Happy Howlidays from Monika Melnychuk!

  After illustrating the Dogbook app, Monika Melnychuk was asked by Geoffrey Roche, of Poolhouse Enterprises, to dress up the dogs for the 'howlidays'!  Monika had tons of fun doing the illustrations (cards designed by Poolhouse).  To check out the poodle sporting a string of holiday bling to the mischievous gift ripping duo, and the adorable Chiuaua aka"Rudolph's brother from another mother", click here to get to visit the Dogbook Facebook page (and while you're there go ahead and send a free e-card to your favorite 'pet'!).

Dogbook Holiday Card illustrations ©Monika Melnychuk/i2iart

Rémy Simard's latest Graphic Novel: Horrendo's Curse

  Sneak peek:  Rémy Simard, working with editor, Alison Kooistra, has brought Anna Fienberg's words to life in Annick Press' latest Graphic Novel, Horrendo's Curse.  Horrendo and his young friends enter into the dangerous world of swashbuckling pirates, where they are captured and worked to the bone.  In the meantime, they are even busier as they conjure up their cunning escape plan!  We're sure you'd love to find out what happens next, but I'm afraid you're just going to have to wait until the fall of 2013 when Horrendo's Curse hits bookstores!  More to come...

Horrendo's Curse cover art ©Rémy simard/i2iart

'Horrendo's Curse' art ©Rémy simard/i2iart

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Greg Stevenson illustrates around the clock!

Ever have one of those days where you can't stop thinking about food?  Literally.  Greg Stevenson's hand lettering and flowing line technique made him the perfect choice for this conceptual piece, art directed by Jane Edwards Griffin (Griffin Design).  The article 'Food for Thought' for Simon Fraser University's alumni publication, aq Magazine, talks about a massive renovation to the SFU dining hall and café in response to a survey in which 6,000 students were in favor of:  wider variety, international flavors and healthier foods available around the clock.

Gary Alphonso for American Lawyer Magazine

  Joan Ferrell, art director at ALM, needed something corporate with a bit of a retro twist for an article commemorating the 10 year anniversary of the firm, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.  Gary Alphonso's powerful style was the perfect choice to illustrate a retro metal stamp logo showing the OHS's Global Operations Center depicting the converted metal stamping plant in Wheeling West Virginia, which they call home.

Orrick illustration ©Gary Alphonso-i2iart

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Janice Kun for Royal Ontario Museum

Art director Tara Winterhalt chose Janice Kun to create a double page spread illustration for the article Threads That Bind which first appeared in ROM, the magazine of the Royal Ontario Museum, Summer 2012 issue.  The story is a true account of an archaeologist's search for human origins which became deeply personal.  Janice's pictographic method of weaving the elements of the story together is reminiscent of it's ancient references.

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Kevin Ghiglione: Fine Art Opening

There are so many sides to Kevin Ghiglione.  For those who have not been introduced to his fine art, you are in for a treat! Fable, Kevin's most recent body of encaustic paintings, opens at  MUSE Gallery this Friday October 19th from 6-9pm and runs through November 8th, 2012.  Fable is about stories that conjure the wonder of discovery and for those local folks who would like to drop by the gallery to see his art in the flesh, Kevin says, "The true life of the artworks can only be fully experienced in person where one can delve into the luminosity of layered wax and passively feel the three dimensional qualities exposed with incidental light.".

Alanna Cavanagh for The Globe and Mail

"I thought of her immediately when I heard Ian Brown was writing about men's shoes" said The Globe's Design Editor Cinders McLeod, on selecting Alanna Cavanagh to illustrate the article My Cinderella Season, for the Focus section of The Globe, Saturday October 13th.  We love the Harris Tweed pants she collaged into one of the illustrations.  A typical pose one might assume whilst reading The Globe, don't you think?

My_Cinderella_Season/GlobeandMail

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i2i Artists Support LGBT Youth Line

i2i artists Thom Sevalrud, Ian Phillips and John Webster are 3 of 20 artists and designers commissioned by Shaun Moore of MADE  to create custom auction paddles for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Youth Line's upcoming yearly Line Art Auction taking place November 6th at the Neubacher Shor Gallery. Ian Phillips' paddles inspired by his beloved dog and muse, Fancy Polanski, RIP.

'IPAuctionPaddles' illustration ©Ian Phillips/i2iart

John Webster's paddles, everything Webster wonderful...do I hear bling, bling?

'JWAuctionPaddles' illustration ©John Webster/i2iart

Thom Sevalrud says, "The concept for my paddles was influenced by Semaphore signalling flags. I used the Semaphore alphabet to create the word YOUTH. Then I took liberties with the designs by 'complicating' them with flamboyant and crazy patterns that I made myself. The overlaying word QUEER is meant to complete the visual statement to go along with the symbolic representations to form the words QUEER YOUTH. Defiant, colorful and individual!".

'TSAuctionPaddles' illustration ©Thom Sevalrud/i2iart

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Margaret Lee for AAA Traveler Magazine

Lymari Acevedo, art director for AAA Traveler, repurposed an image created by Margaret Lee exploring the musical heritage from Nashville to New Orleans.

Thom Sevalrud: Journal for the Norwegian Medical Association

Art Director Emma Dalby commissioned Thom Sevalrud for a third cover for the award winning Journal.  His masterful conceptual skills communicate to the scientific community Leukemia's treatments and how to identify the disease through family history and biological markers.

