alley cats and drifters

the Frustrated Artist (home movie)

2012-02-29T10:33:00.011-08:00

With all the buzz out there around the silent film the Artist, I thought this would be a good time (and perhaps the only) to share with you this home movie I made in my parent's backyard in 1992. I grew up idolizing the silent greats, especially Chaplin, who is obviously my inspiration for this somewhat lengthy, but noble effort. Ha! I was 12! Anyhow, when I was last at home I converted all the old tapes to dvd, edited what you see here in imovie, and used the 8mm app to give it that vintage feel. Hope you enjoy!

p.s. let's make a movie sometime : )

ABC world cities book

2012-02-19T15:27:00.000-08:00

Athens, Greece - Acropolis

Copenhagen, Denmark - Canal Scene

Freetown, Sierra Leone - Market Scene

Guatemala City, Guatemala - textile market

Katmandu, Nepal - Ancient temples of Durbar Square

Prague, Czech Republic - Prague Castle Guard

Rome, Italy - the Colosseum

San Juan, Puerto Rico - El Yunque National Rain Forest

San Juan, Puerto Rico - El Morro fortress

Tokyo, Japan - Kabukicho district

Zagreb, Croatia - Zagreb Main Square w/ statue of Ban Josip Jelacic

*Details

Colosseum (detail)

San Juan Toucan (detail)

Kabukicho district (detail)

Zagreb Main Square (detail)

These are part of an ABC handwriting book for Sterling Publishing. As everyone around me can attest, this was my life these past couple months. I just got the okay to share a few, so here they are from the top; Athens, Copenhagen, Freetown, Guatemala City, Katmandu, Prague, Rome, San Juan, Tokyo, and Zagreb. I'll post more from the series when I can. Thanks so much Meredith, you are the best! Can't wait to see the finished product!

Jesus Christ Superstar

2012-02-17T09:52:00.000-08:00

Where does the time go? I know I've been away, but I hadn't realized it had been so long! This is my latest collaboration with Brian and Pierre at Mercury Summer Stock. Check it out, it's a great cause. I liked what was happening with the Superstar so I included a detail.

the White House

2012-02-02T18:07:00.000-08:00

We're going to the White House today! You can probably imagine how excited I am, it's practically a life long dream! This illustration is part of a book I recently finished. More to come later. : )

3x3 Annual 2012

2012-02-02T10:49:00.000-08:00

cover: Wonil Suh

The 2012 3x3 Annual in the mail yesterday and it cheered me up. Looking through all the cool stuff, I was surprised to see these! No one had let me know I'd made it in this year. I'm most proud of the teacher piece. When I see it, I think first and foremost of Mom and how much she loved her kids. I think of my own teachers Mr. Portwood, Mrs. Hunter, Mr. Geist, Mrs. Wunker, and Mr. Herd. I think of my middle school art teacher Bob Lynn. I think of you Mrs. Robinson, I can still recite All the World's a Stage, I think of you Susan Story, though I never sat in one of your desks, you've helped us in so many other ways all the more. I think of Ms. Hazel Haley who taught highschool English for 69 years! ...even teaching a Governor of Florida. I think of Frau Chapman, my German Leherin, I think of Rebecca Sexton Larson, Karen DeMichael, and Rocky Bridges - you guys are such amazing artists! Sending out a BIG thanks to you all today for all the good that you do! Do you realize how much you shape us?

Welcome to the 60's!

2012-01-30T11:22:00.000-08:00

My latest collaboration with Brian at Caryl Crane Children's Theater at Baldwin Wallace. I wish I could make it to this one, Hairspray with all of it's retro campiness, is one of my favs!

Stanley Clarke Box Set

2012-01-26T14:27:00.001-08:00

I'm playing catch up today - a few months back, Edward from Sony came to me with this job. Half the fun with working with you Edward, is catching up on the phone, always a treat! He just needed a black line art bass guitar to drop into his design. Here it is! After giving Stanley a couple hearings, I'm not sure he's my thing, but I absolutely love the music genre. Let's work together again Edward!

Vintage Care Bears

2012-01-26T14:12:00.000-08:00

You know I don't think these ever went anywhere and for the longest time I didn't know what to do with them. But I figured what the hell, I'll share them on here today. Ryan from American Greetings came to me with this concepting job a while back asking the question, what if the Care Bears had been around in the 1930's? What would they look like? These were the results of another fun collaboration. Hope its okay if I post them...

