Maps, maps, maps. Why maps? Because they are one thing that only illustration can do that photography can’t. This is why I recommend that artists have maps in their portfolios. Lettering is key, too.

Jon Cannell:

Janell Genovese:

Marco Marella:

Sarajo Frieden:

Mike Lowery:

Rebecca Bradley:

Susy Pilgrim Waters:

Bonnie Dain:

Trina Dalziel:

Jon’s amazing illustration of “My Travels with Clara”, a picturebook published by the Getty Museum, wins the prestigious AIGA 50/50 award. Here’s what AIGA has to say:

AIGA 50 books/50 Covers of 2007
After careful and considered review of more than 900 entries, the jury of “AIGA 50 books/50 Covers of 2007” competition selected a group of 100 examples of outstanding book and book cover design produced in 2007.

The jury’s selections will be mounted as a public exhibition scheduled to open at the AIGA National Design Center in New York on September 10. The exhibit will travel across the country to AIGA chapters and student groups during 2009. In addition, selections become part of the AIGA Design Archives, a searchable visual database of exemplary design, are documented in 365: AIGA Year In Design 29, an annual print publication and the physical artifacts join the AIGA Design Archives at the Denver Art Museum.

Last week, I showed you the five comps Lisa did for the watertower. The client, Mesa del Sol, chose the very cool white oak illustrations. The colors were slightly changed, as you can see. Here we witness the amazing beginning of the painting of the funnel-shape. Once the painting is completed, it will be lifted up to the top of the tower.

Last week I showed you photos of Lisa DeJohn gathering reference from the natural flora of New Mexico. Her next step is to create sketches for art for the 175′ watertower for Mesa del Sol. There are design limitations which include the fabrication onto the water tower itself, which is concrete, so the imagery needs to be simple & graphic, not much detail. No shading. Additionally, there are color limitations; that is, there are a limited number of colors that may be used. Third, the imagery must read well from many, many miles away.

Here are Lisa’s designs. She sends them to the client, and one will be chosen. Stay tuned.

I’m thinking that probably one of the most prestigious illustration commissions would be the cover of the highly-regarded Land of Nod catalog. Lisa has been invited to do a series of covers, which I will show you as they come off the press. Previous illustrators of the covers include MK Mabry and Calef Brown, one of my favorite illustrators.

I’ve seen Lisa’s art for the second cover and I can tell you that I’m pretty sure that you’ll love it. I’ll post it when it’s out.

No one draws the stylish life like Diane.