Magazine Covers, Dr. Jekyll, and Pancake Asses

Here's some more design for you guys. It's the cover I did for the February issue of The OC Gazette. Another short post. I was going to apologize for my brevity, but now that I'm thinking about it I'm sure that your eardrums (or since this is a blog, your eyeball sockets) are silently heaving a sigh of relief at this new less-chatty, more to the point Amy Hood. I feel your pain. As a designer I spend hours sitting in this chair, my butt slowly but surely deflating into a "pancake ass" (in the words of Dave Chappelle), in front of this bright apple screen as my eye lids deteriorate from soft tissue into something closer to sandpaper.

Anyways, enjoy the brevity while it lasts. Motor-mouth, rambling Amy Hood - the Mr. Hyde to my Dr. Jekyll - will be back soon.

Inspiration of the Day: This post on my favorite blog The Selvedge Yard.
Here's a quote:

"Think anyone is drawing a parallel between you and McQueen because you’re wearing Persols? Just you. Promise– you’re the only one thinking it. Do you see what I’m sayin’? Take back your life. Make it about more worthwhile endeavors, and the style will follow. Style is a great complement to substance– but it sure the hell ain’t a substitute for it. There is no shortcut. Just a long line of wannabes. How you live your life is your brand.

Let the world feel the weight of who you are– they can worry about what you wore when you’re dead." 

- Amy
Listening to: Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long"

Pink Floyd, Flying Pig Illustrations, And TourBusLive.com

Yet another box doodle to add to Jill and Gary of TourBusLive.com's collection. My twin sis, Jen, and I always draw doodles on their magazine boxes because they are our favorite entertainment writers at The OC Gazette. Nevermind that they're our only entertainment writers, even if there were 100 more they'd still be my favorite. 

[ Pink Floyd back in the day. ]

They just recently covered Roger Water's resurrection of The Wall tour. When I say covered, I mean they went to ALL FOUR NIGHTS. I would have killed to go to one, but they went to all four AND sat front row. Lucky dogs. So, this month's box is graced with the shadowy silhouette of "Algie" the Pink Floyd pig. 

[ Pink Floyd's Animals Cover. ]

The original pig concept was drawn up by Waters himself in preparation/planning for the Animals album cover which would feature a giant helium filled pig balloon. During the photo-shoot the giant helium pig got loose causing cancelled flights at Heathrow Airport as it floated and bumbled in between flight patterns at 40,000 feet in the air. The pig then moved on to tour the English Channel before landing on a farm in Kent that night. I wish I could have seen that sight. The pig became a staple prop in Pink Floyd's live shows after that.  And that's your rock n' roll history for the day. I hope I remembered the story right so that I don't have angry Pink Floyd fanatics leaving hate comments on this post. Be kind Floydian fanatics.


- Amy
Listening to: Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here"

Winnie The Pooh, George Parros, And Follicle Fortitude

This Winnie The Pooh clip is what actually might happen to Orange County if this rain doesn't let up soon. We'll all float away never to be heard from again. 





On another note, here's a fun interview I did with Georgy Parros of The Anaheim Ducks last year for my Off The Record column. The layout (which I also did) ended up really simple, but I wanted the main focus to be on the 'stache header. I probably would have done it a little different if I worked on it today, but it's fun looking back and seeing how you've improved. 


Speaking of Georgy, what a guy. He blogs sometimes for the The LA Times and he is so witty and well spoken. (Read it here.) And that mustache - Oooo Baby! Nothing like a man with follicle fortitude. Here was my subheader: "The 6'5", 225 bl. Princeton Grad Turned Anaheim Ducks Enforcer With A Heart Of Gold And A Lip Tickler That Rivals Tom Selleck." Yep, he graduated with an economics degree from Princeton, and he's heavily involved in charitable work. Talk about well rounded. 

[Enlarge to read.]

Don't float away out there!


