Although many things have changed in my life throughout the years, two things have not; my love for art and passion for sports. I’ve always enjoyed drawing and painting, as well as observing others creations. There is no right or wrong when it comes to art, and I’ve never been much for rules. Art allows people to express themselves and their ideas, while enriching others everyday lives through works of architecture, furniture, packaging, advertisement etc. as well as traditional mediums like paintings and music. We all benefit in many ways from our neighbors simply being their creative selves and sharing their gifts with the world.
Sports serve a similar role of bringing deeper meaning to our lives. Number one, they encourage us to get out and exercise. This is important for anyone interesting in developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and the relationship between mind, soul and body; and especially us creative professionals who spend a large amount of time in a seated position in front of a computer. They also help promote the competitive spirit, teamwork, individual responsibility, determination, perseverance and a host of other beneficial traits and values. Plus, they are social events that gather people from all walks of life together for one common cause-either to pull together and win on the field or to cheer for our favorite team on the sidelines.
I am lucky to be able to enjoy both of my passions on a daily basis in my work at The Cotton Exchange, a national leader in custom-decorated sports and casual apparel here in America. I have learned much since I traded in the Chef’s hat for a Wacom Tablet (a glorified mouse) two years after studying Graphic Design in college. In my nearly two years with the company I have strengthened my skills in Illustrator, especially with regards to type. I have also been able to do some nice drawing work, create more vectors than you can shake a stick at, work with color relationships, and occasionally crack Photoshop open, all while learning the ins and outs of a large screen-printing business. It’s been rewarding to do what I love and call it work, I’m thankful every day.
All work/images copyright © 2009 Lucas Albrecht