Shelagh Armstrong
Encyclopedia
Shelagh Armstrong is a Canadian illustrator
, and was the recipient of the 1985 Will Davies award for excellence in illustration
.
Armstrong is a graduate of the University of Toronto
and Ontario College of Art. She holds degrees in Fine Arts and Communications and Design.
Launching her illustration career in the Canadian book industry, and working with publishing houses such as McClelland and Steward and McGraw-Hill, Armstrong’s diverse artistic accomplishments also include book cover illustration for acclaimed authors as Alberto Manguel
, Dionne Brand
, Lillian Nattel and Shauna Singh Baldwin
.
With her versatile artistic style, Armstrong’s explored work as a courtroom illustrator, excelled at projects with retail fashion giants, and savoured engagements with top Canadian design firms. During her celebrated career, Armstrong’s been commissioned for private portraits and proudly exhibits her work in private and university galleries, group and solo exhibits.
She has received commissions from Canada Post
for two Canadian stamps - Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
and Canada's International Year of the Older Persons. She was also commissioned by the Royal Canadian Mint
to create various coins. Her first coin was the 1999 Special Edition Proof Silver Dollar for the International Year of the Older Persons. The coin supported Canada's concept of A Society for All Ages. Recently, she created a coin for the XXI Olympic Winter Games
to be held in Vancouver
in 2010. She created a design named Athletes’ Pride, struck on both a 2007 $25 Sterling Silver Hologram Coin and a 2007 $75 Gold Coloured Coin.
Armstrong currently resides in Toronto and gave birth to a son named Caden in April 2000.
Armstrong provided the art for a book written by David J. Smith titled If the World were a village: A book about the World's People (ISBN 1550747797). The book was published in February, 2002 by Kids Can Press
. This was Smith's first children's book. It went into paperback in 2003 and won various awards including:
was in 1999. The artwork that she produced in 2007 was used for two Canadian Olympic coins.
Designed by Heather Lafleur of Gottschalk + Ash International with illustration by Shelagh Armstrong, the stamp features an array of livestock, produce, home-made goods and other farm-related wares presented against the backdrop of a packed arena at the Royal Horse Show, Canada's premier international indoor equestrian event.
With these transformations in mind, the UN chose "towards a society for All Ages" to serve as the theme for IYOP. Throughout the year, participating countries will foster awareness of seniors' roles in society and the need for intergenerational respect and support, emphasizing the fact that older persons are the repository of their societies' histories.
The stamp, designed by Paul Hodgson and Spencer Francey Peters, with illustration by Shelagh Armstrong , shows a metaphorical illustration of an older couple enjoying active experiences as they progress down the Road of Life. The trees that line this path symbolize the concept of passing time and aging, as young spring trees in the foreground give way to summer bloom and then autumn foliage on the horizon. The people are purposefully ambiguous to represent all humans and ethnic groups.
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
, and was the recipient of the 1985 Will Davies award for excellence in illustration
Illustration
An illustration is a displayed visualization form presented as a drawing, painting, photograph or other work of art that is created to elucidate or dictate sensual information by providing a visual representation graphically.- Early history :The earliest forms of illustration were prehistoric...
.
Armstrong is a graduate of the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
and Ontario College of Art. She holds degrees in Fine Arts and Communications and Design.
Launching her illustration career in the Canadian book industry, and working with publishing houses such as McClelland and Steward and McGraw-Hill, Armstrong’s diverse artistic accomplishments also include book cover illustration for acclaimed authors as Alberto Manguel
Alberto Manguel
Alberto Manguel is a Canadian Argentine-born writer, translator, and editor. He is the author of numerous non-fiction books such as The Dictionary of Imaginary Places , A History of Reading , The Library at Night and Homer's Iliad and Odyssey: A Biography ; and novels such as News...
, Dionne Brand
Dionne Brand
Dionne Brand is a Canadian poet, novelist, essayist and documentarian. She was named Toronto's third Poet Laureate in September 2009.-Biography:...
, Lillian Nattel and Shauna Singh Baldwin
Shauna Singh Baldwin
Shauna Singh Baldwin is a Canadian-American novelist of Indian descent. Her 2000 novel What the Body Remembers won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize , and her 2004 novel The Tiger Claw was nominated for the Giller Prize. She currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
.
With her versatile artistic style, Armstrong’s explored work as a courtroom illustrator, excelled at projects with retail fashion giants, and savoured engagements with top Canadian design firms. During her celebrated career, Armstrong’s been commissioned for private portraits and proudly exhibits her work in private and university galleries, group and solo exhibits.
She has received commissions from Canada Post
Canada Post
Canada Post Corporation, known more simply as Canada Post , is the Canadian crown corporation which functions as the country's primary postal operator...
for two Canadian stamps - Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, colloquially called The Royal, is an annual fall fair in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which takes place over two weeks in November...
and Canada's International Year of the Older Persons. She was also commissioned by the Royal Canadian Mint
Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint produces all of Canada's circulation coins, and manufactures circulation coins on behalf of other nations. The Mint also designs and manufactures: precious and base metal collector coins; gold, silver, palladium, and platinum bullion coins; medals, as well as medallions and...
to create various coins. Her first coin was the 1999 Special Edition Proof Silver Dollar for the International Year of the Older Persons. The coin supported Canada's concept of A Society for All Ages. Recently, she created a coin for the XXI Olympic Winter Games
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
to be held in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
in 2010. She created a design named Athletes’ Pride, struck on both a 2007 $25 Sterling Silver Hologram Coin and a 2007 $75 Gold Coloured Coin.
