WHAT ABOUT BOB PALTROW?

I have worked in the graphic design field intensely and extensively since graduating cum laude from the University of Arizona in 1990 whereupon I received my Bachelor of Arts & Sciences degree with an emphasis in graphic design and illustration. I also have considerable academic and professional experience in painting, drawing, photography and sculpture. The culmination of my formal education preceded the widespread use of desktop publishing, so I’d like to think that my experience straddles the more nuts-and-bolts process of traditional design, coupled with a solid grasp of digital design technologies. The U of A's design program was rigorous in developing hands-on process, with an even greater emphasis on concept-driven design. A well-executed design should be preceded by a well-developed idea. That's the foundation of my design philosophy.

I have operated Bob Paltrow Graphic Design in Bellingham WA since 1996. During that time, I've been able to cultivate long term relationships with a variety of clients. This has been especially gratifying because not only does the work evolve, but the relationships grow as well. Using my creativity to serve my clients and community is a way to give back to the cumulative culture of Bellingham, while becoming a part of it in the process.

I spent the first 15 years of my life in Long Island, NY before moving to Tucson AZ in 1978. I studied classical and jazz piano and music composition formally from the time I was 10 through my first year of college before switching to design. Music production, composition and performance continue to be a big part of both my personal and professional lives, and many of my clients are musicians and/or artists themselves. It has been extremely rewarding for me to parlay my life's passions - art and music - into a career.

After graduating college, I worked a variety of design-related jobs in Tucson, including creating mechanicals for children's pop-up books; rendering pen and ink illustrations for math and science school books K-12; typesetting and ad layout for a small Tucson newspaper; in-house designer for a franchise coffeehouse; and a variety of freelance jobs.

In 1992, while I was working renowned independent music label Soundings of the Planet, I transferred from their Tucson office and relocated to Bellingham, WA where I now live year-round. I continue to work as their principal designer and illustrator for all of their albums and print advertising as an independent contractor.

In addition to my graphics art training, I have a great deal of experience working with groups of people, specifically to produce fund raisers and plan events for a variety of causes including domestic violence awareness, women's issues, race issues (I host a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day open mike every year), local environmental issues, and preserving animal habitats. I have also emceed events on stage, so I have experience thinking on my feet while multi-tasking. I believe that my abilities and skills as an artist, designer and illustrator are greatly enhanced through multi-cultural and community immersion: you have to look inside and outside for inspiration.