Big Air

Perplexed Rabbits, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and ink.Alex and I huddled in the basement last night (and identified new things to be fixed!) for the 15 minutes that the big Tornado was supposed to whirl through Tburg. Rob got our neighbors to move into their laundry room (no windows). I couldn’t find our flashlights in prep (along with filling water bottles) so off I went to the dollar store to see what there was to add to the collection. Now we have an extrodinary collection along with batteries to boot. The lightening was brilliant blue white without any thunder, just barometric rage, wind and persistent rain.

Lots of rain so the the buds on the trees are really coming on. My lovely $5. rosebushes from the drugstore are leggy with greenery. Tons of things to do outside too from raking to planting, pruning (my fave). Speaking of my fave, Mr. Hair is coming today to do a walkthrough with me around all the downed trees, things in need of help etc. Time spent with Mr. Hair (along with $) gives us the wonder of going through these big windy storms without a big tree across the road or  on the house. Time well spent.

The work list continues. Lots of thises and thats along with some leviathan scaled projects that are all ticking against the same “need it tomorrow” deadline. Looks like Saturday is a workday.

I plan on a royal bunny to celebrate the wedding tomorrow. I got up for Diana..but these two do not rock my world though the horses (plumed destriers) might prompt me to plunk myself in front of the tube. We’ll see.

Green world.

Sprung, Q. Cassetti, 2011 pen and ink, finished in Adobe Photoshop CS5Perfection. The heavy duty rains have created this green world with brilliant grass promising the season that is here and to come. The trees are budding. The tree peonies are waving their little fingered red hands at me. Mr White and the Greys are in and out all day so much so that I have flung the doors open and propped them so that I am not running to help them out. The world is so full of promise, of renewal, of another chance. My office windows are open as I cannot get enough of this cool humidity. I hope I can be productive with all this hope burgeoning outside of my window.

Alex is busy being freaked out about his Music AP (with ear training which he is not feeling overly comfortable with). Rob is busy with work (big project on the verge of happening…and all the business surrounding the liftoff ) and with the village business (EMS on the forefront of the issues). I am closing out the Yearbook, finishing up an illo for NYFoods, lots of new design for the big client and details (for others). So, nothing has quieted down.

Mothers Day for Peace (an event next Sunday at the Rongo from 2-8) with Richie Stearns, Jennie Lowe Stearns, The Double E, Long John and the Tights, Uniit, The Blind Spots)) need more posters (!). So, I need to get going to get the printer printing and the saving machine (me) to get jpgs to the new web group who are posting a site for women “mamas” to speak about peace.

More of nothing

eBunny, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and ink, color and image manipulation, Adobe Photoshop CS5Big rain and thunder promised today. It is lovely and humid. My sour cherry tree saplings showed up and are lying on the back porch waiting to be planted. There should be some leek seedlings/stock coming too. I figured the stinking deer would run from the leeks. I just hope that the leeks dont drive these deer towards the tree peonies and hosta. Yikes!

Mother’s Day poster is done and gone. Stupid me, I printed a slew of them with the wrong year…so I reprinted and now they are out in the world. I may be making little jpgs to help their website look a bit fresher.

Am working on an illo of a child holding a chicken for a project. It is a fast deadline (which I think all illustration…snap snap, snap!). Its coming along pretty will albeit the child has a striped shirt which I rezed up in photoshop and brought into illustrator as a workpath which I used the eraser on to get rid of all sorts of detail etc. Looks great. As this illo is not being used terribly big, I am working to size or a bit smaller to keep the tigerteeth big enough to  read at this smaller size. This is something I need to get better at.

Additionally, we are rolling into the new branding stuff…trying to really exercise these standards— and finding out what is missing. If only there was time to beta test this stuff…but I guess (as this is another try) that the whole strategy around refreshing or establishing branding is a changing tires while the car rolls activity. Finding new bumps, seeing what works/doesnt is part of the challenge because if we are being stumped, then what about the less sophisticated teams that often do not deal with their creativity being directed? Interestingly interesting.