Season's Greetings 2011

2011-12-23T07:22:00.000-08:00

Surprisingly, Brad couldn't find Christmas cards with the White House out there. So, being the fabulous boyfriend/marginally talented greeting card designer that I am, I offered to help out. ; ) We thought it'd be fun to really play it up with script lettering, an oval frame, and crisp white on cream envelopes to make it all as 'Presidential' as possible. This was the end result, it's very 1968 LBJ administration to me. As for this Christmas 2011, wishing you all the best, have a wonderful holiday!

Mercury Summer Stock 2012

2011-12-18T09:20:00.000-08:00

We're working on the upcoming season's promotions and so far this is my favorite. It began as one of those 'what the hell am I going to do with this situations?' I mean, whatever you think of the play or the original poster, they're icons, and so what business do we have even approaching them? But as I played around with it, I grew to like what was happening. I wanted it to be bright, bold, and completely different. I'm just not sure how limited I should go with the palette. I'll keep at it and will post the others soon.

Out There: 1970's San Francisco

2011-12-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

This series appears in the latest edition of Out There Magazine, a sexy, aesthetic, very handsomely produced Gay travel magazine out of the U.K. They accompany an interview with Armistead Maupin and Jake Shears on their recent collaboration, a musical adaptation of Tales of the City. As you can probably imagine, this was one of the coolest opportunities to come my way and became a sort of escape, there for a few weeks. I want to send out a big thanks to Senior Creative Editor, Martin Perry, it was a true pleasure collaborating 'across the pond' and I'm hoping to do it again soon. Check out the latest dazzling issue of Out There, on shelves now at Barnes and Noble.

Right better bash on! -Martin

doodle of the week

2011-12-07T09:23:00.001-08:00

It's beginning to look a lot...

2011-12-05T08:56:00.000-08:00

...like Christmas in Old Town, Alexandria. You couldn't help but hum christmas carols as you strolled down King Street Saturday night. This will be our first Christmas in the area and as you can see it was quite a festive night. Holiday shoppers, families, dogs of all sizes, and men of all ages in Scottish kilts, made for a surprise around every corner. : ) Of course, I had to throw a pic of Spencer into the mix. I hope you're experiencing a little 'magic of the season' where you are as well.

The Christoph's: Grandpa

2011-12-01T13:45:00.001-08:00

The Christoph's of Erie, PA, are an untapped literary goldmine. You wouldn't believe the stories... But before we get into that, I want to focus on the cast of characters. I introduce to you Frank Christoph, the patriarch of the family, avid train enthusiast, and honorary city council member. He prided himself in his collection of stamps, lps, model trains, and lava lamps. Stern, Teutonic (I know I'm being redundant there), and possessing a biting wit, Grandpa was a proud union man and FDR Democrat. I knew him at the end of his life, when diabetes had taken his eye sight and hardened his shell, but deep inside, pumping insulin throughout his giant frame, was a heart of gold. In addition to raising eight children, he and my Grandma cared for 63 foster children. More to come!

Blue Sky and Gleaming Monuments

2011-11-30T07:09:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks back we headed down to the National Mall to check out the newly restored District of Columbia War Memorial. It's long been one of my favorite spots, tucked away in a grove of trees off the main strip. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves as to the beauty of this little temple glowing in the afternoon sun. I will just say, you half expect to see the cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream prancing about and that I wish I could have one of my own.

Letterbox remix

2011-11-28T05:20:00.001-08:00

The other day I was playing around in photoshop, reformatting recent jobs to look like scenes from old movies. It was fun seeing them take on an entirely different context, just by dropping in the two black bars and adding the 'out of focus' background lights.

Jennifer the Unspecial

2011-11-27T16:02:00.000-08:00

The latest poster for my friend Brian at CCCT. From what I hear, it's a brand new production and has a little of everything, from dinosaurs to Shakespeare himself. Sounds like a fun one for the kids, break a leg guys!

two things...

2011-10-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

original version (they flipped her in the magazine, so glad she still held up! ; )

There's finally a nip in the air and the leaves are just starting to show their colors. On that note, I thought it would be a good time to show these. The first is the latest little fashionista for Family Circle, I believe it's out on the racks now (a fun fashion tip for all you ladies and cross-dressers out there). The second grouping arrived in the mail earlier in the week from Berlin. It's part of a funny named calendar produced in Germany featuring illustrators from around the World. I believe they found me on here through Tumblr. It's truly becoming a smaller world, so happy to have been included in the collection! You can see more illustrators and buy copies at Gestalten.com.

the latest from Washington...

