What is your inspiration for painting?

"Inspiration is for amateurs - I love to paint and the process inspires me everyday." ~ Chuck Close

American painter and photographer Chuck Close was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2000 and continues to be inspired to paint every day despite a 1988 event that left him severely paralyzed. In the midst of his wonderful career, having just delivered a speech at a ceremony honoring local artists in New York City Charles Thomas "Chuck" Close (born July 5, 1940) suffered a spinal artery collapse. 

His work continues to be in demand by museums and collectors today. Close is an American painter and photographer who achieved fame as a photorealist, through his massive-scale portraits. 

Mark (1978–1979), acrylic on canvas. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York. Detail at right of eye. Mark, a painting that took fourteen months to complete, was constructed from a series of airbrushed layers that imitated CMYK color printing. Compare the picture's integrity close up with the later work below, executed through a different technique.

Lucas (1986–1987), oil & pencil on canvas. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York. Detail at right of eye. The pencil grid and thin undercoat of blue is visible beneath the splotchy "pixels." The painting's subject is fellow artist Lucas Samaras.

ICON, as The Illustration Conference, review by Anne Telford

ICON, as The Illustration Conference has now come to be known, always offers a plethora of opportunities to connect, reconnect, and learn. ICON 7, “Drawn Together,” was held in Providence, RI, at the Renaissance Downtown, a beautiful old hotel with a lively downstairs bar and a rich Masonic history. This conference, or convocation of creativity as I like to think of it, was nearly perfect. The blend of speakers and topics was engaging, heartfelt, and humorous, and the charming theatre in which the main sessions were held was cozy and colorful—no freezing hotel ballrooms with blinding crystal chandeliers but a real theatre that held one’s respect and interest.

Rather than go into depth about any one presentation, I’ve searched my notes to glean some words of wisdom from a wealth of inspiring speakers.


ICON president Jon Hendrix informed the rapt audience on the first day, “illustration is culture.” Further, he said that illustration is a powerful, profound, and unpretentious shaper of our visual lives, and that illustrators should think of themselves as nothing less than a “lethal cultural chisel”!


Vanessa Bertozzi of Etsy, in the opening night keynote panel—“Power of Communities”—said that today’s illustrator must be a PR, marketing entrepreneur as well. Charles Adler of Kickstarter, the funding platform for creative projects, said it has successfully funded 24,000 projects totaling $250 million dollars. This inclusive topic got things off to a great start, and the mingling began when the audience was invited onstage to party with Big Nazo and the What Cheer! Brigade—a crazed local ensemble of outrageously costumed performers and musical troupe heavy on the horns.


Several speakers reiterated the advice to “put your name on it”. Be sure to identify yourself to new viewers, e.g., Twitter. This went hand in hand with the caveat: Leverage your playing field. If you are playing in lots of sandboxes, make sure the return is worth the effort.


The delightful Jessica Hische (always fashionable, and swears like a sailor) exhorted, “Learn what you need to learn to make what you want to make.” And, “Make things you wish existed.” She also gave valuable tips on organizing the avalanche of emails that many of us find overwhelming. She divides hers into four categories: Client/Worky/Lifey/Friendly. I’m still trying to figure out my categories …


One of the most informative speakers was attorney Linda Joy Kattwinkel who spoke on “Inspiration or Infringement.” The subject of copyright infringement can put a caffeinated audience to sleep if left to the wrong speaker. Ms. Kattwinkel has the enviable title of Hello Kitty’s litigator, so you know she doesn’t mess around! For something to be fair use, it must be a parody or comment on or criticism of the copyrighted work. To be transformative, something new must be added that has a further purpose or different character. Ask yourself, what’s the nature of your work? Is it commercial? 


Tommy Lee Edwards urged attendees to “learn new languages and broaden your horizons. Create your own content. Drawing is your language, learn to speak fluently.” 


Writer Matthew Swanson and illustrator Robbi Behr, the folks from Idiots’ Books, were wonderful. They were funny, inspiring, and cogently presented their business model which is based on subscriptions = no debt and artistic freedom. They found that saying yes provided them with unexpected opportunity. They also equate doggedness with success. Check out idiotsbooks.com


The closing party, The Moth Ball (named in honor of Chris Buzelli’s gorgeous conference poster sporting fanciful moths over downtown Providence) drew the masses back on stage to dance to Moon Hooch, the funky New York City jazz trio, whose drummer, James Muschler, is ICON past-president Cathie Bleck’s talented son. The band, blowing up in NYC due to amazing busking performances gone viral, were booked by ICON executive director Mark Heflin, with no knowledge of the band’s illustration world ties. Serendipity all the way around.


