Category Archives: Printed Work

Penmanship show

Posted on by under Poster, Printed Work

I was asked to be a part of the Penmanship show at Vox Populi, something curated by the very talented Grayhood, Mikey Burton, & Elysse Ricci, which was subsequently a kick off to the Design Philadelphia week, which I also had the chance to do some posters for. Needless to say, I was excited to be a part of the excitement!

The theme for this show was “penmanship”, and one of the only things I had to work from was this quote:

“A man’s penmanship is an unfailing index of his character, moral and mental, and a criterion by which to judge his peculiarities of taste and sentiments.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, Man of Letters

Because of the freedom and looseness to the theme, it left me at a loss for quite a bit. I sketched and sketched which sadly only resulted in failing ideas. I finally revisited the quote and looked outside of the quotations for some inspiration. I imagined what it would be like if there was a club or society called “Men Of Letters.” This took me in a new direction and it brought me to where I ended up. I wanted it to be representative of the act of making lines to form the letters of the alphabet, but also then the idea of taking those letters to form words, and those words to compose letters that you send in the mail.

It was really beautiful to see all the posters hanging together, knowing everyone put some serious thought into how they would represent this idea. For having some many designers take part in this, there was an obvious variety to the work, but also and impressively, a synthesis to everything. The show will be up until the 23rd, and I strongly suggest trying to make it out. I’m also hearing rumors of a closing show??? I’ll let you know if that’s happening. Probably though twitter.

It was also awesome to finally meet some people who’s work I’ve been following and admiring for some time and find out that they are regular people. Okay, some are super humans. But they still occasionally participate in some normal human activities.

(Photo courtesy of  Jim Viola.)

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River City Extension at The Stone Pony 2011 poster

Posted on by under Poster, Printed Work

I was fortunate enough to have another to opportunity to make a poster for one of my favorite bands, River City Extension. They’ve sort of made it annual thing to come home and play a show at The Stone pony once a year and it’s been falling on the eve of Thanksgiving, and it’s become something that a lot of people, myself included, look forward to. Joe had shared with me his vision of making this show something people would dress up really nicely for .”Something like a wedding invitation” he told me. Not that this is like a typical wedding invitation, but that was the jumping point.

I started by sketching out a few quick ideas, and when I found the one I wanted to run with, I went into illustrator and started making it happen. I don’t normally post the beginnings of things, but I’d like to start, and no better example than this one.

Definitely proof that knowing what you want to do before you start doing it ALWAYS helps. And it’s sort of funny that things really didn’t end up too far from the original sketch.

Hope to see some of you at the show, wearing something sharp, of course. Get your tickets early, these guys have a bad habit of selling out. Also, rumor has it there will be a few of these posters at the show if you’re looking to pick one up.

Attack Of The Soundtrack

Posted on by under Poster, Printed Work

So I got to work with NJ funny man, personality, and all around nice dude, Taylor Allen, on this poster for his radio show, Attack Of The Soundtrack. He came to me with not much more than name of the show, the idea of a record with teeth, and the free range to do something cool. I love when clients are so kind.

If you’re into laughing, music, movies, or any combination of these things, check out the radio show. Taylor is a great guy and quite deserving of your attention.

Beauty And The Beast

Posted on by under Nom Now, Poster, Printed Work

This past Friday marked another show Nom Now got to be a part of, this time at the very awesome Studio: Christensen. The show was fairy tale themed, so we decided to do some interpretations of some famous fairy tales, and I chose Beauty And The Beast.

I don’t assume you’re heard to brush up on the story, but if you’d like to, do so. Knowing the story certainly makes sense of the poster.

The entire piece is encapsulated in one giant tear drop, which is of course the key to the beast becoming a handsome prince. 
So, big thanks to JT, the prince who runs the gallery, and to Christos who put the show on, and to everyone who came out, or wanted to, and to all our friends who braved parking in Rittenhouse on a Friday night to see the show and hang out. If anyone’s a huge Beauty And The Beast fan, I do have some posters left and I’d be glad to hook you up. The show will be up for a month or so, so if you want to see the rest of our stuff, and the other pieces from the other great artists, you have some time to catch it. But don’t wait too long, time seems to be flying by these days.

Cassanova Cassettes

Posted on by under Printed Work

I’ve been working with Biff on his tape label that he started with Russell and John. Tapes are oddly enough coming back in a unique way and who am I to slow that train? (Trains are actually pretty cool.)

Anyway, so far I’ve been lucky enough to work on the artwork for both of their current releases , those of course being Quiltary’s Boys With Bottle Rockets EP and Into It. Over It.’s Covers Cassette. The art for both is below, and if you’re trying to move into the future (and the past,) buy one from their online store.

River City Extension At The Stone Pony

Posted on by under Poster, Printed Work

A few weeks back Joe asked me if I would make the poster for his upcoming show at The Stone Pony. As always, I leaped at the chance. I just love doing stuff like this, and River City Extension are my boys and girls, so it’s extra fun to work on anything for them.

