Knitting

Knitting
Originally uploaded by Bigfoot Creative KC

Rawr via Photojojo - the story of happiness...

Rawr via Photojojo - the story of happiness...
Originally uploaded by Bigfoot Creative KC

...one more thing

I didn't want to overdose everyone in just one post, so I'm breaking this down a bit into a second post. One thing I've been trying to do is get a bit more hands on with my work. When I'm not doing my day job, I tend to doodle and daydream. Because I sit in front of a computer all day, I practically have to force myself to get a bit more hands on when it comes to creating any type of image. I got myself one of those one-a-day sketchbooks a while back and over the last two months, been trying to get back into the habit of drawing on a regular basis. I wasn't about to get my hopes up and think I could actually do one a day, everyday. It's entirely too much to ask. I obviously have plenty to do. So, from time to time, I'll be sitting somewhere and pull it out to sketch. Oddly enough I can't seem to figure out what I want to sketch around me, so I've been sketching what is literally right in front of me; I've been sketching my feet.

I'm not sure I'm going to keep going with the feet deal, but it is a nice change from my insane, whimsical style.

Good Riddance 2010, Wait... What!?! Is it 2012 yet!?!

So we're all back from the holiday hurdle. Well, most of us that is. After the shenanigans that I have been through in 2010, I was glad to welcome the new year with open arms. A clean slate right? Don't we all get that feeling when the new year comes around? I guess I can't speak for most of you but I sure do. I always feel like the new year brings a whole new set of promises or opportunities, if you will.

After starting a new job, breaking some ribs after a nasty fall, learning I'm allergic to glutens, the Christmas excursion across the state then being broken down on the side of the highway at 9pm Christmas eve, getting back home to find that I needed a whole new engine in my car and finally braking the passenger-side window in our only remaining car, I have never been more ready for that clean slate. Now, I've embellished a bit here. The broken window happened after midnight new year's eve, but I did lose a button today on a jacket I've only worn once so that makes me a bit more jaded toward 2011 already. BRING ON 2012! The fact that I'm so willing to embrace the year of our apocalypse according to the few out there who still think that is

going to happen, speaks volumes.

Okay, this isn't a woe is me post. Really. I'm not asking for a pity party. Really, I've been up to a ton lately. I've been super busy with work, which is awesome, and I've been super busy pushing myself to the limits with my creativity.

Back in September, I got another opportunity to work with Clifton and Chase over at Reactor. They asked me to do an illustration for Intelligent Utility magazine. Not only was I proud to work with these awesome guys again, I was super proud to learn that it was going to be a cover illustration with some highlight spots on the inside.

I also started Sketching a ton more in my sketchbook lately.

Some of these I can't offer any explanation for. It's just my brain working without parameters.

Happy Holidays-ish

This sketch was sitting in my sketchbook for a while. Then it sat for about three weeks on my laptop. I've been meaning to get it up but there have been a lot of things happening in life lately. (Isn't that always my story?) I know, it's a redundant theme in my life but it's true. It's been an emotional roller coaster for me the last few months. I did manage to get it on our yearly Christmas card, so I feel I've accomplished something. 

Oddly enough I think my subconscious is trying to get me back to my inner-child/immature self or something like that. I have four more illustrations I have done in my sketchbook that are all goofy and child-like. Not that my 'doodles' aren't normally goofy, but recently they have a little innocence about them. I had some downtime tonight and happen to bring my laptop with me, so I decided to finally get out some holiday message to all few of my devoted and frequently returning followers. You know who you are. 

So without further ado, please excuse my semi-boring attitude, and go out and enjoy the holiday season. Watch a little It's a Wonderful Life. That does the trick for me all the time.

KC AIGA Reach Out and Read Poster Contest

Kansas City AIGA hosted a call for entries in a poster to support Reach Out and Read® Kansas City. The theme was based off the idea of early reading to help reduce illiteracy and help build early child development. Working with one of the copywriters at my work, Doug Salva, we put our heads together and submitted a few ideas. Like old fashion I had so much going on that I waited until the last day/minute to submit our work. 

Of course the results won't be in until February, but I was still excited to take part. It was a really fun experience and a nice change of pace from the very commercial work I've been doing lately.

You can read more about it here.

I love awesome people...

A little over a year ago, some GREAT friends of mine hired me to do some quick sketches of them for their business cards. These awesome friends are from REACTOR design studio. These guys, Chase and Clifton, are awesome. No, scratch that, they are EPIC. To my surprise, the business cards received some mention on the AIGA site for their A6 awards. What pleased me was that they included me in the mention, and it totally made my day. I have to say that being a part (even if it was an incredibly small part) of their project was great.

So, I proceeded to parade around for five minutes cheering for myself, and I shall spend much longer continuously cheering for the guys over at REACTOR. Congrats to them for being so mind-blowingly awesome at making sure print is indeed not dead, and for being such awesome people to work with.

A Taste...

of what I've been working on lately....

Illustratin'

Having Technical Difficulties...