Greg Mably is an illustrator from Ontario, Canada. While some of his work involves layered patterns in rich colors with bold lines—thus creating abstract pieces—what he is known for are his illustrations used in print magazines and newspapers all over the world. His overall style harkens back to the days of 1960s-era PSA posters, informational movies you watched on a projector in class, and children’s books with images that told the story better than the words printed on the pages. Each piece seems to take on a style and theme of its own, with a handful of colors and sharp, bold strokes. I talked with Greg about his work, his initial career aspirations, and how he keeps his work fresh and nostalgic without being carbon copies of the art of the past.
Your work gives me an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia—of black-and-white advertisements with cartoon characters, children’s books with large pages and one-of-a-kind characters, and educational TV shows made in the 60s and 70s and re-broadcasted in the 90s (i.e. School House Rock). Where have you found the most inspiration for your work?
American Pop Art. I remember strongly connecting with it when I was young and first learning art history. It was the wit, the visual immediacy, and what I perceived as a certain “cool” factor.
It opened my mind to the possibility of finding inspiration in a wide range of sources, and to feel free to combine and repurpose them. As an illustrator, this meant looking outside traditional illustration to genres such as public service cartoons, film titles, and psychedelic poster art to name just a few. I definitely favor graphic art from the 1950s to 1970s and have great affection for the examples you cite.
Your illustration work has been featured in numerous high-profile publications (New York Times, Forbes, Time, Boston Globe, etc.). Did you set out to be an illustrator for magazines and newspapers? Or did it just happen?
I did set out with that goal; however, it took me a bit of time to narrow in on it. I’d originally enrolled in art college right after high school, but dropped out. In part, I think, because I had no long-term direction. After that, I worked for a few years in the advertising and the printing business. Basic entry level jobs. During that time I discovered commercial art styles that were more expressive and personal than anything I’d seen before. Some of them were new styles at the time, others were more established international ones. The idea that one could pursue commercial art with as much creativity as a fine artist struck me as a definite possibility.
Magazine illustration appealed to me. Both in the variety of work available as well as the level of creative freedom. It also appeared that commercial clients were eager to call on editorial illustrators when they had other more ambitious or experimental projects in mind.
Once I’d made the decision to pursue editorial illustration I re-enrolled in art college with that purpose. I graduated and have been freelancing since.
When given an assignment, where do you start, as far as direction? Are you an abstract thinker, going through which colors to use? Or is your vision more concrete, with figures and characters already visualized in your mind?
I think it might be somewhere between the two, actually. After reading the text, I quickly sketch any imagery that comes to mind. I try to keep my thinking loose and associative. The result will usually include figurative or symbolic elements, but could include abstract forms. From there I’ll engage in a kind of editing process: mixing, adding, subtracting, etc. I try to think of design and composition all along the way as I’ve found that has a significant bearing on how an image communicates. I see the process as one of refinement. From ideas as the raw material to color application as the final step.
What are you currently working on?
I have a few editorial projects on the go with topics ranging from neuroscience, to law school and credit card usage. Being an editorial illustrator keeps one up on a wide range of topics. Great for cocktail party conversation.
Also, a comp for a potential advertising project. That would be mostly for type or lettering which is not something I’m often called for, so it could be fun if it is approved. Other than that, I’m working on some personal work that incorporates painterly and loosely drawn textures. I’m feeling that could be an interesting visual counterpoint to my mostly graphic style.
For more information visit GregMably.com.
