Celebrating Castle's 100th Episode

So I did a dirty thing...I entered a poster contest. No prize, not certain of who holds the rights. I'm sure some NO-SPEC'ers out there will frown upon me. But you know what? I really don't care. One of my favorite shows, Castle, just celebrated their 100th episode. I was there from the beginning, when we weren't sure if there was even going to be a second season, much less a fifth! I've enjoyed every minute of the wit and mystery. So when I heard about the #Castle100 poster contest, I jumped right in. Not for fame or money, but because it was fun. It was my way of contributing and showing a TV that I care so much about how much I really care. I don't even care if I win the contest, I'm proud of the finished piece. So to me, my time and skills spent were well worth the effort.

HOW or knowHOW, there's a Nap for That!

For those designers fortunate enough to be attending this year's HOW Design Live event in San Francisco, there is a Nap for That! As a veteran HOW conference attendee, I can assure the noobs, that I'm not kidding. And to prove it I designed a custom Nap for That tee just for this year's conference. It's available at my Zazzle shop.

For those designers who can't make the big event in San Francisco, there's always knowHOW in Atltanta hosted by my friend Karma. It's a very informal gathering of HOWies, but just as inspiring and she even manages to wrangle up some swag, such as this know HOW Nap for That tee. Show Karma you're just as proud of knowHOW as HOW and pick up one of these fine tees at my Zazzle shop.

New Work: kyrie eleison

As I was working on my Agent Danger! piece for a gallery's call for entries, I got hit with the flu. As I was recovering and working feverishly (almost literally!) to complete that image, I reached a point where I was getting frustrated with AD. I took a break and for whatever reason, I began to think of this image I had I done a long time ago in my sketchbook of a woman standing with a sword with smoke behind her.

I actually stopped working on Agent Danger! and begin to flesh out this image instead. It came together very quickly (I finished it all one Friday night) and actually inspired to complete Agent Danger! the next day. Not bad getting two images done as I was recovering from my illness.

As for the title, I still didn't have a name for this image. I began to just look at the image and reflect on what it meant to me. I also had iTunes playing in the background and while I was thinking about the name, "kyrie eleison" started playing. "Kyrie Eleison" means "Lord, have mercy" and somehow seemed truly appropriate for someone who is contemplating taking up a sword, presumably to go out and dispense justice with it, albeit reluctantly, since it would mean taking lives.

Below is the original image from my sketchbook of what I originally titled "Woman & Smoke".

New Work: Agent Danger!

I've had the concept of Agent Danger! in my head since my college days. The concept was simple: a futuristic Blade Runner/Secret Agent main character that solved gritty and strange mysteries. I would tell the stories in comic book style, but not using the traditional comic book dimensions. For the 2013 version, I decided to keep the color palette at three colors: red, black, and gaudy yellow ala Frank Miller's Sin City.

I started out with a traditional panel structure, but as this work evolved, I felt having one "continuous" panel made more sense and added to the feeling of the piece. I incorporated a few interesting elements to give a sense of discovery (you'll have to figure them out on your own) as your eye moves around the piece.

My motivation for finally completing this piece was a call for entries for "comic book style" art at a gallery in L.A. that I'm associated with. However, soon after I began work on it, I got hit with the flu which took me out for a solid five days. The deadline was less than a week away and I had barely started. Still not feeling 100% I worked my way through to completion on the last day I could submit entries!

Below is the original concept that was sketched out on parchment paper. I decided to keep the feeling of the parchment paper for the update.

Jumping Duck Records/Time Flies CD Cover

My friend Nathan TR Shaw asked if I could help him with his CD cover and record label. He wanted the best possible presentation possible for the release of his first album. I've always wanted to work on an album cover, so naturally, I accepted.

He and his wife already had a good vision and photos they wanted to use for the cover, so it was just a matter of pairing the right type to match the personality of the music and that fit it in the cover artwork (photos from their trip to Guatemala). I had a few choices for him and he chose Quicksand, a nice serif font with clean lines and smooth corners for a more approachable and friendly feel. Once the type was approved, I converted the CD cover to a banner to be used on his website.

