Grafix Jam - John Rios

fox103.9 radio station logo

My good friend Steve Black (Chop Shop Guitar Show) Moved from WRIF in Detroit to Fox 103.9 in Flint and once there, decided that their logo needed an update. Steve gave me a call and asked me to take a swag at it. The first thing to take into consideration is that ” this is a classic rock radio station.” That said, I wanted to something that was slick, yet, had a cool hand drawn feel to make you think retro/70’s. The result, posted here, is the final version.

I like the idea of the “dot” being a speaker that is cracking the call numbers. I also like the top hat that makes on think if Slash or Mick Mars….a little studded leather and you have one pissed of hombre fox. (and yes, that is a goatee on his chin.)

If you get to within 50 miles of Flint Michigan listen in. I have to tell you… no kidding, they are rockin’ right now for sure, no matter what time you want to tune it. I don’t here some goofball DJ talking about fart jokes or any other BS…. It’s just a straight up rock station that plays great classic tunes.

here is a link to they’re site

http://www.classicfox.com/

If you missed the broadcast last night, Aug. 19, here is a link to Ted’s kick ass performance on Lopez Tonight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVwGmNE_GRA

if you look on the upper right corner of the screen you’s see a seven foot banner that features Ted’s new tour art. The camera moves around really fast so I am reposting the art that was sent to the show so you can get a look at the details. Yep, the gangs all here from Osama and Obama and his “Big F’n Deal” side kick” to Hillary, Nancy, The Rev. Al, Michael Moore, Hitler and Chavez.

I can’t take credit for the Concept but the illustration is all mine. This is a 100% Nuge idea for sure. It’s always fun to hear from Ted to see what he has in mind for the tour. I usually read his emails 3 times to make sure I’m not missing anything between my laughter and my “No F’n way” outbursts.

During the show, George also held up “almost on camera” Ted’s latest book, The New York Times best Seller,” Ted White and Blue” I’m posting both pieces here just in case you wanted a better look at what you didn’t see that well on the Lopez Tonight Show.

Nugent Tour Art. As seen on Lopez Tonight Show

Ted White and Blue Cover

Also, Here is another piece that I did. As far as I know, this was on the table to be the cover at one time. It’s inside the book now.

Ted White and Blue art

There’s nothing like the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards, an annual affair where the folks that make it happen, including promoters, artist managers, booking agents and technical companies – are the stars of the evening.

This year at the Pollstar awards, a Moulin Rouge theme drape was used to set the mood. It’s the Drape I designed and illustrated the graphic elements for last year. It’s been on tour with the TV show Glee this summer and with R Kelly last summer. Who knows where it will pop up next.

Something really cool about seeing my art on stage at an event where the industry hitters are awarded.

POLLSTAR PICS_ CLICK HERE TO SEE DESIGN

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.