Rogue Wave

Some of these tee-shirt designs might be seen in the near future around Boca Raton, Florida for a new sun and surf shop. The owner liked 2 or 3 of these and the shop is scheduled to open soon.

I sold my first greeting card on June 6, 2013 on Card Gnome, a virtual greeting card company representing independent artists. The buyer can customize a message inside the cards and also purchase package deals. The cards are printed on recycled paper and mailed to the recipient directly or the buyer to deliver in person. My App series of cards, for everyday hellos and birthday wishes, was uploaded to my storefront on June 5, 2013. The sunshine app was purchased. You can visit my store at www.cardgnome.com/shops/hi-art-press

Featured in Photoshop User Magazine April 2013 Issue

I responded to an ad on Craigslist in mid February 2013 looking for designers and illustrators who wanted to participate in the Make Over section of Photoshop User magazine. I said to myself, "Why not? Sounds fun."

I was selected and now featured in Photoshop User magazine for the April 2013 issue on page 28 - now on news stands (Barnes & Noble). The make over was a hypothetical redesign for a photographer's Web site in south Florida. I picked up the copy from Barnes & Noble today. I was a little giddy on the drive over and anxious with anticipation as I flipped through the pages. I told the check out clerk I was featured in the mag and she congratulated me with genuine enthusiasm. And some nice comments and Likes on Facebook. Great feeling.

French Art Deco Poster Inspired Tees

This illustration and design was for a local electrician union for potential tee shirt designs. Inspired from French Art Deco Posters and the illustration of Douglas Fraser. The concepts were not used and are available for purchase. Created in Adobe Illustrator CS6.

I have been a sponsor for Special Olympics for Columbia County Schools in Georgia for 13 years. I provide a tee-shirt design every year pro-bono based on a theme or phrase that the committee selects.

The opening ceremonies were held this morning and it's always moving to see the kids and volunteers wearing my design. Hustle & Heart is the theme for this year. From a design perspective I noticed nearly half of the designs I've created contain an athletic figure - here are a few of them.

Hip Hop

Here is a concept that was not selected by a prospective client. The only direction given was to create something that represents hip hop. I started out with a silhouetted form of the guy and girl figure, then wanted to try something more abstract and graffiti-like. A style I have been exploring in my illustration work is a gesture squiggle line. I am happy with the result and think this would be a good fit for promoting the show, "So you think you can dance" - maybe I'll contact them. It might look great as a poster promoting a festival or dance event also.

Sony Nex-5R Camera

I purchased my Sony Nex-5R camera on January 25, 2013. Loving it! Can't wait to start capturing images. Really want to take a day road trip and shoot some outdoor scenes. To get to know the camera better I did a rice bowl study and shot these without the flash. These are rice bowls that are 60 and maybe even 70 years old (circa 1940s) that were used at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association for several years for dinners and banquets.

Camera Fever

On the left is a Yashica-Mat camera my grandfather used in the late 1950s and 60s - it's now on my mantle as a treasured heirloom. I am really excited to be looking at the Sony Alpha Nex-5R as my next camera. I've been using a Sony Cybershot 5 mpx 4x zoom compact camera the last 8 years (from 2004) - loved this camera and I believe over 40,000 shots were taken with it (the image counter has cycled about 4 or 5 times). The new Alpha Nex series offers interchangeable lenses and has gotten some stellar reviews. I'm using more photography in my personal work and will be able to offer professional like work once I get my hands on this camera.

I have talked to someone local about creating a postcard series or flip book that would be scenes, landscapes and landmarks around the Augusta area. Then apply a design treatment around the series to give it a unique look for retail. I'll be pitching the designs by the summer. So this means I need to get my new camera and start shooting.

Art Prints now on Hi-Art Press

More works of art are showing up on Hi-Art Press. These are landscapes or a more appropriate name, 'coastalscapes'. These 2 prints are some of my favorite images I've taken and are framed in my home studio (as you can see in the desk calendar shot on my mantle). One is 'Driftwood' taken in the middle of winter on Tybee Island, GA and the other is a coastline at dusk on Fripp Island, SC. Both images are printed on my 2013 Nature Desk Calendar. If you order a print you'll get a FREE calendar. Visit  Hi-Art Press to view and purchase original works of art.

2013 Nature Desk Calendar

I designed, photographed and illustrated this original work of art intended as a self-promotion piece sent out to family, friends and prospective clients. There are plans to enter the piece in PRINT's Regional Design Annual competition later this month. I really loved the final outcome of the calendar and decided to print a few extra. Over 300 calendars have been distributed around the country and one was sent to Australia. A few local stores in Augusta, GA are retailing the calendar - including the gift shop of the Morris Museum of Art. 

Personal photography I took of southern coastal and inner waterways, combined with custom digital illustration, make this limited edition calendar a whimsical wonderland to be enjoyed throughout the year. 

The desk calendars are 4 sets of postcards (4"x6") with 3 months each and professionally printed on a 14pt board stock with a matte finish. Visit http://www.hi-artpress.com to purchase a calendar for $5 with FREE Shipping. The back of the calendar has some information behind the artwork and artist and a blurb about Animal Alliterati, an abc eBook that I wrote and illustrated (available on the iBookstore and NOOK). Thank you for supporting an indie artist.