I thought about this one for a while, feeling sort of uninspired for what seemed like too long. I was  wanting it to be something to keep up with the last poster I did for them, but something completely it’s own. Finally, this idea came to me, and I ran with it.

So, here it is, mark your calendars, clear your schedules, this is going to be quite the event. If you know anything about me, you know RCE has my complete backing; they are a phenomenal band and group of people. Both their live show and recorded music are each impressive in their own and respective ways. Not to mention, this show is stacked an unreal cast of supporting bands. Brick + Mortar are another favorite of mine, check them out if you haven’t yet. I will be at this show singing and dancing along, so to anyone else who’d like to do the same… see you there!

Hunting Party Or A Band Of Braves

Posted on by under Printed Work

A while back my friend Josh Dean asked me if I would make something to accompany the upcoming record he was releasing titled Hunting Party Or A Band Of Braves, which is for his band Murder Boats. I believe he was working with a few other artists for other various things to do with the record, and well, I love both this band and the people who are in it so much, that I was so happy to be a part of it.

So today I got a text from my friend John Andrews saying he got his hands on the poster, and I asked him if he would send me a snap of it, as I hadn’t seen it since it was actually printed yet. So big thanks to John for hooking me up with the picture. Also big thanks to whoever it was who wound up doing the actual printing of this, everything turned out great!

Josh is one of the most incredible song writers and Murder Boats in its latest formation is a major force to be reckoned with. Check them out, see them play, buy this record, and grab this poster.

Short Attention Span

Posted on by under Nom Now, Printed Work

My dear friend Biff approached me about making some album art for a compilation he was putting together called Short Attention Span. The concept is simple – all songs under 2 and a half minutes. I believe this was extended to under 3 minutes, but only 4 songs took advantage of the extra time. Anyway, I loved the idea and was excited to get something together for it. The photo is a shot I took from the parking garage I park in on the daily in Wilmington.  I just loved the sweeping and cluttered look of it. Because of the nature of this compilation, and really any compilation, and how they almost serve as a soundtrack, I wanted this to look like a movie title shot. The album was just released on Monday night, and it’s free! So please take advantage of this and download it. It’s 24 bands/artists, and I really think it wound up being a pretty cohesive and flowing comp.

I’ll have you know I actually have a song on here as well. While I’m not playing music as much these days, I still loving writing and recording songs, and any excuse to do that is good enough for me. So check out the newest Wood Goold song titled “Rolling In Our Eyes” by giving this a download.

The King Stay The King

Posted on by under Nom Now, Poster, Printed Work

Most of you probably already know, I am huge fan of The Wire.  I started watching the show because I wanted to watch something that was going to be as good as The Sopranos was, and what I got was something that was even better. In fact, better than any TV show I’d ever seen, or have seen since. Arrested Development comes close, and they hard to compare because they are so different, but honestly, nothing touches The Wire.

There is one now famous scene where D’Angelo Barksdale is explaining the game of chess to Bodie and Wallace after he catches them trying to plass checkers with the game pieces. He goes though all the players, which each are paralleled to some player of “The Game”, the game of the street. When asked how you become the king, D’Angelo replies “It ain’t like that. See, the king stay the king, a’ight? Everything stay who he is.” Watch the scene here.

The design of the poster comes from the ubiquitous British WW2 poster “Keep Calm  And Carry On.” Mock-offs of that poster are pretty much every where, good, bad, and ugly. But because of my love for both this poster and that quote, they seemed like a perfect match for each other. Fans of either will hopefully agree.

I’ve got a whole ton of these posters, 18 x 24, and if anyone is interested, just hit me up!

It Can Be You

Posted on by under Nom Now, Poster, Printed Work

The idea behind this poster is that, so often do we feel inferior , happily submit, and sell ourselves short. But the truth is, is that you can be whatever you’d like to be, and you can take yourself to any place you’d like. The people you see doing the things you want to do? It can be you. I just want people to feel encouraged to step out of their norm and try for something spectacular. When you realize that you’re no different from anyone else, great things can happen.

I have a few of these posters if anyone is interest. Just let me know. And more importantly, I hope you all feel inspired to become something you didn’t think you could.

Good Times On The Reg

Posted on by under Nom Now, Poster, Printed Work

Inspired by some actual good times on the reg and of course the great Kenny Powers, from where the phrase was born (seriously, watch Eastbound And Down if you don’t already) this poster was created. Since I originally heard the phrase, it hasn’t left my mind and it will almost always make me laugh. Plus like I said, this summer has been filled with actual good times.

This is another poster that sold out at the show, and I’m going to make the same offer I did with my Shattered poster, if you think you’d like to see this 18 x 24 hanging on your wall, let me know, and I will keep you in mind when ordering new ones. Anybody own a boat? I’m looking to make “Yachts On The Reg”.

