Thom Sevalrud for Stanford Social Innovation Review

The Stanford Social Innovation Review tackles some of the more interesting questions asked in the social sector today and thoughtful, conceptual illustration plays an important role in creating a visual understanding of these topics. And so art director David Herbick chose illustrator Thom Sevalrud for the Review's latest cover; a story on how nonprofits and social businesses can use data for action and for impact. Thom's elegant use of symbolism, strong lines and composition truly captures the transforming nature of this article. 

See more of Thom Sevalrud's conceptual illustration. Represented by i2i Art Inc.

Katy Dockrill for LCBO 'Hello Spring' Campaign

Nothing symbolizes Spring quite like a cherry blossom. When you walk into any LCBO this month you will be greeted by the bright and simple beauty of this bloom. Brad MacIver, creative director at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, had worked with illustrator Katy Dockrill in the past and knew the wow-factor her lines could create.

The bold signage for the 'Hello Spring' campaign adorns the shelves and windows of the stores, beckoning you to pick up a bottle of something for those evenings on the porch.

See more of Katy's beautiful work. Represented by i2i Art Inc.

Thom Sevalrud for Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative

For the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, the theme is change and The Design Office of Ann Marie Ternullo called on Thom Sevalrud to help illustrate this conversation.

For the cooperative's 2015 annual report Thom's clean lines and stylized approach provided a future-forward look at the client's complex industry. The fresh green color palette invites the reader and the illustration is cleverly carried throughout. The report is also printed (what a treat!) in an impressive 10"x13" format creating a stunning impact.

We have a special place in our hearts for great design. The collaboration between Ann Marie Ternullo and Thom Sevalrud created a truly special artifact.

See more of Thom Sevalrud's illustration. Represented by i2i Art Inc.

Adirondack Icons by Phil

When I first spoke with art director Kelly Hofschneider at Adirondack Life Magazine she told me Phil's work has been pinned up at her desk for years. That's when you know it's a perfect match. Phil's nostalgic style captures the spirit of the beautiful Adirondack region. Described as rustic, naive and iconic Phil's illustration tells the story of the area through its landscape, animals and people.

Prints available. See more of Phil's illustration. Represented by i2i Art Inc.

Monika Melnychuk Posters for 24 Hours of Light

"Ride all night long in the glow of the midnight sun" is the enticing caption to this year's 24 Hours of Light. This is a mountain biking event held each summer in the rugged wilderness of Whitehorse, Yukon. Mountain biking is one of Monika Melnychuk's biggest passions--illustration being the other.

When asked to create the posters for this event Monika tapped into her funky sense of style to illustrate some out of this world bike designs along with a couple kick-butt characters. Wild pops of color, original lettering, great expression and a serious sense of whimsy typifies Monika Melncyhuk's illustration.

Check out more of Monika Melnychuk's illustration. Represented by i2i Art Inc.

Mark Hoffmann for Cooking Light

Not an easy task, illustrating a story about love, loss, and fruit salad. The author and copy director for Cooking Light, Susan Roberts McWilliams, "wanted the article to have a lot of hope and thankfulness to it." Mark Hoffmann's illustration was the perfect compliment to this touching story about how we respond with food when someone loses a loved one.

Delight in the details and composition of these richly painted down-home pieces. Feature art directed by Sheri Wilson and 2015 winner of the SPD merit award for Single/Spread Illustration in the Lifestyle, Travel/Food/Shelter category.

SPD merit award for Single/Spread Illustration

Love, Loss & Fruit Salad

Friends, Family and Casserole

Pot Pie With Love

Home is Where the Slow Cooker Is

See more of Mark Hoffmann's whimsical lettering and illustration.

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 for William & Mary

We are in "a new universe of information overload" and our education needs to reflect that. The College of William & Mary was excited to share their strategy for addressing this new age of information and enlisted the help of illustrator Dave Murray to do so.

Featured in the W&M Alumni Magazine, Dave captures the rich potential of a liberal arts degree from this prestigious school. "The liberal arts is, in fact, going to be necessary to navigate the coming world." Dave's colorful palette and mosaic of elements brings out the wonder and complexity William and Mary is preparing it's students for.

