INSPIRATIONAL FUN at ICON 7

ICON 7 - the grand stage and everyone who made this year's conference happen

It was really an inspiration, in this ever-changing industry, to enjoy the company of my peers – newcomers, established illustrators, designers, art directors and educators at the 7^th Illustration Conference – ICON 7 in Providence, Rhode Island. “Drawn Together” was a collaborative effort of the board of directors who vividly organized beneficial, fun and informative sessions for all in attendance. Even if you weren’t there, check out session information worth sharing with you in my future posts. I know others in attendance also shared details and pictures on their social networks. I hope you will gain some extra inner confidence to stand as a pillar of strength in your own career.

Anne Telford, Co-Chair of The First Illustration Conference, Editor Illustration Voice and Editor-at-Large CA Magazine; Rebecca Bedrossian, Managing Editor, CA Magazine; me and Whitney Sherman, President of ICON 5 and Illustrator & Director of the MFA in Illustration Practice, MICA

Opening ceremony entertainment with "What Cheer Brigade" and "Big Nazo"

ICON 7 Board Members John Hendrix, President; Jaime Zollars, VP Operations and Troy Doolittle (Top Dog) VP Sustainability + Treasurer 

Thank you to all the sponsors including Glen Serbin's Directory of Illustration and Directory of Illustration.com

Iconic industry leader Marshall Arisman, Chairman MFA Program at SVA, with Maria Ragusa-Burfield, Julie Lieberman and me

Iconic industry leader Murray Tinkelman, Director Hartford Art School, with his wife Carol, Program Administrator and me

UK based AOI - Association of Illustrators former Chairman Rod Hunt and me

                                                     

Drawn by Success illustration podcast series

Recently, Serbin's Directory of Illustration's Vice President, Elizabeth Owen was interviewed by illustrator Carlos Castellanos, for his Drawn by Success podcast series. Carlos and Elizabeth had a very frank discussion that addresses many of the questions artists have about investing in directories (print and/or online), and marketing their work in general. There is some great information here and I just thought I would share it with you:

Download Audio Podcast

Carlos is the illustrator and co-creator of Baldo - the nationwide comic series

The Illustration Conference - ICON - is taking place this June - are you going?

ICON - As a founder, first president and co-chair (from 1998 to 2000) I still lovingly call it  The Illustration Conference. I have great memories - from the first phone call I received from Joel Nakamura asking "...we just got back from the AIGA Conference, why don't we do a conference for illustrators?", to joining forces with the inimitable Chris Payne and Brad Holland. The inaugural conference board (including Anne Telford CA Magazine, illustrator Dave Lesh, artist representative Kolea Baker and sponsor chair Kristen Dawson) raised over $100,000 to allow this non-profit organization to continue again and again. The first conference, not without controversy, was destined to be the most successful event in every way.


If you've never been to one, I hope you get to experience the fun of getting together with your colleagues to talk about everything "illustration". The following conference board members have successfully expanded it to include illustrators attending from countries around the world. It's being held in Providence, Rhode Island, home of RISD - Rhode Island School of Design.

ICON7 / PROVIDENCE, RI / JUNE 13-16, 2012

FABULOUS Poster art by illustrator, Chris Buzelli and designer, Jessica Hische

Glen Serbin, publisher of Directory of Illustration recently announced he will be sponsoring ICON7 again and working with them on several marketing platforms like he has every conference. The Directory's commitment to the illustration market remains one of leadership and support.