Do I smell some "Grateful Ribs"!?!?...

I got an incredible opportunity to design a full colour logo for a BBQ Catering business, "Grateful Ribs", based in Olathe, KS. I was really excited because this job is unlike any other logos I've created in my 15 years as a graphic designer. This unique project has enabled me to incorporate my illustration skills in developing a cartoon character of a hog. The owner gave me particular instructions on how he wants it to look. He wants the hog to be a groovy, hippy-lookin' dude. I am in the process of developing few concepts. These illustrations here are the progress of my first concept. I'll post the rest soon. I'm having tons of fun with this project! Enjoy!

SKETCH #1: - The very start up of the logo concept. I could see the hog loving all the attention, "Groovy, dude!!!".


SKETCH #2: - developing the bottom portion of the logo. My idea was to incorporate wood-sign style.


SKETCH #3: - Finished off the botton "sign" with few details including the smoke and flames on the lower-left. Added the ribs on a BBQ fork on the left side. May place the typo on the upper left corner. Still brainstorming concepts.

Amazing Crayon Portraits by Christian Faur!

This is absolutely crazy, fascinating and awesome! Check his work out! Website link on bottom of images.








"For this body of work I have assembled more than one hundred thousand hand cast crayons of varying colors and shades to produce a body of work that, to the best of my knowledge, is unlike anything done before in art. These individual “pixels” of wax are precisely stacked into specific locations inside of wooden frames to produce a new art form that uniquely balances the qualities of both photography and sculpture. Further, I have developed a mapping system that translates the English alphabet into twenty six discrete colors and I use these crayon “fonts” to add words and language to each of the pieces in the show." - View his portfolio online...

A Monet Sets a Record -$80.4 Million

"The summer auction season here began at Christie’s on Tuesday night when a standing-room-only crowd of dealers, collectors and art lovers came from all over the world to watch and bid on one of the largest London sales the auction house has held. Early in the evening a record price for a Monet, $80.4 million, was set for one of the rarest of his waterlilies." Read more here...

"The Evolution of a Master Who Dreamed on Paper" - Michael Kimmelman

This short story is quite fascinated. I believe I mentioned few blogs ago that I'm a big fan of van Gogh's work.

"By July, van Gogh climbed the hill. The mistral, the strong seasonal wind, had kicked up, making it impossible for him to plant an easel and paint without his canvas shaking uncontrollably, not to mention the mosquitoes that the wind swept in. But van Gogh boasted to Theo that while "not everyone would have the patience," he could draw." Read more here...

What!?!?! More than 120 assistants...

This is mindboggling to me...this American modern artist has more than 120 assistants! Must be nice having the kind of money. Although, I'm not a big fan of Koon's work but I admit it his work is different. Read full article...

FineArtViews: "Finding Balance in a Otherwise Lopsided World."

Posted by Daniel J. Keys - Regular contributing writer for FineArtViews.

"Going over some of the recent articles written by various FAV contributors (myself included) you might get the impression that there’s a bit of inconsistency amongst us: Some give advice that often seems to contradict other’s instructions; their instructions go against things you may have been taught were right, by someone else; and another person’s teachings may disregard all others' opinions, including yours, still..." Read More...