Alejandro Cardona Illustration Blog

Joe Jr. Spring & Summer Newspaper on press

2011-08-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

Just picked up a copy of the Joe Jr newspaper for Kids!
Check it out lots of fun content for kids. About 5000 copies were distributed in select Burlington Halton school boards.

A

Character illustrations for the Museums of Burlington kids newsletter!

2011-06-28T17:45:00.001-07:00

Jo Jr. Hits the Press! Joe Jr. - a Heritage Newspaper just for Kids!
This was a fun project for a great organization. Make sure to check it out the site.
Read More here

Cardona

Vacca Studio Launches!

2011-02-02T07:25:00.000-08:00

We are a full service design studio specializing in marketing your brand on the web and print advertising. Services include; interactive online banners, email marketing, logo + visual identity, newsletters, magazine print + brochures, direct mail ads, event/tradeshow promotional material, website design and more. Vacca Studio

Feathertale 5 Launch Party at the "Supermarket", Toronto.

2010-03-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

Check out my illustrations in the recent Feathertale 5 publication. In your local bookstores soon.
A

Upcoming Feathertale illustrations

2010-03-09T17:11:00.000-08:00

Glad to hear that the upcoming Feathertale review is launching sometime next week.
It should be great seeing all the familiar faces again. I will post the published work soon.
A

illustrations for Feathertale 5

2010-01-31T08:11:00.000-08:00

Attached are a few b/w illustrations for Feathertale 5. The article is called Book chat trilogy. I will post the article soon.
A

sketches on America's tight border control

2010-01-05T17:29:00.000-08:00

working on several sketches regarding the issue of America's tight airport border control..

AC

Interview on SPRAYGRAPHIC online blog

2009-10-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

Check out the recent interview with SPRAYGRAPHIC!
Thanks to Charles for the exposure and interview on the SPRAYGRAPHIC blog
Click here to read more on the interview.
Cheers,
A.

Recent design for Texterity (client)

2009-10-04T17:07:00.000-07:00

News/Freelance Design projects

2009-09-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

Currently working on several Design projects for a U.S Client. Will post soon. For past design projects visit here. I also have joined the marketing/creative services team at the Living Arts Centre. Visit the site here

Featured online in the U.K

2009-07-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

Check out the project that Tom Wild, a designer in the U.K has compiled showcasing Illustrators around the world in a visual book edition online. Thanks for including me and promoting design and emerging Illustrators and Artists. Make sure to check out my image along side a few friends of mine as well as other illustrators enjoy
Click here

Feathertale Review #4 in print

2009-06-01T14:50:00.000-07:00

I received my copy of the Feathertale Review 4 at the launch party in Toronto. So many talented Illustrators and writers involved. It Will be available at select bookstores soon. Thanks to the staff at Feathertale, the book looks awesome.

AC

Where Is Osama bin Laden?

2009-05-29T13:21:00.001-07:00

Where Is Osama bin Laden?

Surfing off the coast of Australia?
Working as a Psychiatrist?
Fishing In Nova Scotia?
Playing the Wii In his Cave
Adding applications to his iphone?
Working on his tan?

...Surely the Devil is worried about his arrival to hell.

"Feathertale 4 Launch party Friday May 29"

2009-05-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

Where: Czehoski, Third Floor, 678 Queen Street West, Toronto
I look forward to mingling with everyone who contributed to the Feathertale Review. Czehoski restaurant

Cheers,

American Illustration 28 web Gallery

2009-05-24T16:49:00.000-07:00

Check out the link here to view the images chosen to appear on American Illustration 28 Web Gallery. Look up my name to view Image.

Feathertale Review 4- Article " Matchmaker "

2009-04-29T12:38:00.000-07:00

Illustration is for a story titled "matchmaker" In the upcoming Review 4. Bald and fat Henrik Nordmark attempts to find a female companion with the help of Susan the matchmaker.
It is always great working with Lee from Feathertale', thanks and I look forward to the Review.

"Chosen" for American Illustration 28 Tribute web Gallery

2009-04-27T13:39:00.000-07:00

"The Taliban was chosen by American Illustration 28 to appear permanently on TRIBUTE there web gallery, which will be online November 2009. I am grateful to be selected since there was many entries to compete with. Thanks AI. Stay tuned. I will post the web gallery link when it is up and running.

