El ilustrante Extravagante

Geroca

2007-07-07T07:27:10+00:00

A couple of months ago I arrived on time at six
o’clock in the afternoon to a popular bar in downtown
Monterrey to meet Geroca (Gerardo Rodríguez Canales,
1955). I opened the door, the day was outside and the
night inside. For a moment I felt out of place and I
toured the whole place with false selfconfidence all
the way to the restrooms in order to know well the
place. When I came out of the restroom, a seated man
at a the corner raised his hand towards me. He had a
notebook on the table so I deducted that he was
Geroca. He likewise noted that I was out of place.

We greeted each other, I sat down, and in silence, I
took out my notebook and some pens that I showed him
so that he would know my tools. He looked at them and
kept for himself 2 fine point Bic pens that he placed
next to the bundle of pensils that he had in his
shirt’s pocket. On the table there was a box of pies
and Staedtler chalks close to his beers. He looked at
me again, I returned his glance and without saying a
word we started to draw each other.

My top image–portrait is from the notebook that Geroca
used that day. When we finished we spoke a little of
everything among many drawing silences.

Ajolotur to Xilitla

2007-06-24T18:04:38+00:00

A couple of weeks ago my friend and designer Alejandro García invited me to his Ajolotur with young designers students from Cedim and UdeM. It was an inspirational trip to la Huasteca potosína in the town of Xilitla. The students helped to create new products to local crafters. Here is a video from that experience:

YouTube video.
Video by Lacho Flores.

The official web site of Ajolotur is here. Next trip will be to Chihuahua and the Mata Ortíz ceramics. Drawgers are invited to come.

Aegri Somnia - Works on paper

2007-03-19T18:09:20+00:00

Aegri Somnia pictures

It was an excellent month full of work and new projects. The main issue was to prepare my solo show titled Aegri Somnia. I started months ago with several techniques and I was not happy with the results of them. The deadline was shorter each day.
A month before the show, a friend of mine -Blanca Dorantes- suggested me that I should not look and judge my work when I finished each piece, she recommended me that I should work all the pieces in a single shot and it worked.
Even that I did not macerate each work and I did not have time or enough work to do a better selection of my work, I am happy with the results.
The exhibition is in Saltillo, Coahuila. México. Centro Cultural Casa Purcell. I did the 90 percent of this work in almost 30 days using colors, glue, pencils, pens, papers, etc . All works are on paper.
My friend Francisco Serrano wrote me this epitaph for the show (spanish):

EPITAFIO DE FEDERICO JORDÁN

Hablen, muros, del hombre solitario
que en el grave desorden de su casa
sin poder controlar sus pensamientos
encerrado en sí mismo dibujaba.
Digan que amó la mancha del grafito,
que de noche y sin luz blandió pinceles
e hizo bestiarios de megapixeles
para pintar deforme la belleza,
porque hallaba en lo enfermo de ese acto
para sus cuitas el suspiro exacto.

Francisco Javier Serrano,

5 de febrero 2086.

I think this exhibition is a good start to do better work in the future and experiment more in personal subjects. Here are pictures from the show: Aegri Somnia pictures

Twitter

2007-03-19T01:58:50+00:00

I got two days ago an editorial assignment from a weekly magazine about a new Internet phenomenon: Twitter.com

I visited the URL for a reference and it is very addictive. I am now a twitter! It is too dangerous to be an illustrator.... This is my site there.

Teaching Illustration

2007-01-20T18:10:50+00:00

I got this morning an email from Allworth Press. The new book from Steven Heller and Marshall Arisman titled Teaching Illustration is ready and they will kindly ship some copies to me.

I am a contributor with a course syllabi I offered in the Facultad de Artes Visuales here in Monterrey, NL. México. The next is an abstract text from Allworth Press web site:

Teaching Illustration: Course Offerings and Class Projects from the Leading Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

by Steven Heller and Marshall Arisman

This invaluable teaching tool features a wealth of illustration course syllabi from leading art and design schools across the U.S. and Europe.

From editorial illustration to animation, books, and Internet, this resource offers a comprehensive array of topics, reading lists, and teaching tips for courses of all levels. Readers will learn how teachers are addressing changes within the field, as well as how they continue teaching the conventional needs of illustration.

Each syllabus includes an introduction, course requirements, a weekly breakdown, suggestions for projects, and selected readings in an accessible, easy-to-read format, enabling teachers to choose inspiring topics and materials and structure a class intelligently. The combined syllabi provide a snapshot of the contemporary world of illustration and show where education is headed. For beginning educators seeking orientation or for veterans seeking new inspiration, this illustration book will be essential.

