Robot Blue

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Finley and I downloaded a new app recently that we'd like to share with you. Robot Blue from Planet 22 is the story about a tired robot who has lost his "off" switch and cannot fall asleep. As the story is narrated, you can help the robot look for the switch, put together some puzzles, push robot buttons and feed the robot a bedtime snack. A bonus for us is that one of Robot Blue's companions is a fish named Finn.

Robot Blue from Planet 22 was written and illustrated by Jayson Fuerstenberg who is one of the illustrators profiled in Work/Life 2.

 

Download it today on iTunes!

And take a look at this:


Underneath Robot Blue in the New Books section of iTunes is the app companion to our book Work/Life 2, deemed #1 of What's Hot! Cool. Download the FREE Work/Life 2 app here and purchase the book here.

Laura Barnard 30x30

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UK-based illustrator Laura Barnard was getting bored with selling the usual digital prints, so she conceived of a new way of both motivating her creativity and skills while producing something for sale online. 30x30 is the just-released result. "There are 30 copies of each edition, and each one costs £30 shipped anywhere in the world. Once they're gone, they're gone." The first edition is a series of painted wooden blocks.

"The blocks are individually painted/drawn on — I wanted them to all be unique so thought that was the most sensible way to do it. Although that's a fairly hefty number of bricks to draw on (!) it's a small enough run to still be able to do by hand. I may not entirely hand draw Issue Two depending on what it is, but there's definitely some scope for some hand-finishing.

I've really enjoyed selling prints for the last couple of years, but I think illustration can be particularly exciting when it's applied to objects or surfaces, so the shop will be based more around that from now on. Keeping it fresh is important too, so that's why I'm only doing 30 of each. A fixed price of £30 keeps it interesting too — for me as much as anything!"

Laura is already looking forward to the next edition. "I've got a few ideas brewing for Issue Two — it won't be blocks but will be something similarly quirky and, er, objecty and interesting. Part of the fun of this is seeing how it'll evolve and the limited runs mean I can see what people are excited by and adjust accordingly."

I've signed up!

Today: Carolyn Fisher's new book

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Carolyn is celebrating the release of the latest children's book that she illustrated:

You and any kids you know are invited to my Good Night, World launch party!

2pm, Saturday September 10

Monkeyshines Bookstore
113, 2215 - 33rd Ave. SW, Calgary

I'll do a reading and signing, and then we'll have some treats. We'll break out some paper and crayons for kids to make a NEW book of their favorite ways to say good night. If we're still not ready for sleep (after all, it is a bedtime book) we can all go back to my house and jump on the trampoline.

Omar Jaramillo Traverso by Martin Connelly

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I am happy to welcome some new contributors to issue #11. Martin Connelly is a writer and videographer living in Newfoundland, and Omar Jaramillo Traverso is a travelling sketch artist. Together they profile a Newfoundland fisherman for issue #11 (more on that later this month). Here's a video that Martin made of Omar sketching a Newfoundland street scene.

Sketching Downtown from Martin Connelly on Vimeo.

Subscriber: Vanessa Boer

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A peek into Vanessa's studio

Vanessa Boer is a self-proclaimed "illustrator and maker of things." She has a diverse portfolio of creative offerings which include commissioned pet portraits (below), illustration, an etsy shop with prints and interesting chimes made from vintage pencils, as well as styling and custom prop-making for magazines such as Real Simple and Women's Day.


We featured six pages of pet portraits submitted by our readers in the current issue (#10) of UPPERCASE.


Pretty talented bunch of readers, don't you think? To subscribe, please visit the online store.

Work/Life 2: Communication Arts coverage

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The Communication Illustration annual has quite a nice representation of Work/Life 2 participants. First up is Michael Byers, who is profiled in the fresh talent column:


(The illustration in the middle of a man fishing is Michael's Work/Life 2 contribution.)


Thom Sevalrud's Work/Life 2 illustration is included as well! And Renata Liwska's book projects are nicely featured:


Julia Breckenreid has a black and white illustration chosen:


Also included in the annual is Calgary-based illustrator Karen Klassen (Work/Life first edition, UPPERCASE magazine) for some of her unpublished personal portraiture work.


