Great Write Up and Video about Kevin Necessary on WCPO Website

 Kevin Necessary has been doing some amazing editorial cartoons for WCPO for a while now. This is a great write up and video about his work.

http://www.wcpo.com/news/cartoonist-kevin-necessary-nearly-gave-up-on-his-dream

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

Interesting Podcast: Paper Wings Interviews Jimmy Gownley

Jimmy Gownley's story is very inspirational. He started self-publishing his books and then got deals with Simon and Schuster and Scholastic.

Paper Wings has a nice podcast just up interviewing him along with some helpful links.

Super nice guy too, we met him at SPACE last year. http://chrisoatley.com/pw30/

Also be sure to look at the back catalog of interviews while on the site including recent interviews with Jenn Ely from Laika about designing for BoxTrolls.

 

Hello, Friends

As you've noticed, I haven't been around much lately. There are two reasons. First, I've had some personal experiences that demanded my total attention. Second, I took on a part-time job with late-night hours, so I've had less time.

Things are better now. I've decided to stay in Cincinnati. My family life is good. Also, I have a fire under me to succeed as an artist. This year, I'll emerge either with a firm commerical art career, or a "Brian" art project that I will be completely proud of.

I apologize for not telling you sooner. I kept thinking I'd see you all at a meeting. Also, I sometimes forget that I have friends that care and worry. ...and I'm not good at sharing personal stuff.

So, this was tough to write. Thanks for reading. Please contact me if it's been too long since we've talked.

Local Animator Releases Short Film Online

Barko, is free to see online for the first time ever!  

 

Allison Craig, local animator, is premiering it on Vimeo starting today. 

 

Produced by Titmouse Inc (famous for Turbo F.A.S.T on Netflix, Motorcity on Disney XD, and several shows on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim), Barko is the story of a lonely circus dog with a vigorous fear of hot dogs. The short screened at several festivals in 2010 and won a few awards (Austin Film Festival, Los Angeles Animation Festival and Red Rock Film Festival among others).

 

Barko from Allison Craig on Vimeo.

Allison will also be showing works and animation at the Slam Bam Comic Jam at the Art Academy opening Friday.

Interview on Sunday Morning Magazine with Rodney Lear Re-Airs January 25th

The segment with Will Hillenbrand, Tara Calahan King, Loren Long, and Christina Wald on Sunday Morning Magazine with Rodney Lear will re-air this Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 7:00 am on WKRQ-FM (101.9) & WYGY-FM (97.3) and at 6:00 am on WUBE (105.1) & WREW-FM (94.9). 

https://www.facebook.com/notes/1079462355413399/

Will Hillenbrand's Latest Book

Great Blog Post by Giuseppe Castellano

Giuseppe Castellano is an art director at Penguin Random House. He recently started a blog with illustration advice.

There is a lot of terrible advice out there for beginning illustrators!

If you want to illustrate as a full time occupation, it is made up of all kinds of jobs, not just some Platonic ideal job that will make your career. I know a lot of artists who routinely turn down work that is not precisely what they want to do and they suffer; eventually taking a job completely unrelated to what they want to do because that rent bill is not going to pay itself.

Giuseppe's post is the best advice I have seen in a while. Check it out!

Do What You Don’t Love

 http://www.gcastellano.com/arttips/2015/1/8/do-what-you-dont-love

My favorite quote (and I have actually told people this in the past):

"When discussing this topic with my wife, she said it better (and in fewer words) than I ever could, “It’s like saying ‘I’m holding out for Lear’.” She went on to quote, “There are no small parts, only small actors.” Exactly."

Sometimes a small job or something that seems at first glance not what you would ideally want to do may be the springboard to an amazing job.

He compares illustration to plumbing but it really is more like bricklaying to me. Sometimes you are building a small house, sometimes it is a high-rise condo but it is still built one brick at a time.

UCBA Studio Faculty Exhibition

This exhibition showcases the work of studio faculty in the departments of Art & Visual Communication and Electronic Media Communications at University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College. The work included represents a wide range of media, stylistic approaches, and creative research interests. Participating faculty members made their own selections of work for inclusion, with the disciplines of painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, video, sound recording, and other forms of work represented. The range and scope of the exhibit helps demonstrate the technical skills, aesthetic understanding, and creative interests that faculty at UC Blue Ash bring to students in the classroom and studio. The exhibition was edited and organized by John Wolfer, H. Michael Sanders, Andy Marko and Stefanie Bethuy. Participating faculty include:

Art & Visual Communication –

Jamie Albert, Stefanie Bethuy, Janice Braverman, Jase Flannery, Tracy Creahan Johnson, William Malczan, Julie Mitchell, Amanda Parker-Wolery, Patrick Schreiber, Lisa Timman, Mary Sue Weinstein, and John Wolfer.

