Ok, it’s seriously time to resuscitate this blog, shake this pop can up a little! And good thing too since there will be lots to talk about in the coming months.

Lightning-speed recap: Left my my post at the Rogers business mags (and some lovely people that I miss working with) for the exciting world of freelance; spent some time bumming around the Swiss/Italian Alps, Venice Biennale, Adriatic coast, quick stop in my home town; did a lap around the top of CN tower; then home.

After a much needed summer break, I hit the ground running with a brief drop-in at Globe and Mail’s Style section and an illo in MoneySense magazine. Then as luck would have it, I started a contract with Toronto Life magazine, where I am the art director of special issues. The first guide I worked on is on the stands now (get it, get it!), packed with all you could ever want on Toronto’s crazy/hot Real Estate market. (Check out that sweet waterfront boathouse for $200K).

It’s a great place to be and just a stone’s throw from my home studio, which leaves lots of room for other inspiring collaborations and time for an adventure or two.

ps. The Toronto Life Wedding guide is out next, keep your eyes peeled.

…
A couple of happy news bits: MoneySense won Magazine of the Year (print) & Maclean’s Magazine of the Year (digital) at the National Magazine Awards last Friday. I’m proud to say I worked on the re-design of the print and digital incarnations for both these publications. Congrats to the team!

And in other top dog news, here’s a behind the scenes look at the best day of Art Directing, ever! Our feature on power positions at a boardroom table had us auditioning, grooming and styling some hairy models. This is serious business (and explains my furrowed brow in the video). Shout out to photographer Daniel Ehrenworth, photo editor Ronit Novak and the furry stars of the show.

I’m sure you’ve seen the new Canadian Business on the stands. How could you miss is it?
It’s got a big butt on the cover.

But beyond the behind (and the great Lululemon story) is our annual Performance package.
A guide to being your better business self, with tips on style, travel, health, etc. Each year it’s
quite a beast to put together and takes a small army of art folk.
We’re super proud of the results! A big thanks to Ronit and Anna (photo editors extraordinaire),
Raina+Wilson (photographers), our stylist, models and make-up artist and of course the great
design of Glenn and Brianne.

Now go get a copy while you still can.

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Yes, it’s true. I’ve been cheating on this blog with a newer, hotter one.

My travel blog: lets-get-lost.com

So if you want to keep up with me on a more regular basis and see some of my trip photos, travel recos, playlists, souvenir suggestions and more… come visit.

Recent posts include: Best of…Dessert Shops // My father’s Journey to India, 1975 //
Holland photo gallery // Cabin playlist: Algonquin // Trip notes: Greek Islands

Ok, I know it’s the end of February but I haven’t posted since September so I’ve got to start somewhere. The excuse is I’ve been very busy with my fingers in a new pot — app design. You can check out the results on iTunes, and test drive the new, slick and enhanced Maclean’s magazine for the iPad or view a little teaser created by our NYC developers. Watch for more magazines in the coming months…and check back here for updates.

Background image credit: polbar/flickr

At the end of the summer, when they start running those commercials for binders and sales at Walmart I get that feeling in the pit of my stomach. Part excitement, but mostly dread. Smell of the gym, cafeteria food, teenagers (ugh)….

This time around it was refreshing thinking about “Back to School Basics”, a cover and feature illustration I did for Sheila who art directs Sex, etc. magazine. It was back to school sex-ed for American teens. Birds and bees; sexting and contraceptives…

Also check out Sheila’s inspiring design studio, the Public.
(photos courtesy of Sheila)

Japanese Washi tape from here or here.

I was recently named one of “10 up-and-coming designers to watch” by DesignEdge magazine.
Blushing.
But my parents are really proud.

I did a bunch of funny, little illos in the new issue of CB (“Retire Happy” on the 4p gatefold). Check ‘em out!

Also in the works: The cover of Sex, etc. magazine. Stay tuned…

My father spent much of his life traveling (in fact both my parents have ‘the bug’). On one of his first trips in the 70s, after the iron curtain lifted in Yugoslavia, he found himself in a youth hostel, in Lausanne, Switzerland. On the dirty floor, near his cot he spotted a small wooden figurine. It was Saint Christopher  Nicholas, the patron saint of travellers (probably the gift of an overprotective mother, meant to guard her wandering child, but already lost). Being areligious himself, he picked it up and carried it with him not for protection, but as the start of a collection. From then on, he bought small figurines on most of his trips, building a collection of tiny goddesses and buddhas, animals, cultural leaders and mythical creatures. We called them ’small gods’ (or in serbian ‘bogici’) and the criteria was that they had to be culturally revered figures, but sold as cheap commodities, souvenirs, and no more than a few inches tall. And so the collection grew, and recently (after some pleading) it came into my possession. I’ve managed to add many new faces.

Here are a few (shot with some experimental backdrops), but I’d love to put the whole collection online some day.