CD Song Cover Art

Posted on by

Once a song is written, the cover art is developed. This is not easy for me as I am not very adept at graphic art.

I am lucky in that I do have a couple of friends who are, and thankfully they are usually willing to help out.

I send the basic idea in a rough sketch. In turn, they will send back their interpretation. This process usually goes on for several days, even weeks.

Here’s an example for the cover art of a yet to be released song – Grandpa’s Chevy Sleigh. A Christmas song about a man who builds a half 1957 Chevy and half rusty sleigh flying machine.

After some discussion, next came this image.

In the next iteration, the details begin to emerge. It’s beginning to look like a CD cover.

Here is the final CD cover artwork. It turned out fantastic!

Cover Artwork: D. Renfrow

Here are a few other covers that have been released.

The creative process is always fun thanks to my good friends!

Mid Century Modern Bird Seed Feeder

Posted on by

I’ve always enjoyed Mid Century modern designs – especially Joseph Eichler period homes.

A friend had shown me a cool mid century modern bird feeder that they saw in a magazine – I decided I’d have a go at it, of course making my own changes.

I designed my seed feeder to sit on top of a wire “squirrel maze” bird feeder I made a few years ago, which is not very attractive. Here is the completed seed feeder.

Materials:

  • Plywood
  • Asphalt shingles
  • Radiator cover grill
  • Orange paint
  • Round wooden dowel
  • Nails

Measurements:

  • Base – 18″ x 11.5″ (all measurements in inches (“)
  • Roof – 23″ x 12.5″
  • Left Side – 7.5″ x 9″
  • Right Side – 6.5″ x 9″
  • Door – 7,25″ x 5.5″

I tried to use mostly leftover scrap for this project. I began with the plywood frame of 4 pieces. You’ll need to decide the angle of the roof. I chose about 18 degrees (I only have a Skill saw) and cut the left and right side wall top edges accordingly. Then I glued and nailed the pieces together.

I made the door out of a piece of leftover pine and cut the top edge at about18 degrees. Then drilled a 1″ hole and added the dowel and paint.

This is the back view of the radiator grill cover cut and installed. I bent the edges of the grill cover material and stapled in place.

Here is the front view, I added some white trim pieces along each edge of the roof for looks.

Finally, I cut and glued on the roof asphalt shakes and also put them on the bottom of the feeder for waterproofing.

I added seed and waited for the birds to arrive. Believe me, it did not take very long!