2011-09-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

Somehow it's all ready Fall again. Although it's my favorite time of the year, I have dreaded posting anything new. How do you move on? ...from that last post and in general? My dear Mom is one tough act to follow but as some of you have kindly expressed to me, Mom's creative spirit lives on in my own work. (and Sarah's too!) I really like that concept.

While I was in Florida I had plenty of time to think back on the world I was just getting to know in Virginia/ D.C. I began working on these at that time and so I thought I'd share them today. You probably know by now how fascinated I am with George Washington and his story, but what you may not know, is how fascinated the first President was with architecture and interior design. George was the sole designer behind Mt. Vernon, overseeing extensive renovations and making furniture purchases from the front lines of the Revolutionary War. The White House design was a sort of pet project, he took up on the side while serving as President. In selecting architect James Hoban's design, Washington set the aesthetic standard for all government buildings in the new Federal City. In contrast to the palaces of Europe, The White House's humble yet stately size was also attributed to Washington, as was it's color, white stone instead of the fashionable red brick of colonial Virgina. I know I'm crazy but for some reason I've always gotten into this stuff and Mom was always right there cheering me on.

my moment with Mom

2011-08-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

To honor my Mom, I thought I'd share this video I made two years ago to the day. I cannot remember why she started showing me how to draw the Anhinga bird but I'll cherish this moment forever. It's classic Mom, or Miss Christoph, as she would have been known to her beloved students. If only I had fully known how little time we had left... Words cannot express the love I feel for this creative and beautiful woman, how less joyful and colorful, our world will be without her.

I also thought I'd share a few wonderful pieces of children's art created by my Mom's students at Alturas Elementary School. More beautiful examples of her student's artwork can be viewed at Artsonia. Take a moment to explore the various galleries, it'll melt your heart.

Peter & Wendy

2011-08-12T08:14:00.001-07:00

My friend Brian Marshall and I worked on this for Caryl Crane Children's Theater back in Cleveland. It was a sort of update on a design they used previously. I just thought it was cute to give Peter Pan green hightops. Break a leg guys!

where shopping is a pleasure

2011-07-21T15:25:00.000-07:00

I've been back in Florida for a bit and found these out on the gift card rack at Publix. I worked on this a while back, but never saw the final product. To all those, who haven't had the benefit of shopping at the quintessentially Floridan grocery store chain, they rock! ..and I hope to get to work with them again. : )

NY Times: Theater

2011-07-08T05:49:00.001-07:00

So they ran it after all- I'm so happy! Check out the article here for my ridiculous quote, gosh do I really talk like that!? Ha! Big thanks Brian, for connecting me with Erik and for the heads up on the article being out there. It's funny seeing all of our pieces together, similar little trendy hats and lettering, all tapping into that vintage aesthetic - thanks for that Urban Outfitters!

Summertime Magazine Spots

2011-06-21T07:17:00.001-07:00

A few spots out there now in Family Circle, Threads, and the Boston Globe. Check them out! Apparently cats prefer women and columnist, Kevin Alexander writes about a new concept, 'blog envy', in a funny story about his father's successful book review blog. Fortunately, my dad only rants on facebook. ; )

mother F

2011-06-13T09:06:00.001-07:00

Not sure if you happened to watch the Tony's last night, but what a welcome change!? Compared to other such award shows, it was surprisingly funny and entertaining! Because I'm beginning to doubt they will ever be printed, I though this might be a good time to share these. To make a long story short, a fellow graphic designer friend referred me to a theater editor at the NY Times. The editor had the fun and interesting idea, to reinterpret the Mother F***er with the Hat poster, the new play on Broadway with Chris Rock. The end results were to be published in an article demonstrating how illustrators work (from concept sketches, to graphic design etc...) I didn't know the first thing about the play but chose to focus on it's themes of alcoholism and conflict, as well as it's explosive dialogue. I'm posting the sketches too, only because I liked something about them that was lost in the finishes. The last I heard, these were well received but that the article was getting pushed back a couple weeks - that was like a month and a half ago. Ha! Oh well, win some lose some.

