Grafix Jam - John Rios

stage backdrop-plantation

Part of what I do is help tour managers develop concepts. I’ve worked with some of the biggest bands in the world and the art I created never saw “the light of stage.” Above is my recent such piece. A really heavy band, not sure you call them metal, wanted this concept developed. This would have been a 56′x28′ backdrop. The windows would have been cut out for fire to shoot out of, etc… The band members decided that they wanted to go in a new direction so this piece will not go on tour.

I am posting this so that other artist/illustrators can see and know that this stuff happens. You can work on a piece for a month or so and forces that are our of your hands can change the course. You just have to roll with it. I try to look at the up side. I made a great connection with a new tour manager. More people in “the business” know who I am, that I’m easy to work with and that I work like a dog to get things done.

I would have loved to have had my art go on this tour but, my life is still good!

To my friends in Michigan, Lilith Fair tour is coming to DTE on wednesday. Here is a little behind the scenes info you might not know.

I was lucky enough to be called to handle the production layout of all three stages and the banners for the tour. What this means is I spec’d the stage color, did the layout of the art files for printing which includes graphic element placement, making sure files are prepped properly so that the printing goes without a hitch. I have to say I am honored and humbled when I see images of such huge music icons on stage with artwork that came off my computer behind them. Very cool!

Go check it out-’If you cant make it” CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MAIN STAGE

Some Gave All, rear window graphic

This images was sent to me by Vantage Point Concepts. The image is of a camo truck that is sporting one of my Rear Window Graphics.” Some Gave All” window graphic has been customized with a different camo pattern in the background. The normal one uses a dessert camo pattern that I developed.

I think the end result is outstanding.

You can order your own or see my other designs at vantage point’s web site.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOURS OR SEE MORE DESIGNS

Note to self and to you. I don’t care if you’ve known someone for fifteen years. Don’t even think about going into business with friends without getting everything in writing up front. I’ve done it 3 times in my life and gotten screwed all three times. People I have laughed with hung out with helped them out in ways you can’t imagine.

Go into business, and they forget everything as soon as things start to succeed. Especially if your contribution is more your skills, talent and time than money.

Case in point. I helped a friend develop a product. I was in from day one. My illustrations or on the patten submission for god sake. A year later, he wants to sell me a partnership in the patten for 300 percent profit… Maybe?? Wait a minute, what?  I know I would have remembered “hey John, help me get this registerd and developed so I can screw you next year.” claims im some kind of Johnny come lately. For God sake, what I did makes the product set on the shelf next to any product and not look cheesy. From logo, brand etc.. to product development contribution and so on.

I had another friend offer me a 7 percent stake in a company to do a pile of work. Design product, logo, name the company, design the web site etc… Every aspect of the company. 8 months go by and I say “lets put this in writing.” He comes back with 5 percent of “profit” of sales. Hell, anyone can write “we didn’t make a profit so you don’t get anything.” How stupid do you think I am.

I can tell you about a jerky company I was part of a few years ago. The Jerk sells Jerky down by Cabellas in Dundee MI now. He pretty much is just a jerk ass hole.. He put up most of the money to get things off the ground so everyone else in the company was an idiot. Kind of like a band letting someone be lead singer because they own a P.A.. I’m king shit now so what you just be glad to be around me. Had the nerve to want to Be Friends on face book today… WTF. Go to hell!!!

Don’t even ask me to get your company off the ground without a check PLUSS+++!! Im tired of making rich people richer!

I come from a background of “my word is my bond” I was so busy with my nose to the grind stone, trusting people I have known, I didn’t imagine they could be such two faced jerks.

GET IT IN WRITTING… I dont care how well you know them.

Crazy days making art lately. Last week, after coming back from a working vacation, I put in a few long days. Longest one was 20 hours. Nice to be needed. I’m woking on a new stage right now that will be pretty friken insane. Pissed off! It’s pretty much a life size building that has been burned out and abandoned. Won’t say who for but they are pretty much the hardest rockin band that I’ve ever worked for. the stage should be just nuts scary. tour start end of the month. will post stuff when I can.

I wanted to share a couple of links to images of art I created for stages of tours that are going on now.

First, as you know, I’ve been working for Uncle Ted for over 18 years now. So here is a link to a pretty cool pic of the backdrop I did for him.

TED NUGENT TOUR PIC

In extreme contrast. I was lucky enough to get the call to do the production layout for the Lilith Fair Tour, 2010. Very cool to be a part of such an iconic event. I worked with a team in the UK to pull together the designs for the main, B and C stages including layout, color spec etc. I also did the layout for the village banners etc. So cool to see pictures on the internet of people like Sheryl Crow, Nora Jones, The Bangles, Sugar Land etc….standing on stage with graphics behind them that I created sitting at the same desk I am sitting at now. It’s almost unreal to me.

Here are a couple Lilith links. Hope you enjoy.

LILITH STAGE IMAGE

Lilith Video Link

another video link below

Lilith Video Link

I was looking around on line and found some images of drapes that I created the graphics for being used on the recent tour of the TV show Glee. I thought I’d share a link to the images.

CLICK HERE TO SEE Photo

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO

As usual I’m going for it. Working three Jobs and trying to find a few hours off once every couple of weeks to take time off and think.

My computer was giving me trouble a couple of weeks ago so I had to get take it in and get it upgraded and un-screwed. I chose a company in Troy michigan called “MAC Solutions.” Sure, I could have went to the apple store at the mall and made an appointment to talk to someone sometime. I chose to go to MAC Solutions. My computer went in and they started working on the problem right away. They treated me like I was the most important customer they ever had and worked out my laundry list of problems until my computer was rocking again.  Here is a link to there web site. (MAC SOLUTIONS) If you need head of the line, no BS work done on you machine, check them out.

One of the things I am doing is launching a new product called the textpac™. I’m part of the team of people that is bringing this to market and I have to tell you, the initial reaction to this product is very good. At present we have a camo version using realtree® camo that is just awesome. In the near future there are so many cool things coming down the pipe with the textpac™. Check in out here.

I just finished up my eighth concert backdrop yesterday. this one was for a one day event but the other seven are national or international tours. Love doing stage graphics. Something about seeing art that create on your computer come to life on a stage. Seeing your creations at 25-100 feet behind some of the most iconic figures in music..It’s a great feeling.

I’m off to create more art.

The nice folks at JPK groove house magazine interviewed me the other day. Here is a link to the story.

http://www.jpkgroovehouse.com/Entertainment.html

I wanted to turn you on to a great source for web design. My wife Mary has started a new company for web design and I have to say, she is awesome at what she does. The design, navigation function of her sites is top shelf. Sure, you can go to a huge company and get a cookie-cutter site and fall in line with the masses.

or you can go to Rocketgirlsites.com and get the kind of service and end result you really want.

I recently had her create a site for one of my personal business projects. I am a partner of in a company called Hymarx, LLC. We invented the textpac™ Rocketgirlsites.com did an awesome job of getting us set up with e-commerce, registering our URL’s , site design/ layout, and traffic tracking. The whole package.

5 stars to Rocketgirlsites.com-

check out the samples on her site.

Here is a link to a “Huge” .jpg of the stage drapes I designed for Little Big Town. (see detail). Loved doing this piece. First time I ever designed antique, distressed wallpaper. A complex repeating pattern.

As Always, thank you to my friend Megan for the gig.

If you’re in MI-They open for Sugar Land at DTE- Sept - check it out.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/elawgrrl/4609238169/sizes/o/