News Flashes from Our Members

PITTSBURGH SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS NEWS AND EVENTS

www.pittsburghillustrators.org December, 2009

My Spot by Anni Matsick News Flashes From Our Members Our holiday issue holds Christmas in California a lot of fun and should provide an opportunity for some relaxed reading during the busy holiday season. Members had a chance to gather earlier this month at Saturnalia and an eyewitness report within tells us it was another well attended annual holiday celebration. Photos are included to help you relive some of the memories.

Reprising a couple of fun features are another humorous illustrator’s tale by guest writer R. Michael Palan, as a bookend for his piece that appeared in January, and a selection of members’ early artistic efforts in a second version of Young at Art.

In an outreach effort through the Make The very smart folks at California A Wish Foundation, progress has been University are once again featuring art made in the mural being created by by George Schill. George created two three PSI members. We have a glimpse illustrations, one for their 2009 printed of the delightful sketches transferred Holiday card and the other (snowman) to the four walls of a little girl’s room. piece for their e-card which was animat- Thus ends the 2009 Volume of ed by Ron Magnes for their website. PSInside, 12 issues showcasing a www.cup.edu/happyholidays. wide range of impressive individual Also, Animare Studios recently and group accomplishments. We’ll be revamped their entire website back in the new year with more of the and added some new work. same features and some new ideas, www.animarestudios.com looking forward to your contributions! Z is for Zealous! Here is one of twelve illustrations by Ron Thurston that will appear on Zoltun Design’s 2010 calendar. The subjects all start with the letter Z. The images Editor: Anni Matsick Design/Production: Ron Magnes were done digitally to resemble an etch- ing scratchboard technique. Shown is All images within this publication are copyrighted December’s Zinfandel. Zipper was used by the artists and may not be used without their written permission. for another cold month.

continued on page 2 1 NEWS FLASHES continued

On Exhibit time along with PSI’s First Lady, Delilah Fission of Form Update Brewer, who sat behind Crowe in a scene Three min- on a plane (starting to get the gist of the Poetry Reading iature oils action?). PSIers might also recognize a Ziggy Edwards reads her poem “Walking by Leda Dr. Sketchy model who made the cut as in the Woods” that inspired Miller were Judy well. A big opportunity for Rick’s “baby” accepted Emerick’s painting, at the October 3 arose just weeks later when his yellow into the poetry reading at Panza Gallery. 1987 Cadillac got an offer to appear in Miniature Art Society of Florida’s annual exhibit. One of them, “Hutch Bunny”, was awarded Best Work by a First Time Entrant. The exhibit will hang at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs, FL, January 16 through February 7. Shown is the winning painting, 3”x3” oil on copper. Runaway Winner Leda Miller won an illustration contest sponsored by a company named Four Socks, for three different horse illustrations. The owner of Four Socks owns three Gyspy Cob horses (each horse has four white “socks”) and is develop- ing a line of children’s products with the three horse images, such as children’s the Jake Gyllenhaal movie also being board books, tee-shirts and greeting filmed in Pittsburgh. “It was the one cards. The award was $1000 cash and time that my car could make me money a possible opportunity to work on future instead of costing me money,” says Rick. projects based on the three horses. The “Too bad I had just taken the big Rick Book Release and Signing prospectus for the contest was displayed Antolic Illustration decals off the sides of The 92-page Fission of Form book was at Panza Gallery during our Fission of my car.” The day rate for a movie extra is released at a signing event Saturday, Form show. $58 for 8 hours or less, time and half for December 5 from 3-6pm at Panza anything over 8 hours. The day rate for a Gallery, Millvale. The book, designed by car is $125 a day. “I drove up and down Dale McNutt of Soho Invention, includes one block of Liberty Avenue a few times and that was it. It took me 14 hours to make what my car made in a half hour,” the actor laments. The road to Hollywood is a long one... but the Caddy is ready to make the trip!

