Kevin from D Magazine recently got in touch requesting an illustration to go with an article about 'deep brain stimulation'. This is a neurosurgical procedure involving the implantation of a medical device which sends electrical impulses to specific targets in the brain for the treatment of movement and neuropsychiatric disorders.
A series of images on the theme of identity and how far our facial features determine who we are and how we view ourselves. This started by first adopting the hard, objective, view of the police mugshot but then evolved to be a less distinct, more abstract take on the individual faces.
Working on designs for prints in 2018. Focussing on patterns, colours, shapes and a more organic feel/process rather than anything too illustrative or commercial. A continuation of personal work begun in 2015.
I was approached by Marquette University to create a cover image for their Marquette Nurse magazine. They wanted a forward-looking, modern, optimistic image that represented taking a path into nursing. The initial sketch, below left, was liked subject to a couple of amendments, elimination of the pills (sensitivities to news headlines concerning opiods) and addition of another nurse. There were no colour requirements so I was free to use my own scheme. I like to use colour in a graphic way and not to be overly concerned with realism. Also, wherever possible I try to avoid skin colours, facial features and any kind of personal iconography as I prefer my figures to be perceived as an 'everyman' unless there is a specific reason to do otherwise. The finished artwork was very well-received and published Jan 2018.
The YGS Group got in touch to ask for a concept cover illustration for The NAFCU Journal, the theme being 'blockchain'. A blockchain is a decentralized and distributed digital ledger that is used to record transactions across many computers, i.e. a network. Essentially I was looking for a way to contrast the old with the new. A phrase used in the copy 'stepping into the future' inspired the idea that the client was to approve.
This illustration was created for ASIS International to accompany an article about how inappropriate personal relationships are being formed, within the workplace, via social media. The initial sketch, referencing 'The Kiss' by Rodin was considered a touch risqué for the piece so a more romantic interpretation of the figures was requested.
How our memory for faces becomes less distinct with the passage of time.
This illustration was created for the University of Dayton alumni magazine. It was to accompany an article about a researcher who was looking to create a new type of laboratory test system.
"A system that better predicts how our bodies and our cells react to potentially toxic compounds or potentially helpful ones."
Occasionally I am asked to produce images that could loosely be described as infographics. That is to say illustrations that primarily convey information of a technical nature. These two covers were done for Deloitte Services. The top one is about blockchain and government and the second about radar and defense strategy.
While walking through the park recently a particular train of thought somehow lead me to the idea of an owner and pet exchanging heads. It conjured up an interesting image, especially given a Victorian slant - the feel of an old Victorian photo or a scene captured at a seance - ectoplasm!