May is just around the corner (has time flown? or what?)! Kitty’s birthday and her finals, Rob’s birthday, the prom, AP tests, SAT tests….and more. So much surrounds each of those bullets, I need to get rolling. Wasn’t it Christmas yesterday?

Thises and Thats

Mother’s Day for Peace, 2011 at the Rongovian Embassy, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and in, colored in Photoshop CS5, type in Adobe Illustrator CS5Heather Hallagan is busy putting together an event inspired by the historical reason for Mother’s Day—inspired by Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation ( 1879)

More from About.com:

“In 1870, Julia Ward Howe took on a new issue and a new cause. Distressed by her experience of the realities of war, determined that peace was one of the two most important causes of the world (the other being equality in its many forms) and seeing war arise again in the world in the Franco-Prussian War, she called in 1870 for women to rise up and oppose war in all its forms. She wanted women to come together across national lines, to recognize what we hold in common above what divides us, and commit to finding peaceful resolutions to conflicts. She issued a Declaration, hoping to gather together women in a congress of action.

She failed in her attempt to get formal recognition of a Mother’s Day for Peace. Her idea was influenced by Anna Jarvis, a young Appalachian homemaker who had attempted starting in 1858 to improve sanitation through what she called Mothers’ Work Days. She organized women throughout the Civil War to work for better sanitary conditions for both sides, and in 1868 she began work to reconcile Union and Confederate neighbors.”

So, our Tburg Mothers Day for Peace has some wonderful musicians and if its at the Rongo, there will be the staunch supporters which will make it fun.

We are getting Alex ramped up with time at Ithaca College this summer in voice and music composition. We hopefully will be arranging for him to have private lessons as well…and he seems fine with our bossiness. He is so sweet and kind to put up with our crap…and is nice to everyone. I want success and happiness for him.

Speaking of music,  The Community College of the Finger Lakes is having Gregg Gillis/ Girl Talk this summer in their outdoor amphitheatre. Tickets are winging their way here as Alex, Rob and I are big fans. Should be fun.

Some nice things on the web. I have found two wonderful blogs who have posted my work and thought I would share them with you:

A Polar Bear’s Tale: http://polarbearstale.blogspot.com: The author, Aputsiaq, posted this: By the illustrator, Q. Cassetti.

And the designer, Kim Carney, posted this about my work>>

Also, another job just came in via the web. Again, no idea who what where this art director saw the work, but it is a good job with a very good designer. I would say a good fit for my skills and what they are looking for. Wow. Its been four of these in the first quarter of this year. Maybe a trend. I think its too early to think about this…but there is a regular consistency that is rewarding and fun. Maybe something is happening?

Closing in on the  yearbook. Too exciting for words.

Another highlight: got my printer to work. How you ask? After futzing around with cables and the like, discovered that throwing away all the printer drivers and reloading them was the trick. Small pleasures. Huge frustrations.

Phone calls, post office, more printing, and of course some design work is in order. Gotta go.

Back!

Easter Bunny, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and ink, Photoshop CS5I tried coloring this thing..and sadly, the black and white was the one that worked for me, so no pastels for you on this Easter Sunday. It is a rainy and cold Easter so maybe the Bonnet and pastels can be put on hold (at least for a while). We just just got back from another whirlwind college visit for Alex. Amazing how these things just seem to happen!

Monday, Rob took Alex to Ithaca College (Music Composition seems to be where we are settling on…). Check! Ithaca is a contender. Then we drove (starting at 5 a.m.) to Hartford for a meeting that Rob had…Alex and I meandered in Hartford looking for some time killing shopping which we found at Marshalls (Easter stuff). Then, off to Amherst to visit with Kitty. We took her to dinner and Trader Joes (for snacks). It was great to see her. She accomodated us so nicely. Thursday, we toured Hampshire (another contender …and interesting to see through a different person’s/ Alex’s eyes). Then we hung out with Kitty for lunch…and Alex sat in on her afternoon course. We had dinner in Northampton and then went to the famed Ironhorse Music Hall to see Free Energy—a wild card band with great promise (the boys were educated) as they were recently worked with our local favorite here at 2 Camp Street, the amazing James Murphy. Comparing their CD to the show we saw, James Murphy really leaned into the production and energy of Free Energy’s work. It blows my mind slightly that retro 70s has any charm whatsoever. I thought the dreadful music at High School Dances was over (forever)…and like the gum on the shoe that Free Energy uses as an icon, there it is again…that bad penny of drum solos and tedious 70s riffs. It was a long hour (and change) at the Ironhorse Music Hall before we got to the group we came for got mike time. The two bands preceeding Free Energy made the point to Alex that if you have any sort of gig…you can get an audience (maybe not an enthusiastic one)…for at least a half hour. It also pointed up the musical wealth we have here in Ithaca.

