The Illustration Department Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Kevin Eastman Dec 24, 2019

Show notes

Writer, artist, publisher, and co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kevin Eastman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how a “dumb” drawing sparked a global phenomenon; how he and Peter Laird self-published the first TMNT comics; what he sees in the current Turtles renaissance; and what his one big regret has been since the first comic published in 1984.

His audio was a little off—but we’re chalking it up to the possibility that he was talking to us from his lair in the sewers of New York City.

Here are some of the artists mentioned in this conversation: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, Jack Kirby, Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Steve Ditko, Bob Kane and Bill Finger.

To learn more about Kevin, visit kevineastmanstudios.com.

To learn more about Peter Laird, visit peterlairdstmntblog.blogspot.com.

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Peter Glassman Dec 19, 2019

Show notes

The founder of Books of Wonder, Peter Glassman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about opening his first book store in 1980; coming out to his parents in the late 1970’s; the genius and heart of Maurice Sendak; and the connections Peter made with Arnold Lobel, Madeleine L’Engle, and many of the brightest stars in children’s publishing.

Here are a few of the writers and illustrators they mentioned: Arnold Lobel, Maurice Sendak, Crockett Johnson, Ruth Krauss, and Lloyd Alexander

To learn more about Peter and Books of Wonder, visit booksofwonder.com.

To purchase signed artwork, original editions, and other collectable ephemera, visit their auction page (and help Books of Wonder raise funds to move to a new location).

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Betsy Lewin Dec 17, 2019

Show notes

Caldecott Honor-winning author and illustrator, Betsy Lewin, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about attending Pratt Institute in the 1950’s; how she met Ted Lewin; how a poem she wrote for Parents Magazine led her to children’s publishing; and why she didn’t know she won a Caldecott Honor after getting a phone call from the Caldecott committee.

We recorded this conversation in the dining room of Ted and Betsy’s lovely brownstone in Fort Green, Brooklyn.

To learn more about Betsy, visit betsylewin.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kelly Murphy Dec 10, 2019

Show notes

Illustrator and Educator, Kelly Murphy, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about their shared experiences at the Rhode Island School of Design; Kelly’s first phone call with an editor; what it’s like teaching at RISD; why she doesn’t have an agent; and how author/illustrators can sneak around a publisher’s “no unsolicited manuscript” policy.

Here are a few of the artists they mentioned: John Tenniel, Arthur Rackham, J.C. Leyendecker, Lizbeth Zwerger, and Kate Greenaway

To learn more about Kelly, visit kelmurphy.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Meghan McCarthy Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

Author and illustrator, Meghan McCarthy, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about creating non-fiction picture books; her “depressing” experiences while working at Barnes & Noble; childhood and adulthood bullies; how Twitter criticism leads to “outrage telephone”; and what the morality clause from publishers could mean for creators.

A leader in non-fiction children’s publishing, Jeanne Bendick, was mentioned. Here’s more on her.

To learn more about Meghan, visit meghan-mccarthy.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jean Dahlgren Nov 26, 2019

Show notes

The President of Delaware College of Art and Design, Jean Dahlgren, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what sparked her lifelong interest in art education; why she’s tired of the “myth” of the “starving artist”; and how the Delaware College of Art and Design prepares future artists.

They also praise the Delaware, and the city of Wilmington—the rightful birthplace of the Golden Age of Illustration.

Here are a few of the illustrators they mentioned: Linda Kitson, Howard Pyle, Frank Schoonover, Elizabeth Shippen Green, Jessie Wilcox Smith, and Violet Oakley

Update: DCAD is no longer open. Visit dcad.edu.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Francesca Gambatesa Nov 19, 2019

Show notes

Illustrator and animator, Francesca Gambatesa talks to Giuseppe Castellano about Italy’s best kept secret (spoiler: it’s Puglia); how she found a literary agent; what she thinks about when she thinks about character design; and why a career in children’s publishing isn’t for the faint of heart.

To learn more about Francesca, visit francescagam.co.uk.

Here are a few of the illustrators they mentioned: Quentin Blake, Ronald Searle, Vamba, Marc Boutavant, Fiep Westendorp, and Uri Shulevitz

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Barry Blitt Nov 12, 2019

Show notes

Illustrator and Cartoonist, Barry Blitt, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about why showing his drawings to Major League baseball players helped start Barry’s career; how he and art editor, Françoise Mouly, of The New Yorker have worked together for decades to create more than 100 covers; and why illustrators can be overly self-critical.

Barry mentions a Daily Show segment with Jon Stewart, in which Jon discusses Barry’s “Politics of Fear” cover. You can watch it on Comedy Central’s site.

Here are a few of the illustrators they mentioned: Russell Mills, Ian Pollock, Ed Sorel, Alan Cober, Joe Ciardiello, and Robert Andrew Parker.

To see a sample of Barry’s work with The New Yorker, visit newyorker.com/contributors/barry-blitt.

To learn more about Barry, visit barryblitt.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Will Terry Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

Illustrator and educator, Will Terry, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he lied his way into a meeting with art director, Carol Porter, of The Washington Post; how the Society of Visual Storytelling got its start; and why the debate between online vs. brick & mortar art programs continues.

Here are a few of the artists they mentioned: P. D. Eastman, Jake Parker, Lee White, Piper Thibodeau, and C.F. Payne

Will mentioned a series of Japanese tales. Here’s a great blog post on them.

To learn more about Will, visit willterry.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kayla Wasil Oct 29, 2019

Show notes

Illustrator, Designer, and Art Director, Kayla Wasil, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how Giuseppe met (and hired) Kayla; what it’s like to work on licensed properties in book form; and why the publishing design process can be frustrating.

Kayla answers questions provided to Giuseppe by The Illustration Dept. Newsletter subscribers. They cover postcards, process, trends, and more.

As a point of comparison, listen to Viking art director, Jim Hoover, answer similar questions.

To learn more about Kayla, visit kaylawasil.com.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Illustration Department Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected