Promotional Posters Created using only Photoshop [Extra Credit Blog Entry]

file under: possible portfolio pieces

I have been a vintage clothing collector for many years now and in the last four or five years I've had the pleasure of meeting and becoming good friends with Jenea Zeek and Sarah Sanaee. These two lovely ladies not only share my love for vintage clothing but also run their own online shop called GypsyStardust. A month or so back I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to create a couple versions of a promotional poster that would advertise their upcoming show that was to include not only a special selection of their vintage clothing collection but would also include an art show and live music. Truth be told I think it was really an opportunity to throw a cool party with these other new, up and coming artists and musicians thrown in for good measure.

I was excited to have the chance to put my Photoshop design skills to the test. The selections below are a few examples of the poster(s) I came up with for the girls and their company GypsyStardust.

The Best Images on Tumblr

Tumblr has been around for a while now and like all social media for the most part it gets flooded with on onslaught of Internet "noise". But there are a few gem sites and for my last blog entry I'll share one of my absolute favorites. Always a beautiful stream of inspiring images. Many days I've have gained the day's creative momentum by browsing their site.

Without further adieu I submit to you "Now and Then" a collection of some of the worlds best photography updated on an almost daily basis.

Enjoy!

Happy Holidays!

Now and Then on Tumblr Social Media

Now and Then on Tumblr

King Studio Works Early Logo Concepts Created Using Only Photoshop

File under: Possible portfolio piece(s)

As I began my Digital Media Arts Program here at OCC it became apparent very quickly that I would need to develop a logo in fact I'm fairly certain it was one of the very first assignments in Design 182.

The following are all early logo concepts created using strictly Photoshop CS6.

King Studio Works early Logo Concept 01

King Studio Works early Logo Concept 02

King Studio Works early Logo concept 03

King Studio Works early logo concept 04

King Studio Works logo 05 in refinement stages. More than likely will be the one used moving forward.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Lost Angeles Art Show Promo Card Design Concept / Created strictly in Photoshop CS6

File under: Posible portfolio piece

This logo concept for the "Lost Angeles Gallery" was created by me using strictly Photoshop CS6.

It was designed to be two sided promotional card for print.

Front of Promo card for print

Back of Promo card for print.

Obviously this was a fictitious art show. However; I thought the "Lost Angeles" gallery name was a clever piece of word play to entice the reader to want to know more. I designed this piece entirely in Photoshio CS6,with the idea in mind that the art show would be showcasing the now famous/infamous Rick Griffin and his amazing, undeniable style. I was pleased with the final piece.                                                                                                                                                                                       

Jaguar Billboard Ad Campaign Concepts / Created in Photoshop CS6

File under: Possible portfolio pieces

All three of these Jaguar billboard ad campaign concepts were created by me this year using only Photoshop CS6.

"Unleashed" Version 06

"Escape the Jungle" Version 02

"All New 2014 XK" Version 4

This is a small sampling of the dozen or so variations that were created. Ultimately "Unleashed" Version 06 was chosen as the finished piece. I was pleased with the outcome.

Vance Kelly - Digital Illustrator, Printmaker and Art Director

File under: New artist on the scene

I met Vance Kelly online this year when I saw one of his concert posters advertising The Cult's upcoming performance at the New Orleans House of Blues. I've been a huge fan of the band for many years and was so impressed with his work I wanted to see if I could purchase one of the posters which would typically not be for sale to the general public. Vance replied to my email quickly and was flattered that I wanted to purchase one. Since that time we have communicated on a number of different occasions and he has been very generous sharing his knowledge and experience working in such a competitive field. I feel very fortunate to have made such a good contact in the industry.

Vance is considered one of the hot, new in demand illustrators particularly for working and touring bands. He specializes in taking his hand drawn illustrations and scanning them into Photoshop and/or Illustrator to create the finished pieces which are extremely dark and vibrant simultaneously giving his work a very recognizable feel.

Vance's work can be seen at his website www.vancekelly.com or his blog Vance Kelly Art.

 

The Cult Tour poster for their House of Blues / New Orleans date.

Well known band Soundgarden Tour poster for their concert at the Louisville Palace Theater

Concert poster for American band Unida and their 2013 Australia & New Zealand tour

Tour poster for American band The Deftones and their 2013 Australia tour 

The Muse

File under: A True Story

An excerpt and photo selection from a work in progress by King Studio Works entitled; 

"Mémoire of an American Junkie" 

 *Some back-story: 

I had recently finished re-framing this rare, original 1973 Christine Rosamond lithograph titled; "Summer Mood" that's been in my possession for some time now. It was discovered in an obscure thrift store in Los Angeles in 2011 and once I had completed the framing process I realized there was actually the groundwork for a story that would be an important section to the mémoire. 

To understand the story a little better you would need to know that in the last 2-3 months I ended up losing my home of the last six years due to some nasty dealings with an unethical property manager. I'll save you the boring and ugly details of the ensuing months that followed. Needless to say it was heartbreaking, emotional and totally devastating since I view my studio/home as my sanctuary. 

Instead I'll jump right to the good part. Long story short I was able to get my studio back! The shady property manager got demoted and after three months of hell being displaced and feeling really lost I was finally back in my home, hence the new decorating and re-framing of the Rosamond lithograph. 

But wait...the story gets even better! While I was gone the owner of the building completely refurbished the studio with new carpet, new windows, new wood blinds, new doors and a fresh coat of contrasting paint, sand colored walls with white baseboards, door and window trim. (the building is from the 1940's which I totally dig) 

What had been some of the toughest months of my life in recent history has turned out to be nothing short of pure magic!!! 

Best of all...they kept the original glass door knobs and skeleton key holes to one of the interior doors that I love so much. 

So here's the part that ties in with the mémoire in progress. I remember it like it was yesterday. When I first got sober all those years ago after 20 years of alcoholism and heroin addiction...at some point during those first 30 days I vividly remember saying a small, silent prayer in my head that went something like this; 

"God if I could just have a cool little studio near the beach, one with glass door knobs, some money in the bank, some friends, a reliable car and be reasonably happy I will do whatever is required of me to stay sober".

No joke. True story. 

11+ years later...it's all come true and so much more!  The gift of self-esteem and purpose, a complete reunification with my family, now a college student and the coolest of all to be considered an honest, reliable, helpful, stand-up guy. 

Ya' right! Are you fucking kidding me?! Impossible. Totally impossible on September 22nd 2002 I would have said holding that very last can of beer and having just had my last shot of dope. 

No higher power you say? Nothing greater than yourself operating in the universe? Magic isn't real? Hmmm....that's gonna' be a tough sell for this kid buddy. Better save your intellectual rant for someone who can't answer "YES" to Jimmy Hendrix's infamous question; "But are you experienced?" 

Peace. 

***This photo and post is a tribute to the amazing artist Christine Rosamond who sadly drown at a Northern California beach in 1994 on her 1 year AA birthday. R.I.P Christine. Your spirit lives on and you continue to inspire