The Art Department

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:47:00 +0000

I admit it. I am jealous that MTV has a pool table and massage chairs in their lunch room...In fact, I'm jealous that they have a lunch room, one with a patio overlooking Times Square, no less.

I haz logoz.

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:29:00 +0000

This Unbeige article about the Rolling Stone logo selling for big bucks reminds me that I have Tor.com's "Stubby" taped to my office wall. One day I will be rich! Rich, I tell you! (No one tell Greg I still have it, ok?) And it is, oddly for a 21st Century logo, hand drawn.

Joshua Middleton

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:54:00 +0000

Saw this in the bookstore yesterday and thought: Damn, I wish that was a Tor cover! Hats of to Joshua Middleton and his work for Holy Lisle's The Ruby Key

Cathie Bleck, scratchboard on a grand scale.

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:40:00 +0000

Cathie Bleck has a new show opening in Ohio.
Butler Institute of American Art
Sep 14, 2008 -- Oct 26, 2008

I love how personal her work is. It's impossible not to come up with some kind of mythology in it, and yet nothing is so overstated that a specific interpretation is forced on the viewer. Like the natural elements she portrays, her paintings are bold and sensual with plants and animals in constant motion, beautiful but rarely placid.

Earlier post on Cathie Bleck.

What the Frak?

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:43:00 +0000

Oh, the places Google takes you. Because I posted about a Tor Frak Party, Chris Talbott of the Associated Press called and asked me about the use of the faux slight. Here is the Yahoo News article, "What the Frak."
(Thanks, Claire, for the heads-up.)

And now, CNN has the same frakin' article.
(Thanks, Greg Cox, for the heads-up.)

At Tor.com

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:40:00 +0000

The importance of interactivity in a painting, including long quote from Gregory Manchess.

Interview with Steph Laberis.

Michael Whelan and Scott Fischer exhibit, including quote from Scott Fischer.

Pablo Defendini on Chip Kidd's Now I Will Be Invincible.

Michael Whelan on gallery work versus illustration.

Eric Freitas, clockmaker.

Rick Berry demos, three videos.

The making of Eric Fortune's illustration for Shade.

Kevin Dart.

LAST CHANCE: Donato Painted Asus Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 18:16:00 +0000

As a promo for Tor.com, we asked Donato to paint an Asus mini computer to give away. The sign-up for this ends tomorrow, August 31, so if you're feeling lucky, click here: Donato Giancola Tor.com Painted Asus

Christoph Niemann's Bathroom

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:23:00 +0000

Christoph Niemann, always clever and playful and smart as hell, has recreated art history in bathroom tile. And the New York subway system.

Dear Pablo

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:24:00 +0000

Regarding your post: Just what is so wrong about TV Batman!? Hmmm??

Tobias Buckell and Todd Lockwood Talk Cover Art

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:06:00 +0000

Suvudu has a series of videos of Toby Buckell and Todd Lockwood talking about their work. Here is this first segment. Check out the Suvudu post to see the others.

Erik Gist beats me to it!

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:39:00 +0000

I had just sent art director Jeremy Cranford a bunch of questions over the weekend and now, I see Erik Gist has beaten me to the punch. Erik has an excellent interview with Jeremy on his blog.

(Luckily, our questions don't overlap overly much -- they should make for complimentary interviews.)

John Jude Palencar: Mystery of Grace

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:47:00 +0000

It's no secret that John Jude Palencar is one of my favorites. Here is his latest for Charles de Lint's Mystery of Grace, due out next summer. This is one where I got really excited the moment the sketch came in. For a more intimate experience with John's work, check out his book, Origins: The Art of John Jude Palencar.

The Scottish Games

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:20:00 +0000

Chucking trees must be harder than it looks 'cause only the guy blue tights and blue sunglasses was able to up-end this log. At least that I saw. No mind, it was a great day of falconeering, SCA fencing, classic cars, garden strolling, dueling Ashley MacIsaac step dancing, and goats! And, very oddly, a taxidermied pet collie in the old Westbury manor house. By the way, it does not appear to have sucked to live in the old Westbury manor house...except for the whole stuffed dog thing.

Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:38:00 +0000

Sunburned shoulders and a glass of wine -- a nice way to end a Saturday in summer.

Greg Manchess and Oregon's Sesquicentennial

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:25:00 +0000

Stamp collectors out there, there's a Manchess a-coming. Greg was asked to paint Oregon's 150th birthday stamp. Here is a post he wrote about the unveiling. Funnily enough, the Postal Service had no idea that Greg lives in Oregon when they asked him to do the stamp. Next up, Greg will be painting a Mark Twain stamp.

Does not Mind Meld well with others.

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:52:00 +0000

The good folks at SF Signal asked me to participate in a Mind Meld on digital art. I was eager to participate but, nonetheless, waited until the last minute. Then I got a raging migraine and blew the deadline. I have finally responded to their theme within the comments section.

If you want to check out what various artists and I have to say about digital art changing the illustration landscape, click here: SF Signal Digital Mind Meld.