Electronic Media Communications –

Helen Adams-Borders, Matt Bennett, William Boyle, Ted Ferdinand, Meg Hanrahan, David Hartz, Guennadi Maslov, Lou Olenick, Jay Petach, H. Michael Sanders, Neil Sharrow and Chelsea VandeDrink.

The exhibit opens this Friday, January 16, 2015, with a reception from 5:00pm-7:00pm. The Gallery is located at 4131 Cooper road at the corner of Plainfield road and across from Parkers Tavern. Please invite friends, family and colleagues to join us for the opening reception this Friday. The URL for the UCBA Gallery website is http://www.ucblueash.edu/about/community/art-gallery/faculty-show.html

Above: David Hartz, "Heartfelt" needle felted wool 

Title page art I created for my brother's newest book "The Art of Space" published by Zenith Press. This was done in 3DS Max, Photoshop and After Effects.

Chuck Jones Center for Creativity seeking Donations for Auction

I received this email the other day and offered to Robert to post this for other artists who may be interested in participating.  Read the details below and if interested reach out to Robert via the email (and let him know that you found out about it on the Cincinnati Illustrators Blog.

Dear Artists and Friends of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity,  Preparations are underway for the Fifth Annual Red Dot Auction benefiting the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, scheduled for Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1, 2015. Today we're writing to ask you to donate a work of art to this year's Fifth Annual Red Dot Auction. The canvas provided is 12" square and as last year, we ask that you sign the artwork on the reverse.  You may prefer to work on paper or another substrate and that's fine as long as we can mount it to the 12" square canvas for presentation the night of the event. The artwork should be signed on the reverse so that bidders at this silent auction will not know who has created which painting. "What should I paint?" you might ask. Chuck's life spanned most of the 20th century and with such a wealth of inspiration why not the life and times of Chuck Jones? That should not limit you to cartoon-related imagery, although many of the most sought after works at last year's event were inspired by his Looney Tunes creations; you might be inspired by his love of puns, his enjoyment of painting with watercolors or the fact that he once owned a horse named Lord Mischief. Imagine a world where the laws of gravity don't apply; a world where the space-time continuum can be altered; a world where you're in control to break the rules. It sounds a lot like the world where the wonderful, vibrant characters created by Chuck Jones live. Imagine then, applying that kind freedom of thinking to your canvas and to the subject matter you choose. Won't you share your gifts with us and with the Center's members and patrons?  If you will, please drop me a note with your mailing address and I'll get a canvas out to you or drop by the Center to pick up a canvas.  What's that you say?  You'd like to contribute two works?  No problem!  Just let me know and I'll send you two canvases.  Have an artist friend who would like to be a part of this exciting project?  Please send them my way:  Robert@ChuckJonesCenter.org. Canvases are due back no later than March 15, 2015. Again this year we are partnering with Heritage Auctions to bring the Red Dot Auction to the attention of their over 800,000 subscribers. This online auction will go live on April 1, 2015 and end the evening of Thursday, April 29, 2015. In order to be included in it, your canvas must arrive no later than Sunday, March 15, 2015. New this year! A commemorative poster, similar to the one shown, will be printed; 30 canvases will be selected to represent this year's Red Dot Auction. A limited number of the posters will be produced and sold the evening of the event. To be considered for inclusion, your canvas must arrive no later than Sunday, March 15, 2015! Thank you in advance for your generosity, time, and commitment to Igniting Imagination for Life! All the best, Robert Robert@ChuckJonesCenter.org

   Please let me know if you have any questions!  It would be awesome if you participated :)

Winter/Spring Art Classes

If your New Year's resolution is to hone your skills, here are some great classes taught by some amazing local artists/illustrators.

Instructor: Deborah Ridgley

What. Painting and drawing class with the costumed model. 

Where.  Held at the woman's Art Club 

6980 Cambridge Lane 

Mariemont Ohio 

45236 

Who. Instructor Deborah Ridgley. 

Www.DeborahRidgley.Com 

When. 

A six week session.  

Dates. Jan. 14, 21,28 

Feb. 4, 18, 25. 

Wednesday.  12:30-3:00 pm 

( there also will be a March, April and May session )

Cost. 

$210. 

( $30 model fee) 

More information.

