Category Archives: Publications

NY COMICS & PICTURE-STORY SYMPOSIUM: ANYA ULINICH IN CONVERSATION WITH OLGA GERSHENSON

In 2014, Anya Ulinich abandons the world of prose with her new graphic novel, “Lena Finkle’s Magic Barrel,” in which she deploys her competence as both a writer and an illustrator. This book is based on “Lena Finkle’s Magic Barrel,” by Bernard Malamund, which narrates the story of a man who consults a marriage broker in search for a wife. In Anya Ulinich’s version, the magic barrel is a world of online dating, portrayed as a chaotic and intricate world many of us are familiar with. Anya was classically trained in art, but switched to writing upon her arrival in the States, as she stated having “no place to paint.” However, after her first book “Petropolis,” Anya found herself stuck, she felt like she was “impersonating a novelist.” After the rejection of her second book from her publisher, her agent asked her, “What else do you have,” and Anya showed her an assortment of doodles, sketches, diary-like pages; that was all she had. This was the beginning of a great and entirely new project. Even though Ulinich graduated from the University of California with an MFA in painting and had previously written a novel (non-graphic), she maintains having known very little about comic books prior to this project. Nonetheless, this book brings Ulinich’s work to a whole other level of notability, creating a new visual and written language all of her own.

Essentially the book tells the story of a woman, Lena, (also the narrator), who much like Anya herself, is a late 30s divorced mother and novelist from Moscow, teaching and living in Brooklyn with her two daughters. It recounts Lena’s attempts to mend her views of love and sex, through social media platforms such as OKCupid, but there is much more complexity to the plot that Ulinich had in mind. The work appears as a sort of revealing, sequence of journals, which uncover and examine the main characters, and thus indirectly the author’s life and psyche from within. Through subtle details, we come to learn much about the reality of Ulinich’s life and upbringing.

“Lena Finkle’s Magic Barrel” successfully and deeply captivates its viewers as we are both told and shown a story simultaneously. Her drawing style is rather ostentatious, thrilling, powerful, and witty, yet it is somehow always dark, or cloudy or night-time. Moreover, Anya’s drawing technique of combining quick sketches and more finalized illustrations into a style which is naturalistic, impressionistic and at times, cartoony, parallel the protagonist’s constant efforts to make sense of the diverse pieces of her life.

In her book, Anya Ulinich does not attempt to hide anything. We follow the protagonists’s most mundane actions and watch her in all her imperfect and tremendous humanity, resulting in a stronger bond and connection between character and reader. Anya Ulinich is both witty and serious, kind and straightforward, ruffled and unapologetic. The pages mostly dominated with words take a bit of getting used to, yet the experience is truly rewarding. I personally believe that books such as this one, gorgeously created, cleverly recounted and fancifully illustrated are such masterpieces and treasures.

-Noe Paparella

8 Parsons Students Selected for the 3×3 Illustration Annual

Parsons Illustration students Kristen DavisKatie GrossMasuko JoRachel LevitMonica RamosMeghann Stephenson, Janet Sung, and Linnea Gad were selected by a distinguished jury to be included in the 3×3 Illustration Annual. It will be printed and distributed worldwide in hardcover this fall. Congratulations to them and their teachers!

Scroll down to view the 11 Selected works:

 

Kristen Davis, Go to the Devil, Junior Concepts, Sergio Ruzzier (faculty)

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Katie GrossPlay Ball Part 1, Silkscreen, Scott Nobles (faculty)

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Masuko JoOdori, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

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Rachel Levit,  Sad Girls, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

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Monica RamosHuman Hairstyles, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

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Meghann StephensonWet and Dry, Junior Concepts, Sergio Ruzzier (faculty)

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Janet SungCity Murder, Junior Concepts, Guy Billout (faculty)

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Linnea Gad, Series of four (clockwise from top left): Gentlemen of the Press Set, Celotex OfficeStasi ClosetMGM Property Department,  Senior Thesis, Jordin Isip (faculty)

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Illustration’s 2013 Senior Thesis Book!

After months of hard work all the student’s pieces have been culminated into this interactive and print form book. Down below is the link to download your own copy of the book. Simply ‘right click’ the navigate to ‘save link as’ and presto! You’ve got your own interactive copy of the Illustration Annual.

Enjoy! And happy summer everyone!

