Artwork: Freedom Illustrations

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Both Girl Textured and Freedom were created by hand with pen/ink, then digitally colored. They are about freedom of mind and spirit. Maya Angelou's book "I Know Why a Caged Bird Sings" was a major inspiration as it was about a constant struggle and trying to rise above one's circumstances.

The top piece is a experimentation into combining intricate patterns with a simple tribal style.

Photo: San Francisco Carnavale

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

San Francisco's Carnavale Parade (May 24th) is a convergence of cultures, music, and dancing. The chilly 50 degree weather didn't put a damper on spirits. . .

Artwork: Skeletal Piano

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Skeletal Piano is a mixed media piece inspired by the biomechanical style of H.R. Giger and Beksinski. The initial drawing was created on vellum with graphite. It was then scanned and colored in Photoshop.

Photo: Bay to Breakers

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

The San Francisco Bay to Breakers event was host to both runners and many colorful revelers.

Inspiration: Swarovski Crystal Palace

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

The Swarovski Crystal Palace is a great collection of original crystal sculptures by various designers. Some border from jewelry design to sleek industrial products.

Photo: Rainbow Hat

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Why not add a bit of color to your life?

Resource: New Papers and Printing Techniques

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

As technologies change, so do the materials and techniques involved with printing. Spectrum Lithograph offers a Lithofoil printing, where foils are printed with the 4-color process, adding depth to most artworks.

For durable products, Polyart papers are the practical choice. A unique clay coating keeps the paper from tearing, yet is smooth enough for writing.

New Leaf Paper has nice recycled paper stocks that any environmentally-conscious designer can appreciate. They seem to be the leaders for recycled stocks since they don't bleach their materials and have experimented with non-wood papers.

Artwork: Gothic Beauty

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Gothic Beauty is a classic portrait inspired by Roman busts and vampire movies. The medium is mixed--graphite on paper and digital coloring. A tribal dragon is tattooed onto the shoulder. The teardrops represent a perpetual sadness and loneliness from a life as an undead. (This concept stems from a Zulu story of how a cheetah got her tears).

Photo: Hoola Hoop Girl

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

This candid photo entitled Hoola Hoop Girl was taken on the streets of San Francisco at the How Weird Street Faire (great event of music and pageantry).

Photo: Masquerade Ball Masks

Masquerade Ball Masks
Originally uploaded by shaire productions

San Francisco's How Weird Street Faire was a fun outdoor event (much like the Love Parade), encouraging costumed revelry with an electronic twist.

Artwork: Fashion of Pollution

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Fashion of Pollution is a pessimistic view of climate and environmental change. This mixed media piece uses subtle colors, highlighting the seriousness of the subject.

Sketch: Abstract Pattern

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

A visual meditation from my sketchbook.

Artwork: Dragon Crest and Tee Fury Charity Tee Collab 09

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

My dragon crest design was part of a TeeFury.com charity tee collaboration with 44 other artists on May 8th. Wotto collaged and curated the project and a percentage of the proceeds was donated to "Team Eagle", a disabled parasailing team campaigning for the 2012 Olympics.

Inspiration: Cyptography and Art

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

I've always been fascinated by the mystery of crytography. Art is a bit enigmatic to begin with, but infusing cryptography enhances its power. Artist James Sanborn is best known for his CIA sculpture Kryptos and is referenced in Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" book cover design. His work is highly conceptual, but simple in presentation. I love the Bauhausian quality of his structures, particularly his typography. The work speaks for itself, so additional decorations are unnecessary.

Inspiration: Monica Dengo's Calligraphic Works

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

The calligraphic works of Monica Dengo is an inspiration into the possibilities of the written word. I took a class from her a few years back while she was in San Francisco. My interest in lettering stemmed from graffiti and her techniques helped me understand the traditional aspects of lettering.

On Monica's site, she has a small, fascinating article on the "differences between graphic, calligraphic and gestural free approach of handwriting." Read more.

Artwork: Origami Cranes

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Origami Cranes is a vector t-shirt design of Japanese paper cranes and floral blossoms atop a tech pattern. It's a homage to tokyo-pop culture. See more of this shirt here

Artwork: Doomsday and Musma Street Art Exhibition

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Doomsday is a handmade poster for the Stick Me Hard 2 International Street Art Exhibition at Musma Gallery in Brussels, Belgium. The topic is "The Worst Case".

My rendering was created with pen and markers (about 9in. width x 17in. height) to be wheatpasted to the gallery wall. My vision was apocalyptic, where death and destruction reigns free. A nuclear explosion breaks from a skull, positioned above a burning city. The red pattern is a montage of abstract faces done in a Cubist-influenced style.