So, I missed my annual Christmas update…by a lot. The Christmas season, as per standard protocol, was absolutely insane. With four families to visit, multiple projects on the go and a wee show coming up in March (Patience, young padawan, more news will be posted in Feb.) I was simply swamped. Thankfully I did get to take a little time aside to put together a small greeting for the wonderful people in my life, past and present.
So far it’s been a pretty ridiculous New Year, the projects are piling on and for the first time I’m booking a few months in advance. Looks like this year is going to be even better than last.
Look forward to a few updates soon, with some new work and more info about the mini show in March. Patience.
Time for a wee break from the commercial work and in with some personal painting…
If you live in Toronto (or happen to be in town), stop by IndexG gallery this Saturday, November 19th between 3 and 6 pm for the opening reception of Art Brownies (click for more info). The show features a lot of talented locals and wouldn’t you know it, I’ve got work in it too!
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the work going into the show.
So come by, get some early Christmas shopping done and check out some fantastic art. Show runs until December 18th.
Remember last week when I talked about my super busy schedule? That doesn’t mean I’m not taking on clients, quite the opposite in fact! Bring on the fun!
Last week, in between assignments and paintings, I had a chance to work with Phillip Mondor and the lovely folks at Somerset Graphics to promote their latest printer. Four illustrators, including myself, were asked to create patterns for the inner flaps of note books to the theme of Genius (The name of Somerset’s new baby). From start to finish these took approximately 48 hours, it was crazy amounts of fun and I’m so happy with the results I’m going to give you the whole process, blow by blow.
Thumbnail (Chosen from a set of 5)
Colour Comp/Linear
Final Pattern
Final Glasses for Cover
As soon as I have them in my hot little hands I’ll post images of the finished product, but until then if you’re attending the Design Thinkers conference this year (Chipkidd!!!), pop by Somerset’s booth and grab the finished notebook for yourself 
Also stay tuned for a show announcement later this week, if your looking to do some unique and down right cool Christmas shopping I’ve got an event for you!
I let you all in on a little known secret, I went back to school five weeks ago. No, no I will not be abandoning illustration, in fact I’m working to expand that skill set, by taking some courses in Communication Design at OCADU. While this is seriously exciting stuff and I’m having a blast it has taken a huge chunk of my time, leading me to neglect you sweet folks. While, I can’t promise this won’t be the dominant pattern over the next year, I can promise that I will update you all as much as I can.
That being said, here’s some work I did for Indulge Ice Cream in Kitchener Waterloo area. Indulge is keeping hands and tummies happy all winter long with Waffle Stacks and needed some super spokes animals and some fancy type to help him spread the word…
I know I’ve been teasing everyone remorselessly recently with mysterious photo’s of my computer screen. And while I wish I could share those cute little guys, I can’t quite yet. So, in lieu of showing you my last job I give you another round of my favorite day dreamy penguin…. Say what you will about monkeys, I think we should keep a closer eye on these fellas…
The Doodle-A-Day has been flying along at top notch and it’s been an absolute blast! So, I thought I would share the progress here along with today’s doodle…Well, maybe not so much a doodle as a full on render, it’s a digital piece generated from one of the many sketches to come out of this little project.
To follow the project blow by blow check out my Twitter, Facebook or Google+ feeds!
Good Morning, Kids!
Ahhhhh…The move is complete. Everything is unpacked and I’m giddy, well, no, I’m too tired to be giddy, but give me a few days of sleep and I’ll be bouncing off walls faster than you can say “Pong Tournament”. Needless to say, things are good.
Even with the post-move exhaustion, and night classes (Upgrade!) I’ve still found time to get a few things done. I too have fallen prey to the random joy of sketch-a-day posts. So if you have liked me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter or have added me to a circle on Google+ (Holy social media, Batman!) then keep your eye out for some daily doodles.
Another thing to be checked off the list is the beauty below! Finishing touches were added last night. It’s a bit more opaque than my previous paintings and, so far, I’m liking the change…
As I write this wee post I’m sitting here staring at walls and walls of boxes. To be honest there is a small threat of tears. I’m moving, yet again (to be fair it has been a year this time, not three months) onto greener, less roommatey, more special man friendly pastures and while it’s going to be an awesome adventure there’s always a certain melancholy that comes with packing up my studio, especially one I’ve loved so much. This place has treated me well and made some fine memories, but it’s time to make some new memories and a new home.
So, please bear with me a little longer. I move Sunday and posts full of new artwork for sale, sketchtastic goodness and much more will follow soon after!
Now on to bigger and better things…things with a patio!
Means very little time to write. It’s looking like a super busy summer here in the studio. Being this busy always leaves me with dueling emotions. On one hand, YAY! Lots of work (We’ve talked about this, I go batty if I have idle hands) on the other hand, I think “Oh lord how will I get it all done?!”. It always works out in the end though.
Nerves aside, that new painting I showed you the colour roughs for is coming along nicely. Here’s a peek at it 2 hours in.
