Then in 1985 I was accepted into the Art Institute of Boston winning four consecutive portfolio scholarship competition awards, one for each year attended. While going to school full-time and working as a freelance illustrator, i was commissioned to create packaging and technical illustrations for Hasbro. In 1989 a piece of my work were selected for The Society of Illustrators Exhibit in New York City, and in 1990 I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration.
1990, I was hired as a full-time Illustrator for Liquid Blue screen-printing company in Rhode Island, where I created artwork for rock bands such as: The Grateful Dead, AC/DC, Deep Purple, Van Halen, Guns n' Roses and more, as well as designs with nature and metaphysical subject matter. My artwork won some awards over the next few years, including a 1992 design that was selected for the Ann Williams Collection of the Danbury Mint and in 1994 won 1st place award in Impressions Magazine for best T-shirt design "Ship of Fools" for The Grateful Dead.
In 1994 I was hired as an Illustrator/Designer for Fruit of the Loom Sports and Licensing Division and moved to New Hampshire ... working there on photo designs, logo designs, mascot designs, caricatures, and authentic sports designs for clients such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, as well as Collegiate affiliations. Also, I created art for other clients such as DreamWorks, Wilson, K-Mart, Planet Hollywood, and Hard Rock Café ... and had three pieces selected for the Art Institute of Boston Alumni Illustrators Exhibition held in Boston, MA.
In 2001, I went to work for a NH based toy company called Illuminations/Creative Discovery where I produced product illustration, product design, package design/illustrations, point of purchase displays, as well as catalog design for such companies as Spencer Gifts, Toys-R-Us, and Cosco. In 2002 I had three illustrations chosen to appear at the New Hampshire Creative Club Exhibition, and moved into the Senior Illustration/Designer position with his company. When the company was consolidated into one large company, I was asked to create the new logo as well as come up with a fresh new look for all their packaging. ( some of which you can see in the packaging section of this portfolio. )
In 2005, I left Illuminations and started illustrating full time as a freelancer, with assignments ranging from editorial illustrations, advertising illustrations, packaging, T-shirt designs, games, caricatures, puzzle illustrations, greeting cards, illustrations for novels and CD covers. And I also created my own line of prints and cards.
On this site you'll see just a sampling of my work. Most of the designs have been published, and I am so glad to say, have been successful for the companies they were produced for. From book cover art, to advertising, to T-shirt design, the artwork has brought consumer appeal to the product.
" There are a lot of talented people out there, and I'm just one of them. But by blending a traditional art education, a wide variety of illustration and design experience, and some computer knowledge, I can assure you I will put all of my background toward giving you the best quality artwork I can produce."
Rich
