Why Las Vegas won’t host a political convention anytime soon
Client: Las Vegas Weekly Art Director: Benjamen Purvis
(Duh)
Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family
Art Direction: Brian Taylor — Pneuma Books
I was contracted to parody Norman Rockwell’s famous “Four Freedoms: Freedom From Want” illustration (better known as “Thanksgiving”) for the good people over at Chicken Soup for the Soul. The book is titled, All in the Family: 101 Stories about the Fine Line between Comedy and Tragedy in Our “Dysfunctional” Families.
Almost everyone thinks their own family is “dysfunctional” or at least has a dysfunctional member or two. These stories of wacky yet lovable relatives, holiday meltdowns, and funny foibles, along with more serious stories about abuse, controlling family members, and flare-ups, show readers that they aren’t alone. All in the Family is a quirky and fun holiday book, and a great bridal shower or wedding gift! Norman Rockwell’s famous “Freedom from Want” Thanksgiving family painting appears on the back cover and is lovingly parodied on the front, driving home the point that all our families, no matter how much we love them, are just a little dysfunctional!
Chicken Soup for the Soul, All in the Family
Norman Mailer
Client: Las Vegas Weekly Art Director: Benjamen Purvis
This is a full page portrait of Norman Mailer. It was for an article detailing Norman Mailer’s enduring influence. It was selected for the Communication Arts Illustration Annual 48.
Book Monkey
Client: Las Vegas Weekly Art Direction: Benjamen Purvis
This was a pretty straightforward project—a chimpanzee thoughtfully reading a book. The only request was that I leave ample space for typography. As it turns out, I get a lot of requests to reprint this image for a variety of projects.
Doth anyone read anymore?
Client: Las Vegas Weekly Art Director: Benjamen Purvis
Quite often, when I get an assignment, the idea has already been conceived. So when I am asked to come up with a concept (not simply to execute a final illustration) it imparts a level of confidence in my ability that I take great pride in. I enjoy doing conceptual work thoroughly, so this was a treat.
For this spot the problem was, “A new study by some big name group shows that Americans aren’t reading as much as they used to.” So I offered some thumbnail concept solutions.
This is another one of my illustrations that generates many requests for re-use on a variety of projects throughout the year.
Bill Gates
Back in February 2009, Bill Gates unleashed a swarm of mosquitoes at the TED conference in California. It was apparently a noble effort to highlight the dangers of malaria. It scared the (rich and famous) attendees and resulted in my receiving an illustration assignment from Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, so all’s well that ends well! (I’ll even go so far as to add that more celebrities should act out in similar fashion, so long as it will end up as a steady stream of interesting work for illustrators like myself.)
Art Director: Benjamen Purvis for Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
Credit for this spot should actually go to Benjamen Purvis. Ben has a splendid website and blog which you should make certain to review at your earliest.
Bully Pulpits
Here is a “mash-up” spot I recently illustrated for Vegas Seven Magazine. The story (written by Stacy J. Willis is titled Bully Pulpits and is a timely piece about turf battles amongst various anti-bullying activists.) Thanks goes to Marvin Lucas for the job.
The Morning After
Here is a cover I recently illustrated for The Capitol Magazine. Always a nice feeling to have a cover illustration, so a thank you goes to Managing Editor, Andrew Hawkins.
Trump Card
Client: City Hall Magazine
Here is a spot I just finished for an article in City Hall Magazine written by Andrew J. Hawkins titled, “Trump Card” Mr. Hawkins writes, “Could the Donald run competitively in New York? Not until he kisses the ring.”
Cocktail Party
This is my latest illustration for an article in Vegas Seven Magazine written by David Figler titled, “What’s Tea Got to Do With It?” Mr. Figler writes, “In the Cocktail Party, we understand that Nevadans want answers. And the answer is ‘Yes.’”
Vegas Snobs
Here is my new illustration for an article in Vegas Seven Magazine written by David Wrobel titled, “Higher Learning.” Mr. Wrobel contends that, “When it comes to Las Vegas, sometimes the best and brightest just don’t get it.”
A Modest Proposal
This week I contributed an illustration to a story in Vegas Seven Magazine written by Douglas Unger. It is titled, “A Modest Proposal.” It is a solution to UNLV’s financial woes. In it Mr. Unger proposes to sell the University of Nevada Las Vegas to China.
Re-use, Recycle, Remix
This week I contributed an illustration to a story in Vegas Seven Magazine (in the Music Section) written by Richard Abowitz. It is titled, “Re-Use, Recycle, Remix.” It is sort of about how we are “reliant on the past that almost pushes beyond tribute. To some, this new music, which I find exciting, can sound mixed from too familiar ingredients.”
