Classic Images

So, here are some of my classic images. This is the sort of thing I did from 1972 until I couldn't take it anymore. As you can see these images are based on an ink stipple technique that is traditional to scientific illustration. It can be laborious and time consuming. I did some of my first work for a new edition of the Encyclopedia Brittanica and liked the look and feel of stipple so I kept at it. My intention was to take it from the fairly flat interpretations I was familiar with and impart a sense of visual drama though the use of high contrast and extreme perspective.

These characters were created for a software company and their products tackled office 

management problems. They specifically didn't want any copy on the cover, just images that 

would scare the clients into looking inside for a description of all the issues their 

product could remedy.  

Nemonic devices and their power to shape public opinion. That was the point of departure 

for this illustration for a Toronto Star's article about our fascination with corporate mascots.

For some reason I did a lot of work for breweries like Budweiser in Saint Louis and distillers

 like Suntory in Japan. This image of the Syracuse Orangeman was one of a number of

illustrations I did for Budweiser's college mascot poster series.

Budweiser asked us to do our interpretation of the college mascots

This was for the Arizona Sun Devils. 

Mr. Peanut leads the parade for Standard Brands Confectionary. “Our Hit Parade” was 

done for Bob Qually at Lee King. It won a National Clio for Advertisiing Illustration in 1980.

This one was for the Mighty Ducks of Oregon. 

All in all Budweiser commissioned about 180 illustrations. I did about 8 as I recall.

David Bartels was the AD responsible for putting this together, along with 

so many other award winning projects.

"Social Security" and "Financial Security" beach blankets were spoofs on dollar bill design, 

one of my favorite things to do. I always thought if I had chosen a life of crime it 

would be as a forger. There's something really satisfying about drawing money.

“Spring Fascism Preview" for National Lampoon was one of the more enjoyable things 

I've done over the years. How many times do you get to do humorous illustrations about 

Adolf Hitler and the Nazis? Not often. The Lampoon gave me several opportunities for 

irreverent fun and I thank them for that!

"Rondo Hatton" was a character actor in the 1940's and is probably best remembered for his 

role as The Creeper in Sherlock Holmes mystery movies where he starred alongside 

Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. Hatton was a truck driver who developed acromegaly, 

a disease that distorted his features. So he made lemonade out of lemons, went to Hollywood 

and became a star.

"The Leonard Waxdeck Birdcall Contest." This poster was done for Piedmont High 

in California to promote their annual dress up bird call contest. 

And after all, who could be better to judge a canary than a cat?

This event got so popular that the kids performing birdcalls were an annual event 

on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. 

"Gator Lager" for a Florida micro-brewery.

"Bruce Bendinger's April Fools Film Festival" was an annual excuse for advertising 

executives to get together and share their worst bloopers and blunders at the 

Corona Cafe on Rush Street in Chicago. This was one of a series of drawings 

I did for this event over the years. 

These characters were later picked up by Suntory Distillers in Japan. Apparently 

The Japanese like cartoons, dogs and whisky. Put them all together and you get:

"Smoky & Company Whisky" in three different flavors. It was not a success.

"Burn Out"

This was another image for "Bruce Bendinger’s April Fool Film Festival"

This image of the University of Florida Gators was another one 

I did for Budweiser's college mascot poster series. 

I've always liked Topsy Turvys so I'll throw a couple in right now. 

They say the toys you play with as a child help shape the person you become as an adult.

This is "Paul Bunyon's Pinwheel" done for the United Nations 

"Artist and the Environment" exhibition and book. 

"Devil Dogs" was another good vs. evil Topsy Turvy image for 

"Bruce Bendinger's April Fools Film Festival"

Ross Perot was running for President as an independent and appealing to 

both liberals and conservatives. One of my favorite art directors called 

with a suggestion for a campaign poster that promoted Ross as 

"A Man for All Parties." He lost. I had fun.

Pallas Photo in Dallas Texas hired a group of illustrators to imagine what life would be like

 in one thousand years. My notion was making wind mills fun. 

Another excuse to create a whirly gig... for the greater good of course!

"April In Paris" was another piece of politically incorrect art for the National Lampoon.

I so wish this publication was still around. For any of you who want to see the 

BEST of Lampoon art check out Rick Meyerowitz.

The Wall Street Journal commissioned this drawing for an article about the unholy 

relationship between government and big tobacco. They tax tobacco sales while they 

subsidize tobacco growers. Money talks!

Talk radio blowhards.

Spring Break promotional poster for Budweiser. I did a lot of work for Bud and 

sold a lot of beer to college students.

“I’ve Got A Bullfrog” for a CD of kids folk music by David Holt.

 

The Wall Street Journal commissioned "Get A Grip On Gotham" to promote their 

targeted regional advertising plans for New York businesses.

The Alabama Crimson Tide got an elephant for a mascot in their 1930 

season because of their size and power. A reporter compared them to elephants

and it stuck. This was another Budweiser Mascot poster image.

 

American Legion Magazine wanted a cover about the upcoming elections.

Clinton Got re-elected.

Lincoln Federal Savings was making student loans and I got a chance to draw more money.

"Money Talks" was a cover assignment for The National Lampoon. 

No matter what sort of baboon you are... money gets you everything.

"Cyclops" was done for a St. Louis eye surgeon who claimed his clinic could take care 

of any issue you might have... no matter what.

"Monster From The Black Lagoon" is one of those assignments you just pray for.

AOL and Microsoft fighting over who gets to control consumer access to the internet.

Supermarket display for Halloween.

How many relics from King Arthur's court can you find in this hidden treasure 

puzzle for Games Magazine.

"HEY BABY!" was another Waxdeck Birdcall Contest poster image. Three young 

dudes preparing to woo the ladies in their finest courting attire.

… and then the client ran out of money and had to print it in two colors.

Still fun.

I have always loved elephants and I couldn't pass up the chance to draw 

this wonderful old pachyderm.

"Chickenman Returns" gave me a chance to imagine what this character would 

actually look like. A hapless suburban vigilante crimefighter, Chickenman was the creation

of Dick & Berts Radio Theatre in Chicago, and the comedy skits ran between 

songs on top 40 radio in the seventies. Dick & Bert packaged the best as a promotional vehicle 

for their radio advertising business. 

Apparently "Chickenman" was the longest running radio skit in history. Who knew!

Wall Street Journal

All images © 2020 Alex Murawski