sabrina smelko illustration

Playing Around with Type Design/ Logos

2012-01-04T22:16:00.002-05:00

VOA: Son of a Gun

2011-12-13T22:48:00.000-05:00

Eye-Balls

2011-12-06T19:48:00.001-05:00

Slowly But Surely

2011-12-01T12:52:00.001-05:00

Been working on an illustrated short story for - you guessed it - Blair Drawson's Narrative Illustration class. I was in a super-rut over it for the past week or so, but this morning things started going well and I'm finally loving it again! (Best birthday gift so far today, other than a happy birthday email from Baskin Robbins (?), but then again, it's only noon... I look forward to strawberry shortcake soon enough!)
So check out the progress!

What a Mess

2011-11-26T20:35:00.002-05:00

What I've Been Listening To Lately

2011-11-23T15:58:00.002-05:00

Enough about illustration and design, right?
I figured I'd post about what music I've been listening to lately as I work away, 'cause heck, who doesn't get by by blaring music and putting the pedal to the metal. Some popular songs in my past 6 months' listening...

If you like the Black Keys, this dude rules!
Caroline by Alex Clare

The Black Keys - Run Right Back by The Black Keys

So odd but great...

Onra - The Anthem by Rory Blacklock

Burial, Four Tet & Thom Yorke - Ego/Mirror 12" by Izvinitie

Cause' I'm gangsta...

Gorgeous (feat. KiD CuDi & Raekwon) by Kanye West on Grooveshark

Classic... Them Dodge RAM commercials rekindled my love for this song.

Not to mention Watch The Throne...

Thesis: Rebranding! Oops!

2011-11-19T15:42:00.002-05:00

Last night I found out that my novel-in-the-works for my thesis- titled 'Darkhouse'- is also the name of other books.

Don't ask me why the second or third or fourth person didn't google "Darkhouse novel", but I'm not about to be the fifth idiot. So-starting at 7:00pm last night- I had one of those extremely still and silent mental freak-outs where I didn't talk or leave my room for a few hours until I was satisfied with a new name, logo, emblem etc etc, and I have to admit, I'm actually happier with this new set of branding identities, or what have you!

Let me know your thoughts... The novel is now called 'VOA' which is a term used in the novel quite a bit, thus the many logos that looks like some geometric nonsense; it's actually a V, an O, and an A!

How fun!

It stands for Victim of Action- which is way cooler than it sounds, I hope.

I was thinking of titling it 'Victim of Action' but quickly realized I kind of like the mysteriousness of a title that's an acronym. The secrecy suits the novel as well, which is about an underground organization- secret stuff!

Process of a Spread

2011-11-04T17:51:00.002-04:00

Thesis: Exploring Type for Sections

2011-10-29T11:27:00.000-04:00

Exactly what it sounds like! I created my own two typefaces for this novel so far and am really torn as to how to incorporate both; maybe one has got to go! Decisions decisions...

Narrative Assignment 2,3,4,5 and 6. In one. Oh Boy.

2011-10-19T20:03:00.002-04:00

So Blair Drawson and I came up with the brilliant - I once thought - idea to combine all of the assignments into one large assignment because he was too thrilled with one of my concepts and didn't want to see it wasted in just 1 assignment, taking up a page or two. I agreed, and now I'm realizing this might be more work than I anticipated. Here are (roughly) the first two pages, with another dozen or so to go. Oh boyyyyy.

It's called The Apiarist by the way, but that'll come pages from now. Oy vey!

Mackenzie

2011-10-13T16:40:00.004-04:00

Studio Space AKA Bedroom

2011-10-05T18:43:00.001-04:00

Who doesn't like to see fellow creative's spaces? I do!

So here's mine, after some drastic re-arranging of my entire bedroom.

ALSO! The image on the screen is a accidental preview for a spread I'm working on for my Thesis novel!

Note the 2011 "hat" I made for New Years Eve. One word; great night.

Thesis Pieces: Exploring Branding Ideas!

2011-09-28T18:04:00.003-04:00

So this is fun as hell, and I CANT STOP DESIGNING.

So addictive...

Thesis Pieces is the New Reese's Pieces

2011-09-26T13:51:00.001-04:00

Here's a fast explorations in b/w media for a character in the novel I'm preparing for our Thesis project. I've far too long gone on procrastinating just DOING by looking up inspiration, planning it all out, keeping my notes neat and tidy. I just need to DRAW and start making shit and getting messy!

I have found that I've relied to heavily on colour in the past, and due to the nature of my thesis, black and white is the way to go; it's cheaper for the printers and publishers and I actually find myself enjoying it a heck of a lot.

I find it difficult to bull-shit my way through a piece like this. Bottom-line, if the drawing is bad, the finished product will be as well, where with some media or with use of colour, you can (somewhat) salvage a piece to look (somewhat) okay- but even then, it looks like poop most of the time.

Don't get me wrong, I love me some colour, but working this way right now is so refreshing and energizing for me, and I find I've discovered the motivation of a fat kid running after the ice-cream truck.

