Happy Holidays

Here's to a colorful, festive holiday season!

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This little bird is available for print, web, and other licensing uses and as individual art prints.
Inquiries & Commissions: Please contact sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane (who, as a kid in the midwest, loved to spot cardinals in the wintertime...)

Holiday Greeting Cards to Benefit Breast Cancer Foundation

I'm honored and pleased to mention that a trio of greeting cards featuring my playful winter designs and the familiar pink breast cancer awareness ribbon will be produced for next year's Christmas and winter holidays. 

Best of all, in the spirit of the season, ten percent of the proceeds from the card's sales will be contributed to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Montreal-based fine stationery distributor Groupe Pierre Belvédère is behind this effort.

Holiday Horns, featuring a tuba-playing snowman, and Winter Warm Up, pictured here, along with my Skating artwork (also seen on chocolate tins) were licensed for the cards, which are being handsomely produced with metallic foil and embossing and include the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation logo on the back. 

The cards will be available at card shops and larger retailers in North America and Europe and in Essence du Papier stores beginning in late 2010. I will mention specific outlets and links for purchasing the cards as they become known. 

It's always exciting to be part of the holiday gift-giving tradition and even more satisfying knowing the efforts of the Breast Cancer Foundation will benefit, even in a small way, from my designs! 

Thanks to Pierre Belvédère for their vision and willingness to team up on this project.

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These illustrations are available for print, web, and other licensing uses. 
Inquiries & Commissions: Please contact sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane.

Holiday Sweetness, Again

Thrilled to announce that a couple of my designs are once again atop tins of delicious chocolates this holiday season!

After a successful first year, Canada's Rogers' Chocolates has re-released Skating and Dove gift tins and ornaments, just in time for gift giving.

More about this licensing project (including links to purchase the decoratively wrapped confections!) can be found here, where I mentioned it last year.

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These illustrations are available for print, web, and other licensing uses.
Inquiries & Commissions: Please contact sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane.

Illustration Contribution to Award Winning CD

Pleased to hear that an instructional CD produced by Ceridian Corporation, for which I created the cover art, has been awarded a 2009 Gold Spotlight Award by the League of American Communications Professionals.

LACP recognizes exemplary communications capabilities worldwide.
Kind of like a Grammy or Gold Glove award of the PR world — without all the singing or baseballs.

Hats off to Ceridian. The artwork and more about the project and client is here.

Choosing a Meaningful Direction

A colorful, just-completed illustration for the American Bar Association for an article about pro bono work.

The text focused on the importance of following one's own passions in order to provide meaningful experience as an advocate and focused on the direction three young lawyers have taken in their pro bono work and their careers.

Thanks to the advocates of illustration over at the ABA.
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This illustration is available for print, web, and other licensing uses and as individual art prints.
Inquiries & Commissions: Please contact sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane.

Streamy: A Nature-inspired Design Pattern

Time to reveal another design with licensed products in its sights.

I've dubbed this one Streamy, a nature-inspired whimsical pattern that's ready for action on everything from stationery items and journals, to funky fabrics and playful plates for next summer's table, and more.

The green version as a tableware prototype— perhaps in ceramic or melamine, bundled as a picnic set or place settings for the patio...

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These illustrations are available for print, web, and other licensing uses and as individual art prints.
Inquiries & Commissions: Please contact sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane.

Landing a Government Job: Editorial Illustration

A couple hundred thousand federal jobs will be created in the U.S. in the coming years, and I was asked by Black Enterprise magazine to illustrate the topic for their August issue.


The artwork ended up spread eagle, so to speak, across the layout — a patriotic theme teaming up with the idea of joining the public sector ranks.


This marks 10 years that I've had the opportunity to contribute to the magazine and work with their creative team. A big thanks to Mary and Terence!
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This illustration is available for print, web, and other licensing uses and as individual art prints.
Inquiries & Commissions: Please contact sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. © Sean Kane.

Annual Report Illustrations for Japanese Pharmacy Company

Lots of excitement in the studio when I got my first glimpse of the completed Annual Report for Japan's QOL Co. Ltd. earlier this month. I've created illustrations for magazines in Japan, but this is the first time my work is being used for a corporate piece there, which is very satisfying.


