Here’s an interesting assignment I did for Seattle Metropolitan a few months back about Hilary Swank in the Amelia Earhart biopic. The fab Art Director, Benjamen Purvis wanted an image reminiscent of vintage aviation posters, such as the images below. Another request was to incorporate a photo of the real Amelia Earhart somewhere in the composition.
The inspiration:
In the end, the Art Director preferred a version with a less prominent frame which would work better with the “Mudroom” logo. Here’s the printed piece. The headline had a darker tone than I had anticipated.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
As you may have noticed, my little blog has become nameless, cruelly stripped of it’s own identity. Here’s why: I decided to integrate the blog with my portfolio site, and having the name “Blog Fancy” right under my name seemed unnecessary. But oddly, I feel a little bad for eliminating the blog’s independent identity. It’s as if I had a dog named “Fido” and renamed him “Shane Harrison’s dog”. It seems wrong, doesnt it? Your feedback is requested: Does Mr. Blog need a name or not?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Here’s a recent illustration I did for The Wall Street Journal to accompany a quiz on environmental issues. Sort of a companion piece to another “green” illustration I did in November. I really like working with nature imagery, probably because I have so little contact with actual nature in this city. I will now take this opportunity to brag about the small plant that I have been able to keep alive for well over one year. Yeah, I did it and I’m proud.
(Cheers, Orlie!)
Here’s a recent illustration I did about football star Peyton Manning being low-profile and hard to spot in the city. In order to really stylize the football helmets in this image, I had to take a closer look at what they actually look like, since I don’t have a lot of experience watching football. Honestly, until this assignment, my football knowledge was limited to the Super Bowl Shuffle. Such a hot dance track.
Indianapolis Monthly recently commissioned this illustration on unhealthy habits (Thanks Hector!). Here’s a close-up of two of my favorites…habits, that is 
Actually, If TV static looked all cute and zig-zaggy like this, I would probably sit and watch it. Speaking of television, LOST is coming back soon – rock on, ya’ll!!
In addition to the assignment, I was happy to learn that I would be a “Featured Contributor” in the issue, with a short bio and a headshot. Now, aren’t I special? In lieu of the usual photo, the magazine requested an illustrated self-portrait. I was happy to oblige, and took the opportunity to illustrate myself as a glamorous teenage rock star, and possibly an extra from the 1982 movie Starstruck.
If you haven’t seen Starstruck, it’s a new wave musical with serious early-eighties style. I highly recommend. I saw it at Film Forum as a kid, and it really made an impression on me. If you have neither the time nor the inclination to rent it, at least check out this awesome review of it on my new fave blog “House of Self-Indulgence” which hilariously reviews every cult film worth watching.
Here’s a couple of Starstruck stills, courtesy of House of Self-Indulgence. Enjoy…
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
I hope everyone’s having a great holiday season! The last few months have been a whirlwind — fun assignments and great new clients.
The above illustration is a recent piece I did for ForbesWoman about how to delegate holiday chores. The piece is a two-page spread and 11″ wide. It’s hard to see the detail on my blog since the piece is so horizontal, so CLICK HERE to view a larger version.
Looking forward to posting more fresh work in the new year!
(Thanks Again, Julia!)
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Wall Street Journal recently commissioned this illustration on eco-friendly technology. The collaged greenery in this piece reminds me of another illustration I did this year about the woman who invented Mother’s Day. I am really digging these assignments that include plants and flowers. Hope to do more now that Spring is almost within view…
Thanks again, Orlie
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Here’s a recent two-page spread I illustrated for Barnard’s Alumnae magazine. Although the subject was about the scarcity of women in politics, the Art Director wanted the image to project a sense of optimism, since the article includes interviews with alumnae who have succeeded in the field, despite the odds.
And here’s a closeup…
During the sketch stage, I was picturing a sea of men in blue suits, but the lone woman and the american flag just “popped” so much more amongst the neutral gray men. I’m sort of rediscovering neutrals again. I also used a large neutral area in a recent Mozart illustration. I’m learning that limiting the areas of color also helps to focus the viewers’ eye.
Thanks Again, Anna!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Village Voice recently commissioned this photo-illustration of 50 Cent to accompany a review of his new book, The 50th Law, which is being advertised as a “bible” for success. The book itself is even designed to look like a bible, so I thought I’d give 50 a bit of a saintly look here. (Thanks again, Ivylise!)
After I delivered the assignment, I realized the border of this illustration had the potential for other applications, and wanted to see how it worked without 50 Cent’s mug in the center of it all. With some text in the center, it could work as a nice cover, maybe for a horoscope book/journal/diary etc. If you read my previous post, you may have noticed that I’ve been interested in borders and frames lately…
Wow, I can’t believe how long it’s been since I last blogged. In the past few months I’ve been really busy with assignments, and I completely neglected my poor little blog. If you are a frequent visitor, sorry to have left you hanging! Well, I’m back people, so let’s start to catch up.
Here’s an illustration I did in August for New York Magazine about the “Mostly Mozart” concert. Of the two versions, the bottom one with the giant stars was chosen to go to print. For the top image, I tried to create a vintage-frame that would be reminiscent of antique record sleeves. I’ve actually offered this option for a couple of different assignments, but so far the idea hasn’t been picked, even though the Art Directors have said they really dig it. In a future post, I’ll show another assignment where I offered the vintage frame as an option.
I'm an illustrator based in Brooklyn. My clients include New York Magazine, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Entertainment Weekly. See my 