Listing of Southern California Art Shows Updated

With the summer arriving, plan your gallery trips using our updated listing of Southern California art shows, exhibits, and galleries. These are selected because they most likely appeal more to artists who love and work in illustration and related fields, yet they include a broad group of opportunities to satisfy everyone's eyes, hearts and minds.

New CSUF Art Department Website Goes Live

An elegant redesign of the entire website of the Calstate Fullerton Department of Visual Arts went live a few days ago. New and more sample art boosts the visual contents, along with updated information about the degrees (BA, BFA, MFA), professors, and resources, such as the housing and studios for graduate students at Grand Center in Santa Ana. The Department Chair and Professor of Illustration, Larry Johnson, writes, "we now have a [...] that truly reflects the dynamism of our department."

Katy Betz Receives Honorable Mention in Illustration West 46

Graduate student Katy Betz in the M.F.A. in Illustration program announced she had received an honorable mention for her oil painting House of Creativity during the 46th Illustration West competition organized by the Society of Illustrators-Los Angeles. Several classmates pursuing studies in illustration at Calstate Fullerton joined her for the event (included in the photo from left to right: Eric Dong, Katy Betz, Frans Kusuma, and Felix Lim).

John Cahoon's Cartoon Wins Best Animated Film

Before graduating with his BFA in Animation not even a year ago, John Cahoon's last big student project was the 3D short animated movie, Grim Fetch. Earlier this month, at the Arrowhead Film Festival, Grim Fetch won Best Animated Film. It has since played at the California Independent Film Festival (Dublin, CA) and at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Cahoon, now a full-time 3D animator at Nickelodeon, talks about his win and other projects on his blog.

Alumn Video Selected in Heinz Ketchup "Top This" TV Commercial Contest

CSUF Art Alumn Andrew Leung informs us that his video, "Searching for Heinz Ketchup in NYC" made the list of semi-finalists! Leung now works at Blue Sky Studios alongside other CSUF alumns.

Concourse Motorcars Showcases Prof. Cramp's Paintings and High End Cars

For a couple of years, Professor Cliff Cramp has combined his passion for cars with his love of illustration. Out of this cross-pollination comes an exhibit at Concourse Motorcar that unites in the showroom the models -- fine, high-end cars -- with Cramp's oil paintings and digital prints.

CSUF Grad Mike Roush Selected in 2008 Annecy Animation Festival

Each year, animators the world over seek recognition at one of the most prestigious and longest running international animation event, the International Animated Film Festival in Annecy, France. For 2008, CSUF graduate Mike Roush (B.F.A. in Animation & Entertainment Arts 2002) with his entry, "The Hidden Life of the Burrowing Owl," was one of the 43 selections among the hundreds received in the "Short Film Category." The festival will run from June 9th to 14th.

Illustration MFA Student Kim Dwinell Places in SCBWI Contest

MFA in Illustration student, Kim Dwinell, ran away with an honorary mention for an illustration she entered in the illustration contest (#26) by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. The theme was the most unlikely contestant to run first across the finish line. Dwinell recently began her graduate studies in illustration at CSU-Fullerton after working in the animation industry for several years, including on Disney's Mulan, after having earned a BFA in Illustration from CSU-Fullerton as well. She is presently developing a graphic novel project for tween girls.

Illustration MFA Student Katy Betz Featured in Stretching Canvas

On the heels of having an oil painted illustration selected in the last student competition of the Society of Illustrators, Katy Betz, who is only completing her first semester in the MFA in Illustration program at Calstate Fullerton, has her work reviewed in the magazine, Stretching Canvas. The article is titled "Art Skool Confidential: Katy Betz."

Mac McCool Wins 1st Place for Graphic Novel Manuscript

At the last Writer's Day organized by the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators in Los Angeles, Mac McCool received the 1st prize in the "Picture Book" category for the 1st 10 pages of his in-progress graphic novel manuscript for young readers.