Sunshine at Foundry

2011-06-06T05:04:00.000-07:00

Shortly after the move, I was contacted by David Lanford, an accomplished designer and active member of Foundry United Methodist Church here in Dupont Circle. He had stumbled upon my blog and expressed wishes to use these Sun designs in the church's upcoming Summer promotions. I was of course, very excited, you may remember, President Clinton regularly attended Sunday services at Foundry in the 90's. I love David's bright and colorful design and am happy these Suns found a home nearby (by coincidence, the church is only a few blocks away). You can learn more about the Summer Sermon Series here.

The Obamas hop the pond!

2011-05-31T12:53:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if you caught the coverage of President Obama's European tour last week but what-a-trip! Sure there were a few bumps in the U.K., but if you're ever attended an Episcopal church service (formerly the Church of England here in the states), you know how nerve-racking all the protocol can be. I'm not usually into doing caricatures, but when I saw this pic, I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity. They were all just standing there so awkwardly, so full of character. The Queen looking like a upside down tulip dripping in diamonds, the President like some groomsmen in an ill fitting tux, Michelle as gorgeous as ever in Tom Ford, and Prince Phillip... well, very much looking the part... Ha! What a party!?

I'm also posting my favorite pic from the trip. Obama rediscovering his 'roots' in Ireland. Not afraid to be seen enjoying 'one' in public, he gets my vote next time around! ; )

that kind of week.

2011-05-25T06:58:00.000-07:00

I've been doing alot of waiting these past couple days. This little doodle sums it up and is all I have this week.

Morning Routine

2011-05-20T04:59:00.000-07:00

Hooray it's Friday! Enriching NPR programing ahead - today and over the weekend. ...just don't forget your box of tissues for Storycorps, I did in this little spot. Have a lovely Spring Weekend!

city boy yesterday and today

2011-05-10T07:23:00.000-07:00

I snapped the top pic during a recent visit home. It's a painting I had done in kindergarten of the downtown Raleigh, N.C. skyline. Notice the yellow blob in the bottom left corner. I think it was in those inner-city bus rides, that I developed my love for architecture and cities in general. The manhattan sketch was done quite sometime later, in a staff meeting back at AG. Ha! Just thought it'd be fun to contrast the two.

U Street

2011-05-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

I was walking home along U street the other night and heard a magnificent sound. Live music coming down from the second story window of a little club called Twins Lounge. Merging harmoniously with the honking and chatter on the street, it stopped me in my tracks. It's in moments like these that I feel literally, 'in tune' with the new surroundings. I came up with these the other day, playing around, in between jobs.

White House Panorama

2011-05-02T00:47:00.001-07:00

Tonight, we're heading down to the White House!

We'll climb up one of Lafayette's trees,

wave old glory, and sing 'oh say can you see'.

Together, let's shout out a great cheer!

Not at the death of our cowardly enemy,

but at this extraordinary moment of unity.

For in this fleeting moment at hand,

again, we are one.

God Bless this beautiful land.

you can see more pics here on Flickr.

Tree

2011-05-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

I just got back from my second (ever) yoga session. We didn't do this pose, nor did I have my hair in a bun ; ) but it all made for a relaxing enough start of the week. Just thought I'd share this little spot.

2011-04-26T17:46:00.001-07:00

Spring 2011

It's officially Spring on T Street, the tulips are all in bloom and it's finally starting to settle in that we've moved to D.C. It was an adventure getting here, but with each day I feel a little more at home in this historic and stately little city. Upon moving from Cleveland, I considered the fate of this blog. Should I change it's name? Should I even keep going with it? A.C.D. really seemed to capture the mood of my gloomy corner of Ohio City. But would it work here in gentrified Dupont Circle? With a few tweaks (namely fewer drifters), I'm finding it can.

The other night we were walking the dogs down the alley between T St. and Willard. All of the sudden, a rat scurried out in front of us! It took off down the alley and not five seconds later, was swooped up by a well timed and well placed alley cat. The cat dashed into a corner with it's new prize, it was all pretty horrifying to say the least. Brad, Owen, Spencer and I stood there in shock for a couple seconds. It was a pretty grim reminder how cut-throat it can be out there. Fortunately, for our unconventional little family, we're faring quite well and look forward to beginning this new chapter in D.C. To my Cleveland friends I miss you all immensely and thinking back on our crazy exploits makes me smile. Please keep in touch, and please visit anytime - if you're willing to share it with Spencer and Owen, the sofa's always available. : )

favorite books and rubber plant

2011-04-12T06:51:00.001-07:00

some favorite books: Ben Shahn, Henry Moore, Andy Warhol, Antonio Frasconi, Charley Harper, Erich Heckel, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner.

