And, it’s the Dedham Open Studios!

Come see me at the Dedham Community House on May 20, 2012 11am to 5pm

I will have some new work from the Grenade Series. Plus, some new posters too.

There are also lots of other talented artists to check out and enjoy.

Come on by the Paradise Cafe in Dedham.

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They both were patient as I looked at the initial digital photos and asked to make some hair and wardrobe adjustments. I now have pictures on my website that I am proud of and feel better represent my style, purpose, and energy. I would highly recommend Matt McKee to anyone looking to take a professional head shot that truly portrays who they are, rather than just another “suit.” Thanks Matt!!

What a relief. We even had fun. Thank you Matt.

(We also included the other endings, just so you could see the ones that didn’t win.)

I want to thank you for participating in our little graphic short story experiment. I appreciate you taking the time to vote and to check out the ending.

Like what you saw? Want to collaborate on something? Give me a call or shoot me an email and let me know about your project!

The original Story X: Win Lose or Draw is here.

We have a winner!

With 49% of the votes, Carver Riot takes the win.

If you are interested in seeing the alternative endings, check out Story X Alternatives

UPDATE 1:

Since Story X: Win, Lose or Draw was accepted into the Jamaica Plain Art Council’s Juried Show (reception April 21, 6-9pm, at the Footlight Club, 7A Eliot St, JP. Hint Hint!) we have extended the voting through next week. The final frame will be revealed before the reception, so get your votes in!

 About:

Story X: Win, Lose or Draw is a graphic short story (as opposed to graphic novel) where you get to chose the ending!

A courier comes to deliver a package.

But, there is trouble! A knife fight! It escalates! It’s a showdown!

Who fires first? Who wins? Who loses? Or, is there a twist at the end?

What is the final frame? Vote now.

Interview on TheWallBreakers.com about the Origins of Story X: Win Lose or Draw!

On LostatEMinor….

If you like this story, be sure to spread the word!

Head over to my Facebook page and post one there.

A hearty thank you to Rick Chandler for penning the tale. And, a grateful thank you to Carver Riot for totally bringing it! and being so patient while waiting to see the story in its finished form.

In this particular case, it was to help put “butts in seats”.

The Riverside Theatre Works is a wonderful, community based theater, set in Hyde Park. With a large main stage, Esmeralda’s Lounge, dedicated crew of people and a passion for introducing the next generation to the performing arts, it has been the jumping off point for tons of performers, many of whom have gone on tread the boards on Broadway or worked in the entertainment biz in la la land.

The challenge they laid out for me this time was their production of the timeless classic, The Wizard of Oz. Oh, by the way, it is double cast. So, two Dorothys, two Tinmen, two Scarecrows, etc. In fact, there are 80 kids and teens who will take to the stage over the Spring Break.

Cast photos for the poster and marketing materials were impractical from both a logistical/budgetary stand point, and from a marketing message perspective.

Time for Plan B: create a still life/photo illustration that can work on multiple levels and generate the curiousity factor that will get people to the web site and ordering tickets.

It started with a meeting with Cassandre Charles, the theatre’s acting stage manager, to discuss concepts and scribble up potential layouts. Maggie Dillier, the director, was driving the production in a very interesting, modern type of feel, and we knew we wanted to connect the production back to the community. We also knew we needed some traditional elements, but they needed to be unique to this production.

The heart, medal of courage and scroll seal were hand made for the poster. Bricks were brought in and painted. And, the Emerald City took it’s form from several famous Boston landmarks. The shoot and layout evolved over 2 days in the studio and digital workstation.

At the end of the day, the only reason these posters exist is to pay homage to the dedication and effort that these performers and actors put into these productions and to help the audience to get excited about suspending reality for a few short hours and seeing a live show.

Got a production in mind? Putting up a performance that needs a poster or potentially viral image? Drop me a line, I would love to talk to you about it!

16 x 24 inch Aluminum photographic print. $275.00

Part of the Jamaica Plain Art Council’s Annual Juried Show “Under the Influence” at the Footlight Club in Jamaica Plain.

Meet me at the show reception on April 21st to see the reflective qualities in this image.

Contact me if you would like to purchase this image for your home or office.

Lamia – Queen of Laestrygones and Beloved of Zeus The image is a part of the series:

Promethean Dreams

Captured in a moment, frozen in an abstract, each flicker
fascinates as it caresses  and careens through an invisible world.

It is a slice of primal force that takes on its own life and
personality, which causes us to stare in rapture.

To worship at the hearth, as we have done since the beginning.

Some see angels and dragons, while others see dancers and waves.

Both, and neither, are correct as this primal element echos to something deep inside us all.

Fire, the primal element that gives birth to the universe and all that is within it. It is a catalyst for change, both destructive and rebirth.

It is the violent oxidation that changes everything.

See more of the series in the Promethean Dreams portfolio

See the other images I have in this show:

Lernaean Hydra – a daughter of Typhon and Echidna greek

Story X: Win Lose or Draw

16 x 24 inch Aluminum photographic print. $275.00

Part of the Jamaica Plain Art Council’s Annual Juried Show “Under the Influence” at the Footlight Club in Jamaica Plain.

Meet me at the show reception on April 21st to see the reflective qualities in this image.

Contact me if you would like to purchase this image for your home or office.

The Lernaean Hydra is a daughter of Typhon and Echidna, part of the Greek Pantheon. The image is a part of the series:

Promethean Dreams

Captured in a moment, frozen in an abstract, each flicker
fascinates as it caresses  and careens through an invisible world.

It is a slice of primal force that takes on its own life and
personality, which causes us to stare in rapture.

To worship at the hearth, as we have done since the beginning.

Some see angels and dragons, while others see dancers and waves.

Both, and neither, are correct as this primal element echos to something deep inside us all.

Fire, the primal element that gives birth to the universe and all that is within it. It is a catalyst for change, both destructive and rebirth.

It is the violent oxidation that changes everything.

See more of the series in the Promethean Dreams portfolio

1. It starts with research. Reading the play seems to be fairly important. The one time I didn’t, well…
2. Look at what other people have done in the past. This always leads me to a fairly strong list of what we don’t want to do.
3. Sit down with the producer and/or director to discuss themes and directions. Bring some ideas to the party but be open to their ideas, since they already have a vision of the production.
4. Sleep on it.
5. Have a wild dream, where a chimpanzee, riding a flamingo, across a golf course, at night, lays out the whole poster, including how to alter the key fonts in the title and how to layer in the different levels.
6. Pitch the idea and start collecting/building props, key people and shoot dates.
7. Day of the shoot: turn on some good tunes, get them into makeup and costume and light the set.
8. Post shoot – edit edit edit!
9. Proof everything and make sure that you have all of the key info: Date, Time, Place, Author, Where to Buy Tickets!
10. Proof it again, something was missing.
11. Get final approvals
12. Send it to print and make a low resolution file for posting on every social media site you can find.
13. Rinse and repeat!

Wild Party, the poster shoot, directed by Chad Flahive. Hair by Katie Moore, MUA Catherine Moniz, Costume Maureen Festa and David Alger. Cast: clockwise frm bottom left: Tyler Strawhecker, Philip Montana, Todd Yard, Taryn Cagnina, Nate Haywood, Rebecca Turner, Chelcy Harrell, Anne Olmsted, Brian Bakofen, Channa Gilbert