Christmas Newsletter Illustration, 2024

Deciding on what exactly to do this year proved a difficult decision for me. In years gone by the imagery flowed with greater ease, or I already had an image waiting in the wings. Starting around Thanksgiving, after mulling it over for a couple weeks, or so, I finally decided on sharing something that goes well beyond the Christian mainstream. A concept that is alluded to briefly in the Bible, that has an expanded meaning due in no small part to the Book of Mormon and modern prophetic revelation. This Christ centered idea of the Tree of Life is deeply meaningful to me and my family. Every Christmas, not only do I share the story of the nativity, but I also include Nephi's vision of the Tree of Life and its meaning. The ideas engendered in his vision of our Lord and the Tree have become inseparably welded into my heart and mind whenever I see a Christmas tree. For me the Christmas tree is a symbolic representation of the Tree of Life pointing us to God through the living Messiah, even Jesus Christ.

The first part of this post will be about the process and tools I used to create the illustration. If you are willing to stick around, the second half will be a more in-depth explanation of the meaning behind the illustration.

Facebook and Marriage: a photo illustration

Had the opportunity a little over a week ago to produce this photo illustration for the main Editorial story for the Sunday edition of the Deseret News written by Scott Taylor.

The process

Image of the couple came from Shutterstock.com. Facebook logo was procured from wikimedia.org. Used Photoshop as the editing tool to produce the final image. To create the tear I selected the entire photo. Then used the polygonal lasso tool to deselect half the image, producing the jagged tear. Then I cut and pasted the selected half the image into a new layer.

After this I used the dodge and burn tools to produce the subtle tear effect, rotated the two halves and applied a drop shadow.

The Facebook logo was inserted in between. Also created a pattern in for the background using the single-letter version of their logo

I wanted to use a chefs knife in this, but realized that wouldn't fit in with the way the photo is torn.

Message of the Editorial

The primary message of the story revolves around couple's use of Facebook and how misusing it can effect marriages in negative ways. I essentially agree with the author; Facebook is a tool of communication and news. If used improperly the consequences can be harmful. My wife and I reduce the risks and potential for harm by sharing a single account. When I want people to know it is me speaking I sign my name at the end of the post (Most of the time).

A very nice Celtic pattern

Had the itch to create a new celtic pattern tonight. The following is the result. Not too shabby. Created using Adobe Illustrator. Love the Pattern brush generator.