Friday, September 30, 2011

Fresh Bike Illustration

I created this illustration for the SLO Cyclocross 2011 series. I did my best to keep it gritty, show the torture and create a compelling poster with complementary color, linear and pattern dynamics of a Japanese woodblock print.

Brooklyn Museum: Sudden Shower Over Shin-Ohashi Bridge and Atake (Ohashi Atake no Yudachi), No. 58 from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo


Below is a slideshow of the process I go through to crank one of these out. Yeah, key word here is crank (touch of sarcasm).

The Future of Comics is 3-D


The blog of Co2 Comics posts compelling arguments in favor of the new trend of 3-D'ing every new movie, re-release and old revivals out there. The fantastic world of comics has always been the nexus for the retro future and it seems a perfect fit for the gimmic. Personally, it gives me a headache, but the kid in me says Cool! - The Future of Comics is 3-D

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Old Railroad Bridge

Old Railroad Bridge by HummingbirdSC
Old Railroad Bridge, a photo by HummingbirdSC on Flickr.

Found this great site with railroad tracks. It's the hidden all American Heritage. I feel a future art project coming on...

I hate Under Construction pages...


As much as I dislike Under Construction home pages, some clients still insist. These holding pages take away the impact of a new site, dilute the brand and lose potential customers looking for your service; especially when the site is eternally under construction.
When you HAVE to create one, ensure you perk the interest of the visitor by giving visual cues to what to expect from the site remodel. Create relevant searchable text that build optimization in advance of a new launch. Smashing Magazine provides helpful tips  to add flair to the "Coming Soon" page. Certainly something is better than the default domain name provider gives (eww). Here is a "Coming Soon" version for Treat Paine Acupuncture.

If you are excited about having the new site, remodel, or idea, take a moment to put some thought behind it.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

The Census data is in and the marketing trendsters have assessed that the Hispanic population is here to stay and growing... well Duh!
With my roots being half that blend, I understand and am excited about the potential outreach to the newly addressed majority. Nos vemos juntos en un futuro.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

What's NeXT?


For those too young to remember, Steve Jobs left Apple in 1985 to start a new computer company called NeXT. At the time, I was marketing for a company called Island Graphics Software which made a design suite called Write Paint & Draw for Sun Microsystems Inc. Sun as well as NeXT were based on the UNIX operating system. Though the computer platform failed, it did create the base platform for modern day macs. Here is a great little trivia article about the graphic designer who came up with the NeXT logo for Steve Jobs. 

Fresh off the Tracks

My client wanted a simple cart to sell his microwave tester on the internets (www.micro-tester.com). Chris at KV Web Solutions found this open source cart called Tomato Cart. Not only does it work well, but the default interface is really user friendly. I think the client will warm up real quick to it's back end features. I'm really happy with the find. If you have similar solutions, let me know.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Sacred Spaces

I signed my waviers and headed out to the ranch yesterday.
I walked the site looking for a vantage. It was tough finding the spot. I had to walk around, look, feel, sit, stand, walk back, go in circles and smell... I felt like a dog looking for a place to poop. I also had to think about the conditions; dry wind coming directly from the west, no shade.
I took a hike to the top of the hill for the 360 vista. The lone oak had a rope swing to nowhere and a couple scattered mortars around it. Not as impressive as the community site below. From that hilltop I could see the freeway to the north, the Asuncion to the east and the Disneyland railroad that envelopes the main property. Looking down at the site, I realized the planview: the site overlooked the village and creek to the east, and had a grand view of a meadow to the west. I hiked back down and found my comfort zone. The area had a horseshoe shaped rock bench about 14 feet long, perfect height to sit on and take in the view. The painting above is the view directly west.
The process of painting was a mental rollercoaster of "Why did I pick such an exposed spot?"; "This is going nowhere."; "My frigging acrylics are scabbing over!", to actual success.
I used two brushes, kept the strokes broad and loose, and abstracted the scene and colors to fit the conditions and mood I was working under.  
Favorite part: Flicking paint at the masonite!

I have an interest in California Native Americans and am doing a series called Sacred Spaces - Landscape interpretations of indigenous sites. My aim is to have a dozen paintings and have an event somewhere in the near future. check out some of the paintings at Art Bistro, and site photos on Flickr.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Gordon "Gordie" Duane, 1930-2011

I always thought his logo was straight out of Giorgio di Chirico's sketchbook. The Surfer's Journal has a good eulogy on his legacy and influence. It also mentions the "foam man". I love it.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Back from Family Vacation...


I'm fresh back from vacation at Lake Tahoe. My mind is still at this wonderful place near Trout Creek. This is one in a series of native sites I have been painting for the last year. I hope to have a dozen for a show sometime in Fall. 
Let me know what you think.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Jade Jackson CD art

CD front and inside

CD artwork

Under the CD

CD case back
Jade Jackson is our local talent in Santa Margarita who does such a great job of singing, performing and writing her own songs. I was fortunate to compose the visual material on her first CD and used Oasis Disc Manufacturing for their services. The process was almost effortless.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Façade Renovation - Concept to Completion!

before
color concept
after renovation
What a feeling of satisfaction when you complete a project from vision to completion. There is no way I could have done this alone. Thank you Santa Margarita Beautiful committee for trusting my vision, DeCou Lumber Atascadero for the paint and supplies, and my crew of volunteers who helped out last Saturday and "got 'er done". Thank you Santa Margarita Lions Club for feeding us, and finally Nick at Oak Country Lumber for the wood and much much more. I love this town!