513-259-9302. 

Instructor: Marlene Steele

Oil Painting: A Fresh Start    NEW!

Wed.   6:30 - 9:00 pm     Feb 18 to April 8 

8 classes  Clifton Cultural Art Center

Fee: $180 

If you've ever wanted to paint in oils, this is the place to begin. Designed for beginning and intermediate levels, discussions will cover how to start a painting, color mixing, selection and use of brushes, and other painting tools and painting design. Students will use a limited palette in order to learn how to mix a variety of colors. Interesting still-life set-ups will be used. Previous drawing experience is recommended. Open to adults and teens 16 or older. Materials are not included

Drawing the Figure 

Saturday   9:30 am - 12:00 pm        Feb 7- March 28  

8 classes

Fee: $180 

Draw the human figure with a fresh insights and techniques from a seasoned instructor.   Proportion, Line, tone and value  will be addressed to advance your skills.  

Pastel Portraits

Tuesdays  9:30 am - 12:30 pm       Feb 17 - April 21 

10 classes

$190 Essex

This class will focus on a direct approach to the pastel portrait from life. Students will begin by discovering black/white value patterns to understand the basic forms of the head. Using traditional pastel we will practice capturing male and female portraits, manipulating edges and value. Students must be 16 or older. Class cost includes model fee.

Calligraphy Foundations: Italic Capitals and Flourishes

Saturdays 1:00 - 3:30 pm        Feb. 21-March 28

6 classes

Fee: $150 

Learn the basics of beautiful script in this fundamentals course. Covering basics of line, stroke, and pen manipulation, this course makes it easy to learn and use calligraphy in writing, as pattern, or as a beautiful form of its own. No experience necessary. Materials not included.

ART ACADEMY OF CINCINNATI  Community Ed.

Contact: commed@artacademy.edu     

513 562-8748

 

Instructor: Steve Meek

Steve is teaching several classes on graphic design software if your New Year's goal is to become more tech savvy!

Adobe Illustrator CS6

Monday 6:30 - 9:00 pm   Feb 23 - April 13

S362

Expand your vector skills in Illustrator! Become proficient and learn how to create impressive and professional graphic designs and illustrations using digital tools. This course will consist of instruction surveying all major functions and guided work on projects.


Adobe Photoshop CS6

Wednesdays 6:30 - 9:00 pm March 4 - April 22

S362

A basic class with focus on retouching, editing, and creative image manipulation. This is an ideal course for free lance, in-house designers,  photographers using digital technology, and studio artists. The course will consist of instruction surveying all major functions and guided work on projects.


NEW! | Adobe InDesign CS6

Tuesdays 6:30 - 9:00 pm March 10 - April 28

S362

Ever wonder how they produce those beautiful magazine pages?  Learn the tricks of the trade! This is a great program for those students interested in what goes on behind the scene of publication layout. Great for creating books, catalogs, flyers, lay outs and more. No prior experience needed.  Class cost includes lab fee.

  

ART ACADEMY OF CINCINNATI  Community Ed.

Contact: commed@artacademy.edu     

513 562-8748

Open Life Drawing: Manifest

If you want to do more life drawing, check out Manifest Gallery's open life drawing sessions:

http://www.manifestgallery.org/studio/openfigure/

SCHEDULE:
Tuesdays, 7-9p.m. (short pose)
Wednesdays, 7-9p.m. (long pose)
Sundays, 2-5p.m. (short poses) 

Tuesday track will provide a mix of gesture poses for warmup and usually one 90 minute pose for the evening. At the moderator's discretion multiple shorter poses may be set up during any given meeting. ($90 / $45 student for a ten-session pass. $360/180 for a year).

Wednesday track will provide 2-day or 3-day poses as the norm. This track is designed to offer the multi-day poses so larger or more refined works can be completed. ($90 / $45 student for a ten-session pass. $360/180 for a year).

Sunday track* will provide a mix of gesture poses for warmup and usually a range of 1 to 3 poses for the remainder of the 3-hour session. At the moderator's discretion multiple shorter poses may be set up during any given meeting. ($140 / $70 student for a ten-session pass. $560/280 for a year).

SheGrins Cartoon Book! 150+ Cartoons by Ursula Roma

ORDER:  https://www.createspace.com/5210816

Zombie Marge-Episode 55

After an extended absence over at my blog, I'm climbing back on the juggernaut that is Zombie Marge Comix. A new strip is up today and more are on the way. Check it out:

http://zombiemarge.blogspot.com/2015/01/episode-55.html