Category Archives: Illustration

The Mini Show to Benefit Illustration Students

The Mini Lai Scholarship Fund was created out of love—love for the late Mini Lai, a talented illustrator and proud Art Center alum. The fund strives to honor her memory by granting scholarships to Art Center Illustration students, inspiring them to pursue their dreams no matter what challenges life presents.

“In Between” by Ming Ong

The fund is made possible by the generous donations of her family and friends, and is managed by the California Community Foundation and scholarships are awarded by the College’s Illustration Department.

While a student at the University of California, Irvine, Lai was diagnosed with congenital heart disease, ultimately requiring a heart transplant. With this second chance at life, she pursued her life-long passion for art, studying Illustration at Art Center.

Lai received scholarships while at Art Center, and this fund exists to continue the cycle of giving.

“Mini leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness and hope,” says Ming Lai, Mini’s brother. “Through the Mini Lai Scholarship Fund, we can cherish her memory and inspire Art Center Illustration students to take on the world.”

On October 23, The Mini Show will be held at South Campus to raise money for the Mini Lai Scholarship Fund. The show is being produced through the tireless efforts of Mini’s family and friends and will showcase the work of Art Center Illustration alumni, with all of the proceeds going to the fund. The group exhibition will feature high-quality, affordable artwork, each piece priced at no more than $300. Interested Illustration alums who would like to participate can apply here.

To learn more about the Mini Lai Scholarship Fund, and donate through the California Community Foundation, visit minilai.com and calfund.org/give/minilaischolarship.php.

In Case You Missed It

As you know, there’s always something going on when it comes to Art Center alumni, students and faculty. Some of the latest:

Chip Foose, left, with castmates Lou Santiago and ACP

Blik and Illustration Create Alternatives to Print

Guest post by Heather Koopman of Blik

Last spring, Blik participated in the Art Center’s Advanced Illustration Studio class. Fourteen students at the Pasadena campus enrolled in the course, which is part of the Illustration Department curriculum that focuses on design beyond the printed page. Led by the chair of the illustration department, Ann Field, the upper-term class taught applications for illustration including wall graphics, fabric, ceramic plates and interior design.

According to Field, part of the magic was how quickly the project with Blik was pulled together. Each student created one design and submitted it to Blik to be turned into a printed wall graphic. During the process, Blik tutored the students in how to create and set up their illustrations as files for print production. The final designs were presented and installed in the classroom.

“One of the great things about this class is the opportunity to work with companies, like Blik, who have a high-design aesthetic and impeccable attention to detail,” says Field. “These qualities combined with Blik’s contemporary products and history of working with established artists makes for a good working partnership.”

Blik also worked with one of Art Center’s star graduating students and Spring 2010 valedictorian, Patrick Hruby, to manufacture his final project, Imagine Something Beautiful. Each year, the Art Center faculty gives a wall in the main school entrance way to one student to display their final project. Patrick’s project was selected for the space and he approached Blik to help execute his vision.

Blik is proud of the students’ work and looks forward to continuing our relationship with Art Center again in the future.

For more on Blik: Blik’s Blog, Blik Custom: Art Center, Blik Custom: Patrick Hruby

Ego, Destruction and Facebook

Untitled (Wrestler), by Salomón Huerta

Illustration alum Salomón Huerta is known for revealing identity by obscuring it. He has painted collections of finely detailed portraits of the backs of heads, florid but unemotional masked lucha libre wrestlers, and unassuming suburban homes stripped of individuality.

He’ll be giving a free lecture tonight at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), presented by Zócalo Public Square.

Huerta has exhibited at the Whitney Biennial, the Gagosian Gallery and LACMA. He will discuss his creative methodology and his notions of art, ego and creativity.

Salomón Huerta:
Ego, Destruction and Facebook
Wednesday, July 14, 7:30 pm
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
250 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA

Design legend Alan Aldridge to Visit Campus – CANCELED

** 6/24/10: Unfortunately, Aldridge’s visit to campus has been canceled. We’ll let you know when it is rescheduled.

Design legend Alan Aldridge will be on campus next week, fresh from his retrospective at London’s Design Museum.

Best-known for his intoxicating and color-rich illustrations and designs for The Who, The Beatles, Elton John and the notorious poster for Andy Warhol’s Chelsea Girls, Aldridge’s images have defined the psychedelic era for a generation. Don’t miss his talk, followed by a book signing.

