Category Archives: Inspiration

Coast // Island

Posted on November 1, 2012 | 5 Comments

On a recent weekend venture to the beautiful Oregon coast, we strolled with friends on the chilly, rainy beach, sat by a fire, and indulged in a late night feast.  Perhaps the highlight of our gourmet cuisine was the single bacon-wrapped Cheeto.  Actually no, that was really gross.

And Fall just isn’t quite complete without a soggy trip to Sauvie Island for pumpkin gathering and tromping around in the mud.  I collected a large number of “Mini Pump’s” (junior pumpkins and stripey gourds) and assorted larger pumpkins, which are now gently rotting on the steps of our porch.  Because Fall is the BEST SEASON EVER.

Hope ya’ll had a happy Halloween.

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Sasquatch

Posted on June 6, 2012 | 3 Comments

Approximately 25,000 people attend the Sasquatch Music Festival, an event that has been held annually at Washington’s outdoor venue, The Gorge, for the last decade.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, I accompanied Jake and other rad members from Portland’s Roundhouse Agency in an entourage to the festival grounds, where we set up a tent for Sasquatch’s first ever official yearbook photobooth.  Over the course of four days, we photographed, edited, and uploaded images, live and onsite, of some the craziest looking humans I’ve seen in awhile.

It was grueling, hard work – but a totally awesome project I was proud to be a part of.

Workstations.

Here’s how it worked: folks filled out an online form in which they stated their hometown, their name, favorite band, and then listed their nickname.  Their photo was taken against one of three provided backdrops using props.  Jake and I had direct access to the photographer’s images, which we then edited and posted online at the Sasquatch yearbook site.

We photographed about a tenth of the Sasquatch populations – over 2,400 – a slice of which included some the wildest specimens in furry costumes, the stoned, the tripping, the drunk.  At times when I dared to leave the safe haven of our tent, thrusting myself into teeming rivers of humans, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people in attendance.

Typical Sasquatchian trends:

And here is the creme de la creme of the photos Jake and I edited for the Sasquatch 2012 Yearbook.  If you so please, entertain yourself for awhile and check out the rest of the wild here.

 

(Creative nickname, dude.)

(Not drunk.  Maybe.  Maybe a lot drunk.)

(No Photoshop tricks!  I’d almost believe he was actually Spiderman, if he hadn’t called himself “Mastadon”.)

(God came down.  He has a lot on His plate.)

(Unprovoked nudity.  I made Jake edit this one.)

And finally, the one dude that truly represents the mind, body, and spirit of Sasquatch:

YOU GUYS.  There’s so much more, it was hard to narrow it down to these fine specimens.

Big ups to my dude Jake for the great design he lended to the backdrops, editing process, and interior of our little tent – ain’t he talented?

And special thanks to the Roundhouse crew & the good folks from Red Bull.  That was fun.

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Posted in Collaboration, Digital, Eagle + Wolf, Illustration, Inspiration

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From the Desk: February 17th, 2012

Posted on February 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

Hey!  It’s Jake….on a bridge.  In Forest Park!

Hey!  It’s me!  Holding……a bottle.  Cool.

We took these photos before Jake’s camera crapped out on us, while hiking about in Forest Park on Superbowl Sunday.  You know, that day people have bean dip parties and watch commercials and stuff.  The streets were a ghost town and it was a beautiful day with plentiful patio seating.

With my art show over I’ve been working on my first comic book, which I’ll be debuting at this year’s Stumptown Comics Fest!  I’ll be sharing a table with Working Class Press member Jim Hill.  That being said, I haven’t been doing too much Internetz surfing, but here and there I’ve discovered a few tasty bits:

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The illustrations by the awesome Jon Klassen for the new book, House Held Up By Trees, are beautiful, and remind me just a bit of my favorite painter Andrew Wyeth.

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Do you love/hate perfectly designed and appointed homes?  You’ll probably enjoy this blog.

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Quentin Blake illustrated some of my favorite childhood novels by Roald Dahl, including Matilda and The Witches.  This video tour of his studio archives and illustration process is truly fascinating.

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Illustrators & Cartoonists, get pissed: The NY Times is holding a contest for spec work, and the lucky winner will receive $200!  Apparently they contacted some of the top illustrators in the industry.  Another example of the infuriating struggle to get paid what you’re worth.

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This tumblr blog by Jon Rafman features an awesome collection of images taken by the Google Maps camera.  My favorites include the random Wayne & Garth cameo.

