I recently created the art for King Crismon alum Trey Gunn’s new CD “Music for Pictures”. This was a very exciting project as I am a huge fan of Trey and King Crimson (and his other band TU). I thought it might be interesting to show you how my creative process works. What you see below are mostly outtakes or images that did not make it onto the final CD art.
This is my original photograph shot on an old skool medium format camera, the amazing Rolleiflex SL-66. This camera shoots 120 film, with negatives that are 2.25×2.25 inches. The lenses are some of the best ever made (Zeiss). The film when scanned results in a whopping 80MP image size. That said, all the other images that I compiled with Trey’s portrait were shot digitally.
My method of working involves trying to go to places, creatively, where I’ve never been before. This process is rather lengthy and involves many many hours of venturing to the outer limits. I probably generated over fifty images in this project. Only the worthy got shown to Trey.
Much of the music concept was digitally manipulated. The CD is music that will be used for film, video and TV (soundtrack/pictures). I was trying to bring these elements into play. Hence the film reels. The reels did get used on the final art with his image below, combined with Trey’s amazing instrument.
Did I tell you that “Weird” is my middle name?
Exploring the complex.
Clearing my palette by trying to create the most crude image that I could muster. Maybe “Crude” should be my middle name? Trey actually liked this.
This is the final chosen image used on the CD. A digitally manipulated musician who, on occasion, digitally manipulates his music.
My final cover art. I don’t often do graphic design but I did enjoy creating this. The CD is amazing and can be bought here.