Gary Alphonso for Northeastern Law Magazine

Art director Mark Gabrenya, chose Gary's powerfully evocative style for this Northeastern Law Magazine cover to illustrate the revisiting of U.S. labor rights after 75 years. [pinterest]

Mark Hoffmann in Enormous Tiny Art Show!

'Long Gone' illustration ©Mark Hoffmann

'Over Out' illustration ©Mark Hoffmann

Size does matter in Portsmouth, New Hampshire from September 7th to October 1st, where the 12th Enormous Tiny Art Show is underway.  A huge selection of tiny pieces of art (no larger than 10" x 10"), from artists around the world, are on display at the Nahcotta Gallery and online here.  The first biannual Enormous Tiny Art Show opened in the winter of 2007 and not surprisingly has an enormous following!  The organizers' goal is to share their love of art and make it accessible to everyone.   As a first time exhibitor in this fall show, Mark Hoffmann says he has already begun preparing more tiny art for the upcoming winter show.  Below are a few of our favorites from the twelve (almost sold out) pieces Mark has in the show.  We're with the ETAS peeps in their exclamation, "Viva la tiny art!".

Phil for Country Gardens

Phil, working with design director Nick Crow, created this illustration for Country Gardens' fall 2012 Slow Lane column.  His impressionistic style tells the story about the migration pattern of the black feathered, white beaked Coot, and a real life altercation between 30 of them encountering a hungry bald-eagle, during a brief stop over on their way south.  Phil brings drama to the illustration with the menacing shadow of the eagle, contrasted by the calm and collected demeanor of the Coot, who ultimately see their way to victory.

Who's growing a new stache for MOVEMBER?

About a month from now, men from around the globe will be sharpening their shaving tools of choice, to clear way for a fresh Movember canvas.  Mo Bros., with the support of their Mo Sistas, work towards a well groomed stache to prompt private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and male mental health initiatives.  Looking for some stache ideas?  The surface design pattern below, by Ian Phillips was created with fabric and wallpaper in mind, but it may inspire the perfect design for you.  All the fun aside Bros., we hope to inspire you to get your pledge machines fired up and grow for the cause.

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Sarah Beetson: Interview with Russell Brand

Sarah Beetson was illustrated a double page spread for UK Magazine Nuts', interview with the provocative Russell Brand.  Below is her sketch with type and the final art.  We think her 'out there' approach to the illustration is a perfect send-up for Mr. Brand! For a peek at the process below is Sarah's art at the rough stage.

Here is the final art.

Monika Melnychuk for Dogbook iPhone App.

Monika says, "I have been a dog geek forever.  When I was a teenager I drew x-mas and birthday cards with dogs.  Then I worked dogs into any assignment I could.  For example in first year illustration we had to design a shopping bag and mine of course, was all dogs. Before I became an illustrator I tried being a dog portrait artist.  Wow, I am a nerd, but I just love dogs!"  Fast forward... Geoffrey Roche, partner at Poolhouse, saw some of Monika's dog drawings and he had to have her illustrate the landing page for the new Dogbook iPhone App.  Can you spot *your* dog?  If you're looking to connect with like minded doggie lovers get the free app here. Also below, see a recent piece on the theme, created for surface design applications.

Dogbook_iphone_app

We think it would make a cool wallpaper or fabric for your favorite dog house.

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Monika and her dog Boogaloo share a breathtaking moment in their beautiful world.

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John Webster in Covet Garden Magazine

John and his friend Stephanie Power were recently featured in the lovely Covet Garden decor magazine.  Their spaces are perfectly aligned with Covet's interest in environments that have not been styled by  interior decorators.  Both John and Stephanie's artistic esthetic is reflected to a 'tea' in their uniquely delightful homes.  John says, "The best part of the house is that for the first time, my apartment feels like a collage--my art and way of living have become one."  Look at John's portfolio here and see if you can find some of his "curious curios" living in his art. Photos courtesy of Covet Garden, photographer Ashley Capp.

John in his delicious kitchen!

Giulio Iurissevich Rocks!

Giulio created this fun image which was used extensively on all promo for a Blues Festival in Italy this August.  We love the heart popping out of her mouth.  It's a trademark surprise element done Giulio style!

Tim Zeltner: CD Cover Art

Check out Tim's American Gothic spoof used as cover art for Jay Zell's CD, Country World.  Notice Tim's trademark patina created by layering paint and varnishes on wood.

Jillian Ditner: TIFF 2012 Walking Map for Timberland

A little while back marketing agency trevor peter communications contacted us about a walking map for Timberland, an official sponsor of TIFF (The Toronto International Film Festival).  When Jillian Ditner was chosen, we were pretty excited about this great opportunity!  Creative Director, Alexandra MacDonald and Jillian, along with Josh McKellar, Marketing Manager for Timberland, began the collaborative process of creating the first ever eco friendly tool for navigating TIFF. The initial direction was for Jillian to create her own artistic interpretation of Toronto, the TIFF ‘playground’ and the area venues downtown that host the Festival.  One of the key objectives for this user-friendly map was to inspire TIFF-goers to ‘get outside’, walk the festival, and connect with the community.  The finished map below is available as a downloadable pdf at the Timberland online Community here.  Enjoy the Festival!

Here is a glimpse into Jillian's process.

JD_TIFF_sketches