Gina Antognoli Scanlon provides this link to the YouTube segment she filmed back in September about her experience as a gestational carrier. Johnson & Johnson produced it and Gina was sur-

Off-the-street buyer Jim, Fred and former student Ron Leach (center) celebrate the book’s arrival all the work and editorial essays from the recent collaborative show created by the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators, Lights, Camera, Action! the Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors, and Rick Antolic’s adventures as an extra the Pittsburgh Poets. The reproduction is continued when he got in on the Russell first-rate art representation quality. The Crowe movie being filmed locally, and prised at how much of her artwork they book signing/release event was success- had a chance to sit across from the star have shown. “That was an unexpected ful in that almost every pre-sold copy one day at lunch. Cast as a Canadian bonus,” she says. www.youtube.com/ was picked up that day. TSA (Transportation Security Agent), watch?v=2VcxbAgrWMc Rick expects to get some actual screen continued on page 3

2 NEWS FLASHES continued

There are only Make A Wish Mural on the room after the holidays and antici- 120 copies left pate completion by the end of January,” of this impor- Progress Michele reports. tant volume. Back in August we reported on a proj- You can order ect taken on by PSI volunteers led by Make A Wish Foundation of Pittsburgh any amount Michele Bamburak to fulfill the wish of a fulfills wishes to children 2 1⁄2 to 18 years for $15 each family wanting a mural for their 3 1⁄2 year of age who have a diagnosed life threat- (checks to PSI). old daughter’s room to create a cheer- ening illness or injury. The Pittsburgh See November ful surrounding for her therapy sessions. chapter located in the Gulf tower down- PSInside page 3 Shown are Michele’s sketches for the town is the busiest in the world, having for details. four walls depicting a country landscape granted some 10,000 wishes since it opened in 1983. PSI is proud and hon- ored to have its members among the Thanks again to all the participants and contributors. buyers and supporters of this enterprise! Thanks to Gina Antognoli Scanlon, Kurt Pfaff, Fred Carlson, Mark Panza, and Illustrating for America James Shipman for final coordination and Fred Carlson reports a brand new managing the book release. assignment for longtime client America magazine illustrating a poem that won their annual poetry award. Sounds rou- tine enough, but it turns out that the poetry prizewinner is none other than the Archbishop of Canterbury himself, Rowan Williams, presiding Archbishop of the 75 million Anglican Protestant Christians worldwide. This is the third largest worldwide Christian communion after the Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. America is buying the original art from Fred to be a present to the Archbishop of Canterbury, so it appears Fred’s work will be gracing the walls at Lambeth Castle Kurt and Gina at the book release table outside of London soon.

scene with cartoon style illustrations, sure Archbishop Williams is known for his to delight the young occupant. The paint- theological academic credentials as ing crew includes Greg Schooley and well as being one of the leading authori- Judith Lauso. “We have the basic back- ties on Welsh language and translation. ground done and some of the details This poem honors 40 Catholic Jesuit such as the foreground grasses, clouds priests killed in an anti-Catholic purge and grasshoppers. We will start back up in Wales in the 17th century during the Cromwellian period of British history.

Business Meeting Mark Panza and fellow employee enjoy sofa time with the book Upcoming Business Meetings January 19, 7:30 pm at John Blumen’s home

Lots of seasonal cakes at: Kurt, James Shipman and Gina relax at the end of the afternoon http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com Indian Jingle Bells: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=1QYLxvJVjug

3 FEATURE

Saturnalia 2009

et’s just entertain the idea for a moment that some of us creative, visual com- municators tend to be a wee bit shy at times. Not so at Saturnalia! Members and affiliates can all agree that we’re a lucky bunch to have participated in another superb year-end party. The atmosphere was festive from the start, and soon it was a standing-room-only, bois- terous event that certainly left some of us with well earned, raspy voices on Sunday morning. The food was fabulous and seemed only to increase as the hours passed. John Blumen’s home was beautifully decorated with a mixture of holiday cheer and his own impressive range of artwork, and there was no shortage of good conversation, new friends and familiar faces. Those who could not attend were sorely missed, their caricatures ceremoni- ously sketched on paper plates cast into the fireplace. Well that’s only half true (the first half!) but we hope everyone can make it next year! Here’s to our brilliant col- leagues, a great year for PSI and a wonderful 2010 ahead!

