illustrationclass

Julia & Julia Cameron

Artists should know about two Julia Camerons. There is the Julia Cameron we talk about in the History of Graphic Design. A pioneering portrait photographer, Julia M. Cameron grew up in Ceylon, modern-day Sri Lanka. She moved to the Isle of Wright off the coast of England and was a neighbor to many British VIP’sContinue reading “Julia & Julia Cameron”

Shannon Collins’ Critters

Shannon Collins stopped by the blog and dropped us a line. She won the Kutztown Senior illustration award when she graduated in 2006. She is now the editor at Bucks & Montgomery Living Magazine. The word ‘Living’ in the title means it covers everything but zombies in those two Pennsylvania counties. Shannon wrote an interestingContinue reading “Shannon Collins’ Critters”

Brooklyn, Zombies & the News from St. Louis

Martin Lemelman, beloved Kutztown illustration faculty emeritus, shared some good news. He learned that his graphic novel, Two Cents Plain: My Brooklyn Boyhood was chosen by The New York Society Library as a winner in the 2010-2011 New York City Book Awards. He didn’t even know the book was in the running. Martin was onContinue reading “Brooklyn, Zombies & the News from St. Louis”

TOM HUCK: –St. Louis Living Legend

Huck runs Evil Prints, a state-of-the art print studio in a borderline neighborhood of St, Louis. Most university print programs would envy his work space and presses. Huck is surrounded by an entourage good-looking women, and bad-looking men. Printmakers are an odd lot. Huck is odder than most. He throws wild ‘performance’ parties. He isContinue reading “TOM HUCK: –St. Louis Living Legend”

Ross Moody: Clever Pays

Ross Moody was on campus the other day. He is an inventive guy. He does small-run limited edition cards and posters, and what we call printed ephemera. He told me his series of Valentine’s Day cards were a big hit. I asked him about his studio and why it is called 55 Hi’s. “Well,… I thoughtContinue reading “Ross Moody: Clever Pays”

Philadelphia Union: A Dream Internship

There are dream internships. Sometimes students get jealous of their classmates’ amazing internships. We’ve written here about Matt Twombly interning at Marvel and Amanda Geisinger at Nickelodeon. As Amanda said, “Go for your dream internship. It worked for me! It can happen, because they don’t have to pay you. Try to work for free after youContinue reading “Philadelphia Union: A Dream Internship”

Pittsburgh Comics

Pittsburgh has a lively comics scene. It is home to the Toonseum, one of only three museums in the US dedicated to the cartoon arts. The great comics store Copacetic Comics is still in Pittsburgh, now on Polish Hill. Visit Copacetic and you’ll find an outstanding collection of alternative comics. Bill Boichel, the owner, reminds meContinue reading “Pittsburgh Comics”

Scotty Beams Up: Scotty Reifsnyder

SeeScotty.com is a site worth a visit, 2001 KU alum Scott Reifsnyder’s personal illustration and design web site. Still more mind-boggling is another site he worked at, Headcase Design. This was his day job, at Dr. Kepple’s laboratory, where Scotty assisted in the “treatment a broad range of design disorders.” Scotty is a good friend. AfterContinue reading “Scotty Beams Up: Scotty Reifsnyder”

Picking an Art School, part 2: The Best State School for Art

James McMullan said the search for an illustration style is a very personal thing, like deciding if you prefer to wear silk or cotton. Same goes for picking an art school; you need to know yourself. “Art School,” or “University” with a good art program? It is a very personal thing. A big city artContinue reading “Picking an Art School, part 2: The Best State School for Art”

Picking an Art School

Some of this may relate to other art and design majors, but I’m focusing on illustration. I often talk with talented high school students considering studying art at college. My advice should be taken with a grain of salt. It took me 17 years to get my bachelor’s degree. During those wonder years I studied atContinue reading “Picking an Art School”