Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream

I created this large sequential illustration for “Little Nemo– Dream Another Dream”, an anthology of tributes to Winsor McCay’s seminal strip by 118 contemporary artists.

I'm very proud to be part of this project, as this large book includes some of the finest artists working today, such as Paul Pope, Mike Allred, Yuko Shimizu, Andrea Tsurumi, Matty Hunh, Gregory Benton and so many more esteemed colleagues and friends.

It was  conceived and published by Locust Moon Press and is a beauty– the large proportions really allow to admire all the details of the fabulous pieces people created.

There will be a show of original artwork from the book at the Society of Illustrators from February 10th - March 28th, 2015.
The Opening Reception is on Wednesday, February 18th.
Hope to see you there!

Edit: The comic also just got accepted into the Society of Illustrators 2nd Comics and Cartoons Annual, whoo-hoo!

Within the context of the book, we decided to use an (almost) b/w version.
At the Society, you'll be able to see the actual original, warts and all.

Illustration for WallStreet Journal

I have a new illustration in today's WallStreet Journal, about Quasi Franchises. Here's the article. 

This new proposed direction for franchises supplies the infrastructure and backbone for the individual franchisees, while they can brand the place their own way and have much more independence. From the outside, it looks like a stand-alone business.

Here are some of the other sketches. The kitchen scene would have been fun but perhaps too complex for a small spot. I also liked the octopus franchise, but it was perhaps a bit negative.

The astronaut was a nice iconic solution that would be a lot of fun to draw. The biggest challenge was how much or how little detail to give to the astronaut's face.

Thanks so much to Art Directors Orlie Kraus and Sheryl Dermawan for the fun assignment. Always a pleasure.

Happy Holidays

Wishing everyone very Happy Holidays and all the best in the new year!
Don't let the Yeti get you!

Edit: Sorry about the broken links, all fixed now!

Time also to look back– how was Your year??

For me, one of the highlights was the 30th Anniversary of the MFA Illustration program here at SVA, which was celebrated with a big exhibition and numerous events.

But even aside from that, this year had everything: Nice projects, some even from Germany, comics-festivals, motivated and talented students, visits from high dignitaries, books, books, books, and let's also not forget: WE won the World Cup!

Let's hope that 2015 will continue just the same way.

SVA Illustration Summer Residency 2014

The SVA Illustration Summer Residencies are in full swing, and the first group of students is already done! The second group is starting now through August. It's a very international group from all corners of the earth, and it's always a huge pleasure to work with them.

Congrats to the June 2014 students!

The Illustration Residency is a one-month bootcamp in which students have illustration and visual storytelling classes, go to exhibitions, events and artists' studios, experience the cultural richness of New York City, and have a (hopefully) amazing time together.

The principal instructors are Viktor Koen, Anna Raff, Lisel Ashlock and me, plus guest lectures by the likes of Paul Buckley, Aaron Meshon and Marshall Arisman, for example.

In my Visual Storytelling class, the students create work on the spot

Setting up for the Open Studios

Open Studios / mini-exhibition at the end of the residency

For more info, check also last year's blog post about it, visit the SVA Website, follow the residency on twitter and facebook, or contact program coordinator Keren Moscovitch.

New York Times Sunday Business Cover

Had the pleasure of illustrating a cover and interior spot for the Sunday Business section of the New York Times. Art Director Minh Uong, with whom I've worked since his time at the Village Voice, asked me to do something sequential.

The story is about Shanesha Taylor, who was arrested for leaving her children in a car during an important job interview. It's written by Shaila Dewan and you can read it here.

The challenge with sequential editorial pieces is that the image is a bit fractured and cannot be as bold as one single image.

After a first round of sketches, we tried to increase the graphic impact by using one large panel and a few smaller ones.

As the project progressed, we rearranged the panels several times, till everybody was content with the flow of the story.

For the interior, we did a simple comic-strip of 3 images. For the cover, we used one large, loud image and and four smaller panels.

Thanks again to AD Minh Uong and the New York Times!

3x3 Illustration Annual

Yay, my piece depicting the German House in NY from last year's show at the Consulate General got into the 3x3 Illustration Annual!

Here is the full list of all the winners. Congrats to everybody, and many thanks to all the judges and 3x3!

Pencil Factory Exhibition in London

The fine folks of Durch Uncle, an illustration agency with offices in London, New York and Tokyo, curated an exhibition of past and present members of The Pencil Factory studios, at the Pan Macmillan Artspace.

The photos of the space and show look amazing and I'm very glad to be part of it with so many talented individuals. Above is a photo of the image I submitted.

You can see most of the framed pieces on their website, and they also prepared a neat press release. Thanks again to Dutch Uncle and Leandro Castelao of making the contact!

Last-But-Not-Least LOLA And The Wild Chicken

The second book of the chapter book series Last-But-Not-Least LOLA, written by Christine Pakkala and published by Boyd Mills, is going to print soon! Amazon has already the listing here.

I've created close to a hundred illustrations for this book and just received the advance reader copy. It's so cool to see it come together. The ARC doesn't have all my illus in it, but it gives a nice preview of things to come and has the entire text, of course.

In this installment, a new girl joins the class which changes the dynamics between the main characters, and the big final is at a farm where they get chased by a big rooster and other animals.

Below are some of my favorites. Many thanks to Christine for her lovely story, and to Rebecca Davis and Robbin Gourley for working with me. Last-But-Not-Least Lola and the Wild Chicken is out this fall!