DISPLACEMENT is a story about moving on by choice, circumstance and persistence. The characters are a restless Traveler, a resolute Woodsman and a resilient Owl. It is told through a sequence of 17 stereographs.
how stereographs work:
Two slightly offset photographs are taken of the same scene (think left eye and right eye) and when the pair is viewed through a stereoscope, the images merge to create a single 3-dimensional image. Think of it as VR technology from the 1850’s.
The included .gif helps to show, with motion, the effect of merging the two images with viewer.
The package is a boxed set of stereographs with a viewer included. Limited edition of 400.
This project was launched and funded via a Kickstarter campaign.
The remaining sets are available for purchase at: https://www.rednosestudio.com/displacement-1
Judge Dee is back to solve a brand-new case involving the mysterious death of the vampire Count Werdenfels. The mystery? Who killed him. The twist? Three different people are proudly proclaiming to have committed the crime.
written by Lavie Tidhar
published by Tor.com
art directed by Irene Gallo and Christine Foltzer
‘Judge Dee and the Limits of the Law’
No vampire is ever innocent…
The wandering Judge Dee serves as judge, jury, and executioner for any vampire who breaks the laws designed to safeguard their kind’s survival. This new case in particular puts his mandate to the test.
written by Lavie Tidhar
published by Tor.com
art directed by Irene Gallo and Christine Foltzer
Chaser: private commission.
In my research I came across many amazing car designs and even more amazing characters that piloted these projectiles. These larger than life folks stirred thoughts in me about the ones that never made the record books but still chased the flag with everything they had.
Intrigued by a photo taken by Jacques-Henri Lartique around 1912. The photograph has a flaw that many attribute to its lasting success. It seems it is the 'focal plane shutter' that creates this magical motion to the photograph. I aimed to create a car with this same skewed energy.
‘Under the Whispering Door’ written by TJ Klune
designed by Katie Klim and published by TOR Books. Available March 2021.
Under the Whispering Door, a story of life, queer love, and the tremendous power of death.
Client: Plansposor. Creative Director: SooJin Buzelli
2020 Recordkeeping Survey Story: Plan Sponsor Due Diligence in a Demanding Time for Recordkeepers.
Plan sponsors can show compassion for their recordkeepers, while at the same time ensuring their plans are operating smoothly.
Creative direction: Making sure to keep things are running smoothly despite the chaos. Due diligence is crucial especially in these demanding times. Keeping up with correct data/info during uncertain times is very important.
Stepping up to assist during hard times.
Cover for TOR.com Written by Gregory Bossert.
Creative Director: Irene Gallo
The Night Soil Salvagers no longer need to perform the service they have provided for longer than memory can account for. Instead, they pass the nights in playful and profound acts of artistry, music, trickery, gardening, and honoring the city they know and belong to more so than anyone.
Uncover the heart of this mysterious community through the tales they tell each other, the tales that others tell of them, and the scores of their Dadaesque nocturnes, as they strive to lessen the burden of the city on the Earth.
The Doers.
A band of collaborators that get stuff done. Proud of their hard work, with a touch of humor and playfulness.
They wear boots because they are not afraid to get dirty and make things happen.
Clairity: the communicator, the forward thinker, always looking ahead.
Klink: the digger and the brute strength.
Spray: the nourisher, always sees beauty in even the toughest of tasks.
Sparky: the faithful and energetic pup
“A society grows great when the old men plant tress in whose shade they know they shall never sit.” -Anonymous Greek proverb
I was honored to illustrate the annual report for NineStar’s 125th year anniversary. The characters; Klink, Clarity, Spray & Sparky tell the story of the beginning of the cooperative and how visionary leaders and members alike saw a future which included quality of life for all. This vision was only possible through growing and working together.
The original phone equipment was housed in what is know as the Thomas Family Cabin which still stands today in Hancock County, Indiana.
I loved putting character into this cover with no characters. Thanks to Peter Lutjen at TOR books for trusting in my work.
a bit about the book from Macmillian:
Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He's tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.
Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light.
The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.
"They call me Yanka the Bear. Not because of where I was found. Only a few people know about that. They call me Yanka the Bear because I am so big and strong."
Discovered in a bear cave as a baby, 12-year-old Yanka dreams of knowing who she really is. Although Yanka is happy at home with her loving foster mother, she feels out of place in the village where the other children mock her for her unusual size and strength.
