Happy New Year!

Well, I'm not really a big fan of New Year's resolutions... why put so much stress on oneself? But I am a big fan of aspirations. I'm a little bit disappointed in myself that 2012 saw fewer posts on this blog than 2011 and 2010. I think I will try to post more again this year. So for folks who might be "following" this blog, check in occasionally.

Last night I finished this "check presenter" for my friend Anthony Morgan for his restaurant in Elizabethtown, PA called "The Black Gryphon". Last year at about this time, he and his wife Lindsay and I collaged several beer flights for the restaurant. That was fun! I struggled with this project for weeks, trying one background after another. I had in mind something simple but dramatic. I was getting frustrated by so many possibilities; but with nothing that was "striking" me. I had also thought about making sort of a "random" pattern at one point -- but something that would look sharp. I was really motivated to do something dramatic for the folks at BG (afterall, I have a "reputation" as an "artist" to keep up). Last night, I came across the x-ray fishes I had had in my image file drawers. It seemed to work. When I added the blue columns and the beachball lady, it REALLY struck me! Viola! I like it! I hope the folks at The Black Gryphon will like it too. For best impact, don't forget to paint the edges. Enjoy!