Launching




So, two weeks ago I graduated from Syracuse University, summa cum laude. It was a very high note to end four years on -- in addition to academic honors, I graduated with the Outstanding Senior Award, given to the best graduating illustrator in the department, and the Thomas Yohe award, which came with a nice little going away gift. I made some fantastic friends, learned more than I could ever have imagined, and became an illustrator. I owe Syracuse everything. I will miss studio and my classmates tremendously.

But now the real work starts. I've spent the past two weeks both recovering and putting together a new studio space. I have one small freelance gig I'm working on, and then I have to start work on this year's Applefest poster (we're doing it a bit earlier this year), which should be a blast. I'm also sending out cards like a madman. It's up to around 50-something right now and there's a new batch of 20 for this week. And then in a few months, they go out again. And again. And again. Until the end of days. How exciting! The above work was the first thing I did upon getting home -- a thank you card specially printed for all of the nice people that commented on my portfolio at Lubin House.

Oh, and if posts are few and far between right now, it's because I NEED A SCANNER. The first thing to miss about school was the access to equipment. I've had to get several things scanned at home, and it's been nuts. The first time I tried the staples in town and they had sent the scanner guy home, so I went to Kinkos and they charged me eight dollars for ONE SCAN. I was furious but I really had no choice. The second time I went to staples, and the scanner-man was there, so I got it for 50 cents. Ugh. Hopefully this issue will be corrected soon. I'll post a lot more artwork then.

Lubin House Postcard



Syracuse University alumni in Advertising Design, Illustration, and Communications Design will be receiving one of these cards, illustrated by yours truly, in the mail sometime soon. Come to Lubin House! Look at our portfolios! We're paying for it! Really!

Oh, and figures are all either myself or my classmates. Except the guy in front. He is no one.

President: check!







The books came! And they look brilliant! Blurb.com -- wonderful prints, just wonderful. All 44 presidents, a foreword, and some neato printing = nifty promotional materials. I am most pleased.

P is for Pedophile



Following the recent goings-on in Europe.

Teaser



I feel like I haven't seen the outside world in so long. There's only the computer screen. This project, not surprisingly, is taking forever. First there was the drawing, then there was the scanning, then there was the cleaning, then there was the formatting. Now: the inking. This part will be done digitally, because I really really really don't want to mess these drawings up. This way I can do it again and again and again until I'm satisfied! And then maybe someday I'll finish!

Anyhow, I think I've finally got a system worked out for the digital ink blotches. Above is something of a prototype. The drawing, of course, is Abraham Lincoln. He's one of my favorite drawings out of the entire batch -- I think because I've drawn him soooo many times, he comes more naturally to me. I feel like I know his face. That's kind of weird.

Picture an entire book of these. Go ahead. Do it.

Hoot.



Okay, so it's been a little while since I've updated. That won't happen again. I'd like to keep this blog more active from now on. In a couple months, I will journey into the great beyond that is the professional world. It's awful scary looking out there. I wouldn't want to go without a blog.

Some bits of news, as I transition:

- The "Applefest" piece that got into the Society of Illustrators Student Show this year was the recipient of the $2500 Nancy Lee Rhodes Roberts Scholarship Award! Woohoo! The awards ceremony is the 7th of May at the Society of Illustrators, from 6:00 PM to 8:00. Come! Be merry! I shall be attending!

- I'm in the middle of a fairly large project that will be finding it's way onto the internet shortly. All 44 Presidents of the United States. Epic. I won't reveal too much until I have a product to show. As we speak (you and I, oh devoted reader), all of the drawings are done. But there's some design work to do -- I'm getting them printed as a book on blurb.com as something of a promotional piece, and also as a deck of trading cards. So much to do, so little time...

- There's going to be a fairly massive influx of new work in the next few weeks as I make final preparations for graduation, and...

- The website has been updated! A new painting, some minor fixes, yadda yadda. Check it out.

Anywho, I'll be more present on the internets as we go. Until next time!

Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Competition 2010




I know I've already posted these pieces -- but I just received notification that the two of them got into the Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship 2010 show!! The exhibit goes up on May 5, 2010 -- and there's an opening reception on May 7. Congratulations to all the other accepted entries!