Hiking the amazing Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah

My wife and I vacationed this summer in Utah “Exploring the Mighty 5 National Parks” Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion. Staying at the Gonzo Inn one of the coolest and quirkiest hotels ever — it’s located in Moab, Utah.

We started our trip in Arches National Park, a geological wonderland of natural sandstone arches, massive balanced rocks and soaring pinnacles.

Later we dined at the Red Cliffs Ranch nestled on the banks of the Colorado River, surrounded by magnificent 2,000-foot cliffs — it is truly a hidden treasure of the west. The Ranch is home to the Moab Film and Western Heritage Museum, which showcased the rich Hollywood history of the Moab region.

“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” starring Harrison Ford, Park Ridge, Illinois native, was filmed in the Moab area. He is featured in the Art Deco poster “Epic in Stone” that is part my “Legends of the Pickwick Theatre” series.

One of the most exhilarating parts of our trip was “Highway 12 Scenic Byway” in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Especially the epic switchbacks of “the Hogsback” a section where Route-12 climbs the side of a sandstone cliff before it plateaus atop a razor-sharp ridge with cliffs dropping steeply into narrow canyons on either side — its terrifying!

Our trip ended with hiking and wading through the Virgin River — called the Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah. The speculator Narrows was one of our most inspiring hikes of our lives.

Route 66: Car-Kabob prints available

The Pop Art “Spindle” sculpture at Cermak Plaza in Berwyn became legendary after it was featured in the 1992 Mike Myers comedy “Wayne’s World.”

In creating the Car-Kabob poster all I need was the moon, the stars and all eight cars stacked on a stick. “I have never had so much fun” said Rex, “this only happens on the fabulous Route 66.”

465 North Park a towering crescendo in Chicago’s Streeterville by architects Pappageorge Haymes Partners

I created a curving colorful visual for the majestic 465 North Park — while maintaining the building’s organic integrity. The tower portion of the building unfolds like a giant, glassy three-petaled iris.

Pappageorge Haymes Partners spectacular 465 North Park tower with its elegant silhouette and glowing crown will be an iconic architectural addition to the awe-inspiring Chicago skyline.

The City of Park Ridge Proclamation in recognition of “115th Anniversary of Goudy’s Village Press”

On April 16th, 2018, Mayor Marty Maloney read a Proclamation recognizing the 115th Anniversary of Goudy’s Village Press which was established by Frederic W. Goudy in Park Ridge in 1903. “Today, we celebrate the handsome, hand-forged elegance of Arts & Crafts type fonts designed by Goudy and remember Goudy as a legend and an American superstar designer of the shapely letters that dress our words,” Maloney said.

He recognized Goudy and the Village Press “for creating more than 100 magnificent typefaces with his designs that bridged the gap between the print and digital ages with an elegance and energy that are eloquent and timeless.”

Former Alderman Rex Parker accepted the Proclamation and presented two framed prints to Mayor Maloney. “Goudy’s Village Press would have may locations over the years,” said Parker, “but it was here in Park Ridge when it all started, in a little barn on South Prospect, a block from the current City Hall. Park Ridge always held a special place in Frederic and Bertha Goudy’s heart.”

A poster series of the historic Louis Sullivan “Jewel Box” Bank in downtown Newark, Ohio

I have teamed up Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc for a poster series supporting the restoration of the historic Louis Sullivan “Jewel Box” Bank in downtown Newark, Ohio. WJE is part of the team working on the restoration of this Sullivan masterpiece.

“What a great series of three graphics,” said Rex. “The visuals includes a guardian lion, gorgeous geometric mosaics and ornamental terra cotta facade from the structure.”

The Louis Sullivan Building of Newark has graced the Courthouse Square for over a century. It was built in 1914, and opened as The Home Building Association Company, commonly known as “The Old Home.” In 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Since early 2014, the Licking County Foundation and a team of community volunteers have been working to develop a plan for the Louis Sullivan Building of Newark’s restoration and reuse. The vision has always been to create a valuable space that is financially self-sustaining and open for the public to enjoy, celebrate and study. To donate and support the Licking County Foundation please contact them at www.thelcfoundation.org.