P is for popcorn

This week's Alphabattle letter on Lettercult.com was P. After constructing the letter, I thought it would be fun to come up with a functional use for it. It was more than obvious that this letter would be perfect for a popcorn container.

The truth is out there.

Or at least it will be once The Conspiracy is released by Philadelphia rapper Abstrakt. Not only did I do the illustration and design work, but I've also listened to the mixtape and let me be the first to tell you, it's really good. You're going to want one.

front:

back:

and then the actual cd:

Abstrakt speaks on some really heavy topics like corruption in our government, but also maintains a level of humor in his lyrics and the way he juxtaposes concepts and ideas (Avatar and blue balls... need I say more?) The mixtape also features other talented musicians like Julian Frampton and Fese. And of course, the reason I got so excited about this job... aliens. You want to buy this cd. Contact Abstrakt directly or just let me know and I'll get you one.

for more on Abstrakt visit:

myspace.com/abstrakt305

facebook.com/abstrakt305

twitter.com/abstrakt305

Oh oh

This week's letter. These were some other color schemes I tried:

Fish and Chicks: personal exercise in color, light and shadow

I did this just as a personal exercise for myself because I wanted to explore lighting and shadow. I feel like a lot of my work lacks a bold contrast between light and dark, and that's something pretty crucial to conveying the human form... so I should probably start doing it. I also wanted to get back to my original color sensibility... which is to figure out a way to use the whole rainbow. I think I pulled it off pretty well here, and managed to use the color as a secondary means of communicating the shape and glisten of the tail. If I were to put this image to practical use, I would use it as a cd cover for a screamo band. Probably Chiodos.

For my next project I'm going to be doing another project centered on the female figure, which was sort of the motivation for doing this exercise. More updates on that as it unfolds.

adventures in screen printing

I took a printmaking class and got to make some fun things. My first projects were simple but as the weeks went on I started coming up with cooler ideas for potential projects. Then the course ended. Needless to say I have an unsatiated hunger and will be returning to this in the near future. In the meantime, here's some things I did in the class, starting with my first exercises...

Our final project was to make (20) five track mix cds with double sided covers to exchange with everyone else in the class. This is how mine came out, with some of the other cds from the exchange.

detail:

interior:

The idea was to have a theme, so I picked Armageddon via demon koala bears. The songs weren't so much about the end of the world (nor demon koala bears) as they were songs I'd want to have on my walkman as I watch the Apocalypse happen from my window.

1. you can't always get what you want

2. good times bad times

3. within you without you

4. nothing but flowers

5. spirit in the sky

N in a night.

My one hour projects are starting to go a little more smoothly.

This was my sketch:I'm glad I didn't go in the doily valentine direction and opted with a more formal approach. A helpful trick I learned: stop trying to do so much extraneous crap and just make something that looks clean and nice.

Check out www.lettercult.com tomorrow, they'll have all the other submissions.

Now, in the revolutionary technology of 2D!

Here's a fun project. Paper doll of myself in some of my various disguises. I actually made a couple of these. I was going to give them out as self promotions... because it's a play on the silliness of the shamelessness that's required for success from self promotions.

This is what the back page reads:

"Has your best friend been acting like a tool, spending too much time with his lame girlfriend, or developed a new set of interests that don't correspond to your own? Not to fear! I'll be Your New Best Friend, pocket-sized for portability! Take me anywhere! And dress me up. I have an ensemble for nearly every occasion, so surely I can be whatever kind of friend you need!"

What should I wear today? How about NO shirt?

Make life easier for yourself and anyone you meet by establishing things on the forefront. Perfect for pessimists, sourpusses, negative nancies, teenagers, women, Republican senators, and anyone who enjoys being difficult.

$20

The letter M

Deep sea diving: on my list of things to do before I die, not list of things to die doing.

Fiiiiinally, I got this scanned and edited.

And the moral of the story is... quit lookin at the damned starfish and pay attention to all the giant pointy teeth fish around you.

Colored pencil, my old friend... enhanced by Photoshop CS5, my new friend.