http://www.drawger.com/carlwiens/ Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:23:38 EST FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://drawger.com/_images/drawger_leo_logo.gif http://www.drawger.com/carlwiens http://www.drawger.com/carlwiens/index.php?section=articles&article_id=13052


I really enjoyed working on this image. Here is a detail of the background. I designed a number of factories in isometric form and developed the background to be interesting but not overpowering. I wanted the black excavator arm to stand out.



I worked on a number of sketches. Here are a couple of them. I liked both the concepts but the images here were a bit over the top.



I've been getting a lot of business-related assignments lately. Ecomomics may be the dull science but that doesn't mean that the images need be that way. I also worked with Minh on this piece about emerging from the lingering after effects of a financial crisis.



]]> Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:23:38 EST http://www.drawger.com/carlwiens/index.php?section=articles&article_id=12890

Oeno Gallery is a beautiful spot. Owner Carlyn Moulton has been fantastic to work with in launching this show. Mecanismos opened on the weekend, and I took a bit of time to recover from the tension and excitement of launching a solo show.



The show runs through the holidays and will be up until January 3. There was a lot of work involved in getting it together and I am very thankful for all of the friends and folks who showed up at the opening, and to those who bought pieces as well.



I stopped by the gallery this afternoon, when things were quiet to take some photos of the space and the work in place.  



I worked with Oeno Gallery to produce a book, including all 100 prints. It includes an introduction by Gary Taxali and I also talk about the process of creating Mecanismos, influences and ideas that went into the work. $60, contact me if you would like to get your hands on one.





]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:47:11 EST http://www.drawger.com/carlwiens/index.php?section=articles&article_id=12775


Forefront used an illustration on the cover for the first time. Kudos to designer Alissar Rayes, who I worked with on the cover and inside layout. I also worked with Silas Pandoori and Todd Edmonds at Iron design, creating the cover for Cornell University's Connections. Another first-time use of a fullly illustrated cover.



When I went to University, my two favourite courses were Biology and Art History. At the time, I would have happily chose a career in either field. Art won out. I still love doing these assignments, being an illustrator exposes me to so many different ideas, concepts and theories.



The article for Stanford discusses artificial intelligence. It is an interesting look at using technology to diffuse complex and dangerous strategies and conflicts. Alissar nailed this layout contrasting a photograph of the scientist featured in the article with the illustration I created. They do look alike! I followed up the cover illustration with inside spots based on the three main factors upon which human intelligence is based: learning, knowledge, and reasoning. Developing artificial intelligence requires an incorporation of all of these elements.



I know that computers are becoming more and more sophisticated and that we are fast approaching the time when artificial intelligence matches wits with users on a day-to-day basis. Programming a computer to play chess is one thing, but when the day comes that my computer suddenly cracks a joke that makes me laugh, I will throw it out the window. To paraphrase Douglas Adams, the one thing everybody really can't stand is a smart-ass.

]]> Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:11:47 EST http://www.drawger.com/carlwiens/index.php?section=articles&article_id=12677 I've been called it before. I prefer to be known as an illustrator, but I started out as one of them, so I understand where the name comes from. I'm talking about being a cartoonist. When I began drawing, cartoons were a great way to express my ideas. I drew strips and dreamed about doing an independent comic book series. There are so many amazing cartoonists out there that influenced my art. My work in the college newspaper led to paying gigs and I realized that there might be a way to make a living from this. Drawing cartoons is a great way to add a narrative to the pictures. Setting up a panel teaches composition and layout skills. You have to be fast and adaptable. Over time, I realized I didn't have the patience to stick with a given set of characters and a given style over time. I wanted to have the freedom to explore new ideas, techniques and directions. The thrill of deadlines and the constant input of ideas from editiorial illustration assignments drew me into becoming a full-time illustrator.

That's not to say I don't do cartoons, I haven't left them behind, I have a lot of fun cartooning. I host The Monthly Prince Edward County Comix Jam (last Wednesday of the month at the Acoustic Grill) and work on books and assignments in cartoon style. I have worked with Doogie Horner at Running Press and with Josh McDonnell on epic volumes like Sci-Fi Baby Names and First Timer's Kit: The Safe, Effective Way to Loose your Virginity. My latest project for Running Press is The Fart Dictionary. Written by Scott Sorenson, it's an A to Z compendium of fart definitions. A fart for every occasion, if you will.

When you get an assignment like this, the first question is: How do you draw a fart? There is plenty of cartooning shorthand for facial expressions and emotions, and movement and profanity, but a fart? I started sketching - scribbles, clouds, but wanted to keep things classy. A flourish, a sophisticated calligraphic swirl, would do the trick. I was also limited to two colours on this project. It's the kind of thing that sounds like a restriction, but working in a limited palette requires better design and smarter use of what is available. I choose an acid orange and black combination. Josh agreed.



The Fart Dictionary - available at fine bookstores everywhere.



]]> Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:43:06 EST http://www.drawger.com/carlwiens/index.php?section=articles&article_id=12607

No, it's not the survival of the fittest analogy that springs to mind immediately. This piece for the New York Times Business Weekend section involves a more subtle interpretation of Darwin's writings. What if we thought of the marketplace as adaptive, finding more efficient methods of wealth creation and distribution, and move beyond Adam Smith's 'invisible hand' Food for thought. Makes for some good reading, you can see the article here. The article 'Darwin, the Market Whiz' is written by Robert H. Frank. What a treat to draw Darwin! I worked with Minh Uong on this, sketches below.



]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:24:19 EST http://www.drawger.com/carlwiens/index.php?section=articles&article_id=12606


The concept for this piece was a primer on getting started in shooting video, and getting eyes focused on your finished product. I had another piece 'run' in the spring edition as well. More robotic fun!



My Mecanismos prints are heading to the Oeno Gallery this fall. I will be framing all 100 for a show on November 26 and we are also putting together a book. It's always cool to see a project like this grow from an idea, evolve and find a physical form, and find a venue and home.



]]> Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:38:08 EST