The Great Pumpkin

We took Andrew to a local farm north of town last weekend to pick out a pumpkin and some mums for our front porch. He had a blast! In the pumpkin patch, every time he saw a small round gourd, he'd pick it up and say "ball" and throw it. We all learn something every day! Happy halloween!

Bluesfest official poster

Here is the final (and official) Greater Ozarks Blues Festival poster for 2007! I sent it to the printer yesterday. Pretty psychedelic because of the young jam band-type of musicians coming this year. North Mississippi Allstars are one of my favorite bands and I am so excited to see them this year! Joe Bonamassa is a hot, young guitarist who plays smokin' Jimi Hendrix-like blues rock. Leon Russell is an "old guy" with a long white beard and hair. He has performed several times at the famed Filmore Auditorium in San Francisco in the 60s and early 70s– the heyday of psychedelic rock and posters. All this inspired me to create this colorful and a bit nostalgic poster. The committee also were very adament at using the blues guy I painted for the festival in 2005, but I psyched him up a little. We haven't decided on the type of t-shirt to make yet. They are trying to reach a younger audience this year with the lineup so I'm thinking another graphic T like the last 2 years, but some of the committee may want a small image in the front corner pocket. We'll see. I think my generation likes graphic Ts like Old Navy/Gap, but the next generation up likes it a little more subtle. Any suggestions? Ticket prices are still a little high for college kids, so we may not get any younger of a crowd. I am really looking forward to the festival this year! Woohoo!

Bluesfest sketch idea 2

This was a little more colorful idea I had to show that the Blues is color blind and can effect any person anytime. Since it is an outdoor festival in downtown Springfield, I turned a couple of surrounding buildings into giant amplifiers. This was more of a fun, cartoony idea. We didn't go this direction either. I thought it had potential though.

Bluesfest 07

I just finished this year's Greater Ozarks Blues Festival poster and related material. Tshirts are next. This sketch was one of my initial ideas, but we went a little different direction. I really like it anyway.

NINE months, baby!

We got Andrew's nine-month photos taken last weekend. Isn't he cute?! Yes, he is. He is on the verge of taking a step and walking, but is most comfortable crawling. He has 8 teeth: 4 on top and 4 on bottom. The babysitter said the photo of him with blocks really captures his personality well. I agree, he is very good natured. The one of him with crazy-face is a huge smile. The biggest I've seen! He almost looks as if he is a demon child rattling his cage trying to get out, but really he was having lots of fun. That one cracks me up. Happy weekend.

tons of fun!

I finally have a few minutes to update this blog. Things have been super crazy the last few months (on top of having a baby). We are moved in to the new/old house and have been "living" there now for 3 weeks. We have been walking around piles of boxes and furniture and our clothes are divided into 3 closets. It seems like we are already out of room, but really we aren't using all the space yet. There is a family room in the back of the house, off the kitchen that we are keeping pretty empty until we can remodel it. We need to replace the wood paneling and ceiling tile with drywall and we might as well put in a new coat closet door and french dackdoors. We could even add a window if we wanted. Then I'll lay in a new floor after all that's done.

Whew. I get worn out and worked up just thinking about the details and possibilities. Today the plumbers are filling my yard back in after a week of rerouting the sewer line through the driveway, in front of the garage. The week after we moved, mom stayed around to help get us settled. I had to go to Chicago for 4 days to a Photoshop/Illustrator conference so it was just Jenny, Mom and Andrew. I missed his 9 month birthday and doctor's appointment. Kind of a bittersweet trip. Anyway, of all weeks, the sewer backed up into the basement which was my worst fear of moving into an old house. We knew the sewer line needed to be redone anyway, but this just moved it to the top of the list. Mom cleaned it all up and was an amazing help! Thanks, Mom! Our families have been tremendous help in this whole process.

We finally got new kitchen counter tops and sink this past Monday so it feels more comfortable and useable. I had to tear up the old ones pretty badly to paint the cabinets. There is still a lot to do on the cabinets – doors to paint and hang and hardware to replace. Anyway, the house is coming together little by little, but this still feels like just the beginning of work on this house. OK that's enough for now. My brother, Jeffrey graduates from MSU tonight and family's coming down for the weekend.

Lots of new stuff!