Greg Stevenson's Poster for 'The Audience'

It was great to connect with our longstanding client, art director Wade Gilpin at Rossignol Design, for this special assignment. Illustrator Greg Stevenson, with his ability to create an uncanny likeness, was the natural choice for this poster of Fiona Reid as Queen Elizabeth II in the upcoming Mirvish production of "The Audience". Not a small feat, to create two likenesses in one portraiture, but Greg pulls is off beautifully. With the use of luminous, rich color the illustration is undeniably regal and with that smile Fiona's character shines through.

 View more of Greg Stevenson's illustration. Greg is represented by i2i Art Inc.

Dave Murray: Illlustration 57 Reception, SOI, NYC

Big congratulations to Dave Murray on his Indie Alehouse poster illustration--Glory & Consequences, selected for the Society of Illustrators' Illustration 57 annual.  Last week Dave Murray attended an opening reception of the exhibition at the SOI in NYC.  Of this great honor the SOI website says, "the exhibit features works by leading contemporary illustrators worldwide, selected by a prestigious jury of professionals".  If you're in New York this month, drop by and check out the show.  You won't be disappointed.  Details on the show, which runs until January 31, 2015, are on the SOI website.  

We caught up with Dave to get his reflections on the experience and share some of his pics from the opening reception:

i2i Art:  What comes to mind from the SOI reception in speaking with fellow illustrators and art directors?

Dave Murray:   I got a real feeling of community from everyone there. It was my first time at the SOI (and in the annual), so it was a completely new experience. It was pretty amazing just to soak in the atmosphere. I had a bit of a chuckle talking to one illustrator who's work is currently being displayed in the NYC Subway system, but never manages to catch a train that has the work in it. I saw it on nearly every train I took over the few days I was there.

i2i Art:  Did any trends or themes emerge for you in looking at the advertising and institutional art on display at the show?

Dave Murray:  Themes were harder to nail down - I feel like the SOI does a great job of varying the style of the selections - no one style was represented more than another.

i2i Art:  What did you think of the overall quality of the art in the show?

Dave Murray:  The quality of the art on display was amazing. Conceptually and technically, pretty much everything blew me away. Going back to the variety of work - there was such a mix of styles and media...Coming home, I feel incredibly re-energized and inspired.

i2i Art:  What piece of art by a fellow illustrator was the highlight of the show for you?

Dave Murray:  My personal favorite from the show - Andie Dinkins' absolutely unreal "New Years Eve at the Beverley Hills Hotel" piece.

Dave with the poster he designed and illustrated for Indie Alehouse's Glory & Consequences, hanging on those historic SOI walls.

Dave's personal fave, Andie Dinkin's, New Years Eve at the Beverley Hills Hotel.

To see more of Dave Murray's award winning illustration, visit his portfolio here.

Tim Zeltner illustrates Earth Day Canada 2011 Poster

This year's Earth Day Canada Poster art was created by Tim Zeltner, with art direction from Brad Pearson and Keith Treffry. The theme of this year's program is environmental action at the grassroots level through the four seasons, from coast to coast.  A big challenge to illustrate in one poster!  I think it's sure to become another sought after "classic" Zeltner landscape.

Tracy Walker a winner in Applied Arts 2011 Illustration Awards

Tracy Walker's Earth day poster, created in collaboration with Brad Pearson and Keith Treffry of Earth Day Canada, has won in the poster category of the Applied Arts 2011 Photography &Illustration Awards.  All winning work will be showcased in the May/June 2011 issue of the magazine, the Winners Gallery on the Applied Arts Website and at the annual Winners Exhibit, to be held on Wednesday, October 26 and Thursday, October 27, 2011 at Artscape Wychwood Barns in Toronto.