Once and Future Prints

Illustrators rejoice over the resurgence of interest in prints. Some illustrators are also fine printmakers. Some printmakers are illustrators. Above is a print by an artist who manages to live in both worlds, Frances Jetter. We will see her artwork in Kutztown soon. Kutztown University’s Invitational Print Exhibition opens Thurs., Sept. 6. Professor Evan SummerContinue reading “Once and Future Prints”

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”

Dylan Rush: Best in Show: Lucky Break?

Dylan Rush, 19, a Communication Design sophomore at Kutztown University won Best in Show Award at the 2012 Hazelton Art League Open Exhibition. He drew a series of line art portraits of Joe Paterno in January for his first assignment in Kevin McCloskey’s Illustration Techniques class. Dylan calls the work “Joe Pa.” You will noticeContinue reading “Dylan Rush: Best in Show: Lucky Break?”

Wyatt Glennon’s art to hang in Museum of American Illustration

Wyatt Glennon’s illustration Egypt will hang on the walls of the Museum of American Illustration in NYC from May 9-June 2. This project was created in Prof. Denise Bosler’s Illustration I class. There will be a reception and awards presentation at the Society of Illustrators on May 18, free and open to the public, details here. The greatContinue reading “Wyatt Glennon’s art to hang in Museum of American Illustration”

An Illustrator’s Mind Explored

Loni Sue Johnson is an an illustrator who has had enormous success. Her whimsical watercolor illustrations graced the pages of the NY Times and six memorable New Yorker covers. Then one day in 2007 she fell ill with viral encephalitis, a rare condition, sometimes carried by mosquitos and ticks. She survived the virus, but largeContinue reading “An Illustrator’s Mind Explored”

Jeff Smith and Jeffrey Smith are both great illustrators.

There are at least 2 great illustrators named Jeff Smith. One is a Pennsylvania-born cartoonist who moved to Ohio and started cartooning for the Ohio State Lantern. In 1991, Smith self-published a small black and white comic book called Bone. Bone went platinum, with such a fanatic following that it was picked up by majorContinue reading “Jeff Smith and Jeffrey Smith are both great illustrators.”

AIDS day ART

WORLD AIDS DAY December 1 is World AIDS Day. I knew AIDS before it had a name. In the 1980’s I lived in San Francisco in a household that included gay men. It was a time of palpable fear. Years later, when the scourge had a name, I lost a dear friend, a gifted photographer,Continue reading “AIDS day ART”

Jonathan Bean, local children’s book illustrator makes good

Once upon a time, a young man named Jonathan Bean  stopped by KU’s beloved old Communication Design House. This must have been nearly a decade ago. He was a recent grad from Messiah College in central PA with a small portfolio and large ambitions. He was wondering about topping off his bachelor’s degree from MessiahContinue reading “Jonathan Bean, local children’s book illustrator makes good”

César Chávez: Éxito!

Éxito means success in Spanish. César Chávez has been in the U.S for just about two weeks. He first crossed the border on foot in Arizona. He has already forgiven the policeman there who forced him to kneel on the pavement with his hands up while drug dogs sniffed his backpack. Fortunately, César has sinceContinue reading “César Chávez: Éxito!”