huracan and BMW i8 on display, the main attraction at the event on August 26 at the Mattress Factory on the North Side is "The Artist," Baron Batch of Studio AM. Known for his colorful and spirited paintings of elephants, Pittsburgh cityscapes, open eyes, and inspiring text with upside-down exclamation points, Batch carries his genuine attitude over to the Porsche 911. An elephant, a symbol of wisdom and strength, with a horizontal heart line going across adorns the driver side door of the German car. "FREE" is artistically written across a bumper. White stars are at the front tip of the sports car.

When DeSantis thought of art and car to mix it only made sense for him to enlist Batch as the painter. The artist's work is widely seen on murals throughout Pittsburgh and at Studio AM in Homestead. New pieces from The Artist will also feature at the Mattress Factory.

The way Batch thoughtfully executes his positive ideas creates the same positive energy around the painted Porsche 911 and the Art and Exotics event.

 "It's easy to think the people that drive these supercars are snobbish, but we are trying to change that," DeSantis says.

Combining exotic, modern cars with art highlights the artistry behind automotive and artistic crafts. So, when the public attends Art and Exotics this Friday, creativity and imagination will be at the forefront.

Purchase tickets to the event presented by Petrol Network here.

Mattress Factory

500 Sampsonia Way

Pittsburgh, PA 15212

ENERGY

farESH Brand at Energy part of Style Week Pittsburgh courtesy of Xavier Thomas a.k.a. ArtLikeUs

When people foreign to Pittsburgh think of the city, they think of the gloomy, smog-filled town built on the foundation of industrial steel, the Robber Baron's of the early twentieth century--like Andrew Carnegie and the Mellon family--and of course, the great Pittsburgh Steelers. They do not think about the low-cost of living and increased purchasing power residents in The Steel City have compared to larger, more populated metro centers, such as Washington, D.C. or New York. Hosting Google and Apple satellite offices, as well as 100 self-driving Uber SUVs roaming more than 90 neighborhoods, the city is Silicon Valley on the East coast. People do not think about that either.

However, Pittsburgh is consistently rated as one of America's most liveable cities due to its low crime rates, expanding yet affordable residential and commercial areas, and investment in educational and technological resources. Simply put, those who often left Pittsburgh looking for professional opportunities elsewhere now stay home, and those who are fleeing gentrified city-centers and expensive cost of living now move to Pittsburgh. As the city's identity has changed from and industrial economy to one of the leading cities for innovation and research, its ancillary scenes have begun to flourish as well.

Previously, on Saturday, August 20, as part of Style Week Pittsburgh, Ryan Brown of farESH Brand, Straightforward Consulting, and Tara Fay curated live music and pop-up shops for the event called Energy. Held at Ace Hotel in East Liberty, clothing brands like Astronaut Kartel Clothing, Daily Bread, Dragon Sup Design Company, Frost Finery, Tacky Tique Men's Vintage, and more set up tables in the old gymnasium turned event space. Music from Courtesy & The People, DJ Bamboo, DJ Jx4, and others completed the ambiance of a curated trade show for Pittsburgh style and culture.

The artful and creative surge in Pittsburgh currently happens because "people want to feel personally connected to what they do," local artist phenom Justin Emmanuel says.

While the lane for ambitious creativity has always been present in The 'Burgh, people of the past trusted the reliable and industrial sources of income. At the moment, the wave is doing for yourself to make your own dreams come true.

During Energy part of Style Week, Brown, Fay, and Straightforward Consulting offered an opportunity for local businesses to sell and advertise in front of an audience akin to their target markets. While listening to music originating from The 'Burgh, young people of many backgrounds explored each table browsing jewelry, high-end streetwear like Supreme, and vintage products, especially those celebrating Pittsburgh.

Courtesy & The People photographed by Xavier Thomas

Those at the event saw the progressive nature the city possesses. Aidan Wallace, a Pittsburgh native who has been away in New York and abroad in Europe for the greater part of five years said, "Pittsburgh is changing, and it makes me want to move back and contribute to the city that raised me."

Opportunities to express ambitions and creativity continue to emerge in the city due to self-motivation and Pittsburgh pride. Catch a chance to experience the movement on Thursday, August 25 and Saturday, August 27 at Spirit, a bar venue in Lawrenceville where attendees will hear the 2000s and contemporary hip-hop breathe. These events are also put together by Brown of farESH Brand along with Natalie Coccia.

InTheRough T-Shirt

Supporting people in positive endeavors is important. Showing support means an acknowledgment of one's efforts and mission. This respect demonstrates in many ways, like buying a product or service, giving your presence at an event, talking about a work and sharing it, or sporting a crafted garment.

Through different forms, InTheRough supports an ambitious and artistic, creative community. Mainly, ITR's writings under "Life's Goods" and "Music" comments on people's imagination, ingenuity, and spirit that drives them to create experiences and products for the world to enjoy. ITR speaks on details, emotions, processes, and significances each creation and creator embodies.

As InTheRough develops in our fifth year, what we write becomes more thorough, and what we deliver to our readers and supporters becomes more diverse.

To this point, much of what ITR offers is digital, besides the cards, stickers, and personal experiences between artists. Now, completing a goal, ITR and the staff offer free T-Shirts here for people to wear.

The shirts' graphic was created and printed in-house by Lanie Edwards, Alex Hersh, JR Walker, Quaishawn Whitlock, Alex Young, and Max Young. Dark green, berry and black colors are available. The design speaks to Life's Goods, the things that evoke pure emotion. These shirts are a reminder to enjoy all of Life's Goods.

There is no fee for these tees because we appreciate everyone's support over the years. People's promotion and readership of InTheRough had a hand in pushing us to this point.

More is coming from InTheRough Style.