The Unfastened Heart

I was recently informed by Catherine McFarlane, that my Heartstrings illustration is a finalist in the Icon Prize! That means this is being considered for the cover artwork of the novel, The Unfastened Heart by Lane Von Herzen.

In my illustration I wanted to show the intricacies of love by showing the mechanics of a woman's heart and circulatory system. With my line work, I wanted the drawings of the weeds in the background to mirror the veins in the body.

Also, I was interested in the contrasting aesthetic of the silhouette shape of the body, with the hand drawn line art, and the more highly rendered pencil crayon shading in the face. I feel it is a collage of rendering techniques as much as it is a paper collage.

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.

Arctic Synchronized Swim

Hi everyone! I've recently finished a new personal illustration that's been a long time coming. For awhile now, I've wanted to do an underwater cross section. I chose an Arctic water scene mainly because I really wanted to make a narwhal! But also, I think that Inuit synchronized swimmers just don't get enough exposure.

I included two northern constellations, but I'm afraid I can't recall their names. I'll try and find that information again ...

Power In Numbers

I was asked to participate in a art fundraiser with Nucleus Gallery in LA! I have two originals for sale, with a portion of the profits going to the World Wildlife Fund.

I love supporting the World Wildlife Fund! As a kid, my sister and I started a group at our elementary school to raise money and awareness for animals and the environment. Together, we bought protection for several acres of rainforest and a whale!

Each piece is a 5" x 7", one of a kind, paper cut/pencil crayon illustration on board available for sale here.

Shameless Magazine Cover Illustration

I did the Winter 2010 cover of Shameless Magazine! It was great to work with the Editorial Director, Sheila Sampath on this. The image is about music and protest. The feature story is called Mixing Pop & Politics, how rock 'n' roll can save the world, written by Maggie MacDonald.

I always get a rush seeing my illustrations in print. I loved coming home with this in my mail box.

The Month Ahead : National Post

Yesterday the National Post had an illustration of mine on the cover of their Arts & Life section! Each month they do an illustration about the month ahead. So I chose skiing and snowboarding for January!
I spent the last 2 weeks in BC (my home province) cramming in as much time cross country and downhill skiing as possible.

This piece was art directed by Daniel DeSouza, who is wonderful to work with.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays Everyone! Above is an illustration I made of a Toronto Christmas holiday scene. I love the big old converted houses with multiple residences. And the little cafes and great window displays!

I'm in my home town of Nelson BC for my holiday. And I'm loving the mountains! Downhill and cross country skiing is the best!

Hand Knit Gloves

There are two pairs of hand knit, wool, Sanquhar gloves for sale in my Etsy shop. One red/white pair and one black/white pair!

The gloves measure approximately 6 1/2 inches from tip of middle finger to bottom of palm (not including wrist), by approximately 3 3/4 inches width of palm. Measurements are taken from the glove laid flat (not with hand inside). Because it's a knit, the gloves are quite stretchy.

The gloves are knit in the Duke style of the Sanquhar pattern. The wrists have a cute little knitted bow (traditionally the wearers initials would be knit here).

The yarn is a lovely, hand dyed, merino lambs wool from France. The wool company is Renaissance Dying. And they use natural plant based dyes.


These would sure make for a special Christmas gift for a lucky lady in your life ...