by Lara Serbin | Jan 6, 2014 | Architectural Planning, Blog, Graphics, Planning
Last month I had the irresistible inspiration to design a custom flier for the local businesses in Historic Buckeye, Arizona. The project was first started at a Main Street Coalition mixer when the local business owners voiced a concern for a flier of some kind to attract more Main Street activity. Back in October I really had no idea what our team would come up with. I always keep a file of graphic examples I collect from my travels sometimes a well thought out menu, a smart city guide map, or a vintage travel postcard. The idea has to hit me and then I know I am ready to work.
The graphic on left is the final artwork that I completed for the Historic Buckeye Flier. The postcard on the right was a treasure I picked up while driving with my family along the Olympic Coast last summer *had to buy a plush flying squirrel for Lily too*. See, one never knows when the stuff you save will become useful. The Olympic postcard sits on my bulletin board at my desk. I especially like how the mountains and everything are not outlined with a profile line to contain the color. It reminds me of Gustave Baumann color woodcuts. Now that is an art form I would like to try some day. First I have to master wood carving or at least carving into vinyl.
The image on the left is the first pass at rendering the Historic Main Street in Buckeye earlier in 2013. It is very basic, I was not even up to detailing the rims of the Model A at that time. The image on the right shows my expanded experience in just 2 months. I really like the subtractive nature of the white. I also liked how crooked the window panes are. For the flier, I tightened the shapes up considerably. But what a difference of spending some time to learn something new. It is all about repetition of the commands and being patient.
The black and white photo on the left is The Ware Building constructed in 1910 on the southeast corner of 4th Street and Monroe Avenue in Historic Buckeye. The graphic on the right is for anyone who wanted to see a zoom up on the window reflections. See the Model A?
There will be more on the flier itself in an upcoming post, this graphic is just a piece of the flier. The first 2 thousand are being printed right now. This is an important collaboration among Buckeye Main Street Coalition members, City of Buckeye stake holders and local business owners. I thank them for taking this step towards encouraging more activity for this new year!
You’re really going to like this: a weekly haiku.
Our World…
Pluck sleep as it sees
Eyes must alternate on grass
Violet dreaming.
-Lara Serbin
by Lara Serbin | Oct 9, 2013 | Architecture, Blog, Graphics, Planning
Historic Buckeye is starting to shape up in so many ways. Buckeye Main Street Coalition will be working on the Alley along Benbow Veterans Park. This alley is top of the hit list for 2013-2016 Design Initiatives because it is at the epicenter for the latest revitalization efforts. The alley is the artery for Café 25:35 and Benbow Veterans Park which both recently completed new construction efforts. Pedestrians flock to both of these attractions. BMSC wants to see more of this forward moving activity along the main street in Buckeye. The activity is already motivating shop keepers like Sharon Torres of Buckeye Valley News to transform their building facades as well. The ball is rolling and gaining speed.
Lara Serbin, photo credit: Sharon Torres, Buckeye Valley News
Torres is currently remodeling the interior of Buckeye Valley News so she can offer Wi Fi, books to read, vintage type writers to play with and a lounge for teens. The interior smelled of fresh paint from the metal shelving being painted next to turn of the century printing presses.
Painted super graphics on the outside of Buckeye Valley News could have huge potential for all pedestrians to feel they have just found a special place on their way to meet a friend for lunch. Torres mentioned how she liked band entertainment in the allies of Denver, Colorado. Sounds like a road trip. There could be outdoor seating, colorful graphics, green and mutli-purpose zones. The super art above is from Barrio Café in Phoenix, Arizona. The art community have taken over the buildings in Phoenix with murals. I have been there several time to take photos. I like how the artistas have a group signature. Torres and many other Buckeye stakeholders would like to see rodeo and historic images of Buckeye. We have to start somewhere and the alley is a good place.
This is a weeded gap entry to the skeletal remains of the old O’Malley Building. I have to say I felt fearful standing under the buckling building today and watching the pigeon find a landing place on the trusses. Boarded up squares are storefront windows facing 4th Street, which is a prominent main street perpendicular to Monroe Avenue. This lot is at the intersection of two infamous Avenues of Buckeye.
Torres has lots of ideas for this desolate lot that she sometimes visits being that it is next door to the Buckeye Valley News. Torres and I both believe in saving as much as we can of downtown Buckeye. Every piece of metal panel, rotted wood and peeled paint has value for future use. Torres would like to see the lot turned into a farmers market. Her ideas were inspirational to me today. It is good to have a friend who understands the value of history and the character it can add for future generations.
