Second burka image in development. May save like this and continue to refine. Like the black peeking through.
tons of Lincolns
Abraham Lincoln | 30" x 24" | Private Collection
by Thomas Buechner (http://www.tombuechner.com)
There are great reference pictures of Lincoln to work with. has done some lovely portraits from those images...so in the spirit of trying, I am messing around with Lincoln to see where it can go. Here are 2 sketches from the existing pile...and probably more to come. Am using the new Dr. Martins Star Matte Black (wow) in a rapidograph (first time since forever) and am loving working on this thick thick trace I got from envelope mall (see resources). It is fun to try some new stuff. I think I need to stretch Mr.Lincoln and see where he can go. There is a lot of stuff to push with that face...skinny lips, forehead, tufty hair, brows and the nose that is blunt like a shovel. We'll see. The holiday "I need it done tomorrow" scenarios are beginning to creep into our daily lists...and in another week...YIPES.
chores galores
Lots of stuff to do today. Resolve client issues. Make travel plans for the end of the month. Call people. Respond to kind e-mail. Make sure everyone eats. See a movie. We saw the new "Shut up and sing, the Dixie Chicks" movie at Fall Creek Pictures. Wonderful. Good documentary. Makes you want to go out and buy their entire body of songs on itunes to celebrate their strength as a team, as women with opinions and as true Americans. You Go!!! Am getting the kazillion holiday cards out. Visited the Luckystone Lodge--to discover that the back door was ajar. We were busy doing this and that when Alex arrived like a dour apparition, and proclaimed directly to ME, that there was a cat sleeping in Kitty's bed. Not our cat. A Goldie Locks kind of cat. So, charged with being the adult in this situation, I went to investigate...to find a long haired olive-y tiger cat sleeping peacefully in Kitty's room and well aware that the "three bears" had come home. She/He was running to the back door like a flash...with us trying to keep the doggie girl getting excited from the opportunity of making friends, sharing deviant art addresses, and possibly exchanging a few text messages together.
More tomorrow. Sorry it is so close to home.
funniest game
We spent the better part of the morning watching the seventh grade boys battle Watkins Glen's boys in basketball. The game was great--our team using their lose until halftime and then come from behind to win strategy. It was a knuckle biter...but we came through and won. That wasn't funny...but what was-- was the gym. Watkins Glen Middle School's gym is on a the stage and the audience or fans sit down in the plushy seats as if the basketball game is a performance. Which, I guess it is. The little ponytailed, perfect clapping cheerleaders sit in folding chairs (where the orchestra normally would sit), facing the stage and do cheers with their backs to the fans...Sitting. Sitting! No springing, no perkiness, no entertainment for the slobs that are the fans. And, to make matters better (or worse) they sit in rows like they would if they were standing and cheering.Imagine! 
The whole school was built in 1929 and thankfully, it has been maintained beautifully down to the stage as gym and the glorious floor model, moss green ceramic water fountain in the lobby. The lobby is also replete with bronze placards, in all caps, extolling the bravery of those who forged ahead into the wilderness to bring civilization etc..laying on generous portions of guilt and fear for those who read them. I loved it. The more guilt the better.
Then it was off to see the Christmas happenings at the Corning Museum of Glass. Lots to buy at good prices. Ladies choirs singing drippy carols. Tuba bands. Gigantic bowls of candy. Santa. A singing lady with a singing animal puppet. Breakfast and lunch with the Jolly one. The whole shooting match. (R. suggests next year there might even be live reindeer all harnessed to the sleigh). One of my most favorite purchases were basketball Christmas ornaments in glass. Another was all this great stuff from the indian exhibition marked down 75%...so I bought a zillion things made out of beads. And 2 new candlesticks from William Gudenrath at the Studio Sale (a must for anyone within a 2 hr drive from Corning).Always try to buy one candlestick per year...they are so great and celebratory--that each one has a great memory.
IF: Might
might(mt)
1. The power, force, or influence held by a person or group.
2. Physical strength.
3. Strength or ability to do something. See Synonyms at strength. See Regional Note at powerful.
"might." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 01 Dec. 2006.
