Illustration
SMALL CURES ART SHOW 2018 /
Only managed to squeeze in this little 6 x 6” canvas painting completed for Small Cures Art Show & Auction 2018.
In the beginning I painted a version with wavy lines in the background. For some reason I had some acrylic medium kicking around and thought I’d give it a go. Long story short: paint got all goopy because I was suppose to dilute the medium with water before mixing. Gotta make mistakes…at 3am.
Luckily they gave me a spare just in case I was a little ambitious. On the second go round I simplified and punched up the peachy pink. Also originally I wanted to do a cassette gal and cd guy of course, but…it’s been done so many times (YES, so is vinyl). I still LOVE vinyl, but yes it’s another overdone visual…I was only in the mood for this last one sexy record, and that’s it. Hopefully next year I’ll get back to drawing more people. As it was a one off, but spent a few late nights with it. I grew fond of this little fellow. Just look at that face! Anyhow it was for charity. It sold for $350 at the end of the night! Mission accomplished. zzz.
Mucho Burrito /
Illustration update for Mucho Burrito's 'Vote Your Favourite Back on the Menu' campaign (#muchoelection). The chosen winner would receive free burritos for a year! Wouldn't that be amazing?
the Economist 1843 magazine /
Hello Thursday.
As I said, just getting around to updating my portfolio. I completed these illustrations for The Economist 1843's 'Japan Travel Supplement' earlier this year. Included below are a bunch of sketches that missed the mark, but I had fun with them, so I included those here as well.
Also got to draw a woman skier in a kimono for a spot illustration on the inside. Check it out below.
The final artworks can be seen here. Check it out! :)
CBC MUSIC 94.1 FM /
Happy Friday! :)
I'll be updating every few days in the next little bit. I'm really behind in updating my website these days... (FIFA, Summer weather...) let's move on.
Here's my illustration for CBC’s morning radio show: ‘Mornings with Raina Douris’ on 94.1 FM in Toronto. The show airs Monday to Friday from 6 to 9am.
Direction-wise: I decided to go mostly with morning imagery set to a uplifting beat, and a highly caffeinated triple shot of sunshine-y 80s. The only Toronto reference is the CN Tower...Sam the Record Man was taken...I suppose there are others...? No I don't think so. The donut headphones is definitely my favourite part!
Used as posters, billboards, and on TTC streetcars across the Toronto. Check it here!
Site Update: Stonemill Bakehouse /
Hope you're having a great Friday. Just wanted to share a new update today!
I illustrated a very Canadiana pattern for a Stonemill Bakehouse bread wrapper. It was to commemorate 'Canada 150' this year, and this limited 'Canadian Heritage Grains - Coast to Coast Multigrain' bread was seen on shelves nationwide!
Start to Finish. New Series of 12. /
Hello, been a while!
I've been away with a full time position as a graphic designer. But now I'm back as an illustrator! There were a few projects I was able to work on, and will hopefully get around to it updating my site over the next month or so. Also to get the illustrator gears running again, I've cranked out this small series I call 'Start to Finish'.
These images were originally conceived as parts of a collage illustration for an article. I always found them so humorous, but thought it was a shame that they were so tiny and under developed. They had potential to be individual pieces, if they were given some love. So after leaving my full time job, I decided that this would be the first series I would work on as a personal project.
Also I've always thought that 'context' was such an interesting thing. I mean some images here are more obvious than others. But placing an image in a certain context, our minds connect the dots to give it new meaning. For example placing like placing a 'hello kitty' on some underwear, or some well known branding on a stack of condoms. It's no longer 'just sex'. It's become something more than that.
Here they are as a series of 12, with more love (12 x 12").
Prints available for sale upon request.
Also follow me at the links below :)
Scion Magazine - Issue 4 (the Music Issue) /
Apologies, for not posting for a while everyone! It's been quite busy since this project ended (which is SO great), but it means I have no time to write a proper post.
Scion Magazine Issue 4 starts off a new format: 48 page magazine at 10.25" x 14.5" but still printed on the matte recycled stock. It's also the first of 'themed' issues, starting with 'the Music Issue'. Yes it was very exciting: bigger, more pages, and lots of music content! I thought I'd actually get quite tired of drawing speakers, records, or headphones...but surprisingly I didn't! It makes for great practice too~.
Anyhow, more stuff being posted this week! Seriously. :)
DOS: Tonight! /
Here's the final product! Gotta say I do enjoy these darker themes. What do you think?
So I've got some 18x24" (out of 100) to sell tonight (DOS Show) as well as one giant 24x36" framed print! Come through, say hello, and let's taste some tacos with tequila together!
