May 6, 2026 by Jayne Owens Leave a comment

Some of the best connections I have made for At a Glance has been through social media. Those connections were achieved by just general chatting and engaging with individuals, and this occurred even with all of social media‘s faults. I’ve been so fortunate to have found conversation with some wonderful and creative people, most of whom I would probably never run across in my regular day-to-day activities.

One of those engagements is a gentleman I have now known for quite some time across multiple platforms. We met back in the dark ages when X was known as Twitter, and when #FridayFollow (or #FollowFriday) was all the rage! I ran across Stephen while tweeting with a mutual artist friend. His fun, quirky art work caught my eye, and his kind and light hearted nature set him apart from other individuals. Throughout the years since those early days, Stephen has kept me updated on his art and the various journeys it has taken.

Recently Stephen messaged to share that he had created a webpage for his art work! He has named his venture SLay Illustrations, using his name, Stephen Lay, to create a catchy portmanteau title! I was so happy for him and thought what better time would there be to introduce this talented guy to everyone here at At a Glance!

So as an initial introduction to Stephen and his work, here is a description from his website…

SLay Illustrations creates psychedelic Canadian landscape art inspired by Lake Superior, the Canadian wilderness, and the rugged beauty of the north. Explore bold Canadian landscape canvas prints designed for modern homes, cottages, and adventure-loving collectors.

Thank you, Stephen, for taking time to visit with us! I have admired your talent through the years and am so happy that you have been able to take your art on this next step of becoming an online entrepreneur within the North American market, shipping throughout Canada and the United States! Wow! Congratulations! Now, let’s get to the questions!

You hail from beautiful Ontario, Canada… would you please tell us a little bit more about yourself!

I’m an introvert who genuinely likes people – I just really value my alone time too. I run on good music (lots of it) and dark roast coffee, and I have a deep appreciation for the sharp writing and timing of classic sitcoms. There’s also something kind of magical about a campfire – it’s warm, interactive, crackles with its own soundtrack, and somehow always leads to the best conversations. I usually express myself through humour – it’s kind of my native language. I tend to over think things and I have a Phd in procrastination. I’m usually trying to do multiple things at once. I love spending time at the camp (what many call a cottage), just puttering around, drawing, swimming, or prepping a camp fire. I love hanging out with my wife Nora.

I can so relate to the Phd in procrastination! I try to tell myself I’m really good at multi-tasking, working on multiple things at once. But some how I have a hard time completing any one of those things I’m juggling, something that probably puts me in the procrastination arena, if truth be told! My attention always seems to wander.

So now, let’s get acquainted with your current work, and an overview of what you create.  

I tend to have a lot of creative energy moving in different directions at once (i.e. madly off in all directions). I create trippy, psychedelic contemporary landscape art with bold lines and vibrant colour – work that’s been kindly compared by some to elements of the Group of Seven (which I find incredibly humbling). That’s the fine art side of what I do.

Alongside that, I continue to develop cartoon-based projects – from psychedelic faces to story-driven humour. I have no shortage of ideas… just not enough time to bring them all to life. I have more than few psychedelic paintings on the go, I just need to finish them. Sometimes, it takes a while to think through the composition, and colours.

What got you interested in art?  How did you get your start?  

I’ve always been pulled toward making art, and I owe a lot of that to my mom, who encouraged me from the start. Some of my best memories are Saturday mornings in front of the TV watching cartoons – then grabbing a pencil to try and draw what I’d just seen. And after any monster movie – I couldn’t wait to bring those creatures back to life on paper. I was fascinated by sci-fi magazines, movies, television, and cartoons, and those imaginative worlds naturally found their way into my drawings.

MAD Magazine played a huge role in shaping my creative direction and pulling me deeper into cartooning. We always had a stack at camp, and I’d flip through them endlessly, amazed by the variety of ideas and illustration styles. I had noticed that the band Fleetwood Mac seemed to come up quite often, but I figured if they were featured in MAD, this band must be important! I think MAD lampooning prominent figures may have been the germination of my interest in editorial cartoons.

Comics like Herman, The Far Side, Wizard of Id, and Hagar the Horrible also left a lasting impression. I’d scan the newspaper just to read the funnies (comic strips in newspapers), studying the humour and line work – not realizing at the time how much they were shaping my own artistic voice.

Have you done any specialized training?  Share A little history on your process to where you are today.

I don’t have any formal or specialized training beyond studying art in high school and college. In hindsight, my college experience could have pushed me further – especially in drawing, which didn’t feel particularly rigorous at the time. I’ve always found the human form challenging, and it’s an area I haven’t dedicated enough focused practice to. For me, drawing was always enjoyable and engaging – but it never came effortlessly. It’s something I’ve continually had to work at, and I still believe there’s room to grow.

Most of what I’ve learned has come through trial and error, experimentation, and a bit of serendipity. My current fine art work actually began as a simple creative exercise – a way to cope with the emotional weight of supporting aging parents and one of whom was quite unhealthy. What started as a personal outlet gradually evolved into the body of work I create today.

