RPO Symphony Showhouse Illustrations

A series of posters designed to commemorate the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) Symphony Showhouse. A RPO fundraiser featuring the work of leading area designers and the Ellwanger Estate, a home once belonging to George Ellwanger, the horticulturalist and visionary whose sprawling nursery earned Rochester its nickname: the Flower City. A series of custom illustrations for the posters were created to reflect unique characteristics of the 19^th century home. The Pipe Organ, the Landmark Society Gardens, the Carriage House, the Architecture of Fletcher Steele, the Historic Bird House, and the Ellwanger Estate itself.

These illustrations won an Addy, as well as NY District2 Gold. The posters are currently in the international 2010 Graphis Poster Design Annual. These illustrations also recieved Special Judges Recognition for illustration, at the 2009 RAF Addy Awards. Hey, that's the third straight year!

MC Lars at the Lilac Fest

Recording artist, MC Lars, played a free concert to open the 2009 Lilac Festival in Rochester, NY.

My illustration and poster is based on the album This Gigantic Robot Kills. And in this case... he kills a whole lot of lilacs.

Art directors are all pencil pushers

Or at least we all should be.

I always have a pencil and sketchbook handy. I find them comforting. Comforting in the sense that at a moments notice I can record the fresh observations and revelations that I am faced with on a daily basis. One habit I have gotten into is drawing planes. Whenever I am on a plane I draw my perspective from where I sit. No matter how bizarre, odd, large, or small the view. And with all the travel I did while living in Atlanta, I have amassed quite the collection. I feel very strongly that art directors still need to possess the ability to draw. Sounds funny doesn’t it? The age of the computers has made my muse all but extinct. An art director still needs to be able to convey an idea, a thought, or a concept with a few quick strokes of a pencil. One could rely on the computer to do the work, but those thoughts, or concepts have the tendency become sterile. So the question is... do you want your ideas fresh or sterile?

Below are some of the illustrations of planes:

Ingrid Michaelson Sings at the Lilac Fest

Recording artist, Ingrid Michaelson, played a free concert to close the 2008 Lilac Festival in Rochester, NY.

My illustration and poster was recognized at the 2009 RAF Addy Awards (but I think my autographed poster from Ingrid is way cooler).

Indie Show Poster

This poster was created to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Indie Show. A specialty show dedicated to the independent music scene on 90.5fm WBER.

This illustration won an Addy, and Special Judges Recognition for illustration, at the 2008 RAF Addy Awards.

This poster is the first in a series yet to come on the specialy shows at WBER. Stay tuned!