Author Archives: illustrationclass

Covarubbias, more than a Caricaturist.

You never know where you might find an illustrator. Museo Textil de Oaxaca is a jewel of a museum in the center of Oaxaca. The current exhibition, Gráfica textil de Miguel Covarrubias, focuses on the work of the influential Mexican caricaturist. Born in Mexico City in 1905, Covarubbias journeyed to New York City at ageContinue reading “Covarubbias, more than a Caricaturist.”

Rocha Channels Posada. Dos Maestros de Caricatura

Jose Guadalupe Posada and Catrina by Rocha Jose Guadalupe Posada died 100 years ago. He is best known for his skeleton images such as Catrina. A working illustrator for Mexico City’s penny papers, Posada may not have thought of himself as an artist. Only after his death was he lionized by the great Mexican artistsContinue reading “Rocha Channels Posada. Dos Maestros de Caricatura”

Lapiztola Stencil Collective, Spray for Us.

Lapiz = pencil.  Pistola = pistol. Lapiztola is a stencil collective in Oaxaca. The pun suggests the pencil is as mighty as the pistol. Their artwork has been described a visual poetry. In October, one of Lapiztola’s crew,  Yankel, was on a conference panel in Oaxaca about the city’s street art collectives. Yankel had spentContinue reading “Lapiztola Stencil Collective, Spray for Us.”

Kate Santee, Illustrator and Roller Girl!

Speaking of curious networking, another KU grad, Kate Santee, tells me she got to illustrate a book through folks she met in her role as roller derby racer! Kate recently illustrated a chapter book for young readers. First in a series, Silly Nomads From Palmerston Close is written by Jan L. Lewis and Marcus Mohalland.  Kate’sContinue reading “Kate Santee, Illustrator and Roller Girl!”

Networking Pays Off for Maddie O’Neil, Cowboy & Illustrator

Maddy O’Neil won the Don Breter Illustration Award when he graduated from Kutztown in May.  The honor student attended KU on a full scholarship. For his honor’s thesis he did a great job illustrating a children’s picture book. Oddly enough, his first job after graduation with his BFA was as a ranch hand at aContinue reading “Networking Pays Off for Maddie O’Neil, Cowboy & Illustrator”

BIG SNOW in Kutztown, PA -Dec.6

Jonathan Bean now lives in Harrisburg, PA, but he grew up in Fleetwood and so, of course, he has often been in Kutztown. The gifted illustrator and author is returning Kutztown to share his new picture book Big Snow at Firefly Bookstore, Friday, Dec 6th from 6-8pm. Big Snow has wonderful reviews. Publisher’s Weekly writes “anotherContinue reading “BIG SNOW in Kutztown, PA -Dec.6”

Daniel McCloskey, Smiling Artist Missing Teeth.

UPDATE: Dan’s Kickstarter got funded. Thanks. Julie Sokolow wrote a fine article at MichaelMoore.com that really helped. Full disclosure: That’s my boy! Daniel McCloskey is a cartoonist and founder of Pittsburgh’s Cyberpunk Apocalypse Writer’s Project. On Oct 22, Dan was riding his bike when his front wheel fell into a deep, narrow pothole. Dan flewContinue reading “Daniel McCloskey, Smiling Artist Missing Teeth.”

Bak’s Book: Island of Memory

The adventurous graphic novelist T. Edward Bak is coming to Kutztown University to speak about another adventurous explorer from the 18th century.  Bak’s ‘Wild Man’ tour includes stops at the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont, SAW in Gainesville as well as KU. The KU event is Free. Boehm, Lecture Room 261, Tues. Nov. 19Continue reading “Bak’s Book: Island of Memory”

Paul Pope’s Battling Boy

Battlling Boy arrives to an earth-like place with some baggage, literally. He finds 12 T-shirts packed in his suitcase each bearing the image of a different animal. A smart kid, he realizes, “these were painted with inks made of pulverized moonblood! I am supposed to wear these into battle.” Each T-shirt imbues him with theContinue reading “Paul Pope’s Battling Boy”