Thanks to Instagram, every asshole with an iPhone and a pretty drink, a sunset view or new pair of shoes is a photographer. Massillon artist Bili Kribbs is also making art more accessible, but that’s where this comparison ends, and he’s not irritating, as Instagram tends to be. Kribbs is on a mission to make his paintings more collaborative and more personalized to the client. “I think everyone has creative ideas when it comes to art, but they just aren’t bold enough to commit them to paper or canvas,” he said. “So I offer a service and product that does that for them.” With his Cooperative Commission Project, the client gets to be part of the process, choose the subjects and general concept of the piece, and watch their idea come to fruition, propelled by Kribbs’ aesthetic. Typically, a commissioned piece of art with this level of client input could only be afforded by old, rich dudes, presumably seeking artistic nude portraits of their trophy wives. But Kribbs offers the opportunity to see your artistic visions materialize for $50 up front, and $50 more upon completion: “This keeps the buyer and myself accountable. Everybody wins.” He went on to explain his chosen system of operation: “The price point of $100 feels more realistic for the everyman for a 18 x 24-inch painting. Some artists feel that I am cheapening art. But I asked myself whether I would like to have orphaned art lying around hoping that it will sell, or have a little cash and know that my work is being enjoyed at somebody’s home? The latter is my choice.” The subjects to choose from are all animals, from elephants and hippos to ducks. The client also chooses what the subject is doing: riding a bike, wearing a sexy bikini, or playing the flugelhorn — or instrument of choice (flugelhorn is just funny). Clients also choose the color scheme. While it may seem like these combinations would result in cookiecutter paintings, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Kribbs is focused on synergetic ideas and wants to produce something that is truly personal. And really, there are endless approaches to portraying a boxing octopus. His work is imaginative, vibrant and a bit surreal, which lends itself very well to this initiative. He is playful with expressions and creates characters of his subjects that come to life. In the future, Kribbs would like to branch out with this idea and build on it in new ways: “I hope to continue this simple formula and just scale up, and/or add mediums to work in. Perhaps sculpture, digital art and maybe someday video and animation.” Not a bad venture in a culture in which the majority demand the “have it your way” treatment. Kribbs’ attitude toward allowing so much client control is a bit rare in the art world; not every artist wants to allow others to dictate the parameters of what they create. On the contrary, he asserted: “I feed off of others’ creative energy. I enjoy connecting with people who enjoy whimsical strangeness that comes from combining the impossible.” He recognizes that there are imaginative people out there who don’t have the ability to translate their thoughts into art, and he is keen to help make this possible: “This is really exciting to me, and it is the real reason I do it.” This project is truly about connecting with people and sharing creative energy; it also affords Kribbs the opportunity to sharpen his skills and tap into the larger collective psyche of art lovers. Additionally, Kribbs chronicles his process on YouTube for each commission, utilizing it as an experiment in social media. “Because this process is so public and transparent, it has become its own selfpromoting machine,” he explained. “For each one I complete and post online, I generate a little more interest in the project.” Bili Kribbs will be showing his work and possibly painting live on Friday, Sept. 14, at the Buzzbin shop during a live performance by Elias and the Error. He promises “costumes, makeup, confetti, wild lights, projections and loud electropunk — it’s going to be one hell of a party!”