Queensboro Logo Specialist Eli designed the 2008 Chili Cook-Off logos. The exclusive Chili Cook-Off Champion logo is a fighting chili bean. The winning chili chef, Jen, received one of Queensboro’s all-purpose aprons embroidered with the official Chili Champion logo. As a special gift to Queensboro employees, Queensboro President Fred Meyers had shirts digitally printed with a special Chili Cook-Off logo. Logo specialist Eli created the design for the staff shirt. It perfectly embodies Eli’s graphic sensibilities. It is witty, retro, stylish, and a big hit with the Queensboro staff, who have been proudly sporting it all week. Meet the illustrator behind the image: Eli.

Humor is the Best Communication

Eli is a graphic designer and artist. I asked him to tell me about his beginning of his artistic endeavors. He said his earliest memories are of drawing with his mother. “She would draw a shape, and I would have to finish it, and turn it into something.” They drew together to pass the time while waiting places. Eli’s family moved around a lot, as one of his parents was in the Navy. Starting over at a new school every few years only deepened his interest in art. It was a talent he could take with him from place to place—a constant in his life of continual change.

After high school, Eli’s approach to art quickly expanded beyond the often dark, teenage art genre. “There is nothing new I can do with blood and skulls. I am much more interested in using humor and fun in my art.” I told Eli that looking at his Chili Cook-Off design, and some of his other art that it appears he is inspired by vintage shapes, patterns, colors, and retro designs. He said that he had been inspired, in his early twenties by the Buttericks sewing patterns from the 40s, 50s and 60s.

The Toy Story

Eli shares his Wilmington home with his wife and their 3 ½ year old son. Right now, there is a lot of Toy Story movie watching going on. It is their son’s new favorite movie, and, for all of you with toddlers, I’m sure you know what happens when your child has a new favorite movie: put it in the DVD player, and hit “repeat.” Before long, every scene, character, and zingy line is permanently tattooed on your brain. Eli’s inspiration for the Queensboro Chili Cook-Off logo came from Tom Hanks’ character Woody. What better inspiration for a chili logo than a wise-cracking, truth speaking cowboy? I think Woody would approve of Eli’s admonition to all chili chefs: “Best keep yer recipe in yer boot!”

A Way with Words

His sense of humor extends beyond graphic art to include witty taglines, captions and stories. Eli was the mastermind behind the Queensboro Blog’s hilarious comic “Logo Love.” He created the story and wrote the dialogue, teaming with coworker Kit on the illustrations. Previous experience working for a publishing house allowed him to combine his linguistic prowess with his artistic talent, creating printing layouts, matching pictures and graphics with text, and adding captions and taglines to complete his projects.

Custom Art for your Event

The most fun way to customize your event is with a specially designed piece of art. Your attendees will remember your event and look forward to next year’s winning design. Queensboro’s Logo Specialists are primed and ready to help you create an event-worthy logo to display on custom printed t-shirts for your event participants. Drop us a line for more information!