illustrationclass

Dr. Lakra’s Grand Canvas

Dr. Lakra is not a real doctor. He is a tattoo artist and collector of classic porn. He is, of course, more than this. The cutting-edge magazine Juxtapoz often features his art. I met Dr. Lakra late one night last week in a warehouse across the main highway from the center of Oaxaca. The warehouse encounter wasContinue reading “Dr. Lakra’s Grand Canvas”

Experimental Drawing: or How Marshall Arisman Saved My Life in Mexico

This week I taught a 3-day experimental drawing workshop at UABJO, University Benito Juarez, Oaxaca. I love the rainy season here in the mountains of southern Mexico. The workshop was in conjunction with the Kutztown Print exhibit that opened with much fanfare and mescal. Fortunately, I got help from my old Maestro from the SchoolContinue reading “Experimental Drawing: or How Marshall Arisman Saved My Life in Mexico”

KU Print Show travels to Oaxaca, Mexico

Good news from Mexico! Our shipment of 28 prints arrived safely in Oaxaca, Mexico from Kutztown, PA. The self-portraits in a wide variety of media (including woodblock, etching, serigraphy, and lithography) will be exhibited at Benito Juarez University in the month of July. The prints are by Kutztown University faculty, students, alumni, and friends. Sending printsContinue reading “KU Print Show travels to Oaxaca, Mexico”

Sweet Salvation

Jiawei Gong made an American flag from sugar at the Reading Public Museum. This art work, created in early June, will be on view until July 8. Tibetan monks traditionally use colored sand to create mandalas, often composed of circular shapes based on Buddhist cosmology. Jiawei is not a Tibetan monk, he is a Chinese-bornContinue reading “Sweet Salvation”

Invite to Type Book Launch

Kutztown University Prof. Denise Bosler wrote our most popular guest post, Making it as an Illustrator. She also knows a heck of a lot about typography and wrote the new book, Mastering Type, published by How. How is hosting her webinar, a virtual book launch, for Mastering Type on Tuesday, June 19 at 3pm. It is free,Continue reading “Invite to Type Book Launch”

STAN MUNRO Artist & Toothpick Engineer

I met Stan Munro at the Reading Museum. He is an interesting guy. He was seated in the center of the museum’s lobby with a case of toothpicks and a container of Elmer’s glue. He was building the Eiffel Tower. Families came to watch him work. Sometimes Stan handed wide-eyed kids wooden nickels he hadContinue reading “STAN MUNRO Artist & Toothpick Engineer”

Take a Line for a Walk

“Whereas Picasso, Matisse, even Mondrian and Kandinsky concentrated on abstracting from perceived reality, Klee began with a point, extended it into a line and famously took it for a walk wherever it wished to go.” Bridget Riley from an essay quoted here in the London Times Educational Supplement. Robin Landa, a design professor at KeanContinue reading “Take a Line for a Walk”

WILCO buys Brian Shaw’s Art for Gig Poster

Brian Shaw graduated a few weeks ago, winner of the 2012 Don Breter Memorial Award for most improved illustration student. He drew a series of gig posters for his senior illustration class. He asked me how he might get them in front of the eyes of Wilco, one of his favorite bands. I didn’t know,Continue reading “WILCO buys Brian Shaw’s Art for Gig Poster”

Nate’s New Graphic Novel is Free, but You Can Buy It!

Pittsburgh cartoonist Nate McDonough’s graphic novel Don’t Come Back is quite interesting. It is nightmarish and convoluted in a good way. There are falling angels, dogs peeing in a cemetery, and one screaming chicken demon in the pizza box. There is death and resurrection. Don’t worry about me spoiling the ending. I’m not sure IContinue reading “Nate’s New Graphic Novel is Free, but You Can Buy It!”

Angels & Demons Illustration Project

Angels & Demons is a book and a movie, sequel to the DaVinci Code. The title was inspiration for our final project in Illustration Techniques class. Most of these students are sophomore C.D. majors, not necessarily Illustration majors. This course involves mastering traditional media: pen and ink; scratchboard; watercolor; and for this final project, acrylic paint.Continue reading “Angels & Demons Illustration Project”