The Illustration Department Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Mark Summers Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

Scratchboard artist, Mark Summers, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the mistakes Mark made early in his Hall of Fame illustration career; how playing Trivia Pursuit with his wife in 1985 “changed the world overnight” for Mark; how an artist can know if they’re going in the right direction with their work; and more.

To learn more about Mark, visit marksummers.myportfolio.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Norman Rockwell, John Tenniel, Will Davies, Anita Kunz, Richard Amsel, J.C. Leyendecker, Charles Dana Gibson, Duncan Macpherson, Bernie Fuchs, Lynd Ward, Franklin Booth, Mary Azarian, Barry Moser, Leonard Baskin, Gustave Doré, Mort Drucker, Albert Dorne, Bob Peak, N.C. Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish, Mark English, C.F. Payne, Gary Kelly, and Peter de Sève

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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Tim Mendola Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

Tim Mendola—President of Mendola Artists and Rapp Art—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about Tim’s first experiences as agent; what best business practices all illustrators should embrace; what the “market” is and isn’t; why we may never see a sustainable union for illustrators; and more.

To learn more about Tim and his agencies, visit mendolaart.com and rappart.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Murray Tinkelman, Leonard Baskin, Bernie D’Andrea, Lorraine Fox, Ben Shahn, Coby Whitmore, Norman Rockwell, and Robert Heindel

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Daniel Miyares Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

Illustrator and author, Daniel Miyares, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what being a first generation American means to him, and how he unpacks it through his art; how the beginning of his career started with an agent saying, “I don’t think you’re right for the children‘s book industry”; what it means to be curious—and how it just might be, for illustrators, the key to everything; and more.

To learn more about Daniel, visit danielmiyares.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Floyd Cooper, Mark English,and Bob Kolar

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Mary Azarian Nov 09, 2021

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Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator and author, Mary Azarian, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her career—and how much of it came from “randomness, circumstance, and luck”; how farming fed her creativity; what she thinks every creative person should do—regardless of their age or experience; and more.

To learn more about Mary, visit maryazarian.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Leonard Baskin and Barry Moser

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Flavia Zorrilla Drago Nov 02, 2021

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Illustrator and author, Flavia Zorilla Drago, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about creating art outside of one‘s culture; how artists are being placed into diversity “boxes,” and by whom; why it can be difficult for artists to accept praise; and more.

To learn more about Flavia, visit flaviazdrago.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Becky Palmer, Elys Dolan, Katherina Manolessou, Javier Mariscal, Miguel Covarrubias, Hieronymus Bosch, Gabriel Pacheco, and Alfonso Ruano

Flavia mentioned the term “malinchista” when referring to being influenced by work outside of Mexico. Here is the fascinating origin of that term.

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Lane Smith Oct 26, 2021

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Caldecott-winning illustrator and author, Lane Smith, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he went from illustrating an album cover for Oingo Boingo, to publishing his first picture book; what he doesn’t like about the term “kid-friendly” when describing kids’ books; why he works in multiple styles and media; and more.

To learn more about Lane, visit lanesmithbooks.com.

Lane and Giuseppe spoke at length about Grandpa Green—which earned Lane a Caldecott Honor in 2012. You can buy it here.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Stan Lee, Georganne Dean, Matt Mahurin, Greg Spalenka, Peggy Rathmann, James Marshall, Ludwig Bemelmans, Edward Gorey, Józef Wilkoń, Tomi Ungerer, Maurice Sendak, Alice and Martin Provensen. Ralph Steadman, William Joyce, Chuck Jones, Henrik Drescher, Etienne Delessert, Rita Marshall, Jon Klassen, Keith Haring, Charles Schulz, WIlliam Steig, Grandma Moses, and Leo Lionni

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Melissa Iwai Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

Illustrator and author, Melissa Iwai, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the meandering journey that led her to becoming an illustrator and author—with a little help from Richard Scarry; how she reclaimed her identity, her joy, and her drawing hand; why it’s a good idea to create art—not for a portfolio piece or social media—but for yourself; and more.

To learn more about Melissa, visit melissaiwai.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Richard Scarry

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Christopher A. Brown Oct 12, 2021

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Christopher A. Brown—Special Collections Curator for the Children’s Literature Research Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how a lie helped him become a librarian; who decides what books belong in a library; why he thinks revolutions are recorded in children’s literature; and more.

To learn more about the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Children’s Literature Research Collection, visit FreeLibrary.org/clrc.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Chris Van Allsburg, Martha Rich, David Wiesner, Anna Whelan Betts, Jessie Willcox Smith, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Carolyn Haywood, and Katherine Milhous

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Lauren Flower-Kim Oct 05, 2021

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Marketing Consultant, Lauren Flower-Kim, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her career as a marketing leader at both Random House and HarperCollins; what role—and power—Marketing Departments have in Children’s Publishing; what three ways a book creator can market their book; and more.

You can connect with Lauren on LinkedIn.

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Roy Freeman Sep 28, 2021

Show notes

Roy Freeman—scientist, artist, author, publisher, and son of Don Freeman—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about Don’s life before Corduroy; how Roy found peace with the difficult relationship he had with his father; what advice Don would share with illustrators were he alive today; and more.

To learn more about Roy and Don Freeman, visit donfreeman.info.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Al Hirschfeld, Jackson Pollack, David Edward Byrd; Beauford Delaney, and Beatrix Potter

Roy and Giuseppe talk about a short documentary of Don, his wife Lydia, and their working relationship.

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