Daniel Fishel Illustration + Design

Follow this blog

2010-04-22T15:42:00.001-04:00

http://just-small-talk.blogspot.com/

DO IT

A New Chapter

2010-02-15T22:43:00.002-05:00

Tis ends this blog. It's been fun.

I am keeping the account alive so others can look back. If you do some googling I bet you can find some embarrassing Xanga blogs somewhere of me at 15. So Emotional.

Update your book marks.

View it Here: http://www.o-fishel.com

Barebones: http://www.o-fishel.com/small_talk

RSS: http://www.o-fishel.com/small_talk/feed/

-Daniel Fishel

#9 on the Billboard Charts

2010-02-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

I am proud to say that the record that I did handlettering for the cover, made it to #9 on the Alternative artist list.

Congrats to my boys! Support them on tour please.

Open Source

2010-02-10T19:21:00.005-05:00

So as you can tell there really haven't been consistent updates on the blog here. I am illustrating a book I wrote right now, I have a thing or two in the air before I can publish them online I did for clients, working on a new website design (the new design will be up for a day either next week or the following as a beta test), and a bunch of self generated works all unfinished right now.

One thing I have been experimenting with is Google Sketch up. Often times I find it hard to find the right reference at the right angle. With google sketch up in about 20 minutes I can built something quick to draw from as reference. The great thing about it also is that it's a free open source app.

After being told about app's I have been going app crazy, and downloading stuff like Quick Silver, Font Explorer X, iGTD, and other open source apps for the Mac.

Something cool coming soon....

For Sure

2010-01-27T22:00:00.000-05:00

"For Sure" - 11"x12" Acrylic on Stonehedge paper

This is the first of many pieces I am creating that will be in a section of my website I am going to call "Exhibition". These pieces will feature work that is more geared to the gallery wall, and less for the printed page. I will have one or two more updates on these pieces as they come along.

The big difference between my illustration work and exhibition work is that I am focusing on incorprating painted typography, and adding more relatiable personal experiences in the pieces themselves. To do this I plan on painting them using surrealistic metaphores to bring the viewer relating in some way or another to the works of art.

This doesn't mean I have given up creating illustrations for hire. I am just creating another avenue I am interested in taking.

Small web update to come in a few weeks. I wont be updating my website till the end of May/Early June, because I am adding lots of new illustration work, and a new web design completely hand coded in html/css.

Stay Tuned!

DIY - Make stuff/Stay Punk

2010-01-26T06:35:00.007-05:00

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY. Unknown Tag's and Wheatpastes.

A few weeks ago, I was walking around Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY and I saw some wheat pasted posters and images on the wall. I often would wonder who these people are and if there is any intention or meaning to any of it. What is the point of putting something on a wall? I suppose it's the same thing that makes me want to be an artist. It's about making stuff, and feeling proud of doing things that you love. For me, it's important to tell stories with the work and make connections in how people respond to the work itself.

In 2007, I worked as an intern for a DIY Punk Rock venue called Championship records, based out of Lemoyne, PA. At this venue, I made 30 show posters in one summer. I had complete creative control, and it is where I practiced making digital art work and pulled my first terrible silk screen prints. I made a really bad first impression on Come Back Kid with my small 8x11 really really bad prints. Looking back at this venue and what it meant to me, and my growth as an artist, I am forever grateful.

My friend, Mallory Weston, made a great blog post about sticking to doing things herself, and staying true to her craft. Make Stuff and Stay Punk as she says it. I couldn't agree more with this. Living a life that is DIY, has been an essential way that I have lived. I don't know if I could make my own clothes and I don't have the room to grow my own food, but the ethic of if I can do something myself, why not do it?

Thanks for reading.

Sketchbook pages

2010-01-22T19:33:00.002-05:00

Here are a few pages from my sketchbook from the last few months.

Some inspiration

2010-01-11T14:32:00.004-05:00

I look at alot of older illustration from the Mid 20th (1940-1970) century for inspiration (more so lately), to bridge the past to the present into my own future.

Heres a few people I have found inspiring as of late...

Thomas Vroman

Paul C. Burns

Lorraine Fox

Fred Irvin

Robert Jones

William Winters

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T23:38:00.003-05:00

Photograph of my studio here in Queens, NY.

The next decades mantra "DO YOUR BEST"

2009-12-27T22:23:00.010-05:00

It's four days until 2010. It's kinda surreal when you think about the fact that it's 2010. My grandfather always said that their would be flying cars, and food served in pill form like some Jetson's experience in the 2000's. Though we aren't quite there yet, I am still waiting for something futuristic to happen, like giant destructive robots or aliens or something that would seem so 2010. Alas, I will settle with the reality I live in.

2009 has been an interesting year. It's been the first 6 months where I consider myself a full time "freelancer". This is especially true now that I don't feel strange hiding that I am a undergraduate student, while working as a freelancer like I did shamefully at ICON5. I feel more comfortable now saying I am working on my MFA at SVA while working as a freelancer. I don't know why it's more comfortable. All I know is, I am greatful for every new experience I have been presented with at SVA MFA. I am starting to see new connections and ways to use symbols in my work. Also I see my craft getting stronger and stronger.

More so I am greatful for all the bands and publications that I worked for this year. I am glad that you took the risk, to give me assignments to make illustrations, designs, and in some cases even screen printed editions for your magazines, publications, advertisements, record/cd covers, and t-shirt designs. Your making the idea of living off of drawing and painting more possible week by week, month by month.

Lastly I want to thank all of the awesome folk I've met, talk to on a week to week basis online, commented on my blog here and on Ohger, gave me insight/career advice over the phone, all the new friends/studiomates I am sharing my experiences with and those whom stayed in touch from Philadelphia, and else where. Again thank you so much! Just to shout out of few folk that have been super nice and helped me out at some point in some way in 2009 - Tim Durning, Daniel Hertzberg, Pete T. Ryan, Maria Filar, Tae Querney, Lauren Moyer, Jaclyn Sinquett, Brad Haubrich, Gina and Matt, Joe Game, Kyle T. Webster, Chris Whetzel, Julia Breckenreid, Jude Buffum, Molly Jacques, Tim O'brien, Richie Pope, Ashley Benham, You Byun, Christine Larsen, Megan Berkheiser, Collie Mills, Jessica Hische, Zina Saunders, Mike Wohlberg, Dan Campbell, Chris Henson, Ester Pearl Watson/Mark Todd, Edel Rodriguez, Robert Zimmerman, Alex Eckman lawn, Graham Palme, Rosae Reeder, Mark Tocchet, SVA MFA, my roommates Rachel Burkhard and Matt Templin, and soooooo many others.

Before 2010 comes, I will leave you with a mantra that my former teacher at UARTS and co-owner of Apple head Factory, Joe Didomenico, told us on the first day of class senior year.

"Do Your Best".
The idea is simple.

Put 120% into everything you do. Make more sketches than asked, work earlier on an assignment and later to get it right, and get things done and sent before they are due. When you aren't working on an assignment, make personal pieces and experiments to keep you fresh and always forcing yourself to try and get better as an artist and a business person. It's the very thing I live by and keep in the front of all my sketchbooks and above my studio spaces in Manhattan and Queens. I think it's a helpful reminder everyone should have written somewhere.

