Carl Wiens

Cover

posted: July 24, 2009

The art director loved it and I thought the piece worked. The client, however, does have final say.

So here it is. Why not let it see the light of day? Thanks Drawger. No hard feelings.

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Gritty black and white

posted: July 6, 2009

In Character magazine gave me the opportunity to illustrate their 'Grit' issue. This was a project I was honored to receive. Recently Scott Bakal illustrated the Compassion issue as well as Randall Enos.

This was a big project, illustrating the articles from cover to cover. I had some time to reflect on my own understanding of grit. Cowboys and athletes spring to mind immediately. I play hockey, but not in a gritty way. You can knock me off the puck with a sideways glance.

I learned through this project that grit transcends the physical aspects we associate with the word. Albert Einstein epitomized mental determination and depth, scribbling notes and equations on his death bed, in search of a grand unified theory of the universe.

I worked with Joannah Ralston, who was a pleasure to work with. The articles cover a wide range of viewpoints, from entertainment to the economy. A wonderful and well-written range of material to work with.

Self-help books

Working towards educational reform from within the system, the efforts to establish a working space

These black and white pieces were a joy to create - sometimes I fuss too much over color choices. I was able to spend more time weighing the balance of elements and concepts. There was also a mountain of sketches and revisions involved, testing my abilities and 'grit' as well.

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Portable Dad

posted: June 19, 2009

With father's day approaching I thought I would post this recent project for Perseus Books.

If you need to know how to fix a leaky faucet, repair a flat tire, replace a broken fan belt or paint a room without painting yourself into a corner, and your dad is not there, unavailable, or keeps putting you on hold, then this book is what you need. It's aimed at the kids moving away from home. So it's not really a father's day item, but something dad might give as a 'parting' gift. (Just before he breaks out the scotch to celebrate his new-found freedom).

This book has a unique feature. Open up the end flaps, pull out the perforated handles, and you have a faux toolbox!

You can check out the author's (Steve Elliot) blog, chock-a-block full of handy tips and regular-guy anecdotes.

build, work

7 comments |

Eek-onomy

posted: June 17, 2009

Getting a read on the economy lately is difficult at best. For every sign of an uptick, there is a handful of disturbing headlines. You need to get somebody who can put all of these things together and provide a reasonable viewpoint. I've been lucky enough to work on assignments for Justin Fox at Time magazine recently.

The uncoupling of China/U.S. trade

Biz school grads take an oath to act in and ethical way.

Leveling bank profits through regulation.

Replacing the U.S. dollar as global currency

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2 comments |

Take me to your loss leader

posted: May 28, 2009

I've been building automatons and robots for a while - strictly a personal pursuit - until this assignment came along.

I've built an inventory of robots over time (one of them was 'chosen' for AI-28, pictured here).
This assignment gave me a chance to create a whole new set. Because I had to work quickly, these took on a life of their own and developed in ways I couldn't anticipate.

I work in Illustrator, so I create new files as I go along. If I chose a direction that doesn't work, I refer back to an earlier version. This piece was complicated, so I had to chose the colors carefully to allow the individual robots to stand out or recede into the background.

Initial sketch, which I used as a rough guide

Blocking in with various elements & shapes on different layers. Looks like a junk yard at this point.

Background added, final starting to take shape

Final art. I added the bubble head robot on the upper right towards the end, probably about 3:30 in the morning. I think he's my favorite.

When you take a new direction with your work, sometimes it takes a while to percolate with art directors and result in an assignment. This was fun & challenging to work on.

The article talked about retailers developing new sections of low-priced items to attract shoppers. In this case Toys-R-Us created a section of items under three bucks.

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6 comments |

A visit from the future

posted: May 1, 2009

I climbed into my time machine to visit the year 2020. It was so cool! Flying cars and monorails. My feet are a bit soggy, but all in all a great trip!

Luckily, I took my sketchbook along. I lost my camera and wallet along the way. I hate when that happens.

Good news, cyclists! In the future, the balance is tipping in your favor. This is NOT critical mass.

In the future, all the people are, shall we say, very experienced and 'mature'. None of that Logan's Run sandman nonsense.

