This is our 49th competition and we look forward to seeing all your 2009-2010 work. If you have any questions, just let us know: 800-799-6368 or info@si-la.org.
Congratulations to the following illustrators who are accepted in Illustration West 48 who are also showing their work at Labor of Line exhibit at Gallery Nucleus in conjunction with ICON6/The Illustration Conference, along with SILA members Scott Anderson, Jenny Mikhailik, and Shiho Nakaza!
Allan Burch
Chris Buzelli
You Byun
John Jay Cabuay
Patricia Cantor
Ching Ching Cheng
Craig Elliot
Frank Hansen
John Hendrix
Tim O’Brien
You can see the Illustration West 48 Show in person at the same hotel where ICON6 is located (Langham Hotel, Wentworth Room, 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106) and Labor of Line Show at Gallery Nucleus (210 East Main St, Alhambra CA 91801). Free shuttle transportation is provided for ICON6 attendees during Labor of Line Show opening night on Friday, July 16 from 8pm – 11:30pm.
Tues. 7 pm – 9 pm
Wed. 9 am – 12 pm
Thurs. 10 am – 4 pm and 7:30 pm – 10 pm (Art Directors’ Day)
Fri. 10 am – 7 pm
Sat. 10 am – 7 pm
Thank you to everyone who came out to start off the summer at Art in the Park event in Griffith Park! We were blessed with great weather and had a good mix of people, including Keith Batchellor doing plein air paintings and Alyce from the office riding on horseback. Here are some of the sketches by artists in attendance – click on their name to see their blog/website. We have more events this summer in conjunction with ICON and Comic-Con. Stay tuned by visiting http://si-la.org/programs.html or by becoming a Facebook SILA fan at http://www.facebook.com/societyofillustratorsoflosangeles!
SILA members don’t forget if you do attend the conference itself, SILA will rebate you the 2010…that is a twenty dollar bill and a dime. Look for Alyce in the hotel lobby!
Pencil to painting, sketchbook to canvas! Join the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles for a Saturday Art in the Park Plein Air painting with Keith Batcheller. The morning will start with a plein air demo presentation. Open to sketching, painting, pastels, or a medium of your choice. Bring your art supplies, a hat and a sunscreen to enjoy painting outdoors to kick off the summer!
Light refreshments provided.
Free for SILA Members, $5.00 for non-members and non-member students with school ID
Please call the office at 800-799-6368 or email us at info@si-la.org to save your spot by noon on Friday, June 18, 2010.
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Directions to get to the Griffith Park – carousel area:
Google Maps link to the carousel:
Griffith Park lies just west of the 5 Freeway, roughly between Los Feliz Boulevard on the south and the 134 Freeway (SR 134) on the north. Freeway off-ramps leading to the park from the 5 are Los Feliz Boulevard, Griffith Park (direct entry) and Zoo Drive. Approaching the park on 134 eastbound, take either the Forest Lawn Drive or Victory Boulevard offramps. From 134 westbound, take Zoo Drive or Forest Lawn Drive. After leaving freeways, follow the signs into the park.
Directions to the Griffith Park Carousel: Get on Crystal Springs Drive, which runs past the Griffith Park Miniature Train, Griffith Park Pony Rides, and the Griffith Park Ranger Station. The Merry-go-round is off of Crystal Springs Drive on a small side street in the park; follow the well-marked signs.
Questions? Email info@si-la.org or call 800-799-6368.
Remember, all SILA members who go to ICON6 will be rebated a twenty dollar bill
and a dime! Look for Alyce in the hotel lobby.
Name:
Keith Batcheller
Website:
http://www.artofkeithbatcheller.blogspot.com
http://www.keithbatcheller.com
Describe your illustration style.
My illustration work is realistic with with a strong sense of design and composition. Most of my work was done in acrylics and airbrush and I also used gouache for some projects. I now work in oils on canvas with a style of painterly realism. Most of the work I did for Walt Disney was done digitally.
How did you get started in the illustration field?
