High Alert

I worked on this cover for the OPC Register last month, about the lingering effects of a traumatic events in our schools. Given the events following the shooting at Marjory Douglas Stoneman high school in Florida, it feels even more relevant than ever. Our students deserve a safe environment for learning. These events overshadow and eclipse the day to day routines and focus that is required for our children to achieve success.

I worked on an assignment in 2013 for Phoenix magazine about the devastating effects of guns and gun violence in schools. I never would have imagined anyone advocating teachers to be carrying weapons and using them in a classroom situation.

I hope that the passion and debate about the rightful place of guns can affect positive change.

Back to Work

August was a wake-up call, with a flood of new assignments. A few updates, notes and comments on what's been crossing my desk lately.

But mostly pictures.

Section cover for the Wall Street Journal. I worked with art director Daniel Smith on this assignment. Always great to work with. This piece looks at trends and forecasts in areas like web tv, retail, insurance, healthcare, automotive and entertainment. Article here.

The Dangerous Kitchen: everyday hazards you should be aware of. Peter Morance gave me the call on this one, it's an enlightening read. Keep your fingers out of the guacamole. If you read the article, you will understand the full meaning of that advice.

Second in the series here - avoiding food contaminants.

More to post, with a few projects on the go and others waiting to be published.

I begin teaching at Sheridan College tomorrow. An exciting new chapter in my life and career. Wish me luck! 

Gun Violence

I received a couple of assignments recently. New territory, unfamiliar subject matter. I am a pacifist and  I have never used gun images in my illustrations before. But this issue has forced its way into the collective consciousness in brutal and unimaginable acts, inflicted on the innocent. It has sparked debate and demanded action in terms of gun awareness,  gun ownership and gun control. 

Kory Kennedy at Entertainment Weekly commissioned a series of illustrations from some incredible artists, including Gary Taxali, David Plunkert, Eddie Guy and Dan Bejar. The article examined the role guns play in the whole entertainment market, from television to movies to video games. I was given the topic of guns and television. Here's my contribution:

I was really honoured to be a part of this series. Here is a couple of spreads from the magazine.

 

Schools should be a safe place for our children. We have to do everything we can to prevent what happened in Newtown from happening again.  Gun violence has cast a shadow over these places. Something has to be done.

This piece was commissioned by Phoenix Magazine.

On a personal note, the lettering for this illustration was taken from the school where my son attends and my wife teaches.