Scott Hull, Visual Ambassador

I'm really late posting this, but you know what they say...

I was able to catch Scott at the Portfolio Center right after the quarter ended. He's a really wise cat, full of ideas and passion for life and illustration in particular. Check out this interview for a taste of his presentation:

www.portfoliocenter.com/events/interviews/2007/11/Scott-Hull

And then check out his blog:

www.visualambassador.com

Hope everyone's having a great holiday!

H

2007 SILA Winners!

Congratulations to all of the SCAD-Atlanta students and recent alumni whose work has been chosen to be included in the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles Illustration West 46 Scholarship Competition! This is a very rigorous and internationally recognized competition, and we are extremely proud to have 13 entries by 8 different students chosen to be in the online exhibition.

The winning students are:

Megan Collier-Bansil
Heather Elder
Walter Hartley
Jessica Hillis
Suzy Maier
Erik Mehlen
Lauren Rolwing
Whitney Syfan Shaughnessy

The winning entries can be viewed here.

Again, congratulations to all!

Mind's Eye Class Field Trip

On October 19th I had scheduled a field trip for 3 of my classes at Mind's Eye. An illustration, photography studio in Atlanta. Mind's Eye was extremely hospitable and giving of their time and insight. Donuts, milk, juice and water were served while we tried to keep our hands clean thumbing through their 3 very impressive portfolios. Leo Mustaki and Mike Bailey showed us around and met their extremely talented employees. Everyone agreed that it was a great time, very informative and helpful to see a place where full-time illustrators work and what is required of them. Much better than a Hub lecture, if you know what I mean!

I talked with them afterwards and told them that I would be sure to get them involved with career day or a portfolio review in the near future and on a regular basis. They say that based on the growth they hire a new illustrator about once a year.

These are two photos of most of the students that came.

I spent a little too much time dressing this one up. Thought it was appropriate for the wacked out shot.


The more professional serious shot got blurred when taken. Oh Well.


Cheers!
Jay Montgomery

Thanks to our Sponsors!

The 24-Hour Art Challenge at SCAD-Atlanta could not happen without the generous support of great companies like:

Binders,
Canson Fanboy,
Faber Castell,
Holbein,
Strathmore,
Wacom,
Devil's Due Publishing,
IDW,
Twomorrows Publishing,
Papa John's,
Starbucks

Thanks for all the support, guys! You ROCK!

24-Hour Art Challenge Update

http://www.scad.edu/atlanta/events/24hourartchallengeoverview.cfm

The above link will take you to the SCAD-Atlanta web page devoted to the 2007 24-Hour Art Challenge.

24-Hour Sketchbook Challenge

This is an event sponsored by the Concept Atlanta group; they maintain a running forum on ConceptArt.org. Everyone is invited to participate, but I have no specific info about this event. For more info, you can go to here.



------------------
"There are only two kinds of people in the world: Those that can finish a sketchbook
in 24 hours, and those that can't. "

Ultimate Sketchbook Challenge 2.0

One Artist. One Sketchbook. One Day.

Once a year, Concept Art - Atlanta (CATL) stages an event designed to stress and test
the artistic chops of professionals and aspiring artists alike. In a single, 24-hour
period, participants will crash their way through thinned imaginations and sleep
deprivation to complete an entire sketchbook. That's enough ideas and rough starts
to fuel your art for a year's worth of projects.

What began as a week-long event to test personal artistic commitments has grown into
a challenge of hurculean proportions. Don't think it's possible? It is. CATL boasts several champions from last year's event. Now, it's your time to claim victory over the stark emptiness of the blank page.

What: USBC 2.0

When: October 13, 2007

Time: 12 Noon. until.

Where: All over The Atlanta Sprawl (Kicking off with a breakfast/lunch rendezvous, location TBA)

Who: Absolutely anyone. Especially you.

Rules:

1. Sketchbook must have a minimum of 100 pages. If you have 112 pages, plan to
make time for the extra 12. If you have 150+, you're one tough hombre.

