1/09/12
I just finished up the design and installation of the NHL's 5th Winter Classic outdoor hockey game in Philadelphia, PA. The NHL was very pleased with the look and management of their signature event. The National Hockey League expanded the scope of work for us to almost the amount we did for past Super Bowls. I've added a few examples of some of my designs in the Stadium designs section of my portfolio.
3/28/11
It's been a while since I've posted here. I went through another exciting event season designing for the NHL's outdoor games in Pittsburgh and Calgary. Both games were a major success. The Pittsburgh Steeler's so impressed with the designs they have hired us to create a fresh look for Heinz Field. Needless to say, I'm honored for the privilege.
I also designed the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game in Arizona this year. It was also the National Championship Game so lots of TV exposure.
Locally, I've begun designing greeting cards using some of my illustrations and local photographs.
Cheers!
I also designed the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game in Arizona this year. It was also the National Championship Game so lots of TV exposure.
Locally, I've begun designing greeting cards using some of my illustrations and local photographs.
Cheers!
7.27.09
I am currently working on the 2010 Super Bowl design or in the words of the NFL, " the branding of the game". Truly an amazing project to work on as a designer. The scope is huge and the responsibility is can be overwhelming at times. Saying this, it is also gratifying when it is all up and the game is over. Let's hope for a good game!
THINK VISUALLY!
12.08
And goes another year. It was a banner year for me. Ending with the year is my marriage (in legal terms). It was over years ago but this new year's eve symbolically and legally brings to a close an ugly, painful part of my life.
2009 can only bring much better times (I hope) as l;ong as the parent's stay healthy and the economy doesn't bring unemployment to my doorstep.
Reflecting on this year, I have watched my beautiful son grow in strides, develop a real passion about music. So much so I took him to see AC/DC and Metallica concerts for his first real expereinces with "music".
I, myself, felt a great surge of creativety and the urge to well, create. This might be in part more time to myself and in part the times I have experienced.
I also took part in two triathlons (one of my passions) and will likely enter several tris in '09.
2009 can only bring much better times (I hope) as l;ong as the parent's stay healthy and the economy doesn't bring unemployment to my doorstep.
Reflecting on this year, I have watched my beautiful son grow in strides, develop a real passion about music. So much so I took him to see AC/DC and Metallica concerts for his first real expereinces with "music".
I, myself, felt a great surge of creativety and the urge to well, create. This might be in part more time to myself and in part the times I have experienced.
I also took part in two triathlons (one of my passions) and will likely enter several tris in '09.
11.19.07
The freighter oil spill in the SF Bay has been in the news for over two weeks now. All parties are pointing fingers at each other but in the end it doesn't matter who is at fault. Accidents happen!
Living across the street from the Bay I could actually smell the fumes coming off the water. Rescue works came by several times on yellow school buses looking for the unfortunate birds who might have landed on the oily Bay waters.
It's scary times folks. All the news of water shortages in some parts of the world and news of re-occurring hurricanes in other areas where they never occurred before makes me well frankly, terrified.
In my little mind all of this wasn't supposed to happen in my life time or even my son's life time. Let's all think "green". As simple as that.
Living across the street from the Bay I could actually smell the fumes coming off the water. Rescue works came by several times on yellow school buses looking for the unfortunate birds who might have landed on the oily Bay waters.
It's scary times folks. All the news of water shortages in some parts of the world and news of re-occurring hurricanes in other areas where they never occurred before makes me well frankly, terrified.
In my little mind all of this wasn't supposed to happen in my life time or even my son's life time. Let's all think "green". As simple as that.
4.22.07
Last night I saw a fantastic "tribute" band called Zoo Station. I would consider myself a diehard U2 fan considering I have seen the real band every time they have toured since the early 80s including the infamous free concert at Justin Herman Plaza during the making of Rattle and Hum.
This is as close to seeing the "real thing" as your going to get for fifteen bucks. Another cover band called "Petty Theft" which covers Tom Petty songs (clever huh?) were not nearly as good or entertaining.
I kept thinking to myself while the show was going on, "how can I get Zoo Station to come play a street party at my house?". The Edge imposter or "The Sledge" looked dead on like the Edge excpet for the addtional 20 pounds around his waistline but had all the same moves and gestures...a real crack up.
This isn't U2, but Zoo Station, a San Francisco tribute band self-dubbed "the complete U2 experience." They more than deserve this title, as evinced by their song arrangements, outfits and even their stage banter, which are all replicated precisely from real U2 concerts. "Thankfully, there is no shortage of DVDs to study," says drummer Skott Bennett, also known as "Barely Larry." Forgoing genetics, their resemblance to the Irish superstars is uncanny, right down to their penchant for charity (proceeds from Zoo Station T-shirt sales are donated to the Red Cross).