—Molly Feuer

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Our members’ early inclinations revealed...

“I was an avid Kathy Rooney: Etch-a-Sketch artist and my images all got shaken away. I used it so much that I wore it out–the aluminum powder eventually leaked out of the knobs.” Ilene Winn Lederer: “This study of Queen Elizabeth was done for a project at Pictorum, a Chicago design studio that I worked for right after art school in 1968.”

Fred Carlson: (top) “Page 1 of ‘Fred’s Series’ comic company, May 1964 issue, depicts ‘Gargantuan and the Human Spring’. Gargantuan, a non-green version of the Hulk, fights an army of robots. I was in 3rd grade. “Drew this T-rex at Phil Wilson: (above) “1962 vintage ‘Apache Ambush’ age 8, and a Roman centurion, from report on Indian Life; early 2nd grade. (yeah, I was into ancient history Green pen on yellow craft too), at age 12.” paper (nice!).

John Hinderliter: “When my Mom Anni Matsick: died I took the “My grand- opportunity to throw mother was the away all the crappy recipient of this artwork from my image done childhood that she on scrap wood had been hoarding. with a wood However, I do have burning tool, at this crappy cartoon age 11 1⁄2.” Warrior that I did for the cover of my high Jen Scanlon: “Here’s a school yearbook drawing I did when I was circa 1975. Much to 12, I remember doing it my chagrin, it’s still at home for the fun of it. being used all over I loved horses during my hometown of those pre-teen years!” Canton, PA.”

5 INTERVIEW

an art director at Prokell Design here in from ore, how mining was carried out In Touch with... Pittsburgh. When that studio went under, before dynamite was invented, what I found myself without a job but with the underwear looked like through the ages. opportunity to follow my long-suppressed I could have fudged all those things, but JOHN dream of being an illustrator. Somehow it was fun to learn about them. I think the while I was a designer I’d picked up the illustrations came out better because I skills every illustrator (read: small busi- took the time to learn. MANDERS ness owner) needs—how to self-promote, What was the most construc- John was named Outstanding how to plan your operation, how to keep books, how to keep your business alive. tive criticism that you ever Illustrator/Author by the Pennsylvania Q: received? School Librarian’s Association in 2006 From what illustration and was included in the 25-year ret- assignment did you learn the When the legendary Harriet rospective of Cricket magazine cov- Q: most about yourself? Kasak—my late agent—taught A: me how precisely to draw little ers. Distinguished honors indeed, but When I began promoting girls. It was a glaring weak spot of mine. they don’t deter our fun loving guy myself as a children’s illustra- She was in New York, I was in Pittsburgh, from showing up in Buccaneer Bunny A: tor, I received a lot of rejections and we did it by faxing a sketch back ears for his popular school visits! because my style was too cartoony. and forth with her corrections and com- Read more on John’s immersion in It wasn’t until I got the assignment to ments until I got it right. his picture book art. illustrate Señor Don Gato that I began to concentrate What advice would you offer on modeling to those who admire your my characters Q: work and want to learn from with light and you? shadow, rather Of course, I’ve got opinions than working and advice aplenty and am in line colored A: happy to bore you out of your by flat tones. I skull with them—please visit my blog: looked to the johnmanders.wordpress.com paintings of Diego Velasquez I talk about how I work, career, how to for inspiration become an illustrator, etc., etc. and education. I mimicked The best thing I ever did for my career his style in was join up with George Schill and David color studies. Bower to start up the Pittsburgh Society I learned that I of Illustrators. Wherever you happen to could draw the live, seek out talented illustrators and cartoony way I hang around with them as much as you always had, but can. I’ve gained a priceless education over countless glasses of cheap wine How would you describe use of light and shadow—more brush- work, less dependence on line—and a talking to PSI members at our monthly your personality and life- gatherings. Q: style? restrained color palette gave my characters more weight, more respectability. Does the artwork that you While not exactly reclusive, I What’s the one aspect of do for yourself differ from the don’t have a problem spend- Q: artwork that you do for your illustration that most inspires A: ing large chunks of time by clients? If so, how? or motivates you? myself—which is convenient. Illustration Q: is a solitary business. Lifestyle at the What I love about this job is I wish I had time to do work for moment means working, eating and that I learn something new with myself. About the only personal sleeping. When I get out once in a while A: each assignment. I particularly A: work I’ve had a chance to do I’m an erudite conversationalist and jolly enjoy doing historical/costume projects, in recent years is life drawing at the ses- dinner companion. It’s true—ask any- which call for library research. An author sions PSI past president Rick Antolic body. can write a line like, “Cleopatra sailed organized. So the principal difference is into town on her barge,” and call it a day. that there are a lot more naked ladies in Was there a significant turn- my personal work. ing point or detour in your It’s up to me to find out what Cleopatra, Q: career? her barge, an Egyptian town, the dock, What do art directors like and a crowd of extras look like—then about your work? Up until the mid-nineties I draw it to make it all look believable. Q: was a graphic designer—I’d This is pure guesswork—I For an illustration I’ve had to find out how A: worked in the promotion art believe many of them like that a block-and-tackle work. For other proj- department at Ballantine Books in New A: I dig into the children’s stories ects I’ve learned how copper is smelted York, went freelance, and was hired as I’m assigned and find more than one

