I learned a lot from Steve Paskin. Steve was an art director at Lowe during the time that we (innocent) worked with them, and he worked on most of our campaigns. He's a gentle, generous man, a great art director and a good writer, even though he might not consider that last bit to be his thing.
Before I met Steve I would always start off trying to have ideas by writing things and perhaps doodling a bit. Words would always feature heavily, as that's what I consider myself to be best at – writing. So that's where I thought my best ideas would come from. But then I started watching Steve, observing how he had his ideas, and he did it differently, usually by leafing through seemingly random scrapbooks and books full of photos and art, until he'd find something that might start a train of thought.
Now, this may not be a revelation to those of you who are art directors. This may be the way things get done. But for me it was new. And since I watched Steve do it, I've tried it myself, to good effect (good for me anyway). I came up with ideas that I would never have got to with words and scamps and doodles alone.
I've never worked at an agency and so I was always grateful to the creatives who'd let me sit in their office and talk crap with them, and watch them at work. Steve was one of those kind people, and one of the loveliest, most honest people I have met so far in advertising. Great artist, excellent ad man. You should have a look at his new site and get him to come and work his magic on whatever you're doing next.
nice little homage Dan.
Posted by: charlie gower | March 11, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Did you met him before or after that sculpture you have of video heads nailed to a wooden board ?
Posted by: Tom | March 11, 2009 at 10:15 AM
After. Definitely after.
Posted by: dan | March 11, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Nice site.
Posted by: Ben | March 12, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Not this one, the other one. Steve's one.
Posted by: Ben | March 12, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Not that this site isn't nice. It's fine. But in that particular instance I meant the other site.
Posted by: Ben | March 12, 2009 at 01:16 PM
I know Steve and out of all the men I know he would be the man who i would run to after a harrowing acid trip for cuddles and cups of tea.
Posted by: Oliver Green | March 13, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Shhhhh everybody. He'll be here in a minute........SSSSHHHHH !!!
Who's got the cake ?
Posted by: Tom | March 16, 2009 at 09:21 AM
OK OK.
Ready ? Here he comes.......STOP PUSHING !
OW! Colman, was that your elbow ?
Posted by: Tom | March 16, 2009 at 11:51 AM
DA DA !!!
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
You still look like Eric Cantona,
But not when he was good,
I'm thinking more like when he played beach football,
And was a bit rubbish,
And fat,
Happy Bi-rthday dear Ger-mo,
Happy birthday to you !
Clap clap clap.
Posted by: Tom | March 16, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Go on Dan - make a wish.
Don't tell anyone.
Posted by: Tom | March 16, 2009 at 01:16 PM
What did you wish for ?
Don't tell me.
Posted by: Tom | March 16, 2009 at 01:49 PM
You're not online today are you Dan ?
Posted by: Tom | March 16, 2009 at 01:59 PM
Too right. Paskin's a hero.
Posted by: Will | March 16, 2009 at 03:01 PM
Well, you can only try.
Hope you're having a good day anyway, Dan.
Posted by: Tom | March 16, 2009 at 03:20 PM
He was as you say a very special and very talented guy. A huge personality, and a huge portfolio. A glittering career tragically cut short when he....what?.
..he's still alive?
Oh right, got the wrong end of the stick. He's great. And still very much is.
Posted by: Tracey Follows | March 17, 2009 at 03:39 PM
This is amazing. Did you get my card yet ?
Posted by: Tom | March 17, 2009 at 05:53 PM