The Illustration Department Podcast

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Mary GrandPré Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Artist and Caldecott Honor-winner, Mary GrandPré, about why she got into and out of a career in illustration; what she likes most about her art for Harry Potter; why it’s important for artists to keep exploring; and more.

To learn more about Mary, visit marygrandpre.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, Miró, Braque, Picasso, Matisse, S. Neil Fujita, Albizu, Chagall, Dalí, Fra Angelico, Giotto, Titian, and Pontormo

If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

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Janelle Washington Jan 23, 2024

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Giuseppe Castellano talks to Paper Cut and Silhouette Artist and Award-winning Illustrator, Janelle Washington, about the unexpected, multi-award winning beginning of her children’s book career; why she literary bleeds for her art; what she’s learned, through cut paper, about mental health; and more.

To learn more about Janelle, visit washingtoncuts.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Romare Bearden and Moses Williams

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Holly Hoover Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Holly Hoover, Art Director at Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, about what she looks for in an illustrator’s portfolio; why an illustrator would decline a publisher’s book offer; how to have a positive art director/illustrator relationship; and more.

You can find Holly on LinkedIn.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jen Corace, Chris Raschka, and Luisa Uribe

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Sara Frazetta Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Sara Frazetta, co-founder of Frazetta Girls, and granddaughter of Frank Frazetta, about her relationship with her grandpa; what Frazetta influenced, and who influenced him; what illustrators today can learn from Frazetta; and more.

Learn more about Sara and Frazetta Girls at frazettagirls.com.

You can buy Taschen’s The Fantastic Worlds of Frank Frazetta from their website.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Titian, N.C. Wyeth, Mark Taylor, Hal Foster, Milton Caniff, and Joseph Clement Coll

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Liza Donnelly Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to New Yorker Writer, Cartoonist, and Visual Journalist, Liza Donnelly, about her early days as a cartoonist; what James Thurber has meant to her, personally and professionally; how illustration—cartoons or otherwise—is the greatest form of communication; and more.

To learn more about Liza, visit lizadonnelly.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: R.O. Blechman, Mort Gerberg, Whitney Darrow, Jr., Charles Addams, James Thurber, Ethel Plummer, Ilonka Karasz, Helen Hokinson, Barbara Shermund, Roberta Macdonald, Lorraine Fox, Michael Maslin, and Barry Blitt

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Erica Rand Silverman Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Erica Rand Silverman, Senior Literary Agent at Stimola Literary Studio, about what she expects from a creative for a positive working relationship; and what it means to approach one’s art from a place of play. She also answers questions from podcast patrons about creating a book dummy; and more.

To learn more about Erica, visit stimolaliterarystudio.com.

To learn more about Stimola Live, visit stimolalive.com.

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Stephanie Alexander-Jinks Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Stephanie Alexander-Jinks, co-owner and agent at The Artworks Illustration Agency, about Stephanie’s transition from illustrator to agent; what stands out to her—positively and negatively—in portfolios; what illustrators can do to increase their chances for success; and more.

To learn more about Stephanie and her agency, visit theartworksinc.com.

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Craig Frazier Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Craig Frazier, about Craig’s newest monograph, Drawn, and what he hopes the book can do for illustrators; how our time is precious—especially with the ones we love; what illustrators can do that AI and its prompters can never do; and more.

To learn more about Craig, visit craigfrazier.com.

To purchase Craig’s monograph, visit frazierbooks.com/order-book.

I hope you enjoy our conversation. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Don Weller, Milton Glaser, Heinz Edelmann, John Hersey, Brian Cronin, Michael Mabry, Ivan Chermayeff, Paul Rand, Leo Lionni, Brad Holland, Alan Cober, Christoph Niemann, and Heath Robinson

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Don Tate Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Don Tate, about the reasons Black children’s book illustrators, historically, chose to or had to illustrate representationally; why physical fitness is vital for active creativity; why illustrators don’t have to draw every day; and more.

To learn more about Don, visit dontate.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jerry Pinkney, Leo and Diane Dillon, Floyd Cooper, Brian and Andrea Pinkney, and R. Gregory Christie

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Vanessa Dina Nov 28, 2023

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Vanessa Dina, Design Director at Chronicle Books, about some of Chronicle’s historical milestones, including how the iconic glasses logo came to be; how she finds and works with illustrators; why emailing art directors is easier than some illustrators think; and more.

Vanessa can be found on LinkedIn.

To learn more about the Chronicle Books Fellowship, visit designfellowship.chroniclebooks.com. To learn more about the consumer trends website that Vanessa mentioned, visit wgsn.com/en.

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