Arts Club Illustrations
The Arts Club Theatre Company is the largest not-for-profit theatre company in Western Canada, known for staging a dynamic range of productions—from beloved musicals to contemporary classics. Based in Vancouver, they’ve been a cornerstone of the city’s arts scene for over half a century. While working at Carter Hales, I had the opportunity to illustrate artwork for several of their performances. Each piece was crafted to reflect the tone, mood, and narrative of the show it represented—striking a balance between theatricality and visual clarity to engage a broad audience.
Sense & Sensibility
In this clever and playful adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, gossip is the fuel of high society as whispers surround the Dashwood sisters—sensitive Marianne and sensible Elinor—after the sudden loss of their family fortune. With questions of where they’ll live, who they’ll marry, and what their futures hold, the stage is set for a tale of wit, romance, and theatrical flair.
For this production, I created an illustration that reflects the gossip-driven world of the story. The eyes encircling the central figure highlight how every action of a woman was scrutinized in society. Her sly smile hints at both conviction and mystery, adding a cheeky twist to the narrative.
Every Brilliant Thing
Every Brilliant Thing tells the story of a six-year-old boy whose mother is in the hospital, struggling with depression. In an effort to lift her spirits, he begins a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world—things worth living for: 1. Ice cream. 2. Kung Fu movies. 3. Burning things. 4. Laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose. 5. Construction cranes. 6. Me. The list soon grows, becoming a lifeline in the face of the boy’s deepening understanding of love and loss.
For this production, I designed two contrasting illustrations—the first representing the darkness of depression and loss, and the second focusing on the boy’s attempt to find joy and distraction through his list of brilliant things. While both concepts are explored in the play, the second illustration was ultimately chosen to represent and promote the production, capturing the hope and lightness that emerge from the boy’s list.