More photos on my Flickr site

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The Art of Spontanaiety

Untitled by san pedro glue stick
Untitled, a photo by san pedro glue stick on Flickr.
This is a random photograph I came across while "tangentially researching" on flickr. If you ever need someone, or a team to loosen up, or get the creative juices flowing for a brainstorming session, bring a prop and see what materializes. Here is an article about just that in Casual Connect.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Brother Can You Spare a Dime?

Every town needs a gathering spot. Without one there is no heart. In Santa Margarita, it tends to be the Post Office where the community gets their mail. The daily ritual gives us an opportunity to see neighbors and maybe share a sandwich, coffee and conversation. The sad fact is that our little public space is in need and has very little curb appeal except to the town drunk and an occasional bicycle nomad. As an official Adopt-a-Highway Tall Bike Posse Team Leader, I spend approximately 20 minutes in this area picking up strewn cigarette butts, big gulps and faded fliers.
In a visual presentation on my Flickr site, I outlined my proposal. I took site photos, painted a concept sketch and proposed a future solution to the town's public art. Please have a look and give me your comments.
We are fortunate to have civic minded people in this town who care for community. Please visit Santa Margarita Beautiful and participate on 2011 Cleanup Day - May 7th.
Question: What have you done for your community lately?

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Poster For Sale at Tolosa Gift Store...

My poster illustration is on the winery giftstore! Purchase a commemorative poster from Tolosa Winery's 2nd Annual Cote de Tolosa Velo Challenge. ALL proceeds will be donated the the SLO County Bicycle Coalition. Buy one at the Tolosa Winery Store
Check out the photos from last year's event.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Fresh Cycling Poster

Bike Race poster for Tolosa Winery. All proceeds benefit the SLO County Bicycle Coalition which I have been involved with since its inception 10 years ago. The inspiration comes from Vintage Cycling Posters of yester year. Check out Tolosa Winery News & Events section to find out about the race festivities, ticket purchase, and learn about their sustainable wine facilities.

BTW anyone who knows the map route will tell you that this race is kick butt. More info to come...

Friday, March 25, 2011

CCCMB Posters

Work for organizations you believe in, appreciate your efforts, and (hopefully) pay well, and on time. Here are a couple of posters for Central Coast Mountainbikers www.cccmb.org a group I volunteer my time to. I have done another post on my "American Gothic" poster I did for the Froom Trailwerk day.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Graphicornius Maximus: On-Track Studio Curb appeal


Graphicornius Maximus: On-Track Studio Curb appeal: "Well it's amazing what a palette of colors can inspire... The palette that initiated the makeover. I have worked in this studio for the p..."

Graphicornius Maximus: CCCMB TrailWerks Poster

"When I was assigned this job, and CCCMB told me the trailwork targeted, I immediately thought of American Gothic by artist Grant Wood as the ideal graphic. It turns to be a very popular piece of artwork to use in satire, Wow.

Friday, February 18, 2011

The History of Cycling Posters

I'm doing a little online research for an upcoming bike poster design for a local winery. They will have a wine event based around a killer bicycle race in May. In the past, I've done graphics for cycling events like the Central Coast Cycling Classic, bike art posters, and Tall Bike Builds. including one for Talley Vineyards.

The stuff I come across is amazing. It's both intimidating and inspiring.
If you're not familiar with the History of bike races, a quick search will showcase some classic posters from Europe where the sport originated. There are also some contemporary bike race posters that are on our own continent that play off the history as well, and some stunning photography that captures the thrill of the race. There's some good stuff out there.

Look for mine soon...

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Prompt Attention

When you're too close to the business the obvious is not apparent. When seen from the perspective of the uninitiated, it hits yo like a ton of bricks.

Sick? Dying? FRENCH 'ER!

The subliminal suggestion displayed isn't quite what they probably had in mind. Spotted on a billboard on the 101 southbound just north of SLO. I definitely did a double take when I went whizzing by. French is a Hospital located in San Luis Obispo. At 65 mph, no one will pick up on the light serif font that spells it out. On the positive note, I did read it all the second time I drove south to SLO. I'm assuming the intended audience is the local traffic that commutes to work every day.

On the campaign expense side, I see the ad on billboards both northbound and southbound, AND in the local newspaper AND the cash paid to the ad agency who owns the account. Was it intentional? If so - Brilliant! The client has a great sense of humor, and the agency has a sharp designer who knows how turn heads (not recommended on the freeway while driving). So I ask you marketeers out there: Should the client drop the agency? What amends should take place?