Works by Regional Book Illustrators

November 14—December 12, 2025

Pearlman and McClure Galleries

Public Reception: Friday, November 14, 2025, 5—8pm

The Art Academy of Cincinnati is pleased to present Story Art, a group exhibition featuring picture book illustrators from Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.

Panel Discussion: Friday at 10:30am

About the exhibition: This exhibition celebrates the breadth and variety of talented book illustrators in our region, featuring illustrations made with traditional painting, digitally produced art, photography, and sculptures, as well as a display of the printed books that the illustrations are from. There will also be examples of process material, such as sketches, studies and storyboards.

Every year, Cincinnati hosts the Books by the Banks festival, bringing hundreds of accomplished regional and national authors and illustrators to the Main branch of the Cincinnati Library. Story Art will open the same weekend as the festival, and will include many authors participating in Books by the Banks. This exhibition offers students of the Art Academy and the wider community the opportunity to view the artistry and process of bringing story books to life.

Artists included in the exhibition: Erin Barker, Keturah Bobo, Tim Bowers, Jane Dippold, Jeffrey Ebbeler, David FitzSimmons, Barry Gott, Jacob Grant, Fern Haught, Will Hillenbrand, Tara Calahan King, Terri Libenson, Loren Long, Tammy Lyon, Katie Mazeika, T.L. McBeth, Wes Molebash, Debbie Palen, C.F. Payne, Merrill Rainey, Rafael Rosado, Blyth Russo, Chris Sickles, Joe Sutphin, Christina Wald, Lindsay Ward, Deann Wiley

About the curator: Jeffrey Ebbeler is a New York Times best-selling illustrator. He has illustrated and occasionally written over 60 books for young readers. His published work includes picture books, middle grade and chapter books, and graphic novels. He teaches illustration at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, and is also an AAC alum.

More info: https://www.artacademy.edu/exhibitions/story-art/

Gallery Show: Jo Ann Berger and Susanne Fisher at Caza Sikes Gallery

Check out the gallery show at Caza Sikes starting November 8th until December 3rd!

http://cazasikes.com/exhibition/jo-ann-berger-and-suzanne-fisher-18/

Craig Boldman at Middletown Arts Center

Craig Boldman has a show at Middletown Arts Center

130 W. Verity Parkway Middletown, OH 45042

Opening is Friday, August 3rd 6:00-8:00PM

It is folded into another event, the Betty Hughes Memorial Exhibition which will be in the main gallery while Craig be in the front gallery.

The event is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/267895960428385/

Chro-Ma Gallery show opeing June 7th

Check out the work of Kim Rae Taylor, Michael Coppage, Aaron Delamarte and Michael Stillionat 1628 Ltd. opening June 7th at 6pm.

May the Fourth Episode III

This has become a Cincinnati illustrator premiere event! Art from CF Payne, David Michael Beck, Jim Effler, Carl Samson, Richard Luchek, Kevin Necessary, Christina Wald, Amy Bogard, Sarah Rocheleau, Anthony "Tank" Mansfield, Sara Leah Miller, Jaimie Filer, Tim Fuller, Michael Colbert, Chris Reiff and many more!

Hope to see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/210023729591325/

Yoda vs. Darth Vader by David Michael Beck

Corellian Cockpit by Sarah Leah Miller

Illustrat6rs: 6 Perspectives

Lora Innes, pencil drawing in progress, 2017

The Art Academy of Cincinnati is pleased to present Illustrators: 6 Perspectives, an exhibition featuring work by six area women illustrators:
Aiko Ikegami
Lora Innes
Tara King
Evelyn Pence
Ursula Roma
Carol Tyler

These artists exemplify the amazing talent within the significant community of professional illustrators in the Greater Cincinnati area; the work included here ranges stylistically from the technically rendered, to graphic abstraction, to representational figurative art, and genres include children’s books, medical, editorial, advertising, educational, adult narrative, cover art, and personal work.

This exhibition runs from February 9 to March 9, 2018, with a public reception on Final Friday, February 23, from 5–8pm.

About the artists:

—Born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1966, Aiko Ikegami has loved painting and drawing since childhood. She studied under noted Japanese painter Kimie Tanaka, and went on to earn an Associate degree in childhood education from Aoyama Gakuin Women’s Junior College. In 1993, she came to the U.S., where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology at Arizona State University (1997), and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology at the University of Texas at Austin (2003). After working as a biomedical researcher, she decided to pursue her dream of writing and illustrating books; her first children’s book, Friends, was published in 2016 and received a 2017 CCBC Choices Award. Her second book, Seed Man, will be published by Sleeping Bear Press in April 2018. Ikegami aims to create illustrations that provide a sense of comfort, whimsy, and dreamlike surreality. She lives and works in Ohio and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and the Ohio Art League.

