ILUSTRARTE is a Portuguese competition for children’s book illustrators worldwide. The competition takes place once every two years and awards a grand prize of 5,000 Euros to the winner of the competition. Illustrators from all over the world are invited to take part and send three original illustrations, published or unpublished.
For more information, click here.
Senior Monica Ramos (’12) is the latest Parsons Illustration student to be featured as an Up-and-Coming Illustrator on the book/art blog Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. The article includes a plethora of pictures, with descriptions by Monica.
Parsons Illustration Senior Rachel Levit (’12) is this month’s featured Up-and-Coming Illustrator on the book/art blog Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. The article includes an interview with Rachel and a great selection of her work.
You can see more of Rachel’s work here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51468196@N08/
http://levit-ate.blogspot.com/
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVWBJG2l66o]
Parsons Illustration Alum Dan Yaccarino has a new children’s book coming out next month. You can watch the book trailer for “All the Way to America” above and then go check out Dan’s website for more information about his books and projects.
Way to go, Dan!
Full-time faculty Nora Krug has illustrated a children’s book for Penguin/Putnam! The book, MY COLD WENT ON VACATION, written by Molly Rausch, tells the story of a germ who travels the world. Publisher’s Weekly says:
A cross between the work of Maira Kalman and Roz Chast, Krug’s quirky, electric-hued pictures combine folk art and cartoon sensibilities. The latter surfaces in her portrayal of the cold, a mucus-green, egg-shaped figure with a red Pinocchio-like nose and pinkeyes. Odd subject matter, but Krug’s artwork makes for a visually arresting journey.
The book is available here. Congrats to Nora!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqB-Jue1oeA]
Parsons Illustration Alum David Ezra Stein has been awarded a 2011 Caldecott Honor for his book, “Interrupting Chicken” (see the trailer above!). Here’s an excerpt from the official press release:
The American Library Association (ALA) announced the top books, video and audiobooks for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its Midwinter Meeting in San Diego.
Two Caldecott Honor Books were named: “Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave,” illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Laban Carrick Hill and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.; and “Interrupting Chicken,” written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein and published by Candlewick Press.
Parsons The New School for Design will present Pictoplasma NYC, a conference celebrating the artistic creation of character design, on Saturday, November 13 from 3-10 p.m.. Featuring lectures, panel discussions, and short film screenings, the event is part of Illustration Week, an annual programming series across New York City that showcases the best in international character design and art. The conference will be held at Tishman Auditorium, The New School, 66 West 12th Street, New York. Admission is free, but registration is requested via email to pictoplasmaparsons@gmail.com. Pictoplasma NYC is supported by folioplanet.com.
The conference was organized by Pictoplasma founders and curators Lars Denicke and Peter Thaler, and Steven Guarnaccia, chair of Illustration at Parsons. Among the featured participants is Ice Age character designer Peter de Seve, a well-known illustrator, New Yorker cover artist, and Parsons alumnus, who will discuss the process of creating iconic characters. In addition, Guarnaccia will moderate a panel discussion on how creative skills developed in art school can translate into work-life projects and careers, featuring a range of Parsons alumni: animation director Aaron Stewart, artist Motomichi Nakamura, and ornamental painter Andy Kehoe.
Also presenting are two members of the Australian design collective Rinzen, known for its video and audio remix project, RMX. New York-based designer Craig Redman has a creative output filled with twisted optimism and simple messages executed in a colorful, bold style. His character Darcel has become a fashion icon and is often featured at famed Parisian boutique Colette, where he recently had a solo exhibition. Berlin-based designer Rilla Alexander is inspired by vintage children books and mythical stories to create characters with complex identities through a blending of illustration, graphics and 3D design. Her RMX project, Neighbourhood, involved 20 blank plush dolls that were passed around the world being reworked and remade.
Illustrator Nathan Jurevicius will discuss his most acclaimed project to date, Scarygirl. Since her creation in 2001, Scarygirl has developed a following of fans throughout the world and has been the subject of a game, graphic novel, numerous limited edition vinyl toys and travelling shows, and a forthcoming feature film.
The program will conclude with a screening of Characters in Motion 2010, a 75-minute collection of animated short films, music videos and motion graphics. Each film was selected for its innovative and style-setting character design and the intriguing way these protagonists involve the viewer in surreal settings.
Pictoplasma is acclaimed for its unique focus on contemporary character design and art. Timeless publications showcase the work of a global scene of illustrators, graphic designers and animation filmmakers. The annual conference in Berlin is the meeting point for an international audience. The inimitable mix of selected animation programs, the lively exchange between the various disciplines and face-to-face artist lectures, allowing a personal glimpse into the character centered universe of the protagonists, have proven highly inspiring and highlight the importance of characters in contemporary visual culture. Whether illustration, animation, graphic design, street or fine art – the emphasis is not on the limits of style or format, but on the shared dedication to explore character-driven aesthetics. After its US premiere in 2008, the event is now returning to New York for the second Pictoplasma NYC edition. For more information, please visit www.pictoplasma.com.
In the BFA Illustration Program at Parsons The New School for Design, one of the most prestigious and comprehensive schools of art and design in the world, students are poised to become influential, pictorial communicators. Through studio and digital course work, the program builds proficiency in drawing and media-based skills; creativity in concepts and problem solving; awareness of art and design and current social and cultural concerns; and fluency in technological tools and software. For more information, please visit http://www.newschool.edu/parsons/bfa-illustration/.