The hammer wields it's might whether it be a nail, a board, or as a way to pry something open. The head is like a hammer in its ability to pry open ideas or nail them down. The ability to do something is an opportunity for all of us to be mighty--big or small, weak or strong, young or old. Wield your MIGHT!
Multi-tasking
I love new words. Words that have happened since I "grew up" and graduated from college. I have many words that fit into that category--some I love/hate more than others...but multi-tasking is a word that works, communicates a behavior and has a tech-ie feel that works for the Info age generation. Love this goddess, Ushnishavijaya,--the eight-armed Indian goddess --one of three deities associated with longevity and the fulfillment of earthly desires. And, I might add, the poster child for multi-tasking. I wish she worked for me--She could answer the phone, brew a good cup of gimme, have a good grasp of microsoft word, Quick books--no problem...etc. Eight arms, eight tasks--and she looks good. I have a hard time brushing my hair let alone smearing on the lipstick and adjusting the headpiece. Wow. Truly, I love this Indian art. My new Taschen books are in the place of honor, top of the pile on top of the pile on top of the pile...on top of my desk. I can't look at them while I talk to my clients or I lose track of what I am saying and act silly...kind of like having my clients talk to a block of cheese.
some of the girls
Klatching gals. Love these guys. The geese are coming in for their winter holidays. Heard them (loud) and saw tons of them too!
early day tomorrow
Starting early so may not get anything your way until late...if all. Hectic here with the major client being offsite...and the design requirements ramped up to crazy levels (Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun during Tgiving with focused blocks of time for an emergency and unplanned project). You get the idea. Am up to the Baker to art direct a photograph of a horse...probably much easier than any chairman or significant executive that I normally need to entertain to get a good shot. Checked out Alibris to identify Yuko books at a good price (the Heller book can be obtained around $5. a pop--not bad). 
Also found out that the Dr Martins Ph Star Matte Black is available directly --which should work as my yammering on with my pal at Steuben created some interest in this ink for the engraver's work. As an aside, I am gloating just a weensie bit as I got all but 1 present wrapped and mailed out parcel post (as nah nah, I have time!) to all the family we give presents to.
Take a look at the Ofoto/ Kodak Gallery site. There are some cool multipanel,according fold customizable cards (read illustration promotions)(check it out--as many as ten images>>) that they can do for less than $3. a piece...so one can target the selection etc. depending on the Art Director etc. you want to talk to. Check it out. Beautiful pre-designed layouts by "Martha Stewart" which really work especially as it is geared very mainstream--so not offensive to anyone--and its customizable (ie white type on a black field or vice versa). Schmarties at Kodak!! You go.
Pix are out-takes from my miserable snapshots taken while the real photographer did a wonderful job of giving us an image we can really use. I don't know whether he got he laughing horse shot at the top. Thought you might enjoy the snapshots.
Hannah Hoch
Yesterday afternoon, we visited the Johnson Museum at Cornell and saw a few wonderful shows--one on drawing (with Jennifer Bartlett's work as part of the group); one a photography show documenting a location over the course of about 5 years in all the seasons juxtaposing agri-junk, nature and the city; and the last a show on Dada work featuring the collection of a Cornell alumni. There were several new artists that were inspiring and interesting and would like to pass them on to you. The first is Hannah Hoch. From my web dive, here are some good overviews on who she was:
>>Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
>>The Adam Art Gallery, New Zealand
>>Slate Magazine's review of the 1997 show
"The Photomontages of Hannah Hoch"
And the book:
The Photomontages of Hannah Höch (Hardcover)
by Peter Boswell, Maria Makela, Carolyn Lanchner, Hannah Hoch
Wonderful work. Jarring relationships. Startling images. Check em out.
another "remember" from Y.S.
Yuko mentioned palettes. Here is a cool thing to think about. She picks an image or a style of imagery and makes up a palette that may or may not relate directly to the image she is creating--but the twist is say, "an indian palette" from a page in the Taschen Indian Bazaar book etc...combined with a layout inspired by Heros and Gods. So, say...take a Holbein palette and apply it to a layout inspired by Paul Klee....or take a palette inspired by the posters of Wes Wilson (Filmore West) and apply it to a poster inspired by Cassandre. You got the idea. Nice way to create a little twist and learn something in the meanwhile.