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6 Parsons Students with 10 Images Selected to Appear in American Illustration 32 Annual Book

Parsons Illustration seniors Franca Barone, Leigh Cunningham, Kristen Davis, and Meghann Stephenson, and recent graduates Monica Ramos and Hazel Lee Santino (class of 2012) were selected by a distinguished jury to be included in the American Illustration 32 annual book. This year’s distinguished jury included Jordan Awan, The New Yorker; Sergio Baradat, United Nations Postal Administration; Chad W. Beckerman, Abrams; Joele Cuyler, Real Simple; Jennifer Daniel, Bloomberg Businessweek; Grace Lee, Priest + Grace; and Alexandra Zsigmond, The New York Times.

From 8,742 pieces entered by over 1,282 illustrators, magazines, agencies, publishers, and schools, the jury selected only 369 images to appear in the book and represent the best pictures from 2011. It will be printed and distributed worldwide in hardcover this fall. Congratulations to them and their teachers!

Scroll down to view the 1o Selected works:

 

Franca BaroneMaremaid Dinner, Printmaking Studio, Paul Marcus (faculty)

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Franca BaronePattern 2, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

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Leigh Cunningham, Penitent IV (left); Penitent IX (right), Sr. Thesis 1, Lauren Redniss (faculty)

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Kristen Davis, The Wastes, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

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Monica RamosMake Your Own Orgy Kit, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

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Monica RamosNaked Ladies 2, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

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Monica Ramos, Pet Peeve: Selfies, commissioned for Oh Comely magazine

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Hazel Lee SantinoFlower Face, personal work

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Meghann Stevenson, January, personal work

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6 Parsons Students Awarded Scholarships from the Society of Illustrators; Masuko Jo gets top prize!

Six Parsons Illustration students were awarded scholarships in the 2013 Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Competition. Only 33 works from the 271 selected by the jury for the show from the initial 8,595 submissions received scholarships. Congratualtions to them for this incredible achievement.

Masuko Jo, $5,000 Nancy Lee Rhodes Roberts Scholarship  for OdoriJordin Isip (faculty)

Monica Ramos, $2,000 MicroVisions Scholarship for Naked Ladies 2Jordin Isip (faculty)

Julee Yoo, $1,500 In Memory of Les Kanturek Scholarship for Offering, Nora Krug (faculty)

Annie Seo, $1,000 in Memory of Lila Dryer Scholarship for Meeting,  Steven Guarnaccia (faculty)

Rachel Levit, $500 in Memory of Harry Rosenbaum Scholarship for Pool, Jordin Isip (faculty)

Chelsey Pettyjohn, $250 Leo & Diane Dillon Scholarship for To Covet, Jordin Isip (faculty)

 

 

images: Masuko Jo, Monica Ramos, Julee Yoo, Annie Seo, Rachel Levit, Chelsey Pettyjohn

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19 works from the Parsons Illustration Program selected for the 2013 Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Exhibition

Parsons Illustration seniors Kristin Chae, Kristen Davis, Annalise Olson, Annie Seo, and Meghann Stephenson, and recent graduates Leah Goren, Katie Gross, Masuko Jo, Su-kyung Lee, Rachel LevitChelsey PettyjohnMonica Ramos, and Julee Yoo  (class of  2012) were selected by a distinguished jury to appear in the 2013 Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship exhibition. Only 271 works were chosen from a record 8,595 submissions. Congratulations to them and their teachers!

Scroll down to view the selected works or go to: Parsons Illustration Program Winning Images

Kristin Chae, Happy Birthday, Noel Claro (faculty); Underground, George Bates (faculty)

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Kristen Davis, Go to the Devil, Junior Concepts, Sergio Ruzzier (faculty)

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Leah Goren, Kurosawa Pattern, James Yang (faculty); Bees Pattern, Jordin Isip (faculty)

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Katie Gross, Play Ball 01, Printmaking, Scott Nobles (faculty)

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Masuko Jo, Odori, Senio Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty); Wifi, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

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Su-kyung Lee, The Bedroom, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

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Rachel Levit, Pool, Sr. Thesis, Jordin Isip (faculty); Philip Larkin, Sr. Thesis, Jordin Isip (faculty)

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Annalise Olson, Skeleton Parade, Senior Thesis, Steven Guarnaccia (faculty)

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Chelsey Pettyjohn, Commandments: To Covet, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

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Monica Ramos, Naked Ladies 2Jordin Isip (faculty); Blue Eyes, George Bates (faculty)

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Annie Seo, Meeting, Senior Thesis, Steven Guarnaccia (faculty)

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Meghann Stephenson, Wet and Dry, Junior Concepts, Sergio Ruzzier (faculty)

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Julee Yoo, Offering, Independent Study, Nora Krug (faculty)

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Julee Yoo, Whim, Senior Thesis 2, Frank Olinsky (faculty)

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Chris Ware: Building Stories

Adam Baumgold Gallery and Carl Hammer Gallery (Chicago) present an exhibition of 126 drawings by Chris Ware to coincide with the release of his new book Building Stories. Over ten years in the making, several of the drawings from this series were first published in The New York Times Sunday Magazine and The New Yorker. Building Stories takes its final form as 14 discrete books and booklets collected in a printed box. The result is something utterly unique-part graphic novel, part sculpture, and part mobius strip. The show runs from September 8 – October 27, 2012.

