This was a tough assignment for me. While I did actually vote for this theme, in general numbers make my eyes glaze over. So to find a meaningful number/numeral for me would prove to be the most challenging part of this assignment.

So I thought about numbers and did a littel research and then I realized that there was one number with a storied history that would work quite nicely, 13. While I don’t personally find 13 unlucky or bad luck, most people do. I decided to take advantage of this stereotype and create a creepy image.

I used some new tools for me: A Faber Castel Brush pen and my new Moleskine notebook to hand-render the numbers which I then scanned into Photoshop where I added texture and lighting to give the number the proper mood.

Click here to learn more about the Creative Postcard Club.

USED paper? Seriously? The worst part was the price was almost as much as a new, unopened box!

And my second “What the?!” of the week was this find on the Apple apps store:

So iBoob didn’t make it past the almighty Apple censors, but this app where you can dress up women in different skimpy outfits did? No, I didn’t download this one. And sadly, I can’t remember what I was searching for when I found it, I got distracted.

The article starts on page 8 and my entry is on page 14. Be sure to check out all the other great entries!

http://nsquaredesign.blogspot.com/2009/03/lucky-13-giveaway.html

The packaging is nice, simple, and clean for both designs. What really caught my attention was the Pepsi throwback design:

While I’m a fan of the new “regular” Pepsi rebranding, I know that many people are not. Perhaps if outcry is strong enough, Pepsi should just go to selling the “throwback” formula as the “regular” Pepsi and ditch the other branding in favor of this one. (I’m in favor of keeping the old formula anyway, as it has less crap ingredients in it).

I love how simple and elegant this throwback design is. Plus, it really honors the long legacy of the brand respectfully. Well done!

Since I don’t believe Friday the 13 is unlucky, I’m going to try to break the “spell” of the so-called unlucky Friday the 13th and make it a Lucky 13 day for one lucky person!

One week from today, on Friday March 13, I’m going to give away one hand-signed print of my “February Moon” illustration as featured in my recent art exhibit. Print size is 7 inches wide by 17.5 inches high, with a bit of white around it for me to sign.

What do you need to do to win? Answer me these questions three in the comments section on or before Midnight EST on Friday, March 13:
1) What was your luckiest Friday the 13th?
2) Do you think Friday the 13th is lucky, unlucky or neither?
3) What is your favorite Pantone Color?

The best answers, as judged solely by me, get the one and only prize. No purchase necessary. And no fair trying to bribe me with cookies. Unless they are chocolate chip. Sorry, I can only ship to US addresses.

More about this image: I needed one more image to complete my art exhibit for February with a them of “Love.” So after some thought, I dreamed up a bare tree with hearts starting to bloom under the silver light of the moon as an analogy to spring and warmth that would be coming soon. I worked a bit differently this time since I wanted to try out my new Faber-Castell Artist Pens. I used the brush nib and did some quick sketches in my trusty sketchbook. I then scanned it into Photoshop and then added the background textures, moon, and lighting.

Batsakis Foods approached me to design their first product label for Andi’s Authentic Greek Dressing. The client had two requirements: include the Greek Key and the blue from the Greek Flag (PMS 286C). Using the Greek flag blue and cream as a base, I broaden the color palate out to five colors: Cream (PMS 1205), Burnt Umber (PMS 491), Olive (PMS 582), and Black. Burnt Umber and Olive were inspired by some ancient Greek pottery that I found in my research. I complemented the traditional “Greek” typeface of Lithos pro with Trajan Pro to maintain a clean, upscale look for the label. So far, the client has been extremely pleased with the results, completely selling out of 500 jars at the local Greek Festival.

Thanks to my friend Rachel at Graceworks Bethany Retirement Village, I was able to secure my first-ever art exhibit in their beautiful new Village Center Art Gallery. The theme is “Expressions of Love” and most of my pieces are wedding gifts that I’ve given my friends over the years, with a couple of other pieces, and one created especially for this exhibit.