shingo shimizu
These 3 original works (‘JPN:RGB’) were painted on 6 x 6” canvases with acrylic gouache. All paintings were sold at the Small Cures 2019 art show in Toronto. Was a little sad to see them go, but had them scanned before the show, and finally got around to cleaning them up a bit.
These are Giclee Prints on Strathmore Fine Art Paper. 7.75 x 7.75”. Signed and numbered edition of 100.
I participated in the annual Small Cures art show again which took place last month in Toronto, and decided to submit three pieces! Their format of using only tiny 6 x 6” canvases, made me struggle to figure out what to paint, again. The complexity of the piece should be rather simple because of the size, I thought. Should I draw a simple object? Some fun interesting typography? Or abstract? It had to be not just something simple, but also humorous and relatable. With last year’s Small Cures show, I went with doing something simple and humorous. I painted a cute vinyl record character chilling on a staircase looking back at the viewer seductively. That’s it. Super fun. I also thought about doing a cassette and a cd of course…but just wasn’t in the mood at this time. Just wanted to paint something refreshing for a change.
One day I came across a silly youtube granny rap video called ‘Oba Funk Osaka’ describing what a ‘Osaka Obachan’ is. And then I remembered seeing them everywhere from my Osaka trips, and started sketching out my version of her. Then I realized I had forgotten that there are so many types of characters in Japanese society that are so distinctly Japanese and visually interesting. ‘That’s it!’ I thought. Soon after I sketched out the ‘salaryman’ and then the ‘construction worker’.
Halftime Onigiri: This salaryman I wanted to be the overworking underpaid 50 something year old fellow taking a 5 minute lunch break during the day with his modest lunch-in-hand: an onigiri. He then would be sitting back on one of those kiddie jungle gym springy thingies (what do they call those?), possibly fantasizing about being young again. Or he’s fantasizing about new love? Hmmm? Either way the flat background emphasizes that he’s in a place outside of reality.
Ichigo Milk: The young construction worker wears a ‘safety first’ helmet, typical of a Japanese construction worker. The uniform is called a ‘nikka pokka’ and the boots are ‘tabi boots’ (I made them rollerskates!). He also has his bling rings, aviator glasses, and most important of all: his strawberry milk (ichigo milk). All this retro, gets him in his zone.
Osaka Obachan: She’s the polar opposite to the Salaryman. She’s enjoying every bit of her life, and showing age ain’t nothing but a numbaa. She wears her love of leopard print, Adidas, Asics, red lipstick and shades. Ok I added the mixed sport brands. Oh and the pogo stick. Hey gotta have fun with it right? I like the juxtaposition of the old with young items, and young with the old items. So yep i guess looking at the three: it’s all about age perspective. Also maybe about people dealing with stress lol.
Anyhow, had so much fun on the night of the event. Huge turnout that night, with a lot more artists this year exhibiting. They were even serving Beau’s beer this year! Thank you again to the organizers for having me, the people that bought the works, and all the people that came out!
Lastly, I really wanted to stay with these, so I ordered some prints for home! If you’re interested hit the button below. :)
This ‘NISEKO DEEP (BluRay version)’ is one of my favourite pieces so far. I sort of got lost in thought working on it, as someday I would LOVE to go. Also it was pretty much like restoring a lo-fi piece and making it high def, just like a restoration artist. It’s quite fun.
I call it the BluRay version, simply because it was originally made for a width of 4”, and then I had requests for a much larger print version of it. In simple terms: ‘resolution’ doesn’t scale up nicely. This is roughly 4 x larger than the original size, so lots of details like: textures, details (snow, kimono, skis, adjustments, etc) had to be added in. The original illustration was featured in The Economist 1843 magazine (Feb / Mar 2018). Also this is a premium giclee print (or ‘fine art print’) on Strathmore Fine Art Paper, so the colours really pop with a really sharp image. Measurements are 18 x 24”. Signed and numbered edition of 100.
The Shop section got a slight facelift. Images now have ‘in situ’ images, as well as the artwork on its own. Looks more like a proper gallery now. Check it out.
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.
Started as Art Director for Exclaim! magazine in spring of this year. Here are a few covers and feature stories I designed.
From issue to issue, I am usually learning about or listening to a new band or artist that is new to me. The process always involves me either YouTubing their videos, or Wikipediaing their bios. I wonder what music magazine Art Directors did back in the day before the internet on bands they didn't know? I imagine many poor librarians having to archive newspaper and magazine clippings...oh internet I love you.
Anyhow, we also commission illustrators for portraits for our 'Reviews' page. I've also been enjoying those quite a bit. I will post some of those soon as well.
For now, check them out here!
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?
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! :)
Available now at the Inprnt Store.
DECEMBER 26-31, 2016 (until midnight)
'SHINGO'S BOXING WEEK SALE'
25% OFF ALL PRINTS!
Enter code: 'F9PHWVI'.
ALSO, you may have noticed that the SHOP tab, now has a drop down for two options: 1) Limited Prints, 2) Inprnt Shop.
After some consideration, I've decided to split up the shop into two options. Option 1, for limited prints and miscellaneous items (like stickers), and Option 2 for other classic prints for purchase (like the one above.) to be all handled by my Inprnt Shop. No worries, the promo code will work in both stores!
In the new year I'm hoping to produce more new art pieces for purchase (iphone/ipad cases, etc). So please keep coming back. Of course if you have any questions, please do let me know!
It's been quite a while since my last post. Not that I've been one to post daily, as if it were my personal diary. Was away on quite the experience in Japan (which will be covered in the next issue 7 of Scion magazine).
Anyhow I am happy to announce that my work on the 'Northern Exposure' article in issue 5 of 'Scion magazine' was selected a few times for Illustration annuals and the 'Troy Sumitomo' (from Five Axis) portrait as well!
'NORTHERN EXPOSURE'
ADVERTISING & PORTRAIT ILLUSTRATION
Applied Arts 2014
'NORTHERN EXPOSURE' & 'TROY SUMITOMO'
PORTRAIT ILLUSTRATION
3x3 Illustration Annual no. 11
Saatchi & Saatchi Canada
Executive Creative Direction: Brian Sheppard, Helen Pak
Illustration: Shingo Shimizu
Editor in Chief/Magazine CD: Lisamarie Chen
Client: Toyota Canada
Good morning! I am excited to announce the new site for shingo.ca! The content is more or less similar from the older site. Actually probably less works, as it was getting a bit crowded on the last one, and an overhaul was way overdue.
You will find the new site is scalable, so it can be viewed nicely on your mobile devices, when your showing it off to your friends or possible clients! Notice it's a lot crisper too?
As for my character designs, there not up yet (except the quiznos stuff) but I'll put up some eventually (ScotiaFinancial stickman).
I still have to work on some updates with some new work in the upcoming weeks, so either subscribe to the newsletter or subscribe to the RSS feed (both on the right). Definitely follow me in the socialverse below!
Help me commemorate this occasion with a 'like', 'tweet', or a 'share'! If you have any comments or suggestions please let me know (more eyes on it the better right?).
Have a wonderful day wherever you are.