I am SO excited for this coming year and my thesis project and can't wait to see everyone else's gorgeous work. This year's gonna be good...

"What's that supposed to mean?"

2011-09-20T18:28:00.002-04:00

Our first Narrative Illustration class assignment and I like how it turned out.

We had the freedom to do whatever we wanted so long as it indluded one of the folloeing sentences in one panel: "are you all right?" or "what's that supposed to mean?" Guess which one I chose. Ha-ha.

Cheesy joke aside, I'm really trying to use more black and white and not rely on colour so much as I believe my Thesis will be 80% b/w, and as for the subject matter, I tried to tackle something more complex, attempting to be as thought-provoking as possible with only 4 panels about 5"x3.5" each.

Enjoy!

Museum - A Book Cover (roughs)

2011-09-10T19:55:00.001-04:00

Here's some roughs from our first Graphic Design assignment; we were assigned short story- 101 words- and we have to make 2 variables on a book cover including the storie's name and author. I totally forget the author, so I made one up, hahaha. Eventually the author will be correct.

Havin' fun designing!

Painting - Traditional Taken Into Photoshop

2011-08-30T16:09:00.001-04:00

Tryin' to practice gettin' my hands and fingers ready for the school year.

Applied Arts Magazine Visual Arts Education Edition

2011-08-23T17:55:00.001-04:00

So way back in July I believe, a group of us fourth year illustrators were scheduled to meet up for a day of mini-sandwiches, coffee and cubed fruit- well, partly; I won't turn down free food. We were actually gathering to be photographed as we attended a life-drawing session.

Thanks to Donna Braggins, Clemente Botelho and Joe Morse- my professors and heads of the program- we were able to be a part of the Applied Arts September 2011 Visual Arts Education issue promoting the many creative programs offered at Sheridan College.

Donna let us know that there was a chance we may be contacted for an interview for the magazine, and I half-listened as I drew away, expecting nothing. A few days later I was emailed by the gracious Chris Daniels for an interview for the magazine- who also interviewed a few other talented pals in the program- where they would display some of our work as well.

So a few months went by until yesterday I got a text from my pal and fellow illustrator Ryan MacDonald saying that I was "looking stoic and artsy on the cover of Applied Arts", to which I replied, "Whuuuuh?!" Upon further inspection- meaning looking in my inbox to find the email from him with the Sheridan Newsletter attached- I opened it up to see myself, hunchy and half-awkward, smiling on the cover of Applied Arts Magazine.

I was already stoked to be IN the magazine, but I never knew they intended to use me for the cover. I'm speechless and needless to say, I'm so so so grateful to Applied Arts Magazine. It's great to see Sheridan promoted in all its deserving glory! Great job fellow artist homies!

It's a sad sad day

2011-08-19T11:30:00.003-04:00

Bye-bye to my favourite shoes! I can't bear to let them go, but they're literally unwearable. I'm tempted to shellac them and keep them hahahah.

Oil Sketches

2011-08-17T22:30:00.001-04:00

Really been dedicated to sketching more often and painting more often as fourth year approaches.

I realize it comes more naturally to me which is strange, as I can sometimes feel more comfortable on a computer. There’s a different feel even as I do the work in both mediums... Traditional media just calms me right down where Im often frantic and feel like I'm “working” when doing stuff digtally. Allll part of the learning process I guess.

In the last one: just experimenting with bringing oil sketches into photoshop and going over them/recolouring.

Thesis exploration

2011-08-13T13:04:00.004-04:00

Thesis is this year, which is both intimidating and extremely exciting because lately, I've come up with a thesis that suits me just right and is an obvious choice for me- and I know that because it's the only idea so far that has forced me into that head space where I won't accept anything less than perfect in order to do my "idea" justice...But i'll keep it under wraps for the good ol' web!

I've been struggling with myself lately about my my "style" and process.
To be honest, I haven't been happy with my recent digital explosion of work. I think and know I can do better, and to be honest, the majority of the time- maybe almost all of the time-, I end up liking the quality of my sketches better than my finished piece of work. There's something about a pencil sketch done well that looks better, holds more meaning and gets me more, so I've been battling with how to achieve that "look" or a similar one while still maintaining a good finished quality- which I find is hard in pencil, mostly because it's the go-to "rough-work" media tool.

That being said, digital is still my bestie and I plan to use it for about 25% of each piece.

I just left my internship, so nows the time to explore the hell out of media, and that's what I've been doing.
SO, this "sketch" is an exploration of what I'd like to start doing again; finding that sweet spot and balance between traditional with digital.