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Why Being Sleepy and Drunk Are Great for Creativity.  DUH.

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Illustrator and Laika storyboard artist Vera Brosgol shares her process for creating a comic book panel.  I love seeing how other people work!  Her post for the Hourly Comics Day is great too.

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This is kinda random, but after watching the Jean Michel Basquiat documentary, Radiant Child, I was mesmerized by the music during the end credits.  It’s hard to track down, but take a listen.  Preferably while it’s raining (Portland: check!) and you’re feeling introspective and wistful.  Warning – there’s saxophone.

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Here’s another peek at a process that I loved: Carson Ellis shares the sketches and ideas that led up to the book cover for her husband Colin Meloy’s first novel, Wildwood.  Wonderful and insightful.

I’m off to start a gloomy and rainy weekend.  Happy Friday kids.  Cheers!

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Matchy Matchy

Posted on February 15, 2012 | 3 Comments

While a bunch of people woke up that Saturday morning and thought, “Yeah I’m just gonna throw on these track pants and sloppy t-shirt and I know it’s February but fuck it – I’m wearing flip flops”, this lady also woke up and said, “I’m going to wear my coral tweed jacket with fur trim and coordinating skirt, stockings, and heels, and yes, of course my hair will be done”.  She wins over everybody, hands down.

NW 23rd Avenue & Everett.

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Posted in Inspiration, Portland People

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Tim Roth | Workers & Tools

Posted on January 16, 2012 | 1 Comment

Friend and Lemolo contributing photographer Tim Roth hosted his second photography exhibit at the Coffeehouse Northwest last Thursday.  Dubbed Workers & Tools, this group of large-format photographs showcases six various Portland specialists and the tools of their trade.

And looky here – yep, that’s Mr. Elias Grey, proprietor of Lemolo Baggage,  himself!  Oh, what a tangled web we weave.

Tim’s photos will be up through the end of January, stop in and grab a cup a delicious joe and partake of some art.

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Posted in Gallery Show, Inspiration

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Adieu

Posted on January 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

WHAT!  2011 was awesome; as the year plodded steadily on I experienced a series of small accomplishments and adventures that I hope will build to an even more totes awesome new year in 2012.

Here’s why:

My solo show, Lost Pages, opened in January, to great success.

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Eagle & Wolf hosted our first ever Drink & Draw at Apex in SE Portland!  Beers were imbibed!  Sketches were made!  And we still host the event monthly.

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Jake & I finally moved from a cramped “shack” to a legitimate house, giving us the room to set-up a large studio.  (I still work on the couch with pizza crumbs all over my face.)

Also, we have a garage where we can keep our bikes clean and dry ((MAJOR BONUS!!)).  Also, a spare room to practice our primal screaming.

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Shortly after, we hosted a Housewarming/Birthday party for which I made infused liquors along with custom labels.  So good!

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Jake & I collaborated as Eagle & Wolf for a our first big public project.

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I entered an illustration contest hosted by one of my favorite illustrators, Jillian Tamaki, and won!

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In July, I celebrated my 30th birthday in style in the beautiful city of San Francisco.  Along with the fantastic dining, drinking, and Tenderloin….”adventures”, we were also fortunate enough to meet up with amazing artists Ward & Vivienne.  It was an eye-opening experience.

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I SAW THE GOONIES HOUSE.

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I SAW A MUCH CREEPIER HOUSE ELSEWHERE IN ASTORIA.

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In October, I illustrated the cover for an issue of the Willamette Week.

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LEMOLO!

After a photoshoot trip to the Oregon coast in September, months of hard work, & collaborating with good folks, Eagle & Wolf helped launch the Lemolo Baggage website.  Not only did we enjoy working with our dear friend Elias Grey,  it was also one of the best highlights of the year.

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We hosted an epic Halloween party that was a complete mess.

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I started making comics and became seriously addicted at a time when, uhhh, well, I don’t have much time to make them!  (Watch out, 2012.)

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After a long two years, I finally went back to my desert homeland of Arizona and reconnected with family and friends.  Jake finally got to see “where I’m from” (a flat brown land of vast nothingness), and we soaked up some 70 degree sunshine.  Also, Sedona.

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And finally, in September I found out I’d be showing at Guardino Gallery in 2012.  For the last few months I’ve been finger-painting stick figures like CRAZY!  See the news works, Sticks & Stones, this January.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that because of all my wonderful readers, this little blog here has, once again, experienced tremendous growth in the last year.  So, thank you, thanks for caring and for your curiousity and lovely comments.  Here’s hoping for big things in the new year!

