150th Anniversary Logo for Towson University

 

I recently had the honor of designing the 150th Anniversary logo for Towson University, my current employer and alma mater.

The brand mark was created to commemorate Towson University’s sesquicentennial (that's a big fancy word for 150th anniversary) and usage began in late May.

The mark evolved out of past and present logo iterations and it is meant to represent Towson University as a forward-moving institution, with a solid history and strong sense of community; a place where diverse individuals spend a key point in their life’s journey to become effective, ethical leaders and engaged citizens.

I'll post some images of the logo in use as I see them pop-up around campus. Here's the first one, on signage attached to campus light poles.

 

Dance Poster

Once again, it's been forever and a day since I last posted. Here's a recent poster I created for Towson University. Towson has an excellent dance program.

A recent poster for the Expressionist play Machinal

Award-winning Magazine Spread

Here's a magazine spread I recently did for the Towson University Alumni magazine. It's a great story about two of our alumni introducing kids to dance and the world of hip-hop dance competitions

This magazine spread recently won GDUSA magazine's 2013 American Graphic Design Award. Check out the awards my fellow designers and I received

Super Synaptic Hats for Sale

Check out this super silly, super warm hats I've been making!

Brass Day: Poster Design

Here is a recent poster I designed for Towson University. It was awarded a Graphic Design USA, 2012 American Inhouse Design Award and a Graphic Design USA, 2012 American Graphic Design Award.

Peter & Max

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've been taking an oil painting class. This painting was done for the class final. The project's objective was to paint a picture based on a photo montage. I created the faces out of (about) 15 different faces. I then decided to make it a homage to a 1960s artist - Peter Max. Hence, the title.

Illustration Friday: Jump

Oh my goodness it has been a while since I last did an Illustration Friday piece. This was a real quick doodle done in Photoshop.>

New painting

This Spring I decided to take my first oil painting class. I've painted before in acrylics and gouache, but never in oils. Something about how slowly the paint dries always intimidated me. Also, I don't usually work "realistically", but my years of drawing seem to have paid off. I've been pleasantly surprised by the results; and, think that I've fallen in love with this medium!

Better blogging

It's definitely been a while since I last posted an entry. I started a new job and after spending all day in front of a computer...my laptop stays pretty quiet at night. I've been doing more traditional art after hours. Now that I have the blogger app on my phone, it will definitely be easier to post a quick entry!

Scary Stories

Aaaahhhh--- I've been in hiding for a while, haven't I? I'll get better about posting regularly. At least, I hope I will.

Anywho.... the other day, I got an envelope in the mail with two very scary stories (from my nieces). It is always fun to get unexpected stories sent to you in the mail. So, I decided to illustrate their stories and turn them into one page comics. Here they are for your reading pleasure! (I think I smell a budding writing partnership! ha ha)

My First, Illustrated Children's Book

It's officially here! My first, fully-illustrated children's book.

I've been working on it, off and on, for quite a while now and am really excited to say that it is now for sale! It's paperback with 32-pages of colorful, fun pictures! You can purchase it here for $15. (The thumbnail may not be showing on the shopping page, it takes a bit of time to show up after building the page...hopefully.)

In about 6-weeks, the book will also be available through Amazon.com and through other distribution channels for libraries, schools and bookstores. But for now, if you are interested you can purchase a copy on my e-store.

It is the perfect book for any father and his daughters.

This is the story of two, very busy, little ladies who decide to put on a ballet about astronauts flying to Mars. The ballet, of course, stars their father as the scary, alien guy.
With charming, colorful illustrations our story starts early in the morning and follows the two girls, and their father, throughout the day as they prepare for their "Night at the Ballet"!

Here is a sample spread from the book.

Character Illustration: Thank You

I've been using the same image for Thank You Cards for a while now. I like this guy's pot belly and earnestness,but I decided to change things up a bit with this new guy...

Mr. Rah Rah Rah Tiger!

