piece of mind

So Anyways

2010-06-10T09:47:00.002-04:00

Yeah so I've been busy, not illustrating for like a year now. It's not that I don't want too, it's just, it doesn't pay the bills.

Maybe one day, although I doubt it! We'll see. Anyways while I'm not throwing in the towel on the whole idea, I changed gears a few months ago and am now the Creative Service Manager for Sheridan College's Student Union. I have a design team that is awesome, all students and recent grads and we make cool stuff. Thanks to Steve Sills at Squarecrop for moving on and passing the job off too me!

Check out what we do at www.sheridanstudentunion.com
We also put out a magazine 6 times a school year. I'm the creative director and love it!
www.travismag.com

If interested in graphic design or illustration holler at me, if not, maybe one day.
I took my site down cause there is just no point right now, but if you want to see work, just let me know. Although most of it is on here.

peace,
josiah

Where have I been?

2009-05-03T18:13:00.003-04:00

Well, I've been busy-ish. Not so much with the illustration, but more with life and making scratch to pay for life. Oh we've been working on a few website too, we'll post links when they are up and running!

Anyways, I've got a new mailer coming soon, sometime this week I hope!
It was great to go to Sheridan's gradshow this year. It's amazing sitting back and seeing a whole show without being involved like last year.

It was great so see every body, teachers, friends, graduating students, and most importantly, some really good quality work. Great show everyone and good luck with your hopeful futures!

I for see the summer being slow for me, as my 'other' job is quite busy from now till the fall. So I will post anything new I make or that comes in, otherwise talk to you in a bit.

Oh yeah, Rach and I are going on a 12,000 km road trip down to California, up to BC and back here. We're leaving on the 18th-ish....should be insane!

peace,
josiah

Upcoming show!

2009-03-15T01:28:00.009-04:00

Hello all. Sorry for the lack of action on here. It's been a busy mid-winter.
Anyways let's skip the crap. Rach and I are in a show to help fund raise for this year's graduating class of illustration kids at Sheridan. We were asked to contribute new or work, and the proceeds will go to help the grad's show in April.

Here's the flyer, tell your friends and people that like buying art! There will be big names and little names and lots of cool work, so come on out and wish Rachel a happy birthday (the 19th) as well!

Rach did the Skate deck and I did the other two pieces.
Pete's piece was used for the flyer. Mark is in the show too, along with some other friends!
Come out and support!

Piece,
josiah

Time Waster

2009-02-06T15:08:00.006-05:00

Wow, it's been awhile!

January has been pretty busy for Rach and I.
We went out to Hawksbury Ontario for two weeks to do another mural. It turned out great and we had a great time visiting Montreal as well! Coming back home has been busy, and hopefully in the next few months we will be moving, but plans are always perfect on paper!

Oh and congrats to Rach, she just got her first three jobs all in one week!! I'm super proud of her and I'm sure she'll put them up on her website once they have been published! Yayyyy Rach!

And on to this piece... Through different sources and personal experience, I've found lately technology to be a big time waster. Before I go on, I'm very thankful for all the technology we have don't get me wrong, we (this modern age) have the ability to perform complex surgeries, figure out all kinds of answers to question and live a more comfortable style of life. However, I think we sometimes get carried away with ourselves, and can lose our perspective and balance with technology.

This piece is just a comment on the negative side of the internet. It's a great, GREAT tool, but it can largely and frequently become a big time waster. Anyways, I'm happy with the result, and I like the idea, I don't think it's to cliche or cheesy, but let me know what you think!

Oh and I hope you all make it out to the 'Cut to the Drummer' show at the Steam Whistle Brewery in Toronto, the opening last night was really fun, and it was great to see some many familiar faces, catch up and see a bunch of great work!
Also Happy Birthday to Mark Cabuena yesterday!

peace,
josiah

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T13:11:00.013-05:00

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope the beginning of this year will bring a refocusing of priorities and that the economy won't suck anymore.
I'm amazing with words, sometimes.

Anyways, I've been really, really busy, (as I'm sure everyone has) over the holidays..and leading up to them also I guess.

