Happy Year of the Ram

 

Months ago, a Toronto-based design agency contacted me and asked whether I might be interested in creating an illustration for their Canada Post 'Year of the Ram' souvenir sheet pitch. I ecstatically accepted. While our proposal was never selected by the client panel in the end, I had the opportunity to work alongside a seasoned troop of artists: An experience I will always be grateful for. 

BSP: The Ninety-Ninth Bride

“When the Sultan has arrived and is at ease, ask that I tell you a story. Do you like stories?”

Dunya is just fifteen years of age when her father, the Grand Vizier, gives her over to the mad Sultan for his bride. Ninety-eight Sultanas before Dunya have been executed, slaughtered at the break of dawn following their first night with their new husband. But on her own wedding night, the ninety-ninth bride finds help from the mysterious and beautiful Zahra, who proposes to tell the Sultan a story…

I'm pleased to present the closing stitch in The Book Smugglers' collective weave of subversive fairy tales.

The Ninety-Ninth Bride, a powerful debut by Catherine F. King, seamlessly blends the lore and themes found in the Arabic anthology, The Tales of One Thousand and One Nights. 

Working alongside The Book Smugglers, as well as a talented roster of upcoming authors, has been a genuine treat. I wish them all the best in their print and publication ventures. 

Purchase of the e-book is available here.

Laura Resnick Header

Laura Resnick's revamped website has launched and I am absolutely elated to have my work featured as her header! For more details, visit the link here. 

Laura Resnick is an award-winning fantasy writer. Among her extensive CV is the popular Esther Diamond Series, and a roster of romance novel written under the pseudonym Laura Leone. Winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in Science Fiction in 1993, she continues to write to this day.

BSP: Mrs. Yaga

“All he has to do is bypass the gatekeeper of the thrice-tenth kingdom and bring me a fern flower, a dragon’s heart, and a rusałka’s lock of hair. Easy.”

On the outskirts of a quiet Canadian town, in a cabin perched on chicken feet and surrounded by a fence of skulls, live Baba Yaga and her ward, Aurelia. Young Aurelia yearns for romance, for adventure, for freedom from her baba—but every one of Aurelia’s suitors so far has failed Mrs. Yaga’s three simple tasks. When her last—and favourite—date disappears, Aurelia must decide to continue her daydreams of freedom, or embark on an adventure of her own.

Here's presenting the third installment in The Book Smugglers’ Fall 2014 lineup of subversive fairy tales, Mrs. Yaga.

Mrs. Yaga is a modern take on an old Slavic folktale, beautifully and playfully retold by Michal Wojcik. 

Early purchase is available on The Book Smugglers website.

BSP: In Her Head, In Her Eyes

Trills of silver, quiver of gold.

Pot Head, they called her. Heavy-head, they teased her. In a noble house of dye masters, Island-born Hase is an outcast, ridiculed by her fellow servants and employers – all because of the smooth, reflective sphere that covers her head. Little does the household know that Hase has a mission and a purpose, carried behind her pot-covered head, in her impenetrable eyes.

This is my first cover illustration and the second installment of The Book Smugglers’ Fall 2014 lineup of subversive fairy tales. In Her Head, In Her Eyes is a dark, subtle retelling of the Japanese tale “Hachikaduki” (translated as “A Girl with a Bowl on her Head“), written and reinvented by the talented Yukimi Ogawa. 

The e-book is available for early purchase here.

Book Smugglers Publishing

It is a real privilege to work alongside The Book Smugglers once more.

Together, we have devised a logo for their upcoming publications. Likewise, I will be creating 3 different book covers for their Fall 2014 lineup of subversive fairy tales: In Her Head, In Her Eyes, Mrs. Yaga, and The Ninety-Ninth Bride. The writing is brilliant. More details here.

Nite Lite Bookmarks

Just wanted to showcase the bookmarks that Thuy Lam (Nite Lite Book Reviews) and I recently created together. Here are the front and back respectively:

Thuy also kindly sent along some samples of the printed results, which I received earlier today. The bookmarks are 6" by 2". A perfect fit for any book.

