Art Book Signing Party

Book Signing Party from Graham Smith on Vimeo.

I'm throwing a party for all the people involved in making an this art book, down at the SDAI Museum. in scenic Balboa Park this weekend. We got, friends, models, drawing, music, food, beer... and art books! Did I mention art books? Art books, yo!

San Diego, CA - Internationally recognized artists, Graham Smith and Katherine Brannock, debut their premiere art books with a signing party at the historic SDAI Museum of the Living Artist, in scenic Balboa Park, Saturday, March 30, 2013 from 7PM to 11:30PM. The artists will be personally signing books, and displaying artwork, while celebrating with the artists and models that create San Diego's deeply talented, and diverse art scene.
This vibrant, artist-centric event is now a private reception, and features live music by "Man From Tuesday", Singer Songwriters, and Master guitarist demonstrators, Michael Lille and Andy Lund from Taylor Guitars.
Foodies and artists alike, will be thrilled by the delicious tastings planned by Sea Rocket Bistro, with local, farm fresh, sustainable, epicurean delights by Executive Chef Tommy Fraioli. Tantalize your palette with perfect pairings from Blue Moon Brewing Co's handcrafted beers, including Valencia Grove Amber and several selections from their Vintage Series!  Beverage service provided by San Diego's newest modern day neighborhood hangout, Heights Tavern.
Bring your sketchpads and draw. Art models featured in Graham Smith's book, Marks : Volume 1, will pose for drawings, by artists in attendance, and autograph their page for the fans.

Eventful.com Listing all about the event.
Unboxing Video

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First Peek- Book Unboxing

First Peek - Book Unboxing from Graham Smith on Vimeo.

A giant, cubic palette of boxes arrived suddenly from Xupuy, my publisher. I knew it my new art book, because the writing on the boxes said so. Even though it was the middle of the night, I called artist Katherine Brannock. Her name was on the boxes, too. I knew she'd want to be there when the shipment was opened. I brought my camera and filmed the unboxing.

Katherine Brannock and Graham Smith will be signing this giant pile of books at a release party at the SDAI Museum, on March 30th. 

Art, Music, Food, Life Drawing, aaaannnnd Books!

Artist Katherine Brannock

1365 pounds of books.

See More?
Book Trailer Video
Katherine Brannock.com

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Expressionist Collection by Blue Moon

The Expressionist Collection by Blue Moon Brewing Co., just debuted at the Miller Coors Distributor Convention in Orlando, Florida. I was lucky to be their official illustrator, invited to support the new beer line, and entertain the huge crowd of people it takes to launch a new brand of beer with a drawing demonstration.

Together with the packaging designers at Trinity, the look of the Expressionist Collection brand was based on the illustrations I created for the labels, and the taste of the beer is a little edgier, too.

The illustrations handcrafted appearance, and old-time draftsmanship fit well with the ideals of Blue Moon. So, I'm proud to say, Blue Moon Brewing Co. put my drawings on the six pack, and the whole collections packaging.

Expanding on the style, I illustrated two vibrant summertime scenes of Belgium, to celebrate the Expressionist Collection's Belgian-Style Ales. One, a cityscape along a river, and another, a landscape with an old, red, wheat barn.

These drawing were big, 24" square, and will be used on everything necessary to help support the look of the Expressionist Collection, posters, TV spots, coasters, table markers... everything!

Belgian River scene

The old red farmhouse landscape

Short Straw Farm House Red 

Two Styles. One Work of Art.

Farmhouse Ales were brewed for the diligent farmhands who drew the short straw and had to work the arduous harvest. Our brewmaster’s expression blends the spiciness of a Farmhouse Ale with the tartness of a Flanders Red for a remarkably refreshing finish. Available Year-round in 12-oz. bottles, 6-pack, 12-pack, Draft

Rounder Belgian-Style Ale

A Maltier Pale Ale.

In the 1940's, Belgian-Style Pale Ales grew in popularity and were ordered by the round due to their balanced taste. Rounder, our expression of this sessionable style, is crafted with hibiscus and orange peel for a hint of spiciness and touch of wheat for a smoother, rounder taste. Available Year-round in 12-oz. bottles, 6-pack, 12-pack, Draft

Blue Moon Artists: Graham Smith, Shelly Bartek, Jim Stigall, Mishou Sanchez

Belgian River detail

Rounder - detail

Short Straw hero illustration

Short Straw - detail

Rounder label - Graham Smith

Short Straw label - Graham Smith

Graham Smith with Jim Stigall, illustrator for Blue Moons wildest beers, the Graffiti Collection!

Graham Smith, Expressionist Collection illustrator, and Shelly Bartek, the Vintage Ale illustrator.

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Jodi Arias - my creepiest drawing in a while

The Phoenix New Times Art Director sent me a super creepy, and dark assignment to draw the accused murderess Jodi Arias. She confessed to killing her boyfriend in a very violent way, and to make sure I got all the gory details right, the magazine sent me the coroner's report as a reference. Yikes! I just about fainted!

I guess the old newspaper saying is still true, if it bleeds, it leads. Because this is the most "blood" I've ever drawn, especially for a cover piece. I added the 27 "stab marks" in the background to add a feeling of seething emotional rage, to balance her stoic calculation. Original illustration, above.

Even so, the designers at the New Times added "a bit more blood" on the version that actually went to press. Print version below.

sketches - Graham Smith

Detail, Jodi Arias by Graham Smith

For the art nerds: Graphite pencil with ink wash, digital finish.

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