2. Sketchbook may not have any previous art within. All pages must be unsullied by
your little inky Keebler Elf hands.

3. Sketchbook must have the total number of pages labeled on the inside cover, and pages numbered as they are completed. We want to know how many pages you burned through.

4. We're not the boss of you. You can leave and return as you see fit.

5. No cheating. We don't have to tell you what this is. You know when you're cheating.
Shame on you, Mr. Martin Tracer...And your girlfriend, Dr. Elizabeth Stick-Figures...

Prize:
Big bragging rights. The simple fact is not everyone is going to get through this. You will. And you'll be able to tell everyone how your sketchbook buckled under the sheer weight of your artistic prowess.

For more information, discussion about the event, and tips to help you turn your sketchbook into a sniveling little gob that worships you from a lowly place near your feet, check out the Concept Art - Atlanta thread on ConceptArt.org:

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=53365&goto=newpost

*copy graciously provided by himself, 5T319INE®. thanks!

More information forthcoming as discussion develops and drawing spots are chosen . Hope to have another hugely successful USBC! drop by the thread or shoot questions my way.

moocheers,
--
+++++++++++++++++++++
Joel Ball

c: 706.766.9850
h: 404.881.1733

296 Deering Rd. #3305
Atlanta, GA 30309
+++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.riceontheother.com/

my online sketchbook:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=32016&goto=newpost

Illustrator jobs link page

Illustration majors,

I've been working on a list of links mainly related to illustration using my del.ico.us account which is a social bookmarking site. I just updated it to include some links to info about careers in illustration. This a small sampling of links to a variety of full-time, part-time, freelance and internship opportunities for recent grads-to seasoned professionals in the field illustration. Some require at 2 years or more experience, but it can't hurt to submit you resume and portfolio when the time is right. If you are still figuring out what you want to do after you graduate these links might give some insight and some goals to strive for. I am constantly adding new links to this page. Check it out!

http://del.icio.us/jaymontgomery/illustratorjobs

Thanks,
Jay

Thanks to our sponsors!

This will be the third time that we've run a 24 hour event on campus, and we couldn't do it without the support of our sponsors...and we certainly hope this list continues to grow:
IDW Publishing
Two Morrows Publishing
Oni Press
Papa Johns
Starbucks
Kroger
Wacom
Tim Hopper/Holbein/Maxon
Binders Art Supplies and Frames
Canson
Mike Grecian/Faber Castell

24-Hour Art Challenge

It's Throw-Down Time!

WHEN:
Starting Friday October 19th at 10am to Saturday October 20th 10am

WHERE:
SCAD Atlanta “Training Rooms” 256 – 259 and the Hub

WHAT:
The heart of the challenge is for the participants to face what is normally a multi-person, or multi-month task and effectively execute the same task in a 24 hour period with no advanced planning.

Originally executed in conjunction with the international 24 Hour Comic Day, SCAD Atlanta students were challenged to produce a 24 page print ready comic book in a 24 hour period.

What we are doing this year is creating a more inter-disciplinary atmosphere for the challenge. We plan to do this in a number of ways:
-Each major will create it’s own challenge, students will then be free to attempt a challenge within their discipline or try one from another area…or collaborate with other students.

Illustration is about collaboration between creative folks, whether they be art directors, designers, writers or editors. With that in mind, your challenge will be to choose one of the following:

1. Collaborate with a Sequential Art Major to create a cover for their comic.
2. Work with an Animation Major to develop concept art for an animation challenge.
3. Team up with a Creative Writing Major to illustrate one of their stories.

All Illustration Majors are STRONGLY encouraged to participate in this event. There will be food and cool stuff, including some awesome supplies. There will be door prizes as well as prizes for reaching certain benchmarks throughout the event. Some of the prizes will be BIG.

There will be several computer stations set up for digital work, and of course there will be drafting tables for traditional work. Be prepared to bring your own supplies and equipment in case we have more participants than expected.

We will be sending out emails about updates as we get closer to the event. So mark your calendars for the 19th and 20th, and you might want to clear the afternoon of the 20th for catching up on your sleep!

Teatrio Show is coming to Atlanta!

