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Cliff Cramp Featured at HB Concours

Professor Cliff Cramp was selected to produce the Huntington Beach Concours 25th Anniversary Show poster this year. The HB Concours is one of the longest running concours car shows in southern California. The Concours show is Sunday June 6th at the Huntington Beach Central Park (7111 Talbert Ave. - Huntington Beach, CA)

CSI Miami, Greg Swearingen, and Doug TenNapel in One Week

We had a lot of big time visitors last week: illustrator Greg Swearingen, cartoon creator Doug TenNapel, and the crew of CSI Miami. Greg Swearingen came to the History of American Illustration class to discuss his journey into becoming a pro and some of his technical processes. Doug TenNapel presented principles in storytelling and character development. Last, for more than two days, we all bumped into Horatio (David Caruso), Frank (Rex Linn), and (pretend) dead people while the CSI Miami crew filmed one of the last shows of the season. Look for a “Miami Dade U” stone marker in upcoming episodes, and you’ll know you’re seeing the Cal State Fullerton campus (yes, miles away from Miami, Florida)! What a fun campus!!

Painting World War II: California Style Watercolor Artists

The Oceanside Museum of Art presents an exhibit that examines for the first time the paintings of WWII scenes from California Style watercolor artists. In "Painting World War II," visitors can see more than 60 artistic depictions of the lives of U.S. soldiers at home and overseas, by such artists as Arthur Beaumont, Rex Brandt, Hardie Gramatky, Dong Kingman, Barse Miller, Phil Paradise, Charles Payzant, Ed Reep, Millard Sheets, and Milford Zornes. A very festive preview reception, with food, swing music, and period dance will take place on Saturday, April 17, at 5 PM ($10). This exhibit runs from April 18 through October 3, 2010.

Random House Publishes Latest Children's Book by Prof. Swearingen

Illustration professor, Hala Swearingen (formerly Wittwer), completed yet another children's book for Random House's "Step Into Reading" series. Titled Spring Surprises and written by Anna Jane Hays, it introduces beginning readers to the fun and joys of Spring activities. Prof. Swearingen's illustrations in this volume are cute, beautiful, and delicate. She has published several more children's books, including another title in the "Step Into Reading" series, Dragon Egg. Prof. Swearingen joined the Illustration faculty at Cal State Fullerton last Fall, and brings an expertise in traditional drawing and painting as well as children's book illustration (obviously!).

Autodesk Collaborates with CSUF Animation Program

Autodesk, the software company behind Maya, has recognized the impact of Cal State Fullerton students and professors on the entertainment industry with a superb article on our animation program. For several years, the Entertainment Art/Animation BFA at Cal State Fullerton has used Maya as its core 3D animation application. Since his hiring, Prof. Chuck Grieb has spearheaded the 3D curriculum. Now, many of our BFA in Entertainment Art/ Animation graduates model, rig, and animate in the industry. For instance, in the recent Penguins of Madagscar produced by Nickelodeon and Dreamworks, the CG supervisor (Rusty Tracy), Technical Director (Joy Johnson), and several of the 3D artists, such as John Cahoon, have learned animation and Maya at Cal State Fullerton. As a result of our animation school’s success, Autodesk has strengthen its relationship with our school, in part thanks to another one of our students, Linda Sellheim (MFA in Illustration), joining Autodesk.

Alum Wayne Unten Animates Disney Christmas TV Special

With Disney-Pixar Chief Creative Officer, John Lasseter, renewing the tradition of original, made-for-TV, Christmas animated specials, one of our alum, Wayne Unten, got to partake in this holiday tradition. Unten, who has been working for Disney Animation for more than two years, including as a Supervising Animator on Bolt (2008), animated some of the reindeers and other characters in the holiday special, Prep and Landing. The Disney special airs December 8, at 8:30pm (Pacific) on ABC. Unten, who graduated with a BFA in Entertainment Art/Animation, periodically visits the CSUF Visual Arts Department to coach students on animation practices such as demo reel preparations.

Prof. McDonald Illustrates Coming of an Age Book with Indian Creek Poet

Mercedes McDonald's latest illustrated book, For a Girl Becoming, is a rare publishing gem: an illustrated picture book with appeal to teen audiences. Although it is an all-ages book according to Joy Harjo, the poet who wrote the book, very few picture books in today's market address readers in their teens. McDonald handled the illustrations with elegance and an eye for lively earth tones, reminiscent of the Indian Creek tradition to which Harjo belongs. The Los Angeles Examiner published a review and interview of the author, where Harjo discusses her working relationship with McDonald. We're fortunate to have McDonald among our faculty this semester as she teaches one of our Traditional Illustration classes.