- Amy
Listening to: Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan's "I Still Miss Someone"

HOODZPUH, The Traveling Woosleys, and Monsoons

[Click to enlarge.]

Here's a project my sister and I worked on for our dear friend Emmy Woosley back in our old hometown of Bowling Green, KY. The running gag in her family is that wherever they travel on family vacation, their loving mother has to let everyone know they're from KY, thus the poster showing the "Traveling Woosleys" (cue The Traveling Wilburys' "End of The Line") tooling all over God's green Earth as their mother mingles with the natives. Jen did the majority of the panels, but I was responsible for Vegas.

This was Jen and I's first official HOODZPAH project. HOODZPAH is basically our design powers combined for world domination. We started realizing, now that we don't work together anymore, that we are so much stronger together than apart. Sounds like a U2 or Bob Marley song doesn't it? 

Dressember is still going strong despite the monsoon that has hit Southern California. All of the hardcore girls participating in North Dakota and Minnesota (who have been braving ice, rain, snow and blizzard without sacrificing an ounce of fashion despite) are probably laughing at us silly California Girls (don't cue Katy Perry's "California Girls"... DON'T) who are now finally experiencing some real December weather. I must say it makes it much harder to find something that is at once á la mode and torrential-rain-proof. So, a firm handshakes to all you Dressember participants braving the harsher elements. This is what makes women out of girls.

-Amy

Listening to: Bright Eyes' "Old Soul Song (For The New World Order)"

Circus Elephant Illustrations, Hilary Knight, and Where's Waldo

Here's a fun little illustration I did for the Kid's Coloring page in The OC Gazette magazine. It's kind of Eloise-y in style. I loved that book growing up. Hilary Knight's illustrations were so detailed with little jokes and hilarities hidden throughout for the critical eye. I like illustrations like that where even the background is carefully planned out. Kind of like a Where's Waldo. Another one of my favorite books growing up. My illustration isn't as clever or intricate, but I was only working with 30 minutes, so be merciful.

Inspiration of the day: Hilary Knight.

- Amy
Listening to: Johnny Cash's "I Got Stripes"

Pin-up Girls, Sore Neglect, and Ryan Adams

I have been sorely neglecting my blog. If this press week (or as we call it "hell week") ever ends at the magazine, I might be able to get back to my regular sleeping, eating and socializing schedules. Until then, enjoy this quick sketch I did the other day for my friend Philip of a vintage pin up style girl. She's a fox. I think I gave her midget legs accidentally. I must be projecting some buried resentment over my short stems. Off to work.

- Amy
Listening to: Ryan Adams' "In My Time of Need." Quite possibly one of the sweetest songs ever. Here's a fun live version.

Ricardo Cavalo's Whimsical Tattoo-esque Illustrations, Pinocchio, and A Dashboard Confessional Ten Year Reunion

Inspiration of the day: The most recent illustrations on Ricardo Cavalo's blog. This Spaniard is also a tattoo artist, which you can see evidences of in the style of his illustrations. They've got that classic tattoo art feel, but they're so much more magical and whimsical. Most look like tattoo renditions of scenes out of Tim Burton's Big Fish. If I were in a bathroom stall right now I would write "Check out this site for a good time." It's that worth it.

- Amy
Listening to "Living In Your Letters" by Dashboard Confessional.

Don't judge me. This was the soundtrack to my 8th grade year! And any of you who deny that you ever liked a little Chris Carrabba every now and again are lying through your teeth. Pinocchios. Which reminds me, my friend Blythe informed me on Friday that DC was going on a reunion tour. I laughed and said, "I loved them once, but that was long ago." (I mean does anyone like his current material? Not good.)

Then she told me, "It's called the Swiss Army Romance 10 Year Reunion Tour." "I'm there," I said.

Soundtrack.
To.
My Youth.