Working idea for children's book/show concept

2009-04-13T16:55:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a story with a main character, setting and plot. Its all concept rough sketches and ideas as of now.
Main character is a boy who is a care taker of the animals in a zoo setting. The concept is within an educational theme and the interaction of the boy with the animals. The intent is for the boy to have different situations/scenarios with the animals and a teaching aspect.

I am working on the setting, animals, developing a story, protagonist and villain. The idea is to put together a solid well thought out pitch/media kit for promotional use. Mostly publishers and/or television possibly.

More to come soon.
-alejandro

Check for updates on site

2009-04-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

A few extra links and content to site.. enjoy
cardona illustrations

working drawing for "finance your burger"

2009-03-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

Have a few spots i am working on with the theme "hard times". Funny narrative based situations. More to come soon.
-alejandro

"The Taliban"

2009-02-11T13:49:00.000-08:00

New to the "People in the Neighbourhood Series"

Cut to the Drummer Gala: Our Lady Peace drummer Jeremy Taggart

2009-02-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

Opening Gala at "Cut to the Drummer at the Steam Whistle Brewery Feb.5.09

Cut to the Drummer: Lars Ulrich

2009-02-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the "Cut to the Drummer Exhibit" at the Steam Whistle Brewery in Toronto.
VIP Gala from 7pm-9:30 pm
Opening Reception from 9:30 pm-1am

For additional information and/or inquiries on the Show visit
Cut to the Drummer site

Lars Ulrich is the founding member of the infamous Metallica, along with spokesperson and songwriter for this rock band. He inspires me because of his talent, leadership qualities and strong personality. The essence of the drummer is captured by the exaggerated characterization and use of colour. Ulrich’s Personality is best depicted in the portrait, focusing on the eyes and his loud expression. Key elements of the instrument are apparent within the composition and ultimately a part of the drummer.

"Just a little off the top"

2009-02-02T17:37:00.001-08:00

Check out another b/w illustration. "Just a little off the top"

"You have 2 friend requests"

2009-01-30T08:47:00.001-08:00

Working on a series of black/white illustrations.. I haven't done any b/w in sometime. More to come soon.

"TICKETS ON SALE NOW AND SPACE IS LIMITED" CUT TO THE DRUMMER Exhibition

2009-01-27T07:48:00.000-08:00

CUT TO THE DRUMMER. FEB.5.09
50 PORTRAITS OF 50 DRUMMERS BY 50 ARTISTS

Proceeds go to support the MS Society of Canada Scholarship Program, initiated by Aaron Solowniuk, of Billy Talent .
The program helps send kids to college.If you haven't already purchased your tickets to the Cut To The Drummer event, please do so now. Space is limited to only 250 and a lineup is not where you want to be on a cold February night.
Darrin Pfeiffer of Goldfinger and Aaron Solowoniuk of Billy Talent are DJ's for the night. They'll be spinning some great tunes they've selected for just this event.
View some great art, while you rock to tunes where the drummer is king!

ADVANCE TICKETS - ONLY $10.00 (online-see below)
AT THE DOOR - $15.00 CASH ONLY
Follow this link to get your tickets now:
Click here
For additional information Cut to the Drummer site

A review in the Feathertale Egregious Volume 2

2009-01-26T15:57:00.000-08:00

Check out my review and Q+A in this month's newsletter from Feathertale.
Thanks to Brett and Lee. Great to work with.
feathertale Review

Purchase your tickets for "Cut to the Drummer"

2008-12-19T08:17:00.001-08:00

UPCOMING EXHIBITION "Cut to the Drummer" at the Steam Whistle Brewing, Toronto

2008-12-12T08:12:00.000-08:00

I will be part of the Bepo + Mimi exhibition " Cut to the Drummer" coming in the New Year. For Information check out the link.
Cut to the Drummer site

Cheers,

Prints available at Feathertale

2008-10-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

Prints from the "Review" are available at the Feathertale store.
Check them out here

feathertale Review 3

2008-09-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

Check out my illus in the current Feathertale Review. Thanks to Lee and Brett for the great work and putting together the launch at the Gladstone. It was great finally meeting them both and look forward to future endeavors with Feathertale.

