27 June 2011

Final Trachouse Logo



This is the final version of the Trachouse logo. 
Some of the preliminary ideas were shown in an earlier post here.
But this idea was the look that the client wanted.
In addition to the logo, the client also needed designs for four of the guitar pedals. 
The design needed to be edgy and a little funky, so a graffiti look was selected. 
Below are the four pedal names.


These were fully created in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop using a Wacom tablet. 
It was a great change of pace to play outside the box and create something with a different medium and a different look.

And here are three of the four pedals at their final stage.


If you are a guitar player or know a guitar player, check out the Trachouse website
David Aucoin makes a great product. 

17 June 2011

Dinky Dips Holders Available Now



A few weeks ago I shared a picture of my personal dinky dip holder. You can see it here. I had mentioned that if anyone was interested in one of their own just let me know. I had a couple responses. So I have been  busy in the shop making a few different holders. These are now listed on my etsy shop.

Each holder is unique and is made of driftwood found in and around Lake Maurepas in southeast Louisiana. The wood is beautiful! Each piece has a low luster wax finished that has been hand rubbed to feel as smooth as glass. They are very light weight and small, so they travel well. This way, for all of you who will be attending the 2011 IAMPETH conference, you will be sure to have a dinky dip holder like no one else.

Please check out the shop and let me know what you think. I will be adding more as I have them completed.

12 June 2011

If you're near Ponchatoula, LA . . .

One of my pieces in the reception


This 8"x10" piece is framed to 12"x16"
 and is watercolor on Arches Textwove paper.


You are cordially invited
To a Reception
Honoring the Artists
Currently Exhibiting
In The Art Station Gallery
Thursday, June 16, 2011
5:00-7:00 PM
146 West Oak Street
Ponchatoula, LA
Wine & Light Refreshments
Sponsored by Friends of the Art Station
Exhibiting Artists:
Art Station Alumni:
Cricket Ayala
Jennifer Davis
Nancy Lowentritt
Jo Miller
Donna Mollere
Brandi Newman
Gina Reviere
Art Station Instructors:
Denise Austin
Trent Hebert
Kim Zabbia
Hope to see you there.
Kim Howes Zabbia
Owner/Director
The Art Station
146 West Oak Street
Ponchatoula, LA 70454
985-386-8815

06 June 2011

Handmade Design: Silent Auction

TypeCon and Loyola University New Orleans Presents:

Handmade Design: Silent Auction Fundraiser 
for the Gulf Coast Oil Spill


Handmade Design is a silent auction fundraiser presented by TypeCon in conjunction with Loyola University New Orleans. Works donated to Handmade Design will be sold via a three month long silent auction with all proceeds supporting the Greater New Orleans Foundation Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.
Silent Auction
June 2011 – August 2011
Opening Reception
Tuesday, July 5th, 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Loyola University New Orleans, Collins C. Diboll Gallery




'Chaos to Harmony'
My contribution to the cause.

30 May 2011

Pointed Pen Calligraphy






I have recently finished up a wedding envelope project. This script is based on the Young Baroque script font. It was written in sumi ink with a Leonardt Principal nib. 

23 May 2011

Sinker Cypress and Dinky Dips



This is my custom designed dinky dip holder. It is one of my favorite accessory tools. Of course, the dinky dips are indispensable for pointed pen calligraphy. You can find them at John Neal Booksellers or Paper and Ink Arts. There is a holder that you can purchase also. But I wanted to kick it up a notch and make my own.

This dinky dip holder was made from a piece of sinker cypress that was pulled from the south Louisiana bayous by my cousin, Dennis Guy. He is a wonderfully interesting man that lives and works in the bayou country.

If you would be interested in a custom dinky dip for yourself, please contact me.

15 May 2011

Trachouse Logo Sketches

Recently, I have been working on a logo and artwork project for Trachouse.com. They will be launching the new look of their guitar pedals sometime in June 2011.  David Aucoin is a very talented musician and creates some of the best guitar pedals on the market.

Below are some of the early conceptual sketches.




These were then imported into illustrator and cleaned up slightly.


From here the client and I can talk about which look is heading toward their vision. 
The logo that was chosen is not shown here so as not to spoil the launching of their new look.