La Carnita 2013 Skull Print /
So, I'm currently working on some new skull work for the upcoming DOS show. In the mean time, check out the skull I did for La Carnita restaurant below. :D
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La Carnita restaurant approached me to create a new limited edition (I think it was 1000) skull art print for them. If you don't know, La Carnita is pretty well known in Toronto for it's take on Mexican street food (mostly tacos), with a modern flair. The interior is a fun mix of graffitti, and layers of printed skulls on the walls.
Being my third time to create a skull for them, I couldn't help but think I was out of ideas, as I had done at least 6 skulls (La Carnita included).
At the time I was really drawn to simple patterns and shapes. Also for some reason, I kept thinking that I had to brand it somehow, and include some sort of reference to carnita tacos.
Anyhow take a look at it from start to finish!
Yes very luminato mixed with that cute little piggy from 'Babe'.
...or one of the pyramids could be from space? hmm.
Blocking out shapes.
Adding way too many things...
At this point, realizing a little too much is going on.
FINAL VERSION: 5x7" 1000 prints. Stripped the elements down for the final, realizing that less is more. Voila!
New Beastie Boys Illustration for Grantland /
This was for an upcoming Grantland book (no 5? or is it 6?) for an article, 'In Memoriam: Adam Yauch (1964-2012)'. My way of honoring him, HAD TO BE with all of the Beastie Boys together of course. As a unit, at the peak of their careers, just after the release of 1998's 'Hello Nasty'. The first single off of the album was 'Intergalactic', and for me I had heard it by watching the video on MuchMusic. It just blew me away, having rap music over their ode to old school Japanese TV superheroes (also known as 'tokusatsu'). I watched the real TV shows ever since I was a little boy. So in coming up with ideas for this article, it was almost instant that I thought of that video, because it made the biggest impression on me visually as a band (with 'Sabotage' in close second). If you haven't seen the video, check it here (seriously you haven't seen it?).
'Oh and what color did you go with?' you might ask. Bright Pantone Yellow of course. Duh. Maybe I should offer this as a print? :)
Cruder the better! In the beginning anyways.
A new formation, posing with their fighting robot
Getting the pose right. Just need to get the faces right...
Final version with color!
Sneak Peek: Scion Issue 4 'Music Issue' /
Over the last few months I remember my response to the usually welcoming line, 'Shingo I have a great project for you!' was turned down with,'I can't, I'm sorry I'm very busy.’ That wonderful project I've been working on for the last three months was the fourth issue of Scion magazine with Editor-in-Chief, Lisa Marie Chen. I was responsible for the overall art direction, with duties on illustration and design as well.
It has now been printed, and will be distributed out to stores very soon across Canada. Pretty exciting!
You will notice (photos coming soon), that the format has changed. Previous issues measured at a tiny 5.5" x 7.125". Scion magazine is now a whopping 10.5 x 14.5" on the same bright white recycled stock, and 48 pages.
For every issue, we try to give a little ‘something something’ for the reader. So to commemorate this music focused issue, there is a pullout Scion branded 'gig poster'.
Stylistically there is more range. I went looser with the design template, at the same time showcasing a broader range of style (minimal, hand drawn, hand written, hand made, etc.), which is what I was hoping to achieve. It gives the magazine a ‘warmer’ feel than the previous issues. Kind of like the feeling when you flip through a pile of eye catchy record covers. It also features some great photography by Andy Lee, as well as some great collage illustrations by Rachel Kennedy.
So without further ado, it is with great pleasure, I give you a glimpse of Scion magazine Issue 4, the 'Music Issue'.
James Bond 007: Illustration for The Genteel 5 /
New illustration for The Genteel i just finished, published today!
An Accessory for the Modern Man
by: Andrew Adebowale
The James Bond franchise is celebrating its 50th year with the release of Skyfall at the end of the year. To mark the occasion, a unique exhibition is being held at London's Barbican, showcasing the design and style of the world's most famous spy.
Really rough sketches...
Ok, this was definitely the most fun assignment EVER. If you really know me, you would know that I'm one of the world's biggest James Bond fans.
My first film was apparently 'From Russia With Love', which my dad made me watch on TV. I'll admit I wasn't a huge fan of Connery in the beginning. Dad was trying to explain to me why Connery was 'the man'. But like most kids, I quickly became a Roger Moore fan because of his humor, his ladies (he had more conquests), and gadgets with 'wow' factor (Lotus Esprit submarine). It wasn't until early high school, I rewatched 'Dr. No', and from that very first introduction of 007 lighting his cigarette at the casino table introducing himself, I became a fan. I thought, 'there is no one cooler than Connery's Bond'.