It's going to take getting used to, as it's so easy for me to do things quickly digitally and I have a poor patience, but if I'm going to learn, I better do it now before it catches up to me when I'm in school full-time, working at TRAVIS part time and helping out on council among other things.

note: ignore the creepy red fingers golding it up haha, photobooth is my scanner

2011-07-25T13:48:00.001-04:00

Mega Quarry Info Graphic

2011-07-05T12:00:00.008-04:00

Saving the Economy and Your Health, One Pedal at a Time

2011-07-04T13:40:00.003-04:00

As an angst-y teen, I often went for bike rides that lasted hours. With no clear destination in mind, I was on the all important quest in search of “myself.” While now I laugh at how insignificant my problems really were, I can’t help but think about how biking was a healing force in my life.

When I read about plans to remove the Jarvis bike lane, I felt a significant loss for those who bike in Toronto; my mind immediately turned to the psychic benefits that would be lost along with the bike lane. Let’s face it: Biking = therapy.

And it’s not just my experience. According to Rory McMullan, author of Biking to Work, regular cyclists:

add over 2 years to their life expectancy
have the general fitness and health of someone 10 years younger
are 50% less likely to experience depression

As experts now know, depression isn’t an isolated issue. People who experience depression are more likely to other chronic health issues like diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, stroke…the list goes on and on.

Even if we just focused on the mental health benefits of biking, we could pretty easily make the case that bike lanes would result in reduced health costs, greater productivity resulting in a healthy economy and more taxable income.

All I know for certain is that during my long aimless bike rides when I talked out my problems (albeit, to myself– no shame here!) and cleared my head, I saved myself from juicy therapist bills and from visits to my doctor which could be directed toward more pressing health issues.

When you bike, you think clearer and become a healthier person all around.

So can someone, for the love of god, buy Ford a bike?!http://hypenotic.com/meaning-fulmarketing/5968/biking-blunders

Salander

2011-06-28T14:56:00.002-04:00

I started with the image on the bottom and realized it could be better, as it always can! it was awkward and the hospital theme wasn't strong enough in the books or movie to go on, so I chose to make it metaphorical instead of literal.

Buildings Galore

2011-06-22T14:31:00.001-04:00

I would have never imagine that I'd have fun and enjoy illustrating buildings.

I used to write them off thinking I could never do them justice, but now I'm obsessed with them. I want to make buildings (in Illustrator) all day long! My childhood dream of being an architect is coming true!

I feel accomplished, haha.

Enjoy and Happy Hump-day everyone!

T.o.night Magazine Shout Outs Rant

2011-06-16T14:07:00.000-04:00

As posted on Hypenotic's blog by me.
A few weeks ago, desperately trying to tap into wireless networks using the password "password" had become a part time job for me. As a commuter with a long haul to and from our studio and no companion other than my 2003 model Samsung, not having the Internet at my disposal when in a sea of iPad, iPhone, blackberry and other wireless devices made me itch for that connection.

That was, until I stumbled upon the ever-engaging t.o.night Magazine; Toronto’s only free evening daily magazine targeted to the commuter crowd.

Though a short read, t.o.night accomplishes to provide me with a daily fix of the latest news in entertainment, world issues and information about Toronto events, new restaurants, etc. Scanning through the first pages eats up about 10 precious minutes of my time, cramped uncomfortably between bodies on the Go Train. But as I reach the last few pages, a crescendo of interest in me slowly builds to reveal the infamous Shout-Out’s; t.o.night’s most popular section.

On the Shout-Out’s page, readers can write published messages to fellow commuters, rant about whatever’s on their mind, pose questions to fellow commuters, and make various requests at no charge by emailing them to the paper.

While most of the time it is entertaining- to say the least- reading “BadBoi4Lyfe’s” charming ads encouraging fellow “commuter hotties” to find him to make his trip home “fun timez 4 both”, I can’t help but notice how the shout-outs reveal what is quintessentially wrong with humanity.

In a world where social media is growing with every new day, people’s charisma and ability to have face-to-face social interaction is dwindling. Somehow, reading desperate men and women’s postings about their desire for communication with others is quite ironic and- frankly- funny to me when, right in front of them, is an array of hundreds of different people crammed in one space, all trying to pass time.

These hilarious Shout Outs fill one or two pages a day, with Jodi Isenberg, t.o.night’s editor in the National Post saying,

“There’s a community riding the GO Train and they want to interact”.

Did I get that right? These people want a way to interact? Try opening your mouth to speak; I guarantee that it takes less effort and time. Don’t get me wrong, many Shout-Outs are helpful, inspiring, light-hearted and/or innocent, but a good chunk of them leave me shaking my head, deflated.

While social media is a very helpful tool for businesses and for the vast majority of people who are genuinely not creepy, I think it’s important to make sure that we do not decrease face-to-face interaction.

No one can run a successful business relationship in 140 characters. A successful relationship cannot rely on the often grammatically incorrect public posts you make, but instead runs on social interaction; phone calls, meetings over coffee, chats over a cold beer etc.

We should make more phone calls when we could text, pose more upfront questions rather than wait to shoot an email and be careful not to rely on social media as a tie to others, but regard it as a means to keep up to date with those whom we care about and/or are interested in. And when you have cured yourself of being a creepy facebook-lurking, twittering hobbit, social media can supplement an already successful friendship, business, etc.