NOM NOW Moon Cycle Stickers

Posted on by under Printed Work

After our first run of Nom Now stickers, we quickly realized how fast 1000 stickers can slip through your fingers. So we decided we need to move into the next design, which I had the pleasure of doing. So here they are folks, you voted on them, and this one won. Be sure to pester me or one of the other guys for these, and we’ll gladly hook you. We’ll be giving these out at our art show on the 30th, which if you’re in the dark about that, Facebook has all the details, just look for Nom Now Art Show.

So get these while they are hot, and believe me, this batch is piping!

Contest Name Here

Posted on by under Poster, Printed Work



So I got a text from my buddy Jason Small, who runs XOXO records, asking me if I could turn a poster around for a contest his label was throwing. This was aroud 8 pm, and they needed it by 8 am the next day. The information was scattered and coming to me in bits and pieces, but I was glad to help out anyway. So with the pressure on, and the clock ticking, I started working on this.

The contest itself, named “Contest Name Here”, is a pretty awesome deal and a great chance to catch these 1 of these 3 super bands if you live in or near one of the cities they’re playing in. Apparently this is going on absolutepunk.net, so if you frequent that site, you might catch it on there. If not, I’ll try to screen cap it once it’s up.

In another news, I heard that the ad I did for River City Extension’s new album is in the current issue of FILTER magazine right now. Broken Social Scene is on the cover if you’re trying to pick that up, I know I am.

We Were Once Children / Foxes & Lions Split

Posted on by under Printed Work


Had the pleasure of working with these two fresh bands from the Toms River area on a DIY project they were undertaking. I’m actually really pumped with how this turned out, and it’s a good example of how you can make something look good on a budget. This has started being sold at shows a few weeks ago, so if you can catch either of them live, check this thing out.

In fact, there’s a big show in 2 weeks with these guys, and River City Extension in Baville. It’s on all their myspaces if you need more information. It’s also for my birthday, so I’d like nothing more than to see all of my friends.

Cymbals Eat Guitars!

Posted on by under Poster, Printed Work



Billy O’Brien asked me to create a poster for this Cymbals Eat Guitars show and I couldn’t have been happier to say yes. This is going to be such a great show, and yes, it’s only $2. I’ve had their album on blast for the past few days, because it’s so awesome. I am super stoked about these guys, and I’m hoping this poster will get me into their inner circle…I can hope right?

River City Extension Record Release Poster

Posted on by under Poster, Printed Work



I had another great opportunity to make something for River City Extension. This time, the poster for their record release show. I wanted to do something reminiscent of an older movie poster, which wound up only serving as a loose guideline, and I was somehow influenced by the thought an old army band or something like that, which is where I was pulling the color scheme from. This show is going to be insane, and I highly recommend everyone doing everything they can in order to get there. Something tells me this night is going to be one you won’t want to miss. You’ll also finally be able to purchase The Unmistakable Man, which you all know by now, I designed. Confirm your attendance on facebook!

River City Extension And The Unmistakable Man

Posted on by under Clothing, Printed Work



Wow. It’s been a long few months since taking on the project of designing the new River City Extension album The Unmistakable Man. Let me tell you, that nothing has made me happier than to be given the opportunity to work on this album. Aside from it being a designer’s dream to be able to take on such a healthy sized project, the band is by far one of the greatest bands going right now, and to be affiliated with them in any way is so awesome. This record is going to send them into a stratosphere beyond belief and I’m so glad to be a part of it.
The Unmistakable Man comes out courtesy of XOXO Records on May 11th. If you’re familiar with RCE, or if you’ve heard nauticalsabbatical you know what this band is capable of. Sort of. This new one blows the roof of the whatever house you tried to put them in. This is the album to be excited for. Right now, they are selling advance copies at out of state shows, so if you can catch them out of NJ, pick up an album!
I went to see them last night in Philly where as usual, they wowed me. I also finally got to see the record in person as well as the “skull with mutton-chops” shirt I got to design for them. It’s so great to see something you created come to life, and I couldn’t be happier with the whole record.

Sitting Bull

Posted on by under Portrait Series, Poster, Printed Work


I made this for a show I did last year of all portraits. This was pre-Nom Now days, so in the spaces where I could have repped that, I gave it to BCDQ and Sons Of Longley. That ain’t bad though!

In some odd turn of events, this never made it onto the internet until now, so I wanted to show it to whoever is looking.
Anyway, Native Americans are so cool, and I want to do more stuff involving them.

Julius Various

Posted on by under General, Nom Now, Poster, Printed Work

It’s been a long while, and I want to show some stuff that I did over the past few weeks, that slipped through the cracks and never got put up anywhere.

I made this poster for my friend Amy Fread for her birthday.

My friends from Black Churches asked me to help them out with a design for their new EP cover. I was happy to do so. The album was actually released today. Don’t be a dope, just listen to them.

The printed version was done up by Radish White Ice Design.

And lastly, here’s a Nom Now idea I had a while ago that I just forgot about until now.

I promise I’ll have more stuff up soon.