Illustration Friday, "King"

The theme is King, and this black and white linocut is one trump in a medieval tarot deck, a work in progress.

Illustration Friday, "Peace"

Here at my Illustration Friday blog is a submission for the theme of "Peace." It is a hand carved linoleum print. 

Illustration Friday, "Golden"

And this week at Illustration Friday, the theme is Golden. I submit an illustration from a Mayan folktale.  Linocut art, hand coloured.

Illustration Friday, "Repeat"

My latest submission to Illustration Friday, an editorial spot from the archives. Linocut art coloured in Photoshop.

Illustration Friday, "Invisible"

My submission to this week's Illustration Friday. A linoleum print colourized in Photoshop. 

Illustration Friday, "Summer"

This week the theme at Illustration Friday is "Summer." This image was created for a Walmart Canada gift card. Linocut coloured in Photoshop.

Illustration Friday, "Mask"

For the Illustration Friday theme of "Mask" I submit this little spot. Linocut art colourized in Photoshop. I recommend a visit to the site to any artist looking for inspiration!

Illustration Friday, "Contraption"

"Contraption" is the theme this week at Illustration Friday and my submission is an illustration that first appeared in Business Law Today magazine. Linocut colourized in Photoshop.

Illustration Friday, "Temptation"

Coming soon to Illustration Friday, a depiction of the Adam and Eve story published in 

The Little Christian and The Little Lutheran magazines. Linocut coloured in Photoshop.

Illustration Friday, "Universe"

This week the entry to Illustration Friday is an editorial piece about planning for a new addition to the family. It is a linocut hand printed in blues and blacks with 

full colour added in Photoshop.

Illustration Friday, "Retro"

And for Illustration Friday this week, a spot from the Wall Street Journal.

Linoleum print coloured in Photoshop.

Illustration Friday, "Voyage"

For the topic of Voyage I chose a cover image from Homer's "The Iliad and the Odyssey" published by Barnes and Noble. I designed this central image to integrate on a wrap around cover that included gold embossed border treatments and art. I loved the story of the trials of Odysseus, the ultimate hero's journey. This spot illustrates his encounter with the irresistible Sirens. 

Be sure to check out the many creative expressions of this topic at Illustration Friday.

Illustration Friday, "Revenge"

This image seemed appropriate for the Illustration Friday topic of "Revenge." It is one of three illustrations depicting the fairy tale, The Swan Prince and was commissioned by Shubrook Brothers, UK. 

My linocut art was influenced by the medieval tapestry, La Dame a La Licorne, The Lady and the Unicorn, residing in the Musee National du Moyen Age, The Cluny in Paris. I was fortunate to see it in person not long ago and was blown away by the the colour, design, detail and rich symbolism in each tapestry. The series of six panels are displayed in a dark round room to dramatic effect.  The museum itself is a treasure trove of medieval painting and carving and is a must-see addition to any Paris itinerary.

Illustration Friday, "Vanity"

For the Illustration Friday topic of "Vanity" I submit a personal piece. This image was created for my Dad after he had a triple bypass. He recovered nicely and lived for many more years. This is a linocut print with a scanned brown paper bag background that I coloured in Photoshop for a more vintage feeling.

Illustration Friday, "Natural"

The Illustration Friday theme of the week is "Natural." I submit an editorial piece originally commissioned by the Toronto Star for an article about farmers' markets.  This is another linoleum print colourized in Photoshop.

Illustration Friday, Zodiac

The Illustration Friday theme of this week is Zodiac. In 1999 illustrators were kept very busy depicting the apocalyptic predictions of a global digital collapse at the turn of the millennium. Whoa, that was 14 years ago! Yikes, time flies! 

 I was commissioned to illustrate Libra for the millennial astrology book, "How I Spent My Millennium Year," promoting Buntin Reid papers. Fortunately the four horsemen did not arrive and we turned to other topics for inspiration. My technique is linocut coloured in Photoshop.

Illustration Friday, "Survival"

For the Illustration Friday theme of survival, an image commissioned by the Washington Times. It illustrates a story about how First Nations people collaborated with African slaves in opposition to their colonial oppressors. This one is a hand-coloured linoleum print from my archives.

Illustration Friday, "Sizzle"

My submission for "Sizzle" at Illustration Friday came from the picture book, "The North Wind and the Sun," published by Scholastic Canada.  I love Aesop fables and it was great fun to create art for Marilyn Helmer's adaptation. Linoleum print coloured in Photoshop.

Illustration Friday, "Red"

The theme of "Red" at Illustration Friday this week reminded me of this piece from my archives.  A linocut print, coloured in Photoshop and inspired by the genetic modification of our food supply. Just for fun:-)

Illustration Friday, "Spark"

The Illustration Friday theme for this week is "Spark." My technique is linocut with colour applied in Photoshop, and this image appeared on banners and t-shirts promoting the Waterloo Busker Carnival. It is one of my favourite assignments of the year, and the 2014 art will be unveiled soon! If you are in the Waterloo vicinity at the end of August, wander down to King Street and catch one of the biggest busker carnivals in North America! 

Illustration Friday, "Prehistoric"

And this week for Illustration Friday, my submission to the theme of Prehistoric. "Luke Was Here" originally appeared on the SCBWI Canada East Chapter blog. The blog exercise, "Mash Up," paired an author and illustrator with a few key words. The creatives had no contact with each other and the results were often hilarious. I was teamed with Stephanie Maidens and our attributes were - Name: Luke, Species: Kangaroo, Occupation: Lumberjack, Location: Cave. You can see Stephanie's wonderful story with a surprise ending, and more mash ups at The Children's Illustrators' Studio.

Illustration Friday, "Disguise"

Here is this week's submission to the Illustration Friday topic of "Disguise".
This image depicts a satirical fairytale, "Skin Deep," published in Weekly Reader magazine. The heroine is a facially disfigured young woman with the magical power
to make people see her as beautiful. 

Illustration Friday, "Beginning"

For this week's Illustration Friday topic of "Beginning," I submit my version of 
the Big Bang Theory. Double spread from "Mira and the Big Story," 
written by Laura Alary, published by Skinner House Books.

Illustration Friday, "Search"

"Search" is the topic at Illustration Friday this week.
This black and white spot appeared in an educational text.

Illustration Friday, "Time"

This week's theme at Illustration Friday is "Time." I have submitted Chronus,
Father Time himself who is lighting the way into the new year.
The best to all in 2014!

Illustration Friday, "Reflect"

Here's another from the archives for Illustration Friday. The theme is "reflect" and this image was one of a series of three titled "Sideshow." The character is based on my wonderful, eccentric grandmother who would have had tattoos were she alive today.