That’s actually how it’s spelled. Or… I think that’s how they spell it in Tony Hawk. Sorry to double post, but it’s been a day, and also Emma posted, so at least it’s not two in a row. I had the day off today from my freelance job. And when you have a day off from a freelance job, it means you really don’t have a job at all, because there’s no more work for you! I’m sure they’ll call me back soon though. It kind of comes and goes in waves so I’m not too worried yet. I really needed the time to work on my portfolio, so I cleaned my studio area and worked on something besides my portfolio! I’m great at budgeting my time. I’ve been trying to work more in photoshop, adding different layers and masks. I wanted to make something GLOW.

I am in real life doing the trick, but unfortunately I do not have the ability to create an aura of magic. The wings and halo are also fake, but I think I may have fooled a few.

Yay! An illustration! It’s not done yet, but I like where it’s going. I’ve noticed that it’s really hard for me to develop an image if I don’t know what it’s about. I think in the future, and Emma has talked about this, I need to start giving myself “assignments” so I have a direction and a goal. Then I’ll know what I need to do to finish the image. In the case of the piece above, I don’t know where it should go so it doesn’t have an end at this point!

AKA, videos. I bought a digital camera (finally)! It’s an Olympus and Ben helped me pick it out. It’s a pretty nice camera. I needed video capabilities, obviously, so I can document fun things…

…at the State Fair:

The Giant Slide! from billbill on Vimeo.

and in the studio:

Adventure from billbill on Vimeo.

After walking for miles and hours, we decided to get new kicks! We’ve seen a lot of Nike wearing people here and decided to fit in. Unfortunately, we won’t actually get our shoes for another four weeks because they’re being custom made… BUT on the up side, we’ll have freaking custom made shoes.

I’ve been trying to get myself to paint more, since I haven’t held a brush for about 2 months. I’m still trying to develop this expressive, Clayton Brothers-esque style, but I feel like I need more control. I’m thinking more washes and a lighter touch. Everything feels heavy in this painting.

I was going to call this one “the separation of church and state”, since the Washington Monument somehow ended up on one of the guys’ heads, but I don’t think the pyramid on the other guy’s head says “church”. They’re also very close together, and not separated at all. That just seems like a stupid title for this painting anyway. Can anyone think of something better?

I’m working on a new album! This is the sophomore slump guys, so don’t expect much. I’ve only made three songs, and so far I’m going minimalistic. I’m taking this very seriously* now, just look at the design and title of the album (the right side is the front, left is the back):

Here’s the song Tail Lights

*yeah right

Here is a little snippet from the other project I’ve been working on. This is probably my most favorite image in the book so far. It also took me the longest to make! Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh:

Hey, some movie comes out this Friday, it’s supposed to be really good. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it, it’s called Bat Men or something? It has something to do with knights, perhaps it’s about the middle ages?

I had a portfolio review at Knock quite a while ago, these are the thank you cards I mailed to the directors after the meeting.

This has been a pretty busy summer so far. It began with several informational interviews, which helped get my name out there a bit and introduced me to design shops/designers around the city. It also lead to an offer for an internship, but I couldn’t take it! It was a really tough decision, but in the end everything worked out okay.

SES overlapped with a freelance project I’m working on for Spunk, which then overlapped another project with Treat and Company (a partner company with Knock, the portfolio review led to this project). I’d say combined there is about 1 to 4 ratio of illustration to design with these projects, both of which are scheduled to be completed this month. I’m making stuff, so I’m happy. AND I’m learning, yay! I also got to hand off an… interesting project to Emma! Which she can tell you ALL about.

Here’s a secret preview of the project for Treat, shhhhhhhh:

Yesterday, I was:
-called a “fucking asshole” who was being “watched by the government”,
-almost killed by the Minneapolis lightrail, and
-kicked out of a Hmong farmer’s market, or “asked to leave”, I should say.

All in a day’s work, I suppose. I was just hired yesterday to work on a project with the Spunk Design Machine. It’s a freelance job that’s going to last about a month and I’ll be working with another designer, Joe Kral. I think it’s going to be really awesome, but I’m super nervous. It’s my first real project that I’m working on, with direct contact with a client, and I feel like I’m under a lot of pressure. In addition to that, I’m going to be Art Directing a photo shoot THIS SATURDAY. I’m SO scared. I know I can do it, but I’m still absolutely terrified. Wish. Me. Luck.

The guys, and girl!, at Spunk are really awesome. Everyone there is nice and very interesting, also they are easy to talk to and SUPER TALENTED. I like being there a lot so I hope everything goes well.