The Illustration Department Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Lori Steel Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Lori Steel, Literary Agent and Founder of SteelWorks Literary, about launching a literary agency amid concerns (from some) surrounding the health of the children’s book industry; what she looks for in a children’s book creator; what Henry David Thoreau can teach illustrators; and more.

To learn more about Steelworks Literary, visit steelworksliterary.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Yuko Shimizu, Anoosha Syed, Vera Brosgol, and Alex T. Smith

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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Charly Palmer Mar 25, 2025

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Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, fine artist, and dreamer, Charly Palmer, about why he focuses on doing better, and on putting love out into the world; why artists should work on their relationship with their art; why he thinks there’s no such thing as a self-taught artist; and more.

To learn more about Charly, visit charlypalmer.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Ezra Jack Keats, Ernest Crichlow, Lois Mailou Jones, Mark English, Bernie Fuchs, Bart Forbes, and Norman Rockwell

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Arabelle Liepold Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Arabelle Liepold, Executive Director of The Society of Illustrators, about the past, present, and future of the Society; why illustrators should consider becoming members; what the Society can be for… society; and more.

To learn more about the Society, visit societyillustrators.org.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Norman Rockwell, Dean Cornwell, Charles Dana Gibson, Liza Donnelly, Edel Rodriguez, and Steve Brodner

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Edward Gorey Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to the folks behind The Edward Gorey House (as well as other Gorey fanatics and aficionados) about the life, work, and house of Edward Gorey.

The first half of this episode was recorded at Gorey’s 100th birthday gala, which was held at The Mansion at Ocean Edge in Brewster, Massachusetts. Special thanks go to The Edward Gorey House’s director and curator, and assistant director and curator, Gregory Hischak and Coco Raymond.

To learn more about The Edward Gorey House, visit edwardgoreyhouse.org.

Photograph by Richard Avedon / © The Richard Avedon Foundation

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Sarah Gonzales Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, Sarah Gonzales, about what the Ezra Jack Keats Award brought to her creative practice; why using traditional media and digital media is not an either/or proposition; what piece of very good advice she has taped to her wall; and more.

To learn more about Sarah, visit sgonzalesart.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Ezra Jack Keats, Rebecca Lee Kunz, and Sydney Smith

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Emily Flake Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to cartoonist, writer, and comic, Emily Flake, about her work as a staff artist for The New Yorker; what “rejection” is and isn’t for illustrators (and comics); what it means to burden our work with the weight the world; and more.

To learn more about Emily, visit emilyflake.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jason Chatfield, Julia Wertz, Roz Chast, Sam Gross, Charles Addams, Gahan Wilson, Lynda Barry, and Mimi Pond

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Bob Staake Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to one of the nation’s most prolific illustrators, Bob Staake, about how his creative approach aligns and differs between editorial and children’s book illustration; why children’s books shouldn’t have messages or morals, but rather truths or shares; what having a 50-year illustration career comes down to; and more.

To learn more about Bob, visit bobstaake.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Drew Struzan and Barry Blitt

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Michael Dante DiMartino Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to writer, producer, and co-creator of the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra, Michael Dante DiMartino, about the challenges he faced in self-publishing his young adult novel, Both Here and Gone; how he weaves emotions like grief, depression, and anger into appealing stories for a young audience; how artists can bring balance to their creative lives; and more.

To learn more about Michael, and his novel, visit michaeldantedimartino.com.

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Skylar Smith Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Skylar Smith, Professor of Liberal Arts at the Ringling College of Art and Design, about why there’s no time like the present to start learning about illustration history; whether an illustration is fully complete without the interpretation of an audience; what Generative AI and a lawsuit by Albrecht Dürer have in common; and more.

You can find Skylar on LinkedIn.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jules Feiffer, Norman Rockwell, George Petty, Miné Okubo, Arthur Szyk, J.C. Leyendecker, Al Parker, Saul Tepper, Norman Bridwell, Beatrix Potter, Todd McFarlane, James Montgomery Flagg, Seymour Chwast, Hilary Knight, Ashley Bryan, Tomi Ungerer, Tex Avery, Eric Carle, George Herriman, Caravaggio, and Albrecht Dürer

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Leslie Mechanic Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Leslie Mechanic, art director at Simon & Schuster, about what catches her eye in an illustrator’s portfolio; why saying “it’s a competitive market” isn’t the most accurate take on the illustration industry; what all illustrators should know about the art director/illustrator relationship; and more.

To learn more about Leslie, visit lesliemechanic.com.

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