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level of meaning. They like that I’ll do the rately from the illustrations and paint O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series— research for historical projects. They like color maps to organize my palette before British naval adventure set during the that I communicate my ideas through I begin painting. Napoleonic wars. Everything by George thumbnail and tight sketches, so that MacDonald Fraser. P.G. Wodehouse’s they are made part of my creative pro- What would you do with ten Bertie and Jeeves stories. Thomas cess. They like that I listen to their ideas. Q: million dollars? Cahill’s histories. Old favorite authors are Mark Twain and C.S. Forester. I’m trying Who or what has been the Pay off debt; take care of my parents and in-laws; buy gold, to slog through Gibbons Decline and Fall biggest influence on your right now. Daniel Defoe. The pirate nov- work? A: land and ammunition; fix up our Q: els of Rafael Sabatini. Henry Fielding’s old farmhouse; build a studio. Lately, I think the animation Tom Jones is hands down the most tight- business has influenced my My dream studio, or the Funatorium, will ly-structured plot of any book I’ve ever A: work the most. Pixar puts out be a one-room structure with lots of stor- read. Nowadays I hardly ever read books these The Art of… books for their mov- age and counter space. The back of the the old-fashioned way; instead I listen to ies, with all the character design, set studio will face north, so that wall will be audio books while I paint. design, color maps and tons of develop- all windows with a view of the woods. There will be a little wood-burning stove, What one thing would you ment sketches that go into one of their like to learn to do? projects. Sites like characterdesign.blogs a big sink for washing up, and enough lights for the studio to be seen on Google Q: pot.com and colorfulanimationexpression Pilot a Sopwith Camel. Ride a s.blogspot.com and animationbackgroun Earth. horse like an Apache. Fence. ds.blogspot.com have been inspirational. What do you enjoy reading? A: Manage my time. There’s a vast difference in budget for an animated feature and a kids’ book, so I Q: History. One of the best books John’s website: www.johnmanders.com can’t pour nearly as much time/energy I’ve read lately is Justinian’s John’s blog: johnmanders.wordpress.com into my books as Pixar can afford, but Flea by William Rosen—about I find it helps to draw model sheets for A: the Black Death in the my characters, design the settings sepa- Byzantine Empire. I’ve enjoyed Patrick