Would you please discuss the differences of various art forms and professions, including artist, cartoonist and illustrator?

Wow – that’s a great question.

I truly believe everyone has artistic flair, whether they recognize it or not. Creativity shows up in different ways for different people, and that’s really what art is about. Some artists are formally trained, while others are entirely self-taught – both paths are equally valid.

As for the difference between a cartoonist and an illustrator, it can be nuanced. Illustrators can run from very creative loose drawings to highly technical, creating precise visual work that may range from car manuals to medical or anatomical drawings. This would definitely NOT describe me. Their skill set typically requires close alignment with real-world accuracy and clear communication.

A cartoonist, on the other hand, operates in a slightly different space. Cartoons can range from very simple, scribbles to highly detailed and anatomically sophisticated artwork. What often distinguishes cartooning is its connection to humour, satire, or storytelling. Editorial cartoons, for example – which I’ve always enjoyed creating – can blend truth, commentary, and humour into a single powerful image.

While illustration often prioritizes clarity and representation, cartooning tends to emphasize interpretation, personality, and narrative voice. I’m sure more than a few artists may disagree. (-:

As primarily an illustrator, do you do other types of artwork?  What is your preferred medium and why? What different types of tools are used, such as sketching/drawing/painting on paper/canvas, using an illustrator on a computer, etc… ?

I’d love to explore watercolour and oil painting at some point, and spend more time urban sketching – such a beautiful and expressive art form.

Interestingly, I ended up gravitating toward digital work, even though I actually disliked drawing on an iPad just a few years ago. I was close to giving it up entirely until I stumbled onto a workflow that finally clicked for me. Now I primarily use Clip Studio – a Japanese anime and manga illustration app – on the iPad, along with Affinity Designer for layout and design. I stepped away from Adobe largely because of the ongoing high subscription costs.

That said, everything still begins the old-fashioned way. I use a sketchbook to get ideas down before bringing them into the digital space. There’s still nothing quite like pencil on paper.

Do you set aside specific time to create for personal use when not working on a contracted project?  Do you work on a schedule requiring so much time per day, or do you create as inspiration ebbs and flows?

I’m pretty disorganized – so my approach is often haphazard. I need to get a plan together. I tend to do social media, or website maintenance first and art last. It’s sort of like waiting for dessert…I tend to draw more in the evening, inspired by either YouTube clips or a great music selection.

How has your craft evolved or completely changed over time? Such as… has your artwork style been affected by life events, world events, by parameters set within a job, etc. What are things that may have shaped your personal design to where you are today? 

I started with pencil and paper as a child, moved into specialized markers and illustration paper in college, and eventually transitioned to working on a desktop and iPad as my primary tools.

Up until the past several years, most of my work focused on science fiction renderings and cartoons. I hadn’t explored fine art since high school. Over time, I began borrowing elements from my cartooning style – bold lines and strong colour – and applying them to landscapes. From there I began to apply this trippy method to a number of illustrations (ie my Groovy Collection). I always wanted to learn to draw the Mech Warriors/Transformer type robots so just slightly post-COVID shutdown I challenged myself to draw more than a few of these robot types.

Otherwise, my very modern contemporary landscapes began almost accidentally. I was referencing a photograph I had taken years earlier and started doodling. From that simple exercise, an entirely new direction – and genre of work – emerged. Since then I have been further experimenting with colour, shapes, curves and bold lines. I’m still trying to bridge a psychedelic and contemporary fusion, and I continue to nail down a look. I usually start with a rather bold line to hold the piece together, and then build from there. Honestly, hard to say how that happened. The challenge stemming from this is tying in my love of art and home decor. Home decor is sort of out of my element, and it is interesting to see how my art can add/enhance someone’s home! I love the feedback!

You have been published as a comic strip creator.  Was this something you aspired to do as a profession? What was the process for becoming published?

I’ve been inspired by cartoons for as long as I can remember. As a kid at our family camp, I’d read Mad Magazine cover to cover and combed through the local paper for strips like Wizard of Id, Herman, and later The Far Side. That mix of smart, weird, and slightly offbeat humour really stuck with me.

My process usually started with scribbling ideas into a little booklet, rough thumbnail sketches, then refining everything digitally. Publishing, though – that was another story. Around university, I tried promoting my single-panel cartoon Mirror Image, but it didn’t land. I reached out to several newspapers and mostly heard silence. Looking back, I don’t think the cartoon was fully ready to be published yet.

Things shifted when I was working at a community newspaper and pitched the idea of reviving Mirror Image to an editor. That opened the door to a few other papers. Still, breaking into print felt like climbing Everest barefoot while fending off an ill-tempered Yeti. Anyone who gets a cartoon into a magazine or newspaper is incredibly fortunate – especially with the steady decline of newsprint. I was told by an editorial cartoonist who was well established that I had chosen the worst time to get into cartooning (i.e. newspapers were collapsing left and right).