Typography Discovery

I love a good display typeface. Who doesn't? I am continually inspired by well designed typefaces used in innovative and creative ways.

I recently stumbled upon Lost Type, a typography co-op. Not only are there beautiful, retro-inspired typefaces, but they can be used on a pay-what-you-can basis. Besides being affordable options for typefaces you may only need to use once or twice, the payment goes directly to the creator. That's a pretty good thing.

Hopefully, people will pay appropriate, real-world amounts for the use of these designs. There are many beautiful fonts here

Guest Chef on the Waterfront

Hey there! I just read, on-line, that this year's Guest Chef on the Waterfront (see previous post) raised $100,000 for this fantastic organization. I like to think the posters and advertising I made for them helped achieve this. (Although, I think the wonderful participants and their awesome food, beer and wine really helped spread the word too!)

Visit Farestart.org to learn more about what they do. It's a great place to volunteer, visit and interact with the Seattle Community. Especially on Guest Chef nights!

Cap'n Chris' Crab Shack

Here's a fun gouache painting inspired by summer, my favorite place to eat crab, and the movie Popeye by Robert Altman. (0ne of my favorite movies, I don't care what anyone says!)

If you'd like, you can buy a print of this painting in my Etsy store!

Octopus Postcard

I think it's time to go to Aquarium! Here's a little postcard I designed to encourage your next visit!

It's always fun to see what's lurking beneath the water. Seattle has a great aquarium. I think my favorite part of the Seattle Aquarium is the room in which you see what lives in the Puget Sound. It's a great big bubble of a room with fish, and other creatures living in the water, swim all around you!

Now, I live near the National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD. This is definitely one of the best in the world. It's been way too long since I've been. But, one of my favorite exhibits was always the rain forest room... and the sharks, of course! Oooo.... and the penguins!

Typography Exploration

Here's a little typography exploration I did today using Caslon Old Face Heavy. It's a quote from "All's Well That End's Well" by Shakespeare. Actually, still working on this concept and hope to incorporate a little illustration into it as well.

2011 Guest Chef on the Waterfront

It's that time of year again! I just finished up the artwork for the 2011 Farestart's Guest Chef on the Waterfront. I can't believe that it is the 7th year that I have been honored to do the artwork for this event! (The eighth if you include the Guest Chef Under the Stars event — it's predecessor!) This is such a great event — I think its the best summer event in Seattle.

Over 70 of the best chefs, wineries, breweries and purveyors of fine foods in the Puget Sound region participate by providing tastings of their favorite dishes and best products. No one leaves this event hungry! And, it always so difficult to decide what is the best of the best! I'm glad that I don't have to judge the dishes.

It is also really nice to see such support from the Seattle community for such a fantastic organization. FareStart provides job training, in the food industry, for disadvantaged individuals. Giving people who are in a difficult period of their lives job skills and confidence to change their life. During these economic times, I'm sure many of us can relate to what it means to need a job and to find yourself in need of a way to make a change in your life. I know I can! FareStart was also recognized by the James Beard Association this year by being named the 2011 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award honoree.

If you are in the Seattle area this summer, this is an event not to miss! You can purchase tickets online at Farestart.org Tickets go on sale May 1st.

Postcard Design

Baltimore Museum of Art: Photography Exhibit

I went to the BMA this past weekend and saw an excellent photography exhibit called Seeing Now: Photography Since 1960. Among my favorite photographs in the exhibit were several from a series called Women are Beautiful by photographer Gary Winogrand.

Another great series of photographs that I especially liked, was a series of water towers by Bernd & Hilla Becher. I had my sketchbook with me and quickly drew each tower. It was a great exercise for me; forcing my eye to really slow down and "see" the photographs. It also reminded me of a water tower I use to pass when I lived in Utrecht, Netherlands. Here are my interpretation of some of the towers. I love industrial buildings and breaking them down into their most basic geometric forms.