The client, which operates pharmacies in Japan, wanted to include and modify existing images of mine along with new artwork to help tell the story about the company's philosophy, their business focus, and their people.

I had the good fortune to work with Japan-based corporate and editorial design specialists KF Design. (And they're bilingual, so my rusty, tourist-level language skills weren't needed.)


I believe this is QOL's first Annual Report, so hats off (and thanks) to them for choosing illustration to help connect with shareholders in a unique way. I hope it's a big success for them.

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Inquiries please contact: sean@seankane.com.
Annual Report Copyright QOL Co Ltd. Illustrations Copyright 2009 Sean Kane.
(QOL's line art logo was created by another artist.)

Ethical Dilemmas Visualized: Illustrations for Magazine Column

One of the great aspects of being an illustrator is exposure to a variety of subject matter and topics, and contributing to the Everyday Ethics column in The United Church Observer magazine is no exception.

Each month I am commissioned to come up with a conceptual illustration to accompany this feature, helping visualize an ethical dilemma at hand, typically a hypothetical one facing a church congregation or member.

Below are a few of the ethical questions I've tackled for the magazine and the resulting images.

Dilemma: Your church gym is a busy community focal point that helps keep local youngsters healthy and off the streets. But it badly needs refurbishing and your church has no money. A sporting goods merchant offers $10,000 but wants a small sign advertising his store displayed somewhere in the gym. Do you accept?

Dilemma: You are a minister and an outspoken opponent of gambling. After a community kitchen meal for the poor, you find a crumpled lottery ticket on the floor by the coat rack. Out of curiosity you check the numbers on the Internet and discover it’s a winner. What do you do?

Dilemma: A wealthy member of the congregation where you are a minister plans a gift that will sustain the church for many years. There’s a catch: he wants you to cancel Spirituality and Suds pub nights that are popular with young adults from the congregation and the community at large. Do you turn off the tap?

Dilemma: A colleague has gone on short-term disability following the flare-up of an old back injury. You are both in the running for the same promotion, one that you feel you deserve and one that you need so you can make ends meet. One day you spot your colleague zipping down the ski hill. What do you do?

A big thanks to the editors at UC Observer. More examples of illustrations helping to tell unique stories about events, products, and various topics can be seen in my portfolio.
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These illustrations are available for print, web, and other licensing uses and as individual art prints.
Reuse and assignment inquiries please contact: sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane.

Artist Profile: A bit of Q&A and featured designs

Kate Harper Designs was kind enough to feature my fun bicycles and teapots and more along with an interview with me on the Greeting Card Designer Blog. A bit of a discussion about art licensing and inspiration.

Thanks to Kate and welcome to those visiting from her blog — Lots of useful art licensing, pattern and greeting card info and resources there.

Interview with Sean Kane ©Kate Harper Designs

Lots of Dots: Design Pattern Rollout

Introducing Dots, a colorful design that rounds up a mix of little gems into a festive everyday pattern.


With botanical bits and references to the seasons, Dots could hit the spot for a number of products, from outdoor gear to gift wrap, eco-friendly lines, and more.


I'm envisioning fun in foul weather and gifts that get noticed.


I'd welcome any thoughts about turning this theme into goods that will shine on store shelves. Other designs for product licensing can be seen at my portfolio here.


This illustration is available for print, web, and licensing uses and as individual art prints.
Inquiries please contact: sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane.

Bicycles, Fixies, and 2-Wheelin': Bike Artwork

There's nothing quite like hopping on a bicycle and getting out for a ride. And no better time for biking than summer, which got my creative wheels turning recently:


My "Fixie" design collection. (For those who don't know, fixies is a term used to describe fixed-gear, single speed bicycles.) Striking in their simplicity and stripped-down elegance, the basic bicycle is a thing of beauty.



I've put my spin on it, and these bike patterns have some fun product possibilities, including as a bedroom ensemble for a little Lance, greeting cards for young and old, cycling gear, and more.


If you've got some ideas for putting this collection to use, I'd be happy to discuss how we could get them rolling! Other designs for product licensing can be seen at my portfolio here.


These illustrations are available for print, web, and other licensing uses and as individual art prints.
Inquiries please contact: sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane.

