No man can keep you now.
Cheree
This is a typeface I was working on for a while called, “It’s never going to be finished.”
Actually it’s called “Cheree,” as it was named after the song by Suicide of the same title. I created it to force myself to confront the many holes in my understanding of typography. I started with something very modular to flush out the main alphabets as quickly as possible and then slowly started to give each letter individual attention, moving shapes around or altering them so the letter forms started to interact harmoniously. And studying those subtle changes has left me with at least a slightly better understanding of all those high-typography principles.
It’s been a thrill seeing it used a few times in XLR8R magazine, and I’ve enjoyed using it on a couple of my own projects. I am not sure I will ever finish it, but after a long break I think I am going to start working on finishing off those last random characters that no one knows the key strokes for. But why oh why did I make it so thin?
Perspective
This is an illustration about scale and perspective.
Rubin Museum / Paula Cooper Gallery
Went to the Rubin museum last night with Kelsey. Had a nice time sketching this Shiva’s head from a sculpture. Also went to the Paula Cooper gallery and caught the Dan Walsh opening. He hand paints intricate patterns with heavy brush strokes on large canvases. The paintings are lovely, geometrical but with hints of a playful character. Really nice 70s inspired color palettes and patterns. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed an art opening as much. Dan Walsh: 1, 2, more
Siggi Eggertsson Interview
I was lucky enough to be able to interview Siggi Eggertsson for XLR8R magazine. Siggi is a designer I have a lot of respect for. I am just old enough to have been able to see a few different styles come in and out of fashion. Everything used to have antlers on it remember? But Siggi really has always stuck out as someone who makes the effort not to adhere to the changing canons of taste. His work is alien but somehow alludes to all these charismatic visual ideas like folk art or video game graphics, but its hard to point out any aesthetics he has lifted directly. Designers like him are rare. And he is rewarded for it, which I think is even more rare.
Interviewing noteworthy people is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I am grateful for the opportunity. It is a difficult mediation role you have to play. Big respect to Terri Gross and Studs Terkel for making it look easy. This is definitely something I’d like to do more often.
Also, I had just seen Blade Runner again so I tried to ask questions that started off with statements, as if Siggi was a replicant. He might be. I don’t know really.
Ocean story
Women dancing on a life raft, unaware of imminent danger.
Another illustration for the new portfolio I am putting together. One thing I like most about these things are the type of concepts that I think they can accommodate. I think my new motto is, make it function very little but make it function. I am looking forward to a new healthier relationship with illustration concepts. No more businessman-with-dollar-bills-for-ice-skates. Of course there are always editors who will make that call for you, I guess.
A friend said this reminded him of his ex-girlfriend. And doesn’t it remind all of us of our ex-girlfriends?Exactly.
Ernest Shackleton Portrait
I drew this portrait of Ernest Shackleton, Arctic explorer. Not sure if I will keep the colors or cropping just yet.
I’ve read a couple of books on Shackleton and his failed voyage on the Endurance. In most accounts of his leadership on the Endurance he is portrated as a steadfast leader. However, a large biography I have read by Roland Huntford, explains that he was basically a mess when not in situations of responsibility. When nothing demanded his greater qualities, none were provided. He also fought tirelessly to secure those situations for himself. It’s an interesting look into what distinguishes leaders and doers.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Drew this picture today in honor of cruel St. Valentine and his legion of heartbreakers. This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to work a concept into this new easier going, collage style of illustration. I think it turned out pretty well, though not very romantic. Let it be a warning. You will be my valentine.
Georgia Buck
I’ve picked up my banjo after six months of not touching it much. I am not much of a fan of the banjo, but for all my pedestrian musicianship I’ve got some sort of mechanical understanding going on with this instrument. I would honestly rather be able to play clarinet.
Henrik Dreshcer plays banjo I know. Also, I’ve seen banjos in the background of photos of Milton Glaser. I guess that’s good company to be in. Then again R. Crumb plays banjo
Don’t put shorting in the bread, don’t treat women too well, and be careful not to lose the opportunity to catch a rabbit for to eat. It’s all in here. This is your heritage Americans.
©2009 Sparrow v. Swallow. All rights reserved.