AIB Illustration & Animation Blog

Studio Visit: F84 Games

AIB Illustration Faculty Ryan Maguire recently visited Floor 84 Studios during his Hartford Illustration MFA contact period in Pasadena, CA. Floor 84 was founded by Jeff Hardy, a graduate of Syracuse University Illustration program.

F84 illustrates, designs, and develops interactive content for various games and mobile devices. Recent projects include; Man vs. Wild, Dragon Eggs, Dinger, and Hip Hop DJ. Check out their demo reel here. Below are some pics from F84 studio visit.

Chris Sickles @ AIB

The magical works of Red Nose Studio (AIB Main Gallery Nov 7- Dec 15, 2011) became even more enchanted by the visit from their creator Chris Sickels. Chris spent a day at AIB where he gave a guest critique in Arlene Grossman's Foundation class: Form, Content and Context; talked with many visitors from devoted fans to awed neophytes at the opening of his exhibit; gave a funny, insightful, and inspiring public talk.

It was raining hard outside, but the auditorium was packed and overflowing for Chris's evening talk about his journey from art school to his current status as world renown 3D illustrator. He was a humble, open and generous speaker who shared many of his early works as well as his process and sketches, and the works that have won multiple prestigious awards from publications such as American Illustration, 3 x 3, Society of Illustrators, Print, Communication Arts, How.

After the talk, Chris signed and drew in many sketchbooks, and in copies of his two children's books, Here Comes the Garbage Barge, and The Look Book. His message to illustrators was time tested and simple– work hard, keep doing what you love – and capped by an amazing and hilarious animation about "Piehole" and the "evil water tower." You can picture it.



Thank you Red Nose Studio aka Chris Sickels! We look forward to your new work, to watching your success grow, and for your return to AIB. – Susan LeVan, AIB Illustration Chair

Robert Jay Kaufman: Paintings & Illustrations @ AIB

The AIB community is happy to share select works from former Illustration Chair Robert Jay Kaufman, who had passed away in January of 2010. All are welcome to the opening reception at the AIB Gallery at University Hall, Cambridge on Thursday, November 17, from 5:00 - 7:00pm.

Robert Kaufman: Paintings & Illustrations
Thursday, November 10 - Saturday, December 10, 2011
Opening Reception: Thursday, November 17, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

AIB thanks Chris Sickels

AIB would like to thank Chris Sickels of Red Nose Studio for Thursdays lecture, which was a packed house. Thanks to all who came out for the event! Sickel's work will be on view at the AIB Main Gallery, at 700 Beacon Street (Gallery information here). Follow Chris and Red Nose Studios on Twitter for news and projects here: http://twitter.com/#!/rednosestudio

Flag Points Podcast: AIB's Tim Finn

Flag Points is a Blog and Podcast devoted solely to anything related to the pop culture phenomenon G.I. Joe.  Anyone who knows AIB Animation professor Tim Finn  can assure you that if you had any questions on G.I. Joe he is the man to talk to.  Considering his ongoing book project detailed at A Real American Book!, he could be considered an aficionado on the subject.  Recently these two encyclopedias collided in a podcast at the Flag Points Blog where Tim was interviewed about his Book and all things G.I. Joe.  In the Podcast Tim talks about his his obsession with collecting and how that has unexpectedly formed into a large project and Book, all the while referencing Comics and Pop Culture.

Listen now:

 

Posted by: James Swart, Student Blog Editor for the Art Institute of Boston

Thank You, Barron Storey!

AIB would like to thank illustrator Barron Storey for visiting our school and speaking with students. Below are some photos from Story's sketchbook process demonstration. To view more of his artwork visit: http://www.barronstorey.com/

Click images for large detail view.

Red Nose Studio @ AIB

AIB welcomes guest artist Chris Sickels to The Art Institute of Boston’s Main Gallery, where the celebrated animator and illustrator will display his work from Nov. 7 to Dec. 15, 2011, with a special lecture on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium (Room 215), 700 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.

The exhibit, “The Big Small World of Red Nose Studio,” features sculptures, drawings, sketches and videos by the artist, who is creator and director of the award-winning Red Nose Studio. Red Nose Studio’s illustrations appear in advertising, magazines, books, newspapers, packaging, character development and animation.

Sickels builds his 3-D illustrations from a variety of materials, creating sets and puppets from a combination of wire, fabric, cardboard, wood, miniatures and found objects. His endearing characters and intricate sets draw in the viewer with wit, whimsy and charm.

“My work isn’t really graceful,” says Sickels. “It’s usually pretty awkward - like if the puppet moved, he’d fall off or he’d trip or he’d run into a wall. It’s a bit of beauty and a bit of awkwardness. And I think that’s kind of how I am.”

AIB is excited to host such a talented artist and hope all come to see the gallery and lecture!

Read full press release here

Pictoplasma and illustration week!

The next two weeks in New York City are going to be super eventful for Illustration and animation. Although that goes without saying if your in New York, but if your not - then maybe head down to check out these events.

Dan Deacon at THE MISSING LINK SHOW from Pictoplasma on Vimeo.

From the 3rd to 6th of November "PictoPlasma" the worlds leading festival of character design returns to New York.  The festival has exhibitions and artist talks as well as screenings all over Manhatten.  There is also a conference which is hosted by Parsons New School of Design.  If you are into character design or animation in any way this is an event not to be missed.  More info can be had here .

If you are an illustrator you probobly know of the famous Socety of Illustrators located in NYC itself.  From November 4th to the 13nth The Society is celebrating "Illustration week"  with all sorts of events that can be found here.

James swart