After graduation form Art Center, I was hired as a staff illustrator at a small design studio. I did comps and storyboards for commercials and some finished art for a variety of clients. I worked there for six months and then was selected by Art Center to be part of a Graduate Program in Westport, Connecticut where I refined my illustration and painting skills working with some of our nations most acclaimed illustrators. They include: Mark English, Bernie Fuchs, Bob Peak, and Bob Heindel. My illustration portfolio became so much better with their help and guidance. I then started my career as a freelance illustrator in New York City.
When I was younger I wanted to be
… a pitcher for the Dodgers. I had a great fastball as a kid but no curve ball.
What’s your favorite medium? Least favorite?
Favorite medium: for many years it was acrylics, or a mixed medium of airbrush colored pencil and acrylic. For the past fifteen years I worked digitally on most jobs. Now I work mostly in oils. My least favorite medium would be watercolor.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love the challenge of developing a good concept and design for my illustrations. Many times the art director will limit what you can do. But when given the freedom to compose my own designs I always do my best work.
Describe your typical work day.
I start my day with a walk in the park with my dog Lady. Then I go to my studio and check my e-mail and then get to work on my current illustration assignments. I also teach a class in illustration at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut. It meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays 12 – 3 pm.
What was your favorite project?
I love doing illustrations with people or portraits this has always been a strength of mine. I also love the process and the enjoyment I get out of painting.
What advice do you wish you had at the beginning of your illustration career?
Learn the business side of being an illustrator. When I graduated from Art Center they did not teach you how to price your work, or any knowledge of publishing rights or billing your work, none of that. It was a school of hard knocks and I had to learn fast.
How do you balance work and play?
Its easy to be selfish with your time and devote all your energy to the craft you love as an illustrator. When I am busy with a very fast deadline on a project I work late into the night and work up to 14 – 16 hours days. But most of the time I try not to work to late so that I can be with my family and friends and pursue other interests. It is important to balance your time in the studio with other activities. In the past I have gone through very busy periods working day and night on one project after another and soon you pay a price for this with physical and mental burn out and your work suffers. As much as I hate to turn down work sometimes it is better to slow down.
What are some of your inspirations?
Early in my development as an artist I was inspired by any well done painting or illustration that I saw. As I started to refine my skills as an illustrator in Connecticut on the graduate program, I was greatly influenced by Mark English, Bernie Fuchs and Bob Heindel. These three men were very passionate about their art and the creative process. Their words of wisdom have stayed with me all these years.
Outside of assignments, do you have creative side projects or hobbies?
Illustration has changed so much in the last ten years. I decided about two years ago to go back into oil painting on canvas. I have always had a desire to do paintings with western art subject matter. It is about as far away from illustration as I can get. I love the freedom to paint what I want. I love to paint historical and contemporary scenes, landscapes, wildlife and people that reflect the look of the old west.
If you weren’t an illustrator, what would you be?
A gallery painter is what I see myself doing in the future.
Current SILA members are invited to submit a member spotlight interview.
Click here for more information: http://si-la.org/spotlight.html
Please see below for information on Los Angeles Sketch Crawl – it’s free to participate except for parking + snacks/meal.
The pier is open throughout the day, so you can stay for a bit or hang out.
Los Angeles Sketch Crawl
Date: Saturday, May 15, 2010
Meeting Time: 11am
Location:
Redondo Beach Pier
meet at the front of the Arcade (Redondo Fun Factory)
123 International Boardwalk
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
http://www.yelp.com/biz/redondo-fun-factory-redondo-beach
Please refer to maps and/or GPS for driving directions.
Parking on Saturday is $10.50 in the structure, or metered parking on the street
All professional members of Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles are eligible for U.S. Air Force Art Program. For more details, please contact Air Force Program Chair, Ben Bensen.
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I was one of the artists for U.S. Air Force Art Program, and I had the honor of accompanying servicemen and servicewomen participating in Operation Arctic Care, which is an annual joint mission between Air Force, Army, and Navy to provide medical care to remote villages near Arctic Circle in Alaska.
