Recent graphic design project

A local actor recently hired me

to create an online portfolio and some promotional materials for him. Here’s the post card I came up with:

The front features our home city of Pittsburgh in a washed out photo as the background. It also emphasizes his build and history as a boxer.

The back uses a plain white, non-distracting background for sort of a minimalist effect. It also shows a few different look variations with the small images as well. I’m sure he won’t mind the contact info being out there, after all, that’s the whole point of promotion isn’t it?

I made sure to use a fairly interesting font but also tried to keep it simple enough to be easily readable.

Here’s the online portfolio I built on his behalf:

A hidden treasure for the creative mind

As most of the Creative Dreamers readers probably know, I’m a proud Pittsburgher. And as such, there are a few locations in my neck of the woods that I really like to use for creative inspiration. One such spot is known simply as “Seldom Seen.” OK, technically, the official name is the “Seldom Seen Greenway.”

There’s a reason for the name – very few people are aware that the scenic, tranquil spot even exists. And even for those of us who do, it’s really hard to imagine that this woodsy and isolated space is literally inside the city boundaries.

A while back, I created a walking tour of sort and posted it in several parts on Youtube. Feel free to check it out for yourself. Even if you can’t get there in person, maybe the very visuals will help to inspire you as well as they do me.

Help choose the new photos for my website

What do you think?

My photography and creative arts business website is going to be getting a makeover in the near future. And, I’d love to have the readers here at Creative Dreamers offer up your suggestions for a new look.

The current look of the Three Rivers Creative Arts website features six photos on the homepage that rotate in something of a slideshow. While this format will remain, I’m looking to change the featured photos and replace them with others from the various galleries on the site.

In the end, a mix of photos from the following galleries will be chosen to be included in the new homepage layout:

Landscapes

Models

Occasional Portraiture and Events

Wildlife

To have your two-cents considered, feel free to choose up to six photos from the site by providing the name of the gallery, the page number within that gallery and the number sequence in which the photo appears. See example below:

You can submit you favorites by commenting on this post.

Thanks for your feedback!

Recent photo shoot with alternative pin-up model

When I shoot with models…

I love to work with all sorts of looks. One of which, if you’re even a casual reader of this blog you probably know, is alternative models. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, that commonly includes women featuring body art and subculture styles.

Another really cool style is the classic pin up look that came out of support for U.S. troops during the wars and battles of the mid-20th century.

So, why not combine both for an amazing model photo session?

The photos below are from a recent shoot with the stunning Brittany Jordan. They were taken at my studio location in Pittsburgh and I hope you enjoy them.

This one makes use of a cool, classic vibe with the retro bar stool and the black and white coloration.

This one uses a spot color effect on her vibrant hair mixed with a classic pin up pose to have an almost Andy Warhol like quality.

Moving away from the pin up look for this one, it has sort of a sexy / naughty teacher theme if you will.

The spot color effect with a pose that accentuates the models chest makes for a fun, flirty photograph.

Last but not least, this one lends a little edge to the model’s look with the cigarette and the black fedora.

 

Unfinished Business exhibit by Art of Natiq

A few months back a young fellow with extraordinary artistic talent utilized my artist studio for rent in Pittsburgh. He was in the process of putting together some work for a huge exhibit in the heart of the city’s Garfield neighborhood.

The show coming up this April and I enjoyed seeing his work so much that I simply had to give him a shout out.

So, without any more delay, you can feel free to check out the details in the jpeg of the event postcard below.

Hockey masks as art? You bet.

This blog has featured a number of examples in the past showcasing how two seemingly separate career fields – art and sports – can collide in beautiful  and sometimes unexpected ways.

Sitting at home the other night watching the Pittsburgh Penguins (I am a Pittsburgh-based artist after all) take it to the New York Islanders, I took notice of the goaltenders’ helmets. I had forgotten just how interesting they can be.

