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What Eastern Market Taught Me About Color and Light
detroit

What Eastern Market Taught Me About Color and Light

A Detroit illustrator on how the painted produce sheds and murals of Eastern Market rewired the way I mix and trust color.

James Whitfield25/06/2026
I sketch at Belle Isle every Sunday for a year
sketching

I sketch at Belle Isle every Sunday for a year

One artist sketched at Belle Isle every single Sunday for a whole year. You'll discover how drawing the same place repeatedly teaches you to see details you missed before. Learn the practical tips ...

James Whitfield30/05/2026
What the Fisher Building taught me about Art Deco linework
art deco design

What the Fisher Building taught me about Art Deco linework

Walking through the Fisher Building's halls, I discovered how geometric patterns and clean lines define Art Deco design. The building's details taught me that great linework balances beauty with pu...

James Whitfield30/05/2026
Why I Keep Coming Back to Spirit of Detroit
illustration

Why I Keep Coming Back to Spirit of Detroit

The Spirit of Detroit statue hits different when my ideas run dry. I'll share why staring at that massive fist in the sky actually helps me finish my work instead of getting stuck.

James Whitfield29/05/2026
What the Cass Corridor scene got right about client work
detroit art scene

What the Cass Corridor scene got right about client work

Detroit's Cass Corridor art scene thrived on community and bold experimentation. Learn how those core principles still drive successful creative work with clients today.

James Whitfield29/05/2026
How Motown record sleeves still shape my composition choices
motown

How Motown record sleeves still shape my composition choices

Motown record sleeves are a masterclass in composition. From Berry Gordy's color choices to bold framing shifts, the visual lessons from Detroit's golden era still hold up.

James Whitfield28/05/2026
I Made a Hamtramck Zine Nobody Asked For
zine making

I Made a Hamtramck Zine Nobody Asked For

I created a zine about Hamtramck with my own illustrations, even though nobody requested it. Learn how I discovered the power of making art for yourself and what mistakes taught me the most.

James Whitfield28/05/2026
The Forgotten Typography of Detroit's Coney Island Menus
detroit typography

The Forgotten Typography of Detroit's Coney Island Menus

Discover how Detroit's forgotten menu designs and restaurant signs tell amazing stories about the city's past. You'll explore the bold lettering and creative logos that made Coney Island restaurant...

James Whitfield28/05/2026
Drawing the Packard Plant Before It Disappears
detroit history

Drawing the Packard Plant Before It Disappears

Artists are racing to sketch the Packard Plant before it disappears forever. Learn why this historic Detroit factory matters and how artists preserve its memory through drawings.

James Whitfield27/05/2026
Finding My Color Palette in a Detroit Winter
color palette

Finding My Color Palette in a Detroit Winter

Gray skies and frozen streets taught me something unexpected about color. I discovered how winter's muted palette—silver, charcoal, and deep blues—actually makes bold choices pop. You'll learn to b...

James Whitfield27/05/2026
How Eastern Market Murals Changed My View of Scale
street art

How Eastern Market Murals Changed My View of Scale

Walking past massive murals in Eastern Market made me rethink how size shapes impact. I realized that bigger art doesn't always tell better stories—sometimes the smallest details matter most.

James Whitfield27/05/2026