JM 
From Illustrative identity to Celebrity Inspired, Americana inspired, Film Noir inspired, Vehicularly inspired, American Arts and Craft Movement (Mission Style), Randomly inspired and Illustrations in Use
My illustrative style
I see the early 20th century as an interesting time in the development of art. Many artists were originally trained in classic methods of drawing and painting but often shifted to a more modernist approach. There was a big influence from Japanese woodblock prints in the late 19th and early 20th century in the art world. As a life-long student of Asian martial arts I was also interested in the apparent simplicity of Asian art and design principles. The late 19th and early 20th century was also described as the golden age of illustration before photography became the prominent visual media. Photography, however, was often used as a source of inspiration for artists even before it dominated the periodicals of the 20th century.
I have alway been interested in the Japanese concept of ‘notan’ even before I knew what it was. The Japanese concept of balanced light and dark regions in a composition is known as notan. The circular yin and yang form from Eastern philosophy is one of the most well-known symbols expressing this concept. The symbol of yin and yang Notan is essentially the belief that the dark and light aspects are equally significant and that they cannot exist without each other. Negative space cannot exist without positive space, and vice versa.
In my days as an art student in college I would often create high-contrast images in photography class because I liked the effect. I would take a photo and reduce the gray-scale images to only two tones back and white. Later when I did a lot of plein-air (outdoor on-location) painting I learned this was a classic method to help start a painting for establishing the light and shadow areas.
Illustrative identity
This type of identity is a simplified representational way of creating a logo or icon. It has a specific 'Look' that is both modern and classic at the same time. It is a bit nostalgic but also can have a fresh contemporary feel using the right color scheme. It can work great for identity or signage.
Celebrity inspired
Celebrities are a sort of iconic human. They are seen as the epitome of something: great skill, great talent, great beauty. By creating a celebrity image in a simplified style an icon of an icon is created.
Americana inspired
Artifacts and images related to the history, geography, folklore, and cultural legacy of the United States can be referred to as Americana. The subjects do not have to be old, but they must be connected properly to the American culture. I enjoy finding inspiration in old black and white photography.
Film Noir inspired
Film noir is a cinematic phrase that refers to elegant Hollywood crime dramas. They are shadowy films about shadowy subjects, generally from the 40’s to the 60’s. Noirs got away with more suggestion and innuendo from the censors than often squeaky clean “A” pictures did. They have more of a coolness factor. Many of the noirs were “B” movies which did not have huge budgets, they had to be more creative in their use of lighting for effect. The play of light and shadow in these films is a great source of inspiration.
Vehicularly inspired
Classic vehicles are works of art in themselves. There were/are a number of high-level designers who created the styles and forms we know and love. Creating an artistically inspired creation from another stylish design always an inspiration.
American Arts and Crafts
Movement (Mission Style)
From 1900 until 1916, the American Arts and Crafts movement was at its peak, attempting to transform society through design. The movement featured solutions for all of life's essentials, from building and furniture to metals, pottery, and textiles. It was a reaction to the fussy ornamental and mass produced items of the Victorian era. It is the back-to-basics, simple line, form and structure that attracts me to this style.
Illustration in use
My illustrations look great as beer can labels, wine labels, packaging, murals and anything you can imagine.
Visual media support
for your business
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