Was happy with how this portrait turned out. Capturing a likeness is a challenge for me, so I'm not above cheating a little and working over a photograph.
Portrait
in Illustration
Illustration
Graduate
in Illustration
Here’s a bit of digital artwork that wasn’t selected for a project. Imagine a logo in that upper left corner.
Northern Exposure
in Illustration
Northern Exposure was on TV when I was in High School and too young to appreciate its charm. I learned later that David Chase (Sopranos) worked on the last two seasons of this show. I mostly remember the commercials and that people thought it was smart.
I wasn't expecting the theatrical, Freudian hilarity of this network (!) TV show.
Open Streets
in Illustration
I try to make it down to the Lyndale Open Streets every year. There is something about walking down the center of a usually busy street that tells me it's summertime. Winter hasn't really ended until you've spent an afternoon among a throng of people.
The Americans
in Illustration
Was that Russian reporter who revealed that he had FAKED HIS OWN DEATH, in reality, an elaborate promotion for the final episode of The Americans? Seemed like it to me, at the time. What is it they say about reality being stranger than something?
Emily Nussbaum has been writing about this show from the start.
It's Summertime
in Illustration
Sketch Party
in Illustration, Comics
Every month a group of cartoonists gets together at a brewery to draw and talk shop. Tap Rooms with long tables suited for sprawling sketchbooks and drawing materials are preferred such as Able Seedhouse or Lake and Legends Brewing Company. This June 7th, we meet at Insight Brewing.
Process
in Illustration
I love the process. Here's an example of how I made the most recent illustration for Dirt Rag Magazine.
AD, Stephen Haynes, is the best. He also draws some pretty cool ships.
Concept Art
in Illustration, Design
If you see a bus covered with a plaid design at the State Fair this year—it started out looking like this.
Isle of Dogs
in Illustration
Wes Anderson's 9th film. His 8th collaboration with Bill Murray. The second stop-motion animation film he's directed. The first time I've seen a dog cry tears like a person.
The Office
in Illustration
Finally, I got around to seeing The (US) Office. The trick, I guess, was finding the time for all 9 seasons. Like a great sitcom, it applies the comic-strip "variations on a theme" to perfection. Doesn't hurt that Steve Carrell is reliably goofy.
A Pattern Language
in Illustration
Ever wonder how to build a city? Or a town? A Pattern Language written by Christopher Alexander and Murray Silverstein shows a way. Apparently this tome also influenced early computer programing. I found the book a useful guide to arranging an efficient office space.
Techovation Award
in Design, Illustration
The above, from the 2017 archives, is a fun example of how illustration and comics can be utilized in a promotional campaign. Abe Studios needed a single graphic to explain the complex process of applying for the Techovation Awards. The awards were so successful, they continued to use the art again this year.
Autoptic Applications Are Open!
in Autoptic, Illustration
Minneapolis’s Premier Comic and Independent Print Festival
Sunday, August 19th, 2018
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Shape Of Water
in Illustration
The big winner at the academy awards this year was Guillermo del Toro's The Shape Of Water. While I'm not normally a big fan of storybook horror, it's easy to enjoy this film. The best description I've heard of the of the plot describes it as an "R rated Splash, with a woman in the Tom Hanks roll."
It's also one of the few movies I can think of with an illustrator as the main character. I'm a sucker for a B-plot about 1960's practical illustration techniques.
I, Tonya
in Illustration
I was 13 years old when Tonya Harding made figure skating dangerous.
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Social Media House
in Illustration, Design
The above is an illustration I created for Foote-Print Marketing. It's used to help clients think of their social media strategy as an integrated whole.
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Brigsby Bear
in Illustration
Brigsby Bear (2017) is written and directed by Dave Mcary, who spent the last six years as a writer for Saturday Night Live.
What can I say about the plot of this movie? Not much without revealing some of the more surprising and dark plot twists. Ostensibly, it's about a man with a seemingly unhealthy obsession with a children's TV show. It reminded me of a mix between Death to Smoochy and Be Kind Rewind.
Also, you get to see Mark Hamill utilize his voice acting chops.
Absolutely on Music
in Illustration
"Absolutely on Music: Conversations with Seiji Ozawa." by Haruki Murakami is a transcription of conversations Murakami had with Ozawa while the Japanese conductor recovered from an illness.
Having read, and enjoyed previous Murakami novels, I was curious how he would handle non-fiction. I had no idea reading about classical music would be so interesting. As a bonus, I came across an uncorrected proof of the book, and would punch the air each time I caught a typo.
I like it when novels recommend you read another novel. Listening to these two men dissect the finer qualities of classical music inspired me to listen to Gustav Mahler's 5th symphony. Parts of it sounded like Star Wars.
Also, there is a section in the book where Murakami describes his extended visit to the music camp that Ozawa started. It's equal parts: school for up and coming musicians / second chance for accomplished amateurs.
In both cases, all involved were honored to have the unique privileged to perform with a symphony.
Buy the real, corrected copy at Powell's.