A year in review

Going into 2021 feeling hopeful for better things, but also grateful to have had a productive year despite the chaos. Here’s a mix of editorial, book and personal work.

On the Go

Working on assignment has its challenges and rewards. The isolation of working in a studio is what an artist needs to be productive, but it can also result in negative thoughts and loneliness. I've been dealing with this dynamic for decades, and I make a conscious effort to get outside, go cycling, or meet with friends. While that used to be easy, living in pandemic conditions takes more time and effort to make connections.

It's been a challenging year for so many. I feel fortunate to have kept busy and productive in 2020, to work with art directors and interesting topics. Here's a few of my favourite editorial art assignments:

I worked with Darin Johnson at Car and Driver, on the miraculous mileage results for Tesla vehicles. We decided to develop kind of perpetual motion treadmill. Oh man, I rolled up my sleeves and dove into this one! Here's the spread:

Another technology-related article, for the Washington Post, about using AI to rewire the brain to connect with moving prosthetics. If the science continues to make progress at current rates, exoskeletons and prosthetics could allow spinal injury patients to walk again.

Of course, the Covid crisis is something we've endured this year, doing our best to stay safe and healthy. I worked on this assignment for the New York Times, about a post-covid economic recovery. A pleasure to work with AD Alla Dreyvitser on this.

Defekt

Here's some newly published work. Always a treat to see my work in print, and cover assignments are the best.

I've worked with Tor.com on short story assignments and a cover for Finna, with designer Christine Foltzer. The book spawned this sequel, both books written by Nino Cipri. The series is a multidimensional romp through a Swedish multinational box store.

“Finna is a magical anti-capitalist adventure that crosses dimensions, abolishes gender binaries, and liberates retail workers. Reading it is a goddamn delight.” —Annalee Newitz

The final cover image:

Some cover concepts submitted:

You can order a copy through TOR.com

The first book in the series, Finna

Beer and Coffee

It's a pleasure to work with certain clients and produce tasty work. By that, I mean something that looks as good as it tastes. Our senses are tied to pleasure centres in our brains, so putting a visual statement on a package can satisfy both the palate and the palette.

Here are some recent projects, one with a local brewery, the second with a local coffee roaster. Both are exceptionally delicious, high quality and I'm excited to be a part of their identity. I posted earlier designs from Signal, when I developed their branding and identity. The images here show the cans produced for the LCBO (distributed throughout the Province of Ontario).

Now for the eye-opening goodness of dark roast coffee, an absolute essential in my home. Ryan Noth kicked off the project, working with Cherry Bomb Roasters and fellow illustrator Clayton Hanmer, who coordinated the design. Kyle Topping and Chrissie Poitras, good friends from Spark Box Studio also contributed artwork for the other blends. Nothing like a kickass collaboration!

Here's a detailed view of the artwork:

Experiments and Orphans

I create mechanisms without purpose that serve no apparent function. It's a process, tied deeply into a search for something undiscovered.

It feeds and informs my work, weaving into completely unrelated assignments, illustrations, and prints. Some of these never see print or publication and are 'orphans'.

Here are a number of recent pieces that emerged from the process. A number of these are from the 'Heavy Thinkers' series, based on old dynamo diagrams, discovered in a dusty old set of instruction manuals.

Unwound/wound

Apropos of nothing, a colossal mouse head spewing electrons and random subatomic particles.

Ground Control

Lost Memory

Deep Learner

Undecided

Retrofit

Influencer

 

Spun

Pushing colour and textures with this one.

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If you would like to purchase prints, please see my online gallery at Big Cartel.