"NBA All-Stars" (The first of many) It's a shame Golden State's season came to a sudden end when they didn't make the playoff's this year. I had so many concepts set up for the playoffs and even if the W's had only made it to the 1st round, it would have extended my sign designs sessions to the post season. I told myself that when the season had ended I wanted to expand my options beyond just drawing Golden State Athletes and move forward with drawing other NBA favorites. The first of many drawing sessions breaks out with (from left to right) Trace McGrady of the Houston Rockets. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angelas Lakers and Shaquille O'neal of the Phoenix Suns.
Aside from drawing Golden State's finest, each week I will feature different NBA Superstars from Lebron James, Gilbert Arenas, Elton Brand to old school favorites like Michael Jordan to Wilt Chamberlin. Also, check out my new blogspot where you can have open discussions with me on new and past designs/illustrations I've been working on. Your feedback is always appreciated and I will be happy to answer any questions! Check it out!
Thank you for flying Air France!
Mikael Pietrus is "Air France!" During the past 2 seasons, Pietrus would catch a glimpse of my signs and ask "Where am I?!?" It's not that I didn't want to draw him, I was just plotting out the right time to draw it. I lucked out and knew from the start I wanted to do an "Air France" sign. Originally I wanted to make him a fighter pilot but in reference, I flipped the idea and made him an Air-Line Pilot with that meet and greet look tipping off his captain's hat. Pietrus has always been a class act to the fans. It's only right I do the same for him. Thanks for flying!
Featuring... The Golden State Beard!
"Extending Golden State's Beard Bunch Family:" Possibly my favorite sign design of the season, simply from all the smiles it brought to fans at the arena... Throughout the season, Baron started a movement on beard growing across the bay area! Just imagine seeing thousands of "We Believers" rocking a beard at the game?! Better yet, imagine the team representing the beard movement! The Beard Bunch originally featuring the crazy 8 in the middle rocking beards, so I updated the look with 6 more players... Croshere, Franco Finn (hype man), Webber, Pietrus, J-Rich and Belinelli! The Beard Bunch... it could happened!
Drawing The Warrior Girls!
Throughout my entire illustration career, I've been notorious for drawing women with super-imposing certain body parts. When the task of drawing the Warrior Girls came about, I didn't want to follow that route and disrespect these ladies profession. So, it was like going back to the drawing board and illustrating these ladies proportionally correct!
Monta Ellis... He's Grea8!
Breakfast time wouldn't be complete with out Frosted... excuse me, Monta Flakes! This was a fun one inspired by my buddy John. I like this piece a lot. My wife is going to use it Sunday during Fanfest to hook Monta in for a snapshot. Cereal boxes always have a positive packaging set up. It never says anything bad like... "It tastes nasty!" With that in mind I added some of the great moments in Monta's career like the "They Said" slogan, his "Most improved Player" award and a free gift from his buddy Andris. Wheaties maybe the "Breakfast of Champions", but Monta Ellis is G-r-r-r-ea8!
RUN with... Baron, Monta and Stephen!
"Coz' it's like that... RUN-DMJ:" I've Wanted to do this for a long time. The Trio of Baron Davis, Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson go old school with their classic rendition of RUN-DMC. The logo is so universal within Hip-Hop culture I wanted to flip the script and throw in that Golden State flavor for the team and it's fans. The chemistry these 3 players run on the floor are similar to Golden State's very own RUN-TMC. (Tim, Mitch and Chris) Add the Adidas gear, black top hats and gold chains... Warrior Fans are gonna be in for a treat. Design will be unveiled Sunday, March 16th at the Season Ticket Holder Party.
Golden State's Man of Mystery!
"Golden State's Man of Mystery:" I just wanted to have fun with this one. My buddy Alfred and I were talking about Croshere's breakout performance during the Seattle Supersonics and wondered when I'd be making a "Croshere Power's" sign. (Jokingly of course) When I thought about it I realized he did look like Austin Powers! This was a fun one to work with. The words in the backdrop pokes fun of all the different lingo in and around The Warriors Nation. (minus "oh behave!") I think this will put a smile on a lot of people faces.
FSN Sports Bay Area's Jim Barnett...
"The Legend of Jim Barnett:" New sign design premiering this Friday, Feb. 22nd during the Golden State Warriors vs. The Atlanta Hawks game at the Oracle Arena! I couldn't be more happier than having Jim Barnett as our respected "Anchorman" representing the Warriors with his detail oriented analysis during each FSN telecast. I love drawing our Players in the funnest of fashions, but this coming Friday, I wanted to take a short break and give it up to Jim Barnett and give respect to the professionalism he brings to our television sets!
Drawing up Globetrotters
"Drawing Curly Boo Johnson:" During this past Holiday, I had the most honored opportunity to collaborate an illustration (with more to follow) for the Harlem Globetrotters very own "Curly Boo Johnson." Illustrating CBJ was a wonderful request that gave me the chance to draw an Athlete I grew up watching on TV and saw on specials where the Trotters did crazy basketball tricks that kept us entertained in our youth. As much as I am a Golden State Fan, It's been a joy rejoicing over the Globetrotters style and play. CBJ is a respected Harlem Globe Trotter that I am honored to have drawn!
