New York Times / Science

I did this one for Peter Morance for today's New York Times, for whom I tend to do comics instead of one large illustration. It's fun to come up with a visual story that goes with the written text.

The article talks about the linguistic stylings of teenage girls and young women and how they influence common language. The latest trend that some linguists believe to have found is the "vocal fry", when you lower your voice at the end of a sentence.…

EastBay Express Sex Issue

The EastBay Express from Oakland, CA is doing their first ever Sex Issue and I contributed several illustrations plus the cover. You can read the articles on their website.

 

On the cover are two cranes from the Port of Oakland. The other illustrations are about the Amateur Erotic Film Festival, the Dungeon / SM Scene, Online Dating, GrindR, and finally a "Sex-Map" of the whole East Bay area. Thanks to co-editor Kathleen Richards for the great project!

Pencil Factory

Last week I switched studios and moved into a space at the Pencil Factory. This is a hub of illustrators and designers in a former Warehouse of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, I know it'll be inspiring and fun to work 
here.

For quite a few years I worked from home, before I moved into the Fowler Arts Collective last year. I realized that having a studio helps me structure my workdays (and also gets me out of the house), and that it's overall beneficial for a work-o-holic such as me. It has made me kind of a "Union-Illustrator", I like to work 9-5, or more likely, 10-6. If the workload permits.

Now I've moved into the Pencil Factory, because people's schedules and work will be more similar to mine, and because it's a great place overall.

I'm sharing a space with the awesome Alex Eben Meyer, Jing Wei, GB Tran and Neil Swaab. And of course there are many other super-nice and hardworking artists in the building, some of which I know, some of which I'm looking forward to meeting.

So here's to a great 2012!

THE WOODS accolades

Some nice news for THE WOODS, some of you might already have heard them on my facebook page.

First of all, the Texas Library Association has selected my book for the 2012 2x2 Reading List. Each year, the 2X2 Committee selects a list of 20 recommended books for children, age two to grade two. It's exciting that my book will be read by many children across Texas.

Furthermore, THE WOODS made it into the Scholastic Book Club. I'm thrilled and very much looking forward to seeing their version!

Two other new editions of THE WOODS are also in the works: Chinese rights have been aquired by Hsiao Lu Publishing. THE WOODS will be published both in simple and complex characters. Many thanks also to Chronicle for arranging this! Hsiao Lu have also published the Chinese edition of HAT.

And finally, here is a very nice review on the blog Creating A Reader– from New Zealand! It's exciting to hear about kids' reactions to the book, especially from the other side of the world!

Stranger Illustration

A wistful piece for The Stranger, it was my last illustration of 2011.
Many thanks to Art Director Aaron Huffman!

Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year to all of you!
Wishing you a great 2012 with lots of good things!
And as always, thanks for visiting!

Happy Holidays!

I'll be away from the studio from December 15th through 30th, I'm wishing you Happy Holidays and all the best! Looking forward to seeing you and working with you in 2012!

This year's Holiday card of the RWTH Aachen University in Germany.

Successful Festival

The Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival was great fun and a great success! I really enjoyed chatting it up with colleagues and customers, and the crowd was terrific! There was a big interest in our printed goods.
I was particularly thrilled how well my gonzo superhero-comics (as seen on THE BEHOLDER blog) were received, and that some attendees had seen my show at the Brooklyn Public Library.

Here is a photo of my table-mates Chris Butzer and Tory Sica, as well as honorary guests Naz Kazi and Captain Evening. Thanks to Gabe, Bill and Dan and everybody who helped putting together this great festival, and to everyone who came!