Blog — art education

Can comics be considered a plausible marketing medium? Yes, they can. Comics combine literature and visual art to make something more than what either of them are alone and this offers a unique opportunity to convey a message that might otherwise be lost in the crowd. I've had a couple opportunities to work as a cartoonist on marketing collateral and I thought I'd share the process with you. Vicky Goggin, a realtor based in Texas, approached me about designing a unique series of postcards to send to her target zip code. She wanted something radically different than the other realtors...

Sand sculptures are a powerful fine art and marketing medium that can evoke fond memories and leverage these associations to the commissioner's benefit. With the popularity of sand sculptures, I find it surprising that they are not more frequently used in marketing. Whether a company event, award ceremony, or convention, a sand sculpture demonstration is something attendees are sure to remember.

When companies lose money, accountants use the term “in the red” to describe the negative sums. “In the red” comes from the color of ink that they use in their ledgers. Black Friday is thus named because it is when the ink turns from red to black. In honor of Black Friday, here's a look at how designers use black in marketing, fashion and fine art.

Fall brings leaf peepers out in droves to see the changing of the seasons. With a dramatic show of color the verdant leaves of summer die and a carpet of white rolls out across the nation. Artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe have depicted this subject matter, her 1924 painting of “Autumn Leaves” was completed at Lake George where she liked to gather leaves for their striking diversity, shape and color. Much like O'Keeffe, I find foliage a muse I feel compelled to capture. Every fall Chris and I travel to North Carolina for a vacation exploring the flora and fauna...