Happy, exhausted people scattered to train home, or fly to far-flung destinations. Some, reluctant to leave, stayed on to visit friends and explore the coast. All took away good memories, new information, and new friends. Old friendships blossomed over dinners and drinks and late night conversations at the bar. ICON, once again, brought hundreds away from drawing tables and computers and out of their studios and homes to gather together to celebrate the role that illustration plays in our world, and to honor creativity and originality. 

Matt Groening, creator of the Simpsons, and Jo Ann

Couple of ideas for illustrators to make extra money -

Are you selling originals AND prints? Entry level art collectors love prints!

What about having your illustrations on flip flops that sell? There's a site that will do this for you.

In the opening keynote presentation at ICON 7 we were introduced to some community building tools to help illustrators embrace their fans by marketing their creative talents and personal projects via the internet. A site like Etsy is a great site where illustrators support each other. One nice tip from Venessa Bertozzi from Etsy was, "cute dogs sell". I said the same thing in a previous post!

With summer here, I particularly love the idea of giving consumers an opportunity for self-expression by choosing artwork for their own sandals. Every time Sandalista sells a pair of sandals with your art work, you get paid. Check out the Sandalista site here for the details...

ICON 7 board member, Thomas James, Escape from Illustration Island, put together a great website referencing places an illustrator can sell their prints and other things.

Computer Arts Magazine recently did a story offering insight and examples on what sells and how to price your prints.

To understand a little more about selling fine prints to collectors you might want to check out auction houses like Skinner Antiques and Fine Art Auctions. They give us a great description: “Print” is a broad term. The artist may or may not be the actual printer, but generally approves of the quality and methodology of printing, and often signs his or her prints by hand.

Establish your place in the industry as well as your public profile - it helps you sell your prints or anything else you create.

European Illustrators Forum meet

In June, as the US was hosting ICON 7 our European illustration friends convened in Amsterdam to discuss issues related to general conditions for illustrators and legislation affecting creators in Europe.

Board members come from the German, Dutch, Spanish, Italy, Swedish, UK and Finnish organisations. The Norwegian representative also attended.

UK based Association of Illustrators' Managing Director, Heng Khoo and Projects Manager, Derek Brazell covered issues in the UK, including the ongoing Government consultation on copyright, and the AOI’s work with the Pro-Action committee.

Following a day long meeting, the group visited Haarlem, outside Amsterdam, the next day for the Comics festival and Illustration Biennale. The well attended Biennale was held mainly in Dutch, but a few invited speakers were handily in English for those whose Dutch was non-existent.

AOI Managing Director, Heng Khoo, outside the Illustration Biennale

Comics Fair held around Haarlem Cathedral

Looking at Dutch comics

“June Brides” New Yorker Magazine Cover - from blog to cover!!!

One of the Directory's wonderful illustrators, Gayle Kabaker, is the first artist to make the leap from BLOG to COVER for The New Yorker Magazine.

This is a wonderful story!

Think out of the box, be present in places where art directors and editors look for talent and you too can "be found" for projects.

Click here for Gayle's complete portfolio. Read more...

Artist, Gayle Kabaker, represented by Lindgren & Smith

"New Yorker" Cover!!

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

                                                     

Breakthrough Contest 2012 Open to Submissions through June 30th!

Artist Representative, Richard Solomon called me to announce that his second annual Breakthrough Contest has extended its call for entries until June 30th. The contest helps out talented illustrators launch their careers.

Last year's winner, Michal Dziekan, is now working on a broad range of projects from editorial to advertising. Here is what some had to say about their success after submitting to the contest:

Michal Dziekan:

"During my great Breakthrough trip to NY I got the opportunity to join a group of fantastic artists represented by Richard Solomon. It's a great honor for me to find myself next to these guys."

Maria Corte Maidagan:

"I view the Breakthrough Contest is an invaluable source of exposure -- an opportunity I couldn't refuse.  I took interest in the competition with intentions of expanding my career outside of gallery work, towards a more commercial field.  Not only did it serve as an open exhibition for potential clients, but I also received the opportunity to be taken under by the notable representative, himself.  My participation in it did exactly what I set forth to do."

Tran Nguyen:

"I would encourage everyone to participate in the Breakthrough Contest. For me, it has been a great chance for giving visibility to my work abroad, providing impetus for my professional career outside Europe. I have collaborated with different international publications that have entailed new challenges to face ever since, always relying on the advice and experience I have been provided with by RSAR. This is why I would also like to highlight the humane treatment that the office gives to the artists represented, always close and warm. Taking part in it has been a rewarding experience that I am still enjoying to this day."

Check here for more information regarding eligibility or to submit until June 30th.

Best of luck to all. If you have any questions contact contest@richardsolomon.com