So when Yanka wakes up one morning to find her legs have become bear legs, she knows she has no choice but to leave her village. She has to find somewhere she truly belongs, so she ventures into the Snow Forest with her pet weasel, Mousetrap, in search of the truth about her past.
But deep in the forest there are many dangers and Yanka discovers that even the most fantastic stories she grew up hearing are true. And just as she draws close to discovering who she really is, something terrifying happens that could trap her in the forest . . . forever.
Special thanks to Maeve Norton who designed the book and trusted my work for the cover.
Oct/Nov 2019 PLANSPONSOR cover for SooJin Buzelli.
her brief: Many complicated controls to consider when driving to a goal.
I am honored to be a part of Scientific American’s special single topic issue. This year the topic was Truth, Lies, and Uncertainty.
While researching and brainstorming i came across the saying “Children and fools always speak the truth.” —MArk Twain. This resonated with me and I am delighted that it also resonated with Michael Mrak and his team at Scientific American. Thank you!
Precious Little Things for Tor.com creative director Irene Gallo.
A prequel to MADE THINGS by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
It’s all about pushing boundaries and facing our fears. This is Liat the protagonist, she is a fearless character and I hope I did her justice.
Cover Illustration for Adrian Tchaikovsky’s book Made Things.
Making friends has never been so important.
Welcome to Fountains Parish--a cesspit of trade and crime, where ambition curls up to die and desperation grows on its cobbled streets like mold on week-old bread.
Coppelia is a street thief, a trickster, a low-level con artist. But she has something other thieves don't... tiny puppet-like companions: some made of wood, some of metal. They don't entirely trust her, and she doesn't entirely understand them, but their partnership mostly works.
After a surprising discovery shakes their world to the core, Coppelia and her friends must re-examine everything they thought they knew about their world, while attempting to save their city from a seemingly impossible new threat.
Time Pieces is a zine that was mailed out as a promotional piece for clients.
It's about wanderlust, friendship and realizing who is with you for the long haul.
Rather than a mailer of recent commissioned work, I decided to create a piece with a story that is close to my heart and would hopefully connect with viewers in a more engaging way.
I guess ‘time’ will tell if this was a good call or not.
Illustrations, hand lettering and motion created for a clinical study for hi-functioning, autistic children.
a case study for the project can be viewed here:
stills from the stop-motion animation created for a clinical study called av1ation.
to read more about the entire case study, please visit:
“For He Can Creep” a cover for Tor.com created for the delightfully devious wordsmithing of Siobhan Carroll
Art Directed by Irene Gallo
you can read the story here: https://www.tor.com/2019/07/10/for-he-can-creep-siobhan-carroll/
some of my favorite bits are:
“The imps run screaming, flitting into folds of space only angels and devils can penetrate.”
“The noise of his quill scritch-scritching is like the sound of ants eating through wood.”
May/June 2019 Planadviser cover for SooJin Buzelli.
her brief: Importance of evolving and changing—need to keep up with changing industry. Stay ahead of the curve.
The bestselling author of the Septimus Heap series, Angie Sage, delivers a gripping and darkly humorous tale of Maximillian Fly—a human with cockroach features—whose quiet life is upended when he aids two human children in their escape from an oppressive governing power.
Huge THANKS to David Curtis for bringing my work to the table for this cover.
Hot Rods are still cool. I didn’t race pinewood derby cars as a kid so it was a treat to create this image for Tanja Pohl at FinishMaster for their winter leadership meeting. The sprayer was built from an air gauge, wire, cigar tube, and other bits.
Thanks to SooJin Buzelli for allowing me to play on this piece for Plansposor. She is one of the best at providing cues that allow for interpretation. Image prompt: Seeing the big picture with all the obstacles along the way.
cover for Planadviser Magazine that covers how to manage the traffic that is associated with rollovers.
thanks to Creative Director SooJin Buzelli for encouraging an interpretive approach to the visual solution.
Marinka dreams of a normal life, where her house stays in one place long enough for her to make friends. But her house has chicken legs and moves on without warning. For Marinka's grandmother is Baba Yaga, who guides spirits between this world and the next. Marinka longs to change her destiny and sets out to break free from her grandmother's footsteps, but her house has other ideas...
