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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
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SOUTHERN GOTHIC - WINE
> Poor Thing in a special, 3 bottle display case.
I
worked with the Grateful Palate a while ago on a series of wine
labels, and they are finally available for sale. The theme was Southern Gothic, and I brainstormed some concepts
with owner Dan Philips and designer Beth Elliot. They gave me a lot of
creative freedom, and the typography was expertly done by Jeff Keedy. There are little bits of foil printed in the intricate framing
elements.
I researched the imagery and stories from the region
and time period to get inspired: some immediate triggers were kudzu, sprawling oak
trees, and antebellum images like the Southern Belle.
> Poor Thing Sketch, Graphite on Bond, 8.5 x 11", 2007.
> Didley Bow Sketch, Graphite on Bond, 8.5 x 11", 2007.
> Southern Belle Sketch, Graphite on Bond and Digital, 8.5 x 11", 2007.
After my research, I proposed these three triptychs for the labels, catering to each type of wine.
> Poor Thing, Charcoal and Digital Color, 12 x 19", 600 dpi, 2007.
"Poor Thing" depicts a forest populated by a trio of characters
representing thwarted desires, draped with kudzu. A bloated cupid draws
back his bow, perhaps in an effort to protect the angel from a hound
that has become a hunter. Meanwhile, the oak trees are weeping while
witnessing this sad romance, redolent of the heat and humidity of the
South.
> Didley Bow, Blue Pencil and Digital Color, 12 x 19", 600 dpi, 2007.
The "gut bucket" blues became the inspiration for the "Didley Bow"
series. I always liked the idea that music could be cobbled together
from the simplest of materials, so the characters are all connected to
something elemental, if not being elemental themselves. Being somewhat
of an amateur musician, I used colors that were evocative of the music,
acidic yellows and reds, in addition to bruised purples in the line
work.
> Southern Belle, Blue Pencil and Digital Color, 12 x 19", 600 dpi, 2007.
"Southern Belle" was created to resemble fine china. One tradition of
Southern Gothic literature is to subvert traditional stereotypes of the
antebellum period. The element of hypocrisy plays a huge role in these
characters. I also have an interest in exploring gender issues, though
subtly, in much of my work. The first bottle is the "promiscuous belle"
wielding her deadly charms on her suitors, the second bottle is the
"mourning belle" with all the skeletons of the past emerging from under
her dress, and the last bottle is the "homemaker", who tries to contain
and control appearances on the estate as if it were a doll house.
> Poor Thing Grenache
> Didley Bow Riesling
> Southern Belle Shiraz
These wines are finally available at $39.95 per bottle, and you can purchase them by contacting the Grateful Palate's retail manager, Tim Coles, at 707.673-9339, or by email, tcoles@gratefulpalate.com
| | On 02/18/09 at 06:27 PM, Brian said:
you are fucking crazy. and i love it. |
| | | | On 02/18/09 at 06:29 PM, lucas said:
I love the work. the design is unique. I am interested in knowing who are the target audience. Expensive top brand wine is not associated with that type of design. Maybe now it will? |
| | | | On 02/18/09 at 06:33 PM, Brian Churilla said:
These look great. I especially love the Poor Thing illos. |
| | | | On 02/18/09 at 07:45 PM, Steve said:
sweet chin music |
| | | | On 02/18/09 at 08:14 PM, slumpy said:
Definitely going to buy these bottles and put them on the shelf... or maybe drink them and then on the shelf!
I'm curious about how much research goes into a commissioned piece? |
| | | | On 02/18/09 at 08:35 PM, Do Yeah said:
genius work! you can really taste those colours and tones, i\\\'ll have to buy all 3 sets! |
| | | | On 02/18/09 at 09:37 PM, theoffkid said:
I know that you were peers with Yuko Shimizu, but did you ever work on that Aids campaign together? Your pieces for that campaign are very very similar. |
| | | | On 02/18/09 at 10:27 PM, Process Recess said:
Theoffkid - The ad agency approached a lot of illustrators with the same job, and provided a very tightly composed layout that we had to work from. Basically, the composition and the elements were already created by in-house artists and approved by the client and the agency -- they then needed someone to create a final polished version. Yuko worked from the same brief. My rendition of the project was the one that was chosen to be used as the final ad. Everything is explained here:link |
| | | | On 02/19/09 at 12:20 AM, Jon said:
Wow they look even more amazing on the wine bottles, your illustrations of course, I was wondering how important it is being an illustrator to know about graphic design principles and do you think it gives you more of an edge being such a great artist and visual storyteller as well as knowing about things like type and all the design stuff associated with graphic design? Again great work and best wishes to you on your fine arts work. |
| | | | On 02/19/09 at 02:07 AM, Theoffkid said:
Oh yes, I remember how specific they were. I suppose I didn't quite understand exactly how specific. I also failed to recognize that ad agencies would ask multiple illustrators at once. Ah, perhaps I am still too naive.
Thank you! |
| | | | On 02/19/09 at 04:35 AM, Mâh said:
Your work is, as always, incredible and very impressive.
But as the vilain french that I am, I can't believe they are using this kind of bushing for those wondeful bottles (it is insane to have to screw wine bottle bushing).
Again, great great work, may you show us plenty more.
