This artwork was drawn when I was working as an art director at a small advertising agency. They needed a quick illustration for their client “The Original Cookie Company”, remember them? I think that they are owned by Mrs. Fields now, but don’t quote me on that. This illustration, created for their countertop sign at the mall is the very last thing I’ve drawn with a Radidograph pen in nearly 20 years.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Rapidograph pen here’s a photo of my old ones recently rescued from the attic. Last week I bought crisp vellum paper and shiny new Rapidograph pens at Hobby Lobby to replace these. By the way, Hobby Lobby, if you need a new logo give me a call.

When I got my new pens home I was so excited to fill them with ink and, of course, made a sticky, black mess of it – all part of the creative process. I’ve also ruined the first piece of expensive vellum paper I started on. I guess now that I’ve made my first mistake I no longer have to fear making it and am free to move forward. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. I hope to have something to show you by the end of the week. Oops, did that sound like a commitment?

It’s been going on for years, people confusing advertising and marketing with arts and crafts. These all involve design and the right side of the brain but are completely different things. If you are a business owner and mistake one for the other, you will be wasting your advertising dollars.

How can you tell the difference? Ask to see samples of work created for businesses similar to yours. An advertising agency, design studio or professional freelancer will have a portfolio (either digital or traditional) full of successful promotions created for their clients. Your friend who teaches art, works real cheap, and knows how to use a Mac, will not.

My traditional portfolio is available by appointment and a digital version is available on my website.