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.

Sitting at my desk with the Directory of Illustration

Art work created by Scott Burroughs - courtesy of Scott who is represented by DEBORAH WOLFE LTD/illustrationOnLine.com

Art created by Scott Burroughs represented by DEBORAH WOLFE LTD/illustrationOnLine.com

SCBWI Golden Kite Award poster by John Parra

Each year SCBWI features their Golden Kite Award winning books on a full color poster illustrated by one of their members. The 2011 Poster was illustrated by 2010 Golden Kite Picture Book Award winning illustrator John Parra.

In addition, the artwork from this limited edition poster will be recognized in the upcoming May/June 2011 Communication Arts Illustration Annual, a prestigious publication that highlights the best in illustration from the past year. 

  

John has also been seen in Directory of Illustration and as always, Directory of Illustration will be featured in the inside cover of this year's CA Illustration Annual. 

Congratulations John!!

The Golden Kite Award posters are free to public libraries and independent bookstores and cost $10 for current SCBWI members (postage included).

If anyone would like to order a poster please email SCBWI for more information.

SCBWI Golden Kite Award poster by John Parra

Illustrator Abbe Sennett designs Medical ID jewelry to support cancer survivors

Abbe Sennett, illustrator and cancer survivor, is the designer behind these beautiful Medical ID bracelets. Abbe comes from a successful career as a renowned commercial illustrator for Fortune 500 companies as well as a professional Fine Artist. After her recovery and with the help of her husband creative director, Olaf Moetus she found a new niche for her creativity and decided to make a contribution to society. She became aware of too many medically challenged people refusing to wear a life saving bracelet because it was ugly, and drew too much attention their condition. Abbe created a fashionable medical bracelet system that helps hide its true purpose, all the while keeping people safe. She brings an incredible eye for an elegant, tasteful jewelry collection, artfully created with an inspired vision.

Rudy-Jan Faber - self taught, winning artist from the Netherlands

Rudy Faber is a self taught illustrator based in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.  He first came to my attention as 1st runner-up in the International Breakthrough contest.

Often, the real winner in any contest is the 1st runner up. Why? Because they know they have what it takes to win but fate hasn't allowed it this time. Generally they become even more determined to be successful. Someone's success isn't measured by a mere contest...it is measured throughout their lifetime. 

Rudy said, "I love illustrating pin-ups. Sometimes I choose bright and colorful themes with some urban, pop-art, lowbrow influences. Other times I enjoy painting dark, eerie and macabre themed illustrations. My main focus in my work is giving my characters lots of personality."

I love tattoos! You'll see Rudy's work in the Directory of Illustration now and in the 2013 book. 

Directory of Illustration is now being distributed - see Ken Orvidas' cover art plus inside illustrations

What a great way to start the new year – the Directory of Illustration is landing on creatives’ desks throughout January!!!! I’m posting Ken Orvidas’ cover art again along with the inside illustrations. This year’s theme is “Very, Very Visionary". Inside the book you’ll see “Eagle Eye”, “Eye of the Storm”, “Black-Eyed Susan”, Apple of My Eye” and “ButterflEyes”.

Year in and year out the book drives traffic to the site as does the monthly email blasts, the Illustration Voice e-newsletter, the 650,000 banners running on CA Magazines website, etc.

If you would like to talk about anything “illustration”…you know how to reach me. The door is always open to talk about your work.

Christmas Spectacular in NY. Art by Tom White/9 Surf Studios

Christmas is being advertised all over Times Square - The Radio City Christmas Spectacular that is! Putting on a show this grand is a big undertaking. The branding for the show begins a year in advance. Tom White at 9 Surf Studios was called upon to put his creative skills to use with Jay Cooper and the folks over at SpotCo (entertainment and branding advertising agency), the agency working with MSG (owners of Radio City), to create this year's logo. Tom is a genius at branding and image design through the use of typographics and illustration. He said the preliminary design process and review was intense but produced some good work. I was personally attracted to this project, not just because I've always loved Tom's creative and marketing skills, but because as a dancer I always loved the Rockettes!