Five Alumns in Power In Numbers Show at Gallery Nucleus

The 3rd group show, Power in Numbers recently opened at Gallery Nucleus. CSUF art alumns in this show include Matt Spangler, Richard Pose, Israel Sanchez, Justin Ridge and Martin Hsu. Gallery Nucleus, located in downtown Alhambra, specializes in contemporary illustrations and graphic novel art. The show will go on until April 28.

Illustration MFA Student Katy Betz in Illustration West 46

In her first semester in the CSU-Fullerton Illustration M.F.A. program, graduate student, Katy Betz, has already garnered attention for her poetic oil paintings, especially with the piece titled "Creating Space for Imagination" appearing this weekend in the Society of Illustrators-Los Angeles exhibit at the Junc Gallery (4017 Sunset Blvd) based on the Illustration West 46 competition!

Prof Hill Quoted in San Diego Tribune on Graphic Novels

San Diego Tribune journalist, Linda Lou, interviewed several university professors, including CSUF Assistant Professor of Illustration, Christian Hill, on the connections between graphic novels and literature. The article, titled "The Plot Thickens," also covers the critical rise of graphic novels and their inclusion in university courses.

Illustration Grad Michael Borba Stands Out at NBC Internship

Out of 180 interns enrolled in the NBC Universal Internship Program, CSUF student, Michael Borba (B.F.A. in Illustration) has received the Intern Excellence Award for the Runner-Up position in the Fall 2007 internship session. Borba handled challenging assignments in a newly created department, the Digital Media Distribution Group/Photo & Publicity at NBC.

Brad Sutton in Group Show "Surf Beat" (3/15)

While pursuing his Illustration MFA at Calstate Fullerton, Brad Sutton digitally paints the counter culture of Southern California. You can view some of his art at the "Surf Beat" exhibit at the Light Gallery at 440 East 17th Street in Costa Mesa. The group show includes more than 70 artists and ends on April 5.

Kazu Kibuishi & Flight Artists To Speak at CSUF (3/14 @ 7pm)

Several of the fine artists of the leading comics anthology, Flight, including Kazu Kibuishi (the creator of Flight and editor), Dik Pose, and Israel Sanchez -- the latter two being CSUF alumni -- will speak at Calstate Fullerton this Friday (March 14) at 7pm in VA-113 (map). It's exciting to have them back, and even better: it's FREE to everyone! Kazu will most certainly talk about his latest graphic novel, Amulet, and the upcoming release of Flight Explorer, the first graphic novel anthology for youngsters!

Patrick Scullin Wins 1st Place in Create Awards

Patrick Scullin, a graduate student pursuing an MFA in Illustration, took the top award in the "Graphics Communication" of the students category of the Create Awards 2007 with a poster he digitally painted of the Pirates of the Caribbean in a class by Prof. Cheryl Savala. Scullin also freelances for graphic design projects such as book covers, and he is exploring children's graphic novels in his studies at CSU-Fullerton.

Eight Entertainment Industry Alumns Discuss Art, Education, and Success at the Opening Credits Exhibit (3/1, 4pm)

Millions around the world have seen the amazing art of CSU-Fullerton alumns without ever knowing about these fine artists. From the design of The Empire Strikes Back logo to the movie posters for Home Alone and Terminator, to the destruction of Paris shot in Armaggedon to the Duran Duran Rio album cover, and more recently from episodes of the Star Wars Clone Wars to characters in Nickelodeon’s Tak, or from the Medal of Honor game sequences to stories in the comics anthology Flight, graduates from the the CSU-Fullerton Visual Arts programs have done their magic to make these images memorable.

