> Poor Thing in a special, 3 bottle display case.

I worked with the Grateful Palate a while ago on a series of wine labels, and they are finally available for sale. The theme was Southern Gothic, and I brainstormed some concepts with owner Dan Philips and designer Beth Elliot. They gave me a lot of creative freedom, and the typography was expertly done by Jeff Keedy. There are little bits of foil printed in the intricate framing elements.

I researched the imagery and stories from the region and time period to get inspired: some immediate triggers were kudzu, sprawling oak trees, and antebellum images like the Southern Belle.


> Poor Thing Sketch, Graphite on Bond, 8.5 x 11", 2007.


> Didley Bow Sketch, Graphite on Bond, 8.5 x 11", 2007.


> Southern Belle Sketch, Graphite on Bond and Digital, 8.5 x 11", 2007.

After my research, I proposed these three triptychs for the labels, catering to each type of wine.


> Poor Thing, Charcoal and Digital Color, 12 x 19", 600 dpi, 2007.

"Poor Thing" depicts a forest populated by a trio of characters representing thwarted desires, draped with kudzu. A bloated cupid draws back his bow, perhaps in an effort to protect the angel from a hound that has become a hunter. Meanwhile, the oak trees are weeping while witnessing this sad romance, redolent of the heat and humidity of the South.


> Didley Bow, Blue Pencil and Digital Color, 12 x 19", 600 dpi, 2007.

The "gut bucket" blues became the inspiration for the "Didley Bow" series. I always liked the idea that music could be cobbled together from the simplest of materials, so the characters are all connected to something elemental, if not being elemental themselves. Being somewhat of an amateur musician, I used colors that were evocative of the music, acidic yellows and reds, in addition to bruised purples in the line work.


> Southern Belle, Blue Pencil and Digital Color, 12 x 19", 600 dpi, 2007.

"Southern Belle" was created to resemble fine china. One tradition of Southern Gothic literature is to subvert traditional stereotypes of the antebellum period. The element of hypocrisy plays a huge role in these characters. I also have an interest in exploring gender issues, though subtly, in much of my work. The first bottle is the "promiscuous belle" wielding her deadly charms on her suitors, the second bottle is the "mourning belle" with all the skeletons of the past emerging from under her dress, and the last bottle is the "homemaker", who tries to contain and control appearances on the estate as if it were a doll house.


> Poor Thing Grenache


> Didley Bow Riesling


> Southern Belle Shiraz

These wines are finally available at $39.95 per bottle, and you can purchase them by contacting the Grateful Palate's retail manager, Tim Coles, at 707.673-9339, or by email, tcoles@gratefulpalate.com