30 Years

Looking back on the past year: a mix of challenges, successes and interesting assignments.

This year marked my 30th year as a full-time freelancer, a milestone. In one way, it's a marker of both age and experience. In another, it's a testament to resourcefulness, creative thinking and being able to adapt to change. Throw in some perserverence and determination and you have a balance that's carried me this far. I'm incredibly proud of the work that I do and the clients I have, and I'm constantly humbled by the incredibly talented artists whose work I admire and that I consider friends. I don't intend to slow down any time soon.

Being an illustrator requires a constant burning curiosity and a certain level of optimism. You have to look at your work objectively and listen and learn when you get challenged by a new assignment. I also spend time pursuing creative ideas, doing personal work, and working with wood or paint or remodelling my house. I get outside as much as I can to recharge my batteries and avoid burnout and anxiety (something most working artists deal with regularly). Always looking for the right balance, it's a work in progress.

I left my teaching position at Sheridan in December, a difficult choice because the students I work with are so talented, enthusiastic and energetic. I'd love to return to the classroom but for now I will make good use of the extra time.

A composite of images from 30 years in the biz:

Some assignment work images:

PM Network, illustration and layout in the spread (Art Director Hugo Espinosa)

Box Store Sci-Fi Book cover for Tor.com (Design by Christine Foltzer):

The McLuhan Way, for Watershed Magazine, about the local legacy of Marshall McLuhan:

Interesting feature on EVTOLS (Electronic Vertical Take-off & Landing) vehicles for AOPA:

The right NOT to bear arms, about the dangers of teachers carrying firearms, for Teaching Tolerance:

It was a busy year, so these are just some of the highlights. I resolve to post more work in the new year. On that note, I made this for a group show and calendar at Blizzmax Gallery. Best wishes for 2020, keep your head up!

Electric Circuits

Very nice to work with Vince Perez at Everlovin' Press, for Visit Kingston.

Looking forward to this celebration of digital media in Kingston next year!

Impeachment

Illustration for Kelly Peck at the Wall Street Journal.

Cathartic experience drawing this. The image speaks for itself.

Heavy Thinkers

I saw the movie 'Shape of Water' and I loved the machine aesthetic of the sets. I collect old technical journals and I mined the images for some heavy industrial drawings and got to work. I haven't had a lot of creative time recently, I just finished a major children's book project and a lot of editorial work.

Here are the images in the series, these are all two colour transparent images on an warm background. I really enjoyed working on these, and I kept the series rolling, longer than I would have anticipated. It's great to create flow and get swept up by an idea that carries you along. I don't know where I am going with this yet, I may be creating a series of riso prints. Stay tuned.

Test Run

Heavy Thinker #1

Positive Vibration

Data Miner

Troll

Maximum Productivity

Ad Infinitum

High Alert

I worked on this cover for the OPC Register last month, about the lingering effects of a traumatic events in our schools. Given the events following the shooting at Marjory Douglas Stoneman high school in Florida, it feels even more relevant than ever. Our students deserve a safe environment for learning. These events overshadow and eclipse the day to day routines and focus that is required for our children to achieve success.

I worked on an assignment in 2013 for Phoenix magazine about the devastating effects of guns and gun violence in schools. I never would have imagined anyone advocating teachers to be carrying weapons and using them in a classroom situation.

I hope that the passion and debate about the rightful place of guns can affect positive change.