Armstrong currently resides in Toronto and gave birth to a son named Caden in April 2000.
Commercial portfolio
- Bicks Relish Packaging Illustration
- Body Shop Christmas Packaging Packaging Illustration
- Dairyland Plus Packaging Illustration
- Humber River Regional Hospital Nursing Campaign
- KleenexKleenexKleenex is a brand name for a variety of toiletry paper-based products such as facial tissue, bathroom tissue, paper towels, and diapers. The name Kleenex is a registered trademark of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Often used as a genericized trademark, especially in the United States, "Kleenex"...
Tissue Packaging Packaging Illustration - Our Compliments Shredded Cheese Packaging Illustration
- Royal Winter Fair & Garden Show Advertising and Stamp Illustrations
- Santa Fe Flat Bread Packaging Illustration
- Sugar Twin Sweeteners Packaging Illustration
- Toronto Hydro Corporation Figure Illustration
- Weston Artisan Style Bread Packaging Illustration
Armstrong provided the art for a book written by David J. Smith titled If the World were a village: A book about the World's People (ISBN 1550747797). The book was published in February, 2002 by Kids Can Press
Kids Can Press
Kids Can Press is Canada's largest children’s book publisher, started in 1973 by a small group of women in Toronto who wanted to produce books for Canadian children....
. This was Smith's first children's book. It went into paperback in 2003 and won various awards including:
- Premio H.C.Andersen Award in 2003 for the Italian Edition.
- International Reading Association Children's Book Award 2003
- IRA and Children's Book Council Children's Choice Book for 2003
- International Reading Association Teachers' Choice Book
- National Parenting Publications Awards—Gold Award Winner 2003
- Smithsonian Magazine "Notable Book of the Year"
Coin designs
Armstrong's first coin for the Royal Canadian MintRoyal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint produces all of Canada's circulation coins, and manufactures circulation coins on behalf of other nations. The Mint also designs and manufactures: precious and base metal collector coins; gold, silver, palladium, and platinum bullion coins; medals, as well as medallions and...
was in 1999. The artwork that she produced in 2007 was used for two Canadian Olympic coins.
| Year of Issue | Design | Mintage | Issue Price | Release Date | Composition | Finish | Weight (grams) | Diameter (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | International Year of Older Persons | 24,976 | $49.95 | N/A | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | Proof | 25.175 | 36.07 |
| 2007 | Athletes Pride (Silver) | 45,000 | $69.95 | July 11 | 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper | Proof (with hologram on reverse) | 27.78 | 40 |
| 2007 | Athletes Pride (14K Gold) | 8,000 | $389.95 | July 11 | 58.33% gold, 41.67% silver | Proof (with colour on reverse) | 12 | 27 |
Stamp designs
Armstrong has created two stamps for Canada Post. The first stamp was to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Toronto's Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, while her second stamp was for the United Nations' International Year of Older Persons.Royal Winter Fair
In 1997, Canada Post celebrated the 75th anniversary of Toronto's Royal Agricultural Winter Fair - the world's largest indoor equestrian and agricultural competition - with a single, domestic-rate commemorative stamp.Designed by Heather Lafleur of Gottschalk + Ash International with illustration by Shelagh Armstrong, the stamp features an array of livestock, produce, home-made goods and other farm-related wares presented against the backdrop of a packed arena at the Royal Horse Show, Canada's premier international indoor equestrian event.
| Date of Issue | Theme | Denomination | Printer | Quantity | Perforation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 November 1997 | Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto, 75 Years | 45 cents | Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited | 8,000,000 | 12.5 x 13 |
International Year of Older Persons
The United Nations, of which Canada is one of the original member-states, has declared 1999 to be the "International Year of Older Persons" (IYOP).With these transformations in mind, the UN chose "towards a society for All Ages" to serve as the theme for IYOP. Throughout the year, participating countries will foster awareness of seniors' roles in society and the need for intergenerational respect and support, emphasizing the fact that older persons are the repository of their societies' histories.
The stamp, designed by Paul Hodgson and Spencer Francey Peters, with illustration by Shelagh Armstrong , shows a metaphorical illustration of an older couple enjoying active experiences as they progress down the Road of Life. The trees that line this path symbolize the concept of passing time and aging, as young spring trees in the foreground give way to summer bloom and then autumn foliage on the horizon. The people are purposefully ambiguous to represent all humans and ethnic groups.
| Date of Issue | Theme | Denomination | Printer | Quantity | Perforation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 April 1999 | Canada's International Year of Older Persons | 46 cents | Canadian Bank Note Company, Limited | 8,000,000 | 13.5 |