» Adobe CS3, the Snow Owl , March 27th, 2007

Adobe reached out to me to create a unique limited edition print for their March CS3 launch event here in New York. An edition of 250 prints would be created as a gift that an invitation only group of people would receive at the event. However, because of the dynamic process used to create my artwork, a system would be written using 82 individual random processes to create the composition. In short… everyone’s print would actually be unique.

So why 1/250, 2/250, 3/250, etc. instead of 1/1, 1/1, 1/1… well, because what you’re getting an edition of, is the program that runs to create the composition. The program (lines of code) never changes — what does change is the output of that program running. Hence, 1/250, 2/250, 3/250, an edition of the program… not the visual composition.

So the first brief included ideas of ornamentation and creative license. So I got right to work…

Adobe CS3 Print

I got this far and hit a dead end. why ? the previous kimono work kept hitting my subconscious. I enjoy this piece but I needed to shelve it to work with the kimono assets… I didn’t know why… but I was about to find out.

I wanted to build upon the kimono work but needed to layer it in a new direction. Here are the first initial layers I stared working on.

Adobe CS3 Print
Adobe CS3 Print

All paths do not always end in glory… another dead end. I couldn’t possibly put into words what my eyes and brain tell me. Yet something kept telling me this wasn’t where it was suppose to go. So I needed to scrap this and start again.

In this next composition I stopped trying to “layout” the page and let the form just grow and unfold and I would later try to figure out how this form would get cropped and positioned on the page.

Adobe CS3 Print

So in the end 82 individual random processes, previous projects like the BMW print only used 14 or so processes. Here you can see 3 samples of the print and how compositionally you’ll always get an imprint of visual aesthetic for each print, but each image is actually unique.

Adobe CS3 Print
Adobe CS3 Print
Adobe CS3 Print

Leave a Reply,
14 Responses to “ Adobe CS3, the Snow Owl ”
  1. sean lee said, on February 13th, 2008 at 2:05 am

    Hi Mr. Davis,
    Have been following your stuff since the ‘old praystation kioken days’ and this snow owl one is climbing the charts! Keep on rockin!

  2. Eric said, on January 20th, 2008 at 10:18 am

    YEAH! This is GREAT! Very inspiring indeed!

  3. Joshua Davis said, on January 11th, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    Endino… most of the assets we’re pulled from here :

    http://www.joshuadavis.com/diary/2007/kimono/

  4. Endino said, on January 11th, 2008 at 9:29 am

    Hi Joshua!

    Congratulations :)

    But I have a question… How many different shapes you are draw for this composition?

    P.D. Sorry for my english, i’m Spanish and dont write english very well…

  5. Kevin Lo said, on December 21st, 2007 at 5:57 pm

    Really beautiful! Unrelated, but I was randomly browsing today and stumbled upon the issue you did for k10k way back when… It brought me back to when I first read it and the days of dreamless. So, I just wanted to say thanks!

  6. Paul Carpenter said, on November 16th, 2007 at 9:33 am

    I just received one of these prints as a present from Adobe, and I was awestruck. You have an utterly unique approach to art, and I feel bad that I had not seen your work before this. I am now solidly a fan, and knowing that my piece (number 210, btw) is one of a kind makes it even more special. It’s hanging proudly in my home, and I was so inspired by the piece that I am adapting it to be a wall- size mural for my new baby’s bedroom. The colors and life are just fantastic. Thanks for your wonderful perspective, and as a fellow Flash developer, you’ve got my deep respect.

  7. Rochelle stebbings said, on July 25th, 2007 at 9:23 pm

    AMAZING… I teach high school art in south auckland new zealand… seeing your work has given me fresh eyes. Inspirational!

  8. Mark Shepherd said, on June 25th, 2007 at 1:16 am

    gotta say it keeps getting better - these are some of my favs….

    m

  9. Pablo said, on June 22nd, 2007 at 3:03 am

    i have been mesmerized by the magic of fractals ever since. your works have strong traits of that fractal magic but the big differnce is that fractals are all math. it has that cold, conforming nature while your work flows and sparkle like psychedelic light gems of a reflected sun.

  10. Emanuele Tortolone said, on June 21st, 2007 at 11:06 am

    Simply Beautiful.
    Great colors, cool shapes, perfect composition.

  11. Kris Moore - Mullins said, on May 14th, 2007 at 11:18 pm

    Amazingly awesome greatness. You can sense the Maorian influence. The color scheme is soothing and the lines stimulating. You have great talent.

  12. Samuel Agesilas said, on May 14th, 2007 at 6:57 pm

    Man!!! Awe-Inspiring as always!!! Thanks for posting! cheers mate!

  13. brian d. kelly said, on May 7th, 2007 at 7:37 am

    attended your workshop at fitc in toronto and i have to say it was really great. i’m always amazed to see what goes in the program, and what comes out in the end. very inspiring. and…i can’t stop watching the stevie wonder video. thanks.

  14. devil´s sweet smile said, on May 6th, 2007 at 7:16 am

    wow, this is over the top