going for a little bit of pop...

For this year's set and costume designs for The Original Show, I was given the task of creating a work of art on stage that begins in a nearly colorless state and gradually transforms with pops of it as the show develops. Actually, this was just the beginning of the list of criteria that went into this design, and I found myself vacillating between multiple ideas for a while, trying to find the one that best fit the hopes of the director.

The one I ended up going with was this Roy Lichtenstein inspired design. I really liked doing something playful and vivid like this and I think it will work well with the vibe of the show. The central wall is made up of 6 units - each one with three sides. Each side is painted differently, so the units can be spun around to bring in the pops of color. This stage has red curtains, so I tied those into the design, by painting a continuation of the curtains onto the walls in order to bring them into the work of art. The cast will start out in black, and start changing into a more colorful wardrobe (below) as their characters develop.

The title of the show this year, "It's so... original!" came from my word bubble on the right. :)

weekend projects...

This weekend I've been working on sketches for Harvey, giving my vintage boxes a new life and enjoying 30 degree weather (like spring!).  Despite the fact that it's warmed up, I've still been working on a lot of projects on my living room floor since my studio has no heat.  This tends to result in an art project explosion.  Funny how it happens in a matter of seconds, but takes so long to clean up... which is what I am about to do next since I have dinner guests tonight!  On the menu: moroccan-spiced chicken, minted carrots, apricot pistachio couscous... and ice cream of course.

the mess... and the results.

What time of year is it?

Currently I've been keeping myself busy with a slew of projects... some of which are firsts for me.  This week I completed my first logo design... and began my first costume design job.   I've also been adding more jewelry to my shop.  In the meantime, I need to keep reminding myself that Christmas is just around the corner and maybe now would be a good time to start preparing!  

The cold has officially set in here in Chicago, so more and more I'm getting cozy inside with movies and books... If you are looking for a movie recommendation,  go see Slumdog Millionaire.  It opens the door to a different reality, has great rhythm, and a main character you want to root for!

Stay-cation

I am on vacation!!  Or, what some may call "stay-cation".  This is what someone told me the other day when they found out I was going absolutely nowhere during my time off.  I have a lot of projects on my plate to keep me busy while I am home.  I started out on Monday by building a model for the set design I'm working on for The History of American Film.  Right now it's in it's more skeletal stages so I can plan the structure of the set, from there I'll start working on surface details.  I've also been working on painting and some new jewelry for my shop.

It hasn't been all work though - Sunday I went to the Hideout block party, which was a good way to kick things off.  The weather was beautiful, I ran into a few friends, had a really good black bean burger with mango salsa, and saw the New Pornographers and Ratatat perform.      

Here are some of the posters that were printed for the party.  Unfortunately, they were sold out by the time I arrived.  The bird poster is a print by Alana Bailey, the telephone pole poster is by Judgeworks.                                                                                   

 

up

This has been the week of 2 am.  Up until 2 am e-mailing, up until 2 am finishing my bracelet order, up until 2 am because I just can't sleep, up, up, up.  It felt good to get the bracelets done!  There they are above, snuggled in packing peanuts and ready for California.  I'm still working on the set design for The History of American Film, but that will be done by Monday.  My goal tonight: don't stay up until 2 am.

August Blues

I spent yesterday in Michigan with some friends.  As the day was ending, we climbed atop one of the dunes and watched the sun set into the lake.  It was clear and windy and the water was warm and turbulent.  We left the beach while the horizon was still orange and I felt the pang of the august blues, of summer always slipping through my fingers... 

School is coming back into session, which means set design season is coming.  I have two scripts I need to read in the next couple of weeks so I can get started.  Time to dig in.

I'm taking a short break from painting, drawing and jewelry to complete a set design for Pippin.  My inspiration for this set is a combination of some paintings by Dali, Escher and Hodler.  This drawing is the backdrop for the show.