If you find my wallet in 11 years, please give me a call. The camera I can replace. Damned time machine is on the fritz, it'll take eons to get a repairman in.

In the future, theaters are still around. Believe it or don't. Great service too.

In the future, all cities are domed.

You should see the sunsets. REALLY colorful.

I was able to publish these in Westchester Magazine. Aiko Masazumi was great to work with. The bottom piece went to Jeff Smith at Tornado design. I'm going to take a break now. Travelling through that extra dimension can really wring you out!

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12 comments |

Inside the male mind

posted: April 15, 2009

An obvious and simple target?

Stop right there. The subtleties of shaping young male minds is not lost on writer Dr. Perri Klass in a piece that ran in the New York Times Science pages.

I should have noticed that this ran yesterday, but I was distracted by shiny objects.

I agree with Joseph Fiedler - it always a thrill to see your work in the Times. I really enjoyed working with Peter Morance as well.

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Spotty at best

posted: April 14, 2009

Alright all you musicians out there - let me have it! This is a piece about a financial advisor and musician who caters to creative types

Contaminants in the air that we breath. For Consumer Reports

I was very happy to hear from Dave Bamundo at WSJ, who gave me a call on this one. Something about the dollar and gold prices acting in unison after trending differently for a long, long time.

For Vancouver Magazine: The perils of hosting the Olympics, Parking wars, and a critique of Donald Trump's moneymaking seminars

Reel 'em in! for CIO magazine

Here is a round-up of sorts, a collection of unrelated assignments. I haven't posted anything for a while, so I thought I would follow A. Richard's lead and throw together a mix.

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Widgets! Get your Widgets!

posted: December 16, 2008

Is there anything better than drawing robots?

I dabble in robot doodles, but my sketches pitched for clients end up being just that- they never seem to make it to final art. This assignment for the New York Times proved to be the perfect fit.The illustrations are for the launch page of a new service called TimesWidgets.
When I took on this project, a widget factory was suggested by the client. So I jumped in and started drawing out a low-tech version of a high-tech app. Tiny robots cutting up large volumes of articles and reassembling information into tiny, perfect, colorful widgets.

If you want a great new widget, go over to New York Times and build your own. I worked with Heena Ko on this one closely. There was a lot of back and forth to get things right.

Thumbnail

Here is the evolution of the main drawing, from sketches to finish.

This needed some simplification - too much going on overhead. We also needed to balance the composition.

Approved sketch

This one had a background tone that was dropped. My initial color palette was a bit too rusty. We decided on more vibrant tones.

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Central Scrutinizer

posted: December 10, 2008

I recently received an assignment from Ronn Campisi. I've heard a lot of good things about him, especially from Adam McCauley. So I jumped at the chance. The subject matter was, to say the least, droll. I've always liked science-related subject matter. This article was about Dataspace. If you are working in research, the answer you seek may be out there -- but how do you go about finding it? There is a mountain of data to be sorted through. The challenge is making such valuable information accessible - and the Dataspace program promises to make that possible.

I set out with a batch of sketches. Here are a few. I needed to work with Ronn to get something that stated the message more clearly. After several attempts the answer wasn't quite there yet.

This was closing in - but needed a bit more wrestling. It's always interesting how a solution presents itself when you work with something long enough. It was literally drawn out.

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staying up in a down cycle

posted: December 2, 2008

Bears? Bottomless pits? What kind of image can capture the times we live in?
With all of the institutions teetering on the brink and the bounces in the stock market it's a bit hard to get a handle on things. How about a bi-polar bear? (Sorry - I just had to slip that in) Even better - a bi-polar bear at the helm of a locomotive hurtling into the abyss?
With all of the fear and panic it's a bit of a balancing act coming up with a metaphor that won't induce apoplexy or at least a minor case of the vapors and make it to print.
I don't want to appear insensitive to all the real pain and anguish out there - I know we are in for a very bumpy ride. It's not my job to despair, I guess I'm wrestling with the right way to respond.

It took numerous iterations to get the image up above. Sometimes it takes a fair amount of trial and error to strike the right balance. Here are a couple of the sketches along the way.