CHEERS YALL

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Posted in Illustration, Inspiration, Lemolo

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Desert Dreamin’

Posted on December 14, 2011 | Leave a comment

I’ve been gone long enough now that I can finally appreciate certain things about Arizona that I took for granted before – big blue sky almost every single day, spectacular sunsets, and when you drive out of the valley – endless desert hills dotted with cacti and dry brush.

We stayed with my good friend Lauren in the charming neighborhood of old town Tempe; it’s one of the few places that remind me of the bungalows in Portland.

It was going to be 70 degrees that day.  I was stoked, Lauren was bummed.  Why?  Because it was a sunny billion degrees there for like 8 months in a row.  When she visits us, she’s always excited that it’s gray, gloomy, and raining.

On Saturday we were a trio of flannels.  Since this was Jake’s first time to Arizona, we were taking a day trip out to Sedona, where snow dusted the red rocks and the day was clear as a bell.  It’s so beautiful out there, you could literally point and click a camera anywhere and it’d be (almost) impossible to take a shitty picture.


The rest of time was spent visiting with family and my old friends.  I showed Jake around the city and took him to all my old schools and favorite haunts.  We ended our day trip with a late night around a firepit drinking Budweiser and listening to Merle Haggard.  It was perfect.


It sure was good to visit home again.  To my AZ homies, I’ll miss you.  Until we meet again.

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Posted in Eagle + Wolf, Inspiration

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Cacti

Posted on December 13, 2011 | 2 Comments

I have yet to sort through all the photos from our recent trip to Arizona, but these shots taken in a “Cactus Room” at a roadside tourist shop in Sedona will undoubtedly stand out as my favorites.  I kiiiiiinda want my whole house to look like this, but given the Portland climate, I suppose that’s a little impractical.  Oh well.  A girl can dream, right?

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Revisit | Head in Heart

Posted on November 10, 2011 | 1 Comment

When Jake & I teamed up to create the logo for Head in Heart earlier this year, I already knew that the photographer behind the lens, Brittney Myers, was very talented.

But it wasn’t until I visited her blog again last week that I saw how much her talent has blossomed.  It was this post in particular that really took my breath away – in it she perfectly captures a beautiful family during their day at the beach.  Dudes, it’s amazing.  If you don’t feel the love from the photos, you are probably an empty vessel of a human being.

Go see the full post here, and see more of Brittney’s gorgeous photography here – seriously, go!

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From the Desk: August 11th, 2011

Posted on August 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

Dots & Stripes

It’s been a little more quiet than usual here on my blog, but that is not the case in my studio.  For the past week all the research and portfolio-building I’ve been accomplishing over the last few months will finally come together in the form of Promotional Mailers.  A lot of work goes into the self-promotion of any artist, and I’ll be happy to share my process with you later.

In the meantime, here are my favorite links from around the web this week!

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Great old-school designs on this collection of beer cans, featured by Design Envy.

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Also from Design Envy, illustrator Jessica Hische highlights this elaborate typography design from Like Minded Studio.

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These photographs of Frances Bean Cobain by Hedi Slimane are blowing up all over the internet, and for good reason – Kurt’s kid is now 18, and she’s a babe.

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Gettin’ older all the time, geez!  The film Stand By Me came out 25 years ago.

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Seen it before, but I had to look again: The 50 Most Stylish New Yorkers.

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Skeletons & vinyl records?  Count me in?  Maybe?

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Yes, CBS, it’s true, Portland has a pinball gang.  As a bartender, I’ve served many of the people featured in this news video, and they’re all super nice folks!  Their gang even has an initiation ritual.

Want to become a freelance illustrator? Where do you start?  Here are some of the resources that have been incredibly helpful in putting together my promotional mailers:

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Even though this guide is meant for writers submitting manuscripts, many of the same principles can be applied to illustrators: Rites of Submission: Cover Letters and Query Letters, by Jacqueline K. Ogburn.

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While these two women are working in a different field of interest than I am focused on, I highly recommend these two articles if you want to become a freelance illustrator:

Yes, it’s old, but this 2001 article by illustrator Phyllis Pollema-Cahill provides an excellent analysis of what to include in your promotional packet.  Ten years later, more art editors in every field STILL request direct mail – by a landslide.

Indispensable advice also provided by illustrator Heather Castles on How to Promote Yourself as an Illustrator.

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Those are the links of the week!  Til next time!

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Posted in From The Desk, Inspiration

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