Now for the hard part. He needed a logo for his record label, Jumping Duck Records. As far as I know, ducks don't jump. So how in the world to convey the concept? He didn't want anything cartoony either. So I ran through a few options. Maybe the "jumping" was the thumping of the music, so the duck could have headphones. The duck in a standing position in the center of the record.

After trying many variations and none of them quite working, I set it aside for a bit. When I came back to the project and did some more research, I found an fantastic shot of a duck taking off. While not jumping exactly, it might convey the idea a bit better. So I used the photo as reference and how had the image of a Duck "jumping", but it still wasn't quite working with the type. So I got some input from my friend and then did some more placement options until I found the right combination. But something still wasn't quite right...so I decided to adjust the letters: some above the baseline, some below to also convey the "jumping" aspect. This did the trick, the logo now had that dynamic quality it had been missing!

My friend and his wife were pleased with the results and hopefully, he will sell a lot of CDs. You can buy a copy of the finished CD starting today at his website: nathantrshaw.com

Holidays with the Fam? There's a Nap for That

Here's hoping your holiday season rocks, even if you have to spend it with your family... :P

May you have many awesome reasons to nap in 2013!

My original art for sale at DVAC's Art to Buy!

Over the summer, I decided to join DVAC (Dayton Visual Arts Center) as an outlet for the mounting collection of personal work I've been doing. I joined just in time for the annual member's show. This year's theme was No Borders, so my Dream Pig image seemed a natural fit. After a successful show (it sold!) I decided to participate in this year's Art to Buy.

I've worked up three prints for this sale: Dream Pig, Something Wonderful, and Dreamed It. They are available in 5x7 and 8x10 sizes.

I've also redesigned my Nap for That product line and I've got a Holiday Card featuring Nap for That's new mascot, Ned the Sleepy Sheep. This card is available exclusively at DVAC's Art to Buy and is very limited in quantity, get yours while you can! A BIG thanks to Annie at The Envelope for her help in not only the process, but making my Nap for That Holiday cards a reality—you are awesome!

Art to Buy starts today 5-8 p.m. at the DVAC gallery and runs through December 29. Come on down and see all the fantastic artsy finds for your holiday gift giving!

Nap for That Rebranded!

Not long after Apple began it's "There's an app for that" advertising campaign, I was inspired to begin my Nap for That t-shirt line not only in jest, but also because I'm serious about napping. Just ask any of my friends, it's true. 

While the clean and simple typography was easy to work with, it still didn't convey the full amount of awesome that I believe Nap for That stands for, so earlier this year I began to rethink how I approached Nap for That. I wanted some sort of illustration/graphic that would connect with the audience more.

I began to reflect on sleep and naps (I may have even done some hard research in the napping department too... ;) After my research and some sketches, I figured a sheep would be the most appropriate new mascot for Nap for That. I wanted to keep that handmade feel to the finished illustration and after a few rounds, here is Ned the Sleepy Sheep! (Maybe I'm biased, but I just find him too cute.)

Now that Ned has been finalized,  I'm starting off small on relaunching the Nap for That brand, but have ideas for expanding the line up in early 2013. Keep your eyes peeled here for updates to the lineup as they happen!

Nap for that t-shirts, mugs, and posters would make an awesome gift for the napper in your life. You can buy 'em here at my Zazzle shop. Now through 10/31 Halloween Mystery Sale: save up to 20% on select items with code "OCTOBERFUN31" at checkout.

Local peeps you can purchase the limited edition Holiday Nap for That cards printed by The Envelope exclusively at DVAC's Art to Buy November 2-December 29. 

Nap on everyone!

Monday Fun: Graphic Design Emergency, Part II

Last week, I posted my Graphic Design PSA about Graphic Design Emergencies. This week, part 2...

Graphic design is a profession filled with deadlines. Many of them arrive too quickly, no matter how much time we as designers are given on a project. But I've always said, "there's no such thing as a graphic design emergency." And in my decade plus of experience, I've never seen a reason or project that warranted "emergency" status.

However, a bibe of cookies always seems to work wonders...

If you like it, you can pick up one at my Zazzle shop.