Below is an illustration I recently completed for the Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute. It was a challenging piece as the subject matter was quite complex and relatively unfamiliar to me, BUT I enjoy the challenging pieces best. I love to learn when I work. For this piece, I was asked to illustrate the history of the pension and benefits industry in Canada.
I had the privilege of attending the Milton Glaser lecture last night at the Society of Illustrators in NY. What struck me most was that I and the members of Studio 1482 approach our work and careers with a very similar philosophy to Mr. Glaser. He spoke about how an artist moves toward failure as a means of achieving success. A series of successive failures leads you on a path to understanding and ultimately success…but then it is time to start that process all over again. Keep moving forward, don’t master something and stop. Hearing those words inside the walls of an institution that promotes 1-style illustrators was quite an interesting juxtaposition of ideologies.
He also spoke of drawing and creating art as the only times when we are truly attentive. Paying attention to something rather than letting it, like life, pass us by. I’ve often thought about how many drawings I’ve made and what that experience is like and how millions of people have never made 1 drawing and never felt that sensation.
Lastly, he spoke of the computer and what it has meant to art and the world in general. What sticks with me is that he said he will always be better on the computer than anyone working now as his “sense of form came about from sources other than the computer.”
It was a great experience listening to someone with his experience and success and his words reminded me very much of words I’ve heard from other very wise people I have known.
drawing of M. Glaser by Greg Betza
These were fun illustrations to do. AD Kevin Goodbar commissioned the 4 spots after receiving one of my postcards (who said postcards don’t work!!). I love wine as a subject for illustration (not just drinking it). It’s a rich subject…just look at these 4 different topics I had to illustrate:
Screwcaps have become more preferable than corks
Classes about wine are great
The exclusive I.V.V. (In Vino Veritas) wine club
How to buy wine as a novice
Recently I completed this series of illustrations for the Gown Gallery issue of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine. When AD Michael Goesele asked me to work on these he let me know that I would have a tremendous amount of creative freedom, and that all he required was that they be beautiful. (This is what you want to hear from all of your clients). I’ve been looking to add fashion illustration to my portfolio and to have the opportunity to do it my way was amazing. It’s a pleasure to work with an art director that can see the potential in your work beyond what is in your portfolio. I’m very pleased with these illustrations and I’m excited to do more. Great working with you Michael and DW&H.
This month I have an illustration in The Scientist magazine. The article is an opinion piece with 2 views on the much debated healthcare reform. After reading the article a few times I knew I had to illustrate the confusion over how the restructured healthcare system is going to use our money. So my idea was to turn the US Capitol into a Rube Goldberg invention that works yet has no outcome (as we don’t). I have to tell you that I have a whole new respect for Mr. Goldberg. I’ve never attempted anything like this but it was really an enjoyable challenge to create practicality out of nonsense (hey, maybe I have attempted to do that!) So this is what I came up with…
Recently I was commissioned by Scientific American to create 3 illustrations for an article in the supplement WORLDVIEW. The article dealt with the growing debate over intellectual property (IP) and it’s global impact. This illustration is the opening spread.
A few months back I was contracted to create preliminary drawings of 10 new spaces within the new home of the New York Mets, Citifield. This is the type of job that doesn’t come along very often. I was given a tour within the new stadium (a privilege given very few) in order to get an idea of just how massive it truly is. And believe me, it was impressive. I have a new respect for the amount of planning and complexity that goes into a project of that magnitude. It was quite an experience to see the stadium unfinished and one that I doubt I’ll ever have that opportunity again.I’ve posted 4 drawings: The Jackie Robinson Rotunda, the Left Field Club Restaurant, the Sterling Lounge, and a rendering of a luxury Suite. Make your way to Flushing this spring and see it all come together. Love to hear what you think….
This illustration was a great assignment. A bit of research to do, but it is always great to learn something during an assignment. This piece for AAA Traveler magazine was basically an ad for great ‘festivals’ around the world. They include: The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, New Orleans’ Jazz & Heritage Festival, The Kentucky Derby, Pushkar Mela, and Christkindelsmarkt. Basically, it was a great job. I wish they could all be like this!
This is my latest published illustration. It was a great article on the music and culture of 1920s Iraq for the UTNE reader. It was nice to hear something different about this country, something positive. Beautiful things were possible in those beautiful times. Let’s hope there will be more to come soon.
Last December I was contacted by Carmichael Lynch to be 1 of 7 illustrators contributing toward a custom promotional booklet announcing the launch of the Harley Davidson Dark Custom Motorcycle. The art producer on the project, Andrea Mariash, has recently posted the job to her weblog, and I thought it would be a great time to show the drawings. It was an interesting assignment, a new one for me. I was asked to act as a biker, out on the road, doodling (with ballpoint pen) in his little black book. It was interesting to be asked to do what I would do if I was someone else. The first illustration is the road snaking into a dragon or serpent, and the second, a night on the town with the Dark Custom. Anyway, I’m happy with the illustrations,and I’d love to hear what you think.
This past weekend I had this illustration published in the Chicago Tribune. I had the opportunity to work with one of my favorite ADs Nicole Dudka. The article is loaded with visuals and I’m really happy with how it worked out.
As the weather has been beautiful and the cars have been banned, I’ve taken full advantage and have been out drawing every chance I get. These drawings are from a few weeks ago on a Saturday in Times Square. It was a real pleasure to sit in the heart of the center of the world on a free chair at a free table and draw. I highly recommend it!
During last month’s assignment, Hemisphere’s design director Jaimey Easler (a great guy to work with), asked me to work on another feature titled “Dream Drives”. It too was a great assignment.
