Archive for February 2, 2010

Andrea Kalfas v. Tarzan of the Apes

illustrated by Andrea Kalfas
  • Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Andrea Kalfas, an illustrator currently soaking up the charm of Baltimore amidst many talented friends.  I live with a punk named Jimmy Giegerich and our pretty grey cat.  My favorite colors always come in pairs like a vivid magenta with an orangey red, I’m a synesthete, and I might be Freddie Mercury’s biggest fan.

I love painting in gouache and like to choose it over most mediums.  I’m also really attracted to silk screening and hand lettering and am making an effort to learn/do both those things much better than I’m doing now, which is something I’m really looking forward to this year.

  • Why did you pick the story you chose?

A lot of my love for classic adventure stories like Tarzan of the Apes comes from my dad reading all the Tintin books to me and my brother as kids.  Some of my favorite memories are of my dad’s hilarious range of voices, one for each character, which was about the most entertaining thing ever to a 5 and 7-year-old.  My imagination was almost founded on the impossibly honorable hero who can achieve so much through craftiness and unexpected strength.  I hadn’t read anything of Edgar Rice Burroughs until I was in college, but as soon as I got a hold of Tarzan of the Apes, I was hooked, and I could hear my dad’s voice acting out each character all over again.  Yes, cheesy, but all the same, that was the effect on me.  Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, pretty much any character Burroughs created are the reasons I hardly read anything new.  I’m just too enamored of those pulpy, wholesome, but also thrillingly violent adventures to want anything else most of the time, and there’s just so many to get through.  So given the chance to spend a few months illustrating any book I wanted, I knew it just had to be Tarzan.  I hope I can do it justice, and I’m excited about that challenge.

I’ve been a steady fan of Andrea’s for a couple of years now, and when developing this project I instantly thought of some concept work on her folio and knew she’d be a perfect addition. I can’t wait to see her first Tarzan illustration hit the blog on February 15! But do check out her lovely portfolio and get ready for more goodness.

 

Well, that wraps it up for today, but do check back tomorrow for three more introductions and three more lovely stories!

February 2, 2010 at 10:10 am 2 comments

John Martz v. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

illustrated by John Martz

  • Who are you and what do you do?

I’m John Martz. I am an illustrator living in Ottawa, Ontario. I studied design after high school, but always had a passion for cartoons, animation, and comics, so I think my style is an ever-evolving combination of the two worlds. My work is seen in children’s magazines, greeting cards, and other publications, and my comics have been in both the Flight and Syncopated anthologies.  I also founded the illustration and cartooning blog Drawn! (drawn.ca) with several of my illustrator/cartoonist colleagues.

  • Why did you pick the book you chose?

It’s always been a favourite, and I seem to discover something new every time I read it. There’s something quite special about reading Douglas Adams. His words seem to have this knowing wink to them, like he’s pulling away a curtain to reveal all of life’s absurdity.

I did a school book report on The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. As part of it, I drew illustrations of all the characters. They were all horrible, so perhaps this is my chance to redeem myself.

John’s a huge inspiration and I for one can’t wait to see his take on such wonderful characters. He’ll post his first illustration on February 12, so circle those calendars! In the meantime, peruse his wonderful portfolio and see his blog, where you will see so many good projects your head will spin!

Our last contributor of the day hails from Baltimore, but her subject matter is from a much more exotic land. Stay tuned!

February 2, 2010 at 10:05 am 2 comments

Julia Sonmi Heglund v. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

First of all, happy Groundhog Day! But really what I want to say is a huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who has spread the word about Picture Book Report and been enthusiastic about the project. I know it’s only just begun but to hear people from the design/illustration and book publishing realms get excited has made my week! I can’t wait for us to reveal even more as time goes on. For now though, let’s start with sharing some bios today, shall we? Say hello to Julia Sonmi Heglund!
illustrated by Julia Sonmi Heglund
  • Who are you and what do you do?

Hi! I’m Julia. I like spaghetti, dogs, and drawing. I work full-time as a graphic designer and cartographer by day, and freelance odd illustrations by night.

  • Why did you pick the story you chose?

I read this book many times in late elementary and middle school. The story has an engulfing balance of whimsy and drama, and underlying social analogies that I later came to appreciate. Besides that, I’ve owned pet rats for years, so of course I love any story that involves them! There are many visually descriptive scenes in the book that I think will translate well to a single illustration.

Julia is a talented illustrator and designer; heck, you might even own one of her many shirts from Threadless! Check out her portfolio to see more, but also don’t forget to see her first illustration on February 11th!

Next up, a certain Ultimate Question needs to be answered… I think only John Martz can!

February 2, 2010 at 10:00 am 1 comment

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