Virtual Studio Tour

I've always been interested to see where others create their work, be they sculptors, woodworkers, writers, or other artists and designers. In this spirit, I've opened my studio for viewing via the site WhereWeDoWhatWeDo.com.

Workshop functionality plus a dash of personality along with generous doses of natural light and green surroundings make for an inspiring mix, all of it just a short walk from the beach and village in Victoria, BC.

SURTEX SHOW SUCCESS

Thanks to everyone — all the art buyers, manufacturers, and fellow creatives who stopped by my booth at SURTEX in New York City this week.


It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to say hello in person, to hand out a bunch of these fun pins, and to share my latest collections of artwork available for licensing on products with so many.

Stay tuned here for product news that results from the exhibition!


A glimpse of some designs available for licensing can be seen here. Let me know what you're looking for (seasonal, everyday, patterns, product mock-ups, etc.) and I will put together a custom sample kit for you.
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Inquiries: Please contact sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane.

Appearing at SURTEX, May 17-19

I'll be rolling out upbeat, playful designs for licensing partnerships at SURTEX in New York City, May 17-19. SURTEX is a leading marketplace for art & design for all products and industries.

If you'd like to see my latest collection of images for products that'll shine on the shelf, please stop by booth #536. Or please contact me to arrange an appointment during the show.


This illustration is available for print, web, and other licensing uses and as individual art prints.
Inquiries please contact: sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane.

Navigating Workplace Change CD Cover Art

From a variety of projects lately, here's an illustration for an instructional CD about charting a course through the changing economy and business climate.


The client is Ceridian, a company which provides human resources and benefit services to corporations. They produce a number of these kinds of CDs for their clients' employees, and I've been fortunate enough to create cover art for a few of them with direction from Bright White Design.


The first go at the artwork was a little too red and hot to handle, so I lightened the mood a bit with yellow and tightened the view.


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This illustration is available for print, web, and other licensing uses and as individual art prints.
Inquiries & Commissions: Please contact sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. © Sean Kane.

Jazz Fest Poster Artwork

Here's my illustration and design for Victoria, BC's 2009 JazzFest.

The bright, festive design seeks to convey a celebratory tone for the event's 25th anniversary, a sense of the textures and layers of the music, and a reference to Victoria and its "English" reputation among visitors with a tea cup in place of the jazz trumpeter's usual mute or plunger. The work is a bit of a variation on my Ensemble Style.

Update: Unfortunately, another direction was chosen for the poster and this artwork was not used.


This illustration is available and can be customized for your Jazz event and for print, web, and other licensing uses. Also available as individual art prints.
Inquiries please contact: sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane.

My Winter Artwork + Chocolates = Sweet!

Just in time for the gift giving season, Holiday tins featuring two of my illustrations (and filled with assorted chocolates, creams, and caramels!) have been unveiled by Rogers' Chocolates.

The historic Victoria, BC chocolatier has licensed my Dove and Skating artworks for three collectible products: the Dove tin, a Skating tin, and Dove ornament. (P.S. They ship them everywhere.)

Definitely a tasty project. Thanks to the creative team at Rogers' Chocolates.

Habitat for Humanity Jazz Concert Artwork

I'm proud to be involved with Habitat for Humanity for the second year in a row, creating artwork for the "Jazz for Habitat" benefit concert event to take place in January 2009.

Building houses and raising the roof with some great music are what this event (and artwork) are all about— The concert is a fundraiser for construction of a house in Kankakee County, in outlying Chicagoland.


This illustration is available and can be customized for your Jazz event and for print, web, and other licensing uses. Also available as individual art prints.
Inquiries please contact: sean@seankane.com. All rights reserved. Copyright Sean Kane.

Sleep CD goes Gold -- TWICE!

TWO shiny awards (previously unknown to this artist) have gone to the CD "Sleep Better Now", whose cover I illustrated.

The CD received a Gold Spotlight Award from the League of American Communication Professionals (LACP) in the category of Video/Audio Presentations.

And the CD received a 2008 Gold MarCom Award (lovely lady at the right) from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP). The international award recognizes creative excellence in marketing and communication programs and materials.

It's fun to have played a role in this industry-recognized project and kudos to the team at Ceridian and Bright White Design!

(A better look at the cover art here.)