And here’s a closeup…

During the sketch stage, I was picturing a sea of men in blue suits, but the lone woman and the american flag just “popped” so much more amongst the neutral gray men. I’m sort of rediscovering neutrals again. I also used a large neutral area in a recent Mozart illustration. I’m learning that limiting the areas of color also helps to focus the viewers’ eye.

Thanks Again, Anna!

After I delivered the assignment, I realized the border of this illustration had the potential for other applications, and wanted to see how it worked without 50 Cent’s mug in the center of it all. With some text in the center, it could work as a nice cover, maybe for a horoscope book/journal/diary etc. If you read my previous post, you may have noticed that I’ve been interested in borders and frames lately…

Here’s an illustration I did in August for New York Magazine about the “Mostly Mozart” concert. Of the two versions, the bottom one with the giant stars was chosen to go to print. For the top image, I tried to create a vintage-frame that would be reminiscent of antique record sleeves. I’ve actually offered this option for a couple of different assignments, but so far the idea hasn’t been picked, even though the Art Directors have said they really dig it. In a future post, I’ll show another assignment where I offered the vintage frame as an option.

The New York Times recently commissioned this spot about how well-groomed boys receive higher grades. Such fun subject matter! I aimed to give it the look of an official school crest/Boy Scout merit badge. I especially liked illustrating the perfectly combed hair. It runs in Sunday’s “Education Life” section.

(Thanks Minh!)

Here’s a handful of icons I recently illustrated for New York Magazine about “The Science of Ice Cream”. Each icon was to accompany a section on either taste, texture or temperature. I normally integrate some collage elements into my work, but these were to run very small, so I made them very flat and graphic. Sadly, the article was killed, so the spots will never run. They were a blast to do though, and it was fun to work directly with Art Director Randy Minor. You’re Awesome, Randy!

Heinz Edelmann, the influential graphic designer and illustrator best known for his art direction of The Beatles’ 1968 animated musical “Yellow Submarine”, died today at the age of 75.

When I first saw “Yellow Submarine” as a kid, it left me absolutely speechless. And now, even as an adult and having seen it dozens of times, it is still completely magical and awe-inspiring.

My favorite sequence (see video below) accompanies the song “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.” Here, the animators used rotoscoping, a technique in which live-action scenes are traced. The visuals to this song are especially dreamlike. Showgirls dance at a leisurely pace while the colors of their skin, hair and clothing rapidly and wildly transform. It’s thrilling to watch.

Heinz Edelmann, 1934-2009

Eric Paul of Entertainment Weekly recently commissioned this illustration about the Academy Awards’ decision to increase the number of Best Picture nominees from 5 to 10.

Oh, how I love the Oscars. Is there anything more fun than watching the red carpet arrivals, thoroughly critiquing celebrities’ gowns & hairstyles, while lounging on the couch in sweatpants? I think not.

I really loved doing this illustration. Hope to do more Oscar themed work this year! Or at least more work that includes shooting stars…

(Thanks Eric!)

June was a busy month! Glad to get back to blogging.

So, I finally got a chance to work with the talented Benjamen Purvis at his new post as the AD of Seattle Metropolitan magazine. I’ve admired his work for some time, so it was great to get the call. He commissioned this illustration for a story about iPhone applications created by Seattle-based techies.

Now, the iPhone is pretty impressive, but this is the true masterpiece:

This is “The Phone Car” (duh), by Howard Davis. When you honk the horn, the telephone rings. I kid you not.

New York Magazine recently commissioned this photo-illustration of Edie Falco for a review of her upcoming Showtime series, Nurse Jackie. (Thanks Stevie!) Below is the original photo that I used, courtesy of the magazine.

It was fun “scattering” the pills on the page. I was having a total “Valley of the Dolls” moment…

(Thanks Ingrid! Thanks Mike!)