George No. 4

2011-03-28T18:19:00.000-07:00

heh, the latest obsessive attempt... this time from Gilbert Stuart's, 'Lansdowne portrait'.

sending some your way : )

2011-03-23T09:27:00.001-07:00

Thomas P. Farley

2011-03-08T11:09:00.000-08:00

These were produced for Tom's upcoming "manners" book and website. You can see more of Tom and his other creative ventures at newyorkinsider.tv

recent American Greeting cards

2011-03-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

just posting a few of the recent landscapes I made for various American Greeting cards. A few personal notes: I believe the extreme horizontal card was a graduation sending occasion, a sort of "oh the places you'll go" concept - poignant as I start this new chapter in DC. ...and the couple walking down the country road card cracks me up - I think I (subconsciously) channeled the former first couple, George and Laura walking at their Crawford Ranch. Yeehaw!

on a lighter note...But still (RED)

2011-03-08T06:42:00.001-08:00

This was for a cute story in the upcoming issue of Threads magazine on a New England sewing club that had the task of sewing 150 redcoat uniforms for a reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill. They only had a few weeks and as you can see ended up making last minute adjustments as the soldiers marched out. I love working on these with the team at Threads.

I support teachers

2011-03-03T11:35:00.000-08:00

Perhaps too much time has passed since we were all sitting at school desks, looking ahead to our teachers for guidance, but the attack on unionized teachers (and fire fighters and police officers) makes my stomach turn. This country, as great as it is, is only as strong as it's public school system. What the republican governors are doing in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Florida is indefensible. The teacher's union in Wisconsin has agreed to concessions, but Gov. Scott Walker refuses to budge. We're witnessing an all out assault on unions nationwide. Hasn't the little guy, the union worker sacrificed enough?

This issue is so near and dear to my heart because it's personal. My mom is a elementary school art teacher at a small public school in central Florida. Recently a Tampa news channel affiliate produced a story on my mom and her undying passion for teaching. You can view it online here. She's perhaps the happiest person I know at her job, she loves her students as her own. Please don't forget the teachers working hard in schools across the country everyday.

*new fashion girls

2011-01-26T12:49:00.000-08:00

a study in pattern

2011-01-26T09:30:00.000-08:00

Went crazy the other day scanning a pile of clothes from my closet,blazers, neck ties, shirts, pj pants, you name it! A friend said it's cheating but idk, I just think of it as collage only nothing gets cut up. ; )

children's letters

2011-01-26T09:23:00.001-08:00

Another poster designed for a friend, this time at Caryl Crane Children's Theater.

Mercury Summer Stock 2011

2011-01-12T11:13:00.001-08:00

Just finished these for Pierre at Mercury Summer Stock, a wonderful theater company here in Cleveland. Looks like we're in store for another fun Summer season! To learn more about the organization go here.

we'll miss you dearly Corey...

2011-01-03T20:49:00.000-08:00

...your ethereal landscapes, your crazy pranks, and most of all

your hysterical wit and infectious laugh.

Peace and love

South 49, Corey Parker 2009

taking in a game, 2007

off to another two-hour AG lunch!

Walking up with Michael and Corey, Creative Picnic 2008

To see more of Corey's work check out his blog - also view his monoprint landscape series at ilikey.

3x3 Annual

2010-12-28T11:24:00.000-08:00

3x3 Illustration Annual No. 7

cover illustration by Shout

Get your hands on one of these little books - you'll be blown away. You can buy them online here. To say I'm honored to be featured with so talented a group is a huge understatement. The work represented this year is INSANE good. Hmmmm, might just have to find a new line of work...

p.s. the freshly printed ink smells good too

three great cities

2010-12-20T08:35:00.001-08:00

Just a few more lettering samples inspired by some of my favorite cities. For those of you who live in or are visiting any of these places right now, please send a one-way first class plane ticket. Seriously though, get out there and take it all in! I'm infinitely jealous.

