new childrens book project

so im working on this character and story. This is Rose or Roosevelt and he hates veggies and only eats junk food and is suprised to learn what all that junk food caused to start to grow in his stomach.

Lost in ones words.

Interview With an Illustrator

I interviewed children' book illustrator Lane smith.

Lane Smith is most known for his illustations for James and the Giant Peach and working as art director for Disney film adaptation of the story. I was given the opportunity to pick his brain and ask a few questions, here is the result.

- There are moments for some that spark a definite interest in the arts, and for others, its seems that they simply stumble upon it. Which is the case for you? Was illustration always the plan?

I always liked to draw but didn't know one could make a career of it till high school.

- Where did you attend college and how did that, if at all, influence your choices to work as an illustrator? What was your training like? What part of your skill set did you learn/aquire in college and what parts have you learned on your own?

Art Center College of Design. It was very disciplined. Like boot camp.

- I must ask; who is your favorite artist/illustrator, and how have they influenced your work throughout your career?

I have many: Klee, Gorey, Hopper, Schwitters, Calder, Charles Schulz...

- When working on personal projects, what is your process? How pivotal is thumb-nailing and preliminary sketching to your creative process? Describe your process from concept to execution. What is your typical work day like?

I work all day. I don't do personal projects, just books. Which are personal.

-What is your process in reference to work with clients and editorial work?

Don't do editorial. Haven't in years.

- In your work i see a nice incorporation of multiple materials from watercolor,ink, and cut paper to a fair use of digital attributes. If there is one, what is your favorite material?

It's all collage in one way or another. Juxtaposing textures and line and color. Whether digital or traditional.. it's all the same.

- Your work is full of very rich textures, as in your illustrations for "Waiting for Godot", that i absolutely love, how do you apply those?

Oil paint.

- How was the transition from student to working professional?

It was easier actually. School was much harder than real life.

- If you had to give one piece of advice to an illustration student what would it be?

Don't give up and work really, really hard!

Lane Smith

Article Metaphor

Usable has been found on the moon.

Article Metaphor

The Navajo's attempt to switch from coal mining to windmills and solar power.

Article Metaphor

work in progress: "Candy is not the evil temptation its made out to be"

Monster!!

So it turns out that either im terrible with photo manipulation or my peers actually are monsters.

VISUAL METaPHOR 3

Target: Divided American Colonies
Source: Dismembered Snake
Ground: Need all of its parts to thrive
Tension: group of many v. individual



Target: Generated Ideas
Source: Lit bulb
Ground: Enlightened (physically and intellectually)
Tension: internal v. external






Target: Sexual intercourse
Source: Trains and Tunnels
Ground: Penetration
Tension: Transportation v. Reproductive


Target: Thinking
Source: Hamster wheel spinning.
Ground: Energy generating.
Tension: Abstract thought v. exercise

VISUAL METaPHOR 2

Target: Global warming
Source: Grill
Ground: hot
Tension: Silly Mr. Fuchs you cant eat the earth.

Target: Speech
Source: Guns
Ground: Painfull
Tension: Physical v. Emotional

Visual Metaphor

Target: night stand
Source: train
Ground: travel
Tension: stationary v. mobile






Target: ink well
Source: Man
Ground: source of inspiration/ mark makers
Tension: user v. tool




Target: Groceries
Source: military tank
Ground: excessive cost
Tension: necessary v. the harmful

Silhouettes final project.

yeah so here are the final silhouettes. gouache on wood. 8x10 each. there will be some re-working done soon. i thank you in advance for any comments and critique.

Silhouettes!

Remember those few thumbnails from like five minutes ago? Well these are the larger worked out sketches of the one that i have chosen, oh and a color sketch of one of them. Completed illustrations comming soon.

Sillhouette thumbnails...

Here are just a few ideas: Brainstorming. Around 15 image and sillhouette juxtapositionings.

Still-Life Commentaries

CAN YOU GUESS WHAT THEY ARE?

Dead Babies

Dictionary.com says "a·bor·tion –noun1.Also called voluntary abortion. the removal of an embryo orfetus from the uterus in order to end a pregnancy.2.any of various surgical methods for terminating apregnancy, esp. during the first six months."
This is a pretty straight forward debate. Some people believe that it is wrong to end the life of an unborn child. They claim that it is murder and they make thier crudly draw picket signs and the march and impose their opinions on other people and make threats and wish eternal damnation on the poor helpless pro choice folk. Then there are the Pro choice hipsters. They're all "hey i do what i want with my body! I have the right to do as i please when i please as much as i please!" Then they go and make silly so-called independant movies like juno and just piss everyone off a little bit. My point is hey quit trying to make every one be what you are and be a little more understanding Mr. Pro life. And Mr. Pro Choice, that little embryo thing is living. Use the morning after pill or pull-out. Or better yet let it live and let it decide how worthless his life is when it hits eighteen. At this point if it figures out that it ought not be here it will commit suicide. Both sides of this debate far too often have attitudes that are abominations.

Planning

Facts

What?

Trouble!!!!!!!!!!!

Homelessness & Unemployment

It is a fact that the United States of America is the richest country in the world, yet it is not too much of a shock that in 2009 homelessness reached a record high, and worsened because government goals and their exclusion of their needs. According to the Department of Housing and urban Development, a homeless person is one who "lacks a fixed nighttime residence." They have also been identified as individuals who make a monthly income of $680/month. Recent economic events have put much of a damper on many people's lifestyles. People's excessive lifestyles; that is. so, many found them selves well overwhelmed. So while it is most's tendency to blame government and big business its often wise to look to one's own lack of resourcefulness. Simplifying one's life does not, as many may believe, mean living with out. Unemployment does not have to result in homelessness. The ever growing gap in wealth distribution does not mean that any one is less than worthy of happy lives. This may feel like a rant or ramble of sorts and it just may be, but it does not change the fact that there needs to be a re-evaluation of standards.

Homelessness

Growing Homelessness In America

Preventing Homelessness