Friday, January 14, 2011

Blast from the Past #336: Design for "Press Run" road race t-shirt

This is another one of those "I can't remember the details of how I got the job, but I remember the drawing" drawings. And this is one I've always particularly liked -- I think because it was one of those times that the drawing just WORKED, and turned out exactly the way I wanted it. (Whether or not it turned out the way the CLIENT wanted it, well, that's another story... though my admittedly shaky memory on this issue is that they liked it, too.) The "Press Run" referred to in the design (in that hand-lettering which must have taken me laborious hours to do, and which could now be done -- and done better! -- in minutes using Adobe Illustrator) was, I believe, a local race sponsored by the Rochester Courier newspaper in Rochester, NH, which was just north of Dover.

Here's the front of the shirt...



... and here's the back.



Please excuse the slightly rough images -- I had to clean up the badly-lit photograph of this art, and it didn't work perfectly, I'm afraid.

I have done a few of these "front and back view" pieces before, and this is probably my favorite.

And looking at this art again as I proof this entry, and noting the date of the race, I realize it is altogether possible -- in fact highly probable -- that I drew this thing shortly before Jeannine and I got married in our little back yard in Dover. Maybe what I made from this gig was enough to pay for our wedding rings. (They weren't too fancy or expensive -- simple thin gold bands bought at a local "Service Merchandise" store -- but to me, they are priceless.) -- PL

6 comments:

FF said...

http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=23807

Well there is a map of the race, its awesome you found all these illustrator jobs back then. Now, if you are not doing 3d animation its hard to find a job like that. Sucks I would love to make money at drawing. So far I made $10 for a comission work (its a start) I was doing it for free and she loved it and decided to pay me for it.

I like the pic it makes me want to look in my shoes for a face. wow 336, 14 more and you hit a mile marker. I bet 1-336 are all one photo.

PL said...

"FF said...

I like the pic it makes me want to look in my shoes for a face. wow 336, 14 more and you hit a mile marker. I bet 1-336 are all one photo."

Um... I am not certain I understand your comments. -- PL

FF said...

All I was saying is that I like it and in 14 more "blast from the past" and your at 350.

B.Thomas said...

Peter, I'm still amazed at the numerous freelance illustration jobs you were able to get post-college life. Lady Luck was definitely on your side!

PL said...

"B.Thomas said...
Peter, I'm still amazed at the numerous freelance illustration jobs you were able to get post-college life. Lady Luck was definitely on your side!"

I'm not sure how much luck was involved, but while I am glad I got those jobs, I always wished there would be more! Back then, I spent a lot of time looking for work, sending out query letters and sample packets and so forth. (This was pre-Internet, of course.)

I guess I was highly motivated -- if I didn't get these illustration jobs, it meant stuff like starving, or working at McDonald's, or living in a cardboard box. None of those options were very appealing. -- PL

Adam Riches said...

"PL said...
None of those options were very appealing. -- PL"

Speaking as someone who's currently freelance illustrating, let me just say, amen to that!