Here is my experience of Operation Arctic Care as told through my sketches – all the artwork was done on the spot with pen while I was observing the action, and I watercolored them later with a portable watercolor kit and water brush. Some of them were painted during the flight home – a good way to pass the time!
Operation Arctic Care is based in Kotzebue, Alaska. From there, the military personnel fly out to about a dozen outlying villages to perform medical checkups, and each team rotate among the villages in order to see as many people as possible. Clinics and dental offices in the villages are nicely equipped through government funding; the big obstacle is lack of doctors and healthcare professionals. Operation Arctic Care team comes here annually to give health checkups and perform medical procedures for the villagers, but patients with major medical issues have to be referred to the nearest big city of Anchorage – which is 550 miles (884 km) away!!
Kotzebue, Alaska (population: 3,135, temperature 20 degrees Fahrenheit/-7 degrees Celsius) is dramatically different from my hometown of Los Angeles, California (population: 3.8 million, temperature: 70 degrees Fahrenheit/21 degrees Celsius), even though they are both in the United States. I have gathered and borrowed all the winter clothing I could find, and after two stopovers (since there is no direct flight), I have arrived at snow-covered village – within a day, I was transported from second largest metropolis in the U.S. with year-round sunshine to one of the most remote areas of the country with harsh, long winter in the tundra.
Depending on the village, existing clinics were used for some medical procedures while rooms inside other buildings were used as makeshift exam areas. In Kotzebue, temporary optometry clinic was set up in the office inside the Coast Guard armory which also doubles as a courthouse. Durable and portable equipment were brought in, vintage office chairs and metal tables in the room were put to good use, and the Air Force team got to work.
This eye exam unit fits inside a heavy rolling suitcase.
Many patients are children, and medical personnel were very good at talking with them and their parents. This little boy relaxed and became curious after a bit, and started to play with eye exam instrument. (More detailed story is here.)
Here is a Navy nurse practitioner giving a gentle reminder to a teen patient to wear a helmet when riding snowmobiles.
Air transport is critical in bringing supplies and personnel because the roads are covered in snow and oceans and rivers are frozen most of the year. There is only one pharmacy in the area, so medicines are flown out from there to other villages. Weather is a crucial factor in delivery, too – the team at command and control center in Kotzebue were working on logistics and rescheduling because first batch of medical crew who went to furthermost village of Point Hope was stuck there due to bad weather for several days. Being flexible is part of the mission!
When weather conditions allowed the crew to fly, the Army readied its Blackhawk helicopters to deliver medical supplies and personnel to outlying villages of Noorvik and Kiana, and I was allowed to go for a ride. Blackhawk helicopter is built more for function than comfort – you wear earplugs to block out the engine noise, buckle down in 5-point harness seatbelt, and the smell of fuel permeates the cabin. My pen lines in this sketch came out a bit shaky among steady rumble inside the helicopter.
Since this aircraft has no radar (or, for that matter, there are no control towers in airfields here), the pilots must fly it visually, identifying landmarks by sight – which is very impressive since there is almost nothing except for white field of snow between villages. Lift off and landing is smoother than being on a commercial jet, since the bird (as the crew calls it) can move straight up and down without having to taxi down the runway to gain altitude. It is quite a sight to see a Blackhawk land on the ground – the roar of blades turning and plumes of snow flying are quite dramatic. Snowflakes that landed on my sketchbook made pen lines run a little bit in this sketch. This photo is of me sketching the Blackhawks at rest – you better move out of the way when they take off, because you’ll be covered in snowshowers!
(I learned from my fellow artists on Urban Sketchers to use fingerless gloves when sketching in cold weather – the version I borrowed from my mom has flaps that turn them into mittens. They were very useful in below-freezing conditions!)