Have a Happy New Year Everyone and hope to work with you in 2010!

Web Update + Sustainable During The Holidays

2009-12-09T16:05:00.011-05:00

If you are visiting my website now, you will notice changes in how you view my portfolio section and also how my blog is now snug inside of my website!

I want to thank the fine folk over at Escape from Illustration Island for setting up that web forum on critiquing my web portfolio's display, and pointing me in the right direction on how to improve it. I want to thank my pal Bradford Haubrich, and my teacher at SVA MFA Matthew Richmond for also giving me some solid website advice. Thank You.

On another note, I have been very fortunate, to be doing some editorial illustration lately. Most recently, I did a piece for Art Director, Jamie Leary over at Philadelphia's very own, GRID Magazine. I remember before class during my senior year at the University of the Arts, going to last drop coffee house on 13th and pine, getting some joe, and grabbing this free magazine. It was a good way to start the morning to enlighten myself on different sustainablity issues that come to people who are more environmentally conscience.

When I got the email and accepted the job, the article was pretty clear. The author, wrote about being tempted to spend a lot of money during the holidays that put aside living sustainable. It acted as a reminder that the holidays weren't about spending a lot of money on gifts but the togetherness of the holiday.

There was a clear metaphor in the article in using a tire wheel as a 21st century version of a advent wreath, with candles and greens. Originally, peasants made Advent wreath's, during the medieval times using the front wheel of a wooden wheel barrel to wrap flowers, greens and candles. I thought a bike tire would be a better image since Philadelphia is a huge bike city and more symbolic of sustainable living. The problem that happens sometimes being an illustrator is getting a great idea to quickly. It seems to good to be true and you hesitate on coming up with other solutions to the visual problem. I pushed through and submitted other sketches that acted as a gradient from concrete idea's to more abstract idea's/artistically liberal approaches that could of loosily tell the story of the article. Below were the sketches presented.

Jamie ended up choosing the advent wreath image, which was a relief. So I went out and started drawing the image...

Final Image

I want to thank, Jamie Leary for contacting me to create a piece of artwork for GRID magazine. It was truly a pleasure working for them. The printed magazine hits stands Tomorrow, and the digital copy is already online to view for free.

Tear Sheet

Michael Cera

2009-12-04T22:17:00.000-05:00

I was very excited when I received an email to do an illustration for Alex Chow, over at Nylon Guys Magazine, because Nylon is on my top 10 list of magazines to do illustration for. So to do a illustration for Nylon Guys, is close enough to count as doing an illustration for Nylon. Plus, It is doing the second thing I love to do next to conceptual illustration. Likeness Portraiture.

Alex asked me to do an likeness illustration of the actor Michael Cera for his role in the new movie coming out this January called "Youth in Revolt". It's a movie about an awkward boy who falls in love with a girl, who doesn't like him because he is sorta emo/nerdy/whimpy. So, he creates a bad-ass alter-ego, who blows stuff up, get's him laid, and a bunch of other awesome stuff.

When it comes to the illustration itself, it's pretty much a weird surreal, mirrored image of him in his trailer (totally relate), and inside the mirror total bad ass. The hardest part of the illustration was the likeness itself. Thankfully, I was able to really workout the likeness till it looked close enough to pass as Michael Cera in time to meet the deadline.

So look out for this magazine soon, and also look for my awesome contributor piece in the magazine too!!

I wanna thank Alex Chow, and Kristin Eddington over at Nylon for this awesome opportunity.

Soon to come...

2009-11-29T09:23:00.000-05:00

At the end of next week I will have some new work on my website. Some personal pieces, Some Editorial work as well.

Above is a preview of a published piece I did. More on this later....

Long Distance Relationships

2009-11-22T21:03:00.000-05:00

We've all been there before.....

Communal Sketchbook

2009-11-16T23:23:00.001-05:00

"Ode to New Jersey" - around 11"x14" Acrylic, ink, charcoal, conte

So There is a sketchbook being floated around at school. A communal sketchbook.

I happen to get my grubby hands on it and fill it with some maddness. I didn't use reference at all so alot of it is screwed up. But what I found out of this hour and a half discord was something. I am not sure what, but something is going on that I really like.

I think I am going to sit with it, create pieces in my spare time that are alittle more controlled and see where it leads.

The Upsides

2009-11-11T17:54:00.000-05:00

"The Upsides" - Due out Jan. 26th 2010

I was asked by my good friends The Wonder Years to provide some hand lettering to go on to their new album, "The Upsides" coming out in late January.

When I talked to one of the guys 9 months ago while they were in pre-production, why they were choosing to use photography for this record whenever other records they put out had been beautifully illustrated; the answer was simple. They wanted to try something new, and had a lot of friends that did photography they wanted to try out. None the less I was glad to draw up some hand lettering to go on the cover of their new record. Below is the chosen piece you can click to enlarge in the first round of colors sent off to the band.

Animated Gif's the future of illustration?

2009-10-31T23:04:00.000-04:00

Is the future of illustration in Animated Gif's in the markets of Advertising and Editorial's new mediums of E-Paper/E-Ink, and The Kindle?

I think it's a matter of time before illustrators will start to discus the pricing and ethical use of Animated Gif's made by illustrators. In 2 years time I will have a portfolio of 10 to 15 images that will be animated as a precaution to this new frightening yet exciting time we live in. Who knows when illustrators will start getting jobs to animate things. I will start in basic gif's in photoshop, and then possibly work my way back into flash and after effects though I am not that good in either of those just yet.

If I were to.....

2009-10-26T00:52:00.001-04:00

...illustrate and design a postcard for the American Museum of Natural History, this is what it would look like. To bad it's just a mock up and not the real thing.

My website has been updated, with sweet image swap technology(aka Java Script).

Also I don't know if I mentioned this or not, but all my screen prints in my store are marked down to $10-$15.

So go buy some of my screen prints for your walls. Postage is included!!!

3 Years of Duality.....on Blogs.

2009-10-12T16:19:00.000-04:00

Starting today, I am now going to blog on Ohger, which is a blog simular to Drawger but it is more focused for Senior Illustration Majors, Graduate Students, and Recent Grads one year out of art school.

I will still continue using my my blogger, and still post stuff from time to time on The Autumn Society of Philadelphia blog. I just have an extra arm to post about the awesome artwork I create.

Kudos to Matt Curtius for giving me the heads up on this awesome project.

Using Yesterdays Tools for Todays Job

2009-10-05T01:21:00.000-04:00

Quote from "The Medium is the Massage" by Marshall McLuhan.

October 16th

2009-09-27T19:47:00.000-04:00

I will have available on October 16th, Sample Images ready to be sent out in the form of a Zine. Art Directors, who requested them will get them several days after Oct. 16th, and those who request them later on shall receive them as well.

Above is the cover of the Illustration Sampler Zine.

I am available for Face To Face Meetings with any clients in the New York Metropolitan.

Sample

2009-09-25T19:41:00.000-04:00

I've gotten a few requests from potential clients to send in some samples these past two or three months. I have been trying to figure out a way to design something significant and memorable for a client to hold on to. For the past 3 weeks I have been designing and redesigning zines with images enclosed. It seems a bit unprofessional I think that I didn't just send something for the clients to look at right away, but I figured that I much rather make sure whatever I sent them looks right before I just send something.

