Recent Work: 'Time Is Life' Poster Design

A thoughtful variation of a common saying.

Recent Work: Promotional Poster Design (2)

Another promo poster design following the previous concept.

Recent Work: Promotional Poster Design

Just finished creating a custom-made greeting card under very tight schedule (to be uploaded later). I took some time off my studio commissions and unwound with this promo artwork. Now I'm ready to get back on schedule tomorrow!

Recent Work: Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul & Mary

I enjoy listening to the mellow music of the 1963 song Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul and Mary. I also find the story about the poem that inspired the song equally interesting. This is my version of the magestic creature and his young friend Jackie Paper.  

Artwork copyright 2012 Olusola Akinseye

Recent Work: Music Studio Mural Art

I was commissioned to create a Sci Fi influenced wilderness landscape painting for the broad wall of a music studio. Armed with the dimensions and a photo, I tried to envision how the large painting will look using vector graphics.

Posted below are various stages of the actual painting.

And the completed painting...

Recent Work: Afro Retro + Art Nouveau + Greek Mythology Design Concept

I am in the middle of making calendar art, mural painting for a music studio and creating concept art for a prospective commission. I had to take a little time off to clear my head.

I enjoy the result when creative elements from different and varied concepts, genres and ideas are combined. I recently made a design by mixing aspects of Greek myth, European art nouveau and 1970s Afro fashion. Just something I wanted to do to clear my head during crunch time. To make it even more interesting, I used a restricted colour palette.

Recent Work: Gender Equality & Women Rights Poster Designs

The issue of gender equality is crucial, especially in my part of the world. I have heard lamentations about how few women hold their own in the science/technology based industries in comparison to their male counterparts. But in truth, the story is not that different in the creative fields as well.

I have been a studio manager working in the comics creation/illustration business in the country for many years. I have had the opportunity of working with highly talented professionals on several projects. Yet, the ratio of females to males, in almost a decade, is appalling. Even a survey of the resumes received over the years show the number of female applicants in single digit, out of over a hundred applications!

The idea that men are smarter or more productive is a myth. I have two sisters who are holding their own in the finance and IT sectors and I believe if given the same opportunity as men, more women will be visible on the professional scene. Also, marriage or care-giving at home are no longer tenable excuses, especially in the world we live in today. The economic realities have left many men very open to their wives holding full-time jobs.

Copyright 2012 Olusola Akinseye

Food for thought: Illustrators Are Artists

I have always loved art since I was a child growing up in Palm Groove Estate in the 70's. This interest has been close to my heart even as I grew up to an adult. Imagine my surprise when I came across opinions and mindsets that belittle illustrations and consider illustrators as lesser than or different from 'artists'. I believe any form of visual expression or communication that requires creativity, personal perception and interpretation is art. Most people with this mindset have no problem regarding Michelangelo as an 'artist'. Of course he was a great artist. But a close look at his paintings reveal he was really an extraordinary illustrator. I have usually avoided making an issue of this though. 

 

I was delightfully surprised when I came across Brad Holland's illustration (above), especially the hand written message. I have taken the liberty of typing it out clearly. I think this says it all. 

Past Work: Old Portfolio

While clearing some old files from my desktop, I stumbled on an downloadable portfolio I designed in 2008. For some reason I never got to upload it. Here are pages form the file.

Recent Work: Character Designs

I was commissioned to create characters for a series of publications last month. One is an ordinary guy while the other is more manly or heroic. This is my take on the brief...