Friday, it was up early to drive from Northampton to Burlington VT to see Champlain College. Not for Alex. Small, almost smotheringly small, with an overly wholesome group of kids who introduce themselves as “I am a professional writer”, “I am a professional editor”. No music on campus. No sports whatsoever. Lots of excitement around free teeshirts and dunk tanks. Seems like thirteenth grade which for some would work…but DJ AQ switched off as soon as the promo film was shown. The campus and facilities are gorgeous with every building having stunning views of the lake and mountains. After that, we did a UVM drivethrough and signed up for their “Junior Jumpstart” on Saturday (info session, tour with 900 others doing the same thing). Impressive organization. Impressive school. A contender.

We are back to catch up with the details of the weekend and ready ourselves for the week ahead. Yikes. Not much of a break…but 3 days of not doing the same thing as I have been daily since before xmas—and I feel a bit wittier and sharper.

More later. Spring is coming…as is Mother’s Day. I have a poster to finish!

Dim Sum Bunny

Dumb Bunny, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and ink, colored in Adobe Photoshop CS5Finishing up a ton of stuff. Got two big publications off the desk, and another two going to press in the next few days. Have had some fun with the new branding system—making little illustrations and pushing it a bit. I even talked animation with one person…and was able to spin enough of a dream to  let my client see what could happen with the combination of ideas. A couple of good words like “continuum” and path, and journey…and he got it…So, hopefully he can sell it to the broader group.

I think the Communication Arts folks have let their people know who has gotten into their Illustration annual…and I think I am not on that list. Charles Hively let us know that they are working on the annual 3x3 and we should hear soon from them.  I got 2 out of the 3 “AMLP” (a Million Little Pictures”) cameras so that Kitty,  Alex and I can enter this project. Should be fun. I signed up for the sketchbook project 2012 as it was a kick this past year…and got me on a jag…so its worth it. Need to start getting some work done. I think I will do another hour portrait a day program this year as it really got me thinking improving the chops. The recent portrait I did was a testament to the important to do a throw down like this. It pushes your eye, your hand and gets you to the place you need to go, faster and surer. I hate being unsure under pressure. Confidence is such a jolt and makes the work so much more fun…and more of the emotional charge that it can be. Loud music helps too (Alex has gotten me to listen to Kanye West, DJ Shadow and Girl Talk (my friend Marc says its very “2010”—which for this Van Winkle is absolutely au courant).

Gotta go. Its delightful that its still light out despite the rain. We have a few daffodils, a few red buds of the peonies poking up…and the stinky frittillaria pushing up to the deer’s dismay.

Delighted! Selected for American Illustration 30

Selected: American Illustration 30, Q. CassettiThis is a bigger deal than I had thought. This is what American Illustration 30 says about the competition:

Congratulations! Your work has been Selected to appear in the American Illustration 30 annual. On behalf of the entire jury, we thank you for your submission and support of American Illustration.
 
This year’s distinguished jury included Nicholas Blechman, The New York Times Book Review; Rachael Cole, Schwartz & Wade Books; Michael Ian Kaye, Mother New York; Todd Oldham, Todd Oldham Studio; D.W. Pine III, TIME; David Saylor, Scholastic Inc. and Dean Sebring, Worth.
 
From more than 7,000 pictures entered by over 1,100 illustrators, magazines, agencies, publishers and schools, the jury selected, by a majority vote or better, only 316 images to appear in the book and represent the best pictures from 2010. AI30 will be printed in full color and distributed worldwide in hardcover immediately after The Party, November 10, 2011 - our annual book launch event that brings the creative community together to celebrate the winners.