Kinuko Craft's Elfland

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:42:00 +0000

Nothing to say, except: Stunning.

Kinuko Craft's latest for Elfland by Freda Warrington, due out next spring.

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:33:00 +0000

Ah, New York is just starting to get that perfect late summer light.

Hate Flash. Hate.

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:56:00 +0000

I've said it a hundred times before but I can't help saying it again...

Holy freakin' cow, do I hate flash portfolio sites!

I know, it's a losing battle. They are everywhere. But seriously guys, forget trying to sell artwork for a minute and pretend you need to buy artwork. Lots of it. In limited time. Now pretend you'd like to share a number of specific examples from a number of artist. Lets say three samples from 5 artists. Do that five times today.

Tell me you don't want to blow your brains out after the third flash site you come across.

Redirect Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:06:00 +0000

The art happenings on Tor.com:

Thumbnail interview with Edwin Madrid.
(And Ewrin Madrid's addition to the Tor.com Gallery.)

Tenticle plushy goodness from Lana Crooks.
(And Lana Crooks' addition to the Tor.com Gallery.)

Thumbnail interview with James Paick.

Steampunking the Hamptons

Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:50:00 +0000

Wall-E is, of course, a wonderful tale of compassion, sacrifice, humor, and love, but what I most identify with: Wall-E is solar powered.

Greg Ruth

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 15:41:00 +0000

Just about every artist I know regrets not having time for "their own" work. Greg Ruth (one awesome drawer) has announced a project to force himself into creating just that. The 52 Weeks Project -- he will make a drawing each week, all at the same proportions and using the same materials. Drawing number 1 seen to the left.

What strikes me the most about the project is his intention to keep it fun and light. A problem I see among many pro and emerging artists is they see each project has overly meaningful and precious. Occasionally just letting yourself fool around with some ideas will lead you somewhere interesting and not fully expected, especially over the course of a year.

Cover Talk

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:26:00 +0000

Eric Orchard starts up some cover talk at Tor.com.

World Con Wrap Up

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:38:00 +0000

World Con was a blast. The convention itself was a bit sparse -- set in such a large convention center, it didn't feel as if there was much there there. So, it was up to the Hyatt, across the street, to be the meeting place du jour. I got to hang out with a number of writers, a few artists (but surprisingly few,) the smaller/hipper/cooler publishers, and the good folks of io9.

The art show was good -- lots of great talent but nothing I wasn't expecting....except that the 3D work stole the show, particularly Vincent Villafranca's bronze work. Vincent is, without a doubt, one of the coolest artists I've run into (thanks to an intro from John Picacio) in years. A little steampunk, a little western, a bit of humor, and a wonderful sense of character and body language. I was surprised to learn that he launches into a piece, without benefit of a clear drawing.

Shout-outs to my new BFFs: John Joseph Adams -- editor extraordinaire. Writer Paolo Bacigalupi -- who I got to be for 24 hours. I never was so popular. I guess that's what happens when you have three Hugo nomination pins underlining a seemingly random collection of scrabble letters for a name. He, on the other hand, spent the time terrorizing authors with threats of purposefully bad covers. And Blake Charlton -- soonish to be Tor's coolest fantasy writer, if he ever gets that pesky medical degree out of the way. As if saving lives is more important than being a Tor fantasy writer. Whatever.

It was great to see friends, John Picacio, who had a stand-out art show showing, including a new shadowbox. Lou Anders, Alan Beck, Bob Eggleton, Alan Beats. Despite staying up until 3:00am each morning, the days always seemed to end too quickly. Come Sunday, I wished I had more time with them all.

I got to be Stephan Martiniere at the Hugos, which was fun until he won the damn thing and I had to nervously stammer in front of a few thousand people. (Congrats, Stephan! I'm stealing the commemorative pen. Feel lucky you get the rocket back.) Liz Gorinsky was my date for the evening. We got to do the whirl of Pre & Post Hugo parties, along with above mentioned BFF posse.

What else...

I got to meet and spar a bit with Bill Willingham. Ken Scholes was sweet to seek me out just to say how much he loves his cover.

What else...

Well, more than I can remember at the moment. Very much looking forward to Montreal in 09!

PHOTOS
TOP SET: Blake Charlton and JJ Adams. Annaleen Newitz from io9. Annaleen, Blake, John. SECOND SET: Charles Stross. Paolo Bacigalupi. John Scalzi, Jim Minz, Lou Anders. Tom Doherty (yay!). THIRD SET: Bear, a big blue bear. FOURTH SET: Warren Hammond, don't know, Matthew Jarpe. Blake Charlton and Liz Gorinski, all dressed up. Mr. and Mrs. Ken Scholes. FIFTH: Scuplture by Vincent Villafranca. LAST SET: Paolo and I, stolen from stolen John Picacio's blog.

More Cool Animation

noreply@blogger.com (Irene Gallo) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 06:57:00 +0000

Thanks to Todd Lockwood for the heads-up.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.