AC

YoungBlood Feature in Current Applied Arts magazine (CA)

2008-09-03T13:15:00.000-07:00

Check out my feature (spread) in the September/October issue of Applied Arts.
Thanks to the Editor and AD for the support, the spread looks great.
AC

Applied Arts Sept/Oct issue

Feathertale Review 3 Launch Party"

2008-08-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

Look out for my illustration in the upcoming Feathertale review 3.. For information on the launch Party visit the link

Feathertale Review 3

"Colombia drawings" series

2008-08-15T18:13:00.000-07:00

El Paisano" A fellow-countryman, one of the same country as another. Typical name exchanged between colombians. This piece is one of many drawings inspired by the country and people from my not to long ago trip to south america.
More drawings to come.

Unbecoming Him: Feathertale Review

2008-08-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

An illustration for the Feathertale Review. A Story about a father trying to get his son to cut his hair and shave his beard.

Egregious 4- "Meet Paul"

2008-07-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

Check out the new character sketch.. "Meet Paul" Get a glimpse of the character profile on Feathertale.
Also look out for me in the Fall in the Applied Arts, Young Blood column. They will be doing a feature on me in September.
feathertale

Frank & Rosealee for "Egregious" by Feathertale

2008-06-09T08:55:00.000-07:00

Here are short paragraphs of the character profiles:

Rosealee, a woman who embodied the free love movement and whose
conscious was steadfast in the seventies, wrapped her slender frame
with Indian scarves and wore a tiara of beads in her hair. She
skipped down the centre aisle of the bus, with a jovial smile. Illicit
drugs will do that.

Frank was a short man with a beard so thick it engulfed most of his
face and offered unintentional storage for misguided whole-grain o's.
He was not a natural bohemian, but used the lifestyle so exuberantly
perpetuated by his lover to escape the memories of his rigid, military
upbringing. He followed her with fixed eyes and a melancholy smile;
she was his Mecca, his life-long pilgrimage.

Will shortly be up on feathertale

The EGREGIOUS " by Feathertale" Character Sketch

2008-05-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

This is an upcoming Character Sketch for the "Egregious" by Feathertale. Tune in to read Milton's profile. feathertale

Featured on illustrophile"

2008-04-30T13:54:00.002-07:00

Thanks for the support illustrophile

Maisonneuve Issue 27- Spring 2008

2008-04-23T17:13:00.000-07:00

Check out my illustration in the latest Maisonneuve Spring issue 27. Thanks to Anna the Art Director for making this an easy and successful illus.

"New Site" www.alejandrocardona.com

2008-04-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

Check out my new site" polishing up some loose ends, but here it is alejandro cardona

The EGREGIOUS " Monthly electronic publication by Feathertale"

2008-04-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

Check out Barry in the Newsletter" feathertale

The Office Meeting

2008-04-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

Office meetings always seem like hell.. Meeting the boss especially.

Reader's Digest..May 2008-Naked Flight-pg.15

2008-04-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

Check out the May 2008 issue of Reader's Digest on newsstands everywhere tomorrow. Article Naked Flight page 15 in the Here and Now Column..

It was great working with this client and look forward to continue working with them.

Meet Barry... Character profile for Feathertale

2008-04-08T10:13:00.000-07:00

An illustration for a Feathertale "ezine". Barry was created for the character sketch" section.
Read the character profile on the bottom.. Will be illustrating another 4. Look out for them soon.

A CHARACTER SKETCH

. . . in which we meet Barry

By Graeme Millen

It was a warm September day, the kind that turns arm pits into leaky
faucets and forces the obese to replace regular conversation with
heaving panting when I first spotted Barry sitting across from me on
the south-bound #3. His legs were crossed tightly. His pin-striped
euro-chic dress shirt opened 3 buttons below the neck line, allowing
his curled black chest hair to dance along his collar with a pride not
common among most pale skinned men with portly bellies.

A 32-year old phone salesman, Barry labours over his finely plucked
eyebrows and tightly groomed fu Manchu each morning before indulging
in his favourite breakfast -- toast lathered with nutella and mashed
bananas.

He carefully tucks his neatly ironed shirt into his green cargo
shorts. The cargo pockets are full; what with, only Barry is sure, but
I suspect batteries, rubber bands, and Ho Hos. His loose fitting
striped tube socks wrinkle around his ankles as they descend into a
well-used pair of gray New Balance trainers; Velcro of course.

Barry is single. Not that he doesn't like women, it's just they don't
like him -- a fact which has proven problematic to his many sexual
advances since discovering women, along with his first nipple hair, at
age 11.