—Comic book creator Lora Innes’s series The Dreamer examines America’s past through its present— quite literally. Since 2007, the webcomic has followed the adventures of a high school drama student named Bea Whaley who is transported back in time to 1776 every night when she falls asleep. Innes examines the Revolutionary War from the individual perspectives of the soldiers she writes about, including Nathan Hale, Dr. Joseph Warren, and Thomas Knowlton. She draws inspiration from primary sources as well as research into other American wars. The Dreamer connected her with the Nathan Hale School House, where she worked on a museum exhibit in the form of six oversized comic pages that brought to life the schoolmaster-turned-soldier’s time in New London. The Dreamer has been collected and published in three graphic novel volumes by IDW Publishing and received five nominations in the industry’s Harvey Awards. Innes also illustrated the Wynonna Earp comic book series that accompanied the release of the Syfy television show of the same name. She works primarily digitally when illustrating comic books, but uses cover art as an opportunity to return to her traditional roots. Innes graduated from the Columbus College of Art & Design in 2002.

—Tara Calahan King is an award-winning illustrator, muralist and designer. She was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio where she received her BFA from the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 1995. Recognized by the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and the School Library Journal, she is noted for her endearing characters and odd perspectives. Her work can be found in children's books, pediatric brochures, greeting cards, magazines, stationary products, libraries, hospitals, and other places and products. From 2012–2014, King was commissioned to design, paint and renovate two Indiana Public Libraries, where she also designed and painted five large interactive sculptures for children. She is a frequent presenter at schools and libraries, promoting art, literacy, and creativity; for her work in children’s book illustration and her excellence in children’s programming, she was commended a Kentucky Colonel by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and State Representative Susan Westrom in 2010. King’s book Enemy Pie, written by Derek Munson, has become a Reading Rainbow feature book and was narrated by the Emmy award-winning actor Ed Harris. Her recent work includes illustrating the Books by the Banks 2017 poster art, creating imagery of Cincinnati landmarks for Poeme stationary company of Cincinnati, and developing and illustrating new children’s book characters.

—Evelyn Pence came to Cincinnati from the Chicago area for an education in business marketing at Xavier University. Shortly after graduating in 1991, Pence saw an article about medical illustration in National Geographic that introduced her to her eventual profession. With the assistance of professors of art and biology at Northern Kentucky University, Xavier University, and University of Cincinnati, she went back to school to put together the prerequisites and portfolio required for acceptance into the University of Michigan, then only one of six accredited medical and biological illustration programs in North America. She started her career in Ann Arbor as an adjunct lecturer in anatomical sketching and by working for researchers on projects ranging from MRI Angiography protocols to presentations for DARPA to books on plastic surgery. Later she moved to Washington DC to work as a medical animator for a newly-formed medical education website. She found her way back to the Cincinnati area in 2000, and took a job at the University of Cincinnati Geology Department as a graphic and web designer. Missing medical illustration, Pence launched her own medical illustration business in 2003. Since then she has specialized in the field of instructive science and health information. With 15 years’ experience in academic publishing, focusing on higher education and professional healthcare education, her work can be found throughout many leading college publications, websites, professional education materials, and scientific, medical and technical journals. Recently published work can be found in Exploring Psychology in Modules (10th edition) by David Myers and Nathan DeWall (McMilllan), cover art for Nature Microbiology April 2016, and Cell Stem Cell. Currently she is very happy to be working locally with Cincinnati branding agencies, law firms and medical device manufacturers.

—Ursula Roma is an artist and illustrator living in Cincinnati, Ohio. She became an illustrator primarily to have a way to communicate her political views and those of her clients, and has spent the last 30 years as a freelance artist, trying to create a style that boldly and broadly communicates for social issues and causes. After earning a BFA in New York, she came to Cincinnati just as the AIDS epidemic was hitting the city and became very involved in helping to raise awareness about the disease and its causes—creating artwork for posters, brochures, and ultimately AIDS quilts dedicated to people that died. Committed to helping with social justice causes and political issues of our day, Roma has produced imagery regarding children’s health issues, prison populations, minority rights and issues of other displaced communities. She has created work for women’s health access groups, battered women’s shelters, Planned Parenthood, LGBT festivals, marches, and other events; her clients have included UC Center for Women’s Studies, Children’s Hospital, YWCA and many local women’s associations. In terms of process, Roma’s early work in clay and stained glass led not only to a desire to bring vibrant, boldly colorful expressions of emotion into her two-dimensional illustrations, but also to venture into three-dimensional and relief illustration. Her work continues to be informed by her experience with a variety of media and modes of working, including woodcut, scratchboard, cut paper, pen and ink, found-object sculpture, and digital processes.