Above is a title type thinger I designed for a zine I think I am going
to scrap.

Beauty in what we see

2009-09-21T17:17:00.000-04:00

Just a crop in of something to come.

Rituals of Life - Proximity Gallery

2009-09-09T20:33:00.000-04:00

"Rituals of Life" 11"x14" Acrylic on Shaped Wood Panel.

Here is my submission for the DIA DE LOS MUERTOS show at Proximity Gallery. I wanted to focus on the religious aspect of the holiday and how it brings people closer to those who have passed on. I had alot of discussion back and forth with my room mate, Rachel about the piece so that it would read well and clear enough to get the idea across I was going for.

It's Never Sunny in South Philadelphia

2009-09-01T15:43:00.000-04:00

Another cool shirt illustration/design I did for The Wonder Years, a super cool Philly based Pop Punk band. Though the name of the shirt is similar to the tv show, its was actully going to be a song title for their split album with UK pop punk band All or Nothing. So instead of Its original song title it became "Don't open the Fridge!".

True story.

Success and Failure: Summer of Book binding

2009-08-30T09:15:00.001-04:00

This summer, I took an independent study class at Harrisburg Area Community College with Professor Shawn Williams to further explore an area of interest I have. Book making/Binding.

I have learned a thing or two this summer about making books and printing for books like, its hard to hold detail in a screen printed image when its originally made for 8x11 and up and you print it in a 4"x4" area. None the less, even though the printing is not all that to be wowed by, the fact that I made my first printed book is an exciting experience. This is something that I plan on continuing and exploring so that I can then become a book maker.

Below is a close up to one of my favorite pages.

A few neat kudos

2009-08-26T12:52:00.000-04:00

Think Faesthetic recently posted a nice link on their blog to my website as well as fellow peer Adrienne Langer.

Also I was also posted in the University of the Arts EDGE magazine, about earning Honorable Mention in our Senior Thesis competition. Props to Kate Lewis for posting this originally on her blog.

Culture Shock and Adjustment for Skidmore College

2009-08-26T12:16:00.000-04:00

A week before I started to move my things from Carlisle, PA to Queens, NY I get an email from Kathy Hemingway Jones
Associate Director of Student Academic Services at Skidmore College asking if she could re-use my painting Dreamer for a packet for her international students orientation. I didn't have a problem with it, but I no longer had the original painting or a good photo of it. I still had the drawing, so I accepted the offer on the grounds that I could also design the packet.

This isn't an everyday illustration, since how do you do a mailer to a college you might say. She found me by accident through google in search of Youtube videos of a graduate who did a great lecture on culture shock whom goes by the name Daniel Fishel. I just got lucky she found my artwork. This job taught me a few things indeed about the business side of illustration and also getting back into using indesign. I havent used it in a few months so I was rusty and glad to get back into it.

You can also view the packet as a PDF by clicking here to view it.

Buy my poster next week! (if your live on the west coast)

2009-08-05T22:36:00.000-04:00

I just got done printing 100 of these bad boys, and sent them off to California, where the band The Motel Life (not to be confused with The Movie Life), will be playing a short 2 week tour. I do not have extra's so you gotta talk to the band if you want to get one of these posters for probably $5.

When the band contacted me back in July, they literally said, interpret the quote "(So Sorry) We're not what you're looking for" in your illustration. I took a week to think about it since the deadline was far enough away, and sent off sketchs. Got the final word a week later and did the finished image in a day.

The image they chose, was one that represents a 90's indie girl displeased with what she saw through her camera lens. Sketchs are below.

You have to put some miles on top of that book learnin

2009-07-27T17:03:00.000-04:00

You Don't Know Until You Go

The website is updated with six new images. Later tonight or tomorrow I will be updating the PDF and later on as well upload some of my sketchbook pages. I have reached 24 images on the main page so it looks like I am going to have to re-design the layout alittle soon so you art directors, art buyers, ect.... dont have to scroll up and down the page to get to my thumbnails.

The image above is also the mailer image I sent out this month. If your on my mailing list, you'll get it sometime this week, if not, email me I'll send ya one. I have plenty left over.

The image above was inspired by the movie "Henry Rollins: Uncut from South Africa". I am really inspired by Rollins, not only because he played in one of my favorite 80's hardcore punk bands, Black Flag, but because of the way he lives his life. Clear minded, Self-reliant and a thrust for knowledge beyond what a book can give. In the movie he talked about reading about townships in South Africa and made a ton of arrangements to go down there to go beyond the book to really see what is going on down there. I hope that I will be able to travel more internationally in the coming years to do just the same, but until then I will tackle New York City.

SVA MFA classes start in almost a month from now!

Change is Hard. I Should Know.

2009-07-19T00:14:00.001-04:00

Dreamer

2009-07-06T21:35:00.000-04:00

20x30 Acrylic, Charcoal, Conte on Cream Stonehedge paper.

Sorry I don't have a better photo. This was shown at the New Kids on the block show. I gave it to a friend as a gift for all of her help in the past year. Working on this piece was refreshing because I often put in alot of time to make the images I create look organic and traditional when really it is all digital. So to put in random mark making like Cy Twombly, and painting with acrylic to paper was something I felt I needed to do.

The piece is part of an on going exploration I am looking into. Not really sure what, but thats the difference between fine art and illustration. In fine art, you take your time and try to figure out the meaning of something and show it to everyone in hopes of some form of understanding. The viewer than can take their time to understand or enjoy the image as it sits on a gallery wall. While that is true of fine art, illustration, for me is more about creating an image in a short amount of time, to help the viewer quickly understand or help supplement whatever the image goes with. This could be an editorial piece on an abstract issue, a record cover to attract and give alittle bit about the bands vision, or even a picture book to challenge and inspire ideas. While a sketchbook is a good breeding ground to become more refreshed with new idea's and exploration, I also feel that fine art for the gallery wall is a more focused way of exploring just that.

Below are detail images...

Handguns - MMIX

2009-07-05T07:39:00.000-04:00

Last week I finished doing the entire packaging design for Handguns new six song ep, "MMIX". Three of the six songs are on their myspace right now.

When I got a call from Jake, their guitar player, he said they were doing really well on their two or three week tour and wanted to get this packaging done before they go on Warp tour, but push came to shove and now it's going to be released in August. When I asked what the packaging should be of or a concept to run on, all he said was....

1.Use Bright Colors
2.Make it fun.
3.Nothing negative (inverted crosses, ect)
4. Make it like no other pop punk bands record.

So when I looked over the lyrics and heard the new songs, all of them had to do with some sort of internal/external conflict. Cheating Girlfriends, disappointing friends..... standard pop punk songs. So I had to use abstract symbols to show internal conflict and used an octopus as the external. Why use an octopus you may ask? Why not!

Back Cover

Outer Tray

Inner Tray

CD image

Heres a few old videos of the band before their new singer Brandon....

Hipster Girls

2009-07-02T10:14:00.000-04:00

"So I don't know what it is about hipster girls that I am so into."

