The High Desert region of Arizona is a long way from some of Boston’s finer ghettos, where Tony De Luz grew up. He’s long been fascinated with road culture, which forms his favorite painting subjects. He carries this love of Americana – the nation’s people and pastimes – over to his illustrative work.  He favors a warm palette, influenced by the Southwest, and employs a soft but graphic style via gouache, acrylics, and digital techniques. He creates much of his work painting and drawing digitally with Photoshop, which he loves because of the additive and subtractive properties of the medium, the “undos,” and the ease in sending art to clients.  Of course he can still be persuaded to crank up the old airbrush, rapidograph or pencil. Or a combination of traditional and digital. He’s employed these methods in creation of scenics, figures, architectural art and map projects.

Tony’s diverse artistic background encompasses over 30 years’ experience. In the commercial art world, he’s done just about everything. He is recognized as an accomplished watercolor artist, commercial illustrator, graphic designer, business owner and teacher. He has worked in advertising on very successful campaigns for clients such as John Hancock and Hyatt Hotels. In the realm of illustration, Tony has created artwork for the legendary Absolut Vodka campaign and a First-Class postage stamp for the United States Postal Service, among many other highly visible pieces. Advertising agency staff experience and a strong background in print production and publishing contribute to the artist’s ability to collaborate with art directors using time-tested skills in conceptualization, drawing, storyboarding and lettering. He exercises his extensive design, layout and motion graphic experience thanks to  his “day job”  as Design/Production Supervisor at Cliff Castle Casino in Camp Verde, AZ.

My partial resume:

Design/Production Supervisor 7/2015 – present • Cliff Castle Casino/Hotel, Camp Verde, AZ

Create graphics for promotions, collateral including signage, and advertising. Also do production on same. Create animations and motion graphics, sometimes using 3D, for electronic signage using Flash, Illustrator and Photoshop. Helped transition the Casino from static signs and posters to video screens. Have helped increase the Casino’s video presence and helped get video advertising on the slot machines. Help manage video content using programs such as Yodeck and Sedna Presenter. Programmed back of house video using Kitcast. Work with various departments such as Information Technology to create videographic solutions. Oversee and approve social media, print, email and television advertising work from our advertising agencies.

Advertising/Production Supervisor 7/2014 – 7/2015 • Cliff Castle Casino/Hotel, Camp Verde, AZ

Manage $1,000,000 + budget for graphics and advertising needs for casino. Supervise two graphic designers. Work with Marketing Director to determine marketing options. Purchase and make decisions regarding media. Main contact with media and press.  Appear on television, radio and in print to promote casino. Write press releases.  Write copy for ads, e-blasts, signage, newsletters, website and social media. Meet with sales vendors from radio, television, and print media. Determine traffic for print, radio and television advertising.

Graphic Designer 4/2013 – 7/2014 • Cliff Castle Casino/Hotel, Camp Verde, AZ

Create graphics for promotions, collateral including signage, and advertising. Also do production on same. Create animations for electronic signage using Flash, Illustrator and Photoshop. Helped transition the Casino from static signs and posters to video screens. Have helped increase the Casino’s video presence and helped get video advertising on the slot machines. Help manage video content using programs such as Sedna Presenter. Work with various departments such as Information Technology to create videographic solutions.

Illustrator-Designer 9/2009 – 4/2013 • Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ

Execute illustrations, graphics, maps etc. for professors’ published materials and presentation materials. Create art to be used in 360-degree views, Flash animations, poster layouts and technical/scientific artwork. Meet with professors and other clients to determine cost, timeframe and scope of project. Project management and scheduling of tasks. Worked with outside vendors to negotiate pricing and deadlines for printed materials.

Graphic Designer/Print Estimator 8/2008 – 7/2009 • Allegra Print & Imaging, Cottonwood, AZ

Logo and Ad Design/Creative direction, Preparation/troubleshooting of print-ready files both digital and prepress, Account management/Project management, Interaction with clients, Customer Service, knowledge in virtually all areas of printing & bindery. Develop printing projects, occasionally solve computer/network problems. Estimate/Quote printing jobs using Printers’ Plan. Represent business in community-related issues and events, including professional groups. Copywriting when needed.

Illustrator/Graphics 4/2006 – 2/2008 • Greey Pickett, Scottsdale, AZ

Create traditional and digital illustrations in perspective, elevation and plan views for leading Planning/Landscape Architecture company. Light project management, some client interaction. Work in a variety of media, including marker, colored pencil, watercolor, digital (mainly Adobe Photoshop). Interpret and work with AutoCAD files in creation of art. Collect and maintain art and reference library for creating renderings.

President/Manager/Owner 7/2002 – 1/2006 • De Luz Printing & Design, Sedona, AZ

Manage/preside over successful 4- person printing business bearing my name. Capable of running all aspects of business. Graphic Design/Creative direction, Preparation/troubleshooting of print-ready files, Account management/Project management, Interaction with clients, Customer Service, knowledge in virtually all areas of printing & bindery. Develop printing projects, occasionally solve computer/network problems. Estimate/Quote printing jobs. Write paychecks, hire and fire employees. Worked with budgets Represent business in community-related issues and events, including professional groups. Appear on radio program to promote business. Copywriting when need arises, for promotion of business in print and radio.

Education

Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, New Mexico • Bachelor of Fine Arts with emphasis in Commercial Art / Graphic Design.

Skills

Advertising Agency experience • Project management/coordination • Budget Management • Creative Direction • Art Direction • Most areas of production and design • Advertisement design • Photo shoot experience •  Video Shoot Experience • Collateral design • Print / Web design Maps / Wayfinding graphics • Expert level Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Animate, After Effects and Premiere  •  Mac and PC programs  •  Animation • Some Video Editing Skills • Video, web and print asset management • Copywriting experience • Social Media writing experience • E-blast writing/design • Management/Employee relations  • Printing price management  • Video graphics and signage experience • Good public speaker • Expert in many styles of traditional illustration

Design Clients – Freelance

Include Hilton Sedona Resort, Amara Resort and Spa and L’Auberge Resort, Sedona, AZ.

Certifications

Class 3 Gaming License, State of Arizona.