Arctic Sovereignty edited by Whitney Lackenbauer and Peter Kirkket

I mentioned a while ago that alot of my time recently has been spent on the graphic design end of things. Since coming to Laurier in 2005, I have worked with the Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies. Under the leadership of Terry Copp, the Centre is a always alive with guest lectures, a library of Military history offerings, a place for policy and DND representatives to recruit, and our ever expanding publication wing. This year I have taken on the role of publications manager at the Centre and we will have pushed out 8 books by the end of April. Part of that role involves designing the covers. The next book out is Arctic Sovereignty edited by Whitney Lackenbauer and Peter Kirkket. The book might be my favourite cover design yet. The book is hitting the market at a time when the arctic and who owns what parts is being questioned. the melting away of the ice coupled with an estimate that 1/4 of the worlds natural gases and fossil fuels may be found in this region is certainly important news and sure to be at the forefront of the Canadian agenda moving forward. Though I've been through the process a number of times and seen the proofs, I still love the moment you crack that first box and see the printed copy.

Until next time and I hope that is a lot sooner than last time...

A Take on one of the Greatest!

On Pablo Picasso's way of art...he is of course one of the true masters and they say imitation is the finest form of flattery...Upstairs in my house there hangs a picasso like I've uploaded here...He painted. I derived mine through digital art, starting with a photograph from my archive and working with it to create the lines and colour and abstraction of identity while maintaining the shape... He has given his a textured background and muted colours. I've only put the most basic of textures to a pretty solid red background and mine is full of loud colours. I like his better, but I'm proud of what I've come up with here. I hope this does not shock too many of my regular viewers...

To The Top...

Of the Arc de Triump...I saw this and borrowed a friends camera to capture the view...enjoy!

The Constructionists

While I love to use my camera, the bulk of my business lately has come from the graphic design end. The most recent project I completed was a poster for The Constructionists, a London based band. It is a real treat to work with other artists, because they always seem to be extraordinarily appreciative and supportive of the artistic community. Listen to their music here.

One Man's Journey is back...

I started this series ages ago and picked 25 photos that were not your standard fare from the places I've seen around the world. It's the reason I picked up the camera in the first place...I wanted my own memories from the places I've visited around the world...The newest addition was taken when I was atop St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican with my mother. This is Number 3

Portrait of a Hockey Player

When I first arrived in Waterloo 5 years ago to do my Master's, I decided to shoot for the Cord - the Student Newspaper at Laurier. That year Mike Brown and I made the trip to Brock to cover the Women's Hockey Team. The Laurier team is a powerhouse, winning the last six OUA Championships but with the exception of the year before I arrived, they have finished second at Nationals. Since that victory at Brock, Ironside has been apart of three more Provincial Champions and gone to Bejing as part of the Canadian University team at the 2009 Winter Universiade in Harbin, China, February 18-28. I still shoot sparingly for the Cord and yesterday I had the pleasure of shooting her for the profile piece they do on the athletes called Behind the Hawk. The last one is an artistic take on her last crack at a National Championship. Best of Luck Andrea!

Going home...with an Irish Mate

Folks,

Been a long long long while...but it's time to try this a little more consistently...Niall, a friend from Ireland, came for a 13 day visit just before Christmas. Instead of the usual flight home, I chose to drive to give him a bit better view of our country and a chance to see a few must-see's in our Canadian Landscape. We hit Niagara, the CN Tower, St. Jacob's Market, A hockey game in Ottawa, as well as a very cold quick peak at our parliament buildings at night then the next night we stopped in Quebec City before making the rest of the voyage. Below are are a few images from Ottawa and Old Quebec.

The Parliament at Christmas...they do a nice job!

The War Memorial...

Old Quebec