Flesh Failures Animation (boards)

I’ve recently started storyboarding for a one minute motion design piece. It’s basically an exercise in timing, composition and synchronization. The audio track is pulled from the song “The Flesh Failures (Let The Sunshine In)" written by James Rado, Gerome Ragni and Galt MacDermot 1969. On a sonic level the song is relatively upbeat despite it’s lyrics which are rather stark, psychedelic and rather grim at times. It is my intention to create a cohesive look and feel throughout the animation; subtly changing the visual tone thus creating a visual narrative that culminates in a burst imagery and energy to close out the animation. My primary tools for animation will be flash, after effects and hand drawn animation and of course Adobe CS. Type, layout and illustration are important elements in the design so I’ve also decided to create a small printed book to accompany the animations. Wish me luck!

JakeOne Promo Spot

+ Took me about a week, from concept to completion.
This was done using Adobe After Effects.

Jake One Campaign

+ Client - JakeOne & Rhymesayers Entertainment
I've recently hooked up with Rhymesayers Entertainment to create an Album campaign for the incredible Hip-Hop Producer Jake One. Jake One has crafted the musical soundscapes for everyone from De La Soul, MF DOOM, 50 Cent to Mary J. Blige just to name a few. It was my task to create the overall look and feel of JakeOne's "White Van Music" . I created everything from CD packaging, Web Banners, Stickers, Posters to the Jake One's MySpace page. I also created a 1 minute Motion Graphics spot to promote the launch of the new album. (that was definitely a treat) Props to Spike Mafford for the great photography.

+ JakeOne album cover art



+ JakeOne logo-type



+ JakeOne banner comp



+ JakeOne type treatments

+ Untitled 22" x 28"
This particular piece is a personal favorite of mine. It represents the culmination of years artistic exploration. A synthesis of thoughts, feelings and aesthetics. I think I'm getting there.

+ Untitled Digital Mixed , 16"x 22"

+ Untitled (Trust) 22x 36 acrylic on wood
Relationships can often skew our perspectives and at times, blind us completely.There are many mysteries and unknown truths to experience and touch. I feel that trust is something that's hard to acquire and keep. The rewards can be fleeting or everlasting. And the strength needed to acquire trust can be hard to muster.

+ Catching Dreams 16x 22 Mixed Digital
This is a mixed media piece; ink, photoshop and watercolor. The piece revolves around the idea of catching ones dreams. In this particular case floating jellyfish are the personification of said dreams.

+ Gnarles Barkley's Who's Gonna Save My Soul
This video is filled with so much visual poetry. It was directed by Chris Milk.
Well Done!

illustration process for self-promo

I've decided to post my process for a self-promo piece. It's always been a goal of mine to create a Bruce Lee illustration. I'm very pleased with the results. I've broken it down into 3 steps. Ink-work, flat color, and paint and texture. What i can't show is the all the time spent experimenting with color and texture. That's where it all comes together.

time frame:
sketches and inking approximately 4 hours
color and texture approximately 3.5 hours

I Dream I Dreamed gallery opening

+ I recently took part in the I Dream I Dreamed art exhibition at the Fox Tax Gallery in Minneapolis. Lots of people, art and of course wine. Here are a few pics form the show. Photos by Stephen Stephens and myself.

+ the mysterious Deuce Seven



+ the youthful and talented Rudy Fig

+ some random loser posing in front of my work. urgh!
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Self Promational // Digital

+ When Dreams Collide // Mixed Media & Digital, 24 x 18
This was a self promotional piece I created in February of 2008. What if marvelous and beautiful things occurred from extreme confrontation? This piece illustrates this question. It was a conscious decision to include youths of different ethnic origins. It was my way of commenting on the racial tensions that exist in society.


+ Original inking for the piece

Blkswantheory coming soon!