All I am suggesting is that we use social media very intelligently and carefully, and it will work in our favour. Don't hang your dirty laundry out for everybody to see, because, really, you will regret it. Be yourself and don't be creepy (yes, I'm talking to you BadBoi4Lyfe) and use our amazing technological benefits to your advantage.

Because while Social Media is your friend, a real relationship cannot survive and flourish in 140 characters or less.

Packaging Design Ideas!

2011-06-14T14:21:00.002-04:00

Some brainstorming, or should I say Illustratoring? Fiesta Farms in Toronto, a local grocery store that serves local food, organic foods, etc is making their own line of food products using locally grown vegetables in Toronto. So we thought making products that could be based on Toronto streets would be neat-o!

And this guy....

Fiesta Farms Ad on the back of this seasons Edible Magazine (Toronto)

2011-06-05T11:01:00.001-04:00

This was a whole lot of fun to make. The client is easy going and I had alot of creative freedom, so I made it very lighthearted and a tad bit comical at some points! Enjoy!

Toronto Food Sector Infographic

2011-05-31T14:00:00.002-04:00

PHOTO DUMP.

2011-05-19T13:25:00.003-04:00

Things I've been doing recently at my internship at Hypenotic in Toronto. My life recently is full of coffee, tea, turkey sandwiches, hummus, icons, logos, type, sketches and transit!

My Music Video!

2011-04-18T01:36:00.001-04:00

PEN Canada Campaign

2011-04-11T18:39:00.002-04:00

inter

I am so pleased with how this all turned out! I struggled with it a lot, and made about 4 different variations of the poster to base my other components off of, but I'm finally finished and happy with how it all turned out!

WHEWWWWW!

Soda Can Labels!

2011-04-11T13:29:00.008-04:00

My soda can labels and poster... This was really fun but painstaking when it came to choosing colours and making it all look connected! Bah! Last project for our dear Jill!

Love for Painting? Rekindled!

2011-04-03T12:53:00.003-04:00

After a few months of loathing painting, I now have rekindled my romance with it... This is a painting I did in 2ish hours in life drawing class. Just in time for our large scale portrait assignment too! How convenient!

Logo Design for Beveragessss!

2011-03-23T18:42:00.002-04:00

Beginnings of what will eventually be packaging design for a soda/vitamin water! I can't decide which one to stick with, so I'll try out both and see what J-Dawg thinks... Kinda leaning towards the Dope/Hope Soda... PS: Rain/Fire is for a rich adult demographic and Hope/Dope is for hipster-type peeps!

EDIT: PEN Canada

2011-03-22T19:47:00.008-04:00

NEW POSTER! I CHANGED MY MINNNDDD! AHHH. Last minute decision led me to make a whole new poster! New one is above, old below! I wasn't happy with the overall composition and vibe of the other piece. I didn;t enjoy making it to be honest and it took me forever. This new one I had sooo much fun creating and it only took me 2 hours... Guess the fun enjoyable thing can also be the fastest! Who knew! I'm just glad this epiphany happened in time to hand in tomorrow morn! ****This piece was about PEN Canada, which helps bring to justice writers who have been held/persecuted/jailed for their own writing. I used paper as a straightjacket and spiral bound notebooks rings to hold the writers legs down. More to come regarding PEN Canada!

Mailer Self-Promo and Roughs!

2011-03-19T14:23:00.000-04:00

My final postcard mailer! I'm happy with how it turned out and only wish I was graduated and in business so I could send it out now! I am getting more and more eager to start my career, especially since we're almost down third year, and heading into our fourth and final year! Excitinnnnng! Here is also a rough for my advertising poster piece for PEN Canada. It's the idea of a writer who's own downfall and reason for being "contained" is his own writing, in whatever fashion that may be; (Journalism, a manuscrpit, new story etc). I'm playing with the idea of a straight-jacket made out of paper/his writing, cause hey, they're both white, so it works! Hahah, I also might bring in the spirals of a spiral-bound notepad or binder "prongs" to be holding him down in some fashion 'round the legs! It's a start!

Work in Progress!

2011-03-13T12:52:00.002-04:00

Where to begin... Lately, I've realized the importance of making sure you own your art, and that it comes- from sketch to final- directly from you and no one else. I've always taken my art very seriously and in the past few months have even been strict on myself when it comes to consistency and style, but upon reflection, I'm a student. And I should be experimenting with a few of my own flavors and styles. I thought I'd have to narrow myself to a certain look recently, and now I realize I was bullshitting myself and selling myself short. There IS room for multiple styles, and I'm an idiot for not exploring that sooner. I started taking my work too seriously, and where the hell is the fun in that?!

So this piece is 100% true to me, from sketch to where it is now, to where I'll take it. And I know its a departure from my recent "style" but it taught me a big lesson, and hopefully from here on out, I wont focus on the final look or consistent style, rather just let myself do exactly what I feel like doing, and hope for the best.

Colour Combos!