This was a fantastic experience for me to be able to witness what goes on “behind-the-scenes” in humanitarian efforts that most civilians like me wouldn’t know. I enjoyed the camaraderie and have renewed respect for our troops who perform their job admirably and with good cheer. I think it’s wonderful that Operation Arctic Care provides medical care for people in remote villages while giving the military an opportunity to train together to prepare for remote medical missions. I’m glad I was able to do a small part in document this event through my sketches, and am working on a finished artwork for Air Force Art Program presentation in October.
I’m curious to see who paints what from our Barksdale trip for the gala presentation this coming October, 2010. In fact, one of the really neat things about the Air Force Art Program is the anticipation of really great av art and all the wonderful artists that participate and the wide range of interpretations . This year, the Art Presentation’s theme is The Air Force Art Program celebrates its 60th Anniversary! Can you believe that? It’s been sixty years of art. And, if you haven’t heard by now, this year’s gala will be at the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, Oct. 22.
In the previous post, I have enclosed a link to my Photo Bucket site for those who are interested in our six day extravaganza. There you will see 95 pics of the 2000 taken. If you would like to see more, just give me a call at (985)796-0972 or drop me a line at:bensencomp@bellsouth.net . Also, there are some pretty interesting stories about the trip, on my blog, which is: http://graphicgumboben.blogspot.com/
Check out the story entitled,”Gawd, Forbid” It is pretty funny!
One last FYI, because our paintings travel worldwide to all kinds of different venues, Guy Franklin has instituted some guidelines for those who would prefer to frame their artwork themselves. The guidelines are there mainly to protect the art and the frames from further damage in route, and to assist the many galleries that hang up and take down the art. So, if you plan to frame your own, please checkout this pdf by emailing me at: bensencomp@bellsouth.net.
http://s793.photobucket.com/albums/yy213/bensencomp/Barksdale%202010/
This was our “mother” helping us get in and out of seat belts, parachute straps, oxygen mask setups and prevented one “Schmoe” from releasing the “T” ring on his parachute, which for all practical purposes would have opened his chute in the plane. She also picked out some tunes for all to hear in our intercom, after our mission was completed and headed back to base. I don’t think I will ever hear Don McLean’s, “American Pie” the same way ever again. She was great. Her real name is Schera Bowden, but we knew her as “Charlie”. She normally is the electronic warfare officer on board… when not catering to our “comforts!” By the way, Schera, pink is a nice color when juxtaposed to camo!
Here’s a cleaned up sketch of our refueling flight B-52 commander, Major Zack “Samson” Miller. He was awesome on our 6 hour flight, answered all our inane questions at the pre and post flight briefings. If memory serves me correctly, he’s only 28 years old, as is most of the crew.
26th World Wide Sketch Crawl is this Saturday, February 27!
Sketch Crawl is a worldwide marathon of drawing. You’ll be sketching on this day with artists all over the world! We usually share our sketches over a meal and post our drawings in the Sketch Crawl forum. General information on Sketch Crawl is at http://sketchcrawl.com.
Please see below for information on Los Angeles Sketch Crawl – it’s free to participate except for parking/metro fee + snacks/meal.
The zoo closes at 6pm, so you can stay for a bit or hang out all day.
Los Angeles Sketch Crawl
Date: Saturday, February 27, 2010
Meeting Time: 10:30am
Location:
Central Library
(meet at the Rotunda area, second floor – Galleries section)
630 W. 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
http://www.lapl.org/central/
Library hours on Saturday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Please refer to the website for Metro and driving directions.
Parking on Saturday is $1 at Westlawn Garage (524 S. Flower Street) if you have LAPL library card.
Library map:
http://www.lapl.org/central/central_map.pdf
The Art and Business of Themed Entertainment
Surf Ave. Aerial
Image Courtesy of Seth Cover, VP, Production, Thinkwell
Magic Station
Image Courtesy of Andy Sklar, Designer
Concept art for Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Back in Business Image Courtesy of John Murdy, Creative Director, Universal Studios Hollywood
Saturday, January 30, 2010 2pm – 4pm
Sherman Oaks Galleria Community Room
15301 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Free for SILA Members, $10 for nonmembers, $5 for students with school ID
Start the year off right and join us for a special pricing session on The Art and Business of Themed Entertainment.
