Here are some photos of tractor logos I shot at the Collier Memorial State Park Logging Museum coming back from Bend, OR a while back.
Local Resources
It is important to know what type of resources are available in your community. If you are planning on making where you live a home and viable business location you must know what the community offers. These days a lot of people go through life without ever stepping foot in their local library, museum, government offices etc. I have recently been making frequent trips to my local library to kill time and find inspiration. It is not the largest, most extensive library out there, but it has a lot of good reference tools. In perusing the art section I found a couple informative books on photography, composition, printmaking and various crafts. Most of the books are beginner oriented and fairly out of date, but they have intrigued and inspired me to try new projects.
My newest visit awarded me with the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines. I am treating the book like a text book, taking notes and reviewing the business principals it outlines. There is a lot of legal jargon that I don’t fully understand, but that is where the rest or the library can come in handy. If I have any questions on something like licensing I can cross reference it in the legal section (or just go online). I have also been told that there are business seminars put on by the local business groups and attended Art as Business seminars given by the Arts Council. These types of events are usually low cost and after normal business hours so they are easy to attend.
It may be easy to find a little work at local museums, utilities, non-profits, state parks or community
commissions. A lot of times these organizations are in need of revamping their identities which were last looked at decades ago. I have a friend that recently did a fantastic job redesigning our library’s ID. Jobs like these don’t always pay great, but in economic times like these any job is a good one and it is a chance to get your name out to the community.
Take the time to learn about your community resources and events. Rub elbows with some of the businesses, committees and so on, it could land you a couple of great gigs or you might just learn something.
Fear Change‽
This is an illustration I created for the TUO*COU apparel line last year. I decided to drop the line after the first shirt and never did anything with it. Like Fight Progress, Fear Change is a satirical motto I feel reflects the ethos of the majority of Tuolumnites. I did the outlines in pen and used Photoshop to color and texture it.
What’s Your Destiny?
Here are some photographs of the finished CD packaging for David Shapireau & West of Next. It is a great album and I am glad I was a part of it. I designed the outside, inside and disc image with a strong western influence to match the name of the band, but don’t let the look fool you. The album has “American and Celtic roots influences with twin guitars and arrangements with a different spin due to Shapireau’s background as a jazz composer and arranger. Humor and history are emphasized in the songs and presentation. Boundaries are pushed while the past is honored.” The band on this recording includes:
- Drums – Tony Dey of Van Morrison, Mike Bloomfield, Linda Ronstadt.
- Telecaster – Steve Randall of Richard March, Antoine Barbeaux, Kate Gaffney. Awarded best guitarist in Sacramento according to the 2007 Sacramento News & Review fan voting poll.
- Bass – Gabe Nelson of Cake (After this recording and a short tour Nelson disembarked to continued his work with Cake. They now have a new bassist, Paul Knutsen).
- Composer, Stratocaster, mandolin, acoustic guitar – David Shapireau of Taj Mahal, Maria Muldaur, Dan Hicks, Tower of Power, Don Reno, Tony Rice, Byron Berline, Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, Bela Fleck, Norton Buffalo, Steve Miller, Peter Rowan and more.
(I photographed them on a cow hide with my dad’s old Bowie knife to reflect the cover illustration)
Artist Survey #8: Tim Musso
Tim was my instructor in Computer Graphics at CSULB. He is well versed in the letterform, printmaking and design. His work is saturated with nuances and details, personality and nature. Under his guidance I learned to experiment through method and to look for the art in everyday experience. If you ever get a chance to attend his classes I suggest you do. It is priceless.
(UNTITLED : wood engraving : 8″x10″ : 2007)
(UNTITLED : silkscreen : 22″x30″ : 2007)
(UNTITLED : woodcut : 4’x8′ : 2007)
Name: Tim Musso
Location: Riverside, CA
Medium(s): Printmaking & Typography
What do you consider yourself (artist/designer/other)? Artist
Where can we see your work (place/publications/url)? I’ll have some of my typographic work as well as some prints on display at the Brandstater Gallery, La Sierra University, Riverside. Nov 10-23 and Nov 30-Dec 11
When did you start gaining interest in artistic forms of expression? I’ve always enjoyed making things and working on creative projects, so after high school it only made sense to study art in college. There is something fundamental to the human experience of working with your hands to express yourself.
Who/What inspired your interest? Natural forms are my primary source of inspiration.
Where do you first remember being exposed to art? I remember being entranced by the work of the graphic artist/printmaker M.C. Escher when I was very young. The strong contrast of the woodcut line with the interesting compositions and optical illusions really set me down the artistic path.
What is your day job? Professor of Art & Design
Why do you create? I would rather create than destroy.
Is there any recurring theme in your work? Natural forms and the written mark in its many various forms are elements that have been a focal point of my work for many years.
What do you want from your work? A means of working through ideas and the satisfaction of expressing and sharing these ideas through the creative process of mark making.
What do you want viewers to take from your work? Any chance to view the art/design of someone who has dedicated their life to visual expression is always a worthwhile experience. Art expresses the human condition in a way that nothing else can and therefore it has great value. I believe that anything that can open a person’s mind or engage their imagination ultimately has a positive role in our lives whether that be music, film, literature, art, or design.
How often do you work on personal projects? Since this semester has begun, about one day a week, usually Saturdays.
How often do you work on commissions or commercial work? Rarely.
