New Website

I've been working hard to build a new website in my free time over the past few months, and I am happy to announce that it is finally finished. I've added some new things, too, like a mailing list, a Facebook fan page, and some updated RSS features. Those of you who already read my blog through RSS readers or e-mail updates, make sure to check out the site at www.brihermanson.com

For anyone out there who is as nerdy as I am, my site was built using Drupal (a Content Management System like Wordpress or Joomla) with lots of extra modules (several that I customized myself), some custom php, and css theming. This theming was then translated into css for Blogger so that I could keep all of my old blog content while still having a blog that matches the look and feel of the rest of the site. Using a CMS gives me a lot of control behind the scenes, so I am really glad that I made the jump to Drupal.

I hope you all like the new look!

Blue Party

This illustration is for an event in Youngstown, Ohio. The party has a blue theme; blue drinks, a Blues Brothers tribute band, a denim fashion show, and everyone must wear blue. It sounds like a great time, and it is also a benefit for the Mahoning Valley Rescue Mission. Thanks go out to Melanie from FrockOn -- she's a pleasure to work with and she organizes really incredible events.

sketch crawl

Yesterday, I went on my first sketch crawl, and it was a total blast. We had a nice group of six, which seemed to be the perfect size, and spent a good chunk of the day at Vazac's horseshoe bar, later making our way to the Sidewalk Cafe. Our group included Steve, Peter, Mel, the other Steve, and Juliane, and I think we all had a great time. Here's to doing it again soon.

Aphrodisiac

This illustration was created for a Valentine's Day themed party in TriBeCa this weekend. There's a fashion show and a dance party with multiple DJs, but, to make this event even better, it is a benefit for the charity God's Love We Deliver, an organization that provides meals to people living with debilitating illnesses. If you'd like to join in on the fun and support a great charity, check out the Facebook page for the event.

A little about the illustration -- I know I'm mixing my saints together a bit, but Saint Sebastian has always been a favorite of mine, so it was a lot of fun to do this piece. On top of that, my very dear friend Robert is one of the organizers for this event, and he was kind enough to both involve me and allow me to twist his arm to pose for the piece. Thanks, Robert!

Three for the Price of Two

I made it back to the Society last night with my favorite Englishman, Stephen Gardner. On Thursdays, the two models wear costumes (like the mermaids below), and on Tuesdays, they pose nude. One of the models last night had an extra accessory.

She Sells Seashells by the Seashore

I went to sketch night at the Society of Illustrators last night with the ever-delightful Stephen Gardner. The models were dressed as mermaids, and it was a great way to spend the evening.

CQ17 & Illustration West 48

This crow is in the new issue of Creative Quarterly(#17) on newsstands now. They've also included a photo I took in Scotland in their inspiration section, which brought back a lot of fond memories of bundling up in to go hiking in August.

I also just got word that the illustration below has been accepted into the Society of Illustrators of LA's Illustration West 48. Thanks go out to my horse, Sam, for always being a perfect model and a great buddy for over 15 years.