2011-03-09T16:10:00.002-05:00

Colour and re-colour till it gets right!

No Sleep Mock Music Video

2011-03-07T10:14:00.004-05:00

Because I love Sam Roberts so much, I'm making a mock music video for his song No Sleep. I don't know if taking on two videos is a smart idea, but alas, I want to do both styles, so why not make two videos! Hopefully they both get done :\

Enjoy the horrible quality!

Something Springy to come...

2011-03-05T11:07:00.007-05:00

I have no clue what will become of this, but it's reading week and I felt like sketching something springy! It was raining all weekend, so maybe this will be the outcome of all the rain: Androgynous people emerging from flowers and bees that are nice and don't touch you! Hope everyones managing to catch up on sleep and relax! Go take a bubble-bath, right now! You deserve it, classmatessss!

Business Cards Redone!

2011-03-02T22:35:00.002-05:00

I cannot bring myself to make my cards have a paint splatter or something to show that I'm very artsy crazy, because I'm not! I work almost strictly digitally and a, very clean and don't like a mess, so please forgive me Jill, if it doesn't look like the illustrator's business cards from previous years! I think it suits me and thats all that matters in the end! If only we were allowed to make circle business cards for Jill's class...

Nigerian Fraud Scams are baaaaad

2011-02-20T20:14:00.004-05:00

This is my piece based off of a real Nigerian fraud email that starts with an old man who has cancer and wants you to give him money for charity, and ends in you getting your ass kicked, and losing all of your money, dignity and sense of internet discretion!

I played with the hospital idea and made the piece based off of this scum bag, posing as a suffering patient, who really just wants your "blood", and drains all of his victims dry. No, he's not a vampire, just wants to drain thaaa life out of yaaaaa! So beware, and delete all of your junk emails that are actually junk!

The very very very very first seconds of my Animation

2011-02-17T22:11:00.001-05:00

Glass Orbs in Space by Sabrina from Sabrina Smelko on Vimeo.

So for computers class, we can do whatever we want for our final project. ANYTHING.
How the heck do you choose what in heck's house you wanna do?
I finaaallllyyy decided on making a music video for Magnetic Man's Getting Nowhere ft. John Legend. This is the first bit, although please ignore the awkard 5 seconds of stillness, I plan on doing sommmmeeething there! I plan on also inputting actually footage shot with my little trusty Canon, and mixing the orb world with the real world. Check in lataaaa for more, dudes!

Sustain Ontario Hypenotic Video!

2011-02-14T10:29:00.001-05:00

Me Blabbering At The Good Food show: By Hypenotic
The show was great! Check out more of the website to find other student posters and videos!

Logo Designing for Myself!

2011-02-09T15:38:00.001-05:00

I am totally indecisive! I love the look of the ampersand and the S as "S & S" But I realize it isn't as relevant or obvious as the SS connected... Opinions are very welcome! I need help!

HEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPP!

Mighty Frost Movie

2011-02-08T14:22:00.001-05:00

Created for an app or other social game application!

Poster+Logo/Web Design

2011-01-28T16:22:00.001-05:00

Hahahahaahahha Computers Class Assignment

2011-01-17T15:06:00.004-05:00

Soon to be a motion graphic start page for a game by "Mighty Frost"
Hahaha

Graphic Design Class: Poster for a Sheridan Program

2011-01-13T11:51:00.000-05:00

Here are my graphic designs so far for a promo poster for Visual Merchandising Arts, in case it wasn't totally obvious. We had to work with image and type and hierarchy in a way where if you were on a Subway car, you'd notice it and stop to read it hopefully! (Although in Subway's you don't have much choice haha)

Enjoy my roughs ladiesssssss and gents!

Infographic: Contests

2011-01-06T14:58:00.001-05:00

Here's an infographic I made for fun about the importance of entering art contests. Enjoy!

Shameless Self-Promo!

2011-01-02T20:13:00.001-05:00

Just some fooling around on photoshop and illustrator based off a sketch I did of myself. Please note, the portrait is not accurate... I don't have pink skin, although I may wish I did!

Fast Food Fiasco

2010-12-13T17:01:00.002-05:00

So here's my infographic on fast food and its advertising. Definitely looking forward to making more, and making them better, perhaps with music, thaaaaaat's what it's missing here! Needs more cowbell. More cheesy instrumental music haha.

(To be seen in tandem with my "Kings of Fast Food" Infographic a few posts below this one!)

Me Embarssing Myself as I Always Manage To At School

2010-12-08T15:17:00.001-05:00

So I didn't care much for this elective, and we had to give a power point presentation.. You know the ones where you awkwardly stand there reading off a sheet, even though you spend 5 hours memorizing it perfectly. So I decided to make a video instead... This was the result, haha.
Guhhhhh.

Happy Holidays To Alllll!