When not riding the bus, or hocking cell phones to teenage girls at
the local mall, Barry opts for the company of his 74-year old, 4
foot-tall Portuguese mother who, as a result of health problems
brought on from 32-years of packing a lunchbox for her adult son, can
only communicate through pointing and grunting. But Barry knows that
when she grunts and draws her finger across her throat in a slicing
manner, she isn't expressing a maniacal hatred, but telling him in her
own way that she loves him.

Like love itself, sweat-filled buses can sometimes stink. Some days
that stench is enough to repulse; driving you recklessly to the verge
of vomiting from your gut and your heart. But on that warm September
day, riding the #3 with Barry twirling his leg hair across from me, I
was nothing short of aroused.

illustration for Maisonneuve magazine

2008-03-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

This one was a quick turnaround.. spot illustration. Look out for it in the spring.
It was great working with the Art Director..

Children's book illus

2008-03-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

Working on a series of spots and concepts for a personal children's book.. Will be a self promotion to shop around to a variety of publishers.. More to come soon..

Reader's Digest, May Issue illustration

2008-03-04T12:40:00.000-08:00

Readers Digest illustration for article" Naked Flight

check me out on feathertale

2008-02-16T13:26:00.000-08:00

www.feathertale.com/Cartoons/

"The Interview"

2008-02-11T19:03:00.001-08:00

Fresh spot illustration.

Featured on Feathertale

2007-12-03T08:33:00.000-08:00

Check me out at www.feathertale.com
thanks for the love Feathertale"

art market " Lonsdale Gallery"

2007-10-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

December 1 through 16, come check out some of my current work.

People in the neighbourhood "T - shirts"

2007-10-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

check out my t-shirt, thanks to tessar for telling me about it"

People in the Neighbourhood " Stickerbook"

2007-10-16T12:35:00.001-07:00

Finally arrived" check out the stickers. They will be available for sale at Lonsdale Gallery, if you want to acquire a sticker book (90 stickers) email me at alejandro@alejandrocardona.com or info@lonsdalegallery.com

People in the Neighbourhood series 2

2007-10-09T16:06:00.000-07:00

Some more newcomers" Preparing to assemble People in the Neighbourhood for a published book. Also for Giclee artist proofs for Lonsdale Gallery's December Artists' market. Tell me what you think of them overall and if you have any suggestions for any new prospects feel free to drop that by me.

City Guide Cover illustration for Red Bull Music Academy

2007-09-26T13:50:00.000-07:00

its out in the streets of Downtown" make sure you get a copy. Also look out for the Festival guides. There are 4 volumes featuring work from Marco Cibola.

It was a pleasure working with Exclaim on this one.

"Extravaganza" display at Lonsdale Gallery

2007-09-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

The Rabbi 0riginal- image size 8 x 10" with frame $300.00 + taxes.
People in the Neighbourhood- Giclee prints 5 x7 $40.00 + taxes.
Button Sets- $25.00 + taxes.

Extravaganza runs to the 30th of September

Limited edition Button box Sets of "People in the Neighbourhood"

2007-09-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

The box sets are 2 3/4" x 11" inches, white and each painted individually. It includes a label insert and 9 buttons. The politician, bar regular, cowboy, psychiatrist, nonna, terrorist, film guy, talkshow host and the ex-convict. They are priced at $25.00 CDN + taxes. $28.50. For more information regarding the box set email alejandro@alejandrocardona.com or info@lonsdalegallery.com

"Extravaganza" at Lonsdale Gallery

2007-09-24T07:37:00.000-07:00

Come check out Extravaganza at the Lonsdale Gallery. An eclectic group of artists displaying there works on paper, paintings, sculptures, books, pins and t - shirts. The event took place on September 23rd and runs through the 30th. Don't miss it.
For more information email info@lonsdalegallery.com

Archetypes Series 2 and 3

2007-09-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

I am working on a new set of Archetypes. The concept now is to create archetypes that are stereotypes of a demographic. Different Neighbourhoods involve distinct characters that in whole stereotype the neighbourhood. There will be a total of 10 characters that will represent the neighbourhood of Forest Hill, Toronto(series 2). series 3 is still in the works and will be another set.

More to come soon.