Nite Lite Book Reviews

"Books are a uniquely portable magic" —Stephen King

It's been quiet here for some time. But today, at last, I am pleased to post a piece that was designed for Nite Lite Book Reviews. Thuy, founder of the site, and I worked hard together in combining our thoughts and creative energies to fashion a header that would effectively illustrate the "dark" and often "whimsical" nuances contemporary novels use to stir their readers' imaginations. Working with Thuy has been a delight and her revamped website is really coming along nicely. Custom bookmarks will be available soon.

In the meantime, please check out the site Nite Lite Book Reviews. Thuy has a great eye, fantastic reviews, and some special goodies (including a 'Manicure Monday') which are sure to inspire.

Limited Edition Prints

We are passionate about ART. Art has the power to move, to inspire and to stimulate.

Just a small part of Artzila's big-hearted mission statement.

Artzila is an online gallery that specializes in the promotion and distribution of artworks by Canadians. All prints are archival quality, limited edition runs, signed and numbered by the artists—a diverse roster of which I am now a proud member.

To check out the website or my prints click here.

Happy Spring Equinox

Happy Spring Equinox! A Merry Ostara! Prospera Paschal Sit!

Whatever the occasion, it's time to celebrate Spring and the industrious cycle of life.

Blue Mouse Ears

'Blue Mouse Ears' is a small mounding variety of Hosta. Thick, waxy leaves help shield them from pests, drought and Winter. In Summertime, the plant gives birth to a healthy cluster of purple, bell-shaped flowers. 

Wood Horse

Happy Year of the Wood Horse!

"In Chinese astrology, the Horse is a sign marked by energy, action and a general optimism in life."

Dear Author

I am thrilled to finally post the work that was completed for Jane Litte's romance book review site, Dear Author. After some zealous sketching and revisions, we were able to put together a header and handful of icons which are now featured on Dear Author's revamped website. Check it out! Download the app, take part in community discussion and contest giveaways—you'll be glad you did. Their Zazzle merchandise should be available soon.

In case you were curious, '406' represents DA's date of birth.

Carte de Visite

Although completed some time ago, I wanted to showcase select samples of the work that Celesta and I hatched over the past few months. Above, are two business card designs. Each one features a seamless pattern inspired by those many quirky themes present in Books Before Bed.

Using four different colour swatches – bottle green, sorbet orange, purple and blue – Celesta is also embarking on creative mission which will include pajamas, wrapping paper, totebags and more. I can't wait to see what she'll come up with.

Books Before Bed

Last month, I was contacted by the lovely and talented book reviewer, Celesta Hubner, to illustrate a header for her website; Books Before Bed. After some diligent brainstorming, we settled on a design. Three young ladies, taking their late-night reads with them, as they crossover into the dream world. The bed/book sheets feature Celesta's own personal work.

The collaboration was thrilling. Working with others always is. Celesta and I will be continuing our work together. A process which will involve creating a series of stamps for her rating system, along with business cards. If you're interested in reading more, I highly recommend visiting Celesta's website. Her reviews are fantastic.

Calling Cards

Upon completion of The Book Smugglers blog header, Thea, Ana and I developed some business cards. Above, arranged from left to right, are; Thea's card|back, Thea and Ana's card|front, and Ana's card|back. The images have been modified to protect each client's personal information.

The Book Smugglers

Last year, a month or so before the holiday buzz had taken it's usual toll, I was contacted by Thea James and Ana Grilo, co-founders and book critics of The Book Smugglers. As luck would have it, I was selected from a list of several talented individuals to redesign the header for their website.

I loved working with Thea and Ana. They knew exactly what they wanted, had a keen eye for detail and a discerning one for areas of improvement.

And there may be more to follow; bookmarks, business cards, as well as, other merchandise.

If you like, you can read more about the design process on their official website.

Totemic

Totemic

One in a Woollion

Last year, at some point, I was hired to create a concept design for Logitech. The artworks were intended to appeal to the youth segment, and thus disport an interplay between style and pop-culture. The final designs were then be featured on a series of products, ranging from speakers to headphones. Above, are the results of my efforts.

Star Eater v2.0

Recoloured tentacular creature.

Star Eater

A tentacular creature that swallows the light.