: )

an autumnal smooch

2010-12-16T12:37:00.000-08:00

Okay I know it's a little late, but Fall seemed especially quick this year, I remember walking the dogs around the neighborhood a few times (very much like this illustration minus the girlfriend and PDA). But then all of the sudden there was 2 ft. of snow on the ground. Oh well, this one's for you Fall 2010!

street art

2010-11-20T08:30:00.000-08:00

I've been on this lettering kick lately and wanted to make a design that featured some of Ohio City's unique streets all jumbled together, kind of like the real neighborhood.

a little beauty and gloom

2010-11-12T08:03:00.001-08:00

Just posting the latest Cleveland cityscapes with a couple portrait studies mixed in.

stack of meat

2010-11-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

This was for a story in the November issue of Eating Well Magazine connecting high-protein diets with Osteoporosis in women. Serious subject, but we wanted to create something 'a little funny' to pull the reader in. So go easy on the turkey this thanksgiving ladies!

he's back...

2010-11-10T09:45:00.000-08:00

Not sure if you've seen him around but he's back with a new book. While I was going through my old things I stumbled upon this. A sign I made during the 2004 election that through an unknown turn of events ended up in the IFC documentary film ...So Goes the Nation. I nearly fell out of my seat at the Cedar-Lee when I saw these shots in the film's preview. Good times.

Latest George

2010-11-09T08:50:00.000-08:00

So I recently got back from a weekend trip to DC and (naturally) felt inspired to make this. A dream opportunity would be a children's book (in this or a similar style) about George. I've been mulling over some story ideas. I'll keep at it. : ) You can view pics from the trip on my facebook album here.

Election Tuesday - November 2, 2010

2010-11-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

All of the recent (sometimes hateful) rhetoric made me think back on that old Emma Lazarus poem I probably last read in 4th grade. In that benevolent spirit, I wanted to make something that highlights the good this country is capable of. I posted Emma Lazarus's poem below, it's worth another read.

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Emma Lazarus, 1883

San Diego AIDS Walk 2010

2010-10-26T11:17:00.000-07:00

I designed this for the San Diego AIDS Walk 2010. It was also printed on the September cover of the San Diego Gay and Lesbian Times seen here. It's a great cause, I was honored to be able to make a contribution.

Poster Designs

2010-10-26T11:05:00.000-07:00

I was going through my old work and found these posters. One is for a local theater company, Mercury Summer Stock, and the other was for an Art Show at American Greetings. I liked the lettering in these and have been doing more stuff like this, I'll try to post soon!

Thread Magazine - Fall 2010

2010-10-26T07:54:00.000-07:00

I've been working with Thread Magazine on some fun assignments. These silhouettes accompanied a story on Pattern-free sewing. I just thought there was something fun and 'kinda hot' with the photo/illustration combination here.

Joan Harris

2010-10-24T08:51:00.000-07:00

Another great season has come to a close... what ever will I do with myself? See you next Summer Madmen!

"I can't wait until next year when all of you are in Vietnam. You will be pining for the day when someone was trying to make your life easier. When you're over there, and you're in the jungle and they're shooting at you, remember you're not dying for me because I never liked you."

-Joan Harris

Summer spots

2010-10-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

These were inspired by a favorite film, the Talented Mr. Ripley. Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, 1960's Italy... The part that kills me here, is that when I was still working on them, I accidentally saved over the layered file with this flattened jpeg. So this low-res version is all I have to show for a near week's worth of work. Ah digital media...

the Sun

2010-10-22T10:37:00.000-07:00

During a recent extended hospital stay, I found it uplifting to draw Suns. I brought them home and made these from the sketches. There's a little Alexander Girard influence and definitely some Antonio Frasconi in that last one. I also love the various Suns featured on the CBS Sunday morning show.

Today's Parent

2010-10-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

I did this illustration late in 2009 for a fun story about a musically-inclined family.

Peaceable Kingdom Press

2010-10-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

Another fun greeting card assignment this time with PK Press. I'm including my original version and the finished design with the their excellent lettering addition, it totally makes the card.

p.s. Big thanks to Rob for that awesome "Andy Warhol blotted-line" demo baby!!!

More AG Father's Day

2010-10-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

These are three of my favorite samples from another 2010 Father's day program with AG. The 'planning' called for a Charlie Harper-Jon Klassen hybrid style (specifically citing Charlie Harpers great Ford Times magazine illustrations). I really enjoyed the assignment.

