Painting a Poster for a Play

I've been collaborating on art and ideas with my best friend Steve for some time now. We've collaborated in many ways and come of with some great imagery (in my humble opinion... at least I found them interesting). He's written poems I incorporated into paintings. Like the one below.

Watercolor and Ink

We've collaborated by choosing a word and discussing the movies and ideas surrounding it, then I create type of movie poster incorporating those ideas. Below is another example.We discussed the idea of "revolt" and talked a lot about "Cool Hand Luke", which we watched together a bunch of times.

Watercolor and Ink

Mostly what I've done, though, is create posters and flyer for his improv groups, podcasts, and plays that he writes and performs in Chicago. I LOVE doing this. It allows me to create very strange and fun works of designed surrealism I wouldn't think of otherwise. He tells me about some of the skits they've done or the content of the play and I take the ideas and run. Here's a few examples. The Album ones are my favorite.

 

      

This latest painting is another poster I just finished for another play Steve has written with a few other people called Blockbuster (it takes place in a Blockbuster). the imagery was inspired by William Morris flower designs. I wanted to mix in my own styling with the look of one of his textile designs and keep the colors subdued but welcoming and cheery. I also didn't want it to be overly polished. I left some areas where I smeared a little paint or left some transitioned a little rough by not adding another layer. I wanted it to look a little older and partially weathered. It was a new way for me to create posters. I combined some watercolor background techniques with acrylics and my drawing methods. I like how it turned out and expect I can get better at this as I try more.