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A little while ago one of my drawings appeared (full page!) in Max Joseph, an arts magazine put out by the Bavarian State Opera. I am absolutely impressed that the an opera company is so well funded that it can put out a beautifully designed 100 page magazine. (And yes, they paid me to use the image.) You don’t see this in Canada, that’s for sure. Germany, you are amazing: you clearly VALUE the arts.
(the painting on the magazine cover is by Alex Sewell.)
Just before the Christmas holidays I finished a logo for Public Radio International, for a new podcast they are developing with Inkstick Media called Things That Go Boom.
I loved working with Inkstick on this, and I'm super happy with how it turned out!
Not sure if you knew this, but I used to be a graphic designer, and designed logos all the time, before I made the jump to full time artist. So this was kind of fun to revisit my past, dig into my ol' toolbox, while applying my drawing style to a podcast's identity.
With all the talk of potential nuclear war with North Korea, among other things, Things That Go Boom is super relevant to what's going on in the world today. Here's how they describe it:
It's a new podcast from Public Radio International (PRI) and Inkstick Media that explores national security and foreign policy in a way that doesn’t make you want to gouge out your eyes. You don’t have to be an expert to tune in. Just grab a cup of whatever you like and pull up a seat. Things That Go Boom digs into the big stories – and the stories you’ve never heard – through a combination of narrative storytelling; short, accessible explainers; and frank conversations with experts in the field.
It launches on Jan. 22, but you can check out their trailer today on Stitcher, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts and subscribe.
(P.S.: Yes, I'm open to doing commissions - just get in touch here).
I was super happy to make this drawing for this CD cover for Sammy Miller and The Congregation. They make the most amazing, energetic, joyful jazz, and this CD has become one of my favourites. Look up Sammy Miller and the Congregation on Spotify, listen on SoundCloud, or Youtube or go to their website... right now!
I made these drawings for the April issue of Reader's Digest, which is on newsstands now. They accompany a funny (and rather Canadian) article about giving the family cottage a new coat of paint.
Reader's Digest hires a ton of illustrators for each issue, (an increasingly rare occurrence in magazine publishing,) a fact worth celebrating and supporting 🎉 🙌 . Love working with them!
This is my second time with RD; I did a commission for them back in 2014.
Available now (cover illustration by the terrific Leeandra Cianci):
A couple of years ago I had the privilege to illustrate an album cover for singer-songwriter Drew Kennedy. I'm super happy with how it turned out, and it's pretty reflective of where my style is headed.
You can get the album on iTunes, and learn more about Drew and his music on his own site.
Also, I gotta say, it's really cool to see your own artwork on iTunes:
I did this drawing for National Geographic about cat music.
Did you know that cats couldn't care less about human music? Researchers played music composed with high pitched feline voices and purring tempos, and they loved it.
The drawing appears in the latest issue (January 2016), which looks like this:
I've always wanted to do a drawing for Vogue, and this week I got that chance:
The drawing is for an article on Vogue's website (not the printed magazine). It's about the luckiest day of the year, which was this past Wednesday, and a list of horoscopes by Susan Miller. I drew all the zodiac symbols in the article as well (I love drawing weird symbols):
I've got a small drawing in this month's (March 2015) National Geographic magazine. It's about fist bumps, and how you transfer 90% fewer germs to another person with a fist bump compared to a handshake.
I've said it before... but I learn the most interesting things when I do work for National Geographic.
I did a couple of illustrations for the December issue of Reader's Digest magazine (Canadian edition). The article is by Nick Offerman, author, woodworker, and yes, the Nick Offerman who plays Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation.
The article is from Offerman's book, Paddle Your Own Canoe
And who's that funny lookin' fella on the Contributors page? Goodness, it's me:
One more thing: Reader's Digest has loads of great illustration in their magazine. Tons! I was really impressed. Kudos to their team for a well-designed publication and investing in great images.
I did a collection of drawings for a series of Toyota Rav4 ads. Here's a half page ad in last Friday's Globe and Mail (on page 3):
These ads are running in a variety of newspapers across Canada. There will be billboards too.
These were so fun to draw! It was a collection of outdoor Canadiana, as well as elements of the car. Here's a couple of close-ups:
Snowshoes and long underwear, man. I feel so patriotic. (Even though I live in a part of Canada that rarely gets snow, and never requires snowshoes or long underwear.)
Art direction by Lena Lee, Saatchi & Saatchi Canada.
Paul Jarvis writes about entrepreneurship and carving your own path, among other things. I really enjoy his writing. So I was thrilled when he asked me to make a drawing for the cover of his latest book, Everything I Know (softcover
From the description on Amazon:
Everything I Know is a no-rules guide through uncharted territory. It’s a swift kick in the creative ass without fairies, unicorns or new-age clichés. Instead of offering one-size-fits-all advice, Paul provides an infinitely flexible template for adventure. There is a better, more satisfying path out there, if you're willing to take risks and explore new territory. This book provides practical ideas and questions to help you conquer fear, overcome inertia, embrace vulnerability, validate your plans and launch even the most outlandish projects on a basement budget. How and where you go next is entirely up to you.
If you're not familiar with Paul's writing, I suggest you dive into his treasure trove of articles, and subscribe to his weekly newsletter (it's the best 2 minute read you'll get all week).
Oh, and I also drew the jar that's on the 'cover' of his free ecourse, Write & Sell Your Damn Book.
Here's another small drawing I did for National Geographic, this time about 'supertasters', people who have a heightened sense of taste. I don't find myself drawing tongues very often, so this was fun. It's in the December 2013 issue.