What a treat it was to create some monstrous emotions for Point Five Design in the recent issue of Convene.
Thanks to Kara Gordon and Benjamin Levine for pushing the character of these emotions.
The candle lady character first appeared last year for an issue dealing with burnout.
this guy harkens back to the air racers of the 1940’s.
never intending to show anymore than just the top of his face, i’m fascinated with the idea of the plane and him being one.
A piece for Chief Investment Officer Magazine on how Inflation will increase but in slow-motion due to many factors including wages, housing, and commodities.
Recent work for The NYTimes. Special thanks to both of my strong daughters for being the inspiration behind this piece.
setting benchmarks and frames of reference for Plansponsor Nov-Dec 2017
Creative Director SooJin Buzelli found a rejected sketch from a previous job (from about 3-4 years ago) and asked if i would finish it for a new article on benchmarks. I was delighted to.
Less is more, except in this case more eyes seemed to be a better way to communicate the notion of searching for the right elements. Special thanks to SooJin Buzelli of PlanAdviser Magazine for the trust and confidence to create this piece.
My sequencial contribution to the final printed issue of The Village Voice. Special thanks to Ashley Smestad Vélez for the invitation.
The printed Village Voice has been around through many changes, and now folks will have to cope with the change of the printed version not being there. On the cover is Martha the last known living passenger pigeon who passed away in September 1, 1914.
Cover and interiors for “Saint Philomene’s Infirmary for Magical Creatures” written by W. Stone Cotter
for Henry Holt Books
you can pre-order a copy for the release date of January 30, 2018
It is always a pleasure to work with the delightful Irene Gallo of TOR Books. This story was penned by Matthew Bright.
from tor.com -> "Welcome to the Library of Lost Things, where the shelves are stuffed with books that have fallen through the cracks-from volumes of lovelorn teenage poetry to famous works of literature long destroyed or lost. They're all here, pulled from history and watched over by the Librarian, curated by the Collectors, nibbled on by the rats. Filed away, never to be read. At least, until Thomas, a boy with a secret, comes to the Library."
you can read the story here.
commissioned by Computer World: the story is about hiring and/or being a highly qualified CIO who forgoes a regular salary and benefits for the freedom and breadth of experience offered in being an interim CIO for a string of fast-paced, high-stakes projects
For Scientific American for an article on Unassailable Scientific Facts.
A compendium of irrefutable facts for these fact-starved times
Special thanks to Michael Mrak whose confidence brought out the best in my work.
a recent cover for Plansponsor magazine on the topic of fear. directed by the fearless SooJin Buzelli.
An assortment of characters and four letter words for an installation here in town.
a series for Meetings & Conventions Magazine about "Attendees From Hell"
New for Nautilus Magazine- How ionic changes in weather might alter our moods. A class 5 tornado could have the same effect as an antidepressant!
The day I shot this piece, the tornado sirens went off and there was a touchdown a couple counties over. A little too close for comfort even for this farm boy.
for a short story called Typecasting penned by Harry Turtledove. about a father who wants the best for his daughter's acting career. he just happens to be governor and a towering Sasquatch.
link to the story here: http://www.tor.com/2016/06/15/typecasting/
Tall thanks to Irene Gallo of Tor.com for the assignment.
a little something for Halloween!
created for the traveling exhibit 52 Reasons to Love a Vet. the goal of the exhibit is to grow awareness of how Veterans are treated once they return home from service.
when i was asked to illustrate a piece for Plansponsor focusing on the theme of ‘Chasing/Collecting’ it wasn’t long for the sketch process to start to gravitate towards the pastime of chasing and collecting bugs.
"The gritty magnificence of all this cannot be overstated" -The New York Times
“Absolutely wonderful in every way” –Kirkus, Starred Review
New York City in the 1860s was a mess: crowded, disgusting, filled with garbage. You see, way back in 1860, there were no subways, just cobblestone streets. That is, until Eli Beach had the idea for a fan-powered train that would travel underground. Fifty-eight days of drilling and painting and plastering later, Beach unveiled his masterpiece on February 26, 1870–and throngs of visitors took turns swooshing down the track. This true story by Shana Corey and a New York Times Best Illustrated artist, Red Nose Studio, will wow readers just as Beach’s subway wowed riders over a century ago.
a personal piece about dealing with tough issues and getting on.