I'd just like to start out by saying I tried to get this post all lined up and looking organized for a half hour after I made it, and it gets wild at the end, and I don't know why. So just enjoy the ride.
I apologize.

Here is what I have been up too, along with Rach as well!

Rach and I (unknowingly) made the same gift pretty much for each other!
A book documenting our trip in the spring to Italy!!
The book I made was more design oriented, and the one Rach made was more Scrapbook oriented. I think they both look really great!

I came across a company online called blurb.com and then and there got the idea to make the book for Rachel. So I downloaded their software and made the book, sent it online to Blub, and then sent it back, A REAL BOOK! I would suggest making your photos 10% lighter if you do this, just because the photos turned out a little dark, but not horrible.

I made the book in two sections, Photos of where we were, and the back of the book had a selection of our work and sketches while we were there.

Rach's didn't totally get finished, she had a lot on her plate (80% of the presents she gave were handmade this year!). So, what she did finish turned out really great, I love it! We'll probably be working on it over the next few months.

And last but not least, a few other creations...
While in Florence, we saw a wooden push toy for sale at a farmer's market. We didn't have enough money to buy it for our nephew Ewan, so we made him one for Christmas! Pretty much from scratch. Rach drew it, I made it out of wood and a few other materials, and then she painted it! It turned out pretty good, we have a few adjustments to be made before Ewan gets to keep it!

And some more illustration type stuff to end off this enormous post...
A Christmas card, and two images that were later framed. Everton (a football team in the English Premiere League) and the Argentina Football logo. Oh, and a poster for last night's festivities, I was just messing around...enjoy!

So, thanks for stopping by!
I'll have more stuff up at the end of January!

peace,
josiah

Cop Couple Caught in Catastophie!!!

2008-11-17T15:18:00.005-05:00

This was for an article about two police who are married and in debt, even though on paper they shouldn't be. They feel overwhelmed by the stress of bills and constrained by it.
I don't think it's quite finished but, I like where it's going and I see where there is room for improvement.

I will hopefully be doing a follow up piece to go along side it, as a smaller spot perhaps. Check back for that in the near future.

peace,
josiah

Green IS the new black

2008-10-27T18:27:00.002-04:00

I was trying out type in an illustration for this one. Just messing around really. It seems to me any product being sold to the general public is eco friendly or 'green' which is great to a degree, but sometimes it's seems like it's just said for the sake of the sale, with no actual proof of how it is eco friendly or green-er. This piece in no way shows any of that but just of the line 'green is the new black' - literally.

Some good parts and some not so good parts, over all fun to do in a few hours.

peace,
josiah

Bailout!

2008-10-13T23:51:00.003-04:00

I was reading the NewYorker magazine online a week or two ago, right when the bailout was being voted on whether it should pass or not. One article was about how the stock markets would plummet if the bailout plans was passed.

I drew a sketch after reading the article but didn't have time to do a full piece for it until today.

I like the idea and composition.

I still hope to have a new piece or two up in a week or so.

peace,
josiah

Precedent Magazine

2008-10-13T10:12:00.004-04:00

I received this a week or two ago, and so I thought I post 'the real deal' It was really great to get to see the real thing. I think it turned out great.

The magazine got a little banged up in the mail.

Cover

Spread

Detail pg 1

Detail pg 2

New work coming in a week or two!

peace,
josiah

Six Spots!

2008-08-22T00:31:00.016-04:00

I recently finished six spots for Precedent Magazine: The new rules of law and style. It was great to work with Designer Una Lee and Art Director Scott Christie on these.

The article was highlighting six University's that offer a Master in Law. The article highlighted in each school the advantages, disadvantages, cost and insider tips of each school. They also made a note of each school's mascot. I was asked to show the mascot of each school getting down to come serious education. I'm happy with how they turned out.

So here they are, enjoy!

'Handsome Dan' / Yale University

'True Blue the Beaver' / Toronto University

'Rex the Dinosaur' / University of Calgary

'Hootie / Osgoode the Owl' / Osgoode Hall-York University

'Panther?' / Oxford University

'Black-headed Gull' / Kyushu University

peace,
josiah

New work...