Went to the Johnson Museum and saw some cool stuff (for tomorrow). Also partook of a Big Red v. Wayne State ice hockey game. The Pep band was amazing...even more so than the hockey...and that wasn't too shabby either. Cornell has such heart!
More tomorrow. My eyes are closing.
Books recommended by Yuko
The word according to Yuko continues. During her presentation of her work, her process, her life, her inspirations, she showed us wonderful pictures of her studio and her idea chair under a window. She is in love with having good studiomates--people who challenge and complement her with her warning not to have a studiomate that you might ever compete with. From her advice, I can surmise there might have been a problem at some point in her career of studiomates. But back to inspiration....She has a panda bear toy she "talks to when no one is there". Japanese or English?? She loves the Taschen Icon books which she recommends the ENTIRE series as they are fab. reference (I agree) and inexpensive at that. To make them even more inexpensive, the Strand Bookstore has a selection at $7.50 a book if you are in NYC> (I just bought Indian Style and Indian Bazaarand was way tempted by others at the Strand...just couldnt bring myself to drag a ton home)>. She loves the following books:
Taschen's Film Posters of Russian Avant Garde.
Some People Can't Surf by Art Chantry, Jules Lansky
Genius Moves by Steven Heller
Make it Bigger by Paula Scherr
Heros and Ghosts by Kuniyoshi
Russian Children's books (illustration) Japanese (we saw at Rizzoli)
Graphic Design in the 20th C. (I think Taschen)
MOMA's catalog on the Stenberg Brothers
The bookstore called Kinoku Ni Ya (Rockefeller Center--deep in the back have the best japanese art books)
Yuko adores the Strand--It is the best, I agree.
So, check em out (Alibris? Amazon)--I am too!
Picture is by Yuko--for the Utne Reader.
Artomat
Dig. Okay. So, I was talking to the guy at Art Purveyors where I bought the Dr. Martins Star Black Matte from over the telephone--and we were talking about this and that, the giclee business he is in, their process etc. You know that this sort of chat can land you in deep talking about religion, the Masons, recipes for Cornell Chicken and the like--and we ended up talking about his friend's concept and business. Worth sharing with you guys and even more worth trying out. This guy buys up old and fabulous cigarette machines and loads them with art/objects/creations etc. and distributes them all over the place. You can read about him at Artomat. You have to work within a specified size and package the art in a specified way (he sells the boxes or blocks of wood at a very moderate price)--The artists submits one for consideration and upon approval, submits 50 (no profit here...the artist makes $2.50@) and they get loaded into the machines or sent as part of the assortment. The Artomat machines are in Art Museums across the country (LA Moca, The Whitney and Whole Foods(not a real museum--but their work in produce with color blocking is pretty good) to name a few). To those in the know, a $5.00 chance allows them to collect cool art (much like the small stuff at Kid Robot). And for the artist, your art (albeit small) is getting out there with a tiny artists statement or link to the web or whatever. Somewhat random in the distribution--you never know....
Maybe I can agitate my friends at CMoG or maybe even the Johnson Museum @ Cornell to have one of these. I was surprised that MassMoca hasn't jumped on board. Or even Gimme?
Gotta think!
The Artomat Machine shown above is from Monkey Hill in Lambertville, NJ.
IF: Necessity is the Mother of Invention
Time is of essence today. The mother of invention kicked in.
Recap of Thursday and Friday
I sorry this has taken so long, it's just the catching up, and the clients deciding the day before the holiday that there were things due by the end of the day etc. etc. You all know the drill. However, I want to get a little bit about the Thursday and Friday of last week down before it flees this thin skull.
