Maxwell TALKS!

Just in case You were wondering...

A fresh look... new scenery... that's all. Just cleanin' things up a bit, kind of like a new coat of paint.

That's All, Folks!

 

Okay, I'm Finally "Locked and Loaded"

No, no, no ... I don't handle guns, I draw them ... I'm talking about the web site.

After more than a month, since my hard drive debacle, I have finally 'loaded' my web site. Which I lost the latest file folder for ... so I had to re-create it ... yes, I usually do back up ... everything ... I was distracted at the time ... how was I to know the hard drive would ... I made a mistake, so, sue me. I'm only Human.

However, now, it's up and running. It's visually like the old version, to a degree, I cut out some redundancy, streamlined and organized. I used older files of the site and went from there. The set up is just slightly different, but a little more user friendly. So check out Lori Maxwell Illustration, when you get a chance.

It was a looooong few weeks. I was apprehensive about certain events, I lost time, lost money, lost work, but I regained a sense of possibility, if you will, that I haven't had in a while. "Carpe Diem"!

And, as a reminder to those of you who are linked to the site, the URL is: http://maxwellsart.com

I had to check links and some of you, who are linked to the site, are using the old URL ... by the way, Thanks for the 'shout out'.

I appreciate all the shoutin' I can get!

I have Packed My Virtual Bags...

... and have finally moved to the new web host for Lori Maxwell Illustration! There's still a little 'remodling' going on, a few 'touch-ups'. If a link doesn't work (let me know) or something seems not-quite-right, every browser see the world a little differently (again, let me know), it should be taken care of in the next couple of days. All in all, I believe that everything is fair working order!

As I learn all the 'new stuff' (apps and as well as amenities) at this new web host, I will be adding things; like domain email addresses (not to worry, an address is posted to contact me!); and a blog (like I need another one!); and anything else to enhance 'the web experience'.

Stop by: http://maxwellsart.com and say "Hello"!

What to do, what to do...

Today, I find myself with one of those "what do I do, now" days. Yesterday, I sent off a the first of a series of sketches to be approved. Now, I find myself wondering what I will be doing for my business today. No new, contracted work waiting in the wings. It's a mixed feeling; not a panic, nor relief. A day without physical work to do, is never a 'day off'. At least I don't view it that way.

I think today will be a 'take stock' day. Bear with me, I'm 'thinking out loud'. I really need to look over how the Social Networking outlets I use, are doing for me, as well as start an ernest search for the new home of my web site. I've put that off, for the past few months. I'm not very good at using the "SoNets" - as I call them. I suppose I don't put enough time into them; I sometimes wonder how others do. I may have to "thin the herd", so to speak, in the coming months. I think utilizing fewer SoNets may be better for my purposes in the long run. Less computer time= more drawing time=more personal time. Once again, mixed feelings. It seems using the SoNets are valuable if you spend a great deal of time online. I just don't have that luxury. Well, today is an exception. 

I would be interested in any thoughts any of you might have on Social Networking. Most likely, I don't go about it the 'right way' - if there is a right way. I've read how other artists and business people carve out a certain amount of time every day to blog and check out what's happening on FaceBook. LinkedIn or whichever sites they belong to; or read everyone else's blogs and share articles; and 'tweeting' - I could take a full work day just doing all of that. Some days, I go into the studio and just get to it, it's the only course of action. That hour of SoNet just falls by the wayside. My question is, how well does all this time spent, really work? And, which works best for those of us who need to use the majority of our time offline? 

Yes, I am aware that the economy isn't where it was, and may take a long time in 'coming back', if it even does. I get that "the times, they are a-changin' ". I get that I need to have a presence; that I need to rigorously market myself. I've been doing that, as well as I can. That there are 'trends' that have to be looked into. I get that there is no 'magic site' that I can pop in the URL to, and get to all the right people, the right information, all the time. I get it.

If anyone has any good suggestions, though, I'd appreciate hearing from you. Any advice would be appreciated! Looking for a good strategy here, for the next few years - that is, until the next 'new thing' comes along!

Like I said, I'm just thinking out loud. If you just happen to be doing the same, drop me a line.

On the Contrary, I haven't gone MIA

No, I'm still here. In between actual work, I've been working on that oft dreaded and time eating avocation of marketing - self promotion. I've been drawing, painting, scanning, laying out pages, writing, rewriting, editing, printing, sorting thru submission criteria, etc., etc., etc.; then, drawing, painting, scanning, laying out pages, writing, rewriting, editing, printing, sorting thru submission criteria, etc.; again.

Loads of fun.

Funny thing is, I have spent a good deal of my adult life promoting other people's businesses; it should be a 'snap' for me. On the whole, it's not, a whole lot of time and pressure to 'get it right'.  I suppose that's why other people seek out people like me, to do it.

But, I am still here, just wanted to pop in and say "Hello", and remind you to visit Lori Maxwell Illustration, when you get the chance. Drop me a line, I'd love to hear from you.

Oh yes, you'll hear from me again... soon.