2008-08-10T10:41:00.004-04:00

Exciting news!

I am currently working on six small spots for a quarterly magazine!
I will post the finished work and details in a few weeks, once I'm done. (Right now I'm getting the roughs all tightened up and approved.)

I'm also working on a few other fun things on the side, when those are done I will post the results.

peace,
josiah

Let's begin

2008-06-30T14:52:00.000-04:00

So I have just go back from a very long break from school and life. Rach and I were traveling through Italy for a painting and drawing course through Sheridan, and then we were in Hawai'i with her family on vacation, I know, rough life!

We're back now and ready to get to work, I will be posting more here and updating my site in a few months, I'm getting back into the swing of things, we just moved as well before we left two months ago, so it's also crazy here trying to set up a new studio and find everything amidst the mountain of boxes!

The grad show was great, lots of people both nights, and a great cap to the end of our career at Sheridan. Oh speaking of which, I made some custom 'thank you' cards for some art directors that had come into our classes to give some critiques, and teachers who have helped and inspired me along the way. Also I am posting below some of my sketchbook stuff from italy, I may go in and rework some stuff when I'm bored or don't have anything to do.

Here's the details of the 'thank you' cards:

I cut each 'thankyou' out by hand and wrote a personal message within.

I then took a color that was in the illustration on the other cover and silk screened it on the inside so it would come through the negative space of the letters.

The other cover

I'm happy with how they turned out, I hope that everyone who received one enjoyed it!

Oh and here's some sketches:

That's all for now, I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!

peace,
josiah

New York YANKEE

2008-04-09T00:38:00.001-04:00

This image is about Roger Clemens ending his reputation and career due to the news that he has been using steroids. I like how it turned out a lot, I also like the idea, based off of 'career suicide'.

Oh and it's not cropped or anything...and I may work it a bit more...we'll see.

Women only

2008-04-08T01:18:00.000-04:00

This was for an article about how in Mexico, public transportation is so full that everyone is packed and crammed in the vehicles. Some men take advantage this and look in place they shouldn't and put their hands in places they shouldn't. So they started making buses just for women. They are trying to fix this problem, and so far everything is working. I really like this piece, lots of cool stuff happening. That is all for now unknown readers, I will have more up in a while. My site will be up soon and I will post the link here. Bye Bye.

Grave

2008-04-08T01:15:00.001-04:00

This image was a typographical assignment to explain what we did over our reading break. I was working the whole time, or a better way of saying it is 'I was buried under my work'. This is the idea of how work can sometimes be a grave. It's not the craziest idea, but I like the way it looks. I also got me really excited to do more hand lettering, which I am now doing and will be on my website...coming soon...like in a month or less.

Twist

2008-04-08T01:11:00.000-04:00

This image was originally about my part of my process. Particularly how I get to my roughs...sometimes I need to really 'twist' my brain for something good, but that's usually when the sweet stuff comes. Hard work always pays off. So it has been changed a bit, and now it's just some cool looking hands twisting a rag, so that's good.

Target

2008-04-08T01:03:00.001-04:00

This image was for an information graphics assignment that I was doing based on my potential targeted clients in America. I really like the textures and the view/perspective in this piece. I didn't want to do a boring information graphic that is typical, I wanted something that made me want to look. I need to balance form and content a bit more...

Water bottle risks

2008-04-08T01:00:00.001-04:00

This was for an article that was about how there can be (possible) risks with water bottles you buy in cases. Not a definite threat, but a possible risk. I really like the idea in this one. There are a few awkward areas, but overall I'm happy with it.

A ?

2008-04-08T00:56:00.000-04:00

This was my take on the letter 'A' for a rebus project that our upcoming grad show involves.
Our Grad show is April 24th and 25th and the Burroughes Building (Queen + Bathurst) in Toronto. More info at: sheridanheadlines.ca Come out and support good fresh art!

Rabies

2008-04-08T00:53:00.001-04:00

This was for an article about rabies in Africa. I think there are some cropping issues, but I like the final result, and the idea.

How did I get here?

2008-04-08T00:48:00.000-04:00

This image in was for an open ended assignment titled "How did I get here?"
I like the direction it has started me in.