This unique teaching tool features more than fifty syllabi from leading art and design schools across the country. From editorial and book illustration to animation and digital design, this resource offers a comprehensive array of topics, reading lists, and teaching tips for courses of all levels. The book is divided into two sections - undergraduate and graduate - that are, in turn, divided by year of study.

Each syllabus includes an overview, course requirements, a weekly breakdown, suggestions for projects, and selected readings, enabling teachers to choose inspiring topics and materials and structure a class intelligently. For beginning educators seeking orientation or for veterans seeking new inspiration, Teaching Illustration is an essential read.

Sketch book I

2007-01-01T22:58:24+00:00

The best for 1997. This is the last sketchbook from 2006. You can see the complete book here (4.2 Mb).

Chritsmas joy

2006-12-17T20:05:22+00:00

I made this work for Centro Cultural de España in México City. Illustrator Jorge Alderete assigned me this temporally mural (98 inches by 40 inches). To approach the subject of Christmas, within the topic of the extinction, made me reflect over my spirit, which I target with joy to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

The life likes circles and my essence is a continuous battle between Eros and Thanatos, my self-destruction and my creative potential. Today the circle has given another turn to resurge with joy to my life. The illustrator is back!

You can see a larger image here.
Happy Holidays!

My studio

2006-12-09T21:46:06+00:00

This is a picture from my studio. My space is disarranged, but today for sure I will orderly it. I am painting lately with enamel on wood panel and in the next weeks I will continue posting this work here. The painting at your left is the first of this series I am preparing. I like the oily look the surface takes with enamel, but I am still practicing how to handle the painting with the brushes. at the bottom is my drawing table and my computer. You can see a larger image if you click here.

Halloween

2006-10-31T14:33:32+00:00

Everybody was uploading seasonal images for this Halloween.

This image was made for Letras Libres and it is about our life in México and its violence with drugs and killings in the border some months ago. Inspired by Posada.

Well... not only in the border... I live in Monterrey and yesterday a men group with weapons entered a restaurant to pick up a man eating there sea food. The food is really good there, though.

This image was selected in the 3x3 Magazine illustration annual.

Calder�n

2006-10-31T01:51:08+00:00

Felipe Calderón is the elected president of México and I made this illustration several times. I need it the face of a crazy and insane president we need for the next six years.

Who brings postcards to a party?

2006-10-30T03:52:10+00:00

Edel Rodríguez once wrote: "who brings a sketchbook on a date?"

But what about bringing postcards and a sketchbook in a party with friends? My friend Paco Lule organized a celebration here in Monterrey city.

I just wanted to write something before sunday ends... Have a nice week!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyxXzUGgZMk

Phone

2006-10-25T12:42:26+00:00

http://www.fjordan.com/more/voces/

In February 2004 I called friends and colleagues with the purpose of asking them about their relationship with art direction in their illustration work process and their perception in the future of our industry.

I am back! (I was just sleeping)

2006-10-23T03:44:00+00:00

Thanks to all of you. Leo Espinosa, Alex Murawski, Robert Sounders, Bob Staake, Rob Dunlavey, Tim OBrien, Edel Rodríguez and many friends for their posts.

I am awake now and I'll post back again frequently. I updated the gallery. I post this poem by Bécquer. Original text in spanish is at the bottom. Enjoy it!

Rima III
by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
translated by Howard A. Landman

Strange jolt
that shakes up ideas,
like a hurricane that impels
the waves' mad rush;

murmur rising
in the soul and growing
like a volcano recklessly
announcing it will burn;

deformed silhouettes
of impossible beings;
landscapes that appear
like a curtain of tulle;

colors that fuse
in the air imitating
motes of rainbow
that swim in the light;

ideas without words
words without sense;
cadences that have
no rate or compass;

memories and desires
for things that don't exist;
upwellings of joy
surges of crying;

nervous activity
that finds no outlet;
flying horse
with no reins to guide it;

madness that exalts
and inflames the spirit;
divine intoxication
of the creative genius ...
Such is inspiration!

giant voice that orders
the chaos in the brain,
and between the shadows
makes light appear;

brilliant gold rein
that forcefully controls
the soaring steed
of the exalted mind;

thread of light that
binds thoughts together;
sun that scatters the clouds
and touches the zenith;

clever hand
that is able to string
defiant words
into a necklace of pearls;

harmonious rhythm
that with cadence and count
imprisons fugitive notes
within its compass;

chisel that bites the block
to carve the statue
and the beauty of clay
going beyond the ideal;

atmosphere in which ideas
gyrate with order,
as atoms bind
by arcane attraction;

torrent in whose waves
the fever slakes its thirst;
oasis that revives
the vigor of the spirit ...
Such is our reason!