Win a few, Lose a few, but keep on Goin'

Well, I would suppose the majority of you saw yesterday's Super Bowl Game - 'nuf said.

I'm here, scraping red paint from my finger nail, as I try to think about what to write... too much info? Ah, well, too bad. I have, in fact, been painting today. I put the brush aside for now, as, first, I need a break; and second I wanted to let you know that I posted on my blog. Not this one, the other - A Retro Artist in a Digital Age.

On "Retro/Digital", I'm beginning to write about some thoughts I've had during this evolutionary period in my professional life. It may or may not interest you - what I think, that is - but nevertheless, I'm posting. I'm sorting through what I'm learning, what I'm reading, what I'm trying out - as far as media and new markets. Its a roller coaster, and like the 'Burgh's Steelers, I'm finding that "you win some; you lose some." It seems, in some markets I'm 'under qualified', in some I'm 'over qualified' - depending on where my tech knowledge, style, and experience sit. Not unlike any other jobs, in any other markets, I suppose.

Freelance is a long road, so I'd best be getting on my way - I'll send you a postcard!

A Walk on the Dark Side

Well, all you vampires and vampirettes, you may be surprised to know that I briefly walked on "the dark side". Well, not really, just in an artistic manner. Since it's 'that time of year', I'm showing some of the art I'd done for horror theater posters, a few years ago.

 

 

In this progression of layouts, I was asked to do a frightened young woman holding a doll, one of the main characters, dressed in garb of the Sixties. A hand was to be behind her reaching to grab her. 

 

This was the first marker sketch for that poster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was thought that the clothing should be of the earlier Sixties -not so "Hippie looking". The idea was also to leave more white area for titles, dates, credits, etc., here in layout #2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the final illustration, I was able to persuade the artistic director to go with the black background, as the feel was much more ominous and dramatic. I also brought the hand in closer and gave it a more 'human' appearance, rather than the "Frankenstein-esque" look of the former two. And, since 'sex sells', we went with a lower neckline and shorter skirt... all part of the game, my friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a couple other posters I did for the same company. Black and white was not only economical for a young theater company, but does the job. Even though we used red to represent blood in the bottom left pic, I think b&w worked for the right.

Oh, and, by the way, have a Great Halloween!   

 

     

Old Faces, New Places

I'm back from a short respite, to use the trendy term, a "stay-cation". We went to some holiday parties over the first weekend, of course; but the following week was mostly running errands and doing what needed to be done, or some of it anyway. No week at the beach, but time to regroup.

While looking over some of my files, I found an old piece that I used for promotional purposes. It struck me that it was comprised of a group of faces. Some of them are old faces from years ago, some of them are from fairly recent years. I like faces. Moreover I like expressions on those faces. I even used the headline "Face it!" on the promo piece. As I go along, I hope to do more faces.

It also occurred to me that in their grid set up, they were like blocks. Something to build on. I just need to get that stray one back in place!

At any rate, here they are. 

  

This Just In...

...at least it is to me! The Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators are hosting a "PSICON" (in layman's terms; the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators Convention), right here in the 'Burgh - well, close enough - on September 25th, at the Pittsburgh Technical Institute in Oakdale, PA. 

I'm willing to bet you all already know this, however, I have been out of the loop (I've been a social media slacker). You can find out more about PSI and PSICON at their web site:

http://pittsburghillustrators.org/

Even if you're a not an illustrator, go there and check out the fantastic portfolios of the members.

This is why I need to do this blog, and need to do a better job of it! And actually follow social media, on a daily basis. My partner said I should access Facebook on our TV, since we have the capabilities for it. (He doesn't do Facebook; he has no idea what he's asking me to do.)

Social media application is what I've been trying to learn and need to apply. Except for some pretty tight deadlines this month, I have no excuses. However, if you ever sweated out tight deadlines, you'd have great empathy for me right now. So there.

Lori 

Hooray for Hollywood!

 It's no secret, I have always had a love for old movies. Even the ones, that by today's standards are pure, sappy melodramas. Let's face it, before the 1950's there were a lot of those. The funny thing is, I don't like melodrama in the movies of today; it's just that back in the day, it fit, it worked. But, I digress. The point is that there was something about those early films; yes, the melodrama, the humor, the corniness (is that a word?), the campiness (how about that - a word?), the every-thing-about-them-ness (I know, I know, not a word!); that sowed the seeds and cultivated the films we love today. 

So I figured that I why not use something that I love, to promote myself. Huh? You heard it right, I am putting together a series of illustrations using the "Golden Age of Film" as a backdrop. I'm revisiting an era of 'glitz and glamor' in a fictitious way. To avoid any problems or copyright infringement, yours truly has become the willing participant to "star" in these illegitimate 'movie posters'. No, no narcissism, just a real cheap model. And, might I add, not exactly traditional 'movie star' material. Tongue and cheek humor, if you please!

Keep an eye out for the series, I will be posting them from time to time. Or if you are so inclined, drop by my we site. (Address to the left) If you happen to be an Art Director, well, then send me note - I will be happy to pass the art on to you for your artist file!