The Moveable Middle
Client: Vegas Seven magazine Art Direction: Lauren Stewart
This week I contributed an illustration to a story in Vegas Seven Magazine, It is in an article written by T.R. Witcher entitled, “The Moveable Middle” in the section Vegas Seven titles, “The Latest Thought—When politicians say they’re mainstream, what are they really telling us?” I obviously enjoy drawing serious people doing silly things and—in my mind—poking fun at political maneuvering in an election cycle via satirical illustration is therapeutic.
Places and Pasts
Recently I contributed to a story in Vegas Seven Magazine, I was asked to illustrate a story written by Timothy O’Grady. The article is entitled, “Places and Pasts” and it contrasts life in the writer’s native Poland town of Torun versus his recent ten month stay in Las Vegas.
Gambling Memoirs
Client: Vegas Seven Magazine Art Director: Lauren Stewart
For this week’s Arts and Entertainment Reading section in Vegas Seven Magazine, I was asked to illustrate two contrasting stories about gambling in one spot. The article is entitled, “Of Girls and Gambling” in which “Two new female-penned memoirs show the spectrum of gambling, from addiction to ecstasy,” written by Richard Abowitz.
Assessing Bloomberg
Client: City Hall Magazine Art Director: Mitchell Hoffman
City Hall Magazine contacted me to illustrate the cover of New York City Mayor Micheal Bloomberg. The article is titled, “An Assessment of Bloomberg’s Third Term So Far, Measuring Up.” It is always an honor to be asked to paint a cover for a client—City Hall is no exception. (This assignment was the beginning of a flurry of work a few days before I took a week off for summer vacation! Murphy’s Law or Karma?)
City Hall Cover
Left Leaning?
Client: City Hall Magazine, Art Director: Mitchell Hoffman
Mitchell Hoffman of City Hall Magazine recently asked me to illustrate an article about a progressive caucus and their efforts to pull City Hall in New York more to the left. I moved out of New York state way back in 1992 but these spots for Manhattan Media keep me fairly well-informed about New York politics. Ironic, isn’t it?
Bike with Mike
This spot illustration of Mayor Mike McGinn was commissioned by Seattle Met magazine’s Art Director, Benjamen Purvis. Apparently the Mayor of Seattle rides his bike to work every day. Writer Johnathon Fitzpatrick refers to him as the pedaling populist. “He inhales and exhales breaths as big and as earnest as his ideas. And he pedals. All the way to City Hall.”
Great stuff!
Zombie Mashup
I recently illustrated some zombies, vampires, robots and Abraham Lincoln for the Arts & Entertainment opener in Vegas Seven Magazine. It was for a story about Quirk Books editor Jason Rekulak. (He and Seth Grahame-Smith are responsible for the book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.) You can read the article here, it was written by M. Scott Krause.
Comedy Isn’t Pretty
Who is this guy and why is his foot in a jar of mayonnaise?
This is a portrait I painted of Comedian Matt Champagne for Vegas Seven Magazine. Matt writes about his recent gig doing stand-up for a week at the Riviera Hotel and Casino. Mr. Champagne doesn’t mince words when it comes to his complete loathing for the Riviera (and Sin City for that matter.) As for the mayonnaise, just read his article about the experience—after all, he’s a comedian and you could probably use a laugh.
Vito Lopez—The Lion in Winter
Client: City Hall Magazine Art Director: Mitchell Hoffman
I was contacted by Mitch Hoffman at Manhattan Media to illustrate the cover of City Hall Magazine recently. The story was a personality profile of Vito Lopez, a politician from New York.
What Happens Here Doesn’t Stay Here Anymore…
Perhaps you have heard the ad campaign for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas?” It is only considered one of the most successful branding efforts in advertising history.
Vegas Seven Magazine Magazine asked me to illustrate their interesting article that asks the question, “What Happens When What Happens Here Doesn’t Stay Here Anymore?”
This illustration was very complex with so many figures and costumes, but c’mon—how often do you get to illustrate a pirate text messaging?
The Wi-Fi of Oz
Client: Seattle Metropolitan Magazine Art Director: Benjamen Purvis
Seattle Metropolitan Magazine’s Art Director, Benjamen Purvis contacted me to illustrate this article about the Mayor of Seattle’s efforts to provide wi-fi access to the Emerald City. “Is the mayor’s dream of municipal broadband a viable vision for America’s most techie city?”
