Crowd Control

I've got a new illustration in this week's LA Weekly (page 70) for an article about the crowded and chaotic Coachella 2010. Here were some of my ideas:



1. A tsunami of people, a la Hokusai, about to pummel a band member (or, alternatively, a crowd-surfer).
2. A can of "Coachella"-brand sardines, with people packed tight and scrambling to get out.
3. A crowd so packed that the fences surrounding it can barely contain it.
4. A busy image with ticket scalpers, tail-gaters, and a sea of people.
5. An audience so big and crowded that they could practically touch the performer.
6. A scene at a neighboring copy store, where scalpers are photo-copying tickets while a line of people eagerly await to buy them.

Number 3 was chosen for the final. On a side note, I noticed that when I have to draw several people for a single piece, a lot of them end up looking like or are inspired by my friends. Do you see any kinda-familiar faces?



"Packed Fresh in Indio"
Ink, acrylic, and gouache on paper
12.5" x 7.5"
[ADs: Darrick Rainey and Jason Jones]

They ended up printing it in black and white, so unfortunately it doesn't feature all the crazy colors that the concert-goers are wearing, but I guess if you're reading this then that really isn't a problem!
The issue is out now, check it out!