Zelda Wang - Illustration Alumni wins Prismacolor Competition

Illustration Alumni Zelda Wang wins the 2009 Prismacolor "For Art's Sake" National Art Competition in the Cartooning/Manga category. Her image is titled Shi. Shi is the color purple, the mix of red (love) and blue (sorrow). Shi is death, the falling petals. Shi is the guardian of nature. The world is dying and cannot go back to how it once was, but it may be healed with a pure heart and the most innocent wishes. Clothing inspired by various Asian native cultures. (Done with Prismacolor colored pencil on 9x12 drawing paper)

Fullerton Illustration wins @ SCBWI's Illustrators Day

Cal State Fullerton Illustration was represented well at "illustrators day" hosted by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. The event was held this passed Saturday in Los Angeles. Faculty member Hala Swearingen won two awards, first place in the Judge's Choice award and third place in the People's choice Award. Alumni Lauren Gallegos also won a Judge's choice award and Pat Cantor received a second place in the People's Choice Award. Congratulations to Hala, Lauren and Pat.

Dinotopia's James Gurney Explains Imaginative Realism at CSUF

Last Thursday, the Visual Arts Department hosted James Gurney, creator of Dinotopia and award-winning illustrator, commissioned by National Geographic and the US Postal Service. Gurney discussed his background in archeology and art (he attended Art Center for two semesters), and how his interests led him to create Dinotopia. In addition to going to art school, he studied art by copying the masters, by reading the Famous Artist Course and books by Andrew Loomis, Howard Pyle, and many National Geographic magazines. In order to create “imaginary realism,” he encourages students to do lots of research (online, in books, through interviews with experts), to copy paintings from the old masters, to use maquettes and photos (from one’s scrap file, or from shooting reference with models), to go plein-air painting. Next, Gurney produces many preliminary sketches, and he likes to vary his media to make happy discoveries in that process. Gurney’s latest book further explores his approach to imaginative realism. This event was organized by the Pencil Mileage Club, Chuck Grieb, Cliff Cramp, and Dana Lamb. Photos of the event appear on the Pencil Mileage Club blog.

Four Alumns Present Art at 1st Long Beach Comic Con

Patrick Scullin, Doug Sirois, Trey Hodges, and Robert Tsai have been presenting their comics, character designs, and graphic novel projects in the Artist Alley section of the 1st Long Beach Comic Con. Scullin, the creator of Super Siblings, is promoting his comics about two rivaling siblings who have super powers. Sirois who is presently digitally coloring the 4th and 5th issue of Hercules (published by Radical Comics) also showcased some of his paintings and a fantasy book project. A few aisles away, Tsai and Hodges shared a table for their first comics convention as exhibitors. Tsai presently freelances for BET, designing characters, while Hodges is busy creating a lengthy graphic novel. The Long Beach Comic Con runs until Sunday October 4th.


1st photo: Patrick Scullin and Doug Sirois.


2nd photo: Trey Hodges and Robert Tsai.

Prof. Hala Swearingen exhibits in Santa Ana's Grand Central Gallery

Hala Swearingen, the latest Illustration professor to join the CSUF art faculty, will showcase more of her children's book art in the upcoming Resident's show in Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana. Greg Swearingen, Hala's husband, will also present some of his book cover originals. Treats for the eyes!

Erin Shea Wins Mentoring Program at SCBWI

Past and present students from the CSUF Illustration program received top prizes at the Summer Los Angeles Conference of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Erin Shea, a student in the MFA in Illustration program, entered the portfolio competition and earned this year's new prize: a mentorship. Being selected offered Erin a chance to have face-to-face meetings with Arthur Levine (Editor of his own imprint at Scholastic, and the man responsible for bring Harry Potter to the U.S.A.), Priscilla Burris (Illustrator and Illustration Coordinator for the SCBWI worldwide), Cecilia Yung (Art Director and Vice President, Penguin), and David Diaz (Illustrator, Caldecott winner).

Daily Titan Reviews and Broadcasts Faculty Show

The Sept. 10, 2009 print issue of the student newspaper, The Daily Titan, included a review of the Faculty Show "F+" at Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana, expertly curated by Dennis Cubbage and his team. Written by Nikki Mao, the article includes a generous amount of quotes from the professors, thus adding great insight into the process and spirit of this show. In addition, a short slide show video presents a large selection of the art presented in the gallery. It's the best way to catching a glimpse of the exhibit if you cannot make it to Santa Ana. One small correction in the video: the last two pieces are digital illustrations by Cliff Cramp (not Mary Fin). The show remains open until October 18th.