Alan Aldridge
Tuesday, June 29, 7:30-9 pm
Ahmanson Auditorium

Outer Circle is Here!

The latest issue of Outer Circle, our biannual online alumni magazine, is here!

The 80th anniversary issue of Outer Circle shares alumni memories and photos from the last 80 years, outlines a new direction for Alumni Relations, remembers faculty member and alumnus Norm Schureman, checks in with alumni fundraising group Legacy Circle, and much more. The gorgeous cover was created just for us by Illustration alum Andrew Holder.

Check it out: artcenter.edu/outercircle.

In Case You Missed It

As you know, there’s always something going on when it comes to Art Center alumni, students and faculty. Some of the latest:

  • Acclaimed author, illustrator and Art Center alum James Gurney’s magical world of Dinotopia comes to life in a new exhibition at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Fla. Artdaily.org
  • Looking for a luxurious electric car? Check out the Maserati Tramontane, a concept vehicle designed by Transportation Design student Ondrej Jirec. Automotto.com
  • Photo alum Justine Maccario has a solo photography show up at Modest Fly Gallery in Tujunga. Closing reception June 26. Modest Fly Gallery
  • Broadcast Cinema alum Keith Wells explores foreign adoption in his latest work. Pasadena Star-News
  • Dana Point Concours d’Elegance announces artists for the 2010 exhibit, chaired by Advertising alum William Motta and featuring work by Transportation Design faculty member Richard Pietruska. Earth Times
  • Illustration alum Frank Ordaz opens a studio in downtown Auburn, Calif. Auburn Journal

(Pictured: “The Excursion” by James Gurney)

Spotlight on Esther Pearl Watson and Mark Todd

"Whatcha Mean, What's a Zine?" by Mark Todd and esther Pearl Watson

At home in their shared Sierra Madre, Calif., artist studio, Esther Pearl Watson ILLU ‘95 and Mark Todd ILLU ’93 look every bit the part of one of those tightly knit couples whose lives intertwine both personally and professionally. They finish each other’s sentences. They share a cell phone, a car, and, up until recently, an email account. They have completed eight books together, and their paintings are (at least sometimes) shown in the same exhibitions (currently the Sandra Lee Gallery in San Francisco). Since 2003, they have co-taught in Art Center’s Illustration Department. For them, collaboration is a way of life, having spent most of their respective careers working side by side on projects, pushing the boundaries of illustration —whether through books for children, teens and adults, zines or illustrations. Success has followed: their work on the cover of American Illustration and clients like McSweeney’s, Business Week and Country Music Television.

“We’re a support system for each other,” said Todd. Added Watson, “We trust each other’s advice and rely on each other’s strengths. I’m the cheerleader with lots of ideas, and I trust Mark when it comes to art directing or refining the design or layout. We rely on this cross pollination of ideas.” Continue reading →

In Case You Missed It

As you know, there’s always something going on when it comes to Art Center alumni, students and faculty. Some of the latest:

  • Linkin Park 8-Bit Rebellion!, a new game for iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone, pits players against an evil company planning to ruin gaming with HD graphics. Illustration alum and band member Mike Shinoda designed avatars for each of his bandmates and oversaw the new app’s writing, story and gameplay. Wired Game Life
  • The home is a castle for some, but for artist and Product Design alum Roy Mercer, it’s a live-in art gallery. Victoria Times Colonist
  • Illustration alum Mark Ryden’s latest show, The Gay 90′s: Old Tyme Art Show, features works inspired by the 1890s. Paul Kasmin Gallery
  • MFA alum T. J. Wilcox introduces three new films for his May 2010 exhibition at Metro Pictures. artdaily.org
  • Photography alumna Livia Corona documents an interesting twist on the wild world of Mexican bullfighters. Vanguard
  • Pasadena Weeky illustrator and Illustration alumna Ching Ching Cheng will have two paintings displayed at the Louvre in June. Pasadena Weekly
  • Art Center will will host a gathering of leaders and innovators in imaging, technology, media and education at the first-ever Imaging DNA conference in July. Art Center Press Release
  • Call to artists: Pasadena ARTWalk is taking applications for its October event. ArtWalk 2010
  • Illustration alumna Cecilie Starin uses her fine art background in both fashion design and her recently launched interior design business. San Francisco Gate