Birds of the Middle West

India ink on bristol board

Metro Map Revised

Added Commerce Twp., Mt. Clemens, Grosse Ile, Pleasant Ridge. Adjusted Plymouth and Bloomfield Hills. I've discovered an odd space between Flat Rock and Gibraltar. Every map I've checked doesn't provide many clues but it was interesting to find that Fort Street merges with I-75 in this area.

Preliminary

I've been working on he Greater Detroit Metro area. Just a little more nudging and it's done. Also need to add Grosse Isle down river. I could go even more vast encompassing all of Southeast Michigan. Someday. Imagine a giant print about 8' x 6' with every little city and town perfectly in scale. Some areas overwhelming and some requiring a magnifying glass.

Figure Compilation

I haven't posted any figure drawings in awhile.

William C. Durant (left) and J. Dallas Dort

It begins.

Get out your magnifying glasses

I was recently introduced to the city posters of Ork and was inspired to do my own version. I wanted my layout to be more true to grid of the city. I relished every second meticulously researching neighborhoods and finding their bounds. Admittedly there were some gaps of knowledge. In this case a neighborhood has been denoted by a nearby park or playfield. I am open to and encourage suggestions by those with disputes provided they site references. Consider this a malleable document much like cities in general and certainly the city it represents.

I plan on screen printing these with the final size being 16" x 16". The smallest details will be visible at this size. Any takers?

For the most maligned city in America...

Here's a photo of the final product. I apologize for the poor photography. I promise that the print output was handled very nicely.

30th Detroit Jazz Festival Poster (update)

I'm very proud to announce that one of my designs was chosen as the official poster for the 30th Detroit Jazz Festival. The theme was 'A Great Day in Detroit' with the Guardian Building as inspiration. This building is an art deco masterwork and a national treasure (not just my opinion, certified National Landmark). If you consider yourself a Michigander and have never stepped foot into the lobby of this tribute to industry then shame on you.

I will be present for the unveiling of the festival lineup and poster this Wednesday April 29, 2009. Thanks to Matt for alerting me to this opportunity and thanks to those who selected me.

Ben

This is Ben. He likes to draw. He is quite good at it. Notice his unorthodox kung fu grip on that pencil.

Check out his work here.

New undertaking

There's a brand new project in the works that I'm very excited about. I may call on some of you for accuracy and/or flag waving. Here's a preview.

Transparent Pigs

This is a painting I did for a benefit called Arts & Crass (February 21) curated by a friend. Various artworks will be auctioned/raffled off to support The Wellness Community of West Los Angeles.









































Acrylic on Gesso Board, 8" x 8"

















Drawing on back

30th Detroit Jazz Festival Poster

The Arts League of Michigan recently held a poster design competition. This was my submission and it was selected to be shown amongst other designers in an exhibition. The Detroit Jazz Festival will be picking the winner for the official poster soon. I have another submission and I may/may not post that soon.

On this day in history...

Berry Gordy forms Tamla Records with an $800 loan from his family in Detroit, Michigan. Tamla would later become Motown Records, the largest black owned enterprise up until that time.

The sound that put motion to Motown. Often imitated, never duplicated. Accept no substitutes.

Happy 50th Motown.