News from David Labrozzi

The Illustrators Club of Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia just completed their annual Members Show at The Art Institute of Washington in Rosslyn. Even though the weather was not so nice for the opening, we still received great attendance. Paul Zdepski and myself were among the local Illustrators who exhibited works through the month of December into January. We always promote the MFA program at the shows and this year we may have even gotten 2 candidates. One is Charlotte Fremaux who seems to be very interested in proceeding. The other is Jim Starr. I recognize Jim from the IC for, well … forever. Both Illustrators would be great additions to the program.

We design many tours, seminars, speakers, etc … through the Illustrators Club every year. Last year we toured a local private collection of Golden Age Illustration. I'll leave some mystery, but the collection rivals many of those which are on public display. The collection owners love to show the works; especially to people with a background and knowledge of Illustration. As such, the Illustrators Club has been invited back for future tours. I'll be sure to let everyone in our classes know when the next tour is scheduled. The Illustrators Club events can also be checked out on the web at: http://illustratorsclub.org/ We normally post all upcoming events on the site.

I will be in one more show from January 19 — February 27, titled "Seasons." The show will be held at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD at the Communications Arts Technology (CAT) Gallery. Martha Vaughn (one of Murray's former students in the MA, Syracuse Program) puts this show together. It features 12 Illustrators/12 pieces. It's an honor for me to be shown with some of my favourites from the Washington DC area. I've attached a copy of the show postcard to this e-mail.

Barclay Tucker to create illustrations for a children's book

Last week I was asked to create illustrations for the Book Fat Freddy's Afraid To Fall By Angela Holzer, MA. It is a part of a children's book series called Speak With Me that helps with speech development. They are published by Good Sound Publishing. Above is my initial Character design of Freddy. I am looking forward to working on it within the next few months.

Dan Yagmin's Children's Book to be published!

I have my first Children' Book being printed in March.
The title is Norton B. Nice
Publisher:
Red Cygnet Press

Norman artist’s paintings convey stories

Published: December 21, 2008

NORMAN — An artist who knows how to tell a good story in visual terms is showing work at the Performing Arts Studio. Muskogee native and Norman resident Mike Wimmer, a noted book illustrator, said his "hope is to pass along what I learn in life as a professional … to my students.” More from NewsOK>>

Muskogee native creates Christmas ornament for White House

By Travina Coleman
Phoenix Staff Writer

Mike Wimmer still likes to play with crayons or read a good fiction book to get his creative juices flowing.

And it works.

Wimmer, originally from Muskogee, was asked to design an official Oklahoma-themed ornament for this year’s White House Christmas tree.

“It was a simple decision to use Will Rogers as the face of Santa,” he said. “He represents so much about Oklahoma and its people — a good blend of intelligence, humility and common sense — things all Oklahomans have.”

Wimmer, 47, said he first found out about the project when the secretary from Sen. Jim Inhofe’s office called him.

“Then I got a letter,” he said. “I, of course, said yes, because it was an honor to be asked, but then I was like ‘Oh, God, I have a lot of work to do.”

He said the ornament, which features Will Rogers as Santa on one side and the letters ‘OK’ formed by ropes on the other, could be available to Oklahoma residents as soon as 2009.

“We have had a lot of interest in it,” he said. “I think we will try and use it as a way to raise money for the Will Rogers Memorial Fund. It would be a good way to give back. Hopefully, we will generate enough interest for the project.” More>>

Jime Grablowski takes an ad in Total Art Licensing

I took an ad out in the Total Art Licensing as part of my thesis experiences...

Cheers!

Illustration Magazine features Murray Tinkelman

Issue Twenty Three features a story by Dan Zimmer, The Art of Murray Tinkelman. Other stories include David Hornung's article, The Art of Dean Cornwell and Frederic Taraba on Constantin Alajalov's Odyssey.

For more on this issue>>