F+ CSUF Visual Arts Faculty Exhibition

OPENING RECEPTION - GRAND CENTRAL ART CENTER: SEPTEMBER 5, 7-10PM Admission is Free!
The entertainment and commercial artists teaching at CSUF have experience as storyboard artists, packaging designers, art directors, digital illustrators, authors, and award-winning filmmakers. The sculpture and crafts faculty have mastered the arts of jewelry making, ceramics, glass, and kinetic sculpture, and can be found in the permanent collections of the Oakland Museum of Art and the American Craft Museum. Drawing and painting instructors have studied and exhibited internationally, received grants for their work, and have participated in international artist residencies. In addition to offering insight as artists, the CSUF faculty also educates future artists towards careers as K-12 teachers.

Redefining the Line: Art Nouveau & The Female Figure

Main Art Gallery • CSUF Visual Arts Center
Opening Reception: Saturday, August 29, 5-8 p.m. • Free Admission
Exhibition runs September 1 - October 2, 2009
Curated by Alexandra Duron & Sarah Strozza

Redefining the Line: Art Nouveau & The Female Figure features the graphic design, illustration and installation work of ten international contemporary artists Pomme Chan, Deanne Cheuk, Naja Conrad-Hansen, Aya Kato, Pandarosa, Marguerite Sauvage, Alberto Seveso, Sonya Suhariyan, Yoshi Tajima and Eveline Tarunadjaja.

The exhibition investigates the influence of historical Art Nouveau on contemporary artists and exhibits work by artists who use both traditional and digital media. It demonstrates the impact designers and illustrators have made on our visual culture. These artists successfully merge the fine art and commercial art worlds, applying fine art techniques and art historical ideas to commercial avenues geared towards fashion, music and popular culture.

This is a must see show.

Richard Pose Shows in Philly

Alumni Richard Pose's illustrations will be featured at the T&P Gallery in Philadelphia. This show is the quite literally named 4 Person Show featuring artists Lisa Hanawalt, Ken Keirns, Brian Morris and Richard Pose. The opening will take place on September 4th beginning at 7PM. So if you're in the area...get out to the show.
T&P Gallery
1143 South 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA

Fullerton Illustration on Facebook

The CSUF Illustration concentration has launched a Facebook fan page. The page title is Illustration at Cal State Fullerton. If you have an FB account, join as a fan and follow the interaction.

From Here To There

Four wonderfully talented ladies in the Illustration graduate program display their creative process - From here to there.

And the there there is excellent.

The show opens in the Exit Gallery at CSUF on August 29 and will run until September 9. The opening reception is from 5-8pm.

Erin Shea
Kim Dwinell
Pat Cantor
Katy Betz

Doug Sirois colorist on Hercules

Illustration Alumni Doug Sirois, colorist on the comic book Hercules, gets reviewed by hypergeek and Major Spoilers.com.

"The artwork on this title is really quite breathtaking. At first I was under the assumption that the art was fully painted, but the ‘artist’ credit is given to Cris Bolson, and the ‘colorist’ credit to Doug Sirois, which means that this is not possible. I am assuming then that Bolson pencilled and inked the title, whilst Sirois worked some sort of digital wizardry to create the painted look. Whatever the case, they have done an amazing job and have created some truly beautiful artwork that really bring the book to life."

Professor Cramp teams with Corel Painter 11

Corel Painter and Professor Cliff Cramp team up in the latest painter Advertisement.

Steve Gritton's "The Trouble With Sisters and Robots"

Fullerton Illustration Alumni Steve Gritton finishes his 4th Children's book, "The Trouble with Sisters And Robots". His latest book is published by Albert Whitman & Co. You can purchase it here.

Prof. Hala Swearingen Joins CSUF Illustration Program

The Illustration division at Cal State Fullerton celebrates the arrival of Hala Swearingen (MFA Art Institute of Boston ’09, BFA in Illustration BYU ’96) as the latest professor to join the Illustration faculty. Last year, the Visual Arts Department cast a wide net, spreading the word about this job opening to hundreds of professional artists and illustration teachers. Prof. Swearingen comes to us after more than ten years illustrating in-house and as a freelancer, as well as several years as a teacher. Since 2000, she has created art for top publishing companies, such as HarperCollins, Hyperion, Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Tor Books. She recently illustrated Meow: Cat Stories from Around the World, written by one of the children’s book industry’s most celebrated authors, Jane Yolen. Swearingen’s art appeared in competitive showcases, including the New York Society of Illustrators and Spectrum. The attention to elegant design, lavish colors, and finessed details she puts in her work in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and pen and ink translate in her approach to teaching, where she values strong foundations and expert craftsmanship. Please grant her a cheerful welcome to our community of artists and educators.

