The Spout Next Door

I was leaving for work the other day and this sight caught my attention. Right next door to me, a house is being restored but it has a long way to go before being finished. I've found that when something is being built (physically or digitally) objects can be found or placed in the strangest of places—as this spout coming over the edge of the balcony. The sound is what first caught my attention but it was the composition and the constant flowing of water that inspired me to pull out my camera and take this video. Enjoy.

The Suzukis

Here is another illustration using Procreate on the iPad. I did a few studies on pencil and paper based on a photo I took of my friends before creating the final piece above. I used a $5 stylus as an experiment and realized how important it is to use one. After a few more pieces I plan to experiment with a smart stylus. I'm looking forward to the next project!

Bilbo and Smaug

About a month ago on Facebook, I posted a drawing of a dragon that I did on my iPad. I used the program Procreate and was really pleased with the results. I had just seen, 'The Hobbit' and the dragon was clearly inspired by the movie. I decided to follow up the piece with another illustration based on an actual scene from the book. I hope you enjoy it!

Wake Up!

Wake Up! is the latest exhibit at the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia PA. This was the first design that I had the pleasure to eat afterward :-) I feel that this is one of my more inspired designs. The idea came to me after I visited the Toronto Design Exchange and saw The Happy Show by Stefan Sagmeister. I found the show very inspiring and emotional. It helped me realize how important design is, not just for it's commercial uses, but also its ability to communicate complicated ideas, such as happiness, in a way that is comparable or even more effective than traditional forms of art.

(Inside Banner)

(Outside Banner)

Christmas Eve in Columbia PA

Possessed by the Christmas Eve spirit, my brother and I went out during the snow shower and shot some video for a song I recored. From soup to nuts, this video was a lot of fun to put together. I hope you all enjoy, 'Christmas Eve in Columbia PA'

Enlisting Time Website

Ta-Dah! The Enlisting Time Website is officially live! Please check it out (enlistingtime.org). This is only a taste of the actual exhibit at the National Watch & Clock Museum in Columbia PA. If you happen to visit the museum (and I think you really should) mention the code word: 'Operation Overlord' and receive a 25% discount on your admission!

Rrrrrrrrrolling

A few weeks ago I read an article in Tofugu that simply blew me away. GIF stands for Graphic Interchange Format. Gifs were something I never liked. Usually they look awful; used frequently for advertising pop-ups. In fact, I never paid much attention to them until I read about rolling. There are artists who have taken the gif format and turned it into something beautiful. Here is the link to the article. I highly suggest you check it out: http://www.tofugu.com/2012/08/11/japanese-gif-artists-keep-rrrrrrrrolling-along/

So here is my attempt at rolling. I took a sake set that I bought in an antique mall and rolled them on my kitchen counter. I hope you enjoy!

Enlisting Time

It's time to gloat a bit... The first picture below is the front of the National Watch & Clock Museum in Columbia PA. You will notice there are two large banners hanging on either side of the entrance. THEY ARE MINE!!! (gloat, gloat). I took individual pictures of the two banners so more detail could be seen. Beneath the two banner pictures are photos of the two corresponding hanging banners inside the building. 

(Close up shots of the outside banners)

(inside banners)

The 'Time Out' banner may be familiar to you as I have already blogged on this exhibit. The banner to the left however is new. The exhibit is called 'Enlisting Time' and will open in August. The Enlisting Time project has been, by far, my favorite. I spend many hours researching for exactly the right aesthetic and photos the banners. The logo was also equally treated with care, study and creative invention. Although Hops 'n' Clocks will be the most fun event of the year Enlisting Time will be, for me, the most interesting.

(black and white logo)

(postcard with the logo. Just noticed that the minute hand is missing! Oops!)

(outside banner)

(inside banner)

Hops 'N' Clocks

This logo is for the National Watch & Clock Museum's annual Hops 'N' Clocks event. I've been waiting all year to do this logo. The idea of turing the clock tower in front of the museum into a stein has been gestating in my mind for many months now. I was very happy that the idea was approved by the directors Noel and Katie. Thanks guys!

