ILL_NashvilleAtt

A student's Mom that I know- Lynne Riordan- she is a great photographer. Lynne called me up to ask me to enhance some photos for an album cover fora country band called- THE NASHVILLE ATTITUDE. After listening to the lead member of the group- on what he wanted changed and suggesting some possibly changes that I thought might give it great appeal, I sketched over some print outs of Lynnes, photos, then started to erase and change at least 80% of the image. On the cover (left picture), I got rid of the real diner sign and roof (a place called- The Victory Diner in Staten Island), and airbrushed in the band's name in the same style of neon lighting. The sky and other elements were added as well as drawing the `Served Nightly' in an old `Polar Ice Cream' neon sign style. The lighting was tricky, as the original photo of the diner wasn't that dark and was brightly lit inside. Everything was orange or brown. I had to made the diner light, but still have the band's album name clearly stand out. After adding the vending machine (which I added an american flag), and a music paper with the group on it as well.... I touched up tons of dust specks, matched grain, redrew and brought up some of the band members, especially Marc (the man in the doorway), lit the lamps, added trees, grafitti, and a mass of other elements, including band in-jokes. This image is only 10 of the original, which I did large so the band could use it as a poster if they desired to. If you want to see a larger version of the cover, go to their home site. Click on the above image or go to my Links page.

On tha back cover, it was interersting working in black and white. Besides the TV Girls piece, I haven't worked in grey-toned illustration since art school. Though it looks like I did less work/touch up on this image... the picture is a tad deceiving, as I remade almost the entire image with the exception of the lower left 15% of the image. The image is only 10% of the origanal, finished illustration, so the picture does not display the words clearly, I suggested putting the band's songs and times as menu items/prices. Marc suggested the band members as owners and wanted them somewhere on the back cover and after enlarging the menu board, I had room for them as well as their website on the menu board. I zig-zagged the song times/prices, so they wouldn't be too perfect. The paper plates were painted and written with the airbrush tool - even the tape was drawn. I never want to draw tape again! LOL! I had to do a lot of manipulation to get a huge amount of information on the back cover while having it large enough so it is clear. What use is the artwork, if the message is lost?

So what started out as a few hours of work, became a 55+ hour piece- more after I was asked to design the DC disc as well.

If you want to check out the band- THE NASHVILLE ATTITUDE- click on the above pictures to go to their site. Though progressive music is my first love, I really enjoyed listening to The Nashville Attitute. They are very talented and diversified (they can play almost any style and type of music). Because of their professionalism, diversification and talent, the band is constantly booked. They had a hit single in Germany called: 5678 (which is the now the number of the diner (above the window). Thank you: Lynne! Thank you Marc and TNA- you guys are first class!