SCBWI Bulletin Publishes Spot Illustration by MFA in Illustration Student Kimberly Dwinell

The July/August 2009 issue of the SCBWI Bulletin includes a beautiful, little ink wash spot illustration by Kimberly Dwinell. She created this illustration in Prof. Christian Hill's Sequential Art course (ART 367/487S) last Spring for a mini-picture book project based on Aesop's fable, The Ant and the Dove. Several of her illustrations for this project appear on Dwinell's blog (first blog entry and second blog entry). While pursuing her Master's in Illustration at Cal State Fullerton, Dwinell is building a children's book illustration portfolio as well as working on a graphic novel for middle-grade girls. Last year, Dwinell received an honorary mention in the 26th online SCBWI Illustration contest.

Dr. Joe Arnold Succeeds Dean Samuelson as New Dean of College of the Arts

The College of the Arts has a new Dean, Dr. Joseph "Joe" Arnold, who succeeds to Dean Jerry Samuelson. Last Spring, Dean Samuelson announced that he was retiring after more than 30 years of service to Cal State Fullerton. His greatest achievement, among a long list, took form with the completion of the state-of-the-art Clayes Performance Arts Center, which houses several theater and music halls, as well as new classrooms for the Dance, Music, and Theater Departments. A few years after the founding of the university, Dean Samuelson also partook in transforming a few art courses into today's vibrant Visual Arts Department now regrouping twelve Bachelor's programs and six Master's programs. Dean Arnold contributed to many of the College's successes as Associate Dean for eleven years. He has an affable personality, an acute insight into the workings of the College, a passion for art and for teaching, and a broad erudition (a rich source for his witty comments and jokes). The University news division details Dean Arnold's many past achievements, including the many student plays he has directed all through his years as an administrator with the College. In his message to students, faculty, alumns, and the community, Dean Arnold, writes: "If you share our enthusiasm and excitement for the arts, we hope you will join us in the celebration of the arts at CSUF."

Titans Descend on the San Diego Comic-Con

Once again, this year’s Comic-Con includes many graduates from the Cal State Fullerton school of illustration and animation. Patrick Scullin, who just received his MFA in Illustration is promoting his webcomics, Super Siblings at booth P03. Another recent Illustration MFA graduate, Joe Weatherly, is selling his art books, such as the successful Weatherly Guide to Drawing Animals and Animal Essence (booth I03). Doug Sirois, whose presence at the Comic-Con has not been confirmed, will appear through his art, with the Hercules comics available at the Radical Comics booth. This year marks the fourth for the group of alumns headed by Erich Haeger, who have banded to create two lavish volumes of the “film noir” detective anthology Hard Ei8ght. This year, the Hard Ei8ght team is publishing the Art of Hard Ei8ht, which includes illustrations and pin-ups by past artists (such as Brian Growe, Alex and Emmanuel Deligiannis, Greg Rankin who has his own booth, D08, Eric "The Gute" Gonzalez, Garrett Shikuma, and many more) as well as a few more recent contributors such as Stephen Silver (all-around nice guy, great artist, and frequent guest speaker at Cal State Fullerton), Mike Daley, and Justin Ridge. Speaking of Ridge, he will have his own table (E08). Mike Roush will have his outstanding solo animation, which has toured the world in top animation festivals, The Hidden Life of the Burrowing Owl, shown in San Diego. Martin Hsu (BFA in Illustration), who has produced art for Nickelodeon’s Ni-Hao cartoon, will sell posters, sketchbooks, and shirts at his booth (G02) next to the Rhythm Section (G03), another group including Cal State Fullerton alumns, such as Mike Daley and Vin Teng. Finally, Justin Ridge and Richard Pose, who have both stories in the fresh-off-the-presses 6th volume of Flight, will sign at the Flight Comics booth (2329).

