First, I will tell you about myself professionally. I have a BFA in Commercial Art (they don't use that term anymore because “commercial” has developed negative connotations). Yet, while everything else in the industry has evolved (putting almost everyone on my resume out of business) "commercial art" remains a very apt description of what I do.

My last meaningful job was for a respected screen printer with national client base. But since 1996, I have been self-employed, working as the de facto art department for a couple of companies and the graphic specialist and tech support (or rather, the person who calls tech support) for another. The bulk of my work is screen printing - illustration, design and color separation, and graphic design for various offset printed materials (publications, brochures, posters, banners, stationary, printed bowl and platter designs, etc) and some things that are not printed at all (large papier-mâché heads, art to go on mobile studios, bobbleheads, etc.) and now this–my first website!

I am a long-time resident of New Orleans which is probably obvious my subject matter. Mardi Gras is still a big deal here, though the t-shirt and poster markets have thinned considerably. There are a lot of other smaller niche markets, doubloons, beads, designs for costumes-I have worked on all of above plus the promotional materials to market them.

I also done a lot of work around Jazz Fest. I do work for WWOZ (the Jazz and Heritage Foundation's flagship station) and their annual Piano Night Concert. Following these big events there are still dozens of festivals in the area so for years I have been professionally tied to the local culture. After Katrina though, I have been working to be expand my base beyond this region.

Virginia Phillips a.k.a.Graphic Art Goddess

Useful Graphic Art Links
What the Font?
Sometimes useful f ont identification site!
DealMac
Tech support forums for Mac and PC
Brands of the World
international logo source in vector format
World Flag Database
a source for flags of countries and organizations.
CIA: The World Factbook
No kidding. More flags and world maps, presumably
very current
copyright.gov
For copyright information
Good Citizen Links
Feed an Animal
Click this link to feed an abandoned animal
Fact Check
if it sounds too bad to be true-it probably is
Snopes
an answer to those conspiracy theories in your email bin

Sidney Bechet meets Daddy Warbucks.
More on the big head saga here...