Angel Star Art

I have been living all over, literally, meaning From Los Angeles to New York, Chicago, Seattle, Austin, Mexico City, Monterrey, and after all of this places right now, I’m in Dallas, Texas, again, not my favorite place, but life took me here. So I look into finding a place to live where to find creative inspiration, and I know for sure, “THE KIRBY” it’s the right place for me, an old 18-story landmark building right in the middle of Downtown, surrounded by other tall buildings and with tons of creative areas all over. Here are some pictures I took of the building and from the building, maybe one day you can come visit.

For many reasons a lot of my creative ideas never get to be seen, for way to many reasons, so I have decided to show here some samples of my work that never have seen the green light before. some of this pieces represent the original artwork created prior to the Legal or Creative Director’s revisions.

Days go by and still, I haven’t found my clue, a sign that will tell me witch direction to go, every two or 3 years I re-invent myself, trying to get into a new look, a new trend and most of the time I got lucky and people start giving me “kudos” about it, but asking close friends never works quite as well as I hope, almost every time I got a complement and I’m waiting for the words : . . . I liked because: … but most of the time I got NOTHING, so I go back into my MAC and try to beat the crap out of that artwork and concentrate into making a better one. Some time ago, I was blessed in my life with an authentic creative miracle, I met my Guru, one of the most creative-passionate-successful artist I could ever imaging talk to, his name is Lamberto Alvarez. I learned so much from him, his wisdom made a strong impact in my life, I could be saying honestly my professional life can be structured in two parts, before and after Lamberto, the way he shared his knowledge, attention and a “pay it forward” attitude, got stock into my veins as an addiction for been a better down to earth creative. He ALWAYS had a great feedback on my artwork about how far can I go with it, and how to push it, just into a perfect balance in between a piece of art and a mainstream image. So two weeks ago I found my clue, and it was when I found Lamberto’s face on Facebook. Maybe one day in retrospect, I could see myself been another Lamberto  . . . In a hundred years

Some years ago, I had the amazing opportunity of learn photography from Evans Caglage, he is a Senior Photographer at The Dallas Morning News.  He had the willing and the patience of giving me advice so I could become a good photographer. From the camera settings to studio lightning he opened a new door of possibilities for me, So I took one of his advices and choose a Photographer to follow, so could concentrate on a area of work that can challenge me into a be a better photographer. So I choose Annie Leibovitz, her work at “The Rolling Stones” and “Vanity Fair” made an easy decision for me. Through the years her work was a great resource for inspiration for me, up to last December when I saw the work of Enrico Caputo.

Enrico is a 26 years old photographer with a fresh new look on his work, and a living proof of a new generation of advanced photographers. So this January I made the decision of get my own camera, that way I don’t have to wait to take a camera from work. I choose the Nikon D40 witch is the same model I learn to use with Evans, and little by little I have been getting more and more equipment to build my own photo studio. I will challenge my self into been a better photographer so maybe one day I could be like Annie.

As teenager, I used to draw the logos of some of my favorite bands into my school supplies, from my books, to my uniform, the logos of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Ozzy, etc. where a great way for me to identify myself as a follower of such music and get the attention of other followers.

That’s great BRAND RECOGNITION, and in my subconscious, the idea of creating logos where stock on my head since then, everyday, I’m used to look everywhere for logo changes on my environment, and 2 or 3 months ago the new PEPSI logo caught my attention, they’re used to change their brand’s look very often for my taste, but this latest image in particular was very risky for my point of view, I remember when an ex co-worker at The Dallas Morning News tried to make me change a proposal for an updated logo revamp.

Sam said …a logo should be iconic and timeless… But I also think a logo NEEDS to be the sum of all points of contact within the brand. Not only a nice way to present it, but a great way for the consumer to identify their product or service. Maybe one day I can create a logo that a kid will draw in his hands with a pen.

In the mean time I still prefer a COKE than PEPSI.

Look at this video.

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I have been thinking about the idea of selling a product, more like brand recognition or an award wining campaign. Some times I have seen really cool ideas everywhere from TV to Billboard campaigns where the call for action is missing and the advertiser is wasting thousands of dollars on a nice looking money waste campaign.

Some AD executives are very good on selling the ideas into their customers, but at the end I think revenue driven ADS will create a happier customer than an award from Cannes. I know that awards are the best way for an advertising agency to get clients but at the end, a happy customer will be the best PR for the agency.

Today a saw some great looking ads where the message is missing, I don’t even get the brand’s name until I was actually looking for it.  Here’s a great sample of what I’m talking about, this was the Cannes Lions 2007 Press GRAND PRIX and Outdoor GOLD winner for the brand TIDE, I know the idea is great for creatives but for the actual consumer I don’t think so.

Just click on this AD

Anyone can be creative on their best day. If you want to make a living at this stuff, you’ve got to be creative on the days when your car breaks down and your wife leaves you. I have been doing lots of creative ideas for my new assigned account, right next to me I have a little tabloid color copy, I have created in 2003 with my favorite quote: Create an idea, put it away, create a BETTER one.

My mind is in a very creative mood, with lots of ideas flying through my head as inspiration trying to get into my list of task to finish at work.  Still, everyday before I start my day I go to some websites and look for creative advertising that inspires me.

Here’s an AD from NIKE, the way they aproach their target market is just fantastic.