Robert Crumb Is Truckin' to CSUF Grand Central Art Gallery

CSUF Grand Central Art Center is hosting "R. Crumb's Underground," a large exhibit of Robert Crumb original comics pages and illustrations, until August 16, 2009. This traveling exhibit, curated by Todd Hignite originally for the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and coordinated by GCAC Director of Exhibitions, Dennis Cubbage, includes many of Crumb's early Underground comics explorations from the early 1960s (Fritz the Cat, psychedelic magazine cover designs, etc.) up to some self-referential comics and color work (New Yorker magazine) of the 1990s. To view comments and updates about this show and more related events, consult the Grand Central Art Center Facebook page,

Coastline Community College Holds Retrospective Show of Illustration Professor George James

Emeritus Illustration Professor, George James, has a retrospective show of his paintings at the Art Gallery of the Coastline Community College, with a reception Friday July 10th, from 5 to 7pm. Prof. James earned many awards over a prestigious career as one of America's finest watercolorists. From July 13th to 17th, he will teach a workshop on "Watercolor on Alternative Surfaces" (contact Shea Mayberry, 714-963-8475). On Wednesday July 15, he will talk about his art and journey during the artist lecture at 7pm. The exhibit, curated by Jay Sagen and Shea Mayberry, lasts until August 10, 2009 (gallery hours: Thursday - Saturday, 1-5pm; directions). Don't miss it!

Flipin' Monsters for the iPhone

Graduate Student Asa Enoch developed the artwork for Flipn' Monsters as a Special Studies in Illustration project. Along with a couple of friends, they created the software and submitted it to the Apple Apps Store.

Check out video and screenshots of Flipn' Monsters, or become a fan at the Facebook page and get updates on all the extra stuff (including some paper cutout dolls of the monsters) that's coming up in the next few weeks. The game can be purchased by searching the App Store for Flipn' Monsters, or by going to this link.

Illustration BFA Busc in Japanese American National Museum Show

A few months after a terrific undergraduate art show (see photo) Busc, who only has one more semester to complete his BFA in Illustration, scored big as an artist participating in the upcoming exhibit, "Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy" at the Japanese American National Museum. The show runs from July 11 to October 4, 2009. More than 100 international artists participate in this exhibit, including former Cal State Fullerton alumns: Heisuke Kitazawa (PCP), Kozyndan, and Jeni Yang. Busc's entry, listed under the artist name "Poketo x Busc" comes from a collaboration with the art design firm, Poketo. This Saturday the museum admission is free and marks the official public opening of the show. The Japanese American National Museum is located on 369 East First Street in downtown L.A.'s Little Tokyo (where you can also find a Kinokuniya bookstore, which carries great imported art supplies, mangas, books, and magazines).

Rothick Art Haus Announced Grand Opening

Rothick Art Haus, a new gallery in Anaheim launches its grand opening this Friday, July 10th at 7pm. According to one of its artists, Kelly Castillo, Rothick Art Haus focuses on emerging artists, "the best that the current movements (i.e., new contemporary, urban contemporary, pop surrealism, low brow, graffiti, street art, etc.) have to offer." Rothick Art Haus is also looking for new artists to exhibits (consult the "submissions" section on their website). The gallery is at 170 S. Harbor Blvd, in Anaheim.

MFA Student Pat Cantor Illustrates SCBWI Bulletin Cover

The cover of the May-June issue of the SCBWI Bulletin has an illustration by Pat Cantor, a student in the MFA in Illustration program. She received that honor as part of her Best Portfolio Award last summer. Since that time, Cantor has also gotten represented by the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. The SCBWI has recently updated its website and will hold its 38th Summer Conference August 7-10 in Los Angeles.

Richard Pose Teaming with Kazu Kibuishi for Graphic Novel

Kazu Kibuishi announced he's working with CSUF Illustration alumni, Richard Pose, on a graphic novel project in development. Kibuishi is the founder and editor of the Flight anthology. His second volume of the children's graphic novel Amulet (The Stonekeeper's Curse) will come out in September. Richard Pose published several short graphic novel stories in past volumes of Flight as well as one for the upcoming volume 6 (scheduled for a July release).

Bob Peak Exhibit Opens at Gallery Nucleus June 6

Gallery Nucleus hosts a well-deserved retrospective exhibit of the art of Bob Peak, the "father of the modern Hollywood poster." His most famous posters include Apocalypse Now, My Fair Lady, Star Trek (the motion picture), and many more. In the 80s, the US Postal Service commissioned him for the Los Angeles Olympics stamps illustrations. Like some of his predecessors, such as Coby Whitmore and Robert McGinnis, his art graced magazines (tens of covers for TV Guide and Time) and books, but Peak made his mark by crystallizing the concepts of movies and creating elaborate montage-compositions combining striking portrayals of actor-character, exciting scenic vignettes, and sophisticated lighting effects. The exhibit opens Saturday June 6 at 7pm and runs until June 25th (map).