Join eight such impressive alumns tonight, as they share anecdotes of their art school days at CSU-Fullerton, and talk about the skills that have made them successful. As part of the exhibit opening of the “Opening Credits” (3/1 at 3pm in Grand Central in Santa Ana), a panel discussion (from 4 to 6pm) will include Jeff Bacon (BFA ’80 The Designory), Cheryl Savala (MFA ‘94 Menagerie Creative), Adolph Lusinsky (BFA ’93 Disney Feature Animation), Mike Roush (BFA ’02, Titmouse), Justin Ridge (BFA ’03, Lucasfilm's Clone Wars), Josh Pruett (MFA’ 04 Dreamworks), Garett Shikuma (BFA ’04, Electronic Arts), and Rusty Tracy (BFA 05, Nickelodeon’s Tak). The panel moderators are CSU-Fullerton professors Dana Lamb (Entertainment Art/Animation) and Christian Hill (Illustration). Seating is limited and on a first-come basis, however a big screen TV outside of the exhibit will broadcast the discussion.

BYOB: Sarah Amijo's "Pretty Little Arts"

We haven't run a "BYOB: Build Your Own Blog" feature in a while, but here's a promising artist worth checking out. Extension student, Sarah Amijo, has the particularity of having a Bachelor's degree in ... accounting. Yet, her calling is illustration, and she is creating charming, poetic, and intimate illustrations. Her short-term dream? Completing an M.F.A. in Illustration. Her long-term path: I say it's children's book, decorative, and greetings illustrations. Check out her blog, Pretty Little Hearts and tell us what you think?

Prof. Forkan's Color Theory Workshop (2/29 at 6pm)

As a service to the CSUF community, Prof. Joe Forkan will once more teach his Color Theory Workshop. The event is in VA-113 (see map) on Friday, February 29th, at 6pm. And it's FREE!

Prof. Larry Johnson on Opening Credits

Chair of the CSUF Visual Arts Department and Professor of Illustration, Larry Johnson, who is the driving force behind the new art exhibit opened in Santa Ana's Grand Central gallery and at the West Gallery in the VA complex of the CSUF campus writes the following about this impressive show.

The public has a seemingly insatiable thirst for entertainment accessed whenever and wherever it pleases. Today's technological innovations guarantee delivery of that entertainment through cable and satellite television, the internet or even cell phones, and concurrently, these innovations have created a diversity of new career opportunities for artists. The exhibition OPENING CREDITS showcases creators, shapers, and marketers of entertainment - those artists who have mastered their various crafts and as innovative problem-solvers work together to satisfy a thirsty public. This is the third in a series of exhibitions celebrating the talent of Cal State Fullerton visual arts alumni who work in the entertainment-related industries of television, feature animation, video game development, adult and children's publishing, movie promotion and more. We invite you to enjoy this exhibition of artwork by fullerton alumni that also includes a special presentation of student award-winning art from the Hollywood Reporter Key Art and the Nickelodeon Studio's Animation Pitch competitions.

Paul Johnson Publishes Cartoons

Undergraduate art student, Paul Johnson, is committed to making his mark in his trade: commentary gags and editorial cartooning. For the last year, the university newspaper, Daily Titan has published his cartoons (alongside those of other students, such as Rocky Vidal). Now, Paul Johnson has his own cartoons website, Fire@will where you can catch up on his off-beat humor.

Marshall Vandruff's Free Anatomy Seminar (1/25)

Courtesy of the Art Institute of Southern California-Orange County, this Friday evening, January 25, from 6 to 10 pm, Marshall Vandruff, who teaches a handful of courses at CSUF, will present a free lecture on "The Role of Anatomy in Training Master Artists." Vandruff recently presented this lecture of about 200 slides at the Gnomon Live Workshop last month to over 300 people. One notable difference: this Friday, Vandruff will have more time (4 hours) to show his slides and to allow the audience time to draw from key slides. Vandruff teaches workshops for artists all around Southern California, including a 7-week workshop on drawing human anatomy.

Alumns Kozyndan and Kitazawa Appear in Giant Robot 2 Exhibit

The Los Angeles gallery, Giant Robot 2 (GR2), hosts an exhibit with the art of Kozyndan, Heisuke Kitazawa (PCP), and Robert Bellum. Kozyndan and Kitazawa all graduated with a degree in Illustration from CSUF Visual Arts Department. Kozyndan, a duo of artists (Kazue and Dan Kitchens), in fact met at CSU-Fullerton. The website of the GR2 gallery lists a nice summary on the career of these artists who bring illustration and fine art together (with some spunky humor as well!). The show opens Saturday Jan. 19 from 6:30-10pm.