Most impressive, and perhaps most confounding, is Bonalmost, who eerily channels U2's lead singer Bono. "He has a method actor approach, getting into character hours before our show starts," states Bennett, seemingly mystified by his band mate's immersion in the role. "The aliens dropped him off from planet Bono." Bennett adds, "He blows our minds every week."
When demonstrating his expertise in rock-star poses, it's certainly difficult to imagine Bonalmost working his day job as a cook. "I'm more of a salad maker," the singer tells me at intermission with a feigned Irish accent and Bono's trademark smirk.
With the recent anniversary of John Lennon's murder, this degree of devotion to a rock star may seem a little, well, creepy. But for Zoo Station, who formed through a Craigslist post in 2002, it comes from a very simple and pure place. "All four of us have been U2 fans for a very long time," Bennett explains, "I learned to play [drums] by locking myself in my room and listening to the War album."
Bands who inject their own twist to the tribute have been extremely well-received, especially AC/DShe, an all-female tribute to early AC/DC, who were recently covered in Spin magazine. "There weren't any all-girl tributes around, and we thought it would be a cool juxtaposition to have girls playing these supermacho roles," explains lead singer Bonny Scott. Staying true to the no-nonsense demeanor of the Australian rockers, she's adamant that there is no feminist bent to their work. "Rock 'n' roll should have no platform or political agenda," she says. "To attach a political agenda to AC/DC would be a travesty." Travesty may be a strong word, but it's fitting considering the depth of their dedication.
In such a tongue-in-cheek genre, comedy is always welcome, as some tribute bands realize. "When the band is in on the joke, it's fun," says Derrer, a fan of Wonderbread 5, the self-described quintet of "white guys in afros and stupid fresh outfits packing a positive party punch for you and your crew." Perhaps we just never tire of seeing white guys pretending to be black. Speaking of black, the Man in Black is hailed by local cover artists Ring of Fire.
Perhaps most hilarious is Mandonna, a campy all-male tribute to Madonna. Lead singer Mark Edwards, with his full beard and ratty locks, resembles a rowdy biker more than he does the Material Girl, but he gamely navigates through 20 years' worth of her outfits, from the slutty wedding dress to the famous cone-shaped bra.
In this peculiar realm of the performing arts, the term "success" understandably takes on a slew of new meanings for the performers. "I guess doing it full time, à la Super Diamond or Bjorn Again, is the most you can hope for," says Zoo Station's Bennett, who works as an art director to pay the bills. Making a living at your craft is a goal surely all musicians share, but for some, success goes back to the objects of their obsession. "There is one thing left that we need to achieve to truly be successful, and that is to meet AC/DC," says Bonny Scott, reminding us they're fans, first and foremost.
Stung's ambitions are slightly more difficult. "We vowed that we would play until the Police got back together," says Stung singer Brooks "Bee" Lundy. "Until then, we will continue to do our thing."
Doing their thing and making audiences happy is no doubt the biggest reward for tribute bands. "I look out and see someone's expression change, knowing they are reliving some meaningful moment," gushes Bennett. "If that's our legacy, you could do a lot worse."
Check out there web site:
Zoo Station
http://www.zoostation-online.com/index.html
This is as close to seeing the "real thing" as your going to get for fifteen bucks. Another cover band called "Petty Theft" which covers Tom Petty songs (clever huh?) were not nearly as good or entertaining.
I kept thinking to myself while the show was going on, "how can I get Zoo Station to come play a street party at my house?". The Edge imposter or "The Sledge" looked dead on like the Edge excpet for the addtional 20 pounds around his waistline but had all the same moves and gestures...a real crack up.
This isn't U2, but Zoo Station, a San Francisco tribute band self-dubbed "the complete U2 experience." They more than deserve this title, as evinced by their song arrangements, outfits and even their stage banter, which are all replicated precisely from real U2 concerts. "Thankfully, there is no shortage of DVDs to study," says drummer Skott Bennett, also known as "Barely Larry." Forgoing genetics, their resemblance to the Irish superstars is uncanny, right down to their penchant for charity (proceeds from Zoo Station T-shirt sales are donated to the Red Cross).
Most impressive, and perhaps most confounding, is Bonalmost, who eerily channels U2's lead singer Bono. "He has a method actor approach, getting into character hours before our show starts," states Bennett, seemingly mystified by his band mate's immersion in the role. "The aliens dropped him off from planet Bono." Bennett adds, "He blows our minds every week."