Delighted to say the least! and love the selection. You just never know!

Some Bunny.

Some Bunny, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and ink.Rain predicted for today. The boys have the day off…I am back at it…trying to close down some projects to be able to move forward in the work.

The dinner we attended the other night was remarkable. It was an annual recognition and review dinner for the Trumansburg Fire Company as well as the EMT/ Ambulance Corps. Why was it remarkable? Well, the sense of commitment, the pride in the work and the community of people who shared a common belief in giving for the greater good. The fire chief, Jason Fulton, gave an amazing presentation of statistics which really need to be made more public—parsed into layman’s terms to depict the gift of service that our fellow townspeople give annuallly that many take for granted. Not only that gift, but the amazing stripe of people from High School students through to retirees engaged toward the same goals…complete familes,  from grandma to grandchild…all involved and giving. The dinner was fabulous and delicious, the company wonderful, and the little touches and presentations of recognition were memorable. I am honored to have been able to attend with Rob.

We are so lucky to live in this little town which has so many little communities within communities—music groups, service groups, literature groups, school related groups, sports related groups, church related groups…overlapping circles that move and change as we all move and change. In a bigger environment, these circles are harder to see, harder to find. However, in a place as small as our little village, the overlap is broader, and the groups are more visable. I am delighted in this embrace that this little place gives us.

And now for the work.

No rest for the wicked

These dollies need new eyes, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and ink, digitalNeed to fire up the computer to get going on the yearbook scanning and more of the needlepoint, stitchery style patience of noodling in words of text, and improvements. I am making slow work of it, but it is progressing. A few hours this morning and all day tomorrow will help.

Rob is off with the fire company to see a volunteered house burned for the experience. What fun! We have the pleasure of the annual fire company dinner tonight where I must be Madam Commissioner….trying to hide under the tablecloths. I welcome the event and the opportunity to mingle with the pride of Trumansburg. I admire these people so much. They take on so much with life, emergencies and some, jobs as well.

These silly beestung ladies are for the Mother’s Day for Peace poster. Though I like their stunned look, I dont think it communicates a friendly event…and will probably alter the eyes for a better expression. I had a lot fo fun with this easter-y palette of gold and purple, blue and green which seems to be poking up out of the winter leavings. A crocus palette.

More later. Just wanted to say hi.

IF: Journey

Fraktur Journey, Q. Cassetti, pen and ink, digital

More Corn, Q. Cassetti, 2011, vector, Adobe Illustrator CS5Grinding away. Getting some things off the top of the desk, but it just keeps coming. Waiting to hear from the big pub insofar as the image I submitted was good…to go. Then, I think I will crank out a little postcard to send out to my friends with the image and the boasting that goes along with it.  

Waiting is hard…but it will be over (at least I hope end of day today). Knocking down a tabloid sized pub (redesigning a few spreads as the positioning of these articles are becoming clearer). We are updating the new branding files that were released last week…and starting to redesign things in the new format that we were trained on last week.

The Entourage thing is not working for yearbook. So guess who is laying out the current one? InDesign, Yeah! No problems, just another kooky deadline.

Kinneys Drug store have some glorious big rose bushes for $5.00 with big fat canes that I snagged as the deer cannot bear thorns…though that is the only thing that keeps them from eating the plants. I took easter baskets to the Yearbook class, which went over real well. Candy holidays are the best…everyone loves it, and one size fits all. Need to fill a basket for little Alex full of peanut butter and chocolate yummies and bandanas. That is his weakness. I have a little quelques choses for Kittybit…that maybe we can deliver next week-ish.

Head down...running at it.

COX, PALMER. (1840-1924). Canadian illustrator best known for his “Brownies” characters. CS. (“Palmer Cox”). 1p. 12mo (card). Brownieland, May 28, 1901.A charming pen and ink drawing of a Brownie pointing to Cox’s signature. IAm liking the hair thing in my illustration due Thursday. Am needing to tweak this a.m. as its due tomorrow. Hair was fun as its all drawn vectors and a few vector  brushes to do the more curly, fun hair. Close. Close…closer.