I actually had to ask my dad, what my first 007 film was (I've rewatched them way too many times). It was was then, when he said something that shocked me."I hope it doesn't take you as long as it did for me to graduate from 007.” I thought my dad, the one who introduced me to it, how could he have 'graduated' (move on) from it? And why was he telling me to move on from it?
As a kid, I was obsessively into three things: James Bond, Petshop Boys, and New Order (in that order). At my age now (over 30), I'm still into those 3 things. Maybe not as obsessive, as I was back then. Also I still prefer 'those things' from that era or before.
I am however, really looking forward to the next 007 movie Skyfall (directed by Sam Mendes). It just screams old school elements (Aston Martin DB5 again), combined with new school tech backdrops. The set design and cinematography look immaculate. Also filled with such a talented cast (Bardem, Fiennes, Dench, Finney), and directed by an A-list director: Sam Mendes. Trailer looks so great!
So as long as more James Bond movies get produced until the day I die, I don't think I'll ever stop watching them. I know I'm letting you down Dad, but I don't think I'll ever graduate from 007!
New Russell Simmons & Rick Rubin Illustration for Grantland /
My sketches always start really crude. I usually don't bother with reference photos for portraits in the beginning.
A more polished rough.
Finished this back in March (or April?), but was finally allowed to post this up. New illustration of Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin for Grantland. Lots of textures here with brushstrokes. Limited colour schemes are always fun. :)
Illustration for the Genteel 4 /
New illustration for The Genteel i just finished, published today!
Haute or Not?
by: Chere Di Boscio
Despite their astronomical price tags, haute couture creations are rarely profitable, and only a handful of women can afford to buy them anyway. So what's the point?
This assignment was definitely the most fun for sure. Being able to check out the Alexander McQueen show at the MET last year was such a huge inspiration for me creatively. I mean I've seen a lot of 'fashion' on TV and in books through high school and at OCAD (was hardcore into Issey Miyake of course). But to see them in person...at the MET...after a 2.5 hour line up...really blew me away. Since then, my appreciation for craftsmanship has grown immensely. Currently I'm really digging the work of Katsuya Kamo. Check out his paper sculptures (hats and stuff) coupled with Lagerfeld's designs for Chanel's 2009 Couture show here.
Illustration for The Genteel 3 /
Another new illustration for The Genteel! Do you recognize any of the faces on the left hand side? Hopefully you do if you're in the fashion world.
Love doing this style. I suppose most of it comes rather easily as I work a lot in vector. Over the years I've become more and more obsessed with detail (I suppose it's natural since I spoil myself by zooming in 1200% a lot of the time).
Digital Newsstands With Virtual Shopping Racks
by: Paul Aguirre Livingston
As the digital world continues to become the new developed world, I find myself doing more with virtual assistance: maintaing some sort of "social life," consuming and creating content, and, well, general sundry tasks like, say, shopping.
Illustration for The Genteel 2 /
Also just finished this one with a new look and feel (for me) for the wonderful folks at The Genteel! This time around I got to get a little drawing time with Twiggy's face. (I need to definitely draw more of her.)
The article is not about her, but more about 'mature' models in the fashion world, and why '...ageing and fashion have - until now - been such odd bedfellows in the first place.'
A New Age in Fashion
by: Erin Ridley
With the public smitten by more mature looks and the industry following suit, one wonders why ageing and fashion have - until now - been such odd bedfellows in the first place.
Illustration for The Genteel 1 /
Just finished a new illustration with a new look and feel (for me) for the wonderful folks at The Genteel! It's fun to get back to drawing more fashionable subjects.
If you haven't checked their site yet, definitely do if you love a good read. Oh and there will be more work by yours truly there of course. :)
The Importance of Being Fashionable
by: Erin Ridley
Women think about fashion 91 times a day. For those who have "clothes on the brain," why is fashion so important to us.
Portrait: The Gossip (Exclaim Magazine) /
Keep your eyes peeled for newstands or cafes or your trusty sidewalk that carries the most recent issue of Exclaim magazine (it's got 'Metric' on the cover). Flip to page 25 for a giant 3/4 page portrait of the band, 'The Gossip'.
Sneak Peek: New Works /
My favourite time of the work year, is when I reach that sweet spot of interesting work coupled with great weather. Just finished a small batch of works for La Carnita and Exclaim magazine (an illustration of 'the Gossip"). They're both not out yet, so you can grab a small preview of them below. Deadlines are getting tighter these days, where I actually forget to sign my work. (ugh)
Check back soon for the final versions!
