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Post #1062 – Put us on MTV, all we really need….

// September 22nd, 2011 // No Comments » // art, design, music, posters

Sometime this past August, I was approached by the MTV World Design Studio in Buenos Aires to create a “gig-poster style” print ad for their 2011 European Music Awards, which will feature a live performance by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Now, as a late 80′s skate rat, I grew up on the Chili Peppers, picking up the Uplift Mofo Party Plan on cassette after watching them live via VHS at the Vision Skate Escape, and even though I haven’t really followed the group over the past few years, I was still stoked to work on something for the band.

MTV provided a specific reference photo for the illustration, as well as the EMA logo, a style guide and three specific colors that needed to be used (the pink, purple and dark purple that you see in the poster, which, as you might imagine, proved a little difficult to work with.)  After a few rounds of back and forth, what you see to your left is what we came up with.

Internally the folks at MTV Design dug it, but higher-ups in the company decided to go a totally different direction, preferring to use a photo of the soon-to-be-announced host instead.  A bummer for sure but what can you do.

So, instead of leaving this to languish in some digital graveyard, I decided to post it here for your enjoyment.  Like Kurtis Blow said, these are the breaks.

Post #1059 – Steely Dan poster

// September 9th, 2011 // 2 Comments » // design, music, posters

I’ll be honest, I never really got into Steely Dan – I’d heard stuff over the years of course, but they never really moved me and it just wasn’t my thing, no big deal – so when I was asked to create a poster for their sold-out performance at the Tower Theater this weekend, I was a bit at a loss on how to approach it. Doing some research though, I found out they took their name from a line in William Burroughs‘ infamous novel, Naked Lunch.  Being a fan of Burroughs, I decide to take the whole thing full circle and do an illustration of the famous author.  I hope the band dig it.

These were printed by the guys at ABNRML and were presented to the band as a gift from Live Nation.  It’s a two color screen print on 130lb Black French Construction paper, size 12.5″ x 19″.  I do have a few extra prints that will be available for purchase in the new online store, once I finally get around to working out the kinks.  Stay tuned folks.

Post #1057 – My Friends, Atlas

// August 18th, 2011 // No Comments » // art, design, music

This Friday night, be sure to catch two of the better up and coming bands from Delaware, Atlas and My Friends, as they celebrate the release of their brand new, split EP (on glorious 12″ vinyl) at the Queen in Wilmington.

I was honored to be asked to design the record sleeve, which features the collage, In Adhesion on the cover. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that it’s much more satisfying working on a 12 inch record, rather than a rinky-dinky CD jacket so I personally can’t wait to see the finished product. I’ve heard both sides, and they’re really good – you can check them out for yourself down below – but be sure to pick up a copy of the record as well, since these guys put a lot of blood, sweat, tears and money into this thing. Honestly, I was first approached about doing the artwork around this time last year, so these guys have been working on this for a few years now. As always, support good music.

Also playing that night are Troubled Hips (who I keep hearing nothing but great things about) and Easy Pyramids, so it should be a good night. The show started at 8:30 pm and is $7 at the door. Friday, August 19th at the World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE.

Copies of the EP will be avialable on this site shortly as well, once we get the new store up and running. Stay tuned true believers.

And on a side note, some of you might remember the Atlas track, Blue Lakes, from mighty joe castro podcast #2, Something to be proud of.

Post #1049 – So you guys wanna see a dead body?

// June 13th, 2011 // No Comments » // art, design, skateboarding

I recently designed a t-shirt for Kinetic and Switch skate shops in Delaware, to help raise money for the new 7th Street skate spot in Wilmington.  The tee is loosely based on the film Stand By Me, as an inside-joke to the way-out-of-the-way location of the new park – it’s basically a long walk down a deserted, overgrown road to an abandoned boat dock where the side walk ends.  Regardless though, the spot is heavily sessioned by the local kids 7 days a week and worth checking out – I-Path, Mystery and the Vans teams have all been through lately.

All proceeds from the sale of these shirts will go toward pouring new concrete obstacles for the park.  You can pick one up at either Kinetic or Switch skate shops or, if you’re from out of town, you can now order them online as well. Thanks for the support.

And for all the cinephiles who will undoubtly cry out “…but Castro, it wasn’t Teddy Duchamp who said that line in the movie, it was the fat kid Vern. You’ve got it all wrong!” – well, yeah, I took a little artistic license here because it made a cooler shirt.  Plus you can never go wrong with one of the Cory’s, bro.

Post #1022 – 30 years of being ABNRML

// January 4th, 2011 // No Comments » // design, posters

I was honored and stoked to recently be commissioned to design a limited edition screen print celebrating ABNRML’s 30th year in business. I decided to use images of a rabbit (the chinese zodiac animal for 2011) and rooster (for 1981) as a subtle way to illustrate that passing of time and included 30 stars along the edges, one for each year in business. The print measures 12.5″ x 19″, and is printed 3 color on a metallic gold patterned French paper. Plus it’s reversible, so you can rock whichever animal you’re feeling at the time (I go back and forth as to which one I like best). Unfortunately, only a handful were printed for some of ABNRML’s clients and close friends so I don’t have any extra for sale.  Them’s the breaks kids.