Does your art support you financially? Teaching art and design supports my more personal creative explorations.
Do you feel preoccupied with your art, do you think about it often during the day and night and do you anticipate your next session? I look forward to sitting down and carving on my woodblock most often when I am busy doing something that I don’t want to be doing. Most people rot their minds with television to unwind from the day, but I usually find peace and restoration from carving on a block either engraving or cutting a block for a woodcut print.
What do you do in your spare time besides your art? Watch films, listen to music, read about economics and history, hike and take photographs.
Which musicians are you currently interested in? Black Diamond Heavies, Michael Franti, Aggrolites, Black Francis, Pressure Drop Soundcast (podcast), Mobtown Ska Sounds (podcast).
Are there any events you are looking forward to attending? I hope I can make it to the Southern Graphics Council (a big gathering of printmakers) this spring.
How long do you generally take on a piece? At least 50 hours.
Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of your art? No.
Do you work on multiple projects at once? I usually try to limit myself to one or two projects at a time.
Do you have trouble parting with your finished work? The great thing about printmaking is that you can make multiples, so I never have to part with my only copy of something that I have done.
UTLTRN for a special day…
I am tired of riffling through the greeting card section at the local supermarkets to find just the right card for the occasion. You know, one that says I know you, but not enough to think of my own special greeting. This year I resolved to make my own greeting cards. It just makes more sense. They are more personal, more interesting and say exactly what I want. Here are some cards I made recently for friends and family. I am currently working on a linocut holiday card. I will post it when it’s finished.
(Birthday card for my dad, front)
(Friend’s card front)
(Brother’s card open. Shirt coming soon.)
Create and Destroy
Here is some 80’s Thrasher throwback tag knockoff shizzel I drew with the calligraphy brushes on Illustrator. Maybe it will become a t-shirt. It’s up to you…
Artis Survey #7: Paris Raupach
(Domestic Spying)
(Gay Marriage)
(Capital Punishment)
Name: Paris Raupach
Location: San Francisco, CA
Medium(s): Watercolor, Digital
What do you consider yourself (artist/designer/other)? Artist/Illustrator/reluctant designer
Where can we see your work (place/publications/url)? www.parisraupach.com
When did you start gaining interest in artistic forms of expression? I’ve been drawing and creating art for as long as I can remember.
Who/What inspired your interest? I don’t know if I had a specific inspirational figure, but my parents always encouraged my artistic tendencies.
Where do you first remember being exposed to art? I remember having a baby sitter who always had us doing crafts… paper bag puppets and things like that. I always liked making things with my hands.
What is your day job? Custom picture framing
Why do you create? I have to… I’m driven to it. I’m naturally lazy so if it weren’t something that nagged at me all the time I probably wouldn’t bother.
Is there any recurring theme in your work? Yes. Politics almost always finds it’s way into my work.
What do you want from your work? Essh… what a question. Practically… employment, spiritually… I’d like to shock my audience into questioning their preconceived notions about a given subject.
What do you want viewers to take from your work? I would like people to ask themselves why they accept a particular belief as true. They may change their mind or reinforce what they already believed, but what I’m looking for is the act of questioning.
How often do you work on personal projects? These days… not so much. In a bit of a rut.
How often do you work on commissions or commercial work? These days…not so much. 😉 Not enough to quit the day job anyway. I’ll usually get a design job every couple months or so.
Does your art support you financially? Nope.
Do you feel preoccupied with your art, do you think about it often during the day and night and do you anticipate your next session? Yes. I constantly have new ideas. The difficulty is finding the time and motivation to work. Making art is not easy and can be heart breaking. Right now I’m having trouble getting started, but the ideas are always there.
What do you do in your spare time besides your art? Spare time? I guess walk the dog, or watch a good movie. I definitely spend too much time watching T.V. I am a news junky. I’m always reading political blogs or listening to talk radio.
Which musicians are you currently interested in? I’ve been rediscovering hip hop in my older years. Right now I’m really into Lupe Fiasco.
Are there any events you are looking forward to attending? I’m looking forward to going to the San Francisco Symphony. I’ve never been. It seems like something really classy to do.
How long do you generally take on a piece? I can put something together from concept to sketch to final painting within a day or two, but I usually spend a week or so on a painting.
Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of your art? Yep. Ended a six year relationship in part to pursue an art career. I also quit a pretty well paying job to go back to art school.
Do you work on multiple projects at once? Sometimes.
Do you have trouble parting with your finished work? Eh… not so much. I always photograph and often make prints of my work so I have a record. Plus my goal is to sell it, so it’s a good thing when a painting goes out the door and I have a check in my hand!
Mountain Women’s Resource Center
Here are some posters I was commissioned for the local women’s support group. The first is an awareness flier and the second is a typographic illustration for a birthday gift.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you think you need it Contact them here.
New Drafting Table!
Last week I got a kick ass drafting table from my friend Chris Deatsch. It came equipped with an over head lamp, a movable civil engineer protractor head with 10 alternate rulers, loads of drafting velum and grid paper, an eraser brush and some sweet vintage instructions and booklets from 1949. It was Chris’ grandfather’s who was a civil engineer for Stanislaus County before he passed a few years back. It will now be my typography table where I shall create alphabets, custom lettering and the occasional illustration. I am forever in debt to the Deatsch family for this magnificent gift and will make sure the table gets proper use.
(Here is the desk dominating my workspace. The light nearly touches the ceiling!)
