The Illustration Department Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Antoinette Portis Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to best-selling illustrator and author, Antoinette Portis, about how creative expression can help one navigate life’s hardest challenges; what Maurice Sendak meant when he told her that illustrators need to be “secret agents”; where we can find the ideas for our creative expression; and more.

To learn more about Antoinette, visit antoinetteportis.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Marcel Duchamp, Rowboat Watkins, and Edward Koren

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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Eugenia Mello Jun 28, 2022

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, designer, and educator, Eugenia Mello about what “draw what you know” means—and why it’s both good and frustrating advice; why she thinks the act of illustrating is like a dance; how illustrators are music makers, and why the music they make is as magical as anything; and more.

To learn more about Eugenia, visit eugeniamello.com.

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Robyn Phillips-Pendleton, Part 2 of 2 Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Robyn Phillips-Pendleton—Professor of Visual Communications at the University of Delaware, and Interim Director for the MFA in Illustration Practice at Maryland Institute College of Art—about whether social media is bending the quality of today’s illustrations toward mediocrity; why introspection is a key component to being an illustrator; and more.

This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation. You can listen to Part 1 here.

To learn more about Robyn, visit rphillipspendleton.com.

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Robyn Phillips-Pendleton, Part 1 of 2 Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Robyn Phillips-Pendleton— Professor of Visual Communications at the University of Delaware, and Interim Director for the MFA in Illustration Practice at Maryland Institute College of Art—about Illustration’s racist history; the power illustration has to heal… and to harm; and more.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Part 2 can be heard here.

To learn more about Robyn, visit rphillipspendleton.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jerry Pinkney, Tom Feelings, Ernie Barnes, Charles Alston, Barbara Zuber, Lois Mailou Jones, Elton Fax, Emory Douglas, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Tom Lovell, Mozelle Thompson, Edward Mitchell Bannister, E. Simms Campbell, Alex Bostic, Rudy Gutieerez, Aaron Douglas, and Thomas Nast

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Heidi and Ryan Sanchez Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Heidi and Ryan Sanchez, Art Agents and Cofounders of Spinning Yarn, about how they formed and (with a little help from Captain Kangaroo) named their agency; how they find clients for the illustrators they represent; what is and isn’t professional when emailing an illustration agent (spoiler alert: don’t use emojis); and more.

To learn more about Spinning Yarn, visit spinningyarnreps.com.

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Charlie Moyler May 31, 2022

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Charlie Moyler, Fiction Art Director at Little Tiger, about how her path to becoming an art director; and how making a little noise helped her get there. She answers questions from Patrons of the podcast on connecting with children’s book art directors, the importance of blogs, the professionalism of “DMing” art directors; and more.

Charlie is @charliemoyler on Instagram.

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Keith Henry Brown May 24, 2022

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Keith Henry Brown about how music has a played a vital role in both his life and art; what it means to feel entitled to your mistakes—and how that applies to creativity; and why we must embrace our individuality in the age of Comparison Culture.

To learn more about Keith visit, keithhbrown.com.

Keith mentioned liner note written by Bill Evans about the artistry of Miles Davis. You can read it here.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Joe Ciardiello, Gary Kelley, Loren Long, Floyd Cooper, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Bernie Fuchs, Frank Frazetta, Bob Peak, Robert McGinnis, and N.C. Wyeth

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Tom Lichtenheld May 17, 2022

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to picture book illustrator and author, Tom Lichtenheld about why and how he works in so many different styles; why not having enough time to draw or paint or write may not actually have anything to do with time; how illustrators can approach composition; what advice you should not follow from Mem Fox; and more.

To learn more about Tom, visit tomlichtenheld.com.

Tom created a comprehensive guide for illustrators and writers who are interested in children’s publishing. You can read it here.

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Jacqueline Lipton May 10, 2022

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Jacqueline Lipton, founding agent at Raven Quill Literary Agency, and faculty member at The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Law. Among other topics, she explains what copyright is and isn’t for creators; how artists can legitimately protect their work; why “fear of the law” shouldn’t stop one from being creative; and more.

Jacqueline is closed to submissions. However, you can send your query to her… but only if you listen to this conversation.

To learn more about Jacqueline, visit jlipton.com.

To learn more about Raven Quill Literary Agency, visit ravenliterary.com.

Giuseppe and Jacqueline discuss her book, Law and Authors: A Legal Handbook for Writers. You can (and should) purchase it here.

Jacqueline mentioned Helen Sedwick’s book, Self-Publisher’s Legal Handbook. Here’s more on Helen and her book.

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Rivkah LaFille May 03, 2022

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, author, and educator, Rivkah LaFille about the sequence of events that led her to becoming a graphic novel creator; why many illustrators find it difficult to believe in themselves and their work; three misconceptions people have about the creation of a graphic novel; and more.

To learn more about Rivkah, visit rivkah.com.

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