KUTZTOWN to LEGOLAND

Austin Carlson graduated from KU in May, 2012 with a BFA in Communication Design. He won the Don Breter Illustration Award. Lately he has been working at a supermarket near his home in Hanover, PA. That will all change in a few weeks when he flies to Denmark to start his new job as aContinue reading “KUTZTOWN to LEGOLAND”

When Museums Cohabitate.

I was sorry to hear of MoCCA’s near-death experience. I’ve met some interesting people at the Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art in lower Manhattan. I ran into Prof. Bill Foster there, the expert on the portrayal of African-Americans in comics. He came to Kutztown to share his presentation, “Looking for a Face Like Mine.” Last summer MoCCA went broke andContinue reading “When Museums Cohabitate.”

Russ Spitkovsky: The Pigeon Has Landed

Russ Spitkovsky makes things happen. He came to Kutztown as one of the 9 artists in the 2012 Print Invitational at the Miller Gallery.  The founder of the cutting edge art magazine Carrier Pigeon hung artwork from the latest issue at the Eckhaus Gallery on Main St. He circled back this week as a visiting artistContinue reading “Russ Spitkovsky: The Pigeon Has Landed”

Type faces

Prof. Josh Miller asked his students to create faces from type. Some of the results were quite fine. He’s hung a selection up outside the CD print lab. I asked him if I could share a few of the best here. The class is called Intro to Digital Design II. The exercise is meant to familiarizeContinue reading “Type faces”

St. Patrick & His Miracles & Me

Patrick McCloskey was born in Killycolman, County Donegal, Ireland. He was my grandfather. He immigrated to the US around 1915. His family in Ireland called him “Paddy the Yank.” He celebrated his birthday on St. Patrick’s Day. My middle name is Patrick, after him. There are many Pat McCloskeys. I’ve got a wife named Patt,Continue reading “St. Patrick & His Miracles & Me”

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”

Rare Birds of Lore

Out of the blue I got a note about Ryan and Audrey Durney’s “Birds of Lore” Kickstarter project. I was impressed enough by this couple’s fantasy illustration project to become a low-level backer. I emailed them a few questions and asked to share some of their art here.  Q. Other than Leo and Diane Dillon IContinue reading “Rare Birds of Lore”

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”

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”