Most of my work over the years deals with current events and is largely based in some sort of reality. Jobs that come from a fantasy and fictional point of view are sometimes a nice releif to that. It gives me the chance to get lost in a world or visual that can go anywhere - like a girl sitting in a bathtub moments before she explodes the tub...with her mind!
Irene Gallo at Tor Books/Tor.com contacted me to do this job - and of course, I was thrilled to do it.
I loved the story, 'At the Foot of the Lighthouse' written by author and game designer Erin Hoffman. It was written with such wonderful visuals so it was easy to pick a powerful and surprising moment in the story to illustrate. Please visit Tor.com and give it a full read.
Working with Irene was pretty much what I expected from an art director who absolutely loves illustration and has worked with artists pretty much as long as I've been an illustrator myself - she picked one of my sketch idea and got out of the way. Her only art direction was to maybe take out the tower in the background unless I felt it needed to be in there. I took her advice.
The sketches to the left of the red line is what I actually sent her. Irene also agreed to pick the piece that I very subtly indicated in the image. I was originally going to send the ones on the right also but decided to crop that part off. It was just too many ideas really going nowhere. You have to cut out the fat and only give an art director what you want to paint.
Thank you Irene for the opportunity and thank you Erin Hoffman for writing such a cool story!
Scientist Alien (Realizes There is No Hope For His Planet) | 5x7" | Acrylic and Ink
It is an honor to contribute to the Microvisions Exhibition this year. The exhibition of these wonderful 5x7 images is going on right now at the Society of Illustrators. My piece is called Scientist Alien (Realizes There is No Hope For His Planet) and it will be on display from April 17, 2012 - May 12, 2012.
The other amazing artists in this years auction include: Julie Bell, Scott Brundage, Brian Despain, Nathan Fowkes, Rebecca Guay, Scott Gustafson, John Picacio, Dan Dos Santos, Peter de Seve, Chris Rahn and Terryl Whitlatch. All of whom created stunning pieces of art...I got my eye on one or two myself to bid on!
I originally did the graphite drawing thinking I would submit that but in the end, I felt that a full color piece would be more appropriate. The graphite version is still available and if anyone is interested in purchasing it, I will also donate all the funds to the scholarships.
The money raised by this auction will go to fund the Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Competition. Since its inception, the Society has awarded over $1.5 million to students across the country. Receiving over 8,000 entries this year and with only a little over 200 pieces accepted it has become one of the most dificult competitions to get into (for both student and professional). What results is some of the best student art around. Twenty five judges for 5 long days look through tons of images. It is no easy task but I always have confidence as the judges we bring in are some of the most world-class artists and art directors around. This year's judges were:
Ross MacDonald, Rob Dunlavey, Harry Campbell, Bill Mayer, John S. Dykes, Aviva Michaelov, Roxanna Vizcarra, Gregory Nemec, Rebecca Guay, Chad Beckerman, Donato Giancola, Julia Rothman, Caroline Hwang, Murray Tinkelman, Gregory Benton, Scott Brundage, David Palumbo, Lauren Panepinto, Mark Elliot, Victo Ngai, Jordan Awan, Kim Rosen, Scott Grimando, Matt Rota, Marcellus Hall.
I would be remiss if I didn't thank the people that are part of the larger picture. First, my committee who help get the wonderful judges and be a great support team; Jordin Isip, Irene Gallo and Dan Dossantos. I would also to thank the entire staff at the Society for they all help out making the judging and the awards gala happen. They include Anelle Miller, Executive Director of the Society (whom I owe many thanks for), Tara Jacoby for designing the catalogue and of course, the coordinator that I couldn't live without: Kate Feirtag Exhibition and Scholarships Coordinator.
Lastly, thank you to all the enthusiastic teachers. If there wasn't the support from you educating your students how important the Society and the competition is, we would not be able to do what we do. Also thank you to the former students who have at one time been accepted into the competition and who I often see at the Student Gala every year and support the competition. Now considered world-class illustrators former awardees include Sam Weber, Tim O'Brien, Matt Mahurin, John Jude Palencar, James Jean, Tomer Hanuka, Dan Dos Santos and hundreds of others that keep the enthusiasm high. Thank you.
Out on the streets today, the current OC Weekly cover created for Art Director Laila Derakhshanian. Laila was great to talk to and really easy to work with which made this job a breeze.
"About the push for Laura's Law, a 2003 state law that allows a court, with input from health care providers and family members, to order treatment for the severely mentally ill. Counties must decide whether to implement Laura's Law. Orange County does not have it in place. For those over 18, no one can force you into treatment unless you are a danger to yourself, a danger to others or gravely disabled.
The focus of the story Matt Hoff, a mentally ill 18-year-old who was missing for two weeks. His mother, Jennifer, believes that Matt should not be free to roam the streets, sick and homeless, but there is nothing she can do because he has not chosen to receive treatment, and the laws protect his wishes. She will be going to Sacramento to talk to legislators and try to fight for his care."
Above are the sketches I sent over - even with an idea of a previous personal piece I did that could have possibly worked on some level. I didn't think they would go for it but I think you have to give even the more odder ideas a chance.
They decided that they really dug the first two pieces which were my favorites anyway and wanted a combination of the two. Got to love that!
After I got the final approvals, I did a cleaned up version for myself to transfer to the board. I originally thought that the figure needed to look more masculine which is why the facial hair but in the end, he didn't need it.
Even though the deadline was really tight and I had two other deadlines looming, I spent some extra time on these jobs exploring color, texture and other things that I am working into some current pieces. It may not be obvious here yet - because I didn't want to experiment too much on a quick deadline job - but I've been playing with some stuff that pushes me to grow a bit more. I am pretty happy with this painting on a few different levels and would like to thank Laila for the chance to work with OC Weekly.
After Kristina was part of a recent group show at the Lincoln Arts Project Gallery, we decided to take part in an upcoming exhibition together called ‘Match: Artist Couples’.
Yeah – I know – kind of hokey but we thought it would be an interesting project to do as a couple. We have such divergent styles and don't collaborate at all with each other, only seek advice once in a while. We thought it would be interesting to see what we would do.
This is my portrait of Kristina in her studio with the painting smock she always adorns when she’s working in front of a love of hers, her books. The local alternative weekly paper the Dig Boston interviewed us along with some of the other artists in the show. Reception: Friday, February 10, 7-10pm
The Lincoln Arts Project (LAP) Gallery
289 Moody Street
Waltham, MA 02453
Show Dates: February 8 – March 10
...and here is Kristina's stellar portrait for the show!