In the same vein as comic strip publication, have you considered expanding that format and doing a comic book or graphic novel?

I’m slowly working on a graphic novel – an anthology inspired by the health challenges my mom faced. It has a bit of a Twilight Zone feel, mixed with some dark, offbeat humour. It’s been a long process – almost six years now. I pick it up, put it down, and come back to it when I’m ready again. It likely won’t be finished this year, but I’m still committed to it. One day, it will be published.

Can you remember one of the first things you created? What makes it memorable?

I was always taken aback by tv shows and monster movies. I have a number of recollections of drawing during Saturday-Morning cartoons. In addition, the anime cartoon Speed Racer (appearing weekdays after school) would inspire many car drawings. I have vivid memories of some kind of creature feature on WKBD Channel 50 Frankenstein Conquers the World and trying to recreate a scene at the kitchen table. I was probably 9 or so.

Where do you gather inspiration from?

The family cottage is one prime of inspiration, it is what I consider home, and there I find myself most relaxed. Camp fires, family games, swimming, boating all help to aid and abet being both refreshed and help inspire new ideas. Sometimes just doing something random, helps with a new idea. Trying to force something never happens.

Who are/have been your influencers/role models? Do you have a favorite artist of any medium in general?  If yes, what draws you to that person’s work?

I grew up on cartoons, Saturday-Morning cartoons (Hanna Barbara), the illustrators of Mad Magazine (Sergio Aragonés, Don Martin, Mort Drucker and more), Herman (Jim Unger), and The Far Side (Gary Larson). Unfortunately I can’t draw like any of them!

In terms of sci-fi, Syd Mead, Peter Jones, HR Geiger, Jim Jones, and TV shows like Star Trek, and Lost in Space would certainly inspire me.

I’ve worked in editorial cartooning for an online Toronto newspaper, created science comics Second Cell Bio, and done illustration work for a Japanese ESL company. I’m currently working on a second family tree for a client as well.

As per my contemporary work work Lawren Harris (from the Group of Seven) and other artists of that genre are inspirational. I’m still discovering so many artists.

Have you designed artwork for anyone else’s work?  Like a published book (cover image, promotional pieces, etc.)?  If not, would this be something you’d be interested in doing?

Earlier in my career, one of my cartoon strips was featured on a billboard for a confectionery shop. I’m always open to new creative opportunities!

What have you found to be the most difficult obstacles to getting where you are now with your craft and career?

Art is appreciated, but turning that appreciation into sales can be tough – you can’t live on compliments alone. Building an art, home decor, or t-shirt shop feels like an uphill climb, and getting noticed is genuinely hard. But others have made it work, so I’m staying persistent.

What is your favorite thing about being in the artistic industry, and your least or most frustrating thing?

My favourite thing is that artists generally like to encourage other artists – whether tips, connections or ideas. They have all had to struggle and want to make it as easy as possible for others. The most frustrating thing is trying to get noticed by the right people.

You have expanded your personal work to include a website as well as a blog.  You’ve also added merchandise which features your creations.  How does it feel to become an entrepreneur and put yourself out there in the world locally as well as the online global world?

It took almost a year of planning, before getting my website off the ground (it was way more work than I had ever realized). At first I had only included canvas prints. I have since expanded into ceramic coffee mugs (mmm coffee), and now t-shirts. When I’m doing art shows…this expands to art posters, greeting cards, tote bags and drink coasters.

As an entrepreneur I am amazed at how may hats one must wear. I spend most of my time revising, reworking and maintaining my website & social media. I’m a private person so I do struggle with putting myself out there. I want to share my art but by trying to keep my life somewhat private.

Any advice to share for someone starting in this field?

Be patient and stay persistent. Surround yourself with a few trusted advisors – people who will be honest, not just agree with you. Don’t give up. Think long-term, set clear goals, and keep track of your wins so you can look back on how far you’ve come when things feel tough.

As we finish up our wonderful chat, would you mind sharing something about yourself that might surprise us!

I have a weird sense of humour. I find humour in almost everything, so it is often best not to let the inside voice out there too often. (-:

Fabulous! I have a feeling that your weird sense of humour has helped shape your creative side more often than not! It’s been interesting hearing more about you and your art, thank you so much for sharing with us! For those who are interested in a deep dive and checking out Stephen‘s art and merchandise, or even to drop him a line, you may check out his website, as well as Instagram and Facebook!

Now before we go… time for our famous Fast Five!!

Fast Five – Questions for Fun!

Favorite food indulgence?
I love pizza – especially from my hometown (I order a bunch, freeze it and bring them back with me). I have nachos twice a week, coffee every morning!

What’s the last song (or band) you listened to?
Right now it just happens to be Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie. Such a great song…gives me chills.

Favorite downtime activity?
That depends…summer: campfires. Otherwise listening to music or a good tv show.

Define happiness in one word?
Dark roast coffee.

Which Superhero would you choose to be?
Spiderman of course!