Joe Mills

New Artwork – No Waiver Park!

January 7, 2010 on 8:34 pm | In Announcements, Business | 1 Comment

I have proved to myself that I can hold down a paying job AND complete another long term artwork. I just completed No Waiver Park this morning. It definitely builds on the style I used with Chicago 2010. Ever since I got back to doing artwork over 5 years ago, I never knew if I would reach this point or if I even wanted to reach this point, but having a style is a good thing. I am certainly happy with the way this turned out. I had this idea for a crazy amusement park for over a year, and it finally came together this year. I had different drawing altogether before.

This just never seemed right to me. Although, as I look at it now, it still feels like I could have turned it in to something. The direction I chose, though, I think worked out perfectly. I decided to break up the attractions so they could shine on their own instead of making them completely overlap each other. Plus, I ramped up the amount of children so it really felt more energetic and vibrant. I’m not sure how this compares time-wise or detail-wise with Chicago 2010, but I definitely felt more productive with No Waiver Park. I took an Illustrator class in the fall that added some tricks to my repertoire…

Now, the big question is…do I get posters made? It is certainly not as identifiable as Chicago, but I need to step out of my comfort zone and take some risks. It is not like I have to make them now, but I need to keep it in mind. As far as artwork goes, I have 3 poster ideas ready to go. One is another city landscape…Sydney. I have another landscape of monsters attacking a city. And, I have an idea for a group of crime fighters called The Misfits. I have a sticker idea that is only worth creating if I really want to get them printed. Finally, I have a t-shirt idea that I need to start sketching. I’m holding off because I seem to have a t-shirt idea every month that I either end up not liking or actually creating…and then not liking. No matter what…I can’t let go of making t-shirts.

As far as promotion goes, I’m going to join a few more portfolio sites. I am going to submit an application to the Chicago Art Open. And from there…I need to start researching the spring and summer fairs and festivals to see what is worth my time…