Metal Man in Korean!

I just received a copy of the Korean Edition of Metal Man. It's so thrilling to think that kids on the other side of the world are going to see this book. Though I can't read it myself, I've had friends translate me that the Korean title means something like "Dream-making studio". Thanks to Charlesbridge for arranging this, and to Sigongsa Co., Ltd, for their faith in our story!

Cover for Isthmus

I had the pleasure to do this week's cover for Isthmus, celebrating the 11th annual Wisconsin Film Festival. I had a blast, incorporating characters from various indie movies, and mixing them with all those typical movie goers that all of us have encountered at some point. Thanks to AD Carolyn Fath!

Here is a key of all the characters (click to enlarge)

Very nice review from Kirkus

Now that the publishing date of my new book HAT is coming closer, Kirkus, the mighty book review journal, has given HAT a very kind review. Thanks very much Kirkus!



HAT
“When he spies a wide-brimmed red hat on a park bench, Henry wants to keep it. Successive illustrations depict Hat’s imagined uses, ranging from the practical (protection from sun and rain) to the fantastic (a wedge in a crocodile’s mouth, a prop in a stage show that makes Henry a star).

Mom asks, “But Henry, what if someone else needs this hat?” Her question prompts her son to imagine his scenarios in reverse—mirrored depictions, but this time, with other unfortunates suffering the consequences of Hat’s absence. An African explorer (who’s fairly far along in that croc’s digestive process), a magician producing a stinky fish skeleton from a trashcan, a sunburned lifeguard and more—this conjured cast induces Henry to leave Hat behind.

Hoppe’s watercolor-and-ink pictures invoke such early-reader illustrators as Roy McKie and Lynn Sweat, and the small trim, short sentences and three-color palette (featuring a gorgeous Caps for Sale blue) underscore the retro reader-vibe. A funny, appealing choice for beginning readers, especially boys.”—Kirkus Reviews

ILLUSTRATION WEST 47 Opening Reception

If you are on the west coast, this is for you;
it'll feature my Gold Award winning piece, and many other great pieces!
I wish I could be there.

Please join
The Society of Illustrators of LA
at the opening of the
ILLUSTRATION WEST 47
Gallery Show

Saturday March 28th
7:00 - 11:00 pm
Awards Ceremony at 8pm


at GALLERY NUCLEUS
210 East Main Street
Alhambra CA 91801
(Show runs through April 3)

Be sure to join us on opening night
when we announce the winners for
Joseph Morgan Henninger Award (Best of Show) and the
Patrick Nagel Award (For Excellence).

Illustration West 47 Online Exhibition will be up shortly after the show.

Architectural Lighting Magazine

vI had a lot of fun with this illustration for Architectural Lighting magazine. New guidelines in the field of architectural lighting are both challenge and opportunity. The desired goals are sustainability, incorporating natural lighting and limiting waste. These goals need to be addressed not as afterthoughts and add-ons, but right from the beginning and at the very core of the building project. Thanks to AD Aubrey Altman.

Design for RWTH Aachen University

I'm currently helping the RWTH Aachen Universtity with their branding and merchandising products. I had a lot of fun doing this image which will be printed on laptop bags. Many thanks to Chancellor Nettekoven and Director of Public Relations Mr. Wimmer! You can find out more about the RWTH on Wikipedia.

Discovering James Morrow

A new illustration for The Stranger, one of their writers describes how he discovered the work of James Morrow as a teenager – and how it has stayed with him ever since. You can read the full story here.

Booklist likes HAT

Yay, HAT received its first official review. Thanks Booklist! HAT comes out March 31st.

“Thrilled when he finds a big red hat on a park bench, Henry imagines all the ways he will use it. He starts off small: it can keep off rain and sun. Then he imagines using it to perform magic tricks on stage, as a boat sailing far away, and as a sled racing through the snow. Even more dramatic, the hat will save his life when he rams it into a crocodile’s jaws.

But his mother asks him, “What if someone else needs that hat?” Henry goes back and revisits the scenarios: a sad magician is on stage without props; an island castaway burns in the sun; and in a hilarious double-page climactic spread, an explorer’s head pushes out from the belly of a crocodile. In his first book as both author and illustrator, New Yorker cartoonist Hoppe stays true to the child’s viewpoint, from the everyday details to the wild imaginative play, and his ink-and-brush illustrations, in elemental shades, add to the fun.”— Booklist

Society of Illustrators Advertising Show

This Friday, March 6th, is the opening reception for the 51st Society of Illustrators (NY) Advertising, Institutional and Uncommishioned show. Festivities starts at 6pm. Tickets are $35 for non-members, $30 for members.

I am proud to say I have one piece in the advertising show, and am looking forward to see you there!

If you can't make it, the show will be up March 4th through March 28th. Hours: Tues 10–8pm, Wed–Fri 10–5pm, Sat 12–4pm.

Bodensee Quilt Festival

Here's a fun project I worked on with Thomas Curtze-Schatton, a friend and freelance Art-Director in Stuttgart, who I know from my time at Panama Advertising. The image I provided was for a Quilt Festival at the Bodensee (not far from where I grew up). A Quilt Festival in Southern Germany, featuring the world-famous Japanese quilter Noriko Endo? What a mix!