3x3 children’s show winner

It seems the fine folks at 3x3 Magazine didn’t think one of my birds was decorated enough. So...pin another award to the little guy’s chest! In addition to American Illustration 30 and Print Magazine Hand Drawn, “In General” has received a Merit Award in the 3x3 Children’s Show and will be included in their Illustration Annual No.8, due out in December. Bravo to one of my favorite illustrators, Gary Taxali, for winning Best in Show, and to all the other winners!

blue canvas magazine

The current issue of Blue Canvas Magazine includes an article on the MFA in Illustration at the School of Visual Arts, and I’m tickled to be amongst the distinguished alumni (John Hendricks, Nathan Fox, Brian Floca, Yuko Shimizu, Sam Weber, Daniel Lim, Martin Wittfooth...the list goes on) whose work is featured. 

make something 365 interview

Recently, I was interviewed by artist/designer/entrepreneur and all around great guy, Noah Scalin, for his 365 blog as a follow up to my ongoing Ornithoblogical project.

He is also the author of 365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life! and creator of his own award-wining, year-long blog Skull-A-Day.

As you know, I’m still creating birds, so it was rewarding to take stock with Noah, and muse a bit about where it all started and where it has taken me so far. You can read the interview here.

a collaboration with mom

Last year, when my friends announced they were expecting a baby, I never expected my mom to suggest learning how to make a quilt as a gift. “You design it, and I’ll make it,” she said enthusiastically. And so we did, but most of the credit goes to Mom, who did all of the heavy lifting.

The centerpiece of the quilt is my portrait of Sadie, our friends’ beloved 16-year-old pointer, familiar to some from invitations and Christmas ornaments over the years. The cityscape and row of evergreen trees represent the move they made a few years ago from New York City to Portland, Maine.

Earlier this week, I was privileged to present the finished product to Meghan and Jim, and their gorgeous, little girl on behalf of my mom. It seems like Claire approves. Thanks Mom!

the new york times: magnetic poetry

T. S. Eliot had it wrong. April was not the cruelest month—at least not for me—unless you count the weather in NYC. In addition to getting into some illustration competitions and being selected “Pick of the Week” by Illustration Friday, April was National Poetry Month and brought with it a new collaboration with The Learning Network blog at The New York Times. For the second year running, editors Katherine Schulten and Holly Epstein Ojalvo held their Found Poem Challenge. And what you see above is my illustration for the announcement of the winners this week. A reinterpretation of the old novelty gift magnetic poetry, the hand-lettered words represent the wide range of subjects submitted by student poets. Many thanks to Katherine and Holly, and congratulations to the 10 poets whose work will be featured on the blog.

gallery nucleus - illustrated type

If you find yourself in the Los Angeles area between May 14th and June 6th, make your way over to Gallery Nucleus for their “Illustrated Type” exhibition. I was invited to contribute a letterform of my choice, and decided to make a new piece featuring my “M is for Monster” character—originally created for LetterPlayground—who at post time, was crawling his way across the continent. Among the other luminaries showing their wares will be John Hendricks, Jessica Hische, Josh Cochran, and my SVA buddy You Byun.

evil dewars on the rocks (reprise)

This morning, my mom reminded me of this piece that I made a few years ago, and—in light of today’s news—I thought I’d repost it here. The subjects are meant to be generic, but the message is the same.