Kayak Issue 41 Otters

Here is the opening spread for Issue 41 of Kayak. Teeka and Beau performing a play Shakespearian style. Illustrated using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for the finishing touches.

Kayak Issue #37: Loudmouths

This issue is one of the reasons I have not posted so much lately. I have been wrapped up in the production of Issue 37 of Kayak: Canada's HIstory Magazine for Kids. I'm quite proud of this one it has many great articles/stories and illustrations concerning passionate Canadian activists who helped shape our country. The Issue has dropped in the mail today but will not hit newsstands until the 12th of September. So if you don't already have a subscription for your kids or yourself get one HERE!

This Issue Deals with a variety of outspoken Canadians (Tommy Douglas, Adelaide Hoodless, René Lévesque) we also have articles on Stompin' Tom" Connors, Stories about the Regin Riot and a comic about the beginnings of Greenpeace.

The artists in this issue are Scott Chantler, Mathieu Beaulieu, Thadeus Maximus, Keith Milne and the cover and comic art was done by Alex Diochon. I even got to contribute a bit to this issue, but I'll post about that at a later time. In the meantime feel free to check out the work of all these great artists.

Kayak the 2nd

This is the latest issue of Kayak. It deals with Parks Canada and the various places around Canada you can go to experience History, be it National Historic Sites or National Parks. It was a very heavy deadline with a brand new editor. It was stressful and a lot of hard work but it was also a lot of fun. Nancy Payne the new editor was a pleasure to work with. and the quality of the work from the illustrators is great. I've made the effort in this issue to pump up the colour as I have been criticized for being a bit drab and earth tone based in my work. I will endeavor to be even brighter next issue.

The Cover of this Issue was Done by Mathieu Beaulieu a new comer to Kayak he hails from Quebec and I really like his style. He has very expressive work and fabulous use of colour. He is the first of my attempts to synthesize the cover art with interior art. Previous Kayaks including my first issue have had great covers that do not give any payoff in the interior of the magazine. Meaning if you buy the magazine for the cover image. When you open it up you will not find the story or the characters that were advertised there. I don't know about you but I find that very frustrating as a reader. So we have started implementing that as of this Issue.

Some of the other artists you will find in this issue are: Alex Diochon who is taking over comic book duties from former Gabe and Allie artist David Namisato. Alex's Style lends itself very well to Kayak and I look forward to collaborating with him on future projects. Remie Geoffroi is a Kayak powerhouse who has don many covers and interior Illustrations for Kayak over the years. He has done a great illustrated layout for the Martello Tower article in this issue. Winnipeger Justin Currie is back for our feature story about the Northwest Mounted Police. Dena Seiferling Did the Illustrated map in her beautiful traditional style. I will point out that I forgot to give her credit on the image and I will make sure that this is noted in the following issue sorry Dena. Finally Anthony Brennan does his thing with our History Mystery on the Fur Trade.

This is a super fun issue and I am proud that we turned it around in the time that we did. If you are interested in subscribing to Kayak CLICK HERE. If you are curious please go to McNally Robinson or any magazine vendor it should be on the rack. Also your local library should carry it, if they don't you can ask them to order it. This issue has been mailed to subscribers and will be available on the newsstand in April.

Until next time, keep fit and have fun.

Kayak Art Director

I have recently taken on the responsibility of being the Art Director for Kayak: Canada's History Magazine for Kids. While completing our awards season campaign my boss came into my office and explained to me that Kayaks Art Director had resigned. Before I could think about it, I confessed to wanting to take over the role. I believe that as an artist and a designer the nature of the work I do outside of my professional position works very well with Kayak which is a fabulous magazine. It was a great experience. I had to work throughout the holidays to get it completed but as I gaze at the latest issue, with that fresh off the press smell, I can't help but think it was worth it.

I got to work with some great illustrators on this issue. Namely Scott Chantler who you have heard me gush about on more than one occasion, I had the chance to interview Scott some months back about some of his other projects you can listen to those here Interview 1, Interview2.

Some of the other illustrators were Thadeus Maximus, Anthony Brennan and Kendyl Lauzon. These illustrators were incredible professional and fast, making working on tight deadline much easier.

Finally I got to hire some local talent a, Mr. Justin Currie, who is an up and coming illustrator from Winnipeg. He did a great job working on the pirate spread in this issue.

If you are interested in engaging your youngsters on canadian history please feel free to get a subscription, you can click here.

This latest issue is full of games and interesting articles concerning Canadian Treasure Hunters, Dinosaur Discoveries, Pirates, Gold Rush Fever and so much more.