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Post #1021 – Deerhoof for the new year

// January 3rd, 2011 // No Comments » // design, posters

First off – Happy New Year to everyone – glad you could join us in 2011. Sorry for the lag in posts but the past few months have been insanely busy, with lots of exciting projects in the works – let’s hope  all this toil brings good fruit in the coming days.  Among other things, Justin Clowes and I are wrapping up production on a new music video for 5 o’clock Shadowboxers so stay tuned for that one.  And a new podcast should be dropping sometime this month as well.

Anyway, here’s a brand new gig poster I  designed for Deerhoof’s upcoming show at the TLA in Philadelphia, February 11, 2011.  It’s a 2 color print on 100lb Orange French paper cover stock, 19″ x 25″.  And, as always, printed by our good friend at ABNRML.  I’m not sure if these will be on sale at the gig or not, but I do have a couple of prints for sale over at ETSY – pick one up quick because once they’re gone, they’re gone.

And the actual collage that was used should be for sale at an upcoming show in February  - stay tuned for details.

And if you’re not following us on twitter or facebook, make it your first smart decision for 2011.  Updates are definitely more frequent on that side of things.

Post #1019 – You win some, you lose some…

// November 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // design

Here’s a t-shirt design I recently submitted to Philly indie-rock band Free Energy – unfortunately, the group wasn’t feeling it so it won’t get used. I don’t know – I thought it was funny but what can you do.  You win some, you lose some. Anyway, I thought it was cool enough to at least share with you. And who knows – I may reuse this illustration in some form down the road.

Post #1016 – Photoshop Fight Night tonight!

// October 22nd, 2010 // No Comments » // design, events

I’m honored and stoked to be a guest judge at tonight’s Photoshop Fight Night at Wilmington University.nCompetitors/design students will be given a three hour time span to create three completely separate pieces (a flyer, a poster and a banner)  - which is an insanely short amount of time for that much work – and it’s winner take all so there’s no holding back. Sounds like a lot of fun and I’m excited to see what everyone comes up with. Nothing like a tight deadline to bring out the best in designers.  If you’re in Delaware tonight, stop by for the visual carnage. The excitement starts at 5:00pm. Hope to see you there.

Wilmington University – New Castle – Audrey Kohl Doberstein Admissions Center
320 N. DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE 19720
Room: Auditorium
5:00 – 8:00 pm

Post #1012 – Create-A-Thon 2010

// October 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // design, events, Uncategorized

For the past 6 years, I’ve been extremely honored to donate my time each fall to a unique benefit event for Philly area non-profits called Create-A-Thon.  Basically, what goes down, is a group of designers and copywriters donate one solid 24-hour block of time where they create logos, brochures, ads and websites for selected non-profit organizations, free of charge. I’m sure if you’ve been following this site for a while, then you’re more than familiar.

This year, CAT took place October 7-8 and my client was Tree House Books, a real grass-roots non-profit based in North Philadelphia.  Originally founded as a used book store, Tree House quickly evolved into a place where local children can take part in writing workshops, create artwork, perform at open mic events, get homework help or generally express themselves in a warm, encouraging and safe environment. I designed a donor brochure for them as well as a flyer (pictured) and some business cards shaped like bookmarks. I got to work around 10AM Thursday morning and finally wrapped things up around 12:30PM Friday afternoon, so it was long day for sure but, as always, well worth it.  I plan on posting photos of all the completed pieces once I get samples back from the printer.

Special thanks to Burlington Press, who donated the printing this year and to Richard and Allison at Hypno for hosting the event and letting me be a part of it.

For more info on my design work, please visit redatticstudios.com.

Post #994 – We All Screen For Ice Cream

// August 5th, 2010 // No Comments » // art shows, design

I was recently invited to contribute a t-shirt for an “ice cream themed” art show in Philly. As many of you know, I have a pretty severe sweet tooth, so this was just too good to pass up, and a labor of love with much time being spent doing heavy research at each of the fine ice cream establishments sprinkled around the town of Rehoboth Beach.

Anyway, only 20 of these shirts were printed so, if you are interested in picking one up, the opening party takes place this Friday night, August 6th, at Part Time Studios from 6-10pm. Roughly 20 or so artists also contributed shirt designs, so there should be plenty of eye candy to take in.  And, as a bonus,  ice cream will be provided by the always delicious Franklin Fountain and, oddly enough, ice cream flavored jello shots will also be on hand, courtesy of My Jello Americans.  Stop by if you’re in town We All Screen for Ice Cream. 2031 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa 19125

And, as always, special thanks to the fine folks at ABNRML for screen printing the shirts. Much appreciated and a great job as always.