Colorful illustration for the Jonas Festival of Life in Brooklyn featuring a green bus flying in the sky, a whimsical clock tower, a windmill with October 19, 2023, banner, a fountain, an arch, a band playing instruments, a DJ with a turntable, a vendor stand with candy, and a man in a green uniform and hat sitting with a coffee.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

We were deeply honored to be asked to design the poster for his celebration of life. Collaborating with friends and colleagues who knew him best, we created a poster full of all the things he loved—from the icons and art of his favorite festivals, to a celebration of New Orleans with a lively second line and a nod to Tipitina’s, to his beloved RV, the musicians who inspired him, and more. This was a labor of love, and we poured our hearts into it.

More than anything, we will miss his unwavering dedication to bringing people together, his passion for pushing boundaries, and his infectious laugh. Thank you for your vision, your heart, and the magic you brought into this world. We will miss you dearly ❤️

Sketch of a group of children and an adult roller skating while musicians play nearby, with the adult in the center wearing sunglasses and a hat.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

We collaborated closely with Jon’s loved ones to shape the vision for this piece. From the beginning, we knew we wanted to capture the spirit of him driving his RV into the sky, surrounded by the elements he cherished most. The checkered floor from Tipitina’s, the legendary New Orleans music venue, became the anchor of the scene, supporting a joyful second line wearing shirts from some of his favorite artists and places. Around them, we wove icons from the festivals he helped shape and loved. Throughout the composition, we added small personal easter eggs to honor the details of Jon’s life and the impact he had on those around him.

The design began with a fully sketched composition to establish balance and flow before being illustrated and colorized. The final artwork was prepared for indigo press printing and adapted as an animated piece for the celebration.

A pencil sketch of a windmill with two large blades on each side and a sign that says 'OUTSIDE LANDS' in the center
A sketch of a police officer in uniform, wearing a hat and glasses, standing next to a sign that reads 'Brooklyn Bowl.'
A sketch of a vintage police vehicle with a police officer sitting in the driver's seat, wearing a hat, and smiling.
A sketch of a whimsical water tower with a spiral design on its front, decorative swirling accents on its sides, a pitched roof, and two horns on top.