From the Blog of: to keep that to yourself unless you are misdirected by her as a precursor to her R. Michael Palan financially secure and in the position to cold crafted calculated rejection of me. I rmpalan.blogspot.com be absolutely right all the time. feel bad for whoever she is dressing now. The Tiffany Blue Castle Years ago I worked on bag headers for It wasn’t my idea to make a Tiffany Blue that No One Wanted Christmas ribbons. The client provided castle for Christmas. My wife, Karen, will me with reference material. I had no rea- point out that nobody actually told me to son to question anything while I studied do it either. What I was told was to make the Christmas greeting card they gave a castle, Tiffany Blue is the hot color for me with the image they wanted on their the season. Actually, Tiffany Blue and packaging. It was a cute little puppy with Chocolate. The hot color for Christmas is twigs tied to its ears to suggest little ant- usually what the hot color for fashion was lers. How was I to know they wanted an a year or two earlier. Regardless, the cli- image of an actual reindeer? If that was ent took one look at the blue castle and what they wanted, why did they give me asked, “What were you thinking making a picture of a dog with sticks tied to its a blue castle?” As is too often the case, I head. Why did I have to listen to them wasn’t thinking at all. Didn’t someone ask ask me, “Why did you draw a dog with for a Tiffany Blue castle? This Christmas, sticks tied to its head?’ As if I would have as in Christmases past, you will find any reason to draw a dog with sticks tied under our tree a castle in the hot colors to its head without someone paying me of a Christmas past that nobody asked to draw a damn dog with freakin’ sticks for or wanted. Misdirection can be as painful as rejec- tied to it’s head. The stick antlers were a tion. Sometimes you think you are giv- cute idea though. R. Michael Palan is a freelance illustrator ing a client exactly what they asked for who designs holiday ornaments with his only to find out you were misdirected. My first wife bought all my clothes for me. wife, Karen Loccisano and blogs about it Ultimately, your work is still rejected but I wore all the clothes that my first wife at rmpalan.blogspot.com you know in your heart that the real prob- bought. One day she told me she hated lem was you were misdirected. It’s best the way I dressed. I think I was deviously

