Open Studio at SVA

I've been teaching the Sequential Narrative class in this year's SVA Illustration Summer Residency, and the results will be on display at an open studio tomorrow night, together with all the other Residency Programs. It should be fun!

141 W 21st Street, on the 9th floor, from 6-9pm (one night only!)

Capitol Hill Block Party

I did drawings of Vampire Weekend and Jay Reatard for The Stranger's coverage of the annual Capitol Hill Block Party. The theme was wet'n wild! For more info check out the Stranger website.

100 Posts!

I wanted to thank everybody who has been checking in since I started this blog last year. I hope it's moderately entertaining to read about my illustration adventures and that you'll stay tuned for the next 100 posts!

Metal Man in the School Library Journal

Here's another very cool review of Metal Man. Thanks to reviewer Heidi Estrin and the School Library Journal!

"[...] Beautifully understated, the story is about the capacity of art to empower the artist and to affect how others see the world. The poetic text is visceral—readers experience the sounds, vibrations, textures, and heat of the metal shop. "'Whatcha makin', Metal Man? I say./He don't answer. He never does./'Whaddya see?' That's all he says." The cartoon illustrations, in rusty browns and shiny blues, depict the metal man as tall, strong, gentle, and wise, a larger-than-life hero. He encourages Devon to embrace his own vision, but also protects him from the dangerous tools he is not ready to use. In the space of an afternoon, the youngster grows in understanding and confidence. A wonderful example of sensory writing and colloquial storytelling, this would be an excellent book to read before embarking on art projects, museum trips, art-appreciation lessons, or community-helper units, and will inspire independent readers with a desire to try their own hand at sculpture or artistic creation."

3x3 Illustration Competition

The Balloon is unstoppable – this illustration has garnered another great recognition: It has been selected in the anual 3x3 Illustration Competion.

METAL MAN on the Cover of the Bulletin

The latest issue of the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books just came out, with its truly wonderful review of Metal Man that I was looking forward to; BUT guess what, they also featured Metal Man as their Cover image! Thanks, Bulletin, and thanks to Elizabeth Bush for the beautiful review!

Illustrating Barack Obama

In today's New York Times, there's an OpEd by Barack Obama, which I had the pleasure to illustrate. In it, he explains his plan and strategy for the war in Iraq. You can read the text here. Many thanks to the terrific Brian Rea!

"Sightings" for The Boston Phoenix

Besides the Generation Kill Cover, I have a second piece in the Boston Phoenix this week: An illustration for the third installment of the series Sightings by Ian Sands. You can read Ian's full story here.

Art Section Cover for Boston Phoenix

This is an illustration about the upcoming HBO series "Generation Kill", based on the book by Evan Wright, who was embedded in a the US Army during the invasion of Iraq. Initially, his story was writen as a reportage for the Rolling Stone, later he expanded it into a book. The illustration is featured as cover image for the arts section of the current issue (though it doesn't appear online).

You can read the entire feature here. Also, here you can see a crop of my original drawing. Thanks to ADs Kevin Banks and Kristen Goodfriend!

Formale Systeme

Back in Germany, when I was making music (occasionally) I did a couple tracks with my friends Boris Kahl and Thomas Holl, under the silly name Formale Systeme. We occasionally talk about putting our old songs together and self-produce a little EP or something. Which might look like this:

Comics!

Finally there's a couple comics on my website, some old favorites mixed with a couple newer things. The featured stories are from Rabid Rabbit, Inkplosion.de, and Casual Comics, plus a very new short that I did for a pitch with my friend C.M.Butzer.

ICON Conference

Me and my girlfriend Lauren Castillo had a great time at the ICON 5 Illustration Conference. We got to hear some interesting lectures and to socialize with old and new friends.

These are some of the design elements that SVA's terrific Kevin O'Callaghan provided for the main stage.

Isthmus Tearsheet

Here's how my Martin Short piece looked on the pages of Isthmus. Thanks so much to Carolyn Fath for sending!

Metal Man Out Now!

My children's book Metal Man is officially out now! Hopefully you can find it in your local bookstore.

United States of Anxiety

This Monster is my latest drawing for The Stranger, which just came out today. It's an article about the current state of America's economy and how it affects people's everyday life. Check it out here.

With thanks to Art Director Aaron Huffman.

ICON Conference

ICON 5, the illustration conference, starts tomorrow here in NYC. I'll be there at least on Friday and Saturday, so if you are going too then I hope I'll bump into you somewhere at the buffet!