With both always struggling
and conquering both
only thus can genius
bind the two with one yoke.

----------

Sacudimiento extraño
que agita las ideas,
como huracán que empuja
las olas en tropel;

murmullo que en el alma
se eleva y va creciendo
como volcán que sordo
anuncia que va a arder;

deformes siluetas
de seres imposibles;
paisajes que aparecen
como un través de un tul;

colores que fundiéndose
remedan en el aire
los átomos del Iris
que nadan en la luz

ideas sin palabras
palabras sin sentido;
cadencias que no tienen
ni ritmo ni compás;

memorias y deseos
de cosas que no existen;
accesos de alegría
impulsos de llorar;

actividad nerviosa
que no halla en qué emplearse;
sin rienda que lo guíe
caballo volador;

locura que el espíritu
exalta y enardece
embriaguez divina
del genio creador...
¡Tal es la inspiración!

gigante voz que el caos
ordena en el cerebro,
y entre las sombras hace
la luz aparecer;

brillante rienda de oro
que poderosa enfrena
de la exaltada mente
el volador corcel;

hilo de luz que en hace
lo pensamientos ata;
sol que las nubes rompe
y toca en el cenit;

inteligente mano
que en un collar de perlas
consigue las indóciles
palabras reunir;

armonioso ritmo
que con cadencia y número
las fugitivas notas
encierra en el compás;

cincel que el bloque muerde
la estatua moldeando
y la belleza plástica
añade a la ideal;

atmósfera en que giran
con orden las ideas,
cual átomos que agrupa
recóndita atracción;

raudal en cuyas ondas
su sed la fiebre apaga;
oasis que al espíritu
devuelve con vigor...
¡Tal es nuestra razón!

Con ambas siempre en lucha
y de ambas vencedor
tan sólo el genio puede
a un yugo atar las dos.

Elections in México

2006-07-06T19:10:02+00:00

After the narrow elections between the left and right, north and south, my country has been divided. Nothing that we cannot fix, at the end, I am pleased with the result: conservative Calder�n will be our next president.

Newsletter from an illustrator (34)

2006-05-26T17:05:27+00:00

Hola! These have been exciting days filled with new projects. I would like to share them with you and the following is a selection of my latest assignments. Best, FJ. --------------------------------------------------- Wendy's International Inc. The old fashioned hamburgers wanted to play with their character Wendy. Ron Forth Advertising in Ohio hired me for this alternative version. Image --------------------------------------------------- Cart of Dead Cris Jaw, Art Director from Harlequin Books wrote: "This is one of my favorites covers so far". Cart of Dead is the new mystery book from Mari Ulmer. Image --------------------------------------------------- F�rum Universal de las Culturas. Monterrey 2007 The F�rum staff and I made this brochure trying to explain with simple images and few words the goals for this important event in 2007. Image --------------------------------------------------- The Wall Street Journal A colorful spot for an article about how expanded airlines alliances and upcoming new routes will offer more options for round-the-world (RTW) travelers. Image --------------------------------------------------- Scientific American Magazine Full page illustration for an article called "Crossing the Barrier". It's about the ability of certain substances to break through the blood-brain barrier which can actually keep medicines from reaching the brain and nervous system as well as keeping the bad stuff out. Image --------------------------------------------------- Harvard Business Review This is one of four illos I did for an article about sales. Image --------------------------------------------------- Plansponsor Magazine A page illustration for the Summer issue. IFCA is working to build an independent financial center in the middle of nowhere: the Atlantic Ocean. Image --------------------------------------------------- Kong Expo kong.com.mx An exhibition in M�xico City with designers: Jorge Alderete, Quique Ollervides, Moderato - Fobia's bass player Ch� and Clarisa Moura. "Federico Jordan and Zeloot illustrate what we all think of but never express: what we would do with a beautiful girl literally in our hand. Yes, we are pigs, I mean, apes." Image --------------------------------------------------- Electronic Magazine Reed Elzevier magazine hire me to do this image about the battle with HDVD and Blue DVD technologies. Image --------------------------------------------------- Letras Libres It is not easy supporting Africa for charity. Image --------------------------------------------------- Please feel free to contact us for new assignments or stock sales. My toll free phone is 1 888 462 2094 or contact my agents Gerald & Cullen Rapp at 1 212 889 3337. Desde M�xico marca directo al 01 800 701 3221. http://fjordan.com �2006 Federico Jord�n G�mez.

