Studio Tour

I grew up working in construction. Learning how to build is an important asset for me. I use it when I put an illustration together, and it really helped when I built my studio space.

When we bought our house I looked at the out building, an old corrugated metal and wood barn, as a potential knock-down. My brother pointed out the concrete foundation and the relative squareness of the structure, still solid. I rented a studio space for a short while and spent the summer planning and framing the studio on the upper floor, converting the space from an old hayloft. That was fourteen years ago.

Here are some interior shots: 

I worked with my friend Mark Guildenhaar, a talented furniture designer, to design and build a computer desk over 15 years ago. That desk has followed me around through a couple of moves and I sit at it every day.

The view from the stairwell. The computer desk sits behind the bookcase.

 I know this is cheesy, but I painted a compass on floor. When I first moved here, my sense of direction was a bit off-kilter. I've sorted things out since then, but I like to think it keeps me pointed in the right direction.

It's great to have a space away from the house and kids, and the commute is a breeze. Pants must be put on, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

I asked my dad, the pro, to build a winding staircase. It's a real space saver and it's a beautiful stairwell. I must go up and down this thing about 100 times a day.

The old barn, with the studio on the upper floor. Drop by any time, but remember - first you'll have to get past 'killer

Contraband Cover

I bought this book for the cover. Love the colour, amazing type and a hip illustration.

Design by Bill English, 1950.

Did a little snooping and got this information about the designer:

Active in the mid-twentieth century, book jacket designer Bill English became known for his theoretical and formal sophistication in design, which was influenced by the work of Paul Rand and other Modernists of this generation of designer. English is most remembered for his work with The Viking Press, including his important covers for Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe series of mystery novels, but his career also included designs for The Vanguard Press among others.

Happy?

Are you happy? If you are, what is it worth? More than money. The United Nations wants to get the world to stop thinking so much about wealth creation, as expressed by gross domestic product (GDP), and to instead focus on gross national happiness, or GNH. You can read the article here

I struggle with this question all the time. I would love to have wealth and happiness, but I am often working towards one or the other, or both.

The GNH scale offers a perspective so radically different from GDP, I thought it would be a good idea to show separate halves of the globe - one side focused on wealth and production, the other on more heartfelt pursuits.

Thanks to Dave Bamundo at the Wall Street Journal for this assignment. You can find it in today's edition.

Spring Glory

Inspired by the glorious morning, I decided to create this two-colour tribute to the season. Pardon my gushing, but I do love this time of year, even the rainy days. Don't get me wrong, winter is beautiful, but almost always overstays its welcome. This year has been spectacular, full of promise.

I have also been able to work on some great assignments as well. A recent piece for the New York Times. The cold reality of paying taxes also hits home, and my friendly little automaton is giving it up for the IRS.

 

And while we are still on the topic of spring, it's also a great time to tee off. Here's a recent full-page illo for Golf Digest.

Green House

I grew up in Leamington, Ontario. My old hometown is now surrounded by greenhouses. My grandfather and uncles owned greenhouses. I remember them as fragile glass structures heated by massive coal or gas-fired boilers. Modern operations cover acres of high-tech hydroponics and utilize waste co2 to feed the crops inside. Farmers are seeking out alternative green energy sources like biomass, wood pellets and methane.

So there is more 'green' in greenhouses than meets the eye.

I found this assignment from On Earth very satisfying and intriguing. It's about greenhouses built in hot, arid environments that draw salt water from the oceans, use the water to cool and control the temperatures inside the greenhouses, and produce fresh water for the operation. High tech, green and innovative.

 

I haven't worked in my CMY-X style for a while. I enjoy working with Gail Ghezzi on these assignments. Here are a few sketches from the assignment.