American Greetings Father's Day

2010-10-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

I didn't get a chance to see if these actually made it to the racks but I had fun with these and liked the line of cards for their simplicity. The images were to be 'dicut' out so you could see through to the colored background.

Textile Design

2010-10-21T14:22:00.001-07:00

Earlier in the year, I had the chance to work with a local home accessories design firm Blonder Inc. Together with friend and Art Director, Jeff Zelmer, we collaborated on pattern designs for a shower and bath accessories program for Target and Lowes Home.

odd couple

2010-10-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

This is an oldie from the sketchbook based on a very weird dream. I guess there are some parallels if you think about it.

how to host a...

2010-10-18T08:40:00.000-07:00

I've had a lot of fun working with Elizabeth at Penguin Books on this murder mystery series from author Penny Warner. The books follow Presley Parker, a San Francisco based party planner with a knack for crime solving.

American Greetings

2010-10-18T08:22:00.000-07:00

These are a few illustrations I did in the last year or so for American Greetings and AG Interactive. I worked at American Greetings for six years before going out on my own in 2008. I still work with AG on occasion and actually enjoy the sensibility of greeting card work. I'll post more stuff soon.

California

2010-10-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

For 2010 promotions, Lindgren & Smith artists designed bookmarks for each of the 50 states. To see all the other great bookmarks go here.

George Washington

2010-10-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

after Gilbert Stuart

I know it's completely random, but for a while there I found it almost therapeutic to paint Gilbert Stuart - George Washington copies in between jobs. This was my most successful effort, though he seems more angry with things than stoic. I'll hopefully get a chance to try again soon.

p.s. I'm a longtime fan of George so there will definitely be more postings in the future. : )

Huggies: Every Little Bottom

2010-10-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

(logo and alternates)

It was a true delight working again with Leah and Ogilvy on this very special charitable program. Parents with little ones, please read about it here.

Family Circle Magazine

2010-10-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

I illustrated a series of editors at Family Circle with their favorite 'easy to prepare' recipes. This was my favorite, the March issue, featuring Susan and her homemade vodka sauce.

National Geographic Kids

2010-10-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

Baby-Sitters Club

2010-10-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

In February, I worked with Fly Communications to develop illustrations and games for the Baby-Sitters Club website that launched in tandem with the book series' re-release. Yep the teenybopper gang of girls your big sister idolized growing up is back!

Twisted Whiskers Show

2010-10-14T06:51:00.000-07:00

This was one of those incredible job opportunities that doesn't come around very often. I had so much fun working on these with art director, Ryan Wiesbrock. As a fan of classic MGM and Warner Bros cartoons (as well as the kick ass titlecard designs from Batman the Animated Series), I leapt at the chance to work on Twisted. We actually collaborated on these in 2009, but I hear the show recently premiered on the Hub. Check it out!

You can see more titlecards at Flickr here.

Pingpong Perry

2010-10-13T12:12:00.000-07:00

by Sandy Donovan

A fun little kid's book I worked on that came out in February. More pages from the book can be viewed on Flickr here.

cleveland inspired

2010-10-13T10:04:00.000-07:00

This series was inspired by the people and places in my westside Cleveland neighborhood and is a sort of ongoing creative experiment. It's completely different in style and subject matter from the rest of my commercial work and has been a refreshing change of pace. Check back later, I hope to develop the series and post more soon.

Communications Arts Illustration Annual 2010

2010-10-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

The year began with a bit of good news, four pieces from an ongoing personal project were published in the Communication Arts Illustration Annual. I don't know if you saw this year's magazine out there, but it highlights some really great work. I'm very humbled to be included among so talented a group.

2010 Communications Arts Illustration Annual

Cover: Roman Klonek

Welcome to ACD!

2010-10-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

Hey and welcome to the blog! I can't believe I'm actually doing this as I've never been a big 'blog guy' but I wanted to create a more personal place to post work and other things - so here it is! The name is inspired by the alley behind my apartment building. It's a sort of 'super-highway for drifters' traversing Ohio City and the cats, well they're out there fending for themselves and it's not always pretty. All of this is going on just below my studio's window and there's no denying it's had an influence on my work and at least for now, I'm going with it. Please bare with me it's definitely a work in progress. Thanks for dropping by!

Jamey