Have a chicken illo due soon. I have Mother’s Day for Peace, the Triathlon, and two new illos for a new exhibit at The Corning Museum of Glass (a pattern /texture derived from a type of glass and a redraw of a brownie (old school). Interestingly, in trying to find you a little reference on the Brownies, it turns up that the illustrator, Palmer Cox (1840-1924) created these characters, Cox’s Brownies, were wildly popular, with product endorsement an merchandising. They were early leaders in product linkage to this little line of characters.

Wikipedia goes further:” Not unlike fairies and goblins, Brownies are imaginary little sprites, who are supposed to delight in harmless pranks and helpful deeds. Never allowing themselves to be seen by mortal eyes, they are male, drawn to represent many professions and nationalities, all mischievous members of the fairy world whose principal attribute is helping with chores while a family sleeps.”

Kodak named their Brownie camera after these little critters that my mother, grandmother and I grew up with. The brownie cake, “Baked Sunday Mornings” cite that:

“And did you know that Sears is credited with publishing the first known recipe in the 1897 Sears, Roebuck catalog.  Most sources say that recipe was actually for molasses candy. The candy was  called brownies. And that name “brownies” honored the elfin characters featured in popular books at the time by Palmer Cox.  The Eastman Kodak Brownie camera was also named after the elves. Somewhere along the line the “brownie” name became associated with these tasty morsels of chocolate.”

Eye on the details.

Portrait detail, Q. Cassetti, 2011, vector, Adobe Illustrator CS5Churning away on the deadlines. We have amendments of files, we have new work, I have a chicken and boy to illustrate. From the fire to the fire. I am so happy I took Saturday off as a day of peace. At least I am not as rattled as I have been. I am feeling guilty about going to get my haircut today, but hey….it isnt like time time is not being put in.

The image for the big publication has been approved. It was an interesting back and forth. Rob was right…give em the “big ear” (the sketch one does that says to your client “I hear you”—before coming up with options/insights you as the illustrator/designer have on this project.  The big ear won…so away we go. Put in some time until 9 p.m. when Alex was home from Community Chorus and Rob home from the Village Meeting. I am thinking of submitting the illo with a few enlargements as I look at what was approved and the detail/ it could be a bit more interesting.

I learned a bit about a new twist on fonts yesterday. I guess its not really that new, but for me, a Rip Van Winkle, it’s new. I guess the world has finally transcended the simple selection of browser fonts from Verdana and Ariel (etc.) that browsers select for websites (simply). However, there are  far more choices out there and a great resource, Typekit. This is how Typekit talks about themselves: “Typekit is the easiest way to use real fonts on the web. Built around web standards, our service gives designers and developers a subscription-based library of hosted, high-quality fonts to use on their websites. We have over 250,000 customers including some of the largest sites on the web today: The New York Times, Conde Nast, IGN, Twitter, and many others. We are also actively integrating Typekit into hosted platforms—such as WordPress, TypePad, and Posterous—so that anyone with a website can use real fonts.” Pricing is fair for the ability to ratchit up the look and feel of your page. It will allow designers to really design with type…barebones beautiful. Take a look…and know that type comes back on the list of options for websites…beyond the tedious Verdana etc. Max price is $100 a year…min $25. to go from boring to wonderful.

Farhad Manjoo details @font-face on his great article for Slate:  “Down with Verdana (07.13.2009). I think this is a good primer of where this is going>>

Work awaits.

New Week

Fruit of the Field, Q. Cassetti, 2011, vector, Adobe Illustrator CS5Got the big pub work last evening—to be on the Art Directors desk first thing this morning. I took the image through the paces re composition and crop and looked at color or black and white. I hope its okay….and if its not, I will certainly find out (soon!). Plugging away on all the other stuff on our roster. Tons. Phone calls to make, people to talk to, projects to complete. If I just keep chipping, chipping….maybe I will at least keep the pile from growing too high.

We went off to Felicia’s last night to hear Amy and Ward Puryear in Double E. The music was great! and there were people dancing, chatting and drinking the delectibles that the Felicia Tribe dreams up and delivers. Nice crowd—particularly for a Sunday night. Then off to hear a swing band at Maxis with Alex and Rob. So, despite there was work yesterday, we had a little outing to at least suggest we were weekending.