Handmade Sketchbook

2009-06-26T00:16:00.000-04:00

So I made a sketchbook recently to save some money with some papers I had laying around my place, since I used my last sketchbook halfway to write in my contact list. I am not much of a book maker myself, and am taking a class with Shawn Williams this summer doing an indy study making a picture book. So why not experiment!

Below is a page I did where I am playing around with layering and drawing without reference. I am not quite there yet to do without reference but I have come far from when I was heavily dependent on it to now how I loosely use it. This was all drawn without pencil.

Escape

2009-06-20T08:58:00.000-04:00

WIP - Letting Go

2009-06-08T00:16:00.000-04:00

Click on image to enlarge

So I am working on 3 personal pieces before hitting the rest of the 15 pages of my comic I wrote and am illustrating. This is an in progress shot of one aspect of the final image.

I will post one image later, and a few thumbnails as teasers. I will post those pieces at the end of the month, and possibly more personal pieces if I find time.

It's "O-Fishel"! - New York here I come

2009-06-05T21:20:00.000-04:00

I did not want to mention this until I got all the financial aid worked out to announce that this September I will be attending SVA's MFA Illustration as a Visual Essay Program.

I will have an apartment with my friend Rachel in either Brooklyn or Queens in Mid/Late July, but I will not intitially move into the city till mid-August.

See some of you NY folk soon!

Ben Folds

2009-06-04T01:40:00.001-04:00

Portrait Study 1 of 10

2009-06-02T00:17:00.000-04:00

Click to Enlarge

Detail Spots

"Two weeks down... and I got this feeling."

2009-06-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

I was asked by Harrisburg, PA's best pop punk band, Handguns to design several shirt designs to choose from to use as they go on tour this summer. I am pretty stoked about it.

Their myspace layout was designed by Demisphere Design.

Click on it to enlarge.

New Kids on the Block show Photos!

2009-05-31T20:22:00.000-04:00

Sadly, I did not bring my camera to the show, so I searched facebook to see what others took to post on here. I want to thank Adrienne and Nerissa for putting up the space for such a great show.

Enjoy

Graham Palme aka Brooklyn Steel

Millie Landis

Nicole Buglak

PDF Portfolio Download Now Available!

2009-05-22T15:39:00.000-04:00

Art Directors, Art Buyers, Gallery Curators, and all who employee freelance illustrators/gallery artist/print makers!

Feel free to download and print out my PDF portfolio to have laying around the office.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD IT

Digital Sampler

2009-05-21T21:02:00.000-04:00

Click here to download the No Sleep Records digital sampler I did the illustration and design for.

U ARTS Portfolio Day

2009-05-20T20:48:00.000-04:00

I want to thank all of the Art Directors that came to portfolio day to look at the fresh new illustration graduating from our department. It was truly an honor meeting each and everyone of you. Hopefully I will be able to work with many of you in the near or distant future as your projects come about that need that specific look and conceptual thinking that I can provide. I hope that you will come to next years portfolio day and the year after thats, so that other young professional illustrators can get a good first step in the business of illustration.

I also want to thank some of the alum from the U ARTS illustration department that are two to six years into the game, for coming into the portfolio day. Jon, Chris, and Peter, it was totally rad seeing you guys, and your friend who I forgot his name.

Thank you all for making yesterday one to remember!

Store Section Added!

2009-05-17T19:54:00.000-04:00

Buy Limited Edition Screen Prints Now!

Also, added the Into It. Over It. poster to my portfolio images, with a photo of the screen printed version side by side.

Dreamer Preview

2009-05-15T22:26:00.000-04:00

Preview detail of Dreamer

Earlier this year I made a post about making a series of fine art work starting with a piece called Dreamer. Well I finished the piece and it will be in The New Kids on the block show.

It is strictly a traditional piece. Even the negative for the screen printed line was drawn, photo copied larger and taped together before setting it to the screen. So I was pretty proud of myself to step away from the computer for once and make a pretty experimental piece. I explored my influences a little heavier in this piece than I would have in my illustration which is a little more under the surface.

I will post the finished images for the show and the whole image next saturday.

Last Friday at the Society of Illustrators...

2009-05-12T00:02:00.000-04:00

So I have been meaning to write a post about my trip to New York City to see this years Student show at the Society of illustrators.

I didn't think of buying a bus ticket before friday opposed to buying it that day, so I couldn't take my favorite bus service BOLT. So I settled for Grey Hound. I couldn't get a ticket until 5pm, which ment I would have gotten to the show late. I was pretty determined to go up to the show, see the work, meet and greet with all the other chummy art students, and stellar professionals/Art Directors. About a quarter of way on my trip to New York, I got pretty motion sick and felt nauseated from the bus ride and stayed that way till I got back to Philadelphia.

Even though I had a booming headache the whole night from the ride there, it didn't keep me from seeing the work and trying to socialize with only a few folk. I ran into my fellow peer, Tim Durning whom had two pieces in the show, and got to meet Scott Bakal who is just an awesome guy and equally an amazing illustrator. I also was able to connect with Tory Novikova, her other half Milo (a GD major), and Milo's room mate James Sisti (who's sketchbook is amazing by the way). They all go to Pratt in Brooklyn. I also had the chance to hang out with them and one of their teachers after the reception, looking through the new Society of illustrators annual that is hot off the press, and just general discussion.

Even though I felt sick, it was a great to get out of the studio, and connect with other students about something that you all love and have in common. I can't wait to go back to New York City and re-connect with those folk I have last friday, before I move to Brooklyn later this summer. More information about why later....

Here are some Photos from the show!

On the right, my buddy Tim Durning

Piece in the middle and on top is done by someone I met last year at Society and ICON5, Kali Ciesemier

Heres a piece done by Maria Filar who I met through Lauren Moyer

New Kids on the Block show

2009-05-11T12:32:00.000-04:00

My peers in the senior class in the illustration department at UARTS are putting together a group show here in Philadelphia, called The New Kids on the block show. Each artist is showing a minimum of four pieces.

Below is a preview of two of the four works I will be having in the show.

Relieving Stress: Female and Male. 4 Color Silk Screen on wood.

Turn Pike Gates, 3 page teaser

2009-05-07T15:39:00.001-04:00

Here are the first three pages of my comic I am writing and illustrating, called Turn Pike Gates, due out this June.

I want to thank Rachel Lesser for giving me some of her hand lettering for more of the feminized type treatments, due to me having a heavy hand at hand lettering.

Into It. Over It.

2009-05-03T20:15:00.000-04:00

Heres another cool poster I did for No Sleep records. Its a promo poster for the up and coming release of "(52 Songs in) 52 Weeks" by the indie/emo band Into it. Over it.

I was asked by Chris the A.D. to illustrate and design a poster that was kinda like the cover of the album but to do it in my own way. The artwork was to have two versions. One version that is a web promo that is full color and another that is white on black that I am going to screen print later this week for a package deal.

Below are the sketchs....

American Illustration 28

2009-04-27T16:52:00.000-04:00

If the beginning of this year couldn't get any better, it just did. I just got an email saying that the two pieces above got into AI28 web gallery. I am very excited and flattered to be among the other artist to be represented in the 28th annual American Illustration show.

