I am very excited to introduce Faces iMake, the iPhone App where you can make faces using everyday objects.

Cover for Meanjin Quarterly literary journal. The issue asked lots of questions about culture and how it's created.  I posed that the equation is as mysterious as the Indian Goddess Rhada.

These were commissioned as a series of 6 icons. I remixed them into a single image.

Here is  recent piece I illustrated for the New York Times, art-directed by Peter Morance. I worked with a lot of textures, and a hand-painted background. The story by Roni Caryn Rabin, discusses evidence that childhood obesity may start even earlier than we thought, and by the time that children are school age, damage is already done.

Steven Salerno began illustrating for The New York Times in 1980, with many drawings appearing on the Op Ed pages and Letters to the Editor pages during that decade. [see a previous blog post about the Jerelle Kraus (long time art director of the Op Ed page) book on the art of the Op Ed page]    In the 1990's Steven's illustrations appeared only sporadically in various sections at the NY Times... From about 2000 through 2007 his main newspaper client was The Wall Street Journal, as the regular illustrator for their Finicky Traveler column. 

This past Sunday his work returned to The New York TImes, with a large illustration appearing on the cover page of the Sunday Real Estate section for a feature article on the resurgence of 3+ bedroom apartments in the city. Steven was brought in to the assignment by Art Director Carol Dietz. (they had worked together in years past). Steven simply solved the concept by playing off of a line from the article: "a baby boom for large apartments" and depicted a blueprint of a large apartment floor plan imprinted on the side of a baby buggy... with the buoyant baby peering over the top, and small vignettes of children, parents and a nanny sprinkled along the bottom of the image. 

Since Steven's illustrations have appeared in the New York Times nearly every year for thirty years, he is happy with the thought that the run might now continue even longer!

This half-page illustration accompanied an article about how many businesses do better by copying innovators rather than trying to innovate themselves.

The Tribeca film festival is having a heck of a time trying to find an identity for itself. 

Illustration for Alfaguara publisher advertising. New releases for springtime.

Lo those many years ago ... a day for the earth ... this article was written by James Ruckleshaus and includes his thoughts on the challenges of achieving our green goals

 A guide map for the Grand Canyon region 

 Illustrated for the review of the new revival of "Le Cage Aux Folles" with Kelsey Grammer.

Noting makes my illustrator heart beat happier than a funny and insightful story like : "Let us Praise the Boston Driver" written by James Parker. The illustration was created in Illustrator and Photoshop.

 I was asked to contribute to NPR's 2011 Wall Calendar - the only parameters were to illustrate my own personal relationship with public radio and to include their logo in some way.

A banner for a blurb about the new urban garden vision of Detroit.

This appeared in the University of Minnesota Alumni Association's Minnesota Magazine for a short story about a fast food joint, the owner (Mr. Ted) and his life.

For a story on a town that promoted cycling to school.

Here's the cover for The Okee Dokee Brothers 2nd album I illustrated. The Okee Dokee Brothers are a Kindie (kid's indie music) band with bluegrass infusion. Good stuff, no matter what age.

This illustration accompanied an article about an undergraduate course offering at Barnard College. It was Anna's great suggestion to illustrate both the environment and society of Madagascar in one image. I'm also happy that Anna requested my blue style for final art.

In a case brought against Novartis for discrimination against women, a federal district court jury returned with stunning award of 25 million in punitive damages. During the trial, the lawyers for Novartis behaved in such a blatently sexist way that they stupidly added weight to the plaintiffs' charges of sexism.

 c.d cover artwork

This was a collaboration project with Point Five Design, a fantastic design studio located here in New York City.
Listen is a relatively new magazine for classical music fans, in fact, this is the first issue that is sold through Barnes & Noble on top of their direct distribion to subscribers.
The issue features 15 most inspiring classical musicians, with young genius Gustao Dudamel on the cover.

Collage and screenprint, published in an article reviewing recent gallery work.

This illustration was used as a poster and in a direct mail piece for the UNC School of the Arts' summer program. It was fun to tie all of the disciplines together with the line work and keep the image loose and full of energy.  

