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"TRI 3Y3 Guy" character illustration.

Like the wind, inspiration can hit you at any moment from any direction, so I like to pay attention to the prevailing creative winds letting my imagination set sail.

Such was the case when I recently watched the movie Fargo. I hadn't watched since it's premiere back in 1996. The moment of inspiration came from an unlikely source, the forehead of actor Steve Buscemi.

More about this project on my blog.

Blue eyes linear tape illustration. (Click for larger image)

I've had the idea of doing an illustration such as the one above for a few years now but just haven't found the time to do so. Well a couple weeks ago someone shared the art of iri5 with me (Cool art!) and I realized I better hurry up and do my linear take on the same genre before it becomes old hat.

You can read more about this and see the process at my art blog.

Illustrative Mask "Twitter Beard."

For the past three years I've been teaching "Digital Illustration" in a local college VC program. For this terms final project I assigned the students an "Illustrative Mask" for them to create over a four week period were we focused on each phase of the creative process: Thumbnails, Sketches, Comps, and Final Art all being art directed by myself and peer reviewed.


Striking a pose with "Twitter Beard" mask.

I thought this would be fun so I decided to participate myself. The idea I chose to develop was based on my love of Twitter.com which I've been using going on three years now. (You can follow me at: @vonster)


Construct your own "Twitter Beard" mask.

Download "Twitter Beard" PDF
"Twitter Beard" Mask PDF (1.5MB)

Asian Beauty.

View larger preview of art here.

I've been wanting to illustrate a person in this specific style for a while now. I wasn't sure who I should illustrate, but then while I was watching an episode of "Star Trek Enterprise" the character Hoshi solidified it for me. I wanted to illustrate a Japanese women.


Illustration Detail.

For this project I wanted the background to have a nice authentic Japanese type pattern you might find on a Kosode.

It's not a traditional Japanese pattern, but I was inspired by many of the historical designs I researched. It's a west meets east approach if you will.

In regards to the Kanji characters in this artwork it translates to "Beautiful."

"The 4th Not So Wiseman" paper sculpture.

A holiday promotion I created. My friend Kristen Fischer wrote the story.


Back view.

The sculpture is easy to construct, just follow the simple directions on the PDF template to create your own character. If you'd like to share this PDF with your friends and family feel free to pass along the link or post the link on your own blog.

The 4th Not So Wiseman
By Kristen Fischer

You've heard of the three wisemen, but never the fourth. See, he didn't do so well as far as a gift-giving went. Instead of gold, frankincense or myrrh, he stopped at the dollar store for coal. Let's just say that a very special baby in a manger was not so impressed.

And as the years went on, no one talked about the Fourth Not So Wiseman's laughable gift. When that baby grew up, he didn't want the world to know coal existed. When burned, coal releases two harmful greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide and methane. Jesus just wasn't down with that.

Now the Fourth Not So Wiseman is making a comeback bigger than Britney Spears. He's a reminder to be kind to the earth, live a green lifestyle...remember that you, too, deserve nothing more than a lump of coal if you don't!

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!

Von

Talkin' Heads Bonus Set.

The bonus set shown above is just a freebie set I'll be giving away to anyone who orders the original "Talkin' Heads" Veer set once it's released. None of the images shown in this post are part of the Veer set. This is just to wet your appetite.

Barack Obama. (Click image to download poster.)

Even though I am not voting for Barack Obama it was still fun creating the artwork none the less.

Be sure to download the big "O" poster using this link.

"Eastern Beauty" Artwork. Click image to view larger preview.

Some artwork I created for a "Sumatra Indian Chai Tea" package. The client changed their mind and we are going in a new direction now but I still like how it came out.

'Billy Mays Full-Color Art.'

You've seen him pushing his goods like "Samurai Shark", "OxiClean", "Hercules Hooks", "Handy Switch" or his newest shout out "Mighty Putty." Like me you've probably watched his no frill commercials as he confidently pitches the latest and greatest joe consumer product all the while being hypnotized by his impeccably groomed beard.

Billy's ever present smile, energy and high volume reassure you that what he's offering is a must have. After all he just showed you how it worked and gave it a thumbs up! Lets face it Billy Mays has selling power!

As designers we all struggle with selling our ideas, pitching them to the powers that be, so I though what would help in this pursuit? Billy Mays of course!


'PDF Download.'

Just download the Billy Mays PDF files (Provided in Color and B&W) print them out and apply mask directly to face for your next presentation. With the iconic image of Billy Mays on your side, all you have to do is talk loud, grow out your forearm hair, give a thumbs up to your own design presentations and "Ka-Boom", your audience will buy into your ideas in no time!

What are you waiting for? The power of Billy Mays is just a click away.

Get your "Billy Mays Power Mask" here: Download PDF Template

Baseball; it’s one of those magical sports that’s been written about in every genre of literature. And with Barry Bonds having broken Hank Aaron’s coveted home run record, it’s a hot topic of discussion these days.

So Long, Jackie Robinson is a fantastic young reader book by Nancy Russell that weaves an endearing story of a young English boy who moves to Montreal Quebec just in time to take a front row seat for Jackie Robinson’s rise to baseball superstardom beginning with the Montreal Royals. It’s a book that everyone can enjoy — even reluctant readers.

On this episode of Just One More Book, CBC journalist and author Nancy Russell tells us about her involvement in The Field of Broken Dreams project and her book So Long, Jackie Robinson.

Participate in the conversation by leaving a comment on this interview, or send an email to [email protected].