2010-12-07T21:33:00.000-05:00

I recently entered a contest for the Toronto Star. We had to create an illustration exhibiting
something along the lines of Holiday's in the big city, in whatever way we liked. I chose a
more satirical route, as all Torontonians can laugh and relate to the piece more than just a
happy santa giving kids gifts on Queen street. Fingers crossed!I know it's a pretty slim
chance to win, but hey, why not try, right?!

Heck, I can even turn it into Christmas cards for fun!

Enjoy!

Energy Drink Can

2010-12-01T19:07:00.000-05:00

Here's my energy drink illustration! We had to make it for Torontonians who were on the go, and I focused on businessmen and the working culture. This is not totally finished, and its exploded at 250%, but hey, here it is anyways! Enjoy!

PS: I apologize for the naked old woman painting....

Fast Food Infographic!

2010-11-28T16:39:00.001-05:00

I am finito! Click on it for a higher-res version.

YESSS!

2010-11-23T15:31:00.001-05:00

I'm so proud and happy to be featured on Applied Arts Magazine's blog, the Wire.

http://www.appliedartsmag.com/blog/?p=3440

Rough for Toronto-inspired Energy Drink Can!

2010-11-22T09:49:00.000-05:00

Please ignore the Frankenstein looking figure looming in the foreground, ahhaha, I willllll be changing him up!

As with most of lines and things!. It's super rough, but going well!

Bear-y Cool

2010-11-21T18:33:00.000-05:00

Just an old sketch I did that I may want to push further and paint one fine day!

Here's an ugly vector I did. Only now do I realize the sketch is better, and I should paint it traditionally!

CD cover Ideas and Process

2010-11-20T12:22:00.000-05:00

Topographic map and Network Diagram Mania!

2010-11-12T23:52:00.003-05:00

Oh, info-graphics class, how I love you! No lie, not a hint of sarcasm there.

I really wish I could upload the PDF version here to be properly seen!

I based the map off of the urbanspoon app. and the top 10 places to go for quick bites or coffee or dessert in Downtown Toronto. The second is based off the idea of a dinner date and the process of choosing a place to eat, and the process of getting there. I tried to show two processes of getting to the same result; a dude with an iPhone and apps, and a girl with a house-line and a facebook account.

Enjoy!

The New Yorker Monopolized!

2010-11-12T23:47:00.000-05:00

Speaks about the real-estate market in NY and how competitive it is, like the game. And then there's the man who's got it all! (Eustace Tilley reference) Equipped with his monopoly game-piece-inspired terrier, he's super suave.

Good old Gordon.

2010-10-22T09:45:00.000-04:00

'The Perfectionist" assignment for Thom. We had one week to illustrate perfectionist, personified.

Information Illustration

2010-10-05T11:31:00.000-04:00

I did two! I did the pink/grey/black/orange/yellow one first. But 2 days ago decided I didn't like it, so lo and behold I THINK I'm choosing the simpler palette one (blue based and horizontal). Opinions?

Either way, I'm finito!

It was actually really fun and enjoyable to create; I will defiantly be doing more of these, even for fun!

Overheard/Understood

2010-09-24T14:21:00.000-04:00

A project from Thom's Interpretive Illustration class based on a conversation we overheard; interpreted however we wanted!

Overheard, Understood Ideas!

2010-09-14T21:33:00.000-04:00

The beginnings of what may be my illustration for our Interpretive Illustration!

Hopefully our meeting for "roughs" goes well on Friday, today being Tuesday, ahhahahaha. If I can't chose this option I'll be cruuuuushed! Nah, it was good practice!

Bye-bye Summer!

2010-09-06T16:38:00.000-04:00

I'm back!

2010-08-30T17:04:00.000-04:00

After a long cold summer spent in Jasper, Alberta, working at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, I'm home! And have finally had a paintbrush in my hand for the first time in 4 months!

Needless to say, I'm rusty, but here's the first thing I have painted since returning!

It's not inspired at all; you'd think I'd be painting mountains, buuuuut nope!

Oh well, at least it's something?

PS: I cannot believe I've been missing out on this HEAT. I'm in love.

To-Do

2010-04-10T11:34:00.000-04:00

~~Design Band Logo~~

~~Ship Sunglasses to Philadelphia and Boots to Rhode Island~~

Self-Portrait (Soooo close!)

Life Drawing Assignment (Soooo close! One to go!)

~~Buy Plane Tickets to Jasper, AB!~~

Clean Room

Pack

Drawing for Art History

~~Interpretive Metaphor illustration~~

Buy Something to Wear on My Feet This Summer

Fly far away!

SEE FRIENDS BEFORE I LEAVE FOR 4 MONTHS :( I'll miss you all!

I will have internet access though! And we're allowed to have people stay in our place for 3 consecutive days for free! So come visit!

Teenage Kicks

2010-04-09T19:46:00.001-04:00

Band Logos.

Lorraine + Katherine= A Donkey + Me

2010-04-04T23:56:00.001-04:00

Self-portrait and fairy-tale piece.

Grease

2010-03-28T21:39:00.000-04:00

Metaphorical lyric illustration to Frankie Valli's song "Grease".