The phone is about to ring with a scheduled call…so I need to go.

Sunday Study Hall

Corn, Q. Cassetti, 2011, vector, Adobe Illustrator, CS5More from the Illustration CSA. Loving these quickies on veggies. Decorative, an area I havent tried yet…and very eyewashy.  The curiousity on this one is a corn brush (in illustrator)—which will allow me to make corn swirls, corn waves, the world of corn. Much of it pretty corny. But the purpose of this exploration is just that…to play with brushes, explore illustrator and the new features.

Speaking of illustrator, I spent some time this morning during the coffee time, reading illustrator tutorials (what a nerd I am) from the articulate and engaging, UK designer, Chris Spooner— and learning some new stuff. Here are the ones that rocked my world:

> How to create a Vector Heart Illustration (path offset is the new add to my digital mis en place).

>How to create a  beautiful vector portrait in illustrator (can you say “vexel”?)

> How to create a trendy seamless pattern in illustrator (love the way he defines the repeat and works with it…more of a creative part of the process versus MATH).

Chris also has a premium program (a fee of $7. a mo.) to gain access to his tutorial files, get discounts and freebies from his pals, and considering the savings and freebies, $84. a year could be made up just in the services and connections. I am thinking about it.

Just a moment to talk as I am once again up to my elbows in alligators…not bad stuff…just busy. I got an email from a major, national publication looking for me to do a portrait for their publication with sketches due tomorrow and final due Thursday. This is a “dream” publication, and a real boost for me as it means that my first editorial job for pay is the BIG TIME. If it happens, if my work is accepted and all goes well, you all will be the first to know. I am just breathing deeply and thinking about my progression of work, how I can get them all they need, some good thinking and choices, and then the final that will work. The size is nice (4” x 5”) and the model they liked (Kitty’s portrait).

Rob has a presentation tomorrow he is engrossed in. I also have yearbook hanging like the sword of damoclese. Brought it on myself….

News: 3x3 Magazine on the Newstands later this month

Cover: 3x3, Issue 16, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and ink, digitalCharles Hively captures this on his 3x3, The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration magazine:

“We’re happy to announce that the next issue of 3x3 has gone to the printer’s—a tad bit late as usual but I think you’re in for a tasty surprise.

We’re marking a milestone as we begin Volume 6 of 3x3 and to celebrate that occasion we selected three stellar female artists with di-verse backgrounds and cultures.

Q. Cassetti has spent the better part of her life as a graphic designer but chose to move into the world of illustration, first exploring that prospect at Syracuse University, and then on to a master’s degree at the University of Hartford. Her design and illustration clients include Steuben Glass, the Corning Museum, Tiffany & Co., Estée Lauder, T. Rowe Price and FreeRein Wines. Her work has been honored by Communication Arts, Illustration West, American Illustration, 3x3 Magazine and the Society of Illustrators. Thanks to Ursula Roma for her insightful article.

for more>>

I also want to take a moment to thank Ursula Roma, fellow Hartford Art School student in writing a wonderful article and Jason Koski, friend, photographer, musician and fellow Tburger for his magical photographs. Keep your eyes out for this publication!

Back

Allium alora, Q. Cassetti 2011, vector, Adobe Illustrator CS5I saw the first robin of Spring this morning. I think we need to declare that Winter is done (though they are predicting snow today!).

The last few days were a blur albeit fun as I got a chance to put a face to a name with many of my virtual clients that I have worked for for years. So, that was great. The Branding session was exciting, informative and we played games like Jeopardy (done successfully with powerpoint slides), bingo and lots of worksheets. Of course the travel part of things was tedious with deadlines that were tight, traffic nuts and long waits on the runway. However, all in all, it was a fast few days filled with all sorts of interesting people, places and things.