Suzy

Heather

Juyeong

Great news! Atlanta will host the Beyond the Mirror Teatrio exhibition in Gallery 1600 from February 5th through the 24th. From here it will move to Savannah, where it will be on display in the Pei Ling Chan Gallery, March 7th through April 11th.

Our own Suzy Maier, Illustration MFA candidate, won the top prize. Heather Elder, Illustration MFA candidate and Juyeong Ok, Graphic Design MFA candidate were also in this very exclusive show. In fact, 13 of the 30 winners, which represent many different countries worldwide, were SCAD students, an amazing achievement.

For more information about Teatrio and to see an online gallery of the winning entries, go here: http://www.teatrio.it/

Illustration Renaissance

There is a great and truthful article that gives hope for the young illustrators out there at the Computer Arts website. Check it out!

http://www.computerarts.co.uk/in_depth/features/illustration_renaissance

Jay

new stuff

This isn't exactly illustration, but I did this animation last night. It's a William Kentridge based assignment, so I took this opportunity to try animating. I'll try and post on here in-tandem w/ conceptart.org!

Atlanta Figure Drawing venues

There is no such thing as too much figure drawing, so here is a short list of places around Atlanta that you can go to sharpen your pencils and your skills.

These are PG-13:
--------------
SCAD-Atlanta
Fridays 10a-2p, room 436C
-------------------
Westwood College
Thursday Nights
1100 Spring Street
Atlanta, 30309

8-10 pm, the model fee is $5. Please bring exact change!
From 14th Street, go south on Spring Street one block. Turn right into the second entrance of the 1100 building, visitor parking. The attendant leaves at 10pm, so you don’t have to pay. Enter the building from either the north or south entrance; the class will be in room 111.
If you have any questions about the school, you may reach Katherine (Kat) at: 770-317-4253
Bring your own easel if you need one!
Class is from The class is sponsored by ASIFA Atlanta- http://www.asifa-atlanta.com
If you have any questions you may reach me at this e-mail address, or on my cell phone: (404) 641-3039.

To join the e-mail list, contact Joe Peery of Turner Animation Studios:
Joe.Peery@turner.com
-----------------

These are R-Rated (21 and over):

Apache Cafe
Art Mondays, 7pm ($3 at door)
http://www.apachecafe.info/
---------------------
Boozer Doodle
First Tuesday of every month
The Vortex Bar and Grill
878 Peachtree Street

• Advanced Tickets:
  $8 General Admission • $13 Reserved Table
• Tickets at the Door:
  $10 General Admission - $15 Reserved Table (cash only)
• Advance tickets include entry plus a shot of Zeltzer Fantastico's “Creative Juice.”

http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/doodle.html
---------------------
Dr. Sketchy's: Drinking Drawing & Debauchery
The third Tuesday of the month
EastSide Lounge
485 Flat Shoals Rd
$15 table, $10 at the bar
http://www.eastsidelounge.net.

Lesley Hamilton's Thesis Show

Lesley Hamilton's MFA Thesis Exhibition opened on Saturday, September 22nd. It is a delightful collection of works from her time with us at SCAD, and is on view at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, a perfect venue for this rising Children's Book author and writer.

Lesley is standing in front of a few of her newest pieces for her Children's Book Thesis project entitled "If Peaches Grew on Peachtree Street". The artwork is a combination of watercolor backgrounds with painted papers and handmade paper collage.

Lesley with her mom and sister.

That's her hubby-to-be on the right.

Thanks to Chin-Cheng Hung!

This morning noted artist and SCAD-Atlanta professor Chin Cheng Hung spent two enlightening and humbling hours with my Pastel Techniques class.

The first hour or so he carefully covered the variety of pastels and papers he uses, and he did so with the student's pocketbooks in mind. He pointed out that there is an appreciable difference in materials between the various brands; some are very rich and buttery in texture, others are harder and less intense. And of course, as with anything else, you get what you pay for. The more expensive materials are generally worth the money because they are made with the very best raw materials. That being said, he showed several portrait pieces that he has done as class demos using the most basic set of NuPastels, an inexpensive "student" grade of pastels; they were incredible, and busted the myth that great work can't be created with "low-end" supplies.

