Author Archives: illustrationclass

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”

KU CD grad opens New Design Studio

Just yesterday, CD Dept. chairperson Todd McFeely told me he sensed the job market for designers was turning the corner. He’s been hearing more and more good news from recent grads who have found work in the design field. Even more encouraging is that grads are starting new businesses from scratch. Victor Beazzo wrote yesterdayContinue reading “KU CD grad opens New Design Studio”

Dig it! Dinosaurs by Kelly Weihs

Kelly Weihs just graduated May 2010, BFA, Communication Design. When I saw her illustration in the Tower, I wrote to ask her how it happened. She wrote back, “I was in professor Dr. Ed Simpson’s Dinosaur class at KU.  I’d sent him dino artwork I had done in one of my illustration classes, and heContinue reading “Dig it! Dinosaurs by Kelly Weihs”

BEANO slid under my door

Someone slipped BEANO (not the anti-gas medicine!) the British comic book, under my door. This was just before break, during exam week. I was thrilled and amazed. I hadn’t seen a copy since I was in England in 1995 teaching British Humorous Illustration as part of the KU/UK program. This copy is dated  July 30,Continue reading “BEANO slid under my door”

Illustration at KU: 2010 Review

This blog began in June as a sort of trial balloon with the intention of highlighting the many accomplishments of KU’s illustration concentration. There is a myth, repeat myth, that KU is shutting down illustration. The roots of this misconception may be due to the reduced footprint of illustration in the new Sharadin building. ButContinue reading “Illustration at KU: 2010 Review”

Who lives in a Pineapple under the Sea? –Who draws him?

What’s SpongeBob Really Like? is the most visited page on this blog. KU grad Amanda Geisinger, web designer of Nick.com’s SpongeBob site, told us she can fiddle with SpongeBob art, but only a few select artists are actually permitted to draw SpongeBob. Of course, Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of all Bikini Bottom’s characters, is in thatContinue reading “Who lives in a Pineapple under the Sea? –Who draws him?”

Incoming!! Chris Dacre: WAR is FUN!

Chris Dacre (rhymes with baker) is the winner of the 2011 Sharadin Gallery Installation Residency at Kutztown University. The residency, which comes with a $10,000 budget, attracted over 150 proposals from all corners of the world.  I visited Dacre’s website to learn about his artwork. Most recently living in New Mexico, he has a BFAContinue reading “Incoming!! Chris Dacre: WAR is FUN!”

Illustration Confidential

It is always worse somewhere. The NY Times reported on China’s “vast army of college graduates seeking professional jobs.” Gordon Chang tells the sad story of 1,100 Chinese college grads applying for 8 jobs shoveling human waste, or “night soil.” Sometimes it seems like the prospects for illustrators are just a bleak. Years ago, Prof. Cunfer andContinue reading “Illustration Confidential”