play

Okay, so when I’m working on a longer project I often need to take a day or two’s break (if I can) to switch stuff up and play. Here’s something I did today. I’ve been giving myself these fictional tight-deadline “don’t think too much” jobs where I go back and find an old image I never used or something and just play with it. I drew these ladies last winter. Seeing them all together made me think of a hot chick band, and then I thought wouldn’t it be fun to do an illustrated book of women in rock bands? Talk about dream project. Anyway, I’m starting with the cover! (click to enlarge)

Studio shots

My boyfriend was taking pics in my studio the other day because he likes playing with the camera on my new phone… I thought I’d post some of them here.

And speaking of studios, I was in Vancouver over the weekend and got the chance to visit my print maker (and fellow artist) Scott August’s new digs in a crazy 100 year old corner store. Very cool indeed. I’ll be making a new series of prints for the holidays, so stay tuned!

Crane Dance

So about 30 years ago my uncle Ben, a wildlife biologist in British Colombia for many years, started writing a book called Gooseplay. Adapted from a Swedish children’s story from the early 1900s, it’s an adventure about a boy who shrinks to the size of an elf and—riding on the back of a farm goose—follows a flock of wild Canada geese on their migratory path through B.C.

Years ago Ben asked if I’d be interested in illustrating Gooseplay. I was still in school at the time (studying anthropology and journalism). Between finishing classes and working several jobs, I spent my nights researching images (at the library!) and drawing quietly in our tiny apartment. This process was part of what led me to take up illustration as a career.

That was seven years ago, and needless to say my style and techniques didn’t really exist yet. I’m now in the process of re-illustrating Gooseplay, and thought it would be fun to post some of the images as I complete them, along with the originals when there’s one that corresponds. Here’s the first colour illustration draft, “Crane Dance” and original illustration it will replace (from a different part of the book) “Night Heron.”

One year Montreal…

There’s something about the fall that makes a person nostalgic no matter what the situation. One year ago today I left Montreal, the city where I lived from age 20 to 30, a place that influenced (and continues to influence) who I am as a person and what I do creatively.

I have a really bad memory for names, books, movies, geography etc. but when I draw something I will always remember it for the rest of my life. When I see it again it’s like an old friend. Here are the collection of sketches I did before leaving the city, of some of my favourite little random spots. Montreal, like any city, is always changing and a few of these places already aren’t around anymore. I’m thankful that I took the time to draw them when I did. Drawn on location with pen & ink in watercolour molskine (so good, so expensive), coloured with watercolour at home. Enjoy!

In ascending order:

Riddell Fishing & Tackle shop (Mile End)
Bain St-Michel (Mile End – and that’s Snailhouse performing)
Wilensky’s (Mile End)
Lave Auto 5 Minutes (Plateau)
Élite Suede (NDG)
De Gaspé, close to Bernard (Mile End – my last stinky studio is there somewhere in the distance)
Wheel Club / Old Time Country Music Club of Canada (NDG)
La Maison de l’Aspirateur (Mile End)
J.R. Comptant (NDG)
Nouveau Palais (Mile End)