The Valley Boys Playing Cards
© 2003-2006 Nick Kremenek
15" x 36 " - Graphite and Pen & Ink on Paper, redrawn with Computer Graphics

A group of us "bros" who live in Los Angeles are a tight-knit bunch, getting together frequently for movie, games and general mayhem. One of them, Morris, is what I like to call a professional gambler. So I created a playing card with his likeness on it. Another of the crew, Scott, liked it so much that he wanted cards of all of us. This collage is my final presentation of all the cards together; below you can see all the card separately for a closer look, in the order that they were chronologically created.

The Lowballer (Morris) Card
© 2003 Nick Kremenek
7" x 9 " - Graphite and Pen & Ink on Paper, redrawn with Computer Graphics

Morris's card had a traditional casino look to it. He though of himself as the Lowballer and even talked about opening The Lowballer Casino in the trunk of his car. I still would love to see him pull that off.

Joe Jackson Playing Card
© 2003 Nick Kremenek
7" x 9 " - Graphite and Pen & Ink on Paper, redrawn with Computer Graphics

Joe's card was created with the obvious Japanese theme to it. Joe teaches martial arts and has a great love for the orient.

Scott Lawrence Playing Card
© 2004 Nick Kremenek
7" x 9 " - Graphite and Pen & Ink on Paper, redrawn with Computer Graphics

Pirate Scott has his card model after just that. I also went back to add a patch over one eye and a parrot when I created the collage above.

Nick Kremenek Playing Card
© 2005 Nick Kremenek
7" x 9 " - Graphite and Pen & Ink on Paper, redrawn with Computer Graphics

I have delusions of grandeur that I was a musketeer in another life (even my friend Jesse calls me The Swashbuckling Bastard). So here is my card in all its roguish glory.

Aaron Simpson Playing Card
© 2005 Nick Kremenek
7" x 9 " - Graphite and Pen & Ink on Paper, redrawn with Computer Graphics

We have a theory that poor Aaron has what's called the Chaos Orb in his possession (or at least following him). This orb apparently will constantly impose bad luck and chaotic situations to its bearer (or victim, depending on how you look at it). So I designed Aaron's card with the Chaos Orb as well as a matrix-grid-thingie in the background to signify his mad computer skillz.