The piece on the left is about a story I read in the Atlantic monthly. A seasoned Book Tour salesmen, is stuck between a rock and a hard place, because he sick of his job selling books (that he has been doing for 15 years!) but at the same time he can not see himself doing anything else.

The piece on the right is a portrait of one of my best friends Andrew Stiles. I tried to capture Andrew as he naturally is. Spontaneous, and full of energy that catch's you off guard.

Again, this is very flattering news and it is such an honor to be part of this annual.

A little over a week from now....

2009-04-26T09:51:00.000-04:00

I will be having a piece in a group show at Mug shots cafe here in Philadelphia, PA, called "Heart Earth". The show will consist of over 30 artist that are part of the illustration collective, The Autumn Society. The works of art deal with the contemporary issue of creating a greener cleaner environment or some play off of optimism toward the environment.

Hope to see you there!

Added a sketchbook section

2009-04-25T18:12:00.000-04:00

CHECK IT OUT!

It is a small section of select sketchs that I like that I have posted on the blog already and a few new ones. Be Patient because there will be more sketch updates in the weeks to come.

Website Updated

2009-04-18T21:43:00.001-04:00

3 New Images! One is of a show poster previously shown on my blog and 2 other images.

The image above is one of the pieces I am going to be silk screening this week and next week so I can create a store section. One print of which is the show poster I added to my portfolio.

I hope you like the new work.

3x3

2009-04-16T23:47:00.000-04:00

Communication/Ely Thesis #3: Lifetime Record Cover

I am pleased to announce that I got a piece into the 3x3 illustration magazine student show. A merit to be exact. When I found out, I jumped out of my chair. I was even more surprised when I found out that it was the piece above.

It's actually kind of funny. I added this piece last minute, because it was one of my thesis project pieces that I kinda liked. The file I sent though was revised later on. The hand on the girl pointing is now drawn better, the tattoo was removed for the ely but I put it back for the post, and the same guys pattern is different from what I submitted. I hope they don't mind me sending them the revised version for hanging later this year and if they ask for a new file for me to give them, I hope to send them the revised.

We'll see! Back to drawing...

Preview

2009-04-12T22:20:00.001-04:00

Web update coming within the next week.... oww the suspense!

No Sleep Means Family Silk Screens

2009-04-10T00:10:00.000-04:00

4 color Silkscreened Promotional Poster for No Sleep Records (Yellow, Gold, Brown, Orange)

I just got done signing 100 of these screen prints and man is my arm tired. I have to ship these prints out in the next few days, so that they will be available to purchase at the No Sleep Records Store in the next week or two.

I talked to Chris at No Sleep, and he said they will be sold for somewhere between $15 and $25 a print with free shipping.

Super Stoked about it!

Process

In progress

2009-04-03T21:34:00.000-04:00

I am working on two large images. This is the beginnings of one of them....

Turn Pike Gates issue 1 preview

2009-03-27T02:28:00.001-04:00

So in my spare time I will be taking on a self-generated comic I want to put out. It should be a lot of fun since I never work sequentially, and with the way I work, it runs pretty close to how I draw.

This is one of the panels I inked quick so I could post it because I thought it was so good! I should be done with it by monday.

Keep on a watch too for a ELY post saturday evening on this blog and the Autumn Society blog.

Stress and Relieving Stress

2009-03-25T23:49:00.000-04:00

Click to Enlarge

Relieving stress sketch

2009-03-20T23:12:00.000-04:00

WIN Mag - In Print and Online

2009-03-15T08:05:00.001-04:00

Check it out

Distances Record Release Show!

2009-03-12T23:04:00.000-04:00

Thanks for everyone who came to the Wonder Years Record Release show! It has been a run doing art work for the album, shirts, posters and even silk screening the poster the was posted for the event. It is both really awesome and flattering to see kids running around with shirts at the show with my art work on it.

I do have extra prints from the show, so if you would like to buy a poster, it will cost you $15 postage paid. Just shoot me an email at Daniel@o-fishel.com and I will give you my paypal email and in a week you will get your print.

This is The Wonder Years Merch Table with the record I illustrated and designed and also the record release silk screened sleeve! Its amongst shirts I didn't design but James Heimer totally did the record cover on the far left and the yellow shirt.

Website V. 1.1

2009-03-10T12:20:00.000-04:00

It seems like many of my friends are re-designing and updating their site this month.

Re-Designed + One new Image!

Believe the Hype

2009-03-05T12:50:00.001-05:00

Believe the Hype - Communication

This is a part of my Ely project that I thought fits well by itself cropped in by itself. This image also is being used my my Senior Illustration Class Portfolio Day card.

Distances Record Release

2009-02-28T00:06:00.000-05:00

4 color show poster: Silver, and 3 shades of blue with a 40 to 60 edition print

I have to say, it is hard to come up with a lot of concepts that deal with the idea of traveling and moving away to somewhere else. After a album cover, promo poster, and two shirt designs, I had to come up with a show poster that didn't have what all of those had...... suit cases, air planes and birds.

With this, I sketched out 5 different ideas before I came to a solid one, which typically doesn't happen often when I make show posters. This poster is a tip of the hat to one of my favorite comic book artist, Dan Clowes.

One thing I mentioned before about the Distances Record cover is that I wanted to capture, three moods. One in passing, one in embracing, and one in going alone. This poster is about being being lonely. I tried to show it the same way Clowes did. Empty streets, empty bench at a bus stop. I just drew it all at a overhead perspective so I wasn't ripping Clowes off totally and did it in my own way.

So Soupy of The Wonder Years contacted me told me this great idea for the record release show. He wanted me to design a envelope that looked like it went through the mail, being sent to the record release show. I was pretty stoked about the whole idea. Even so, when we talked about the return address, he wanted to use 123 Fake street, as a simpsons reference. So 38 of those were printed and 30 will be available to everyone at the record release show, first come first serve, and the other 8 go amongst the band, Chris at No Sleep Rec, and I.

See you at the show!

Society of illustrators (Student show)

2009-02-24T05:05:00.000-05:00

Convention to Innovation

I have been holding this info out for about a week and I am pleased to announce that I will be showing at the Society of Illustrators student show again this year. Last spring I have met so many people that I have stayed in contact and randomly ran into at ICON5 that summer as well.

This year will be in as just good company because a few of my friends, and new friends that randomly comment on my blog also got into the show. These people worth mentioning are Jiyoung Roo, Tim Durning, Kali Ciesemier, and Maria Filar.

Congrats on everyone who got in! I will see you in New York in a couple months....

Beta Version is up!

2009-02-21T13:31:00.000-05:00

The Beta Test Version of my Website is up!

www.O-Fishel.com

also changed my blogspot's address to match it.

www.O-Fishel.com

The U ARTS ELY Senior Thesis Experience

2009-02-15T16:11:00.000-05:00

All 4 Finished Senior Thesis Projects, printed, matted, and ready for the final mark up for corrections...

Ever since I first saw the Senior thesis show as a freshmen, I had high expectations of what I would have wanted to do for the ely. I had a lot of ideas, but many weren't that great to begin with. I wanted to do CD covers, but as the years went by, I settled for doing my senior thesis on Record covers. While CD covers are a wonderful thing to create, I find that the images are to small when they are on display on the wall, and don't attract much attention. Also, the markets are shifting for the record industry period and records tend to outsell CD's.