Lift Off! An education to prepare you for a new universe of information overload.

A liberal arts degree will be a necessity in navigating the coming world.

It's a matter of training your mind in a new way.

Check out more of Dave Murray's dynamic illustration.

Carl Wiens for National Underwriter Property & Casualty Magazine

Security for cyber coverage, not an easy subject to illustrate and Tim Schafer, art director at National Underwriter Property & Casualty magazine, didn't want any of the typical metaphors. So conceptual illustrator Carl Wiens created this clever image. What could be a better metaphor for the diligence needed to protect oneself from the creep of cyber threats then the ever-present task of mowing your lawn. With bright color and sophisticated shapes the article demands that the reader take notice and quickly the connection is made - you can't let either lapse.

Additional spot illustrations by Carl Wiens use the same bright palette and intriguing imagery to highlight some key tips.

Let Carl Wiens tackle your next assignment. See more of Carl's work.

Gary Alphonso Mystery Book Covers for Harlequin

Gary Alphonso began his career as a scratchboard illustrator in the 1980s. That is where Gary learned the precision of line and shadow evident in his work today.  As Gary evolved his technique, he began creating 'scratchboard' art in Adobe Illustrator, in both black and white and full color. 

These cover illustrations for Harlequin's Worldwide Mystery Series featuring Vicki Delany's Constable Molly Smith showcases Gary's ability to create drama through perspective and lighting in a retro poster art style. His technique, perfected over many years, creates a stunning outcome.

The latest in the series, Negative Image will be in stores March 2016. 

View more of Gary Alphonso's illustration.

Katy Dockrill for Oregon Home

Illustrator Katy Dockrill is often inspired by the color, texture and lines found in her garden, so the "Tiny Gardens" article in Oregon Home magazine was a great opportunity to emulate nature's flora. Art directed by Snow Blackwood, Katy imagined four different tiny garden spaces and with a lot of attention to detail and her gorgeous hand lettering Katy educates us on the right tiny plants to fit each space.

Want to see more? Visit Katy Dockrill's portfolio. 

Birds of the World: Adult Coloring Book by Remy Simard

Often labelled as a way to tap into your inner child I'm here to say that adult coloring books deliver more. Much more. When our artist Remy Simard was approached by Blue Star Coloring Books to illustrate a new adult coloring book I was pretty intrigued. A quick Google search revealed a wealth of information about the stress relieving properties of these little books. Could coloring release the tension I carry around each day? Worth a shot. 

The experience was pretty transforming. My multi-tasking ways melted away as I became engrossed in the art of staying in the lines. A sense of accomplishment washed over me at the end. A masterpiece? Not quite, but that didn't matter much. I had a greater prize, a sense of calm. Coloring is my new meditation.

Remy Simard chose to center his first coloring book with Blue Star around the topic of birds; birdwatching being Remy's own form of relaxation. So grab your pencil crayons and dive into 30 beautifully illustrated pages crying out for some color. 

Birds of the World is available for purchase on Amazon.com > 

Available now through Amazon.com

Remy's applies color to one of his own creations

Pigeons in Paris

Soaring through the City

Peacock

Remy Simard is a celebrated illustrator.  See more of Remy's work. 

Phil's handcrafted calendar for Gay Lea Foods

Creative director Andrew Gillingham of Agency59 chose the perfect artist to execute this unique idea to promote Gay Lea Foods' products.

Phil was given carte blanche in building an advent calendar and creating the art that adorns each door. If you look closely at the distressed quality of the construction and paintings you'd swear you were looking at a family heirloom.

You can see this advent calendar at work in the Gay Lea  Foods Facebook app. Each day a new door opens to reveal a festive cookie recipe.  

A little imagination is all this illustrator needs to manifest your dream content.  Check out more handpainted illustration by Phil the art guy.

Clare Owen: Paris Card for Papyrus

Clare Owen illustrated all things Parisian to form the handmade calligraphy for Paris on this greeting card. It features delightful icons which form the letters including a croissant, baguette, the Eiffel tower, a post lamp, champagne and a delicious café au lait.  Beautifully produced by Papyrus, the special finishes bring Clare's art to life through the use of 3D tip-ons, foil stamping and glitter accents. Love the croissant pattern on the inside of the envelope--just one last delicious detail to make this card a perfect gem. 