Business Leads, Artists and Designers who have worked on global theme parks, museums, location based entertainment centers, rides, shows and attractions will share their work with an open discussion about the tools. prices, quote format, and overall communication with art buyers. Bring your sketchbooks – and get ready to be thrilled! This informative event is targeted toward all levels of experience including students, professional illustrators and artists new to the field.
Space is limited – RSVP today to info@si-la.org or 800-799-6368. More details are available at SILA Program page.
Presentors:
Moderator – Dawn Rivera-Ernster, Society of Illustrators, Los Angeles, VP Programming
Andy Sklar – Designer
John Murdy – Creative Director, Universal Studios Hollywood
Tracy Campbell – Sr. Manager, Talent Development, Walt Disney Animation Studios
Seth Cover – VP, Production, Thinkwell
Zofia Kostyrko – Creative Director
25th Worldwide Sketch Crawl takes place on Saturday, November 21.
Sketch Crawl is a worldwide marathon of drawing. You’ll be sketching on this day with artists all over the world! Usually we draw until when everybody is hungry, and show our sketches over lunch, and post our drawings in the Sketch Crawl forum. General information on Sketch crawl is at http://sketchcrawl.com. Please see below for information on Los Angeles Sketch crawl – it’s free to participate except for possible parking fees + snacks/lunch.
Since many people are going to CTN Animation Expo, let’s meet where the Expo is happening and sketchcrawl there! For those of us who are not attending the Expo, we can walk over to nearby Burbank Airport to sketch some planes, airport lobby, etc. Should be a good day for people-sketching!
25th World Wide SketchCrawl (5th Anniversary SketchCrawl!) – Los Angeles
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009
Time: 10 AM
Meet at the lobby of:
The Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel & Convention Center
2500 Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505
(This is where CTN Animation Expo is taking place)
After we sketch there for a bit, those of us who are interested can walk (or take the shuttle from the Convention Center) to:
Burbank Bob Hope Airport
2627 N. Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505
See you soon and happy sketching!
CTN Animation Expo is happening this week, from Friday November 20-22, 2009. It promises to be a great event to attend for those of you who are interested in working in the animation industry. For more information and to register, please visit: www.ctnanimationexpo.com or call, (800) 604-2238. **Be sure and mention the special Society of Illustrators LA discount code for an additional 10% off any 1-day or 3-day pass. SILAX09
Some highlights include:
â¢Â   The most influential cartoonist of this century, Ronald Searle Endorses CTN-X. “I am happy for my name to be used in association with the CTN-Xpo. I am very pleased to be honored like this & quite surprised that people still think of me!” ~ Ronald Searle http://www.ctnanimationexpo.com/matt-jones/
â¢Â   Over 300 years of top talent talk casually about their careers and share industry secrets. Peter de Sève, Harald Siepermann, Kent Melton, Mike Mignola, Lou Romano along with live demonstrations from top industry talent maquette artists Kent Melton and Ruben Procopio and many more all weekend long.
â¢Â   Over 50 presenters who have contributed to some of the highest grossing films in the history of animation, 60 exhibitors, studio portfolio reviews, after hours networking, screenings and an opportunity of a lifetime to meet and greet in an intimate privileged setting with this group. http://www.ctnanimationexpo.com/schedule/the_crew/
â¢Â   Special Screenings of âThe Secret of the Kellsâ followed by round table discussions with the Producer and Director moderated by LA Film Critic Charles Solomon. âBanjo the Woodpile Catâ 30 years later with Don Bluth and Gary Goldman moderated by Cartoon Brew Founder and Animation Historian Jerry Beck.
â¢Â   Recession Buster Raffle. $1000 cash plus prizes. One winner a day.
â¢Â   Pixar is in the house with Art Director Daisuke âDiceâ Tsutsumi, Animator and founder of Spline Doctors Andrew Gordon, Character Designers Derek Monster, Scott Morse, Bill Presing and more…..click here!