Archetypes at Lonsdale Gallery

2007-09-04T06:56:00.000-07:00

The Archetypes- (People in the Neighbourhood) Series will be available for sale. giclee prints of various sizes. You can check them out at Lonsdale Gallery. For more information about pricing and sizes email info@lonsdalegallery.com

Exclaim City Cover Guide

2007-08-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

This piece is for a cIty guide cover. The theme is to emphasize traffic in Toronto and the essence of the city itself. The busy street corner is reminiscent of queen st throughout the day. The Art Director of Exclaim is a pleasure to work with and he made it easy to understand the concept of the illustration. The piece is a full bleed spread illustration that will fold in the middle. Will show you soon the guide when it is out.

Overall a fun piece. And look forward to working with Exclaim in the future

Juxtapoz"

2007-08-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

Check it out here! Some love from Juxtapoz

Applied Arts Homepage

2007-08-20T08:03:00.001-07:00

Click here to check out Applied Arts. They are promoting the upcoming Student Awards issue. These are my entries from last year. "Archetypes" series.

promotional material for local community center

2007-08-08T19:18:00.000-07:00

I was approached to design the "look" of a small company that involves educating children. The small educational center is opening at a local fitness building. The name of the place 1,2,3... was assigned, overall it was a fun making this appeal to a parent and younger audience.

Another day at the bus stop

2007-07-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

This is a series of spots that i am currently working on for possibly promotional mailers in the fall. The spots are satirical and will consist of a narrative. More coming soon"

character design for Ad concept

2007-07-10T14:14:00.000-07:00

These racoons were developed for an ad concept promoting sympatico bell. I had to oblige to certain limitations within the design and layout, but the characters were created and used to sell the concept. The racoons are not in the final stages of development but were used as an example to sell the idea. Since the turn around was very fast they could not have been finalized. The intention for this ad was to be used for a direct mail promotion. The existing ads for the Ad agency were generic and commited to photography. The ad ultimately was not used but the characters and idea could be a future prospect.

Embarking music, urban culture, and community

2007-06-12T13:10:00.000-07:00

This is a sketch that was gonna be used for Luminato but their was discrepancy on my part. It is a piece that will eventually will be taken to final.

Steam Whistle Art Show

2007-05-10T12:27:00.001-07:00

Check out my wall"

leo final book

2007-04-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

here we go the final layout of the book. there will be some refinements. The layouts are not in sequence. This will be featured at the show along with Diego.

come fly with me" after affects animation"

2007-03-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

The artwork is finished and it's in after affects and ready to animate. This will be a short 2 min animation. The concept behind this derives from a frank Sinatra song. The two characters are going to be monochromatic from the start and while they fly through the sky and visit a country they inherit the color and culture of the place. Gradually they will change to color. The storyboard for this project was bigger than what i have here. With the short time frame the characters will only visit one country. Check for updates " vid coming soon"

Diego Narrative"rough draft of book"

2007-03-09T11:12:00.000-08:00

The promotional mock up of the narrative is coming together. Rough draft of layout is in the works. It is approximately 6*4 inches" and consists of 12 pages made up of full pgs, spreads and spot illustrations. The intention of the book will be to use as a promotional device intended for the children's book publishing market.
the layout of each pages will be coming soon. in full color"

"Deja Vu"

2007-02-14T07:32:00.000-08:00

concept behind this is "deja vu" and how a symbol or element triggers a series of events.
This illustration is treated in a sequential manner reading from left to right.

Headlines " Living in Cyberspace"

2007-02-13T18:52:00.001-08:00

The concept behind this illus is social networking on the net. People being from a wide demographic and using the net as a means to post your self. I focus on the stereotypical archetypes on the net, and focus on their dialogue. i intend for the viewer to be lead in and out throughout the piece. Also, for the composition to be intertwined and everyone linking. Some of my inspiration was facebook, and myspace.

"Archetypes"

2007-02-13T18:46:00.000-08:00

Concept behind this project is sterotypical characters within our society. The narrative element is all these different people combined visiting the psychiatrist. Each character reveals something about their personality. I intended to poke fun and be critical about the archetypical characters.

Diego Narrative

2007-02-11T22:00:00.000-08:00

This is a short story that i had developed about a boy named Diego who is challenged with the notion of moving away from his hometown to discover a whole new place. This is a series of illustrations from the beginning of the narrative. The concept behind this story is the main character moves away from his hometown, and when this occurs the color is left behind. Diego realizes that he is very different from his new environment. Once he arrives to the big city, it becomes monochromatic. Their is about 12 images to the short story that consists of spreads, full pages, and spots.
The images will be compiled into a self promotional children's book.

more images for Diego Narrative coming soon.