Thursday was, for me, the biggest, most enlightening day due to the speakers and a visit to the Neue Galerie on Fifth Avenue. We started our progression at the Lubin House, Syracuse University's outpost in Manhattan. Its a lovely, beaux arts style building on the north side of the street between Fifth Avenue and Madision on 63rd. There are many lovely panelled rooms, a wide, graceful stairway that takes you from floor to floor with all the appointments many of the big corporate meeting centers have (plenty of bathrooms, hot coffee etc). Phones non-existent though. Yuko Shimizuwas our speaker. Yuko shared the story of how she became an illustrator (11 yrs. in Japan as a PR/Marketing person, decided to come to the US for an MFA (SVA)in Illustration), her process, her studio, her favorite books, her favorite art supply (Dr. Martins Star Black Matte Ink>> you can phone in an order here>>) and supply stores (NY Central). She gave us a wonderful review of her work, pointing out detail in the content, or how the she came to the idea. She works freehand--drawing and painting without reference except for likenesses which she approaches in a very curious and enlightening way. Yuko has a disorder that she cannot tell the differences in people's faces(for real, there is a medical term that she told us that of course, I didnt write down)..and she cannot remember them. So, when she needs to create a likeness, she will look at the picture/reference of the person, and actually write a discription to work from in addition to drawing from the reference--breaking the image down etc. Sounds like a cool way to approach likenesses even for those of us who have a slight visual memory. Yuko is ambitious, smart and very targeted in her career and approach to illustration. She wants to learn more about type as she feels its a missing component and is anticipating getting a little more education to add to her ability. She has identified the art directors and designers she wants to work with and through work and pro-bono work, she is beginning to make headway to connect and work with these people. Yuko is very high energy and constantly thinking, connnecting and my guess drawing. We have a lot to watch with this inspired illustrator.
Nancy Stahl was next. Nancy started as an illustrator who paints but she has transitioned from paint to computer. She taught herself how to do this through creating a painting by working on it, and then trying to do the same thing on the computer...a little painting, a little bit twiddling etc. Clever. Her work is strong, beautiful and memorable. Great colorways. She showed sketches and finals with anecdotes with each one. Knitting is also a passion which she entwines with illustration--an example being some Christmas stamps she developed and in the works for next year.She also showed us the work she did for Scharfenberger Chocolate, The Stonybrook farms logotype --cow, an ice cream package and a few others. She is a very curious and energetic person who loves what she does and communicates that.
We had a break as the other students were having a critique of a project, so Richard, Chris and I had the time to get to the Neue Galerie to see the show on Josef Hoffman. The Neue Galerie is right up Fifth Avenue in the latitude of the Met (across the street about midway). It is a lovely Beaux Arts building (mit schlag)that is very serious about itself. The tone and taste is very severe and teutonic but not unkind inside. Lots of marble, wrought iron and wood. Very smooth and contained. They are checking bags, checking coats, checking everyone out. They have a very fancy austrian cafe and a pretty amazing gift shop (in the original library of the house) stuffed with books around the German and Austrian art. The Hoffman show was on two floors--curated beautifully with some cute/quirky design elements (big black and white polka dot wallpaper to offset chairs that have that detail) and lovely rooms built within the spaces to truly give the scale and proportion of the bedrooms and dining rooms of Hoffman furniture). The furniture in a room context was very small, and remarkably simple/spare/inexpensive feeling--scaled in the smallness of Frank Lloyd Wright's furniture (prime examples you can get the feeling is at Fallingwater or if you are in NYC, the Wright room at the Met). Some terrific gouache textile designs and photographs of spaces and people you normally don't see in books).Lots of silver particularly the grid tabletop pieces. We saw a few wonderful portraits--a Klimt head (almost Schiele in it's severe drawing)with lots of greens and browns and greys) and of course, the new treasure, the Neue Galerie's Mona Lisa, the Klimt-- Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer.Truly a masterwork. The gold, the patterning and surprising transparency of the painting is amazing. Combined with the strong design--building up a formal framework -- a gilded prison for the delicate features and tentative hands of Adele Bloch-Bauer--this is a piece that photography doesn't even begin to capture. Go take a look.
