With the arrival of the new year, and the cold winter months, came an increased yearning to get down to some serious painting. It's an easy thing to put off, when busy with other drawing and design projects, but I plan on making an honest effort to be more productive in the painting department. Specifically what I have in mind, is a collection of paintings on large, same size canvasses, focusing on a similar subject matter. A bit of a new idea for me, given my usual preference is to paint whatever I have in mind, on whatever is available. In gearing up for the storm of painting, I made the drive down to the local DeSerres art store (not so local, since after moving the closest one is 45 minutes away), and took my time perusing the store. All in all, it's a pretty spectacular place, and pretty much impossible to come away from empty handed. I stocked up on some serious tubs of paint and a stack of canvasses, and am pumped to get going. Here's to a new year of creativity!

Recently, the Smith Family Dentistry business cards came in from the printers. Featuring a crispy cool blue look, the set was double sided two color printing on matte stock.
A unique dental practice, with three Smith family members as dentists, I first started the project with a logo design. Playing on the theme of their family- helping your family, and the feel of a local neighbourhood pharmacy, we decided to give a modern spin on a family crest. As well as differentiating it from other dentists, it was a good way to stay away from the overused cliches of the tooth care world, like toothbrushes and teeth with smiley faces. After the logo, it was a matter of extending the new look, into other identity items, keeping everything clean and spacious, yet friendly and approachable.

I stumbled across a guy out of the UK doing some great portraits. I'd never heard of Derren Brown before, but he paints some sweet wacky celebrity portraits, very much in the vein of Sebastian Kruger. He's got all the UK and Hollywood heavyweights in his gallery, my favourites include Edward Norton and Juliane Moore. Brown's work features some pinpoint realistic details along with a finely developed sense of exaggeration and colour. As it turns out, Derren is actually a fairly famous magician and illusionist, having had several tv shows and specials, and finding time to fit painting in somewhere between all that. Check out more of his work at www.derrenbrownart.com