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.