Another point about materials is that papers can make a huge difference in the quality of the finished work. He suggested that, if you have to skimp on pastels, spending a few more dollars on great paper can result in a beautiful piece of art. Brands he showed were Canson Mi-Tientes paper and Sennelier sanded pastel paper (his favorite because of it's ability to grab on to the pastels and not let go). He also uses pre-primed canvas mounted to a stiff surface, and says that this is a beautiful surface for pastels as well.

The work that he brought in was absolutely gorgeous; relatively small-scale (for him) portraits on various kinds of paper, and with mostly inexpensive pastels. Mind you, these were in-class demos, done start-to-finish in one class period, usually less than two hours. His commissioned work and gallery pieces are typically quite large, up to six feet wide. He buys Canson paper in a 55" wide x 11' long roll, and mounts it on a rigid surface to produce his larger pieces. By the way, he typically buys his supplies online, and has found that the holiday season and the start of the school year are usually the best times to catch things on sale; great tip.

All in all, it was a terrific visit, and we all learned a lot and had a great time with Prof. Hung. If any of you SCAD-Atlanta Illustration students get the opportunity to study with him, TAKE IT! Your growth as an artist and technician will be exponential.

Again, many thanks to Professor Hung for taking time out of his (early) morning to blow us all away with his work and his insights. I owe you one.

Rick Lovell

Children's Book Illustration Competition Online

For those of you interested in children's books, you should know about the Teatrio Children's Book Illustration Competition. I believe the deadline is sometime towards March, so you still have plenty of time to get those stories cranking. Check out the details at:

http://teatrio.com/

And while you're there, take a look at last year's finalists. There are quite a few from SCAD.

To find them, and they don't make it easy, go to:
1) English
2) Then Exhibition on Line
3) Then to the Beyond The Mirror "Exhibition on Line" text link
4) There you'll the names and art work of the winners and finalists

There's also a competition in Bologna coming up sometime soon as well. Stay tuned for details...

Portfolio of SCAD-Atlanta Illustrations!

I just created a web page of a select group of 52 illustration assignments from my past classes since Winter quarter of this year. So if you have had me in a class like Materials and Techniques I and II, Book Illustration or Editorial Illustration chances are your work is included. This showcase is some of the incredible talent and hard work from our illustration students. You get to see and remember past work, current work of this Summer quarter and see what might have not made the display cases in the halls. Make sure you have a the Flash Player installed on your browser. Most of you probably already have it but just in case.

Click on the small thumbnails or navigation on the bottom right. Mouse over each large image to see credits and medium of the image. This was created completely with Adobe Bridge and Photoshop CS2 "Web Photo Gallery" using the "File Info" data. Enjoy and post a comment here about what you think of the collection or if you have any questions regarding any of the work.

http://www.jaymontgomery.com/scad/

Bookmark it! I'll be updating this once or twice a quarter.

Thanks,

Jay

http://jaymontgomery.blogspot.com/

Brick and Stone Demo

This is the first texture demo I did for Airbrush Action magazine. It was the catalyst for what has become a monthly column. This is the final illustration.

For the entire step-by-step, click here.

Suntrust Illustration Speed Painting

This is a process of a recent illustration I did for Suntrust dealing with the abstract concept of Wealth Management. They wanted something beyond the obvious wealth symbols while showing generations in a generic way. I tried to make this speed painting as short as possible but it's still about 8 min long. In real time it took about 2 days. Has music too! Go Home Productions Mash Ups Annie Rush and Ride (Rabbit Hole Mix) Used with permission.

Finally Finished: Inquisition

I do a column for Airbrush Action Magazine, which is odd since I really don't do much airbrush anymore. But it's cool because nowadays, most airbrush folks do cars, motorcycles, tee-shirts, etc. I'm happy to promote airbrush as a viable tool for traditional illustration, so I do this column that deals with texture techniques.
This month, I'm doing something about using different "holy" things to airbrush through. I'm using lace, doilies and other things as a "matrix" to produce cool effects. Here is the finished illustration:


Here's the work from beginning to end.
(You might have to scroll down to see the written step-by-step text.)