Want to see more?  Visit Clare Owen's portfolio.

Katy Dockrill: Let's Celebrate!

What could be more fun than a soirée Parisian style? Katy Dockrill's whimsical illustration style will help you set the stage perfectly.  Designer Timothy Siciliano of Party Partners, asked Katy to create the Let's Celebrate mini cake decorating set to add to the already successful Make a Wish and Queen for a Day party kits.

Want to see more? Visit Katy Dockrill's portfolio. 

Carl Wiens for Global Brief

"To Do or Not To Do" was the inspiration for this cover illustration by Carl Wiens for Global Brief magazine, art directed by Louis Fishauf of Fishauf Design. Carl's illustration perfectly captures the complexity and confusion in the discussion of action vs. inaction when it comes to international crises. 

In the same issue Carl was asked to create another powerful piece for the article, "Man and His Economic-Financial Crises." The lowly repairman about to ascend into this massive machine again punctuates the enormity of the issue outlined. 

In both pieces, intricate symbolism in the machinery and compasses, a signature of Carl's work, form bold, undeniable visual statements and tell the story in an instant.

See more of Carl Wiens' conceptual illustration. Represented by i2i Art Inc. 

Greg Stevenson for Avenue Magazine

Greg Stevenson recently showcased his vector-based line drawing in a feature for Avenue Magazine, art directed by Venessa Brewer. The article on Calgary's growing communities gave Greg the opportunity to capture family fun along with city and streetscapes. Greg's continuous line art, intermingled with photography captures the expression and movement of Calgary perfectly. 

See more of Greg Stevenson's vector line drawings.

Tim Zeltner's mystery book covers for Llewellyn Worldwide

Tim Zeltner has now created two incredible covers with art director Lynne Menturweck at Llewellyn Worldwide. Tim’s whimsical illustrations, handpainted on wood, set just the right tone for these novels by Loretta Ross. Let the detail in these beautiful illustrations draw you into the mystery that unfolds within the pages.

Death and the Redheaded Woman, Ross’ debut, can be enjoyed now and Death and the Brewmaster’s Widow is available for pre-order.

Browse more of Tim Zeltner’s illustration.

Katy Dockrill's Letterpress Print in The Canadianist: Issue 1

Katy Dockrill creates a masterpiece of true Canadian style for the first issue of The Canadianist. Katy's 'perfectly Canadiana' assemblage is one of five gorgeous letterpress prints found in this collection. Her wholly original image evokes the best that Canada has to offer: from rodeos to ice skating, from the first weekend up at the cottage to those crisp winter days when only a fur-lined parka will do.

The Canadianist: Issue 1 is available now. 5, 8" x 10" prints, in black, red 032 and silver foil.

This collection includes the equally charming and beautiful work of Tom Froese (Foodstuffs), Andrew Kolb (Inventions), Jeannie Phan (Flora and Fauna) and Ben Weeks (Colloquialisms).

Janice Kun for Reader's Digest

Janice Kun's latest illustrations for Reader's Digest were a big hit and so we asked Janice to tell us, in her own words, why this assignment was so successful.

"It was a pleasure working again with Annelise Dekker, Art Director for Reader's Digest. As always, she provided clear and detailed direction, and her keen sense for pulling out the perfect combination of my mixed media skills really helped me stretch in this particular project.

For these illustrations, I was asked to take a simple approach, but with a boost in color, and a lighter tone. It was a bit challenging at first to work this way– blending simple line drawings with more fleshed-out painted elements, thrown into colorful planes– as it was counter-intuitive to my usual complex digital layering and subtle palette. In the end, this project really opened my eyes to a new way of adding clean lines, bold colors and a refreshing sense of minimalism to my work."

The article "An Uncomplicated Love", written by Elizabeth Abbott tells the story of our bond with dogs.

An Uncomplicated Love, Joey the Bulldog

Therapy Dog

Man's Best Friend

Janice Kun has been busy creating. Check out Janice's updated portfolio.