posted: November 10, 2011

For the first time in numerous years I'll be missing the Illustration Week in NYC.  One of the downsides of living in CA is that I' constantly trying to find ways to get out of the studio and out into the ocean and on the trails, so it's time to pay the fiddler and get caught-up on work.
 
I especially hate to miss it because of all the great friends that I look orward to seeing there.  The fine folks of the illustration community have become my best friends, many of them are fellow Drawgers.  Next year I'll do a little less mtn biking and a lot more studio time in preparation for the week.
 
I want to the Mark Helfin and the judges this year at American Illustration for including two pieces of mine in the new book and show.  It's an honor, and one that no one should ever take for granted, to make it through the selection process.  The book is humbling to leaf through every year.  I always have the same response when I see the new book for the first time.  I think to myself "How does any single illustrator get enough work to survive, with so much varied and talented work out there?"  There's nothing like a giant wad of mind-blowingly great work in one volume to keep you focused on always improving.
 
The first of my two pieces was doen for The Seattle Weekly, AD Boo Davis, for an article about a dysfunctional jail system that is too-easily allowing inmates to commit suicide.  I titled the piece "Dying To Get Out".
 
The second is my "White Out" New Yorker cover.  There's more backstory on this image from an earlier post.  Thanks, again Francoise at The New Yorker.
 

  
  

posted: November 7, 2011

A few months back my good friend and fellow Bay Area illustrator, John Hersey, invited me to do a little talk for the fresh young minds over at CCA. I'm always envious of illustrators who also teach and get to interact with all the raw talent students bring to the table, so for me these talks are really exciting.  I'm hoping that some will bring along a bit of their own work to share after the talk. 
Looking forward to seeing you left coast folks tomorrow night!
CCA Illustration Program Presents
Brian Stauffer
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
7:30pm
Timken Lecture Hall, SF
CCA, 1111 8th Street
San Francisco, CA 94107

posted: September 11, 2011

Like most folks, I'll be happy when all the 9/11 anniversary coverage is past, but I can't help but think that I woudln't be giving the day it's due if I didn't stop and revisit what a difference the events of the day, and 10 years, has made in my life.  I wanted to offer-up a couple of pieces done for Today's Boston Globe Magazine.
I accepted this assignment because I felt like the topics were ones that I related to on a very personal level.  I'll spare the retelling of my particular experience on the day, but what I will say is that two very real feelings have stayed with me because of the attacks.  One, is that I still get occasional flashes of panic when I see little reminders of the planes hitting the towers.  They show-up in odd, unexpected places.  The second is that like many, I have a strong need to be in touch with loved-ones at all times.  To most, this means ever-present cell phones and text messaging.
These two pieces were done for stories that explored both topics.  Thanks to Josue Evilla at the Globe for trusting me with thoughtful texts.

 
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posted: May 11, 2011

In February I was honored to hear that two covers of mine from the past year had been nominated to receive gold medals in two categories.  Alina and I are both very excited to be heading to NYC for the gala event this friday. 
 
The first image, cover #6 from the ongoing WORTH Magazine cover series, has been nominated in the Best Cover Design category.  The cover utilizes layered varnishes on black to define the tree forms while the bull is rendered in metallc gold. A big thanks goes to Art Director Dean Sebring for working so collaboratively, and also to the Publisher Adam Sandow for creating a space for this cover series to happen.  It's a rare opportunity that am deeply grateful for.  For those of you who have not yet met Dean, he's taking a rare night off to attend the gala!  Buy the guy a drink!  He needs it!

The second image, nominated for a gold medal in the Best Cover Illustration category, appeared on the cover of the SF Weekly. A heartfelt thanks goes to Art Director Andrew Nilson for giving me such a rich topic to work with.  I've been contributing to various Village Voice Media papers first as an AD, and then as an illustrator for the past 19 years.  It was at their paper, the Phoenix New Times, that I took what I thought would be a temporary job.  Little did I know that the editorial hook had been set so deeply in me.

I congratulate all of the nominees and wish them the best.  For me, simply being nominated by SPD is an award in itself.  I hope to see you all at the event!