posted: June 16, 2009

Recently, Soojin Buzelli called with a project for a new publication she's art directing called ai5000, an online magazine. The piece, written by William Cohan, is about the collapse of Bear Stearns, and in it he describes the high stakes and even higher levels of arrogance that brought about the implosion of one of Wall Street's biggest players.  Cohan, an award winning investigative newspaper reporter who also worked in some of the biggest firms on Wall Street, is the author of "House of Cards: A Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall Street". Cards were a particularly significant symbol in this case, as many of the key players in Bear Stearns were obsessed with the card game Bridge—some even rising within the ranks based on their skill at the game rather than their diligence at overseeing the investment bank's dealings. It was a fascinating look behind the curtain, and how arrogance trumped common sense to bring down one of the pillars of Wall Street. The issue is filled with great art by fellow Drawgers Tim Bower, John Cuneo, Tim O'Brien, Zina Saunders, Yuko Shimizu, Jeffrey Smith, and Brian Stauffer, as well as a beautiful cover Chris Buzelli.

Another recent project, a European edition cover story for AD Adolfo Valle at Newsweek, also deals with the fallout of the economic crisis, but from a decidedly different perspective: the entertainment industry. It seems the general public is flocking to light-hearted comedies, mystery books, and other forms of escape from their everyday woes, and it's turned into a boom for entertainment. Not unlike the Great Depression, when the "Penny Arcade" was an escape for millions, the public's loss is Hollywood's gain. The type is all hand illustrated. Again, Drawger was well-represeted in the isue, with work by Alex Nabaum, Chirs Buzelli, and Harry Campbell.

Finally, this piece, done as a personal work following the initial collapse of the stock market last Fall, is featured in this month's "Gallery" section of Atlantic Monthly. AD Jason Treat has featured some wonderful work there since its inception, including art by Drawgerites Yuko Shimizu, Felix Sockwell, and Thomas Fuchs. It's great to have smart and open ADs like Jason, Soojin, and Adolfo out there using illustration in ways that show its communicative strengths.

posted: May 27, 2009

I'll be showing some new paintings at the Silas Marder Gallery in Bridgehampton, NY as part of BIG SHOW 4.The opening reception is Saturday May 30th, 4-8pm, so if you're in the area, I hope you'll take a look.

BIG SHOW 4 | May 30-June 21, 2009

Silas Marder Gallery | 120 Snake Hollow Road | Bridgehampton, NY | 631.702.2306

posted: May 4, 2009

Several years back, I got the opportunity to work on an album cover for June Carter Cash, the amazing singer/songwriter, heir to the Carter Family legacy of country music, and wife of Johnny Cash. "Wildwood Flower" turned out to be her final studio album—she passed away before it was released—but it went on to win the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album.


Overs the years since, I've been honored to work on many other projects with the Cash family, including "The Legend: Johnny Cash", the definitive compilation of his 50 years of work and the winner of the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Art Direction on a Limited Edition Package for Ian Cutler's amazing art direction.

This month marks another special occasion in that relationship, as Little Simon/Simon & Schuster releases "Momma Loves Her Little Son", the first of two children's books written by John Carter Cash, Johnny & June's son, that I had the pleasure to illustrate. I thought I'd put up a few images from the book and a link to a video interview with John Carter that gives some background into the development of the book, which is really a lullaby as much as a story (in fact, he and his wife Laura recorded a song to go with it!). Not surprising, given John Carter's musical heritage and accomplishments as a producer and songwriter. It's a sweet story for mothers and their young sons, and we're already working on the followup for fathers and their little girls. 

And if you're moved have a copy of your own—the perfect gift for Mother's Day!— click here.

posted: April 15, 2009

"Meeting consumer needs is a necessary but no longer sufficient condition of sustainable innovation. Breakthrough innovations that stand alone longest in the marketplace, without serious competition, bring in the highest returns."

Sometimes, this is all you have to work with.

Jessie Clear at Strategy + Business called with the above on a short deadline, and it seemed like a great opportunity to take an abstract bit of material and turn it into a simple solution. With a bit of tweaking (they wanted the beaker added to clarify the "innovation" aspect) we got there fast and came out with a nice image. Sometimes short can be sweet.

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