Art of Hard 8 Exhibit at Nickelodeon Friday Jan. 11th (5-7pm)

A group of CSU-Fullerton alumns, under the leadership of Erich Haeger, created a comics anthology titled Hard Eight. In anticipation of the release of the 2nd volume of Hard Eight, art from the book will appear in a Nickelodeon Animation Studio Art Gallery exhibit opening Friday January 11th, from 5 to 7pm in Burbank, CA. Other contributing alumns (now professional animators, game designers, illustrators, and sketch artists) include Brian Growe, Eric Gonzalez, Eren Blanquet, Greg Rankin, Mike Williams, Garrett Shikuma, and more -- check out the full list on the Hard Eight blog.

Painter Magazine Showcases Digital Art of Prof. Cliff Cramp

Issue 11 of Painter Magazine runs an in-depth 6-page feature of our very own digital painting and illustration guru, Professor Cliff Cramp. Cramp, who handles the brush as easily as a Wacom pen, has long championed digital painting as another approach to creating illustrations. He has created and taught for a few years the "Advanced Digital Painting" class (ART 363C) at CSU-Fullerton where students learn the ins-and-outs of illustrating with Corel Painter. The Painter Magazine article includes a thorough interview and many lavish reproductions of Cramp's art.

Israel Sanchez Featured on Publisher's Weekly "The Beat"

"The Beat," a Publisher's Weekly blog chronicling the comics industry news picked a painting by former CSUF student, Israel Sanchez, to announce a Los Angeles art show dedicated to honoring the art of Stan Lee (link to the post). The exhibit opens Jan. 8 at the Gallery 1988 at 7020 Melrose Avenue.

SCBWI-SoCal Children's Graphic Novel Day Comes to CSUF

This Saturday (Nov. 3), the Southern California Tri-Regions Chapters of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators is organizing the very first Children's Graphic Novel Day. If you're aspiring to create great children's graphic novels, you will enjoy a fun, hands-on, workshop-style introduction to the wonderful literary, visual, and narrative potentials of graphic novels. Industry experts will talk about the rise of children's graphic novels, the hottest sector in the children's publishing industry. In addition, the list of attendees is sure to include present and future professionals, so this event will be an excellent chance to meet folks with shared interests. What's best, CSUF-students get a special pricing ($45) for the event. Register soon by mail or at the door.

Pros from the Business of Art to Speak at CSUF Oct. 29th

Next Monday, in the "Professional Practices in the Arts" course, Professor Dana Lamb will host Steve Hulett, a representative from the Animation Union, Karen Raab, gallery owner of the Chemers Gallery (Tustin, CA) and other specialists such as a CPA, lawyer, and talent website representative. The class meets in VA 113, and the presentation begins at 4pm. To benefit the most students, Professor Lamb is opening it to all CSUF students. Take advantage of this opportunity and prepare smart questions! Such business advice would otherwise cost you a lot.

Kathy Pate's Graduate Exhibit Depicts Fine Horses and Watercolors

Kathy Pate, a student in the CSUF graduate program in illustration, shares her passion for horses through a series of finely crafted watercolors displayed in her Illustration M.F.A. exhibit. Pate also includes a series of watercolors for a picture book about a young horse with a black and white coat discovering how many other animals in nature sport those same colors. The show opens Saturday October 20 (6-9pm) and runs until Thursday October 25 in the West Gallery of the CSUF Art Department.

O.C. Children's Book Festival is this Weekend!

The Orange County Children's Festival is quickly becoming one of the region's largest children's book event. Illustration students contemplating a career in children's book publishing should attend it (-- plus, it's FREE!). This year's roster includes Erin Eitter Kono who paid us a visit last Spring at CSUF. Amy Costales, the writer of Hello Night / Hola Noche, illustrated by our very own CSUF Illustration Instructor, Mercedes McDonald, will also be signing her book.