The beauty of type lies in its utility. Utilizing typography well can help lay the foundation for clever design. Here are a few of my favorite experimentations with the composition of lines, letters, words, syllables, synonyms, and bodies of text.
D is for Diptych
G is for Ginkgo / two compositions each made using only a leaf, a letter, and a line.
Z is for Zig-Zag
Unplug. Disconnect. Go play in the real world. Unplug is part of a campaign to encourage youth to play outside rather than on their devices. This is also one of many attempts to make multiple letters using a single line-- in this case, a cord.
Namesake explores the placement of and relationship between bodies of text, individual letters, syllables, and words. The text is taken directly from The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, and inspiration for each 12 x 12in. panel is derived from Indian culture and Bengali literature.
Daknum means "pet name" in Bengali.
This series takes its inspiration from an art form yielded by Abstract Expressionism: ephemeral art. Post-Minimalists like Robert Smithson created works that were never meant to be preserved—a notion that was highly influential at the time. Prior to Abstract Expressionism, artists had often strived for their works to ‘capture a moment in time’ and preservation had been highly considered during the creative process. Ephemeral art, especially Earthworks, center on the concept that everything is temporary; time does not allow for a moment to be held for longer than, well, a moment. One of the only ways to truly capture a moment in time—or an Earthwork—is through photography.
These five images depict conditions that are temporary, moments that are fleeting, and the ebb and flow that rules the constantly changing world we live in. I chose to photograph things or settings that are already purple and orange in nature, rather than manipulating images to adhere to my assigned color scheme. Each of the words incorporated are synonyms of the word ‘temporary,’ and the three different typefaces used are hollow.
My identity system combines light, condensed text and bold, organic shapes that mimic my ink drawings. The minimal black and white design serves as a sort of palate cleanser, contrasting the intense color schemes found in most of my work.
There are four versions of my business card, two of them horizontal and two vertical. Each card features a different ink drawing, giving them a 'collect them all' feature.
I pursued an education in graphic design, but painting has always been my passion. Visit my ABOUT to read more on that...
A few new paintings are currently in the works-- stay tuned!
Cryptogenic / acrylic on wood / 48" x 36" x 2"
Vitamin C Infused / gouache on paper / 8" x 10"
Rhaea Sunshine / Mama Moonshine / triptych / acrylic on wood / 24" x 72" x 2"
Rhaea Sunshine / Mama Moonshine
Rhaea Sunshine / acrylic on wood / 24" x 24" x 2"
Baby Daddy / acrylic on wood / 38" x 50" x 5.25"
Baby Daddy / acrylic on wood
Baby Daddy detail / acrylic on wood
Saul Bass / spread design and self-authored article
Organic Farming / spread design
Constructivism / spread design and self-authored article
Lear / versatile diptych poster design
Lear / versatile poster design / single poster
Lust / poster design promoting my favorite of the seven deadly sins
The Real Inspector Hound / poster design
Vaginalia / poster design / collaboration
100 Women: The Perception of Beauty / poster design
Berea Farmer's Market + Appalachian Proud Identity Branding
Littman Jewelers / Branding + Packaging Display / collaboration
Littman Jewelers / Packaging Display / collaboration
Littman Jewelers / Branding + Packaging Display / collaboration
Purity Soap / Branding + Packaging / collaboration
Purity Soap / Branding + Packaging / hand soap / collaboration
Purity Soap / Branding + Packaging / hand soap + bar soap / collaboration
Purity Soap / Branding + Packaging / hand soap + bar soap / collaboration
Purity Soap / Logo Design / bar soap label / collaboration
Logo Design / two variations
T-shirt Design / collaboration
Commissioned Design
Logo Design / collaboration
Aside from paint, ink is my other favorite medium. Its permanence makes free-hand drawing fun and challenging because every mistake must be embraced. Of the couple hundred abstract ink drawings I've done, these are a few of my favorites.
Sophrania
Diomira
Dorothea
Hypatia
Euphemia
Zaira
Eutropia
Isaura
Isidora
Botanical / abstract composition
Kokopelli / abstract composition
Waxing Gibbous / linocut print / part of Moons and Mountains series
Moons and Mountains / linocut print