Sheridan College 07/08 Handbook

2007-12-09T00:23:00.000-05:00

I forgot about this but I thought I should put it up anyways, I was asked to do the Sheridan College student agenda/planner handbook back in July. It was a fun process, going through roughs and the 'normal' process of what it takes to get artwork printed and produced. It was the first time my work has been produced in a large amount/quantity so it's been neat to see it around the school randomly!

Because Sheridan was really trying to push or build up our school spirit, I decided to use our mascot (the Sheridan Bruin/ bruin is another word for a bear apparently) but doing something not sports related, and the most contrasting thing I could think of was the Theater program Sheridan offers. I hoped this would encourage the idea of a Sheridan Bruin being more than just a sports related figure, which is the idea Sheridan was/is trying to push.

peace,
josiah

Kayak Salad, Alaska Yak

2007-12-09T00:15:00.000-05:00

This was another palindrome that I did. I did two finals for Sealock's class, just to push myself to work harder and try and produce more than just one image. I like this one better than the previous one, but it's still only at like 80% done.

This piece I took a bit further and gave more of a situation than just a literal translation.I had fun with it too so that's always a bonus! I'll post the final upon completion.

peace,
josiah

To Hot too Hoot

2007-12-09T00:11:00.001-05:00

This was an assignment that was based off of palindromes. A word or a phrase that is made of the same word or words that spell something backwards as well as forwards. A simple example would be GOD DOG.

The phrase I chose was 'To Hot too Hoot"
This piece isn't finished yet...perhaps 75% done.

I'll post the final when it's finished.
peace.
josiah

Greedy Vick

2007-12-08T10:13:00.001-05:00

This was for an assignment that asked to show one or more of the 7 deadly sins. I chose greed and used Michael Vick to show it. I think it's ridiculous that a NFL player would be trying to win money at such a brutal and horrible 'sport.' It seems very greedy to me to not be satisfied with millions.

peace,
josiah

Canada Food

2007-12-08T09:53:00.000-05:00

This piece was for a very long article about natural food within Canada. The author wrote about the salmon from unknown rivers and the fresh food from other areas in Canada that aren't popular. I tired to have the juxtaposition of a typical meal scene, but real landscape and really fresh salmon on the plate.

peace,
josiah

namejacking

2007-10-19T19:41:00.000-04:00

I don't know why I write in here, it feels like I'm writing to no one, but at the very least I guess this is just a spot on the internet that I get to put up some of my work, so I guess that's what I'll do.

This past semester has been really busy, hence me posting now for the first time in a while.

My work is changing and I'm excited about the new developments. Thanks to Marco Cibola and Rick Sealock for this past semester and the advice and suggestions they have given me.

This piece is about namejacking, basically people would use famous authors names in the title of the book they would be selling, to try to get more people buying them, or the would name drop in weird ways. So this was my solution to this article.

peace,
josiah

late update

2007-05-17T14:30:00.000-04:00

Autumn: The season that catches us all off gaurd. Do we wear shorts, or do we wear stretchy

pants?

Winter: 'The good old hockey game,' what would winter be without it?

Spring: 'I'll stop the world and melt with you, you've seen the difference, and it's getting better
all the time'

Summer: A season that can be enjoyed so many very different ways!

So these were the last design assignement of the year. We were asked to design a calendar accompanied with an image. There was also suppose to be a theme that held the calendar together. I chose to work with Mexican 'Luchadors' and how they expierence the 4 seasons Canada has, but inside thier ring. Thanks to Jill Dallas for all her help. Oh and they looked much better in print!

Oh and congrats to Matt and Amy and my brand new little nephew! Ewan Oakley Nieland
May 7th, 2007!

peace.
josiah

whadda ya know??

2007-03-22T14:51:00.001-04:00

So, I guess the newest news is that if you pick up the spring issue of CMYK magazine available in May?, you'll find this piece was selected as a winner in one of their contests! I haven't really competed before with my work, and I don't think this is a huge magazine, but all the same it's kinda neat and I thought I would share.

peace.