PS: sorry for the bad quality of my english. |
| | | | On 02/19/09 at 04:51 AM, Dev said:
Question is;
Good wine? |
| | | | On 02/19/09 at 06:05 AM, Adriana de Barros said:
Love it James! I'll be featuring it at Scene 360 Illusion soon. |
| | | | On 02/19/09 at 07:39 AM, ë said:
·Ç³£°ôµÄ²å»ÖÕÓÚ¿ÉÒÔÓÃÓÚÉÌÒµ£¬ÕæÊÇÈÃÈË»¶Ï² |
| | | | On 02/19/09 at 09:29 AM, josh said:
sweet mother of god. I glimpsed these at your opening. I want. |
| | | | On 02/19/09 at 11:25 AM, Drewn said:
These came out quite nice! It's also nice to read your thought process behind each trio – to learn how your research and ideas informed the creation of the images... I'm drawn to the Diddly Bow the most personally, and may see if I can secure at least one bottle at some point. Are these available for a limited run? Or will they be in the Grateful Palate's permanent stock? Just so I know how available they are and if I need to jump on ordering one...
Also, I was delighted to see you added more pieces from Kindling to the list of available prints! Especially excited for "Catch"! Just in time for my birthday in March! Thanks so much for making it available! |
| | | | On 02/19/09 at 01:01 PM, sea jay said:
the fine china pieces are crazy. i'v always loved these joints. the clean lines and sense of space.... sick. i'm sure you know this... but you've got this ability to take these tradtional visuals, update them with crazy style, without taking away any of the original aesthetics... its just rare.
you're rare. |
| | | | On 02/19/09 at 02:59 PM, Cheri Scholten said:
Definitely want to get these bottles of wines. Hope they will make it to Aus! |
| | | | On 02/19/09 at 03:05 PM, Process Recess said:
Dev - from what I hear, the wine is quite tasty.
Mah - These are Australian wines, hence the screw top :) |
| | | | On 02/19/09 at 03:52 PM, Viewtiful_Justin said:
These labels and the respective mythos behind each one are satisfyingly thought out and beautifully executed. The southern belle labels are beautiful and tragic. I love that. |
| | | | On 02/19/09 at 05:58 PM, beckorro said:
Just beautiful work. I'm impressed with the floral textures and incredible choice of tones/hues. The "skins" are also gorgeous. I've recommended your site several times and I visit often. Nice fresh twist on a kind of Mucha-like theme. Congrats on the commercial success! |
| | | | On 02/20/09 at 07:47 AM, Ciaee said:
Ever heard of buying wine just because you like the art on the label? 'Cos that's exactly what I feel like doing right now. |
| | | | On 02/20/09 at 11:27 AM, Jacob Thomas said:
lovely as always. I'll keep my eye out for it |
| | | | On 02/20/09 at 12:42 PM, mike said:
the third in the Didley Bow makes me think of Tweedledum and Tweedledee. The armed-in-pots/pans battle due to the lack of a rattle, with the stormy presence of the raven heralding the close...conscious?
is this wine going to be available in Canada? |
| | | | On 02/20/09 at 12:54 PM, jv said:
I have just placed my order for the entire series in their respected display boxes and wanted to know if there is any remote chance you are planning to release some additional items to go with the wine? I would love to display lets say an exclusive print or painting of the series images to go along with the displays. If not I will still be collecting more bottles as the are released, very impressive work James, congrats! |
| | | | On 02/20/09 at 02:50 PM, Tony said:
Your work is beautiful but the wine \"screw-on top\" just made a $65 bottle of wine like a $6.50 bottle. OH THE HUMANITY! #$%&* |
| | | | On 02/20/09 at 04:34 PM, Zelda Devon said:
Oh, It's so great to see illustration wind its way back into packaging. Gorgeous, as always. |
| | | | On 02/21/09 at 02:42 AM, Nate said:
Just placed my order of all three sets... Mr. Coles at Grateful Palate said his stock of the Grenache is running low, so to whoever was interested in picking up a set, I\'d suggest you do it soon! I think I might go ahead and purchase individual bottles just to give \'em a try one day. |
| | | | On 02/21/09 at 03:31 PM, Marjolein Caljouw said:
I really like the way you drawn the little kid in the middle with the skelleton face (didley bow)!
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| | | | On 02/22/09 at 04:33 PM, Alina said:
beautiful paintings! |
| | | | On 02/23/09 at 01:55 PM, John said:
Amazing James. I'm keeping an eye out for these the next time I make a booze run! |
| | | | On 02/24/09 at 04:35 PM, Emily said:
Beautiful!!!
I shall buy the wine now, just for the sake of the art work. |
| | | | On 02/25/09 at 12:24 PM, Chris Wilson said:
I dig the colors in Didley Bow Riesling ! |
| | | | On 02/25/09 at 06:29 PM, daniel og said:
even bottles get beautyfull with you man... |
| | | | On 02/28/09 at 01:33 PM, bcarman said:
when was the last time you did something bad? beautiful! |
| | | | On 02/28/09 at 06:59 PM, gv said:
This is great work.
Any chance of print editions of these peices coming out? I think the Southern Belle framed in a three-part series would be wonderful. I'll anxiously await a release. |
| | | | On 03/02/09 at 01:21 PM, Courtney said:
To the Screwcap Haters:
There is a lot of misunderstanding about the screw caps - they are not only for cheap wine. In fact, if it is a wine that I plan on drinking in the next year or two (which I've found to be the case with the Grateful Palate wines - they're made to be big fresh and juicy), I prefer a screwcap. 1/10 bottles with a cork will be bad due to TCA, a bacteria that grows on cork and infects the wine, giving that lovely wet-newspaper aroma. If I am paying $15 or $50 or $150 for a bottle of wine, I feel much better knowing that there's not a 10% chance it will be undrinkable.
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| | | | On 03/02/09 at 04:00 PM, jack is back said:
hey james,
nice pieces, but still am a fan of the munrores. you are kinda growing on me though. k munroe aint change much on his web page in a while but i ve noticed his brother surely did.
check those guys out!!!
www.kishanmunroe.com
www.lavar-munroe.com
they are amazing. James you may want to check them out .
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| | | | On 05/07/09 at 08:29 AM, Dante said:
Awesome designs! I would love to illustrators work on package design. |
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