Peter Kuper’s Ruins is a magnificent graphic novel, the best I’ve read this year. I’d call it his masterpiece, but Kuper has already proved himself a master. Ruins succeeds on so many levels: great graphic art; remarkable storytelling, and stunning production values. I’ve met Peter Kuper a few times. In 2007, I was honored whenContinue reading “RUINS: Peter Kuper’s Masterpiece”
Author Archives: illustrationclass
Not that Nathan Hale, Meet the Cartoonist.
Nathan Hale is a fitting name for a graphic novelist specializing in historical biographies. I ran into him at the American Library Association convention in San Francisco. I asked if he was named for the hero of the American Revolution. He wrote One Dead Spy, about that hero. “No, I am named for my grandfather,”Continue reading “Not that Nathan Hale, Meet the Cartoonist.”
Roller Derby Artists by Bobby Dazzler (Robin Tatlow-Lord)
Kevin McCloskey recently asked me whether the handful of illustrators he had met who also play roller derby might be indicative of a larger trend – a connection between this growing sport and the world of illustration and comics – or if he was imagining that trend. I don’t think it’s imaginary at all: illustratorsContinue reading “Roller Derby Artists by Bobby Dazzler (Robin Tatlow-Lord)”
Robin Tatlow-Lord: Roller Derby Artist on a Roll
Women’s roller derby was a national sensation in the 1950’s. Today roller derby is again a sporting and pop culture phenomenon. I met the Australian illustrator and roller derby athlete Robin Tatlow-Lord in San Francisco last week. Robin learned to skate in South Australia, with Adelaide Roller Derby and currently skates with the Bay AreaContinue reading “Robin Tatlow-Lord: Roller Derby Artist on a Roll”
Glimpse Inside a Video Game Artist’s Sketchbook
Michelle Davies graduated from Edinboro University. Edinboro, like Kutztown is part of PASSHE, PA’s State System. State university facilities can’t compare to privates specializing in game design, but Michelle proves a dedicated student can launch a career from anywhere. She said her foundation art classes, life drawing and 2-D design, prove valuable everyday in her job asContinue reading “Glimpse Inside a Video Game Artist’s Sketchbook”
Illustration Awards at Kutztown U. 2015
JAMIE BASILE: The Don Breter Memorial Award Jamie Basile won the 2015 Don Breter Award for best illustrator in her class. She is a master of both traditional and digital media. The watercolor, above, clearly shows the influence of Prof. Matthew Daub. One of the all-time outstanding illustrators to graduate from Kutztown U is the great TomContinue reading “Illustration Awards at Kutztown U. 2015”
We Dig Worms on Tour. WOW!
We Dig Worms! the book I wrote and illustrated at the request of my librarian wife Patt was officially released by Toon Books on April 14. Françoise Mouly, above, is editor and publisher of Toon Books. She is also the art editor of the New Yorker magazine. It was my good fortune that she personallyContinue reading “We Dig Worms on Tour. WOW!”
Kutztown says hello! to NYC.
More talented Kutztown students are heading to the 2015 MoCCA Arts Fest in NYC with their zines or mini-comics, April 11-12. Christina Davies is not only a design/illustration student, she is a student of the universe and avid space enthusiast. Her zine, titled “hello” celebrates manmade spacecraft and satellites, and how humanity’s will to learnContinue reading “Kutztown says hello! to NYC.”
Student Artists heading for MoCCA, NYC.
Liv Carberry created Imago. Here is her description: A 1940’s pilot struggles to stay alive after his airplane crashes. Price: $3 More of Liv’s work can be seen here. Imago is just one of twenty zines, small comic books, from my Illustration 2 class that will debut at MoCCA Arts Festival in NYC, April 11 and 12.Continue reading “Student Artists heading for MoCCA, NYC.”
Kid Lit Stars, near and far, coming to Kutztown
One Keynote Speaker at the 17th annual Kutztown University Children’s Literature Conference is author Mara Rockliff. Mara will walk less than one block from her home on Walnut St. to campus. If you want to hear her talk, don’t knock on her door, come to the conference on April 18. Thanks to Firefly Bookstore, Kutztown’sContinue reading “Kid Lit Stars, near and far, coming to Kutztown”
Illustration Concentration 