F-f-f-f-finals!

Closing page for my portfolio with a Texan twist ;)

Ad for the event Blues on the Green in Austin

Goose Girl book spread without color

Goose Girl book spread colorized :P

These are a few of my final projects from my winter quarter at SCAD. All of these were done in ballpoint pen, and then later digitally colored. As much as I love watercolor, Photoshop seems to be growing on me due to fast-paced deadlines.
 The first is my closing page for my Portfolio Class, which will be the last page presented in my printed portfolio. Because I'm from Texas, I felt that I should represent - in this case, the Jackalope. I think I'm going to explore drawing more variety of animals in my spare time; so fun!

I suppose I was on a Texas kick when I decided to illustrate an ad for Blues on the Green in my Vector Illustration class. I had some fun and did a pun  on Edouard Manet's  Le déjeuner sur l'herbe (Luncheon on the Grass) with the placement of the figures and a little bit of editing. I felt that the mood was so fitting. The last 2 images were also from my Portfolio Class. I chose to illustrate a less popular Grimm fairytale, The Goose Girl. This image would be for a children's book, but the story is a bit dark in nature . . . I love it. It's a little lengthy, but it's the perfect revenge story! The actual size of the drawing took a long time using ballpoint pen, but I really would like to continue illustrations for this fairytale. Maybe others too!

Ek Chuah

 label

back of box

side illustration (cacao tree)

side illustration (Mayan temple)

front of box

Yes, it seems I've been doing lots of product illustrations lately! This is yet another package design project for my Type & Image class. I chose to make up my own beer to illustrate the 6 pack case it would come in. Dark chocolate stout sounded like a fun and exotic variation on a universally loved beverage. Going with the chocolate theme, I did my research on the origin of chocolate discovered by the ancient Mayans over 2000 years ago. I found it even more interesting that they first consumed chocolate as a beverage!

I came to the name Ek Chuah because its the name of the Mayan patron god of chocolate. I always love researching mythology and symbolism to incorporate into my illustration work. All of the illustrations for my template have symbolic connection to Mayan mythology and chocolate.

I will also add photos of my mini mock-up 6 pack soon! It's kind of cute! Now, I really want to try some chocolate stout beer for myself . . . .

Opening portfolio image . . .

This is an illustration I did as a vignette for the opening page in my portfolio. I wanted the image to be a bit simplistic with plenty of open space for my name, which I added later. I had in mind to do an image that would maybe go with a wine label, perhaps a Pinot Noir. Something sensual and dark . . .

For some reason this JPEG file of my image looks messier than it should. The color is a little off, too . . . Might update this soon!

J'aime ce fromage!

Front of package with individual cheese wedges

Back of package

This is a packaging project that I did for my Vector & Raster Illustration class. I had to create my own template and design illustrations for a product. I made up my own brand of cheese, inspired by Liz Lemon's recurring night cheese munchies from NBC's television show 30 Rock. I confess that I am addicted that show! I wanted to make up a brand that seemed like a gourmet French cheese, so I decided upon Fromge de Lune - meaning Moon Cheese in French.
And, yeah, I did animals again! They were fun! I left the raccoons eyes white, so they looked like animals when their eyes reflect light in the dark. The raccoons kind of represent that late hour of the night/dark hours of the early morning when you get the munchies . . . You can't go wrong with cheese!

So I did a poster!

 

When first I heard about the Savannah Stopover Festival and that the event was holding a poster contest, I was soooooo excited! I knew I had to gather something together for it. I came across this was a large drawing I started a few months ago, but never finished. Within just 1 1/2 days, I scrammed to finish this 18 x 24 drawing . . . I loved most of the music groups that will be performing at the Savannah Stopover Festival, but I chose to use my image for the band Xray Eyeballs because I think it fits their mood, music, and aesthetics.

I personally would like if my craftsmanship was better, but there's only so much time I could take using a ballpoint pen. I think it came out alright, but if I had a choice I would have started working on it a week ago.

 The 2011 Savannah Stopover Festival is March 9-12! If you're in Savannah, GA and love music you should check out the bands playing and figure out how to score some tickets!!! Do it!

"Run, Pig, Run"

Final book jacket in color

This was my first project doing a complete book jacket. I had the most difficult time choosing exactly what book I would want to do a cover for, but I kept being drawn to William Golding's Lord of the Flies. I have pretty much loved majority of the literature I've read in high school and college, and I still feel Lord of the Flies has been in my list of top 3 literary works. So much symbolism and depth, I could re-read that book every year. There are so many themes to analyze and interpret, and the characters are so richly developed.

I wanted to communicate the fear and chaos of the lost boys; yes, almost like mocking the lost boys of Peter Pan's weird story. Don't judge me, but I always hated Peter Pan, because I think Lord of the Flies is a realistic portrayal of how the Peter Pan tale really would be. Dark, miserable, and abandonment of most inherent moral principles due to fear. I mean, what would Peter Pan's little buddies do if there wasn't any food to eat? By invoking more animalistic and aggressive behavior, the young boys were better able to cope with their fear and sense of longing. Survival was priority, but each boy desperately so wanted to be socially accepted by the others.

I was also listening to Queens of the Stone Age's Run, Pig, Run . . .

Mr. Fox Meets Mr. Red

Mr. Fox Meets Mr. Red 

I always wished I would have learned to skateboard. It's still a possibility to learn, but while I'm in art school I suppose I can just stick to designing the decks . . . . NOTE: Details look so much better up close or zoomed in!

This skateboard deck design was done while I was experimenting and learning with Adobe Illustrator. I used to hate this program with a passion, but now I actually love it! I scanned in the ball point pen drawing of the fox and cardinal, and created the image with layers of texture from old leather, cracked cement, and coffee stains. I actually really enjoyed doing this, and I think I might create a few more for a set!