Scam I am

2007-02-24T10:40:00.000-05:00

This is the rough drawings for my 'Nigerian email scam' assignment. It was a 3 piece narrative but I thought it would look neat as one piece. I submitted it in three printed pieces but painted it as one piece. I have the final down below.
The story goes that this guy Deacon David Donka from Sierra Leone, was a very successful business man and had warehouses that were destroyed by fire from the rebels. He lost everything, except for the 18 million US funds he had in the bank. So he moved to another country in Africa where he found God and God told him to give his money to me and my ministry.

So I have the story unfold as it would to anyone reading his email. I wanted to show how destitute he was, then his glorious rendezvous with God, and then in the last scene how we see behind the scene. We see the business man who makes his money off of plans and scams like this, and how he has constructed the whole thing.

This was a tricky one, I forgot/ran out of time to make a color rough and it really was a disadvantage for me. It's always good to have a plan, even a loose one.

peace.

p.s. I love going to sheridan college

Recipe for Success

2007-02-24T10:28:00.000-05:00

This is the finished version of the recipe assignment. It was pretty open, illustrate a recipe. So this is what I came up with, it's a recipe for success and it comments on how imagination and ideas are what fuel your success. It's the attitude that you have that gets you where you want to go. The colors may be off a little compared to the real version. I learned a few things doing this piece.

peace.

buzy card

2007-02-03T20:54:00.000-05:00

This is my Buisness card for design class. The colors look better in the real version, I somehow got the idea to print it on watercolor paper and it turned out great! It really felt professional.

peace.

Recipe for Success, almost done.

2007-02-01T16:38:00.000-05:00

Happy New year? man..time's a flying, so this is done in real life, but I only have the scan of the almost done stage. This was a piece for class with the topic or theme being recipe. This is a recipe for success. Although other ingredients are rquired to fly, all you really need is an imagination. I'll post the final when I get it back. Oh and the colors are off, I'll fix that for the next post.

peace.

up, up and away!

2006-12-04T17:01:00.000-05:00

This was for a branding assignment for class. It is for a coffee cup sleeve for a coffee shop in Terminal 1 at Pearson Airport. The theme I went with was 'Jet Fuel'.

peace.

Day dreamin'

2006-11-13T00:44:00.000-05:00

This assignment was to create a more appealing subscription card, for a magazine of our choice, but the dimensions were 4" x 8" I'm happy that I have finally done a character in a piece for school.
It's taken a while to get here. The piece can be taken two ways, the guys is either thinking about the trip he was on or the one he's going on soon.

peace.

Happy Birthday!

2006-10-28T12:50:00.001-04:00

This was a small painting I did for my mom's birthday last year. I'm doing characters more in this style recently, but I would like to work them into my actual assignments somehow, but I'm too chicken right now.

peace.

Spot assignment

2006-10-24T10:24:00.000-04:00

These were for an assignment about statistics. The one above is "1 out of 5 Americans believe that their phone is tapped. "

" 23 % of couples in America sleep in separate beds"

" 1,820 lbs. of radioactive produce grown near Chernobyl that were confiscated in Moscow markets last year."

"2 out of 5 Japanese people will make eye contact during a conversation."

2006-10-24T10:18:00.000-04:00

This was for an assignment last year about running and how you need to be intrinsically motivated, and have goals set for your self in order to have a positive.

peace.

2006-10-24T10:12:00.000-04:00

We were given a random 70's band and one of their songs to make a record cover for that song. I was given the band Bread and their song was 'Guitar man.'

peace.

Hold steady

2006-10-24T10:06:00.000-04:00

This was another piece for a texture assignment. I transferred my drawing onto the piece of pine, and then carved out most of it. Then I painted it. It is hard to understand it without holding it. The design in the top right corner, the captain,the cloud and some of the waves are all mostly on the original plane or surface. The rest has been carved. It was fun but to time consuming to be an effective solution for assignments. But it was fun!

the very first...of many..

2006-03-16T17:00:00.000-05:00

so this is my blog....it's going to be update every once and awhile with probably just have art work and photos...I'm in school so I can't really be wasting my time on here.

blessings,
josiah