Time Out!

This is my latest work for the Watch & Clock Museum. The top and bottom-left piece are large banners to be hung in front and inside of the Museum. The bottom right piece is an 8.5x11 in pamphlet to be handed out to visitors of the museum. This is not my typical style of work. Usually I like more complex, detailed work but I think the simple-graphic look works well for this exhibit. 

Wine & Chimes at the National Watch And Clock Museum

This is the logo for Wine & Chimes, an annual fund-raising event for the National Watch & Clock Museum in Columbia PA. I was asked by the museum director to design a logo and two posters. I really enjoyed working on this logo. I felt that the 'wine glass' was the best choice of all the logos I presented and was happy that it was chosen. One poster was 11X17 and the other was 8.5X11. Below is the 8.5X11 horizontal poster.

Doing freelance work for a museum is really interesting. Unlike businesses, museums are more relaxed and less deadline oriented. This suites me especially since I am working full time as a non designer. The work is interesting as well because of the educational aspect. I've learned a lot about watches and the people who love them. I have been asked to do an exhibit next called Enlisted Time. The exhibit will be focused on time pieces used by American war heroes throughout history. Timepieces owned by George Washington and Lafayette will be on display along with local American veterans. The exhibit will be focused on the soldiers and their stories rather than actual wars or warfare.

This Broken Moment

Front Cover

Back Cover

Inside Spread

Front and Back of Insert

CD Design

Insert With Lyrics

Jess Smucker, singer and songwriter of 'The Sleeping World' asked me to do her latest album, 'This Broken Moment.' We have worked together many times in the past including her last EP 'Reluctantly Yours.' It is always fun working with Jess and I always feel we create nice work together.

The inspiration for this album comes from several different sources. Jess had some very nice photos taken by Molly Schlachter of Molly S. Photography. Originally, we were going to go with the photo of Jess wearing the cowboy boots and a wedding dress. After several comments that the album looked 'too country' we decided on the pic below.

I picked up an old book from the 1850s titled 'The History of England.' The book is badly damaged with a torn cover and worn pages but has lots of charm. I thought if I emulated this look I might capture some of the same charm. Both Jess and I loved how it turned out. 

The design for the CD and inside cover (same pattern) came from an old Japanese design book that I purchased a few years back. The bird wood-block pattern in an old design found on clothes and paper in old Japan.

EA Character Sheet Progression

sketched EA character sheet

inked EA character sheet

colored EA character sheet

landscape shot of the kingdom of Ballad

Willem Alexander Croix

Here is a character sheet for Endless Adventure. 

Willem is a character that I created to test run with another writer.

Endless Adventure

This is the logo for an online, text based game that I created. Mainly I posted this so I can copy and paste it into the emails I send out to my players.

Market Square

Here is another perspective study of a medieval market square. This one was fun but took a while to finish. Now I'm ready to graduate to 3-point perspective... or learn Google Sketchup ;-)

Figure Drawing

There is a local figure drawing class that meets every Tuesday evening. It had been a while since I have attended a session and had nothing better to do last night. The drawing of the hands was from the last session I attended. I really enjoy the group. There are some very talented people who show up there and it is very inspiring to see their work.

Black Nimbus

This drawing is of a villain by the name of Black Nimbus for a story that I am writing. Again I wanted to show the progress from the very first sketch to the final rendered piece.

Black Nimbus is an ancient and powerful sorcerer from the lost kingdom of Penoplesia. He is big trouble and the kingdom of Ballad has attracted his attention. Watch out!

The Cathedral

Here is a recent drawing I did in my 'theory' sketchbook. Yes I have a sketchbook just devoted to theory :-) This is a perspective exercise in a book I have. I wanted to show (and see for my self) the progress of the drawing. I don't see many artist showing their audiences the process of their work, a feat easily done with the wonders of modern technology. I took these photos on my iPhone. I hope you are entertained and educated as much as I was drawing the piece.