Today

2006-05-26T14:15:56+00:00

I am illustrator. Am I one of those that make you shake or you forget? This morning I wish my future vignettes will be free and dangerous. That they escape from their jail of letters and threaten you with knives of emotion and empathy. What happened to me today?

Long time!

2006-05-22T14:12:43+00:00

Working on a coming personal exhibition titled "Hombre" which will include works on paper and other projects. This is a text I wrote weeks ago (spanish) for Foro Alfa and an exhibition in M�xico City with designers: Jorge Alderete, Quique Ollervides, Moderato - Fobia's bass player Ch� and Clarisa Moura. "Federico Jordan and Zeloot illustrate what we all think of but never express: what we would do with a beautiful girl literally in our hand. Yes, we are pigs, I mean, apes."

Alexandro and Omar

2006-04-16T02:12:13+00:00

Art Directors and illustrators

2006-04-14T21:20:40+00:00

This is a link with some interviews I made to illustrators at the end of 2004.

This material is related to the future of illustration, art direction and illustration.

http://www.fjordan.com/more/voces/

About last week: I forgot to take photographs. Last week I celebrated my birthday with a dinner and close friends in my house. Illustrator and typographer Gabriel Martínez Meave was a special guest, he visited my city to attend as speaker to the First Encounter for the Visual Arts’ Research, organized by the Facultad de Artes Visuales in my city. It was a nice dinner and my friend Oscar Estrada took care of the grill.

CAUTION: Looking a lot is dangerous for your health

2006-03-29T07:07:44+00:00

I have said I am an artist with a wide imagination and inspiration, I tell I can see the world in a special and unique way. This way, I know I have sometimes questioned myself, how would the world be through another's eyes? This is a request I make myself as if I was fed up to see something so wonderful and I ask to see it from another perspective: others' perspective.

But I think I have planned it all in a wrong and pretentious way, as others' perspective is not as modest as I think. The look of my public is made out of the culture around them, and this action doesn't allow a reflection by itself, or a perspective from a visual anthropology. In order to do so, we would have to add the action of looking to the action of seeing.

Ardevol and Muntañola remark here that the action of seeing is particular action when the view is centered on the interest on the objects in a first stage, while the action of looking is the way to understand and represent the objects we are seeing.

John Berger meditates about this, about how our knowledge can affect our looking, allowing us to reach a subjective message about that we look at. Then, the will to look is a subjective appreciation, after the action of seeing. Seeing becomes as an intuition about the object, and the action of looking as an understanding about such an object.

The topic of looking can be understood in the transcendental logics of Kant, as in the elements introduced "a priori" to the subject. I quote Kant in his first Critic: "Our knowledge has its origin in the spirit of two sources: the first one is to be able to receive the representations; the second, to recognize an object through those representations. We are given an object by the first one, and by the second, the object is thought related to its representations".

Understanding of the object comes after the sensible intuition of an object; that is, the conceptualization about the object. Sensibility and understanding are then the necessary parts of the structure shaping the knowledge, which cannot be built without any of these two pieces. In that sense, I quote Kant again, "Without sensibility we wouldn't have any object and without understanding, no object would be thought".

Regarding this topic, Eusebi Colomer tells us clearly about two different lines of thought in Kant. The first is related to the transcendental esthetics, in which Kant carefully separates science from sensibility, in general and he does the same in his transcendental analytics in science related to understanding. ---Seen like this, the esthetic pleasure in Kant is not the definite knowledge of the object, but of knowledge in general, that is, a judgment of reflection - inductive - with a principle of finality. The relation between subject and object is a contextual universe.----

I wish I can understand that each head is a different world, looking at my look, which has been represented in my illustrations. The request I made from the beginning, must become now an ability to understand my public. I have to understand their culture, their spirit with my message, and that will take me right to the target. Because I think that the essence of my craft is really in the ability to look through anothers eyes.

But who cares! The fun is not to think this stuff and enjoy the work.

First post

2006-03-12T01:32:39+00:00

English is not my maternal language and I will try to write in this blog in the correct way. My apologies if you find faults in my grammar. At the beginning of last year I was writing a blog in my personal page and I thought to translate from spanish to english and take some of the material to this new space. I hope you enjoy my commentaries.