Before I started my senior year I talked to a few of my friends whom have graduated from the U Arts illustration department for tips when approaching the Ely. One friend suggested that I could either go above and beyond what was necessary for the project or go with the standard amount they are asking for to save me time and headache. Another friend of mine gave me the solid advance that I shouldn't view the project as the end of means or a masterpiece or the piece that will break you into a career, but instead to view it as another project and just put in enough to make a great piece your proud of. I guess the thought of this advice was to suggest that I shouldn't worry to much going into the project but to look at it as a nice piece you are working on.

When it came down to proposing my project, I threw in several ideas I wanted to explore. I wanted to screen print all of the Ely Projects, use metallic inks, die cuts and create mock ups. After the first senior thesis piece was created, it was clear that in the 4 month period we were all given that none of these things I would have wanted to do for the final would fly. It just wouldn't have worked out with in the time I had or with the economy I had to work with. So it is sad to say that my pieces are just pseudo digital silkscreen prints matted on a wall. I even wanted to silk screen on top of my digital prints but due to the satin heavy weight quality print I am using, the ink wouldn't have sticked.

A lot of what the teachers say about the ely is true. You make leaps and jumps in the way you draw and paint images, and watching my peers grow along with yourself was an amazing experience. Now almost four years later, I reflect upon how my artwork was and I am glad that I choose to go through the University of the Arts to learn how to become an illustrator. With the advice I was given and the books I had been suggested to have read, I am confident even more so that even in the hard times, I will make it through.

Here is the first Ely Piece that I worked on 4 months ago. It went through one round of sketchs and NINE rounds of revisions.... So it is safe to say that there maybe no changes to this ely, but I won't hold my breath.

Sketchs

Full Spread - Click here to enlarge

Detail Shot - Click to enlarge

I will post all the Ely's the day after the show's reception with shots of it hanging.

Cheers!

ELY Senior Thesis in progress part 4 of 4

2009-02-13T03:17:00.000-05:00

Ely #3 - 95% complete.....printing this in a few hours....

Ely #4 - Cropped in preview of the finish

I will give a synopsis of the 4 month journey that is the U Arts Senior Illustration Thesis, in the next day or two.

Back to work!

No Sleep till.....

2009-02-05T01:53:00.000-05:00

No Sleep Records Promo Poster

I was hired by No Sleep Records to do a silk screened poster, as a promo for their record label. This is the final piece, but the type may change in the next two weeks before I physically print the piece. (they may have more bands on the label)

Also, this piece has a little more significance since one of my teachers asked me to do a digital demo for her sophomore class at U Arts. They were all polite and full of questions about the digital process. Plus I had drawn the piece that morning and finished it that morning for the class.

I love it when a piece turns out great!

They are pressed

2009-01-31T17:44:00.000-05:00

Order Yours This February!

Enlarged image

Failing to Cool the Meltdown since 1945

2009-01-31T13:42:00.000-05:00

He better get new shoes

My good friend Matt Cavanaugh sent me an email asking if I wanted to take on a piece for WIN Magazine. He sent me the article, I read through it, and sent an email to Clare, their A.D./editor with a portfolio attachment. I got the go to work on sketchs, and was told that she was rushed for deadline since everything was due to go to print on february 2nd. I pretty much did the sketchs one day and went to final the following. It was a fun assignment.

The article I tackled dealt with how the government since 1945 went in and out of recessions and with each recession came casualties due to job loss, ect. I tried to show how the government failed or was so disorganized in the way it operated that it needed to come back and see it was just hurting itself. She chose the second sketch since, they print black and white and it fits the article the strongest. Below are the sketchs I sent.

Enlarged Sketches

Jinxed 3rd Annual Heart Show

2009-01-29T03:39:00.000-05:00

Silkscreen/Handpainted Acrylic with layered paper on wood.

Come support art, and buy works all under $100! My piece is $75.

I am not much of a fan for Valentines Day, but I am for gallery openings, so come on out and lets have fun!

The opening is Friday Feb 13th 6 -10pm at:
Jinxed Gallery 620 S. 4th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147.

Card Enlarged

ELY Senior Thesis In Progress part 3 of 4 (it was 8 previews but thats a bit much)

2009-01-27T02:50:00.000-05:00

Ely 2 Cropped in Preview

Ely 3 in progress shot of finished pencil drawing

I am basically 2 weeks behind in my senior thesis project. I was pretty sure I was good with time managing my side projects, and school work but the semester started off rocky and I need to get back in front of the ball. Still I have confidence that I will have Ely 3 done this week, sketchs done today/tomorrow for Ely 4 and a finish for Ely 4 next week so that the follow week can be all about revisions for 3 and 4. Then do any final touch ups, matt and print everything to turn in. Its going to be a long 3 weeks....

"Worrying Solves Nothing" - Milton Glaser

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Zines

2009-01-18T23:57:00.000-05:00

So, one project that I am working on for school is a series of Zines based on visual essays of different areas of Philadelphia.

Here is the hand drawn type pieces for the zines titles....

Subway

China Town

South Philly

Dreamer Sketch

2009-01-15T19:27:00.000-05:00

Dreamer Sketch - Gouache, White conte, and pencil on brown paper

As I am creating a nice illustration and design portfolio I am also going to be working on a fine art portfolio.

This is the first sketch to the start of a series of 5 to 10 fine art pieces. This piece is going to show her dreams, and thoughts as she sleeps.

Self assigned 4

2009-01-14T13:29:00.000-05:00

As the winter sessions comes to a close so does the long string of self assigned pieces, but its not the end, just a slow down from the 4 pieces a week I have been doing.

The Trocadero, Philadelphia

Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward of the Indie rock band SHE & HIM

Cancer

Delivering the Promise of Non-Profits

The Trocadero

- This is a music venue in Philadelphia known for its beautiful exteriors and interiors. I was inspired to start drawings buildings when my friend Sean Metcalf did a drawing of the Troc. I thought what better way to start off a series of building drawings then to start with something that your inspired by. Not only by Seans version but the fact I attend shows there 2-5 times a year.

SHE & HIM

- For some reason when drawing Matt it was almost nothing to do. I did maybe 2 drawings till I got it right, but for some reason I drew Zooey NINE TIMES! I think that this is the closest to a likeness of her I can get. I found out about this band from Paste Magazine. They are album of the year. Who knew. Plus I didn't know it but Zooey, before being a indie rock queen, was an actress in many movies I have watched much of recently, and prefers doing music over movies.

Cancer

- In Wired Magizine, they put out an article about how Cancer researchers should stop working on a cure for cancer, and focus on a more realistic goal of trying to prevent, and detect cancer early. 90% of people survive stage 1 and 2 of cancer due to early detection and screenings, while 10% of people survive stage 3 and 4 due to the severity of the cancer and how far it has and hasn't spread.

Delivering the Promise of Non-Profits

- Wither it is to save polar bears, or to build green spaces in cities, there are people out there trying to build a commerce to invest into projects that benefit people as a whole. Many of these organizations stand true to their word, but how can we trust that these business' will stay true to their value of why they are doing what they are doing. This illustration is literal/conceptual in the way I am showing the duality of an industrial area that has a voice of someone who wants to build something new. Look as its also delievering its message too!

