This is the first blog I have ever created, actually the first web anything I have done, and in many thanks to Paula Scher. This site was originally just a research blog for a class at George Mason University, but turned into something much more personal and aspirational. I was unknowingly first exposed to the works of Paula Scher, during the summer of 2012, while I was at the bookstore at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC. This vibrant, typographical map on the cover stood out from all the others on the shelf. I picked it up and just randomly flipped through the images, engulfed by the colors, forms and playfulness of the works within. I purchased it and took it home, not fully digesting who the artist's name within the pages, to add to my visionary book collection. Coincidently during class lectures, the professor would show other works from Paula Scher and would always speak highly of her. I wrote her name down and circled it multiple times so that I could reference later. How can an artist come up so much during lectures, have such a profound impact on graphic design, and yet I was completely unaware of?
I remember Googling "Paula Scher art" and was astonished to see one of the maps appear. I immediately went to the bookshelf, excitedly pulled the book out, to indeed confirm that I owned one of her books. I started reading her statement and appreciated the inspiration from her childhood that led her to create the Maps paintings. I later found out that she was an Art Director for album covers and was even more excited when I realized I owned one of her designs, the self titled album Dirty Trick. During my research I found myself downloading and listening to the musical artist whom she designed for. Thanks to Paula Scher I am now listening to synth-pop from New Musik (Sanctuary), soul from The Three Degrees (Standing Up For Love), and disco from Dan Hartman (Instant Replay). Genre's of music I have always enjoyed, but definitely some new artist to have a dance party to in my living room.
Paula is quite and inspiration and drawing from what Tom Wolfe has called "the “big closet” of art and design history, classic and pop iconography, literature, music and film, Scher creates images that speak to contemporary audiences with emotional impact and appeal. This is an approach to my work that I wish to achieve as well and getting to know what inspires Paula has also inspired me, especially since we share some similar influences.
I remember Googling "Paula Scher art" and was astonished to see one of the maps appear. I immediately went to the bookshelf, excitedly pulled the book out, to indeed confirm that I owned one of her books. I started reading her statement and appreciated the inspiration from her childhood that led her to create the Maps paintings. I later found out that she was an Art Director for album covers and was even more excited when I realized I owned one of her designs, the self titled album Dirty Trick. During my research I found myself downloading and listening to the musical artist whom she designed for. Thanks to Paula Scher I am now listening to synth-pop from New Musik (Sanctuary), soul from The Three Degrees (Standing Up For Love), and disco from Dan Hartman (Instant Replay). Genre's of music I have always enjoyed, but definitely some new artist to have a dance party to in my living room.
Paula is quite and inspiration and drawing from what Tom Wolfe has called "the “big closet” of art and design history, classic and pop iconography, literature, music and film, Scher creates images that speak to contemporary audiences with emotional impact and appeal. This is an approach to my work that I wish to achieve as well and getting to know what inspires Paula has also inspired me, especially since we share some similar influences.