Talking With Matt Barnes on Fashion, The Killer B's, and The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy

[ Click to enlarge. It's readable at full size! ]

Here's the interview I did with Matty Barnes of the LA Lakers for the December issue of The OC Gazette. I really like how it turned out, especially the "Firsts" part of the interview (i.e. first car, first kiss, first game...). I also really like how my layout turned out too. Short post... I know you're all thanking your lucky stars. I can't help that I ramble.

Here are days 8 and 9 of Dressember:

- Amy
Listening to: The Moulin Rouge Soundtrack

Dressember, Lady Gaga, and The Horror That Is Brush Script

[ Day 6. Dress: Nordstroms' Rack, Shoes: Steve Madden, Jacket: Some Chincy Brand. ]

[ Day 7. Dress: H&M, Shoes: Boutique 9 ]

Here is day 6 and 7 of Dressember. Day 7's dress is really fun because on top of having a really cool visible zipper on the back, it's got Lady Gaga-esque structured shoulders.

Today me and my lovely co-worker Blythe were commiserating over the demise of Signage and Logos everywhere. What is the cause of death? Brush Script. Yes, this font has single handedly taken over store fronts and business cards across the world and is silently but surely killing good branding. Check out our friend Shannon Leith's site dedicated to all the places Brush Script has conquered. The blog is cleverly named "Daily B.S." (hehe) Trying to find the green zone where Brush Script doesn't have a strong hold is like trying to find the Green Zone in Iraq. Brush Script is hidden EVERYWHERE!

- Amy
Listening to: Neil Young's "Hey, Hey, My, My"

Hamming It Up, Galoshes, And A Little Motorhead

Another throw back for you guys. These are some sketches that I did for my friend who was thinking of starting a production company called Badham about two or three years ago. Cool name, huh? The sketches are a little Dr. Suess-esque, which is fun.

It's raining cats and dogs outside. Blythe Hill, how did you convince me to participate in Dressember in such inclement weather!? Looks like I'm wearing galoshes with a dress tomorrow. Here are some pics from days 4 and 5 of Dressember.

[ Day 4 of Dressember ]

[ Day 5 of Dressember ]

[ I'm really diggin my new ankle cowboy boots. ]

- Amy
Listening to: Motorhead's "Ace of Spades"

Money, My Ugly Childhood, and Pink Floyd

 [ Love Of Money Is The Root Of All Evil, 8"x10", pencil, c. 2004 ]

To continue Throwback Week, here's another oldie but goodie from high school art class. This one I did at San Clemente High in Mr. Palmer or Mr. Delanty's art class. Honestly cannot remember which one. It's a drawing from a photo of me when I was about 9 or 10. I was counting my Christmas money from Granny. Look at that evil, greedy grin on my face. I look like the Grinch! And check out those pre-braces teeth! The bow on top of my head is what I think really makes the picture. I could see this being a Banksy stencil showing the greed and corruption of America even in it's supposedly innocent children. I am glad to say I went through my money-grubbing-gold-digging stage at an extremely young age and outgrew it VERY quickly. Now all I want [*cheeseball alert*] is a simple, happy life with the people I love. The title of this one is "Love of Money Is The Root of All Evil," but looking back I wish I had titled it "Keep Your Hands Off My Stack" or one of the other witty lines in Pink Floyd's classic song, "Money." You live and learn.

[ Detail. Click to enlarge. ]

[ Detail. Click to enlarge. ]

- Amy
Listening to: Pink Floyd's "Money."

Vintage Amy Art, Crazy Kentucky Skoolin', and Dressember

[ Poker With The Guys, 5"x7", pencil, c. 2002. Click to enlarge. This is drawn from an old photo I found of my Grandpa's from when he was growing up in Kansas during the Depression. ]

I know this blog is called "The Art and Musings of Amy Hood." I also know that there is probably a lot more musing than art-ing going on here. I plan to remedy this problem in the next week. While going through my art portfolio (a.k.a under my bed) trying to pick which pieces I wanted to show at tonight's art show, I hit the jackpot of old sketches and drawings. Most are from high school, all are funny. So get ready for some new old art! I dub this week "Throwback Week"


