Bittersweet Update - Clown Shoes Beer

Discussion in 'New England' started by Axtimusprime, Jan 10, 2023.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Axtimusprime

    Axtimusprime Devotee (301) May 30, 2013 Massachusetts

    After 10 years I am leaving my illustration/design position at Clown Shoes Beer/Mass Bay Brewing. Had a good run there with hundreds of labels. Seriously... its kind of nuts when I look at my collection. I don't have a new work home yet but I'm hoping it will be in craft beer. Actively looking and any leads would be appreciated.

    I have a portfolio here at www.michaelaxt.com
    [​IMG]

    -Also if this post goes against the rules of the subreddit I am sorry.

    -Spider-man fans should get the image reference
     
    #1 Axtimusprime, Jan 10, 2023
    Roguer, SUjunkie, dhlipke and 41 others like this.
  2. steveh

    steveh Grand Pooh-Bah (4,174) Oct 8, 2003 Illinois
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Helluva gig to have full-time employment as a designer/illustrator at a brewery!

    Good luck on your next venture -- been retired from the field for a few years now and don't miss the deadlines and input from non-creatives. :slight_smile:
     
    #2 steveh, Jan 10, 2023
    BigDummyLamont, schteve, AlcahueteJ and 11 others like this.
  3. BMBCLT

    BMBCLT Grand Pooh-Bah (3,427) May 9, 2014 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Your art is awesome. If I were you, I'd reach out to as many breweries as possible.

    Good luck! :sunglasses:
     
    #3 BMBCLT, Jan 10, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2023
    Bitterbill, PapaGoose03, readyski and 6 others like this.
  4. sulldaddy

    sulldaddy Grand Pooh-Bah (5,716) Apr 6, 2003 Connecticut
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Great share, good luck.

    Definitely believe you can find work in craft beer with your talent. At the very least doing contract jobs.
    Can art sells beer in my opinion and is important for brand development and regonition.

    Best of luck!
     
    #4 sulldaddy, Jan 11, 2023
    BMBCLT, Jaycase, Axtimusprime and 3 others like this.
  5. barrybeerdog

    barrybeerdog Pundit (941) Aug 17, 2012 South Dakota

    Thank you for all your great & entertaining work over the years.
    Best of luck to you!
     
    #5 barrybeerdog, Jan 11, 2023
    BMBCLT, sulldaddy, Jaycase and 1 other person like this.
  6. Jaycase

    Jaycase Grand Pooh-Bah (3,858) Jan 13, 2007 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Very nice portfolio, OP. Love the illustration above as well. It's probably a bit like picking a favorite child, but any favorite label(s) of yours? Good luck!
     
    #6 Jaycase, Jan 11, 2023
    AlcahueteJ and Axtimusprime like this.
  7. Axtimusprime

    Axtimusprime Devotee (301) May 30, 2013 Massachusetts

    If I'm being honest it's almost always the most recent one. Even in my 40's I am still growing as an artist so every new label is a culmination of everything I've learned previously. Sorry if that is too nebulous an answer.
     
    #7 Axtimusprime, Jan 12, 2023
    Trumpetguy, AlcahueteJ and Jaycase like this.
  8. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Sometimes the look of a particular artist's work becomes connected to the brand identity of a brewery. Clown Shoes had a certain brand aesthetic. Do you feel that this could lessen your opportunities with other brands? Please don't take that as a discouraging question, I'm just genuinely interested in your take on it.
     
    #8 zid, Jan 12, 2023
  9. Axtimusprime

    Axtimusprime Devotee (301) May 30, 2013 Massachusetts

    That is a perfectly valid concern. I am also very versatile with my art styles. I've changed it up many times for CS as well. I also am not so full of myself to think the art was the only factor. Especially as we refined the logo over the years to be more prominent. Not to mention CS never had complete national distribution.
     
    #9 Axtimusprime, Jan 12, 2023
    AlcahueteJ and zid like this.
  10. Newport_beerguy

    Newport_beerguy Pooh-Bah (1,860) Feb 24, 2011 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    You're selling yourself short on "national distribution", reading the main board and visiting different regions of the country Clown Shoes was present in many far flung stores. The bomber format and shelf stability of the high ABV beers helped in this regard. I think a lot of folks in craft beer around the country would know your work.
     
    #10 Newport_beerguy, Jan 14, 2023
    Axtimusprime, AlcahueteJ, DIM and 1 other person like this.
  11. AccipiterofBeer

    AccipiterofBeer Pooh-Bah (1,773) Nov 28, 2016 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    The Clown Shoes cans always stood out to me on the shelves at the stores. You have great talent and will do great things for other businesses.
     
    #11 AccipiterofBeer, Jan 14, 2023
    Axtimusprime, AlcahueteJ and DIM like this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.