It's been a crazy ride so far. I am staying hopeful that the new team Obama is putting together will pull us through. I am also grateful that things haven't slowed down too much yet.
So where am I going with this? Here is one more image. The spot of the empty vault at the top of this post was not published. I received a call from the art director at the last minute to add cash. Lots of cash. There. Doesn't that feel better?

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the way I see it, Barry...

posted: October 31, 2008

Persistence pays off.

My cover for Sci-Fi Baby Names made it into the Print Regional Annual. A first for me. I've been freelancing full-time for 19 years, so I guess the old adage is true.

Tipping point - A piece for More magazine, on the right time and amount to tip

Whenever I get recognized for my work the work I do, I really do appreciate it. I got the message from Doogie Horner at Quirk Books last week. Living where I do I haven't had the chance to pick up a copy yet - I'm sure there are lots of Drawgers in there - post it if you're in!

It's been a good year, I've had some cool projects to work on and a few more in the works. After all this time, I still feel my work moving in new directions. Here's a few recent pieces.

Best places to do business - for Canadian Business magazine

This one was a bit more technical - microwave technologies for Forbes

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weighing in

posted: October 9, 2008

Is the sky falling? Are we spiraling towards another Great Depression or is the market 'fundamentally sound'?
I got a call from Kim Bost to work on a piece for today's NYT OpEd page. It's an article by Robert Reich, former Labor Secretary under the Clinton administration - a fairly impressive performer at the time.
Reich's piece 'Saved by the Deficit' is both damning and somewhat hopeful, some sober thinking in an atmosphere of panic where he parallels today's conditions with 1993, the year Clinton took office.
Kim was great to work with, although she threw out my first round of drawings (which was for the better). It's exciting to weigh in on such a critical discussion.
You can read the article here

One of the first round sketches. I was working with overlays so I had to put the piece together to see how it would work. Whenever I get this detailed the piece never makes it to print!

In the end I was happy with how the piece turned out. I hope that some serious thinking goes into the next administration. Whoever inherits this thing is going to have one hell of a mess on their hands!

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Op-Ed: food or fuel - you decide

posted: May 19, 2008

It always a thrill and challenge to get an op-ed page assignment. This piece ran in the letters section of Sunday's New York Times. Got the call from Brian Rea on Friday afternoon, setting off the mad scramble...

sketches here

I should leave the subtleties of this issue with the experts, but here's the gist of it: we live in a time when critical choices have to be made. Corn for biodiesel and ethanol presented itself as a smart and eco-friendly solution to increasing fuel needs and co2 levels. Under closer scrutiny and in light of worldwide food shortages it's time to reconsider options.

Rising food prices in the wake of global food shortages

Several weeks ago I worked on a similar theme for the Boston Globe. Rising food prices are a new reality. Food shortages make it necessary to reflect on how we best utilize what we have. Once again this editorial questions the use of biofuels made from food sources, but the implications reach far beyond topping up our tanks. Rising food prices threaten the survival of millions.

Alex Nabaum had some terrific illustrations on the same topic last week.

This is an issue that is too important to be overlooked in an election year.

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8 comments |

First Time

posted: April 29, 2008

If you try something new, your brain grows (we tell our kids that if they eat something different, like a vegetable). Every once in a while I get an assignment that increases my cranial capacity in the same way. I have worked with Doogie Horner at Quirk Books before, so when he called with a new project I was happy to pick up on the challenge. Part of the of the project was something new for me - at least something I haven't done for a long while.

I don't draw a lot of celebrities, I prefer to leave that in the capable hands of brilliant and talented people - like so many of those here on Drawger - who do it so well. I thought I'd hold my breath and post these because they didn't turn out too bad, and I had a lot of fun doing them.

These are part of a series of trading cards for 'The First Timer's Guide to Losing your Virginity', due to hit the shelves in September. A hilarious and informative sure-fire solution to anyone in desperate need of a jump-start.

That's all I am saying right now. Doogie is the expert on the subject, I'm the artist. Provide your own punchline.

fun, work

Dots and dashes

posted: March 7, 2008

'Lateral moves' for American Lawyer

A few recent assignments.

