Stam1na - Viimeinen Atlantis

I did graphic design and illustrations for Viimeinen Atlantis, a new album from Stam1na. The album went straight to number one on Finnish charts (selling by the way more copies than HIM, who also released their new album at the same week.)
Besides the normal jewel case, there's also two other versions of the album to which I also did the graphics, a Special Edition ( a 32-page book) and a gatefold LP. Both versions have sequential art, which I illustrated. I'll post pictures of them later, here is the jewel case:

















































A great project, great people to work with and what is most important, great music.

work in progress

Here's something I've been drawing. First one is going to be an illustration for my exhibition poster. Still trying to figure out the name for the exhibition. Names are hard, especially names that should represent a whole bunch on pictures, not just one. I do have a lot of bad names though, they are really easy to come by. But the good ones, they are still hiding.
Names and words. Words to describe pictures... one reason why I even draw pictures is that I don't have words for certain things; they must be shown, not explained. But I do have to say, that I kind of hate that when a piece of art is given such a fascinating name as "untitled 1" or even more captivating "untitled 2".







































This is usually the point where I lose my interest. Or here the most fun part ends. I got the pencils almost done and when I should start inking and coloring the pictures, I just start drawing something else. Finishing something doesn't intrigue me as much as the part of the process where I don't know what the outcome will be. Somehow you're always losing something, when things find their final shape. They become just one thing instead of being an endless amount of possibilities. The dreaming ends and all there is left is a reality which is bound into a one crippled form.

back in business

I'm sorry about the slow posting recently, but I've been very busy doing client projects for the past months. Working and getting paid is always a good thing, but the downside is that at the same time there seldom is time or strength left to do any art. It has been too long since I last had time to draw anything and it really started to bother me. But finally those client projects are now finished, and after the release dates, I'll show you what I've been doing.

Now there is time for art again, and there should be, because I'm having my first solo exhibition at Kouvola Art Museum in March. There's going to be mostly older works from past years, but I'm trying do to something new also. Let's see how much I can draw in a month...

Yesterday night, I sat down, took a clean sheet of paper and started drawing. And damn it felt good after a long time. Once again I remembered, that this is where I find my little pieces of happiness: to be able to draw all night, listening good music, drinking tea, and not be distracted by anything or anyone. Doing something I somehow feel I'm good at, doing something that matters to me, no matter how small it might be in the eyes of the rest of the world.

So you can expect to see some new pictures soon. I hope you all still stick with me despite the occasional down time.

the ark project

Illustration for The Ark Project.

Viimeinen Atlantis

I've been busy doing client jobs, mostly for Stam1na, and this is one of them: http://www.viimeinenatlantis.fi. I did the illustrations, or maybe it's a sequential art, or a mysterious puzzle? I can't tell much about it, check out the website on a weekly basis and figure it out, as more things will be revealed.

It's that same voice again

"a conversation with despair on the top of the hill"

album cover art

I did an album cover art for Pitbull Terrorist. C.I.A. was released via Anstalt Records on November 6th. I'll post more pictures when I get my copy of the album.