Reception for the artist, Saturday, September 8, 5:00 – 8:00 pm.

Adam Baumgold Gallery, 60 East 66th St. NYC

8 Parsons students with 13 images Chosen for American Illustration 31

Recent Parsons Illustration 2012 graduates Iain BurkeLeah GorenRachel Levit, Yasmin LiangRay MasakiHazel Lee Santino, and Chad Weaver, and 2011 grad  William Hatch Crosby were chosen by a distinguished jury to be included in the American Illustration 31 archive this fall.

These 13 works from the Parsons Illustration Program were chosen from over 8,000 pieces entered by illustrators, magazines, agencies, publishers, and schools. Congratulations to them and their teachers!

Scroll down to view the 13 works chosen:

Iain Burke, Murderside, Senior Thesis 1, Jordin Isip (faculty)

Iain Burke, Ghostside, Senior Thesis 1, Jordin Isip (faculty)

Iain Burke, Hay Honey!, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

Iain Burke, Stumpy G, Senior Thesis 1, Jordin Isip (faculty)

William Hatch CrosbyStar Death, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

Leah Goren, Cat Scarf, Senior Thesis 1, Jordin Isip (faculty)

Leah GorenMara Hoffman bustier, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

Leah GorenMiu Miu sequin collar, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

Rachel LevitSavila, Senior Thesis 1, Lauren Redniss (faculty)

Yasmin LiangManual Cruise Control, Senior Thesis 1, Jordin Isip (faculty)

Ray MasakiDustcloud, Senior Thesis 1, Lauren Redniss (faculty)

Hazel Lee Santino, Tiger Mask , Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

Chad WeaverRodger, Senior Thesis 1, Jordin Isip (faculty)

8 Parsons students with 11 images selected for American Illustration 31 annual

Parsons Illustration seniors Iain BurkeKatie Dunham, Sukyung (Hannah) LeeRachel Levit, Chelsey Pettyjohn, and Julee Yoo, and recent graduates William Hatch Crosby and Rachel Friedman (class of 2011) were selected by a distinguished jury to be included in the American Illustration 31 annual. It will be printed in full color and distributed worldwide in hardcover this fall.

From 8,000 pieces entered by over 1,200 illustrators, magazines, agencies, publishers, and schools, the jury selected only 439 images to appear in the book and represent the best pictures from 2011. Students and professionals were juried altogether and when the dust settled 30 student images were selected. With an unprecedented 11 of the 30 coming from the Parsons Illustration Program, Parsons ruled this year! Congratulations to them and their teachers!

Scroll down to view the 11 works selected:

Iain Burke Hell 02, Junior Concepts, Guy Billout (faculty)

 

William Hatch Crosby, Wandering Giant, Printamking Studio, Paul Marcus (faculty)

 

Katie DunhamAshtray, Senior Thesis 1, Jordin Isip (faculty)

 

Rachel Friedman, Los Angeles 1953, Senior Thesis 2, Jordin Isip (faculty)

 

Sukyung Lee, Ice-cream, Senior Thesis 1, Jordin Isip (faculty)

 

Rachel Levit, Little People, Senior Thesis 1, Lauren Redniss (faculty)

 

Chelsey Pettyjohn, 4 drawings from the Night Religion series, Senior Thesis 1, Jordin Isip (faculty)

 

Julee Yoo, The Last Queens, Senior Thesis 1, Juliette Borda (faculty)

Chelsey Pettyjohn and Hazel Lee Santino Awarded Scholarships from the Society of Illustrators

Parsons Illustration seniors  Chelsey Pettyjohn and Hazel Lee Santino were awarded  scholarships in the 2012 Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Competition. Congratulations to them on this great achievement!

Chelsey was awarded the $1,500 Nancy Lee Rhodes Roberts Scholarship  for “Night Religion 02” which was done in Jordin Isip‘s Senior Thesis 1 class.

Hazel was awarded the $1,000 In Memory of Effie Bowie Scholarship for “Bigfoot in the Woods” which was done in Martin Mazorra‘s Relief Printmaking class.

Chelsey Pettyjohn (left); Hazel Lee Santino (right)