There are also many other talented illustrators included in the annual who have graced the pages of UPPERCASE and other past books such as Byron Eggenschwiler, Jody Hewgill, Sam Weber, Jesse Lefkowitz, The Heads of State, Ty Mattson, Joe Morse, Christopher Silas Neal, . It is an honour to work with so many talented people, thank you!

Work/Life 2: Renata Liwska

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Renata Liwska is going to be one of those children's book illustrators whose work stands the test of time! Her style is timeless, sweet, soft with just the right touch of mischief. She has two recent books out. The Loud Book is a companion to The Quiet Book, and debuted at #10 on the New York Times list for picture books. Red Wagon is Renata's second book that she has authored as well as illustrated.

Calgarians can enjoy both books this Saturday when Renata reads at Monkeyshines! She will also will be giving away some mini posters and there will be a draw for a signed print from Red Wagon.

Saturday April 30th, 2pm
Monkeyshines Children's Books
#113 - 2215 - 33rd Ave SW, Calgary

Renata is featured in Work/Life and Work/Life 2. (As well as the free app!)

Jill Bliss

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Jill Bliss has a simple way of drawing that makes you want to pick up a pen and start doodling. With her new journal published by Chronicle Books, you can learn how to translate the natural world into pretty drawings. You could even take a workshop with Jill, drawing the flora of her Portland-area neighbourhoods and parks.

I have a copy of Jill Bliss' new journal to give away to a lucky reader. Please leave a comment and let us know your favourite place to draw in nature. We will draw a winner on April 26. Thanks to Chronicle Books for asking me to be part of the blog tour. The tour continues:

April 15     Craft
April 18     AOL Shelterpop
April 19     Creature Comforts
April 20     Mint
April 21     UPPERCASE
April 22     Pikaland
April 25     The Little House in the City
April 27     Wit + Delight

There's an app for that!

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We are pleased to announce that the Work/Life 2 iPhone app is now available for FREE DOWNLOAD in iTunes!

The Work/Life 2 app is a companion to Work/Life 2: The UPPERCASE Directory of Illustration, a 224-page book featuring the art of 100 illustrators from around the globe. The app allows for some features that go beyond the book: search the participants by region and style, contact the artists directly, and follow news from the UPPERCASE blog.

Both the book and app include a range of talents, some fresh from school, some returning back into the work groove after raising families, and some hardworking creatives whose career already span a few decades. The common trait with each participant is their enthusiasm for their craft and their sincerity in presenting their best work.

Everyone's illustrations look stellar on the iPhone... here are some samples below. Download your free Work/Life app today and discover your new favourite illustrator.

Big thank you to Glen for creating the app!

We hope that you will enjoy perusing the app! If you want to learn about the artists in greater detail, each person is profiled in the book with images of their studios, sketchbooks and creative inspirations.

Work/Life 2: Julia Minimata

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Julia Minimata is featured in both Work/Life (2008) and Work/Life 2 (2011). It speaks to the success of the first edition that many participants wanted to be part of Work/Life 2 as well. Julia's illustrations are of particular interest, especially when you realize that she uses silkscreen as her medium! She talks about the time management involved in using silkscreened prints for illustration in the latest book.

Julia is a graduate of Sheridan College and currently lives in Toronto. On her blog, Julia shares an anecdote about the illustration published in Work/Life 2 (involving fellow Work/Life 2 participant — and one of my former ACAD instructors — Rick Sealock).

"I was so excited to be given the opportunity to participate in this project for the second time," Julia writes. "I wanted to create a dreamy feeling, that dazed feeling of lying out in a field in the late summertime, staring at the sky."

The original silkscreen prints of this image and others are available on the Jullia Minamata Etsy Shop.

Work/Life 2: Sean Alzetta

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Sean Alzetta is a hybrid designer, illustrator and photographer. As he states on his website, "Sean Alzetta Does Everything". The image above is Sean's contribution to Work/Life 2. (Perhaps we are turning into zombie computer brains searching for an authentic brain experience?)

The images below are from a student assignment. "The goal was to use visual metaphor to create three illustrations for a corporate brochure. I selected Toyota as my company. At the time, the company had to recall many vehicles because of brake problems. I developed metaphors based on regaining the trust and confidence of the consumer."

Visit Sean's website to see more of his design and photography work.