I've been working on a simplified palette and line work.

motivating

spotlighting achievement

communicating

putting plans into action

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2 comments |

Good Gig

posted: February 16, 2008

Tantric love guru

Nice to have a couple of spots running in Vancouver Magazine's Panorama section each issue. A fun and challenging selection of wide-ranging topical subjects.

Randall Watson and Taryn Dufault are really great to work with. Here's a selection of spots from the past year.

Steve Wacksman had a terrrific feature in the last issue, a 'best of' issue.

These spots run rather small, so I have to take down the elements to a basic level. Less is more.

Mysterious bee deaths

Dealing with bird hazards at airports

High-end real estate

Science of wine tasting

The making of J-pod tv show

Slumlord

Deaf choir

Controlling odor of municipal compost

Weapons training for film production

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14 comments |

tax cuts

posted: October 16, 2007

Last week looked like Drawger week on the NYT Op-Ed page. Brian Rea gave me a call with this assignment. What a great guy to work with, calm and collected in what must be a real pressure cooker.

I don't get to work in black and white very much these days. It's a nice change.

The piece discusses supply siders dictating tax cuts to the Republican presidential candidates at the expense of other, let's say, more pressing priorities.

Here's the sketches. I think most of these worked nicely, although dismemberment never really sells, does it?

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Underwear Sneak Peek

posted: September 26, 2007

Has your favorite pair of briefs outlived its 'expiration' date? By a year perhaps, or by a decade or two?

How many sagging, hole-ridden, gauze-like undies lay tucked away in the dark recesses of your dresser drawers, waiting to be taken out for a good airing?

This summer I was lucky enough to work with Joshua McDonnell at Running Press on 'The Man's Guide to Repairing Underwear' - a twelve-step guide that should be required reading for every proud member of 'mankind'. Help is on the way!

Chock-full of enough handy tips and tricks to keep you connected for a lifetime of cotton-poly bliss. This book also includes the tools you will need to keep those prized briefs in brand-spanking new shape.

Your kit includes duct tape, white out, patches and a whole mess of other goodies- everything you need in one complete package!

I really appreciate having the opportunity to work on this and contribute to the overall well-being and betterment of man.

Coming to a store near you sometime soon

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7 comments |

Grow

posted: September 16, 2007

I like the concept of connecting with our surroundings - earth and elements. This image is about growth, something that is not necessarily easy or straightforward.

In May I was contacted by Mark Murphy and was excited to have the chance to work with him. I was given one word to work with: Grow.

A handful of sketches

The artwork appears in this years Directory of Illustration brochure. Mark was really great to work with. I think the piece provided a really nice opportunity for growth!

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5 comments |

Simplify

posted: September 13, 2007

Here's a bit of a piggyback to Bob's color article. I tend to obsess and sometimes overwork colors and compostion. Thomas Miller from Time gave me a call for this spot. He suggested keeping the linework and colors very simple.

This piece went quickly and worked out nicely. How cool is that?

Sketches - I don't usually work in color at the sketch phase, but I found this to be quick and effective.

The illustration deals with following the herd, with money managers tending to play it safe and not necessarily exercise their own powers and decisions. Not your typical business illo.

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Wild Life

posted: September 12, 2007

This summer has been a real trip. Alternating between a handful of vacation days and mad scrambles to keep on top of the assignment work.

I got a call from Tracy Toscano at Plenty Magazine. Interesting topic: controlling problematic animal populations, such as racoons, deer, coyotes and foxes by administering birth control technology, as opposed to hunting.

Interesting follow up to my post about the mice. 'Hey, you little rodents, care for some hormones with that cheese?'

I thought I would post the sketches I submitted, I rather liked them all.

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Tainted toys and other nonsense

posted: August 16, 2007

Kids, don't try this at home....

This toxic tank engine popsicle is part of a series for the current issue of Esquire. When I worked on the art about a month ago, I wondered if the whole lead-saturated toy thing would be buried too deep in the news cycle by the time the issue hit the stands. Sadly not the case. Funny how things just keep getting more absurd all the time.