In my illustration, "grease" is the drug, "is word, have you heard? ..is the time it the place is the motion, is the way we are feeling" etc. blah blah

He's using "grease" and "trippin' out" on a "trip" get it? Grease is his way to vacation?

Baaaaah metaphors!

But enough boring stuff, ON TO THE VIDEO!

Hahaha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1V7EwR5w2A

Frankenstein

2010-02-21T23:28:00.000-05:00

I'm workin' on it...

Life Drawings

2010-02-10T18:01:00.000-05:00

Dio-roma-ro-mama-gaga-o-la-la, want your dioramaaaaaaa

2010-02-08T23:35:00.000-05:00

I LOVE the set, and wish I showed it all, the characters, I wish I put more time into getting them more realistic and energetic, ohhh wellllll!

Finals Mounted...Just cause this took up enough work to make 2 posts hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa sleepy

2009-12-10T00:25:00.000-05:00

Mmmmm :)

Sleepy times and Gaga.

The Weekend Update (Minus Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler

2009-11-27T11:38:00.000-05:00

Here's a whole bunch'a roughs for our Narrative Assignment. I did Momento Mori. That is all, PICTURE TIME!

What will be the double page spread; I need to make him move to the right, to the right, move David Sedaris to the right of the page!

4x4 TRUCKS

Full Page; needs to be BIGGER. Mmmm

Crappy Half Page; which isn't much of a half page, ahhaha. It will be! Phone, move up!

AAAAND LAST BUT NOT LEAST!

My man for media class who I have to do a watercolour portrait of, as if he aged 30 years.

Bahahaaaaa

Lovin' life.

THE ICE CREAM MAN!

2009-11-22T12:03:00.000-05:00

This is based off of a fortune we got and had to re-interpret in a metaphorical way: Mine waaaaas "Others find your charm irresistible." Sooo of course only ice cream/candy and heroin came to mind, hahaha. So lo and behold, the INNOCENT version; ice cream charming man!

He MUST be charming, 'cause he's winking! Am I right? Am I right?!

Maaaaaaaah.

Watercolour; who knew!

2009-11-18T11:32:00.000-05:00

Kathryn Chorney blows my mind; I used to hate watercolour painting, but she works some damn good magic with it, and now... I thoroughly enjoy it. Who knew!

Anyways, here's some experiments I've done in class; mean nothing, are of nothing, but look kinda neato!

Shawn-bot

2009-11-10T16:26:00.000-05:00

Here's a pastel portrait of my dearest.

(He was really excited to be the first real person other than me to make an appearance on my blog, but shhh.)

Romulans Rule.

2009-11-06T11:38:00.000-05:00

Incomplete scratchboard assignment; Halloween Romulan me

Bermuda, baaaaaaby.

2009-11-02T22:25:00.000-05:00

Here is my final for the Bermuda Triangle Assignment!

Baaaaaaaaaaw, pencil crayon tends to hurt the fingers after 6 hours of pressing harder than a rock.

98% finished painting

2009-10-21T10:26:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the camera quality, boo.

Venus vs. Mars

2009-10-17T14:50:00.000-04:00

Below is my workspace/room.

It is probably the cleanest it's ever been the week before reading week, so I'm impressed at my organization (or lack of). Haha, baaaah. Thank goodness for sticky-tack! Thank goodness for walls/floors!

I also started sketches this week for the Narrative Project, and I chose Memento Mori! I did a digital sketch, and am hoping I can recreate it in a traditional media, stinkin' rules!

Beginnings of our Scratchboard Assignment (pencil sketch).

Mooooooody!
My very hippy set-up for our painting assignment, which I reaaaaally need to get ontop of! Meaning start, not sit on the set-up... yeaaaaaaah. Haha I find it funny how it's not even a Polaroid camera, but let's ignore that.
Stuff on my wall.
ARG, life-drawing. I'm really not good at it and find it hard to enjoy that class. I'm trying though! Some people are just naturals at life-drawing, but not I, sir! Oh well, I'll keep trying, haha. Sorry Gillian for skipping your class for an hour.
Unfinished two-people pose, needs more moooooooodiness! Get in the background giiiirl! Let's darken you up.
We are all busy bees! I bet everyone is soo excited to just relax and do personal work over reading week!

Until then, I'll just have to listen to Jay-z to keep me energized and pumpin'!

hahaha, I'm so much more gangster than it seems, hahaaaaa,aaaa,aah.

What's on My Floor

2009-10-04T23:15:00.001-04:00

What's been going on?

All this!

Bugs, Water, Wind and Earth.

Mmmmm.

Elemets!

2009-10-01T22:51:00.000-04:00

Rough line work for my piece before having a go at the colour final!

And a reverse image just for fun!

Mother Nature (Edited)

2009-09-24T23:11:00.000-04:00

Above is a more recent photo and improvement from my roughs; it's getting there! By next Tuesday, as in one week, it will be finished, better, and in colour! Waaaaaa!

