Adam Haynes at Nemo Design

Adam Haynes speaks….

A few months ago, I heard that Nike 6.0 was going to be no more. For those of you unfamiliar with the brand, it was started in 2006 as a new youth action sports division for Nike. At the time, I was just starting out on my first few gigs as a freelance illustrator, and linked up with Nemo design in Portland to do a few 6.0 projects. One thing led to another, and I ended up drawing ads, website content, stills for animation, designing vehicles, and creating the largest body of work I’ve ever amassed on one subject. Eventually, the illustration ran it’s course and was replaced by photographic content, and I moved on to other projects. After five years, I still feel like it’s some of my best work to date. The sheer volume of work in addition to the ridiculous deadlines helped me to attain a level of competence, focus and detail that I still marvel at. My drawing style was shaped and molded during this time, and the growth and progression is easy to spot in the work. And yet, it was very much a team project. There was so much to do that Nemo hired color artists to finish the illustrations after I finished the black and white drawings. It left me with piles of illustration board, folders full of paper, and so many unfinished drawings that I hardly knew where to put them.

So, when I heard that 6.0 was ending it’s run, I approached Nemo about showing this work in its black and white, uncolored state for the first time. They agreed, and the task of picking the best of it is nearly done. I’ve enjoyed working on these drawings immensely, and would very much like to share them with the folks that found resonance with them, with the brand, and action sports in general. Please come and join us next Friday the 17th for music, drinks, and an art show.

Adam Haynes
@ Nemo Design
1875 SE Belmont Street
Portland, Oregon
OPENS Friday, August 17, 2012 | 6-10pm