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Attn: zombiecuddle.tumblr.com

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:09:00 -0600

Here are some of my favorite illustrations from The American Red Cross’ First Aid: Responding to Emergencies. It was one of my mom’s college textbooks, which I adopted once she was finished with the course. I scanned these to make a blog layout that has since been lost to the sands of time. The book, however, is still in my possession. It’s on the shelf with all my other art references, next to The Amazing Pull-Out Pop-Up Body in a Book, an aptly titled book for children.

My favorite-favorite— you can tell by its careful placement in the center— is the gentleman with the pencil driven into his eye socket. I don’t know why, but I find this illustration, and its lack of context, deeply funny.

Also, the filename for the picture on the bottom left is “patpat.jpg”.

And I swear I did not alter this illustration in any way:

THIS IS A DISASTER. WHY ARE THERE CHILDREN STILL PLAYING IN THE SCHOOL YARD??

(In response to comments made in this post.)

In-progress shot of this suit.

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:26:05 -0600

In-progress shot of this suit.

Cover & spine design Cuddle up with a good book.

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00:00 -0600

Cover & spine design

Cuddle up with a good book.

Photo

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:51:50 -0600

Wallpaper for your inner Thelma Harper.* one, two, three, four,...

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:46:32 -0600

Wallpaper for your inner Thelma Harper.*

one, two, three, four, or the bundle.

*Numbers do not appear on wallpaper. 1440x900px.

Do’s and don’t’s of floral wallpaper: Do make...

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:41:53 -0600

Do’s and don’t’s of floral wallpaper:

Do make some in Photoshop over your morning coffee.

Don’t use it to decorate your home.

…Unless, of course, that home is a turn-of-the-century brothel.

The way to my heart

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:16:03 -0600

is a double or triple shot on ice.

Incidentally, it is also the way to my insomnia.

I have quite a few projects coming out soon! So if you’ve...

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0600

Taken by E.J. Bellocq, 1912

I have quite a few projects coming out soon! So if you’ve noticed the lack of quality posting lately, I apologize. You guys came for the art, and I’ve got some great stuff headed your way in the next couple weeks.

Here’s a look at one of the many things I’m currently working on.

I’ve been fascinated with E.J. Bellocq’s work for a long time. As a tribute to him (I hope), and as a sort of test of my skills, I started on this piece, a recreation of one of the legendary Storyville photographs.

These are the in-progress shots, starting with my flats and moving into rough placements for the furniture (in orange).

This is where things are about to get complicated. There are so many elements of this photograph that I can’t wait to rebuild: the delicate wallpaper, the lady herself, and all of her own photographs and various belongings. The problem with using a source material that is so old, is that one doesn’t have the luxury of high-res photography to get a look at all these little details close-up. From this point forward, I’ll have to sort of use my imagination in creating some of the smaller elements of Bellocq’s photograph. I was able to lay out the room quickly enough, but the little details are going to take much more time.

I love the honesty that Bellocq captured in his subjects— even though some of his subjects’ faces have been obscured, you still feel like you know them through these photographs. There is no doubt that he was photographing real people in their element. You’ll find no models in Storyville.

I just hope he’s not offended or anything. Bellocq’s ghost could easily find me, considering we live in the same city.

Check out more of the Storyville photographs here.
Full size version of my last screencap is here.

Rejected Animal Sketch #27 It’s too bad there’s not...

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:55:00 -0500

Rejected Animal Sketch #27

It’s too bad there’s not a market for retarded birds.
Keep on drawin, baby.

Birds. I carved my first pumpkin today.

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:28:00 -0500

Birds.

I carved my first pumpkin today.

WWNO

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:05:18 -0500

playing The Magic Flute on air— in its entirety— right now.

Coincidence? No, my friends.

Karmic birthday gift.

Garden gnomes.

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:18:58 -0500

Garden gnomes.

Breakfast.

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:43:17 -0500

Breakfast.

Just a few things I did for a recent commission. They’re...

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:50:00 -0500

Just a few things I did for a recent commission. They’re still rough, but they’re a good view of what the finished product will probably end up looking like/darn close to.

The first three are labels for a coffee company. There are about 8 all together, but these were my favorites. Black Widow is ridiculously campy, but I really liked that particular model’s photo shoot.

#4 is a poster for the club where most of the models’ photo shoot took place. I’ve been to this club a few times, but I think this is the VIP room (I never even knew this room existed… how uncool am I?*).

The last few pictures are mock ups I did early on in this job. The first is closer to what he wanted (vintage mag look), and the last two are for a B-movie/grindhouse-y concept that I tried to push. The logo/crest is something I did on a whim… my employer and I shared a laugh over it, and then he was like, “But… you weren’t serious, right?”

*PS, Tumblr, no. I do not want people to answer that.

Wonderland @ the NYPL Digital Gallery A bunch of really wicked...

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:18:00 -0500

Wonderland @ the NYPL Digital Gallery

A bunch of really wicked photos of old Alice in Wonderland stage productions. My favorite group starts around 32/108, with the giant Tenniel-inspired set decorations.

A: Alright, then. And now, bed.

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:47:00 -0500

A: Alright, then.

And now, bed.

Q: How much of this can I complete in an hour?

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:46:54 -0500

Q: How much of this can I complete in an hour?

Neighborhood Grocer, pt. 2

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:52:11 -0500

My favorite cashier is this old woman who works the afternoon shift, a dour little lady with white hair and a permanent scowl. She never speaks— which I like— but merely glares at everyone over the top of her horned-rimmed glasses. You know the type. (And, yes, her glasses are attached to a chain, and, yes, I’m pretty sure she bleeds pure cigarette-scented whiskey.)

I’ve been going to this store since April, and she’s never spoken a word to me, other than to tell me my total. Which she only does sometimes. Not even a “have a nice day,” because I’m pretty sure that if she’s not having one (she never seems to be), she sure as hell isn’t going to wish one upon anyone else. I can respect that.

It was pouring down raining this afternoon, and I’d walked over in a hoodie. As I was checking out, she looked at me archly and said in her gravelly voice, “Hope you brought an umbrella.”

I think that’s the nicest thing she’s ever said to anyone.

Neighborhood Grocer

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:09:00 -0500

“I’m coming to your house for dinner,” the woman behind me said. She gestured with her wedding band hand. “Apples. Cheese. Melba toast, hummus. That’s my kind of dinner. …See, when you’re cooking for two boys, it’s sloppy joes and hot dogs.” Manwich cans clunked together as she put them on the electric belt.

I smiled, and reminded myself not to say something assy like, “Dear god, that’s why I don’t have children.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I lingered for like 5 minutes over the Hamburger Helper back there.”

She laughed. “I appreciate that.”

Not that anyone asked, but I'm going to mention it anyway.

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:22:00 -0500

I prefer being a barista to being in retail sales. I work in a store that allows me (ahem) to do both, especially when the cafe business is slow.

I’m not saying that there aren’t pushy coffee people.

But most people tend to be a lot nicer when they think there’s a chance they might be drinking your spit.

I like that.