CTN-X takes place at the Burbank Marriott Convention Center with ample discounted parking, conveniently located near the Burbank Airport and Amtrak Station. Early bird pricing and discounted rates are available to students, active military and professional industry organizations. Have over 100 conversations in one weekend at this very different event. Prices start at $25 for exhibit floor only.Â
Get ready for the 5th Annual Pasadena Learning & Product Expo: Art! taking place on October 16-18 at the Pasadena Conference Center. Learning and Product Expo is a good place to pick up art supplies and art books at a huge discount. An admission of $5 (which includes a $5 coupon to Blick’s) if registering before 10/9, and $10 after, is well worth it!
More information is at :
http://www.learningproductexpo.com/pas/current_exhibitors.cfm
24th Worldwide Sketch Crawl takes place on Saturday, September 19.
Sketch Crawl is a worldwide marathon of drawing. You’ll be sketching on this day with artists all over the world! Usually we draw until when everybody is hungry, and show our sketches over lunch, and post our drawings in the Sketch Crawl forum. General information on Sketch crawl is at http://sketchcrawl.com. Please see below for information on Los Angeles Sketch crawl – it’s free to participate except for possible parking fees + snacks/lunch.
Los Angeles Sketch Crawl
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009
Meeting Time: 11am
Meeting Location:
Grand Central Market
317 Broadway
Los Angeles CA 90013
Meet at the entrance facing Hill Street (the market has two entrances, one on Broadway and one on Hill)
http://www.grandcentralsquare.com/
We can also go inside the lobby area of Bradbury Building, which is around the corner from the Market, on 3rd Street and Broadway:
Bradbury Building
304 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
See you soon and happy sketching!
Nameâ¨:
Preston Craig
Websiteâ¨:
http://arthbys.com/Preston_Craig.htm
Describe your illustration style.
Realistic and Fantasy.
How did you get started in the illustration field?
Probably got the bug in high school. After earning a B.A. in Advertising/Illustration, one of my first jobs was being a t-shirt designer for a company in Louisiana.
When I was younger I wanted to beâ¦
…an archaeologist.
What’s your favorite medium? Least favorite?
Favorite medium: acrylics. Least Favorite: oils.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The idea creation and finessing of the design after gathering good reference material.
Describe your typical work day.
Don’t have one. Every day is atypical.
What was your favorite project?
Being an illustrator for NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminisitration) at LSU and creating computer illustrations for a firm in Norway.
What advice do you wish you had at the beginning of your illustration career?
Don’t go to a 4 year college. Go to an accredited art school that specializes in the direction you want to go.
How do you balance work and play?
That’s a hard one. I can tell when I’m getting overloaded and need to blow off some steam.Which means stepping away from the drawing table and/or computer, a good reason to socialize with friends.
What are some of your inspirations?
Maxfield Parrish, Salvadore Dali, Thomas Burnett Swann
Outside of assignments, do you have creative side projects or hobbies?
Gardening, furniture refinishing, acting, voice overs.
If you weren’t an illustrator, what would you be?
archaeologist, actor
â
Current SILA members are invited to submit a member spotlight interview.
Click here for more information: http://si-la.org/spotlight.html
The early bird discount for the second annual Creative Freelancer Conference is extended – and if you sign up with a friend, your friend can attend for half price! If you’re ready to register, you can do so here and save.
Many of us illustrators are freelancers/sole proprietors of our business – and the second annual Creative Freelancers Conference in San Diego offers informative content and a chance to mingle with other creatives. It will be held in San Diego, CA, from August 26-28.
More information:
Second Annual Creative Freelancers Conference
Omni Hotel
San Diego, CA
August 26 – 28, 2009
Another resource for illustrators who are freelancers/independent contractors is Freelancers Union. This organization started in New York, where they were able to provide health insurance tailored to the freelance lifestyle, win over $25 million in tax relief for freelancers, and get coverage in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and NPR. They are currently looking for more members in California so a similar group effort can be achieved. Membership is free – for sign-up information, visit here.