Here's one to start the week off strong. It's funny, in Kentucky they only required you to take a quarter of P.E. and a half a quarter of a quarter of art to graduate high school (on top of the usual math, social studies, science and english of course. Geez... we're not complete hicks). Yes, I said a quarter of a quarter. It was a part of a liberal arts catch all class that the freshies had to take that included dance, choir and something else. This is one of the first drawings I remember actually sitting down and taking the time to do for an assignement in said quarter of a quarter art class. It's also the first time I really realized for myself I was pretty good at art, and in a bigger way than the Homer Simpson doodles and cartoon caricatures that so impressed my classmates. This is when my childhood dreams of becoming an illustrator for Disney graduated to dreams of becoming a well rounded artist in the fashion of Michelangelo and DaVinci. (I was a pretty ambitious dreamer, obviously.) Now I still dream of being a well rounded artist, but more than anything I just want my art to speak to people (cliche alert). Really though, life is all about making connections. Art's just another way to do that.


Last but not least, It's Dressember! Dressember is like Hannakuh, except instead of a month of presents you get a month of dresses!  A plus for the fellas out there who know us ladies involved, a little less fortunate for us ladies seeing as the weather is feeling less like Orange County and more like upstate New York. You can read more about Dressember on Blythe Hill's blog. She's the inventive mind behind this fun idea. It's my second year doing it and we're two days in. Each day I'll post a photo of me freezing my arse off in a cute little dress. Here are Days 1 and 2. There's even a flickr group where you can see some of the ladies participating. Apparently Dressember has really taken the nation by storm.

[ Day 1 of Dressember. Dress: H&M, Braided Belt: Nordstrom, Tights: Betsy Johnson, and Shoes: Steve Madden.  ]

[ Day 2 of Dressember. Dress: Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Love D. ]

- Amy
Listening to: Jay Z's "Lost One"

Shine On You Crazy Diamond

[Illustration by Jen Hood]

My obsession with Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is still in full swing, and not showing any signs of abating [which is most inconvenient for my lovely co-worker Blythe Hill who has to hear it at least 3 times a day on my blip.fm playlist]. My twin sister, Jen, and I try as hard as we can not to be creepy twins, but try as we might, we just can't help it. I can't even imagine what it's like for identical twins if we have this much trouble not acting like clones and we're only fraternal. Anyways, she too is on a Pink Floyd kick with a focus on the song "Shine On." While I was doodling tattoo ideas stemming from the tune today at work in between saving files, she was fooling around on Illustrator to create this gem above [pun intended - if Jason or Justin Dike are reading this give me an air five]. We geeked out when we discovered we had both been inspired by the same thing without knowing it - despite the fact it happens all the time. Call us easily amused, but I take a cue from ole' Iggy Pop and call it a "lust for life." When I actually got my eyes on what she had come up with, my jaw dropped. I wasn't sure if I wanted to hit her in the face for not coming up with it myself, or squeeze the life out of her because of it's sheer brilliance and beauty!

Now I'm thinking I really want to get this as a tattoo. All my sketches are second rate now that I've seen this! I love it because it doesn't look at all like a typical tattoo design. No outlines, just color. Geometric instead of organic. It's brilliant! What do you guys think? Yay or Nay? And if Yay, then where on my personage? One wrist, one forearm, and the majority of my back are already taken, and tramp stamps are OUT. OF. THE QUESTION. And before any of you Negative Nancy's jump to Nay on the ink, just know that my backup to the diamond is getting Clint Eastwood's wrinkly mug. Sometimes it's just the lesser of two evils.

"Shine On You Crazy Diamond" will definitley be playing if and when "The Beatniks, The Bastards, and The Saints" has an opening. The lyrics embody the spirit of the series: that everyone's got the potential to shine.

