I’ve been doing some research for a project and I came across a very sweet collection of Time Magazine covers, basically the whole history of their visual identity.

Check it out here. There are all kinds of other publications on the site, so be prepared to waste a lot of time if you’re into visual history.

I like the internet and all, it obviously makes research such as this much easier, but I hope we never see the day where printed newspapers and magazines cease to exist. Digital is just not the same in my opinion. I often wonder what our generation will leave behind. Museums have innumerable written correspondance between friends, lovers and haters. Children find vintage records, baseball cards and other priceless ephemera in their parents and grandparents attics. What will I leave behind? A hard drive with a bunch of files on it? Yeah, that’s just not that exciting at all. Read the rest of this entry »

I feel I’m safe in posting a scan of the page I had in the December issue of Food Network magazine. I wanted to be sure it was well off the shelves before posting it. I was truly blessed to be given a full page, page 185 to be exact, and from that little page many wonderful people visited my site. Thanks to all those at Food Network Magazine for finding me, reaching out to contact me and making it all happen! Read the rest of this entry »

This excellent article on my United Plates series appeared in the Topeka Capital Journal on December 12, 2009. It was written by Jan Biles. The original post can be viewed on the Capital Journal’s website.

Artist creates ‘tasteful’ depictions of 50 states

MAYETTA — A Mayetta-based artist is finding out Americans have a hunger for his hand-drawn posters.

John Holcomb, 25, has created a series of tongue-in-cheek posters titled “The United Plates” that depict each state as food. A rectangular Kansas is made from triangular turnovers. Indiana is a bunch of asparagus, while Minnesota is a frothy mug of beer.

The sales of his unique artwork recently were boosted after catching the eye of SeriousEats.com, a recipe blog, and the Food Network Magazine, which featured his posters in its December issue. Read the rest of this entry »

Enter the code “newsite” for a 10% discount in my shop!

I’ve been slightly derailed from the Presidents series of late, but it’s not for lack of good reason. One of which is new jobs, the other is a brand new Shorthandedstudio.com!

If you’ve happened by the site of late, you will have seen some of these growing pains. I’m not a “web designer” so I choose to tweak my site a piece at a time instead of launching new versions overnight. However, I believe I have finally put the finishing polish on this version of the site and I’m really excited with how it turned out. It’s much cleaner than the last iteration, and most importantly to me it features a brand new store! Read the rest of this entry »

While I admit to being a diehard Olympics fan in general, but the winter games have always been my favorite by quite a large margin. Honestly I love every sport in the games (minus ice dancing, which it’s debatable as to whether that’s even a sport). I watch every event, listen to every Bob Costas segue and every Mary Carillo human interest piece.

Therefore, the only reason for this blog post is to say I’m cheering for my long lost cousin Steve Holcomb in the two man bobsled tomorrow and the four man later. It’s fun to hear announcers say “Holcomb this” and “Holcomb that.” The only other time I’ve heard my name on TV was that one brief moment where Kelly Holcomb won a game or two with the Buffalo Bills in the mid 2000s and then disappeared. After day one of the 2 man competition, Steve and teammate Curtis Tomasevicz are sitting in 4th place. They looked great in the second run, so here’s to tomorrow!

Check out his website here: Team Holcomb and Steve’s profile here: Vancouver 2010.

After reading this excellent post on the topic of “Creative Block” I decided it would make an excellent blog post… since I’ve already been slacking on the blog! Read the rest of this entry »

I thought a process blog might be of some interest, so here we go. It’s the first one of it’s kind! I’ll avoid much written word in this first post, maybe in the future I’ll up the windbag factor.

After a light pencil transfer, I tape the sketch to the wall behind the desk. I actually find cheap Bic mechanical pencils to be the best for the transfer. The sketch is always done freehand, using a photo reference of the president. I don’t go for 100% accurate replication in the sketch or the final piece, rather I attempt to portray an emotion I feel is relevant to his legacy. For Cleveland, that feeling was “regal.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Here is the sketch I drew for the Grover Cleveland painting.

This list is a compilation of my, John Holcomb’s, favorite albums and songs of 2009. In no way is this meant for anything other than drawing attention to the music I love and the artists that create it. If you haven’t heard of one of these bands, I provided links to their myspace. If you like their music, consider buying it. As an artist myself, trust me when I say we like getting paid for what we create. You’re not really “sticking it to the man” when you illegally download their songs (face it, record label dudes like to eat to). But if you feel you are, buy a T-shirt instead, go see them when they come through town, send them giftcards to Jimmy Johns, I dunno.

I put the songs together in a CD, check it out here.

1a. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You

Took a few listens, but after awhile I realized I was listening to this album more than any other. Lyrically it hits home countless times, it has hints of vintage Avett’s with a coat of polish that suits them even better than nostalgia. I know most fans cling to the old albums with a death-grip, but I’m here to say they progressed for the better and hopefully sold a few more albums because of it.
Myspace

1b. The Elms – Great American Midrange

No differentiation between 1 and 2 in my mind. If ever there were an album that screamed “My kind of music” it’s this one. Seriously, the first time I put it on I actually stopped it a few songs in because I knew I’d play it to death. I’m so glad I bought the super-dee-duper deluxe version with the acoustic alternates. Best decision ever. Love this album!
Myspace

3. mewithoutYou – It’s All Crazy! It’s All False! It’s All A Dream! It’s Alright.

I find it humorous that “true fans” hated this album. Guess that’s why I’m not a true fan. I can’t believe how much I found entertaining, inspiring and soothing throughout this album. It’s so poetic and quirky. And to think I almost didn’t even buy it.
Myspace

4. Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers – The Bear

I hear these guys are going out on tour with Needtobreathe (#18). I hope they get the exposure they deserve. “Satisfied Man” speaks to me in ways no other song has. It’s an absolute favorite of mine, but luckily they put 12 more “Americana” tracks on there!
Myspace

5. Fielding – The Voice of Us

Oh my word. Easily the most beautiful album I’ve heard all year. I never thought anything could top Plankeye’s Relocation but Eric Balmer may have just done that with this release. I love this husband/wife team, I hope they keep writing!
Myspace Read the rest of this entry »

Well, so much for plans. When this typeface package arrive on my doorstep this afternoon between the snowdrifts, I knew I must blog about it. The edge-of-your-seat topic that is “Color Management” will have to hang on a bit longer.

Read the rest of this entry »