Finally, we rounded out the day with Guy Billout. Guy Billout is a slight man with longish wavy white hair that surrounds a long, mobile face. He twinkles and observes. He spoke of his work and visual puns--what works and doesnt for him. His work is inspired by Tintin (I am sure of no surprise to anyone)--He creates is images using a rapidograph (all to size) and airbrush. He indicated that he was considering moving to the computer to color his work as a good segue as the chemicals and process of airbrush is not the most healthy. I agree. His work for the New Yorker (particularly as the illustrator they assign with Seymour Hersh) is hard stuff and Billout handles everything poetically and memorably in this understanding the material and allowing the ideas to flow.
Belief and Ability
Cristina Vergano
2005
Oil on masonite
Friday we visited galleries etc. I led the tour as the crew was uncertain about subways etc. We visited an "illustrator friendly" (per John Thompson) gallery, The Animazing Gallery. They were opening a show that night of the work of Daniel Merriman that Richard, Chris and Traci were all in love with. I was the odd guy out. My problem with this gallery and the work is it is all very sweetsy, candy colored and "pretty". I was disconcerted with the entry being jammed with whirring clocks and crafty do-dads before you entered the gallery. It just didnt seem to fit, albeit, the "wacky" crap probably pays the bills. We did a little visit at Kid Robot, Forbidden Planet, Strand Bookstore, the Museum of Food (Dean and DeLuca) just to look at the cupcakes and candy (marzipan skeletons, chocolate gilded buddahs and the most beautiful icing in the world). I did love the Woodward Gallery.They had work by Christine Vergano (a new fave of mine--from the lovely Juxtapoz). The Vergano work was beautiful up close--and fairly prolific. Take a look>> Charles Yoder's work is amazing --you can see it at the Woodward site as well. They had 4 heads that were screenprinted (black on red fields) that were calligraphic and very brushy that were a total kick as well.
We tried to see the Jonathan LeVin Gallery way over almost on 10th Avenue but they were closed as they were hanging a show of Shag's work. Richard and Chris went back the following day for the opening and hoped to get time with either Shag or LeVin to less than satisfactory results. All in all, NYC was exciting, exhausting and draining...one works all the poison out of your system to move forward. An illustration purge--to take a little break (albeit I have been tackling the hajib and burka/burqa idea and feel like this could really develop out) before leaping in. Someone from the class ahead of us mentioned in passing that the surprising thing about this ISDP process is that the way the program is structured with the travel and intensive training all seems pretty random until it all comes together and meshes. Yes, I totally agree...and it seems to mesh for all of us--however, the meshing poses more questions which Peter Cusack is generous to point up--that just don't go away or stop. The old ones get answered and new ones emerge. I am glad I am not the only one.
okay, somewhat back to normal
Neil Schwaab
Bad Religion: Richard Dawkins
book review
Medium: Ink on paper. Colored digitally.
Client: Seed Magazine
Man, do I owe you guys a lot of chatter. The trip was good albeit traditionally wearing but I come back a little lighter of heart, a lot inspired, and somewhat more confident in what I do, am doing, will do and how it all sits within the context of what we saw and engaged in last week. The hotel (Hotel Belleclaire--Bway and 77th Street) was fine, clean and inexpensive. My roommate and I split the bill of an economy room (shared bath) for 6 nights for $550/per person (with the taxes). There is another hotel between Bway and Amsterday (also on 77th) called "On the Avenue" Hotel. Worth some research. Taking the bus was a surprise and a delight insofar as ease, cleanliness, the Port Authority and the actual time it takes (plus it's cheap)--so I am thrilled with that new knowledge. Where did I leave off? Wednesday, right?
Wednesday
Was at the Society of Illustrators again. Much better venue for the smaller classes--very convivial and comfortable. Plus, the lunch is right there and as we often would run right up against the timing, convenient too. The Children's Book Illustration show was up. Beautiful work with a good range of everything from painting to collage, digital stuff. There was a lovely rabbit that had been constructed of painted paper that was simple and elegant. A great scratchboard rat. A Mark Summers type faux engraver did a lovely series of heads. One of the winners was a very graphic illustration of a teensie person mowing a sea of green grass in a deep wavy trench. In one of the trenches was a teensie weensie little green snake. There is an acrylic painting of a bulldog that is to die for. Plenty from the continual winner...but it was good to see some new hands and faces.