"come on you stranger

you legend
you martyr
and shine

come on you raver
you seer of vision
come on you painter
you piper
you prisoner
and shine"

- Amy

Listening to: Morrissey's "Irish Blood English Heart"

Mission Accomplished: Matt Zumberge's Portrait Est Fini

It's finally done! Matt Zumberge's face is forever emblazened on canvas to be remembered for generations and generations to come. Maybe one day people will study and contemplate the reason for his furrowed brow the way they question Mona Lisa's smile. I'll be able to test this theory come Friday when I show this piece along with some of my other work at a friend's Christmas party. I was hoping to get one more piece pumped out this week before the show on Friday, but that's crazier than Jack Nicholson in The Shining. I always forget how long these paintings take me.

I finally added the halo to my other painting in "The Beatniks, The Bastards, and The Saints" series while I was doing the halo on the portrait of Matt. 2 paintings down, and a slew more to go. I want to do 8-10 paintings for this series, but we'll see if my work ethic and schedule can match my ambition. I also finally signed all of my paintings. I have a really bad habit of forgetting to sign my work. I've used three different signatures so far. It's kind of fun switching it up. It's going to be a bitch for the art historians 300 years from now if my art lives on after I'm long gone. 

- Amy
Listening to: Richard Hawley's "Just Like The Rain"

Art Swaps, Pirate Ships, and The Talented Chris De Armas

[ Me and my Chris De Armis original water color. ]

I'm no longer an art swapping virgin! The deed took place the other day at American Vintage Tattoo in Orange, around 5:30, with a nice young man named Chris De Armis. I've known Chris long before he was a tattoo artist at American Vintage - since way back in our days at San Clemente High when I was the new girl from Kentucky and he was the greaser kid who worked on cars. He was the only person to come to my very first art show, and now he is the first person I've ever done an art swap with. Poetic, isn't it? 

[ The talented Chris De Armis of American Vintage Tattoo with my drawing in tow. Notice his freshly tattooed neck courtesy of Jack. ]

Now that I've got a taste for the it, I'm going to be an art-swapping whore. It was just like the good ole' days of bartering, except instead of trading a pig for a bushel of wheat, we traded one beautiful piece of art for another. I will have to admit, however, that I made out like a bandit on this deal. I showed up with my sketch (a gold ink on black paper sketch of boxer Sugar Ray Robinson in his prime knocking the lights out of some poor sap - see above), a nice sketch to be sure, but nothing like the masterpiece Chris showed up with: an 11x17 watercolor of a salty, old, classic tattoo style pirate ship in an oval rope frame. (Check it out at the very top.) I think I'm going to have to draw him something else up to even out the trade. Next time you're in Orange swing in to the shop on Katella and say hi to him, Neil and the rest of the fellas. They're all sweeter than grandmas apple pie, and a talented group of S.O.B.s to top it off.

- Amy
Listening to: Lorretta Lynn and Conway Twitty's "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man."

Magic vs. Heat/Thanksgiving Miracles, Jameer Nelson Descended From Racoons, and Yellena James

[Maybe, 11"x14" pen and ink]

Today's Inspiration? These awesome pen and ink drawings by Yellena James. They look like underwater scenes from another planet. She's done work for Nike, K2 Snowboards, and Anthropologie to name just a few. Not too shabby. Check out more on her blog.

- Amy
Watching the Orlando Magic play the Miami Heat. Orlando are so much fun to watch. Especially when they're taking down the hyped up Heat. It's tied now, let's hope for a Thanksgiving miracle! Also, is it just me or does Jameer Nelson resemble a racoon? Google it.

[Allure, 8"x10" pen and ink]

[Allustion, 8"x10" pen and ink]

[Deluge, 12"x12" acrylic]

[Flare, 8"x10" pen and ink]

[Sole, 7.5"x7.5" pen and ink]

[Origin, 7.5"x7.5" pen and ink]

[Relish, 11"x9" pen and ink]

[Simmer, 6"x6" pen and ink]

[Thistle, 7.5"x7.5" pen and ink]