---------------------------------------------------------

On a side note, I did send my grad school papers, portfolio, ect... around noon today. I got a tracking number so I can see where it is. I just hope it gets there tomorrow.

Self Assigned 3

2009-01-09T01:26:00.000-05:00

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse - Many illustrators do one of two directions when it comes to illustrating Amy Winehouse. They either focus on what Amy was or they like to show the crazy cracked out version of who she is now. (first row, 4th down)

I believe that both are very unfair depictions. I've never met Amy, but I wanted to show some compassion with the image. What I wanted to do was show her inner struggle by using color and her facial expression. Along with that I wanted to show her decay so I have her hair falling out and a dead rose petals falling off. She knows what's going on but she isn't doing anything to stop it.

When thing I want to mention is, I am using the dot pattern in my work less. I had a client the other week, get their shirt design and love it. I ran into one of the members in the band and they said "Yeah, I was alittle scared you were going to use that bee hive pattern in the piece but you didn't..." YIKES! So I am going to use it more economically, like the pattern in her shirt and hair band!

Now I did have another portrait I was going to post, but I am uncertain of the likeness. I might send it to a few folk, and I might be a made man and re-draw it. We will see, but I have to work on my Ely. None the less I will post more up Friday night/Saturday morning.

Self Assigned 2

2009-01-06T03:13:00.000-05:00

Re-inventing Your Business Model

My Life in Sales

Re-Inventing Your Business Model

- For a company to bring about new growth, it needs to define and blue print what it wants to accomplish, think about the consumer, and reflect on how the new business model differs from the old to move forward.

My Life in Sales

- This illustration is about a story I read in the Atlantic monthly. A seasoned Book Tour salesmen, is stuck between a rock and a hard place, because he sick of his job selling books (that he has been doing for 15 years!) but at the same time he can not see himself doing anything else.

Self Assigned 1

2009-01-02T12:39:00.000-05:00

Convention to Innovation

China: Beauty and Repression

This is an illustration based off an article I read in the Atlantic monthly magazine a month or two ago.

The story is about how during the olympic games, China did everything they could to show how beautiful they were culturally, but the repression that the government imposed on their people was still well illustrated.

I wanted to make a piece that showed how beautiful the country was but at the same time show that underneath all of the beauty was something that could be harmful.

Going the Distance!

2008-12-26T22:09:00.000-05:00

So a few months ago, I got a call from Soupy who plays in the Philadelphia based pop punk band calledThe Wonder Years! and he asked me to do a 7 in cover for their new split album with a UK based pop punk band called All Or Nothing. I was really stoked to take on the job, and put a lot of love into the art work.

I sent them Sketches and they chose the one that fit the idea of traveling. So I drew a air port scene, but I didn't want to clutter it so I based the image around 3 different types of interaction. People leaving one another, people coming together and just leaving.

Full Spread of the 7 in sleeve

Because this record dealt with a band in the US and the UK, they wanted me to illustrate and design the labels on the records that represent something from Philly and something from Birmingham. So the liberty bell was an easy solution, but I was in the dark when it came to Birmingham. The band then said something about a bull that is famous that is in their town. They wanted the image to be graphic and have the flags in the labels. So I did just that.....

When designing the layout for the insert I was given full artistic freedom to do what I wanted. What I choose to do was make the layout of the lyric insert have a gritty taped photo copied letter feel to it. I wanted to set the type for clarity sake, but I needed a solution to how I could made the images feel alittle aged. The way I did it was with a printing process called Acetone transfer, which involves taking a acetone solvent from a blender pen to the back of a reversed photocopy and then using a bone folder to rub the type out and TADA! screwed up printed type that looks weathered and photocopied.

To see these images click here for the wonder years linear notes and click here for All or Nothing's linear notes.

My Job doesn't stop just yet. After finishing up the record cover, I get an email from Chris at No Sleep Records saying that he also wants me to draw up a shirt design that would be printed one color to go along with the pre-orders. I say alright, lets do this! Again I got complete artistic freedom, so what I did was draw a bird carrying the same suitcase on the front cover popping open. The funny thing is, its a guy on the cover and there is a bra coming out. I know I broke a rule in art by weighing the bird down from not flying by putting it in the corner but sometimes you have to break some rules to gain a better image to what you want to focus.

enlarged image

Once I finished this image I emailed Chris and was like dude this would make a awesome poster! So I finished up the poster and sent it to him in both a print and online version.

Above is the online version, here is the print version.

Last but not least, Chris created a animating banner to promote the album, but I created my own and he liked it a lot better so he is using it now.

For Some reason, this isn't fitting right

This project was really really really long, but it taught me a lot when it comes to working with a record label, an art director and a band all at once. It also taught me to work hard when I am under the gun of school and projects like these that come about.

I made this post with all the parts of the project to show and share the experience of the process and how one thing led to another.

Enjoy!

Winter Break - 4 week push

2008-12-20T21:23:00.000-05:00

My best friend Dani, is letting me stay at her place over the winter break in philly to work. She's the best and so is her cat!

School is out for winter, and there is a lot on my plate. The usual work coming in for designs, the rest of my portfolio pieces for my graduate school application, Senior thesis work, and a series of visual essay zines I am making about philadelphia.

I am in the mode of working on stuff but I will post it next week, but till then here is some sketch book stuff...

Have a good holiday everyone!

Winter Tour Hoodie

2008-12-14T09:19:00.000-05:00

Enlarged Image: HERE!

F.U.E.L. Gallery

2008-12-07T17:49:00.000-05:00

I had a fun time at the F.U.E.L. gallery, seeing all of the art, seeing a few people I havent seen in a while, and meeting a few new people.

I posted on the Autumn Society blog more photographs of the show.

Thanks for everyone that came out!

Preview the works in the show: HERE

SVA Grad Show + Sketching + Kate Egan

2008-12-01T06:55:00.001-05:00

NJ Transit to NYC 11/25/2008

Enlarged Image: HERE!

I went to New York City on Tuesday and saw the Graduate studies show for the Illustration as a visual essay program at SVA. I was really impressed with the work that I saw, but not only that, it got me to challenge myself to ask the question yet again. "WHAT IS ILLUSTRATION?"

The work looked more like fine art and not so much like illustration. I am so used to seeing work that is put into context with symbols, metaphors, ect that looking at the show I felt alittle uneasy. I was both curious and shocked by the work. That night I had the pleasure of sitting down and having dinner with Matt Cavanaugh to talk about the business of illustration as well as other topics. After we finished our burgers and copious amounts of tatter tots at the Trailer Park Bar/dinner, it was time for me to head back to Philadelphia to get ready for the Thanksgiving holiday and what was left to do work wise.

Kate Egan "The Vegan Eater" - Soph. Illustration Major at U Arts

For her random thoughts and drawings/paintings

Enlarged Image: Here

We will see how the week turns out, so I might do two portraits this weekend. I don't know yet, I have a few things I have to take care of before then.

Plus I have a job I did that I want to post but due to copyright I can't so in the next week or two I will be able too!