7 QUESTION OTM

there was always that movie on TV (and family and now seems to be a tradition What is your this was before cable and VCR’s)!” for our friends. We have grown in size (17 last year) and now need more fon- favorite holiday The Christmas music I listened to as due pots. We outgrew the dining room a kid was my parent’s vinyl. They had and now set tables up in the stretch tradition for this the good stuff: Andy Williams, Perry through the kitchen and foyer. We have Como, Bing Crosby, Ray Conniff, Gizelle friends from everywhere... and I mean time of year? McKenzie, etc. It’s still not Christmas until everywhere. Last year our daughter, I listen to some of those vinyls. The CDs Lauren, who is a foreign language major, Rose Gauss: “One of my favorite just don’t cut it for nostalgia. Besides, brought home her friends (who are now holiday traditions is our family’s celebra- I’ve never seen ‘Bossa Nova Noel’ on our friends) from Russia, Korea and tion of Christmas Eve. My parents were CD. Yet, ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ Africa. L-R: Jun/Korea, Masha/Russia, immigrants from Czechoslovakia, and which annoys the dickens out of mostly Moussa/Mali, Africa, Lauren, Jacob/ even though they are gone now, we still everyone I know, is on at least half of the Burkina Faso, Africa. Jacob has become make all the same foods. I have a huge Christmas CDs produced. What’s up with family and we all fit into one house for that? an evening and enjoy one another’s company....very loudly. No gifts, just lots But in more recent years there have of good food and and singing and con- been times where the Christmas spirit versation!” just never came to visit, and I didn’t do anything to enjoy the season. And the Kathy Rooney: “I love it when it snows holiday came and went. So I’ve learned at Christmas time so that I can take that, whether I’m in the spirit or not, it’s night walks with my dog Alfie in my Mt. important to get myself out there to do Lebanon neighborhood to look at all the something, anything, to experience the numerous Christmas light displays buried season. It doesn’t need to be a tradi- and illuminating in the snow drifts. Also, tion, but make a tradition of simply doing very close to us and we refer to him as we like to bring out our Nativity scene something to celebrate the season before our “African Son”! This year he will bring consisting of a 2- it’s gone.” his wife and son who arrived in the USA story inn built by last January. We learn so much about my husband Ray John Hinderliter: “My favorite holiday our friends around the world when we based on what the tradition is decorating the Christmas tree gather and it is just wonderful. Some will inn would have with Dee Dee while listening to Christmas be back this year. It is a night of love and looked like at the music and drinking spiked eggnog (she laughter. Perfect way to celebrate and time when Jesus hates eggnog, which means more for remember the season!” was born. In the me!). BTW, never ever read the nutrition- al contents of a carton of eggnog.” Johann Wessels: “I grew up with the lower level is the old German tradition of having the dinner manger barn con- “I don’t have any Holiday and gifts around the tree on the eve of taining the Nativity Jen Scanlon: traditions but I am looking to start some the 24th. We have continued the tradi- figures; the upper new ones with my new love, Armando.” tion as my sons have grown although we level is the inn haven’t always been together. This year with stocked and Anni Matsick: “I have about a dozen we are all home. Because we moved to furnished kitchen little hedgehogs made of baked dough North America almost a decade ago, we and common sleeping area. Alongside that I display on a tree bought at a long- have no family or relations nearby. We the inn is a merchant booth filled with gone Hill’s department store. I made have grown closer as a family because wares of the day. Every year we add ele- them at a workshop given when my son of this. I will be doing most of the cook- ments (animals, angels, objects, etc.) was a year old, 25 years ago. According ing and food preparation. Roast chicken, that we find that are strictly proportionate to the workshop notes, the traditional potatoes, asparagus, ice cream are to size based on our nativity statues. The folk-art of making dough figures origi- important edibles in this season. At times inspiration for our manger is the Presepio nated in Vizovice, Czechoslovakia. My like this I am often struck by just how Nativity scene at The Carnegie. “ husband’s heritage is Slovak so this is a different this cold season is compared nice little Christmas tribute.” Ilene Winn-Lederer: “When my boys to the hot African summers we grew were young, we always enjoyed bak- up in. Holidays at the beach near the ing Chanukah cookies in the shapes of ocean, sunburn and lots of ice cream. stars and dreydls (spinning tops), then Big family get-togethers. The cold crisp painting them with a mix of sugar, egg Christmases in Canada are growing on yolks and food coloring. But that was for us. We will be toasting our new friends dessert. The bigger treat was, and still and acquaintances on Christmas Eve. is potato latkes (pancakes) and apple- Cheers!” sauce!” Fred Carlson: “Going to PSI Saturnalia- “Far from being origi- the true social highlight of the year. Swiss Rick Antolic: “My favorite holiday tradi- nal, a Christmas tradition since I was Kurt Pfaff: Fondue on Christmas Eve. Midnight tion is the joy of seeing many family and very young is watching It’s a Wonderful services. Playing guitar and mandolin friends throughout the season. I’m very Life. When I was growing up, it was on at midnight services. Putting up my grateful. It’s surprising another year has TV constantly at Christmas time, and it grandmother’s set of little Santa’s from passed.” seemed that whatever I was doing, help- the 1950s on shelves in the bathroom. Reminding people that it’s really the ing to decorate the house, putting orna- “I have many favor- Judy Emerick: Advent season until December 25, not ments on the tree, or coming in to the ites, but our Christmas Eve fondue house after a couple hours of sled riding, dinner has become a tradition for our the Christmas ‘season’.”

