Logos and websites and billboards, oh my…

Some time ago – oh, about the time Earth, Wind, and Fire was the hottest ticket at the Providence Civic Center, now known as “The Dunk” – I had aspirations of artistic grandeur. Having been initially rejected by RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) – who knew one needed a portfolio to get into “art school” – I succeeded on my second try in the fall of 1977.

In just a few years, I developed a knack for portraits in charcoal and fancied myself on my way to artistic fame. This century’s Michelangelo, perhaps. Or the next Frederick Law Olmsted with my BLA (Bachelor of Landscape Architecture) in hand.

Then reality came to town. As a college graduate with student debt, I needed a job – and fast!

I had dabbled in graphic design while at RISD and would soon reinvent myself as a paste-up artist in the advertising department at Alpert’s Furniture. I worked with some wonderful people as I developed the design and layout skills that would serve me well in subsequent positions as an art director and then creative director at agencies in Portland, Boston, and Providence.

Born into an entrepreneurial family, I was destined to go into business for myself. I founded Walsh & Associates in 1989 and, the following year, purchased the first of many Apple computers that would be my ticket to graphic design and business success. The rest, as they say, is history. 

Who knows, someday soon I may pull out the charcoal pencil and kneaded eraser again, this time to pursue joy instead of grandeur. With age comes wisdom.

Click to enlarge (portrait in charcoal circa 1979)

Click to enlarge (my first MAC circa 1990)