I’m off campus at the moment, far off-campus, on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. I am participating in an NEH Institute along with 23 other professors of various topics from across the U.S. The NEH (National Endowment for the Humanities) and CCHA (Community College Humanities Association) are co-sponsoring a five-week study tour of the MayaContinue reading “In the Maya World”
Category Archives: Faculty
Mike Tyson and Vinnie Torre
One of the great things about these WordPress blogs is that the moderator is able to see which search terms visitors are using to reach this page. Lately there has been a big upsurge in searches for “Vinnie Torre”, “Hoboken Museum,” and “pigeons.” I wrote about Vinnie last year in my very first Illustration ConcentrationContinue reading “Mike Tyson and Vinnie Torre”
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”
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”
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”
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”
Drawing a Shaggy Dog Named Pavlov
Howard Campbell first told me the story of the real dog Pavlov at Zandunga, a restaurant in Oaxaca, Mexico. Pavlov is a bright and fun-loving dog, who learned a lot through positive psychological reinforcement. Pavlov had belonged to his late brother. The photo above shows Pavlov at George Campbell’s grave. Howard asked me to illustrateContinue reading “Drawing a Shaggy Dog Named Pavlov”
Illustration Concentration 