Been there, done that.
A logo on silver dog tags worn by The Pope, Marilyn Manson gig posters and brochures for the Presidential Libraries. When it comes to design, Jeff Everett gets it done. The force behind DC-based design firm Rockets are Red is widely known for his poster work, but to pigeonhole his prowess would be downright reckless.
“I want everything I make to be something I’d proudly put in my portfolio, not just a paycheck,” says Jeff. “The goal is to always create something memorable. A business card is as important as a poster. I get excited about every piece, be it big or small.”
With a penchant for thick lines, flat color and as he puts it, “enough halftone dots to crash my computer,” Jeff’s signature style commands attention whether it’s hanging at a bike art party or around the Holy Father’s neck.
Driven by Music.
For ARTCRANK’s Washington DC debut, Jeff set out to compose a love letter of sorts. He moved to DC in 1995 for one reason, and one reason only: Music. It’s a pull that he still feels today, and he began work on his ARTCRANK piece after watching Henry Rollins being interviewed about DC music and his experiences growing up in the area.
“His recollections brought back fond memories of biking around DC when I was younger and how much joy it brought me,” Jeff says. “I used to ride around the monuments at midnight and explore the sleeping city. The Mall would be practically empty, with noir lighting. Good sights and creative inspiration are always up for grabs at night.”
He points out that while DC is most well known for artists like Rollins, Dave Grohl and Ian MacKaye, there’s a host of lesser-known, talented musicians and groups that give the music scene impressive depth–and inspire him to keep creating.
Jeff is just as inspired by the local music scene now as he was when it motivated the move to the city. Accordingly, the bike in his poster is rolling on a pair of LPs, with an vintage phonograph blasting from the rear rack and fat stack of records at the ready up front.
Pedal-powered love letter.
Beyond music, Jeff’s poster is a tribute to DC and the most inspiring facets of his life. Some references are subtle, like the silhouette of the DC skyline in the background. Others are more overt.
With a five-year-old and a seven-year-old in constant “Go!” mode, Jeff and his wife don’t get as many chances to ride together, just the two of them, as they once did. Fondly remembering the past and looking forward to future adventures together, the determined protagonist of Jeff’s poster is his wife. With a little help from the cat.
Although the kids didn’t make it into the poster, Jeff was quick to point out that they serve as inspiration and critics at-the-ready on the daily.
“My kids don’t think I draw as well as they do, which might be true,” says Jeff. “I was working on a piece the other day, and my son Max took one look and exclaimed, ‘That’s weird! Scary weird, not good weird. Do something better.’”
It’s safe to assume Jeff’s been listening to some good stuff, because his poster, “We Roll at 33 RPM” sold out in less than three hours at the ARTCRANK DC opening.
“I’m quite proud that it sold out as fast as it did,” says Jeff. “I tried to create a perfect moment and to allow viewers to place themselves there.”
For the past four years, ARTCRANK has worked with Neenah Paper to offer our artists access to new choices in fine papers for screen-printed and letterpress posters. In 2014 we’re following four artists from each of our U.S. shows as they develop their ideas and print them on a Neenah Paper stock. We’ll post these behind-the-scenes poster stories after each event, and share more exclusive content on Neenah Paper’s Against The Grain blog.