Key New York/ New Jersey fashion observations: Long, long blond hair on older women….We saw lots of blondes with big hair streaming golden waves down to the middle of their back or longer. High Bodice Ripper Fashion complete with  the requisite scary high heels, and tight tight black suits with fluffy blouses underneath. It’s kind of a porn star vision of looking professional. I find it hilarious to see the numbers of these middle aged Barbies at the airport, posing and preening. Another fashion thing that is very encouraging….at least for me. It appears that the corporate culture has swung back to a less intense look at meetings…the requisite business suits— all spit and polish—seems to have swung back to a more formalized business casual.  And for me, as a “creative” I felt, for the first time in my life, felt comfortable in my own skin, looking as a “creative” versus having to blend in. I figure as long as I am viable and “cool”, so be it. I was inspired by the other creatives in the room and the way they presented themselves. Big personal move forward.

Its mop up time today. Time to get stuff moving and out of here.

Honor the Radish

Honor the Radish, Q. Cassetti,2011, vector, Adobe Illustrator CS5Yesterday was publications incorporated. Today is publications incorporated. I finished up a big pub yesterday and amended the mini annual report that I cranked on Sunday. Today I have a brochure to layout based on an idea from the client…but no copy yet. They want it printed by May 1….so its a speed job too.

Erich and I are going on the road for a day—to get trained on a new branding initiative which should be fun, fast and informative.  Rob will be back from the Museum gathering in Buffalo which from the short chat I had with him yesterday, seems like it was fun.

I am vectorizing and pretending I am a Provensen. I really need to crack open one of the Provensen books so I can be a stepchild or great niece once removed. Love the cookbooks they did…and Animal Fair. Or I can be the stepniece of Mary Blair? These veggies are fun. I am thinking of eggplants and tomatoes, peas and basil leaves. They become so homey and comfy—and can be relatively abbreviated  as we all know what they are. I created a “corn brush” and probably make another one with tapering kernels from the top to the bottom so I can brush a corn cob for fun. CS5 has all sorts of nice adds with the width adjuster to rules/lines, the add/subtract feature and all the wonderful ways to select, create libraries and color.

OMG: I was just looking out the window. It’s snowing.

I give up.

Pouring

Leek Frieze, Q. Cassetti, 2011, vector, Adobe Illustrator CS5So, its raining, its pouring…and the old man is at a business meeting. Thunderboom!

Rumor has it that Alex has a tennis tourney today—I hope its inside at Cornell (!).

I sent a postcard to Bargain Basement Printing —5” x 7” cards, 500 quantity for $36. The postcard is to promote the 3x3 article coming up crediting the editor, Ursula Roma and Jason Koski’s hard and beautiful work. Gotta get the labels from Barb…so I can get going on this. Anyway, the cards came back in a week (fast!), color pretty true and ready to roll. Am delighted with this new resource and am thrilled that getting big cards for a little price is great. More mailings, I think…for this year!

More prep for t he meeting this week. Erich and I get on a plane tomorrow evening, the next day back later in t he evening and then back to the fire…as the rollout for employees is in a month, so more work is on tap to get this rolled out.

I am surrounded by sleeping pets. It makes me sleepy just looking at them…and there is no time for me to relax. More later.

Breathe.

Radish, Q. Cassetti, 2011, vector, Adobe Illustrator CS5I am tired of walking lightly around the idea of vectors, of digital, of all things “non-traditional”when it comes to identifying my work. If one did a picture in pencil, one would cite it as graphite, or pencil in the naming convention of the image. If one worked as a screenprint artist, your work would be identified as serigraph or the process of serigraphy. Same with photography—only one might get jiggy with the type of print or process one used to identify the end product. However, when it comes to the world of illustration, we skirt the word digital or even (as I am planning now to do), or the program and process much like our friends the photographers do. Instead, we try to make digital seem better…”its kind of like gouache…” What is the deal? Is it that we traditional illustrators cannot embrace a new medium (lets align ourselves with photography)—where it a tool to help create or even create an image that our hands might not be equipped to do. Must everything stem back to the old masters, Howard Pyle, and the painters who trained us to think of illustration as a viable art expression, as a communications medium as a way to visually tell a story?

Rob has gone off to Buffalo for the Museumwise Conversations conference. Alex has a friend over. I am in my lair working on a speed pub for my big client. I am itching to do more pix of vegetables as I am using is as a way to learn more about brushes in illustrator. Tres fun.

Gotta go.