alec dempster illustration & design

new website

2010-05-12T19:56:00.001-07:00

I have created a website for our Toronto based son jarocho group

www.cafeconpan.ca

café con pan at lula lounge May 16th

2010-05-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

cafe con pan at the tranzac

2010-05-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

A new paper cut

2010-04-19T20:09:00.000-07:00

Artwork for Sones de México Ensemble

2010-02-18T11:29:00.000-08:00

Day of the dead installation at the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art

2009-11-04T16:16:00.000-08:00

ETSY STORE

2009-11-04T16:07:00.000-08:00

I have recently made my work available for sale on ETSY.

I have included; prints, paper-cut, loterías, t-shirts and more.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/dempstergrafik?ga

huerto

2009-10-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

new papercuts for Xantolo

2009-09-28T18:22:00.000-07:00

logo for conference on worm ecology

2009-08-26T09:06:00.001-07:00

I created this logo for an international conference on worm ecology which will be held in Veracruz, Mexico in 2010. I wanted to make a memorable image which would distinguish this conference from others which have been held in countries such as England and Brasil. I had to work closely with the organizers, making many modifications, in order to reach this final image.

Art for the David Wax museum

2009-06-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of linoleum prints which I did for the new CD by the David Wax Museum out of Boston. The group portrait was a challenge as I usually know the people I do portraits of. I find it very rewarding creating images that might make a difference for groups that are trying to make a name for themselves. So far so good as they have a had a few sold out shows and will be premiering their CD in New York in September.

portraiture

2009-06-07T13:35:00.000-07:00

Yekk Muzik is a musician and educator from New York who made his home in Xalapa many years ago. He asked me to do his portrait before I moved to Toronto. I was very happy to as he was an influential figure in son jarocho music when key musicians coming from a traditional background began experimenting ten years ago composing new music and incorporating other instruments in their ensembles. It was also a great opportunity to learn more about his career which has taken surprising twists and turns, from southern Spain to South Africa.

Papercuts-looking back on older work

2009-04-30T18:05:00.001-07:00

Thirst

Robo

Paseo

Obra

Fuego

Escuela

Contaminación

Cama

I did these papercuts with origami paper more than ten years ago as a personal project. It helps me to look back every once in a while. Since I am a printmaker I like the cutting process whether it be using wood, linoleum or paper.

Poster Art

2009-02-27T18:12:00.000-08:00

I really enjoy the freedom which pen and ink drawing gives me to be spontaneous. As in my prints I tend to create a rhythmic feeling through the repetition of line and pattern. I think that there is a connection with my own perscussion practice. I used a small sketch which I then manipulated by adding colour.

logos

2009-01-18T18:06:00.001-08:00

I created this image for the extremely creative Quetzal an LA based chicano band. My wife and I have collaborated with some of the members musically. I had the chance to play with them and Los Utrera on a version of Los Juiles at IMIX books in LA last year.

The reknowned son jarocho group Son de Madera commissioned me to create a logo for them several years ago. They are old friends and I am a fan of theirs. Their most recent CD was beautifully recorded by the Smithstonian. It is an excellent introduction to son jarocho music.

Book illustration

2009-01-15T18:48:00.001-08:00

This is a book published in Mexico containing a series of essays about land issues in Playa Vicente.

This is the first illustration for a children´s book I have written and illustrated about a boy called Mario from a small rural community in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. It is inspired by the oral musical tradition which still exists in the area my wife is from in Veracruz. Both us are lucky to be part of this tradition. It is competing with other projects for distribution on a masive scale in public schools throughout Mexico. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

commemorative wedding print

2009-01-15T18:27:00.001-08:00

This couple asked me to create a print which would reflect her love for the sea and his roots in the countryside.

Ex-libris

2009-01-15T18:15:00.001-08:00

This print won first prize in the Torreon ex-libris competition and marks the 100th aniversary of the city.

Poster Art

2009-01-15T18:03:00.001-08:00

This is a promotional poster I created to promote a son jarocho course.

I used egg tempera to paint this poster advertising a son huasteco festival.

CD illustration

2009-01-13T20:00:00.001-08:00