Waterboarding? Definitely out of hand.

Here a few other pieces from the series, a parody on the the Dangerous Book for Boys, with some really hair-raising activites for young lads with time on their hands.

reading Atlas Shrugged

If you want to make sense of this and see the rest, check out This Way Out.

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Cryin' in my Beer

posted: March 29, 2007

Back in 2000 I got a call for my 'dream' assignment. Local brewer John McKinney invited me to create a logo and the labels for Glenora Springs Brewery.

I was given a lot of creative leeway and the results were something we could be proud of.

Designing a good beer label can be a bit of a challenge. I wanted these to have a traditional look, but also wanted the illustrations to be featured prominently. Each label has a predominant color so that you can quickly identity which ale or lager you are about to enjoy. In the province of Ontario there is a government body, the LCBO, which distributes alcohol to the citizens. There is a list as long as your arm of what you cannot put on a beer label. The hockey player at the bottom was nixed eventually. Can't have people participating in sports associated with beer! I had a design of a tractor on one of the labels that was given the kibosh because someone decided it was a motor vehicle. We got away with the sailboat! Of course, I've never heard of a sailor having one too many, have you? There is logic in there somewhere.

Well, times change. The brewery sold. The new owners held on to the designs. For about a year. Now everything has been tanked including John's great names...

Oh well.. I didn't want to let this go without acknowledgement, so here are the labels we created. It was good while it lasted!

Anybody out there starting up a brewery? I will work for beer.

fun, work

13 comments |

From the Depths of Outer Space

posted: March 22, 2007

Talk about a niche market!

Looking for a perfect and nearly-unique moniker for your new arrival? Look no further....

When we decided to name our son Jacob (after my grandfather), I had no idea that everyone else was thinking the same thing. Jacob has shot to the top of the most popular boys names list. A bit of a surprise. Now a small sea of heads turn when we shout out his name at the hockey rink or on the soccer pitch.

If you want your kid to stand out, perhaps you should consider Anakin, Worf, or Morpheus. How about Zardoz? These are a few of the 500 Sci-Fi Baby Names, Published by Quirk Books (release date September, written by Robert Schnakenberg). A must for the ubernerd parents-to-be on your gift list.

I'd like to see a volume of wacky Rock star kid names like Zowie or Moon Unit (maybe it's already done...)

I had lots of fun with this cover art!

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15 comments |

Seeing spots

posted: March 15, 2007

Series of drawings about hobbies, of which I have none. No time these days!

Run Spots, Run!

Lately I have been dispatching a large volume of spots, sent off to languish along the margins and squatting in corners.

Today, thanks to Drawger, they are set free, given some elbow room and a chance to shine!

Series for travel article. Would be nice to go somewhere. This week I am travelling to Desoronto for my son's hockey tournament (20 mins. north of here)

Telephone Game for Barrons

A couple of pieces relating to pros/cons of curfews

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Anything but idle

posted: March 7, 2007

Here's a piece that ran in the 'Business of Green' section in the NYT.
It's been an absolute zoo lately, working around the clock. I picked up a copy and I was really disappointed in how it ran. I thought this piece would print much larger and it lost something when it was reduced. Ah the joys of newsprint! I know it will look great here though.

The article talks about a truck driver who has eliminated idling his rig for long periods of time while on the road through a few simple modifications. I wanted to convey the gritty and desolate atmosphere of a truck stop.

sketches here

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17 comments |

Optimist or Pessimist

posted: February 1, 2007

Which are you?

Here's a couple of illustrations that ran in this week's New York Times. The article was titled 'Can Humanity Survive? Want to Bet on it?' by John Tierney. The minute hand on the doomsday clock was recently advanced to 5 minutes before midnight based on factors like climate change. Is the end of the world just around the corner?

Being optimistic used to be a choice, an attitude. Nowadays its a real challenge. I do my best to keep a positive outlook, I really want the world to be a better place for my kids. Wishful thinking.

What's your global outlook? Are you Malthusian, utopian, Orwellian? Apocolyptic or apoplectic?

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