It's amazing to me that countries such as Afghanistan, Djibouti and Haiti have better laws and job-protection for women after they give birth than we do here in the United States. In fact, 177 nations have better maternity leave laws in place that require all women and in some cases men, to receive income and job-protection after the birth of a child. Whereas here in the US, the Family and Medical Leave Act provides only unpaid leave which most mother's can't afford the time off and are forced to go back to work just a few days after giving birth.

 Sometimes it's fun to just draw the crap out of something. Metal, glass, light, shadow - this was a fun challenge. Love working with these guys.

Palin’s gleaming eyes of Crazy blasting out of the cover of the current issue of the Utne Reader

 Always a pleasure to work with SooJin.

Read about this job here:  Winning Streak!

Cover for an issue about the hundred top catalogs in annual sales. I am so glad that people like to keep track of numbers!

A poster image for National Engineers Week Foundation Girl's Day. The event's purpose is to attract high school girls to consider a career in one of many engineering fields. The poster shows the world of engineering of everyday things found in a girl's purse.

 To be used on a brochure for a Conference about Women's Wellness, October 2010.

This is one of eight spots for American Lawyer.

For an article about the "impending demolition of American public education" that could come about as a result of No Child Left Behind, if changes are not made. 

Honda's vision of the future, a gas station at home

For a report on how thrift stores increasingly attract the fashion-conscious, not just the budget-conscious.

 Portrait of  Eugene Burdick, author of "The Ugly American" 

Cover illustration for Arkansas Life Magazine.

The image is for an inside remembrance the author's adolescent experience of a summer 30 years ago in Little Rock, Arkansas.

For a favorite client: a book cover and 5 article openers for McKinsey.

Cover:  Why Value Value?

Openers: 

Taking the Long Term View

Bringing Business Expertise

Carbon Offsets

Financial Forecasting

Identifying Risk 

One of a series of "Impossible Self-Improvements" for the new issue of Esquire Magazine.

A new promo and tribute to the now defunct, Twin Castle Express.

I've worked with Scott at Boy's Life for several years now. Funny thing about our dealings is that I always seem to get the historical fiction pieces even though they are one of the only clients I ever do historical work for. Fun subject though, a fictionalized account of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner with a young apprentice to Fracis Scott Key as the protagonist.. This one is on the July cover of Boy's Life.

This is a bag I illustrated for Blue Q, more images and information on purchasing here.

This image was created for an article on how the agendas of leading environmental organizations have been compromised by accepting corporate money.

I painted this for an article in Maissonneuve about interesting literary villains.  It was fun to paint an image of the one I considered to be the most interesting villain in literature, Satan from Milton's Paradise Lost.

 Privatization of American security. The role of contractors in federal government.Does the increasing privatization of American power imperil national security?

this was the brief jessica sent me for this assignment:

"Marco, I just received all the paperwork for the illustration you will be doing for the foreign language story in Hour Detroit Magazine. I have attached the story for you to read, as well as some examples of your work that I really like the style of. Basically, I'm just looking for an illustration that shows that it's much easier for a younger child to learn a foreign language, than it would be for an adult or high schooler to learn. Otherwise, I am open to any ideas that you may have. I really like the idea of using the lined paper in the illustration since the story is dealing with children's education. Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to seeing what you come up with!! Thanks!"

Another pretty open brief from SJ at PLANSPONSOR. I had other more conceptual solutions on the theme of 'denial' and 'causing problems for oneself' (three wise monkeys, anyone?). But the lunk up a tree seemed the most direct. A very enjoyable assignment all told!

Northern Ireland's George Best for the book 'Football Heroes Gold'

Cover and 15 illustrations ( 7 double spread) for Arcelor Mittal's special Award edition of the Financial Times.

 China is really bailing us all out of this recession by buying everything in sight, all over the world.

I discovered that I love to draw shipping containers and have decided to use them more in my work, no matter what the story is about.

Oil oil everywhere. Its gonna get global. And when it hits the polar regions....ooof.

Gallery promo card

When in Rome... Just a Bat-shat Crazy Mad Fan of the Beautiful Game!

Part of a series of works on Egyptian papyrus. 

One of eight spots for a summer activities feature.