Commissioned by MTA Arts & Design to create an art card for the subways. the art card project is a way for the MTA Arts & Design to give daily riders something to look at, among all the hustle, that hopefully makes the ride a bit more enjoyable.
The project expanded into a 2 minute stop-motion animation that would run on the 52 screens throughout the Fulton Center.
Knowing all the work that would go into both projects, i wanted to make sure that i ran them as parallel as possible not only to distribute the workload but also to allow them to compliment each other. wanting folks to see connections between the art card and the animation and how they both add to one another.
The art card pays tribute to both the past and the future of the subway as our hero chases his elusive blowing bowler across the platform and into the future as Alfred Beach encourages him forward.
The animation follows a man as he chases after his wind-tossed bowler hat in a subway. While pursuing the hat, “a progression of subway cars rolls by representing designs from the Beach Pneumatic Transit Company (1870s), Interborough Rapid Transit Company (1910s), a second generation R-10 car (1940s), a R-15 car (1950s), a car from the 1970s State of the Art Car Program (SOAC), and a more recent R-188 subway car (2013).”
I was asked to develop and design versions of The Little Prince, The Aviator and The Fox for preliminary pitch art for Mark Osborne's feature film Le Petite Prince. The work is feature in the Art of the Movie book.
A holiday piece that ran in The Wall Street Journal
For the Harvard Business Review about how the managing technique of using analogies from fables needs to hit the road.
An Impersonation of the Alphabet.
4-6 year olds are encouraged to engage with a pair of whimsical contortionists as they perform an impersonation of the alphabet.
The duo perform and paint the alphabet sequentially with each new painting covering the previous one. Not only do they paint an image that starts with the letter they impersonate, but the image is also part optical illusion using both the wall and ground in this, otherwise unassuming, urban back alley.
A personal piece originally pitched to The New Yorker as a cover for their fiction issue.
A stranded car leaves its driver scanning the horizon for help. He finds a centaur with a drinking problem who offers a unique repair in exchange for a favor
A cover for the short story Hero of Five Points. Grab your goggles and take a look at the fine wordsmithing of Alan Gratz in Hero of the Five Points over at TOR.com
A cover for PlanSponsor about previewing the coming year.
Angie’s List magazine called and asked if i could create a ‘dude grilling’ for a summer outdoor cooking cover.
i was happy to accommodate.
The short story The Freedom of Navid Leahy by Jenna Helland released by Tor.com
I was delighted to be asked to capture the feverish energy of the young hero.
When work slows down at the studio, that’s when I start to dig into projects to sharpen my skills, play, explore and (now that my kids are older) collaborate.
A series for a Journeys Issue of The New Yorker
chairman portrait of Chris Buzelli for the Society of Illustrators 57th annual.
i will be the first to admit that i am not a portrait illustrator, but being that Chris and i go back many years i felt that i couldn’t say no.
his paintings are synonymous with warm, glowing light, his long time role as a teacher at RISD shows that he is willing to share his light with others and the bug wings were just too cool to not include.
A series for The New Yorker's anniversary issue. Paying homage to an iconic cover from each decade.
More than 600 stop-motion frames animated by Red Nose Studio. All the 3D elements are hand made, mostly from junk and recycled parts. Primal Screen Atlanta did sound mix, post production and SFX – maintaining the handmade feel of the animation. Jim Newbury of Tin Roof Marketing Design here in Decatur led the creative team. Eight GTA volunteers participated in the project.
R.E.M.’s anthem was written about acid rain. It is reintroduced here in a new and hopeful light.
If David could slay Goliath, than we can too. One stone at a time.
Falling in love with textures again in the fall.
this character experiment is something i have wanted to work on for awhile.
to see how i could, in my own backwards way, attempt to animate a drawn (painted in this case) character and see if i could also animate a three- dimensional head onto that moving character.
i hesitate to add much to the story of Steven “Bo” Keeley AKA Catman
what a story it is.
the indistinguishable fact and fiction made a perfect case for me to further explore to combination of 3D work and line art.
you can read the piece written by Tim Murphy over at Mother Jones: http://www.motherjones.com/media/2015/01/bo-keeley-corporate-hobo-adventures
