Happy New Year!

Wishing you and yours a great year in 2014, prosperity, good health and good cheer!

Character Sketch: Three Jack-o-lanterns

Been working on some Halloween stuff lately. This time it’s a watercolor and ink study of a trio of jack-o-lantern characters. I did it on a scrap of 300lb cold press watercolor paper, which almost proved to be my undoing. The watercolor worked fine, but when I went to ink it, I was quickly reminded that stout paper like that really sucks the life out of Microns (pens). So I tried it with an old school dip pen instead. See that black blob on the corner of the mouth of the pumpkin on the left? That was from the super rough texture grabbing the nib and opening it up. There was some very salty language used right about that time. Anyway, I finally ended up pulling out the Windsor & Newton Series 7 Sable Brush (#3) and inking it with that. Overall I’m pretty pleased with the results, but I might try one with a 9B pencil when I get a chance, not quite as dark as ink, but has a really nice organic look to it.

Metal Band Logo: Cry Havok

Normally my work has a 20's—60's look, but recently I got the opportunity to do an 80's metal influenced logo for local metal band, Cry Havok, from Dallas, Oregon. Been working hard on this, and got the final approval last night or early this morning (I can't remember which, now). Anyway, I just sent the files out to them a few minutes ago. So now without further ado, I present the new logo for Cry Havok.

Pre-Designed Business Cards

One of the pre-designed business card options available on the Wiles Side website.

A nice retro bowling theme design, suitable for a number of vintage and retro businesses.

These cards were inspired by the Palm Springs ranch houses from the MCM period.

Hey kids, I hope you had a good weekend. I've been doing  quite a bit of behind the scenes work on the Wiles Side website lately, and most recently I added some pre-designed business card options for those on a tight budget. I've got a handful of cool retro designs to start off with, and there are three different pricing options: $20 for the do-it-yourselfer, $35 comes with 100 printed cards and the $75 option, which comes with 500 hundred printed cards, and both the 100 and 500 card options include free US shipping. I'll be posting more designs as time allows, but for now,  I'm happy to have it all up and running.

New Business Cards, They're Like Clean Underpants for Your Business

New business cards, they’re like clean underpants for your business. Some might consider this a preposterous statement, but I think it’s right on the money. Think about it, it’s been a long, hot day; you’re worn out and weary. Is there anything better than a quick shower? And when you step out of the shower you don’t want to put on the same old musty skivvies you wore all day. No, you want something clean and fresh,  maybe you even had the foresight to put a clean pair of knickers in the freezer, and when you slip them on—Woo-Hoo!— you realize that it is the best you’ve felt all day. Well, my friend, new business cards can give your business that same exhilarating feeling.

The Castle Restaurant

I'm proud to announce that my drawing of The Castle Restaurant was used in an essay by writer, Jocelyn S. Mackie.

 Do any of you PDX locals remember The Castle Restaurant in Gladstone? Way back in the day it was a popular roadhouse along Highway 99E, back when it was still the main drag between Canada and Mexico. Anyway,  I was recently contacted by freelance writer, Jocelyn S. Mackie, and she asked if she could use one of my drawings to help illustrate a piece she was writing on the legendary roadhouse and jazz club. Of course I said yes, and I am very happy to announce that she has recently posted the piece on her blog, Meander No More. Ms. Mackie did a fantastic job on the article, and I’m very proud to have my work included. But, I am still pissed that the building was torn down—and the reasons why.

Mid-Century Modern Atomic Diamond Business Card Design

This is one of my pre-designed business card designs, and while it is actually from last year, it's certainly still relevant for any MCM fan. It features a clean, professional Mid-Century Modern look with a bold Atomic Diamond theme that Mr. Draper himself would be proud of. With a smart, quality design like this, you’re sure to inspire gasps of envy wherever you go.

*It is available right here on my Etsy Shop, and comes with 500 professionally printed cards and US shipping.

Devils Lake Speedway Logo

Greetings! It has been a long time since I've posted anything here, and I have a lot going on right now, but this is just a quick update that Vintage 66 Graphics is now officially Wiles Side Graphics. So, welcome, and thank you for stopping by to take a walk on the Wiles Side.

And now, without further ado: 

Just finished this up a little while ago. It’s a sample design, so the racetrack doesn’t actually exist. However, there is a Devils Lake, which is located in Lincoln City, Oregon, right on the coast, and there was actually a racetrack nearby in about 1953*, I believe. I don’t recall the name, and it only lasted one summer, mainly because by the time the promoter took his cut of the proceeds, the racers were only getting about $20, and that was for the winners. Anyway, I was intrigued by the story, and that is what inspired this design.


*I know it says 1963 on the logo. When I started this I envisioned a 50 year anniversary project. Someday I might update it.