Video Inspiration Week – Day 4!

For my final video of the week, I share with you another short film from the talented folks over at The Scout.  Good reminder that when you get down to it – it’s all about craft.  Whatever you make. Do it well.  Even if it’s only a few things.

Billykirk from The Scout on Vimeo.

Chronicle Books + McSweeney’s = My ultimate Design Crush

Sometimes we need a reminder…

…that we need others in the process of transformation.  In fact, they are a gift in that process – if in fact we let them in.  I suppose the best illustration of this was the four weeks before Good Friday and Easter this year that I was involved in decorating the stage at my church.  It was a process by which we took the stage from barren and bleak to one ultimately of life and redemption.  It was an exciting process, one I couldn’t have done alone – so many willing hands helped.  A task that in past years has been draining and ultimately for my own ego became an act of creativity, community, passion, collaboration, submission, discipleship, and dependence.  So even though it’s really overdue – I want to thank all of the awesome folks who made it happen!

As I sit here, months removed from those busy Saturdays, I’m reminded still that God uses people in my life to stimulate and encourage his work in me. Not just the ones that help me and encourage me but especially through those people that are annoying – who challenge me.  The ones that stir the pot of my pride and rub me the wrong way. Or the friends I can’t begin to save, but oh so want to.  If we are willing – these can be the best gifts.  Cause what rises in me in those times, what I see in my heart – all that crap and discomfort – needs to be brought to the surface and burned away anyway, right?  My hope is that I will welcome this uncomfortable aspect of community as part of the “plentiful redemption” promised in Psalm 130 in the same way I welcome helping hands.  An opportunity to see God at work.

I’ve been neglecting my bloggie….I think it’s probably due to the fact that A) I live a real life outside the world wide web B) I’m currently writing a few posts that are pretty intense and need time to “settle in”…if you will  C) Sometimes I’m lazy and avoid things.

So, what I like to do in times like this – to keep things flowing and pump myself up – is to post some inspiration that I find around the world.  And today I’m focusing my attention on book covers – my first (design) love!  Before they all disappear onto Kindle/iPad screens around the world….

Okay. So the Psychic Sasquatch isn’t a particular showstopper visually….but come on!  The title alone!

My dear grandmother, Phyllis Pederson, passed away Monday after a brave brave fight with cancer.

I named this blog rough hewn for times such as these.  For those in-between spaces between joy and sorrow – where you’re not really sure which one to choose and not really certain you are feeling either.

My grandmother was a woman of faith, strength, patience, good taste, independence, talent, and creativity.  She encouraged me to explore not only the world around me, but the world at large.  My love for knitting and any skills I claim to have come straight from her.  I will miss her abiding love and wraparound hugs.

I have often said that where words fail us, image takes over. I have been comforted by these two illustrations found on Nothing Relevant – a local blog I ran into through a random google image search.  Very serendipitously, I think.

The last communication I had with my grandmother was through a  Valentine I sent her last week.  It was a card having nothing to do with hearts at all, but depicted (through a sheen of glitter, to my chagrin) a bird flying up with rays in the background.  Like that bird and the bird above -  I know she has flown to the safety of her loving savior.  And as I think on this,  joy overwhelms any sorrow I may have about her absence.  For I know that she is truly safe at home.

“It’s fruitcake weather!”

Apparently.  I’ve never read this charming little story, but I got a chance to illustrate a poster for a performance of it coming up in the next week.  The project afforded me an opportunity to jump out of the holiday look I’ve been stuck in for the last couple months and experiment with some great illustration tips from an interview I read recently of Invisible Creature‘s, Don Clark.  Reading about Don’s process jolted me back into design reality (whatever that may be) and reminded me that – I’m an ARTIST!  WAGH!  I have a wealth of fine art techniques at my fingertips and I’m not taking advantage of them!  So with this project I added some newer textures and processes to the mix and I’m excited to do more exploring and finding my own niche, rather than feeling a tad like a copycat.  I’m happy with it – I think it’s…delightful.

Summer is a season for SALES!

Thought I’d share a couple of projects I’ve recently enjoyed designing at work.  The Dover sale (above), kept me busy this week, and had the added restriction of being type-only.  I enjoyed the “challenge”, but snuck a few circles in there for good measure.  The design easily lends itself to different variations and combinations – which makes my job a whole lot more interesting.  The illustration for the Mountaineers Sale (below), was just fun to do.  I went for a vintage travel poster feel – but could have spent a bit more time on the hiker – his calves are intense!  Will be working on website this weekend – soon there will be more examples of my work to gander at!

A beautiful book cover for a beautiful Friday!

(I love the purple polka dot skirt!)

The weekend will be busy with the unpacking of boxes, exploring the neighborhood for garage sale treasures, cleaning old living spaces, saying goodbye, and enjoying the food and company of my second family -  basking in the goodness, grace, and provision of a glorious Savior!

No BUS STORIES today, just wanted to get the week rolling with a few photos that are filling me up in different ways today…

Kate Bosworth in an ad for Calvin Klein – captivating, lovely composition, tone, and movement.

Postcard I picked up at Sonic Boom the other day for the show Residence at 20Twenty, an exhibit of recent work by Robin Stein.  Reminds me of living in L.A. I can literally smell this photo.

Love these photos and these lovely ladies! Taken on an art retreat at good ole’ Biola, this contact strip is a little piece of friendship shining up from my desk.

Since I visited the blog Scanwich (check it out!) and saw this photo, all I have been able to think about is bagels & lox!  Like that scene in the movie Ratatouille – a bite of B&L instantly transport me to the middle of Central Park in the dead of winter, where I had not only my first taste of Zabar’s goodness, but of the sweetness New York City has to offer! (Note: Yesturday I got to have half of one at my sister’s church….mmmyeah…it only stoked the fire!)

Still thinkin about this quote…

1. The One in 8 Million series at The New York Times Online.

2. Seeing my work out in the world.