We had Neil Swaab, Peter Cusack, Al Lorenze along with a field trip to Penguin (which I missed due to having a conflict abutting that time). Neil Swaab is an inspiration. He is a SU undergraduate who has a syndicated comic strip "Rehabilitating Mr. Wiggles". Neil is not shy to put the hours in, to make opportunities happen for himself and by doing that, jumpstart his career and his exposure to new things happen faster. He is more than happy to pursue illustration even for low pay--as each job seems to foster the next and the next. I think he was one of the true inspirations of the trip. I love his attitude, his work and his technique of inking on bristol, scanning it in and using it as a basis for his work.He is passionate and knows that with effort comes opportunity and more work. He self published a book on Mr Wiggles. He also got a job as a graphic designer at a book publisher and spent a ton of personal time working up optional approaches to the work he was given to show that he could bring his smart point of view to these smaller young adult books proving his inate abilities making each project more fun by the clever twists he brought to the project. He handles type in a very whimsical, illlustrative way--not fearful of all the stuff we designers have drubbed into our thick heads. Neil is a star.
Peter Cusak is a lovely, passionate artist who speaks from the heart about his work, painting, France and ISDP. He has been changed by these experiences and is vocal in these experiences, the people who have influenced him and continue to do so. His work is extrordinary, beautiful and sweet like he is. His thesis work for SU were this amazing collection of paintings/portraits of people on the subway accompanied by writing and poetry that evoked the same spirit and pathos that the images do. Peter has just finished a commission from the MTA and all we can hope is that many many more come along to help move him to create more work that will lift our spirits and our vision of the world to be as sharp as morning sunlight. Peter should be taken on the road to promote the ISDP program as it is poetry to hear him extol the program, how it changed him, and how it "answered questions he came to the program with but now there are new questions". For me, it was reassuring that this itchiness continues. I figure that means we are all still alive. Peter is a delight and someone to watch out for.
The last artist for Wednesday was Al Lorenz. Al studied architecture undergraduate and a masters at Columbia. After three years of working in the business, left to do illustration. Check out his site for the work he did. He is also a very proud teacher who, in addition to showing us his work, showed us slides of his students at Pratt. Al is very direct and blunt--but endearing in his directness, his love of the work he does, the people he works with and his students. His projects are often multi year and he will have teams of folks (his wife, former students etc.) helping with the reference, the photography etc. to keep him drawing. He has a stack of books, puzzles, college maps, and architectural drawings that showcase a long and varied career.
A group of us had a nice and very lively dinner with Murray and Carol Tinkleman at a nice italian restaurant around the corner from the SOI, Brio. The Hartford program sounds like it's going great guns with a lot of hard tweaks from that of the Syracuse program in it's curriculum and support from the University. They both are delighted with their change, the students and faculty and the new places they are visiting as part of their travel portion of the program. The Beautiful Baby Show was a hit with a huge turn-out for the opening--also to both of their pleasure. It was great seeing them as it gave me some perspective, gave me the Hartford program to reflect and think about and put a lot of my thinking in a new context which is good.
I will give you Thursday and Friday tomorrow. The candlelight is dimming here, and I need to get back on the work train to keep it going and not get hit with it all at one time.
IF:Thanksgiving
Wishing all of you a very happy Thanksgiving--This poor bird certainly wishes it was over! The wild turkeys are everywhere here...and far too elusive to use as reference. However, if the word of the week was deer--no problem (and they stand still!) I am trying out scratchboard and you poor devils are the recipients of this trial.
Tuesday in NYC
Today we had all of our SU meetings at the Clubhouse, The Society of Illustrators. I love it there...and in the daytime it is especially happy ( and remarkably cleaner than I remembered). There is the Children's book illustration show with some inspiring (but attainable) imagery. It doesnt blow my mind as much...and I can see work at some point getting into this show. But, I just need to do a book or ten.