8 BEHIND THE BRUSH

A Look at What PSI-ers are Here’s one This tempting image was concocted by of Craig Kurt Pfaff for an upcoming self-promo Working on This Month Jennion’s latest email campaign. “This exercise was also drawings. He beneficial in gaining much needed expe- John Blumen created this illustration is working on a rience with the 3D modeling program I and logo I for the promotion of an online small series to use regularly,” Kurt adds. graphic novel, The Revolution. submit to card companies.

Judy Emerick recently completed this mural on a bulkhead between first story and a loft. It can be seen when entering the main door. Judy’s new website can be seen at: www.northernskystudios.com Taylor Callery sends two portrait illustrations done for self-promotion. The first is Weezer (promoting their new album, Raditude), and the other is a portrait of Oprah, in light of her recent announce- Bill Vrscak has been working on a series ment of plans to end her show in 2011. of paintings called “Downtowners”, figures that you see in downtown Pittsburgh; sitting in Market Square or Point Park, or waiting for a bus, or just Here’s the hanging out in a fast food joint. He has cover of about eight or nine done. a recently released children’s book illustrated by Rose Gauss titled I Wanna be ME!

Jen Scanlon just completed a commis- sion for a client who has owned many Samoyed dogs during his adult life, many who have passed on. “This one’s name is Olaf but he is the last survivor and doing very well,” Jen says. “It is my best Since everyone from this series, probably because I one has a was able to photograph him myself.” birthday Ilene Winn- Lederer’s book makes a perfect holiday gift! Shown is ‘Capricorn’ from The Alchymical Zoodiac: A Celestial Bestiary. This interpretation of the twelve Zodiac signs plus four elementals (Sun, Moon, continued on page 10 9 BEHIND THE BRUSH continued

Wind & Ouroboros) became a book ear- Here are Here’s lier this year and includes a poem and samples another detailed information about each sign and of tonal watercolor symbol. It is available in limited quantity art Anni painting at: www.winnlederer.com/zoodiacbook/ Matsick of a wed- default.htm Arrange for a signed copy at: created for ding bou- [email protected] a mission quet that book for Michael “Wolf” is a piece Johann Wessels did children on McParlane for an adventurous couple who are retir- the topic finished ing, commissioned by friends who want- of East this month. ed a picture recounting their forays into Timor, for “A rather the wilds of northern Canada. “This piece Nazarene un-typical Publishing. image for me,” he says. “It was bought at a charity auction for the Liver Foundation in 2008, and redeemed this year by the purchaser as a gift for the bride and groom. The finished size is about 12 x 10.”

“I haven’t been doing much except story- board work and teaching lately,” reports John Hinderliter, “so here’s a painting in the works and a drawing from the Tuesday night shows things which are special to them figure session at both,” Johann says. “I did it in acrylics on the Bethel Park board. The odd shape at the bottom is Schoolhouse.” an old post office mailbox that contains a These illustra- small painting of a surgeon’s hand hold- tions are part ing a scalpel.” of a series of over 50 cre- “This is ated by Molly a piece Feuer for a featur- book called ing a Real Life Harvard Body; A training Young aircraft Woman’s Ron Magnes created this piece for which Guide to MarketSpace Communications for end fly out Health client, Eaton. It will used as part of of the base nearby us,” Johann reports. and an interactive display at the Carnegie “After some initial questioning from the Wellness Science Center’s Highmark SportsWorks. Canadian Defense Force about copyright to be and my rights to depict an aircraft that pub- belongs to the Air Force I pointed out lished by Random House/Ten Speed I was within my rights as an artist and Press in March 2010. that I used only my own source material. It took the bureaucracy a few long This concept idea for game art is another weeks to deliberate then tell me I could of Valerie Orosz’s digital paintings. continue. Ilene Lederer referred me to a wonderful aviation artist, Paul Rendel, whose advice led me to Canadian aviation artists and their support.” Johann is hoping to produce a series of images of local aircraft, printed as signed, limited editions.