pokedyoureyeout

Photoshop painting...by me!

2012-01-04T23:56:00.000-08:00

It's not terribly good, especially when you look at the amazing work of illustrators like Jason Seiler, but it was fun and kinda cool for a first attempt. Hopefully someone will give me an excuse to do more! I'm only going to do bald people from now on though. Hair is tedious and hard.

Harry Clarke

2011-11-18T09:32:00.000-08:00

I've seen the work of Ireland's classic illustrator Harry Clarke before, but Flavorpill's recent post showing his has caused me to look up more of his work. Some of his work is quite epic...others are (I think) simple enough to be used as tattoos. You can see more of his work on 50 Watts and Archive.org.

My latest subject...Mackenzie!

2011-11-16T10:06:00.000-08:00

Pet Portraits!

2011-11-07T11:11:00.000-08:00

My new fun thing is to draw people's pets! This weekend I decided to go ahead and make it official. Visit my new site at www.pokedyoureyeout.com. And, if you know anyone who might like to have a unique, pen and ink portrait of a furry (or feathery) friend...pass it on.

Gastown Shop Hop - Winter 2011

2011-11-06T14:58:00.001-08:00

I created the poster and flier for this fall's Gastown Shop Hop! You'll see them if you're out and about in Gastown in the next few weeks.

Our Fonts, Our Friends

2011-10-21T14:02:00.000-07:00

A video I like!

2011-10-12T17:11:00.000-07:00

I saw this video today and had to post it. If you've seen some of my other posts you'll realize that I have a real fondness for miniatures. There's a great use of them here...

tattoos...?

2011-07-19T09:45:00.000-07:00

I just got a tattoo as a birthday present to myself and now I'm all obsessed with them. People told me this might happen. That "once you start, you won't be able to stop", but I didn't really believe them. Actually, I'm still not sure I do. I am however, now 'filtering' the world through a kind of tattoo based lens. Flavorpill posted these 16th century woodcuts that I think would make great (creepy) tattoos.

Picker Shack Logo

2011-07-12T20:51:00.000-07:00

I just designed a new logo for Picker Shack, a Naramata orchard that grows, apples, cherries, pears and other fruit. Picker Shack is owned by Scott Hawthorn, co-owner of Salt Tasting Room and Judas Goat. He bought the orchard in order to have a supply of fresh, local produce for his restaurants, but also as a quiet retreat. He and his Orchard were recently featured on VIA (Vancouver is Awesome).

Here's the full colour version of the logo...

New Vancouver restaurant - Bitter!

2011-06-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

The other day I had the privilege of a guided tour through the site that is soon to be the latest gastronomical creation of Sean Heather, owner of such Vancouver institutions as Salt, Irish Heather and Judas Goat. The soon to be opened restaurant is on West Hastings near Carrall St. and will feature a dining style similar to Salt but rather than food and wine pairings, Bitter will feature food and beer! I was given the tour as I have been working on the branding for the new restaurant. I am particularly excited about this brand for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the large neon sign planned for the site.

There is a construction crew hard at work renovating the space and also meticulously restoring the porcelain tile flooring. Sean was telling me that many of the sections of the floor have been damaged over time and are in need of repair. In essence, this consists of someone breaking the tiles apart, soaking them and then grinding the old grout off of each tile. Once thoroughly cleaned, each one will be carefully placed back into the pattern. Kudos to whomever has been given that task!

to Murakami, pt. 2

2011-06-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

This is a follow-up to a post of a drawing I did in 2009. I finally got around to inking it.

Icovia Room Planner

2011-06-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

They posted this room planner on Apartment Therapy this morning and I had some fun playing around with my living room and balcony set-up. If nothing else, a good way to kill a few mins (or more).

My Living room.

My balcony...once I get some furniture.

James Naughton

2011-05-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

Please allow me to introduce you to my new favourite landscape painter - James Naughton. His site says,

"James Naughton paints landscapes. Breathtaking landscapes that bear the ravages of wind and rain, yet remain imposing, defiant, at times almost intimidating. Within them, the artist expresses the sense of wonder and surprise he feels in nature, and records the essence of his experience."

I like the word 'surprise'.

Iain Macarthur inspires me

2011-05-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

What lovely work by Iain Macarthur! His birds would make incredible tattoos.

Tony Orrico

2011-05-06T13:43:00.000-07:00

I've always been fascinated with the idea of painting as a record of movement. In art school much of my painted work dealt with the traces left behind by humans interacting naturally with their environment. The greasy smears gradually left around a doorknob or the scuff marks in a stairwell were my inspiration. Tony Orrico has taken this concept to a new level by using his entire body to create beautifully intricate and yet somehow minimalistic drawings. Neato.

Vermont curry...who knew?!

2011-05-05T20:52:00.000-07:00

I took this picture at the grocery store the other day. The apples and honey look so scrumptious I might just have to try it.

chinatown is my new art store

2011-05-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

I'm kinda loving my new chinatown paint brushes and ink. I made this last night while I watched TV. I'm not even sure who this lady is. I saved her photograph ages ago because I liked her face.

Apartment Therapy Love

2011-04-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

This is without-a-doubt the most beautiful apartment I have seen in a while.

horrifically beautiful

2011-04-26T11:18:00.001-07:00

I found this photograph and even though I am a bit horrified with myself, I think it's quite beautiful. It was taken in Sendai on March 12th.

Magic in every bite!

2011-04-18T10:57:00.003-07:00

I have no idea where this came from, but I love it.

Update! It turns out that the credit goes to the fine folks at thinkgeek.com.

Nice work.

Artists helping Japan

2011-04-08T13:46:00.001-07:00

My friend Tim Linklater from Pencil Kings has decided to donate all of his March proceeds to Japanese Red Cross. I know....it's April, but I want you to check out his site and see all of the cool drawing lessons he has posted. There is a membership fee to access a lot of the content, but you can see samples here and even try it for free by clicking the big yellow button on this page.

Maxim Dalton

2011-03-28T12:24:00.000-07:00

I have been on a bit of a nostalgia kick these days. I don't think it's a full-blown mid-life crisis or anything, just reminiscing about 'the days of yore'.

By the looks of things, I think Maxim Dalton must be feeling the same way. Check out his Ferris Bueller board game/poster...

Radiant Events

2011-03-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I completed and launched a new site for Radiant Events, a Vancouver based event planning and management company. The company's owner Rachel Bland is a sprightly and imaginative young woman with a gift for organization and management. She has taken the entrepreneurial leap and channeled her gifts as well as her 12 years of theater experience and event co-ordination into her dream business. Radiant Events focuses on celebrations of life, festivals, parties and weddings. You can view the new site here.

the new me

2011-03-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

I thought it might be time to officially launch my alter ego, the Mighty Sparrow. Through various means and for several months now, I've been working on making my design business more official. I've also taken the opportunity to re-brand myself, hence the Mighty Sparrow was born! You can see my new portfolio here.

My new Moo business cards!

2011-03-19T13:26:00.001-07:00

These arrived in the mail a couple of days ago and I thought I'd share. Not only is the quality great at Moo, but they allow you to have up to 50 different designs in one order. I made six different designs and I'm really happy with how they turned out.