Parsons Illustration Chair Steven Guarnaccia was recently interviewed by 36pages.com for a write-up about his most recent book Three Little Pigs. Here’s a snippet:
Clearly a design aficionado, Guarnaccia sets out to pay homage to some of his heroes. “My goal was to introduce children to everyday, albeit extraordinary, design. They’re taught the names of authors and fine artists from an early age, but the applied arts are often overlooked.”
The book is a retelling of the original story except the pigs are famous architects Frank Lloyd Wright, Philip Johnson and Frank Gehry. It’s chock-full of design references and iconic work by the pigs and others like Noguchi, Saarinen, Starck, Sottsass, and many more.
You can read the whole article and see more images here.
Below is a list of upcoming events that might be of interest…
OCT. 9 Sat. 9-6pm A IS FOR ANANSI: LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN OF AFRICAN DESCENT A Is For Anansi will cover the history, criticism and theory of contemporary books for and about children of African descent, as told by its most influential critics, scholars, teachers and producers. The need for more in-depth analysis and for more information, critical evaluation, and publications on this topic still remain. The conference will look at these and consider other questions and issues as well. Speakers include LEO & DIANE DILLON (Parsons Illustration Alums), ARNOLD ADOFF, KAMILI FEELINGS, GEORGE FORD, ZETTA ELLIOTT, and MICHAEL PATRICK HEARN among others.
LOCATION: NEW YORK UNIV., KIMMEL CENTER, 60 WASHINGTON SQUARE SOUTH, RM. 914-SILVER.
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
INFO: http://africanastudies.as.nyu.edu/object/anansi.html
RSVP: 212.998.4222
Oct. 9 Sat. 2pm NYPL CHILDREN’S LITERARY CAFE discusses The Authors Guild, SCBWI and PEN. Join moderator BETSY BIRD for a look at three prominent organizations for authors and illustrators. With a slew of different organizations to consider joining what do these organizations offer their members? (Illustration Adjunct Faculty) PAT CUMMINGS of the Authors Guild, SUSANNA REICH of PEN, and VICKI WITTENSTEIN of SCBWI will discuss what benefits their organizations provide and the good works they do in the community and the world. FREE.
LOCATION: Berger Forum, 2nd Floor in The New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Fifth Avenue and 42 Street, New York, NY, 10018
Oct. 12 Tues. 6:30-7:30 p.m. THE NEW SCHOOL FORUM ON WRITING FOR CHILDREN presents THE GETTING PUBLISHED PANEL: Meet three publishing professionals who will share their expertise about publishing children’s books today. You’ll have an opportunity to direct questions to JENNY BROWN, reviewer, TwentyByJenny.com; ANDREA CASCARDI, agent, Transatlantic Literary Agency, Inc.; and JOY PESKIN, Executive Editor, Viking Children’s Books. With moderator: DEBORAH BRODIE. After 22 years at Viking and six as cofounder of Roaring Brook Press, Deborah Brodie is now a freelance editor, book doctor, and writing coach for publishers, literary agents, and individuals.
LOCATION: 66 West 12th Street, Room 510. TICKETS: Admission $5.
Tickets at The New School Box Office, Mon-Fri 1-7 p.m.; call 212-229-5488.
INFORMATION: For more information: 212-229-5611.
Oct. 12 Thurs. 7:30-9:30 p.m. SOCIETY OF CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATORS AND WRITERS (SCBWI): Twenty-Five* Revision Techniques. CHERYL KLEIN, Senior Editor at Arthur Levine Books and author of the blog Brooklyn Arden will talk about twenty-five* techniques that writers can use to revise their manuscripts.
LOCATION: The Anthroposophical Society, 138 West 15th Street, NYC
DOORS OPEN AT 7:15pm.
INFO (Please check for last minute changes): metro.nyscbwi.org/profseries.htm
COST: $15 for SCBWI members, $20 for nonmembers; Seating is limited to the first 80 people.
Oct. 19 Tues. 6 pm THE AUTHORS GUILD invites you to a children’s book panel discussion: Trends in Children’s Book Publishing 2010, sponsored by the Authors Guild Foundation. Panelists will be Moderator, RACHEL VAIL, Author; MEG CABOT, Author; LISA HOLTON, Founder, CEO, Fourth Story Media; NEAL PORTER, Editor, Founder, Neal Porter Books; and ROSEMARY STIMOLA, Literary Agent, President, Stimola Literary Studio.
FREE.
DOORS OPEN AT 5:30 p.m. Space is limited.
LOCATION: Scandinavia House, The Volvo Room, 58 Park Avenue at 38th Street, NYC.
RSVP: 212.563.5904
Oct. 21 Thurs. 6pm SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS RECEPTION FOR THE ORIGINAL ART SHOW celebrating the fine art of children’s book illustration. Opening Reception and Awards Presentation.
LOCATION: Society of Illustrators 128 East 63RD Street NYC
RSVP NECESSARY by Oct. 12th: kb@societyillustrators.org 212 838 2560
TICKETS: Members $25 Non-members $30
INFO: http://www.societyillustrators.org/At-the-Museum/2010/2010-Original-Art/Opening-Reception–2010-Original-Art.aspx
event listings via: Pat Cummings
For children of all ages and their caregivers…a special reading. Free and open to the public!
Parsons Illustration Chair Steven Guarnaccia will read from his new book, The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale. With subtle nods to such famous architects as Frank Gehry, Phillip Johnson and Frank Lloyd Wright, this clever tale combines the classic story with a sophisticated design sensibility. The book, which combines fun with a lesson about function, is a delight for readers big and small, in a hip, modern and eye-catching way.
See the whole Strand calendar of events here!