Probably just about every goalie in the NHL wears a mask with a customized design that fits them as an individual. Maybe it showcases his personality, is a play on a nickname or has some other significance or even none at all, these masks are painted to be 100% unique.

Below are a few of the really cool examples from images taken by Sports Illustrated. A few are dated but still pretty awesome.

Some really interesting masks:

Worn by Vesa Toskala of the Toronto Maple Leafs

Worn by Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes

Worn by Peter Budaj of the Colorado Avalanche 

Worn by Marc Dennis of the Tampa Bay Lighting

Last but not least…

Worn by Marc-Andre Fleury of the Pittsburgh Penguins

The amazing artistry of Natiq

Recently, a very talented young yet experienced artist needed a place to take some photos to use as reference material for an upcoming art show to be held in early April. He found me online and  took advantage of my photography studio for rent in Pittsburgh.

He brought along with him a few samples form his portfolio and quite honestly I was blown away. I’ve always had a special admiration for anyone who can paint.

I’d like to share his work with my Creative Dreamers readers and I hope you enjoy his talent as much as I did.

Check out a sample of his work below as well as his Art of Natiq website.

Title: Why

The two most overused words in English (or any other) language

As a writer, I consider myself a student of language. This includes both the uses and abuses of words common to our everyday communication. And while many words are overused all the time, in my opinion  there are two that stand out among the others. These words are “love” and “hate.”

Having written two books of poetry to this point, obviously a genre of writing that deals in emotion, I can understand the tendency to use such words quite often. However, I can also understand why doing so can essentially devalue them to some degree.

Let’s take some examples.

Love

Love is the strongest and most powerful positive emotion any being is capable of experiencing in their life. So while you may really enjoy pasta or are a huge fan of my hometown Pittsburgh Steelers, you neither love Italian food or the legendary football team.

Hate

Maybe this actor or that one may not be your favorite, or a specific song rubs you the wrong way. However, I am willing to bet that you do not actually hate either the movie star or that particular tune.

Moral of the story – think twice before using such strong words in either your writing or casual everyday speech.

Rock, pop, hip-hop and metal oh my – music in the ‘Burgh

Over the last decade or so…

I’ve been lucky enough to encounter and meet some of the local, Pittsburgh-based musical artists that have helped to keep the long tradition of fine musicians from the region alive and well. And in this post, I’d like to take a a moment to introduce you to the work of these outstanding talents.

Now, if you’re from the “Burgh, or have spent some extensive time in the city, you might already know about these artists. If not, in my opinion, you’re in for a real treat.

J. JAMES

I’ve known this talented rap/hip-hop/pop-rock artist since he was about 6 years old. His music is entertaining and energetic and will really get you pumped up.

ANTHONY RANKIN

This young man has a music degree from a local university and has been working with some of the biggest names in the local music scene. I believe he’s released 4 or 5 albums to date.

I AM JEDI

I met the lead singer a few years back while while she was delving into modeling a bit. I was one of her first model photographers. She and her metal band are awesome lyricists and musicians. And unlike a lot of metal bands, the lead singer can go in and out of traditional vocals and “screamo” singing with ease.

NIGHTLIFE

This band is comprised of several middle-aged guys and a hot young front woman. Together, they make for a great combo. I’ve only come across them recently as that the aforementioned lead singer is the girlfriend of one of my old neighbors.

THE AWFUL WAFFLES

Like I Am Jedi, this band’s front lady came to me first while experimenting with modeling for goth pics. She also has a degree in music with a focus on education. These guys seem to have a heck of a lot of fun doing what they do.

BRADEN MILLS

I first met this guy at a local artist market. He just randomly began playing for a crowd. At that time, I think he was about 16 but far beyond his years in vocal abilities and especially in the way her could handle his guitar.

Summer photo shoot video

This video is a quick “behind the scenes” if you will of a photo shoot I did last month along with another fellow Pittsburgh photographer. I figured since Summer is now almost over, this might be a fun little think to post as we wish the season goodbye until next year.

Enjoy!