Brother Ali Us Break Down

Thought I would share a little bit of process behind the Brother Ali “Us” Album. This was a highly anticipated album. Every track is rich and full of life. Ali tells stories of triumph, love, pain and hope. But above all else this is an album that celebrates our similarities. This is without a doubt my favorite project. And I'm extremely privileged to have been a part of it.

Concepts, aka chopping chopping block.

From the start I was reminded of the Walker Art Centers Collection tile “Bits & Pieces Put Together To Present A Semblance Of A Whole”. Which is what any work of art is in the end. I just loved the line semblance of a whole. I think most artist feel that the final product is merely a semblance of something “complete”. It's really about the process and the Bits and pieces.

These are three initial concepts created for the cover. Because it's all about the cover. Inspired be Keith Harings illustration and the interactions of his characters; I decided to Illustrate stylized characters reminiscent of figurines found in African and tribal art.

The decision was made to use more realistic human-like characters in the end.

Believe it or not. Kara Walker was not my main source of inspiration. Even though I'm a huge fan of Kara's works.

It seems that the Ali album and Kara's recent work address the same issues but from different perspectives and with different intentions. The silhouette was just the most effective way to bring unification to the image. While still portraying diversity.

I wanted all of these bits and pieces to work together and harmony to fit multiple frames and size constraints. From minimalistic composition to expansive & large compositions. I also wanted to add a level of surrealism and abstraction to the imagery.

For the printing of the packaging we decided to emboss some elements and alternate between spot and matte finishes. To create a dynamic and tactile surface.

Well thats it. Hope you bought the album. You won't regret it.

Omaur & Autumn

Two caricatures of Omaur Bliss and Autumn Compposterston. Friends and performers from MPLS. These Illustrations were used as elements for promo posters.

Voltage: Fashion Amplified Update

+ logotype, style, and collateral






+ site design created by sevnthsin

Voltage Fashion Amplified

I am fortunate enough to work on Voltage Fashion Amplified this year. Voltage is an annual Fashion/Rock show held in MPLS. It spotlights talented designers and talented bands. There is no fashion show like it in the twin cities. For Voltage I have helped develop this years look and feel. I'll also be working on some sweet motion work to be played during the show. And helping with Art Direction for the Voltage fashion shoots. It's gonna be good!

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!