With over 40 years in graphic design I’ve had so many memorable experiences with various clients and assignments. To artistically communicate specific concepts that catch consumers attention was a daily adventure. Moving into a full-time illustration role has just the same opportunities to tell new stories and develop new skills.
Commercial fan art is more than simply visuals of movies franchises, it explores sports, music, branding, & pop culture. In that spectrum of creation, you have the ability to write your own stories and develop situations that explore known characters in a unique visual way. You can build new narratives that challenge old thoughts and rock, solid institutions... that can some serious fun.
I always wanted to create art that promotes engagement with people’s passions. I want them to get lost in a specific world that they delight in and they can communicate back to me their thoughts. If I get energetic feedback about their point of view it helps hone my approach next time around. When I was illustrating my book, “Beauty of Bond: Celebrating 60 years the 007 women”, I wanted to balance sexuality with a solid tribute to a history of amazing actresses and entertainers.
Lana Wood, a Bond girl in 1971 said, “that the art is more than simply beautiful, it has depth and expression... I can see thought and personality in all of the images.” Thanks Lana! Sometimes the subject of the art is a fan as well.
From top left clockwise: Sean Connery and BOND, Heavyweight champ Rocky Marciano, Phillies Bryce Harper and actress Lana Wood.