HAPPY MONDAY!

Rachel Has "HEART"

2008-11-30T01:20:00.000-05:00

9x12 Shaped Wooden Panel - 5 color Acrylic Silk Screen, and Hand painted Acrylic

Image Enlarged: HERE

Printed two months early for the Autumn Society "Heart" Show in February.

The colors are a little off in the scan and Metallic inks don't scan well but I think we can all manage.

Buy it before(will be held on loan till after the show), or During the show for $150.

FISHELD@aol.com

ELY Senior Thesis in progress part 2 of 8

2008-11-21T15:41:00.000-05:00

ELY # 1 Close up Detail shot of part of the whole

ELY # 2 In Progress

On another note... My good friend Jon Bartlet is exhibiting his work with his other MFA illustration peers, at SVA's gallery in NYC. I am going to try and make it up there and see the show for an hour or two. The exhibit opens today but the reception is this tuesday.

More info on the whole thing....The Call of Cthulhu

Andrew and Rachel

2008-11-17T02:41:00.000-05:00

Bigger image: Andrew Stiles

Bigger Image: Rachel Kantor

Doing a series of portraits of my friends to work on likiness'.

FUEL GALLERY: Small Works Show

2008-11-15T10:42:00.001-05:00

I will be showing and selling 2 silkscreen paintings on wood at the F.U.E.L. Gallery (Philadelphia, PA), where a part of the proceeds of the works will be going to a foundation called Fuel the Cure.

The show is from December 1st through the end of December/Beginning of January.
The opening is on December 5th (First Friday!)

See you there!

http://www. fuelcollection. com/

The love of Drawing!

2008-11-08T01:17:00.001-05:00

I love to draw the figure. I tend to draw alot of women, so I wanted to post some drawings I have done of some dudes from life in my figure drawing class.

Plus since I stylize alot of my figures with huge heads, little bodies and such, it gives a better insight that I am making choices when I am drawing abstractly and not using it as a crutch.

Enjoy!

Illustration Friday: Vacant

2008-11-02T23:31:00.003-05:00

What can I say.... it went over her head.

ps. I am going to try and draw all my illo friends, teachers, and close aq. Expect me armed to shot a photo of you.

Pss. This is Rachel Lessar in the print. She is a awesome soph. at U of A.

psss. Blogger has been getting me alittle flustered with there weird sizing that used to go so well up until 2 or 3 weeks ago.

Happy Halloween

2008-11-01T00:06:00.003-04:00

Ely #1 in progress (Ely = Senior Thesis)

TEETH + Amtrak + Brooklyn

2008-10-17T00:43:00.000-04:00

I got teeth pulled today, which isn't always the most exciting thing to do. What is exciting is drawing on the train.

I took a day trip to New York recently, to see the Society of Illustrators Political Show, and I got the pleasure of meeting some well known illustrators in Brooklyn. The only amount of time that I spent up there to draw was when I was at a Cafe in Williamsburg Brooklyn. I saw this dude with this awesome long neck and was like I have to draw him.

Thats It for now!

Winter

2008-10-11T01:56:00.000-04:00

You could have all the love in the world in your arms, but it won't beat that depressed feeling winter gives you.

Charity T-shirt Press Release

2008-10-09T20:15:00.001-04:00

Like I said before, I am really glad to do some kind of good with my art and vision for some kind of cause. In high school your always told "well what are you going to do with your life?" and when you say your going to be a artist they think you are going to make pictures for galleries or making commercial art while other people have real jobs that effect things around them and around the world.

Well with this project, I kinda do effect the world. Atleast alittle bit. I want to thank the Wonder Years for contacting me to design this for them, and the Heart of Gold printers, for putting their efforts for such a awsome cause that we can all believe in and look into.

I hope to do more charity work in the future for causes that I can believe in.

Thank you,

-FISH

----------------------------------------------------------------

Do something worthwhile!

I've been sitting here for a while trying to think of exactly what I wanted this to say without offending anyone or any organizations. I think I'll just put it this way: it's amazing that kids into punk rock and hardcore are into being charitable, but, in my opinion, the money isn't going to where it's most needed. Realistically, most of us here in the good old first world have it pretty sweet, comparatively speaking. There are families all over this world who can't manage to eat much less sit and mull over the inanities that make people in this country depressed. I am guilty of getting down on myself and my life from time to time. We all are, but there are people that have it much harder and in my opinion, those people are who need your help. I think it's about time I put my money where my mouth is on this issue and so I've organized this whole thing to help. We have this VERY limited T-shirt design for sale. We're only going to sell 50 of these bad boys and ALL of the profits will go to buying a cow for a family in a third world nation through The Heifer Foundation. The cow will not only provide enough milk for a family and neighbors, but will give birth once a year to a calf that will be given to another family in order to continue the cycle. This is possible through the charity of Daniel Fishel for donating his artwork and Heart of Gold Clothing for donating their time and talent to print and ship all of these shirts. They are truly some of the best people I know and I thank them for their help in this endeavor. Below you will see EXACTLY where your money goes when you buy one of these shirts. There is literally nothing skimmed off the top. Costs are covered and the rest goes directly to purchasing the cow. Also below, I have included some quotes from the Heifer Foundation's website so you know exactly what it is you're helping. This is a good cause and a dope shirt to boot. On top of all this, all shirts will be transported to shipping via bicycle so we're even being eco-friendly. Get into it!

Total cost to you (including shipping)*- $17.00
Cost of each shirt- $2.00
Cost of oversized screens (total)- $50.00 ($1.00 per shirt)
Cost of shipping per shirt*- $4.00
Money donated per shirt- $10.00

"A good dairy cow can produce four gallons of milk a day - enough for a family to drink and share with neighbors. Milk protein transforms sick, malnourished children into healthy boys and girls. The sale of surplus milk earns money for school fees, medicine, clothing and home improvements.

And because a healthy cow can produce a calf every year, every gift will be passed on and eventually help an entire community move from poverty to self reliance. Now that's a gift worth giving!" –Heifer Foundation

* Overseas shipping adds $2.

If the link doesnt work: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=20466985

Seasons: The Cold Melancholy Winter

2008-10-05T02:06:00.000-04:00

For some reason, so many people are just kinda sad in the winter time. They could have everything, even love, but they are just so sad.

I think its because everything is so cold and dead outside.

In this sketch I wanted to grasp the main composition/emotion, so I drew this without reference in my new earth tone sketchbook that I fucking love so much! Its so awesome!

This is done for the Autumn Society Blog that has stuff posted by me and my fellow U Arts Grads and Current students.

Cheers!

Helping out JB

2008-09-25T01:34:00.001-04:00

My friend Jon Bartlet, who graduated 2 years ago asked me to print a mailer out for him.

So he sent me his design and I screen printed it.

:)

Check him out: http://www.seejbdraw.com/

Wilting away

2008-09-10T07:42:00.001-04:00

Amy Winehouse; wilting away and lifeless as doctors tell her that if she continues to smoke crack, not only will her mild emphysema (she got from smoking crack) get worse, but she could end up dying. This was in the news this summer about the British super star.

I did this as one of my summer spots for Joe at U of A, and I am posting this because it's one of my fav.

Enjoy.