Monday, December 7, 2009

Double Vision 2009 contest




Every year CAPIC, my professional association, has a show in which they
match up a photographer and an illustrator to do portraits of each other.
Pairings that work with a common theme always seem to do well.

The opening gala for the show is being held at 80 Spadina Ave. at the
Toronto Image Works gallery next Friday the 11th Amazing artwork and stimulating
conversation. Each person who walks through the door is given one bean (=
one vote) to drop into the jar beneath their favourite
portrait pairing. At the end of the evening, the beans are counted up and
the winners are declared! Anyone can attend- the more the merrier.

My photographer match this year is Matthew Plexman
(http://www.plexman.com
). Matthew and I talked about image styles that we are fond of, what
kinds of activities we are drawn to, and about our respective
heritages, among many other things. Matthew has some Polish, some
English, some French and a dash of Indian in me. I have Scottish
heritage as well as a bit of English and Irish. One thing led to
another, and somehow we decided on a Canadian Voyageur theme. In our
scenario, the Voyageur is delivering the Scottish wife of the Hudson's Bay
Co. fur trading post chief "factor" after her voyage from Scotland via
Montreal. The styles are somewhat influenced by old folk art and
Canadiana.

We went to Thunderthighs (an amazing costume house nearby, which is housed
in the old Dunlop Rubber Co. stable and carriage shop) and had a blast
trying on all kinds of appropriate (and sometimes
inappropriate) garb. We had Sandra Yang
(http://www.judyinc.com/sandrayang/book1.html
) ,Matthew's favorite hair and make-up person help me out. Matthew
brought in his canoe and paddles, and wore the old britches and shirt.
His wifemSylvia's deerskin boots were on the floor beside him for
reference to shoot. I brought my dog,Olive and a shawl from Scotland that
I am wearing.


We would love it if you came down and voted for us! For those who can't
attend, we'll post the results when they are in.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Tim Hortons's Holiday Cup



2010 Holiday cup for Tim Hortons.
Painted traditionally in acrylic.
Local models used including artist and her son.

New England Creamery




Illustrated scenes for 10 flavours for
Hood's New England Creamery . Painted traditionally
in Acrylic for an American client.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Royal Canadian Mint

I have completed 3 designs for the 2010 Canadian Olympic Commemorative coin series that are struck as $75 gold and $25 silver hologram coins. Athlete's pride, Home of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, and Oylmpic Spirit which can be found and purchased at www.mint.ca.

Penguin Series



Stylized imagery for a series for Penguin Canda and Penguin UK
based on stories set in Tahiti.

Going to the Park With Grandpa


This is a primary reader illustrated for
scholastic canada. Location based on High
Park, Toronto, Ontario.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Falcon


An image created for a story of Medieval Spain in the time
of the Spainish Inquisition. This is one of my favourite
illustrations with regards to subject matter, stylization and
technique.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Before Green Gables







Book cover and interior
illustrations for
Budge Wilson's Before Green Gables.
Published by Penguin, Canada.

Book Cover


My name is Henry Bibb


This book cover is the second I illustrated for
the series on Slavery and Freedom. Published by
Kids Can Press, designed by Marie Bartholomew.

For readers of grade 6 and up.

Book Cover


My Name Is Phillis Wheatley


My latest book cover illustration published by Kids Can Press, designed by Maria Bartholomew.

Part of a series on Slavery and Freedom for grade 6 and up.