We had Irene Gallo, the Art Director from Tor/Dial books. She was wonderful, straight-up, no kidding about working with illustrators, the expectations, deadlines etc. She is responsible for well over 400 book jackets over in 12 mos. It was far more the voice of reality than the illustrators who have spoken about book work, childrens books etc. She was followed by our critique by Greg Manchess. There was a huge range of work--some people really leaning into the work, others falling back on excuses and the need for them to get more illustration (at Illustration Academy). Greg's critiques were generous and yet pointed--and I think I gained a lot from each image critiqued. Lunch was at the Society (they offer a buffet daily) that was very convivial and fun. We then had Barry Blitt (!!) speak or really perform. He is very funny and self depricating--with his illustrations following his patter. He is best known for his work the the New Yorker (this week's with George Bush illustrating the " You Break it You Buy it" thinking. More than once he said "I have fear before I draw...its a New Yorker cover...it's god damned terrifying". A little comforting. We all laughed and laughed over his dry remarks and wonderfully funny images "The greatedst bad hair day of Larry King", The Presidential Allergies, and no end to wildly funny Michael Jackson stuff. George Bush is upfront and center in the pantheon of people he loves to hate. And we are right with him.
We had a little time, so Richard, Chris and another clasmate and I went to the Marlbough Gallery to see the 100 images Botero has painted from the New Yorker articles Seymore Hirsch wrote on Abu Gharib. They were amazing, disturbing and beautifully designed. They were shocking. Google it. You might see a few. It is worth the trip.
Yesterday, We saw Sharad Devarajah, the CED of Virgin Comix. Brilliant guy who graduated with a degree in advertising design from SU with a MBA from Columbia. Brilliant, articulate and a dealmaker. While in undergraduate school, he acquired the distribution rights to many of the comic companies for the South Asian Market. Since then, he has parlayed that into a partnership with Shakhar Kapur, Richard Branson and Deepak Chopra to create (in India) comics specifically designed by and for the Indian market. They hire creatives (painters, graffiti artists, etc.) and train them as a team to create these pubs. It all seems pretty cool and pretty nascent--def something to watch. He is also partnering with film makers etc. and the Branson team to play out movies/comics/graphic novels etc. I will go into this further later.
We had Steve Stroud, an Art Center trained illustrator whose work has evolved to his being a landscape painter. Nice work. He positively glows with pride and happiness in the work he has migrated to. He shows on the east coast in Nantucket, Vermont, Boston's Newbury Fine Art Gallery.
Brian Ajhar spoke and showed his work. He is known for these wonderful cariatures--for me the most recognizable are the donkey/elephant work he has done. He is a kind person who has done some children's books, editorial work etc. More later.
I met with John on my thesis. He likes my work but was positively blown out of his chair with my burka illustration. He thinks its SOI show material etc. He wants me to start entering it into shows etc... So its all good but unexpected. He rejected the birds in place of my taking the burka further--as he said that my rendering and imagery have developed to the point that now we need to take it to another level. Not too paralyzing but 10 new images. One step at a time.
More later
Rainy
Getting on the bus this morning to do the SU NYC thing. We have crits planned. Thesis meetings planned. We are going to hear and see: Sharad Devarajan, Steve Stroud,Brian Ajhar, Irene Gallo, Barry Blitt, Neil Swaab, Peter Cusack, Al Lorenze, Yuko Shimizu , Nancy Stahl and Guy Billot. Should be good. There are two slots still to be filled--so lets see who the surprise speakers are. Off schedule there is drawing etc. at the Society of Illustrators and a Wednesday presentation on licensing at SOI too. A group of us are staying at the Hotel Belleclaire (upper West Side @ 77th street)--a stones throw to Zabars, Fairway, Citarella and Ollie's Noodle House. So, eating is not a problem...and we hopefully will have breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien...one of my new all time favorites. And a garlic doggie at Grey's Papaya. Will be out of pocket (no technology except for phone and ipod)--but R. recommends I drop into the Apple store--and if I do, I will drop you a post! Cheers.
planning
Trying to get my act in gear for next week. Slogged through a bunch of stuff yesterday and I am moving...but it feels rather random. This picture is inspired by these the Date Farmers-- brilliant, very graphic and original illustrators I saw in Juxtapoz. They just opened a show at the Upper Playground. Here is the link to see more>>Need to start some dog illustrations. I think there might be an outlet for them with my new client...research is in order. Later>>