Tuesday, February 7, 2012

'Audition'

I've had a number of email requests over the last couple of months to show some of my work. When I get a bit more time in early summer, I will get my portfolio blogs up and running, but for now, I just came across a slide of a piece I did some years ago when I was 'auditioning' for an agency to create posters for the performing arts. I had great hopes and expectations, but alas, photography won out over illustration. The irony for me was that, of course, I used photographs for reference.

I would dearly love to visually interpret the performing arts for whatever the usage, but, well, I still have a good dozen years ahead of me. Perhaps one day.

©2012 Thomas Buchanan — 'Audition' poster — pastel

"Audition" poster — detail

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! I love this "audition" poster, Thom. Your story reminded of the time I realized that illustrated movie posters had almost been completely replaced with photo posters. I guess I'm just "old enough" that painted and drawn posters (and covers!) touch me and speak to me in a way that photo illustrations don't.

Yves Ker Ambrun said...

Wooh! Wonderful, Thom.
And baffling, too: I wish I had a quarter of the understanding you have of pastels...

M. D. Jackson said...

I love this piece, Thom. I love the warmth of the colours and the soft lines. I also love the expression of the one ballerina turned to face us. I know the "audition" was yours but it could just as easily apply to that ballerina. Her look seems to say "I hope I'm good enough. I hope they pick me!"

Kid said...

I can't imagine that a photo would have been in any way an improvement over this. Did you provide the photo which was used, Thom?

Thomas Haller Buchanan said...

Thanks Anon, Yves, MD and Kid!

MD, you got the point of my post title, thanks!

Kid, the agency provided a small set of photos to choose and work from.

By the way, I DID get paid for my time involved.