Design – Fine Art & Installation

Communication Arts Illustration Annual

Gary Taxali — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 19:06:56 +0000

I just received the good news today that 2 of my pieces were accepted into the Communication Arts Illustration Annual! This juried competition receives the most entries out of any professional illustration competition, so to get recognized is quite the honour. This year, they received just under 4000 entries from all over the world, and only 167 were accepted.

The two works that the jury awarded of my work were a poster/print that I did for OCAD University‘s 100th GradEx show, and an editorial illustration I created for Mother Jones magazine about the harmful effects on the environment by air conditioners. The awards issue comes out in July 2016.

Thank you Communication Arts, and thank you esteemed jury!

If you would like to purchase a limited edition silk screen print of the poster, please click here.

Wine Label Art

Gary Taxali — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 13:25:24 +0000

I am pleased to announce the release of a brand new wine on the market that features my artwork on its label. This ultra premium wine is from Australia and is entitled “Friends of Friends”. It was a project that I had immense fun working on. I am very pleased with the final product and cannot wait to try the wine! Cheers!

Award from The Society of Illustrators

Gary Taxali — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 23:10:54 +0000

Last year, I created a poster for Artscape (a not-for-profit urban development organization in Toronto that provides spaces for artists) for their annual fundraiser. I am pleased to announce this poster has won a Society Of Illustrators award! The opening reception is this Friday, January 8th in NYC.

This artwork is now available as a print, which can be purchased HERE.

Cowboys and Indian

Gary Taxali — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 13:20:48 +0000

When I was a kid, I loved playing cowboys. And drawing them. Behind me on the wall is a painting by my first (and best) art teacher, my father. Years later, I was invited to Texas to do a lecture about my art/career and I made this poster, because I was an Indian going to the land of cowboys. In the talk bubble, reads my name “Gary” in Hindi. Someone pointed out to me that it looks like the word, “art”. Serendipity is everywhere, all you have to do is look. #tbt

The Age of Acquiescence

Gary Taxali — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 18:45:10 +0000

My book jacket cover art for Steve Fraser’s latest book, “The Age of Acquiescence”. He’s also the author of “Every Man a Speculator” and “Wall Street”. The publisher was Little, Brown and Company.

King East Design District

Gary Taxali — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 17:26:20 +0000

I was lucky to participate in this past year’s King East Design District Event. I collaborated with showrooms Bulthaup and DOM Interiors to come up with interesting installations.

Happy 90th Birthday Y&R

Gary Taxali — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 23:39:31 +0000

This year, the advertising agency Y&R, turns 90. Y&R (which stands for Young and Rubicam) is one of the world’s most influential advertising agencies that has helped shaped the culture of advertising as we know it. They were the first agency to create colour television commercials in the 60s, for example.

A few months ago, I was contacted by Israel Diaz, the Creative Director at Y&R in Toronto, who commissioned me to create a commemorative poster celebrating the agency’s 90 years in the business. My ideas were sent to Tony Granger, Y&R’s Global Chief Creative Officer, who also happens to be the President of Cannes Lion. Tony really liked them and after some back and forth about direction, I was given the text, “The Past is just Practice”. I love this line and it really resonates with me insofar as always striving to move forward creatively and always looking ahead.

Not sure when this poster will be released, likely later this year. I may decide to do prints if there is enough of a demand. Stay tuned!

My Guest Appearance on The Official Danko Jones Podcast

Gary Taxali — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 23:29:50 +0000

I have always been fascinated by the myriad connections between art and music. I don’t possess any musical talent but have been very fortunate to work with so many amazing musicians such as Aimee Mann. One of my longtime great friends is also the rock musician, DANKO JONES. Danko has an amazing career with the band he fronts with the same name. For those who know their music and/or have seen the band live, I don’t need to tell you how amazing they are. If you don’t know them, check them out and when you become an instant fan, thank me later.

A short while ago, he started doing a podcast called THE OFFICIAL DANKO JONES PODCAST. Danko and his co-host, comedian Nick Flanagan, have a great rapport discussing various topics and doing interviews with all kinds of guests who have mostly been rock musicians and comedians. One guest was Sam Dunn, documentary filmmaker most known for his film “Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey”. Danko and Nick also interviewed comedian/actor Scott Thompson who was one of the stars of the hit Canadian TV series, “Kids in the Hall”.

In the most recent podcast, Danko and Nick have me on as a guest. Danko and I go way back so it’s a very casual, fun conversation we have. He and Nick raise some great questions and I have to honestly say, it was one of the most refreshing interviews I have ever done. I hope you enjoy it! You can listen/subscribe to it through iTunes or Sound Cloud.

Listen to the podcast by clicking HERE.

Rock on!!

Album cover and some inside art for Aimee Mann’s album “@#%&*! Smilers”. We were nominated for a Grammy for Best Art Package.

Private commission for Long Gone John, owner of record label Sympathy for the Record Industry.

My custom painted Qee figure, “Poof”.