Barbarella, Queen of the Galaxy

I needed a distraction. Life feels like too much lately. I'm all kinds of unbalanced at the moment. I feel like I am standing on one foot with the wind rushing past me... strange. I put a request for a new project. Something to take me away from the long-standing obligations and would inspire me to create something new. 

My friend Osman Malik gave me an opportunity to create a flyer design for his show at the end of this month. It is my first commission in a VERY long time. I almost feel inexperienced but I am learning a lot through the process. I asked him for the details and a feel or message that he wanted conveyed. He said, "Barbarella."

I had never seen the film before... of course now I had to experience this strange science-fiction oddity of a cult film. I recognized the cover art but always confused it with those fantastic films of the same era. I still don't quite know how I feel about this film. It is totally ridiculous but I love so many of the small details.

I was inspired by the typography in both of the posters on the left. I feel like the most important feature of a flyer for a show are the words. The information. The letters.

I designed the flyer and drew it by hand. I used black fine felt-tipped pens to draw over the lines. No photoshop or any digital gadgetry. Using a ruler to set the letter spacing, I totally thought about how it could have been finished sooner or quickly adjusted if I had done the text via editing software. There does seem to be a magical quality about the instantaneous drawn quality. Those lines were drawn with ink and could not be erased. If anything, I could only modify it after and add other details to distract and beautify. The blue was an effect from sitting under my blue neon night light during photo documentation. It is actually drawn on 9 in. x 12 in. white paper.

I was proud that I committed to my set deadline. I had the drawing completed when promised. Of course I am now thinking about investing in a scanner to scan and send high-resolution images. I should also consider devoting more time practicing my drawing skills. I had a hard time feeling satisfied with the figure. I love letters. I love lines. Forms and dimension are difficult.

I need to figure the business angle as well as what realistic expectations I can set. I have little understanding of time and space. This opportunity will lead to more opportunities in the near future.

The Petticoat Tearoom

Buffalo 40

Osman Malik & The Truth

May 31st, 2014 

DC9 - Washington, DC

$10

I discovered the artwork of Brian Butler today. http://www.theupperhandart.com/

The Concert Drawings are pretty cool. I am looking forward to filling up my Travel Doodle Book with Christina.

 Oh yeah ... and this is one of the creepiest scenes with dolls that I have scene. Razor-teethed creepy dolls.