NY Times: Theater




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!

mother F




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



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.

city boy yesterday and today



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 a few years later, in a staff meeting back at AG. Ha! Just thought it'd be fun to contrast the two.

U Street




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





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


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.


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. : )

recent American Greeting cards






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)


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


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.