I love Minnesota. It's awesome. You should go there sometime.
This was my first time home in quite some time - my folks have completely remodeled the house I grew up in, and yet it still feels as cozy as it always has - just an additional two fireplaces, a jacuzzi, a massive flat screen TV and Blu-ray player (way to go Dad)!
It was a nice break, albeit short lived, from my hellish full-time job, but I made the most of it. There were many nature hikes, cups of coffee, late night burgers at Perkins with friends, and family poker games. I also stopped by my buddy
Brett's office at
Circle Six Design - always cool to see the crazy stuff he's working on!
In other news, I've been working away in the studio on some new stuff, much of it is in the early stages, but I'll keep ya'll updated. I've also been reading a LOT of comics... someday I want to do a post about all the stuff I read, music I listen to, etc - but that's for another day.
For now, here are some random fun projects I've recently finished:
"HOME" - album artwork
ver.1 ver.2
My Dad's Jazz Ensemble is releasing this CD this week of jazz standards and some original compositions, I was asked to the the cover and interior booklet art. We decided that the first version I completed focused a little too much on the album title, and also cramped the scenery. Thus we ended up deciding on version 2. That rocky formation in the background is
sugar loaf, Winona's very own epic rock outcrop.

interior art - ink, digital - 2008
I had A LOT of fun working on the interior art. We wanted to think of something that represented each individual of the ensemble while still fitting into the theme, and having enough room for the text. I have always marveled at the variety of shoes in the world, and I loved the idea that each pair could say a little something about it's owner. It was interesting making a list of each student and trying to find the best "fit", har har!
Another of my Dad's students did the type treatment, and I'm really pumped to see how it all turned out!

My good friend Meg's sister Tish is a world class boxer about to turn professional. To celebrate this milestone, She and her family asked me to make a design for a screen-printed t shirt of a boxing peanut with her nickname "Cacahuate."

My uncle Brad has an insane collection of spiders, butterflies and other fun stuff. He preserves them and makes these fantastic display sculptures. He requested I make a drawing of a Tiger Beetle head.

For those of you who don't know, tiger beetles are RAD. For reals. I did this drawing in exchange for some cheesy fantasy posters that are now hanging up in my apartment - thanks Brad!