—Carol Tyler is a master cartoonist and a pioneer of the “autobiographical” comics genre. Born in Chicago in 1951, she earned a BFA at Middle Tennessee State University (1978), and an MFA in Painting at Syracuse University (1983). She became interested in underground comics in the early 80s, had her first comic publication in Weirdo in 1987, and went on to become an influential figure in the world of underground comics, eventually publishing her first solo book, The Job Thing, in 1993. Tyler has been the recipient of numerous awards, such as the 2016 Cartoonist Studio Prize from Slate Book Review, and the Master Cartoonist Award from Cartoonist Crossroads Columbus. Her book Soldier’s Heart received eleven Eisner Award nominations in addition to two Harvey and two Ignatz Award nominations, was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and won an Ohio Arts Council Excellence Award. Other books include Fab4 Mania, and Late Bloomer. These days, Tyler teaches comics at the University of Cincinnati, and works out of her "Ink Farm” in northern Kentucky, which offers an annual summer camp experience for cartoonists.


https://www.facebook.com/events/150264542361129/?active_tab=about

David Micheal Beck Show at Malton Gallery

Join the Malton Gallery for the opening of "ROOTED" featuring illustrator David Michael Beck and Sculptor Mark Chatterly

August 24th, 5-7pm


I am not seeing a Facebook event yet but if there is one, I will add it later.

The Fine Art of Illustration Show at Joe Stewart Gallery

See works by C.F. Payne, John Maggard, David Michael Beck and Jim Effler opening Friday April 14th at the Joe Stewart Gallery in O'Bryonville. 

We will also be having Illustrators Lunch at O'Bryon's Bar and Grill April 19th to see the show.
https://www.facebook.com/events/207521986403202

Poster from a show these guys did 28 years ago in Eden Park!

Illustrator News: Melissa McClanahan

Melissa McClanahan has a one night solo mini-show this Sunday the 13th at ECOnsiously in Northside, from 8:15-9:30pm Artwork focusing on the feminine, moon and nature! She will have originals as well as prints and small works for sale.

Any proceeds from this show to be donated to Planned Parenthood

Illustrators Show at The Flats Gallery Closing September 2nd

We had a great opening at The Flats Art Gallery Saturday. What a GREAT turnout!

If you missed it:

"The Flats Art Gallery will host The Illustrators Art Show and book sale on Friday, Sept. 2 from 6-9 p.m. Four renown Cincinnati artists -- Jerry Dowling, Jeff Ebbeler, C.F. Payne and Christina Wald -- will sign books they have illustrated!"

https://www.facebook.com/events/1641932699450132/

3028 Price Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45205

The Illustrators Art Show

Check out the Illustrators Art Show at The Flats Gallery on July 30th. Jeffrey Ebbeler and I will be signing books 5-7 and C. F. Payne and Jerry Dowling will be signing 7-9!

Check out the interview Channel 12 did with Jeffrey Ebbeler about the opening!

http://local12.com/news/good-morning-cincinnati/flats-art-gallery-hosts-the-illustrators-art-show-on-july-30

3028 Price Ave. in the Incline District.

Here are the details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1121858164501732/

Chaz Chew Gallery Show Opening July 7th

The 86 is proud to feature:

Chaz Chew

Thursday July 7th will be Chaz's art opening from 6pm till 8pm. His art will remain hanging at The 86 for the month of July.

Check out some of his work here: https://www.facebook.com/The-Art-of-Chaz-Chew-152883571410292/

Coffee bar will be open serving assorted, hand-crafted drinks!

Final Friday at Frameshop-New Works by Jaimie Filer

Join us at frameshop on Final Friday, June 24th, for the opening of "Broken Hearted Journal of Carl Von Grumpadump," a show of new works by Jaimie C. Filer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On October 23, 1963, Mary Von Grumpadump and her husband, Carl, had an argument that led to her running to the forest behind their small home, never to be seen again.

After three days of searching and hoping she would come back, Carl Von Grumpadump packed a small bag and ventured into the forest, swearing he would not return until he found his true love. He was never heard from again.

On December 28, 2015, Carl’s bag was found close to their old Southern Kentucky home, his journal among a few rusty old items inside. In the journal were surreal accounts of another world and time, filled with descriptions of strange beings and accounts of impossible imagination.

On Final Friday, June 24th, The Frameshop, in collaboration with artist/illustrator/tattooer/gentleman Jaimie C. Filer, will bring these pages to life. Selected pages of Carl’s journal will be displayed along with watercolor illustrations depicting Carl’s mad accounts. Whether these stories are true or hallucinations from Carl’s final moments, they will be displayed for you to see.