When demonstrating his expertise in rock-star poses, it's certainly difficult to imagine Bonalmost working his day job as a cook. "I'm more of a salad maker," the singer tells me at intermission with a feigned Irish accent and Bono's trademark smirk.
With the recent anniversary of John Lennon's murder, this degree of devotion to a rock star may seem a little, well, creepy. But for Zoo Station, who formed through a Craigslist post in 2002, it comes from a very simple and pure place. "All four of us have been U2 fans for a very long time," Bennett explains, "I learned to play [drums] by locking myself in my room and listening to the War album."
Bands who inject their own twist to the tribute have been extremely well-received, especially AC/DShe, an all-female tribute to early AC/DC, who were recently covered in Spin magazine. "There weren't any all-girl tributes around, and we thought it would be a cool juxtaposition to have girls playing these supermacho roles," explains lead singer Bonny Scott. Staying true to the no-nonsense demeanor of the Australian rockers, she's adamant that there is no feminist bent to their work. "Rock 'n' roll should have no platform or political agenda," she says. "To attach a political agenda to AC/DC would be a travesty." Travesty may be a strong word, but it's fitting considering the depth of their dedication.
In such a tongue-in-cheek genre, comedy is always welcome, as some tribute bands realize. "When the band is in on the joke, it's fun," says Derrer, a fan of Wonderbread 5, the self-described quintet of "white guys in afros and stupid fresh outfits packing a positive party punch for you and your crew." Perhaps we just never tire of seeing white guys pretending to be black. Speaking of black, the Man in Black is hailed by local cover artists Ring of Fire.
Perhaps most hilarious is Mandonna, a campy all-male tribute to Madonna. Lead singer Mark Edwards, with his full beard and ratty locks, resembles a rowdy biker more than he does the Material Girl, but he gamely navigates through 20 years' worth of her outfits, from the slutty wedding dress to the famous cone-shaped bra.
In this peculiar realm of the performing arts, the term "success" understandably takes on a slew of new meanings for the performers. "I guess doing it full time, à la Super Diamond or Bjorn Again, is the most you can hope for," says Zoo Station's Bennett, who works as an art director to pay the bills. Making a living at your craft is a goal surely all musicians share, but for some, success goes back to the objects of their obsession. "There is one thing left that we need to achieve to truly be successful, and that is to meet AC/DC," says Bonny Scott, reminding us they're fans, first and foremost.
Stung's ambitions are slightly more difficult. "We vowed that we would play until the Police got back together," says Stung singer Brooks "Bee" Lundy. "Until then, we will continue to do our thing."
Doing their thing and making audiences happy is no doubt the biggest reward for tribute bands. "I look out and see someone's expression change, knowing they are reliving some meaningful moment," gushes Bennett. "If that's our legacy, you could do a lot worse."
Check out there web site:
Zoo Station
http://www.zoostation-online.com/index.html
4.18.07
I saw the band "The Shins" last night at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco. Very talented band but not my cup o' tea. I actually enjoyed the opening band, "Viva Voce" out of Portland, Washington. They are a husband (drums) and wife (guitar) act. Check them out...http://www.vivavoce.com/
I decided to check out the Picasso exhit at the MOMA last weekend. A good exhibit of some of this great artist's minor works but after seeing his works in Spain and NYC MOMA it wasn't that impressive.
I decided to check out the Picasso exhit at the MOMA last weekend. A good exhibit of some of this great artist's minor works but after seeing his works in Spain and NYC MOMA it wasn't that impressive.
3.15.07
I'm just finishing a book called "Stiff, The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers". It is gross, educational and funny all at the same time.
I saw the movie "300" the other night. I felt like I was watching a Playstation game on a large screen. Very gory but visually stunning. I felt like the slow motion scenes with heads being chopped off were a little unnecessary.
Some quotes;
“We judge ourselves by our intentions. Others judge us by our actions.”
"Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry."
Mark Twain
"All colors are the friends of their neighbors and the lovers of their opposites."
Marc Chagall
I saw the movie "300" the other night. I felt like I was watching a Playstation game on a large screen. Very gory but visually stunning. I felt like the slow motion scenes with heads being chopped off were a little unnecessary.
Some quotes;
“We judge ourselves by our intentions. Others judge us by our actions.”
"Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry."
Mark Twain
"All colors are the friends of their neighbors and the lovers of their opposites."
Marc Chagall
3.10.07
My new site is up and running! What is great about my web site now is the ease with which I can upload and make revisions quickly. As you see, I have a blog page but at this point I am not clear on how I want to use it.
Stay tuned!
Ian
Stay tuned!
Ian
