I recently returned from an amazing first trip to the Pacific Northwest. We spent 3 days in Portland, Oregon; 2 days driving south along the coast; 1 night camping in Humboldt Redwoods State Park; 3 days in San Francisco, California; 1 day in Santa Cruz, California and 1 day driving north along I-5 (past Mt. Shasta).
From magnificent vistas to retro signage, the whole trip was an endless feast for the eyes. It was also an endless feast for my belly, not pictured.
Above, left to right, starting at top row: Cool hand-painted signs in Portland; Lemons growing on a tree in Santa Cruz; Sign for Grant’s Pass, Oregon; Tiles in a SF BART station; Retro sign on the Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz; Hand-made kooky sign at Voodoo Doughnut Too in Portland; Stenciled sidewalk in SF; More Santa Cruz signage; Hand-painted pattern on SF store window; Golden Gate Bridge; Beautiful view somewhere along Hwy 1; View from the roof of our hostel, SF; View from Haight, SF; Dolores Park, SF; Eel River, CA; Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk; Me in the Redwoods; A rose at our table in Vita, a restaurant in Portland (Rose City).
These mugs are basically a comic strip with the superpower of containing my morning beverage of choice. The mug in the top row is an historical artifact at my J H I desk, having been with me through various office configurations and my transition from multiple cups of coffee daily to the occasional half-caff or Earl Grey.
The pair were part of a thank-you gift from ceramicist Adams Puryear, for putting he and a friend up on my futon as they passed through RVA a few years ago. They serve as daily reminders of two important life lessons:
- Remember to appreciate silliness.
- Tofu always wins.
I really think I got the better end of the deal.
(Click the photo to view it larger and “read” the comic.)
Recently J H I designed not one, but TWO (dare we say gorgeous) new websites for Better Housing Coalition. To make it easier for different users to find the information they need, we split the vast amount of content that was previously on one site into two: betterhousingcoalition.org (above) and bhchomes.org (below). The first site will tell you everything you want to know about Better Housing Coalition, an award-winning non-profit organization that changes lives and transforms communities through high quality affordable housing. (Please consider making a donation while you’re on their site.) The second is where to go for details on buying or renting one of their beautiful, eco-friendly apartments and homes.
BHC is remarkable, smart and really good at what they do, and it’s been an honor to work with them and to make our own small contribution to improving affordable housing right here in RVA.
Behold! The recently revamped brochure for the ever-exciting Cat’s CAP, a spectacular summer program of St. Catherine’s School.
pop (’08) vs. POP!!! (’09)
We began with the original (fun but not-getting-any-younger) design, and applied a few more coats of the following: Summer, Playful, Energy and Excitement to bring it boldly into 2009 with us.
(More beauty shots and video under the cut!) continue reading
The Visual Arts Center of Richmond asked us to create graphics for their current show, From Sand, and if I may toot our horn for a moment: they came out quite nicely! I particularly love the wide swath of beautifully delicate-yet-active pattern Carter used on the invitation and the cover of the event program.
From Sand is open at VisArts until March 22, 2009.
So perhaps I’m a little late to the party: all of a sudden I’m really into GOOD, despite the fact that I’ve known about it for a good (hah) while now. I just never really sat down and gave these people my full attention. That is, until yesterday (mid-informal-brainstorm) when Maya, Carter and I sifted through their site for inspiring infographics.
We found some:
It turns out they’re doing some other pretty cool things over there at good.is. continue reading
This Saturday, December 12th from 10 am to 5 pm, 40 of Richmond’s best indie crafters in Richmond will be displaying their latest work at the Handmade Holiday Craft Show. This event is sponsored by The Richmond Craft Mafia and will be held at the Visual Arts Center.
(PS – Tickets to the Preview Party on Friday night are available here.)
Please come out and see my latest gourd creations, appearing for the first time under the official name of “Avant-gourde”. This group is brand new and has not yet been featured on my blog. To get a gander of previous pieces, click here.
I HAVE LOTS MORE TO DO AND A COUPLE OF VERRRRY LONG NIGHTS AHEAD OF ME!!! -
(See you at the show!)
We’re very excited about the History campaign we’ve been working on for Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau. When the time came to apply this campaign to the front of a Segway, well, let’s just say we gladly rose to the challenge.
Brandon is excited, too!
Thanks for reading – we appreciate your time.
I love springtime in Richmond, for so very many reasons. All the cheerful people in their cheerful outfits, walking down our cheerful streets that are lined with the first cheerful blooms of the season — it just makes me feel so… glad.
Another reason for my spring fever is the return of in-season local produce! Today marks the official re-opening of Oregon Hill’s Byrd House Market, my favorite place to visit after work on Tuesdays from May to October. The market hosts dozens of vendors, with gobs of fresh and local fruits, veggies, meat and dairy (if you’re into that kind of thing), as well readymade food and breads, flowers, plants, arts and crafts. (Designers’ Bonus: there are beautiful colors as far as the eye can see!) The market is conveniently open from 3:30 to 7pm, so you can stop by on your way home from work to pick up glorious goodies for dinnertime and the rest of the week. For details and updates on what to look for at the weekly market, check out their blog right here.
First Friday and Saturday, December 7th and 8th
“Foodist Colony”
a group show to benefit the Virginia Food Bank
at None Such
Here is how it works…
Each artist that has a piece displayed in the gallery for the month of December, has also created multiple editions, books, or other samples of their artwork. These samples will be available for trade instead of purchase.
All you have to do is bring in some canned food and trade it for a piece you like!
Each artist has determined the amount of cans needed to “purchase” their work. For instance, if you show up to the opening with 10 cans from your pantry you can trade them in for a small print by one of the participating artists.
Please make an effort to bring organic foods!
Opening receptions will be held Friday evening from 7pm until 10pm and all day Saturday from 11am until 10pm (so you have plenty of time to buy your cans). On Saturday there will be baked goods, holiday photo opportunities, and live music by local musicians.
A list of participating artists follows…
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