Shawn Clarke : Stray Birds CD Design

Here's the new CD package art and design I created for Shawn Clarke's new EP!  I pitched the idea of doing a fairly limited colour pallet with strong design.  The artwork is all carefully done in paper cut technique with scissors and an exacto knife.  I wanted to be sure it had a hand done look (and not be too computery).

We're still waiting for them to come back from the printer.  I'll post photos of the final product once I get my hands on them.

Come to the CD release in December, here's the facebook invite!

Illustrated Map of Nelson, BC

Nelson, British Columbia Illustrated Map

I spent the first 17 years of my life surrounded by mountains in the small city of Nelson, British Columbia.  Since moving away, I've visited at least once a year and I find myself appreciating it more and more.  I'm always thrilled by the beauty of it, mountains, clean water and great people.  Plus it's chalk full of outdoorsy things to do!

In the map I wanted to include some of my favorite places as well as some heritage buildings and of course, local wildlife.  I'd definitely suggest clicking on the image and seeing a larger view of it.

Also, I included my mom's house on the map.  It's the white one with blue trim just below Gyro Park.  In fact, I found it hard not to include a hundred more places and buildings.  It's so hard to be choosy.

Dad and I trail biking

I Was In My Mommy's Tummy

I'm so excited to finally be able to show off some artwork from the children's book, I Was In My Mommy's Tummy! Lee Mes, the author, and I have been working on it for the past year. And we're both very happy with how it all turned out.

It all started when Lee contacted me back in January 2010. She had written a children's book that she planned to self publish, and she asked me to illustrate it. We had a couple of false starts with the spread designs, but in the end it came together with just the right amount of scrap book and photo album details.

I'll be doing a series of blog posts about some of the artwork and spreads. I decided to include some of the sketches, to show a little of my process.

Above is the sketch of the expectant mother. And bellow is the final of the spread. We liked how this one turned out so much, we reused it on the cover.

I'll post another spread soon! You can get your copy of the beautiful, hard covered book here.

Local Government Week Poster

I was thrilled to have been contacted by Mark Haak, art director at Swerve Design, to illustrate and design the 2011 Local Government Week poster! We tried to include as many Municipal Government services as possible.

This poster will be displayed in a bunch of municipal buildings throughout Ontario, so keep an eye out in library's, elementary schools and high schools!

Fig & Grape Shake

I recently learned about a great illustrator website called They Draw & Cook (via a favorite blog of mine, Creature Comforts). There's so many great looking illustrated recipes! It's completely addictive to flip through them.

I made this Fig & Grape Shake illustration for their year of the fig contest. I wanted it to look bursting with fresh, pretty fruit. And the turquoise, reds and greens colour pallet is always a favorite of mine.

Fingers crossed!

*UPDATE* Wooo! Just found out I won 3rd place in the fresh fig category!

Tiny Aligator Music

I was recently commissioned by Caitlin Smith (a great Canadian, conductor/composer/musician/business woman) to create illustrations for her new website. I made both silhouette and full colour versions of the Tiny Alligator conductors.

I also created two pieces of promotional material for her upcoming performance, Safe And Healthy Homes For Children. There's a facebook invite for the event here.

Stamping Out The Devil!

I enjoy submitting to competitions now and then. It gives me a chance to do something new and challenging.
This is the latest Fluevog ad I've submitted to their ongoing Fluevog Creative competition. I wanted to show the boots sturdy attributes. So I illustrated it stomping out the devil / splashing through a puddle. I used the outer glow to give that angelic / impervious feel.

My very talented boyfriend, Jesse, helped me with the sizing, placement and text design.

I've owned 4 pairs of Fluevogs so far. I went to my prom in the the Wok 'n' Roll wooden sandals and I am currently in love with my almond toed Alyssa Flats.

Valentine's CD

Happy Valentines Day!

Shawn Clarke and Alexis Marsh collaborated again to create a special Valentines cd. I pitched in and created a cd pouch, web page and html e-mail.

Be sure and listen to it here!

Christmas 2008 CD design

Well this was a fun, collaborative Christmas gift made for the enjoyment of the family and friends of Shawn Clarke, Alexis Marsh and myself! I got to illustrate the cd package design and guest sing on The 12 Days of Christmas. Listen to it here.

Package design (partridge in a pear tree)

Cd design (knit pattern)

Alexis Marsh branding

My wonderful and talented friend Alexis Marsh was making an important trip to LA to suss out the composer scene there. She asked me to help her design her business card, website and demo cd package design. I always enjoy designing branding for creative people, and Alexis was open to all my suggestions. All she asked was that I incorporate a Victrola into it, which I was more than happy to accommodate.

Business card design

Home page website design

Cd package design

Cd design