Come and explore the world that the “Broken Hearted Journal of Carl Von Grumpadump” has created.

https://www.facebook.com/events/599417766898741/

 

The Cincinnati Sports Art of Stephen Colyer

Check out Stephen Colyer's show opening at the Sharonville Cultural Arts Center on June 3rd 6-9pm.

CityBeat Feature on Carol Tyler and Gallery Show at University of Cincinnati

CityBeat did a cover feature on the super talented Carol Tyler. http://citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-34466-pages_and_perseverance.html

She also has a show opening at UC on Thursday the 28th.








From the site:

Carol Tyler: "Pages and Progress"
Jan 28th- March 10th

Award winning American cartoonist, painter, writer, educator and comedian Carol Tyler has garnered acclaim and notoriety from both her peers and the public for her vision and unabashed openness. Her illustrated autobiography Soldier’s Heart: The Campaign to Understand My WWII Veteran Father, A Daughter’s Memoir” (2015) describes the relationship she had with her father and how his PTSD shaped her childhood. The adverse affects of her upbringing results in a tale of truth, connection, and finally resolution. The recent release of the book and the tangible culmination of ten years of work come to fruition as we find Tyler exploring the next chapter of her creative endeavors. This exhibition serves as the purging of the past with fragments of past projects, objects from her past and her fathers work shop. In addition, we present a collection of artifacts from her life and studio practice, which provides a look into the mind and spirit that molds her vision of the world.
Artist Closing Reception: Thursday, March 10, from 5-7pm
For Info: please call 513.556.2839 or email daapgalleries@uc.edu

http://daap.uc.edu/galleries/meyers_gallery.html

Illustrator News: Show Opening by Jo Ann Berger and Nora Salazar

The work of Nora Salazar and Jo Ann Berger

Jo Ann Berger and Nora Salazar have an opening this Friday at Park + Vine at 6 pm.

Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1647617855495761/

Show Opening: Jeffery Ebbeler: Eva G. Farris Gallery at Thomas More College

Jeffery Ebbeler has a gallery show of his work at the Eva G. Farris Gallery at Thomas More College. Nov 5-24. Opening reception Nov 5^th 4-7 pm. Gallery Talk Nov 16^th  1:15 pm.

http://www.thomasmore.edu/art/art_gallery.cfm

Gallery Opening: The-Show-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named at Pop Revolution

No Death Eaters Here...

I love that the new show I am having with Anthony “Tank” Mansfield and Jaimie Filer at Pop Revolution Gallery is called The-Show-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named.

Opening reception: Thursday September 17, 2015 from 5-9 pm @ the MASON location. 

24th S Second Street in Mason.

Parking is behind the gallery off of Mason-Montgomery.

Show runs from Sept 17th - Oct 10th

Murder of Crows

 

Bellatrix Lestrange

 

Illustrator News: Ben J Hutchison is Melt's Spring Featured Artist

Artist’s Biography and Statement

Ben J Hutchison is a painter living in Cincinnati, Ohio. For over a decade he has created a variety of artwork, including comics, animations, logos, and digital paintings. It wasn’t until 2012 that he decided to begin painting and choosing to use old painting prints found at garage sales and thrift stores as his canvas.

The prints he paints on are relics of 20th century decoration. This work is about taking these reproductions that we have all lived with in our parents or grandparents homes and giving them new life by painting his own vision into them.

They are on display throughout April at Melt in Northside.

http://www.meltcincy.com/main/?p=261

Slam Bam Comic Jam at the Art Academy

Amazing Art by David Michael Beck

A Month-long Comic Arts Exhibition and Extravaganza
Features Artists from Kabuki, Star Wars, and The Walking Dead

WHO: Exhibition Artists: David Michael Beck, Allison Craig, Brian Hagen, Russell Ihrig, David Mack, Tony Moore, Joe Slucher, and Christina Wald.
 
PRESENTERS: Mike Fleisch, Anthony Moorman, Joe Slucher, and Christina Wald.
WHAT: Art Academy of Cincinnati’s Inaugural “Slam Bam Comic Jam” Exhibition & Extravaganza
WHEN: January 30 – February 27, 2015

Opening Reception: Final Friday, January 30, 5-8 pm Live Screen-Printing of Limited-Run T-Shirts (Only 50 Shirts Available, $10 each), Music,
Comic Merchandise Tables, and Costume Contest for fans of Wookiees and Walkers

Closing Reception: Final Friday, February 27, 5-8 pm Making It Documentary and Q&A with film director Anthony Moorman
Complete Schedule of Events will be posted on the Art Academy’s website.

https://www.facebook.com/events/404716769677449/ 

http://www.artacademy.edu/new-site-2013/wordpress-news/?tribe_events=slam-bam-comic-jam

From The Little Things by Joe Slucher