Here's a piece I'm working on for Thom's Interpretive Illustration class. It's really, very fun; I'm enjoying the process a lot!

We had to chose out of the 4 elements (Air, Earth, Fire and Water) as many of as little as we wanted and were told to create an 8x8" piece of decorative art with an art-nouveau/ art-deco feel.

I chose Air, Water and Earth. I think (hopefully) it says something about Mother Nature, and how though she gives live, she can also destroy it just as fast.

Here's some process shots! I plan on doing it in pencil crayon and watercolour/ink but we'll see!

2nd Year, First Week Goodies

2009-09-16T22:32:00.000-04:00

Knight made only out of basic shapes; yes, there was alot of overlapping small shapes, so, sorry in advance Scott!
Top 25 forks; feather, walnut shells, old hammered cell phone bits, CD, keyboard jeys, food, cassette tape, bobby pins, tea leaves, chewed gum, big-nose-glasses glasses from the dollar store etc!
No room on the floor anymore = resorting to this; goodbye walls!

Grdosic

2009-08-25T00:28:00.001-04:00

Click for a bigger view! Mmmm close-up gritty canvas...

Here's a portrait my good friend Mike asked me to do of him; taken in front of a wood fence that's basically rotting. I've never really painting wood before, let alone green decaying wood, so it should be interesting!

I am however happy with how the portrait is going. I do have to "photoshop" (er, paintshop?) his t-shirt. He (of course) wore a shirt that said SUICIDE (career suicide) without "career" being visible, hahaha.

Just wearing his Sunday best!

Enjoy, Grdosi!

Anyways, hope you enjoy the process shots!

Done in water-soluble oils.

Drowning

2009-08-19T12:50:00.000-04:00

A new piece I'm working on based on a quick sketch I did the other day;

Mixed-media (acrylic, pencil crayon) on board

Thunderhawks

2009-07-21T23:06:00.001-04:00

Click for a better/larger view!

Here is one of the t-shirt design for the band Thunderhawks!

Rad guys, fun music! Check them out http://www.myspace.com/thunderhawks

All done in photoshop. White and grey print on a black "shirt".

What Came Out of It

2009-07-12T16:28:00.000-04:00

Ta-da!

Unknown (edited)

2009-07-07T23:54:00.000-04:00

This is how it all started:
I made this tonight out of boredom, free time and restlessness. Origionally done in ink on white paper (the black part)- which I had alot fo fun with- but I scanned it into Photoshop and added the tone.

I'm not feeling the drips, but they seemed appropriate; hmmmm.

We shall see what we shall see!

I think I'm heading towards giving her a body and a wallpaper background, and making it into a colour image; faint earthy greens and pale peaches for the face, keeping the hair black. With a nice dark cast shadoe to the right wall!

I'll try somethin'!

By the way, I just finished reading

At Work by Annie Leibovitz

and it was a very very cool read. If you're interested in photography, or even if you're interested in the politics, art, music and/or stories surrounding the years from 1970 up until recently, she covers many of them from her point of view, and the point of view of her camera in a very raw and candid way.

Very neat! Go read it!

To all Sheirdan friends; how's your summer going?! Reccomend me any good books? I love biographies, books by Crichton, Coupland, any art/photography/music book, no fantasy stuff (Twilight is out of the question! Sorry!)

As Of Late

2009-07-04T16:04:00.000-04:00

This is in the final stages (finally) but I really dislike the canvas size/ dimensions now that I've almost finished the painting.I really really dislike the right side (in about 3" from the right). I love the face but from the second or third "block" of curtain, I wish it was cut! Or maybe i'll try painting it whiter- more opaque. We'll see.

I've got to make more art-time.

Oil Painting

2009-06-23T00:48:00.000-04:00

Soon to come!

Here's a little sneak-peek!

xo.

Digital Painting (mmmmmmmeh)

2009-06-07T22:14:00.000-04:00

I DL'd a smoke ps brush and made some use of it!
At least its something, right?

I'm getting antsy to do traditional work, reaaaaal bad.

I've been lazy and been making art in the non-messy way lately (aka going digital)

so I'm very excited to get messy real soon and paint paint paint for real!

It'll be soon, I swear!

My Cat Sleeps Weird

2009-05-31T14:09:00.000-04:00

A little diddy- may be a future t-shirt. Good copy will come soon enough!
Intercepting is my cat Phineas; wierdest sleeper ever. He looks like an airplane.

Funny Finny. (or Phinny, weird)
And a digital painting that came out of nowhere. I have different versions of it, including one that isn't black background-ed, haha; I was drawing lips/ mouths from different views for practice and that inspired this; why is she tangled in her own hair and eating it?

You tell me.

Squid-ward Bound

2009-05-12T23:55:00.000-04:00

Wages t-shirt possibility?

http://myspace.com/wagesband

EDIT: I'm currently changing the font to "ropes" (i.e. font made out of twisted rope; nautical, indeed.) Plus, then I can tangle some rope in her tentacles and such!