Successful Thinkers Event at the Maine Military Museum

Another poster/graphic that we created for the next Successful Thinkers event. Since it was military themed scouring through old historical "Buy War Bonds" posters was essential for inspiration. If you're familiar with my other blogs, you'll understand the enthusiasm for military themes.

Last Day on Sebago Lake

My friend Mike called me out of the blue to come spend the day on Sebago lake so he could flush out his boat before winterizing, and for peak fall foliage camaraderie. I couldn't pass up a chance to not only spend some fresh air-off-keyboard time, but also the chance to get some great fall pics before the leaves drop. OK, sure, I used 'Hipstamatic' for iphone, by I say it still takes a decent eye to catch a REALLY good shot. Hope you enjoy.

Successful Thinkers Flyer

I was quite happy with the way this came out. I found a decent vintage racing image and pretty much stripped everything out of it except for the car, background and silhouettes. Everything else needed to be squeezed in a somewhat unique shaped space. Should be a fun event.

NEW BUMPER STICKER

I figure this is as good a place as any to start keeping score of the little visual creative tidbits that happen now and again. This was an IM conversation between Bob B & myself just this morning. Thanks for noting it's bumperstickability Bob. :)

A HUMBLE THANK YOU

To all the copywriters, creative directors, and co conspirators I have worked with over the years, I am thankful to have had to opportunity to work with you. In no particular order: Scott Rosenblit, Rob Travalino, John Huggins, Steve Anacker, Scott Sorokin, Eddie Hahn, Pam Shecter, Frank Izzo, Elisa Patuto, Geoff MacDonald, Rose Zivic, Bob Salazar, Ben Lippell, Doug Fallon, more more more will update when i continue recollecting.

FOUND ARTicles

I was looking through a couple of old sketchbooks the other day and found a few interesting items.
I threw the pages on the scanner and now I'm sharing them with you.

I had/have a bit of an obsession with tikis.
So much so it even infiltrated client work with Ocean Spray. Man, how I wish they went with this. I always saw it as a lush realistic rainforest rendering with all the appropriate mossy overgrowth. (this is another obsession that has made into some of my art in college)

i also like doing pen and ink work on location. architecture seems to be where i liked to focus in these books. Friends will recognize 6A in the east village (circa 1987)

Others might remember Last Oak, Kismet, Fire Island.

Or our first house, 1 Oak Place.

This one here is sketched from a beach in the adirondacks about 8 years ago.

This was from a photograph of a sculpture by the Polish Artist Stanislav Szukalski.

This lil fella was standing guard in a coffee shop in Amsterdam circa 1992

Couple of thumbnail gouache/watercolor sketches. Gas pump was in Cape May NJ circa 1988.

Logo finalized

After a decent stretch of time and a couple direction changes, I can happily say thet we have completed the development of M Imports' logo. M Imports specializes in wines from Argentina and several other South American sources. The goal was to make it identifiable as a wine co, but to not overdo the wine related imagery to the point it distracts from the name. I think we landed in a good place.

The Jack Grace Band

What can I say about a close friend, compatriot, confidant and inspiration for well into 20+ years? Well, to start, he and I just completed the packaging design for his 6th album. Everything from CD art, to T shirts to stickers. Maybe the fact that I, as a designer, and also enthusiastic fan, have been repeatedly blessed with the opportunity to provide graphic design to help express and promote a great musician throughout his entire solo career. The opportunity that the plethora of these projects provided, beyond designer's indulgence, was an experience of creative spontaneity at its most hilarious and kinetic state. I have always enjoyed the multi-faceted collaborations Jack and I have had through the years, and as always, look forward to more. I will be posting other elements of the work Brand Royal has done for Jack Grace in the coming days in celebration of a long and winding road of collaboration.