aboutimage galleriescontactsubscribe

Babe

JANUARY 21, 2008
An AD called with a really refreshing job, nothing too conceptual. Illustrate the tale of Paul Bunyan and his big blue ox. It was for Southwest Gas Corporation annual report. The AD chose 3 illustrators to illustrate 3 famous campfire tales. The cover was illustrated beautifully by Marc Burckhardt.

I've spent many summers fishing in the northern lakes of Minnesota and frequently passed through the home of Paul Bunyan—Bemidji, MN. The town has a huge statue of the giant lumberjack and his neon blue ox. For me, its always a bonus that I can personally relate to the job in some way. Sometimes really bending the concept to make it work for myself. I would fish everyday if it weren't for the fact that I live in NYC. I love fishing, even if the fish aren't biting. Something about being on a little motor boat in the middle of a misty lake, loons wailing in the distance, watching my bobber slowly sink equals heaven.
My cousin David and my favorite fishing hole. That boat was ready to sink at any moment.
The AD also wanted type and a border on the illustration. Uh-oh! I'm horrible with type and picking out a font. I have very little computer design skills. I feel so much more at ease when I just paint the type without too much planning. So that's what I did.
sketch 1
Sketch 2 Close-up of Babe's face with geese flying over eye
Sketch 3
Final drawing on Arches
Babe close-up
One more little story. When I first graduated from RISD, I had to pay the rent, so I went begging to Society of Illustrators for a job. I think it was Terry Brown, who gave me the very prestigious job of re-varnishing the baseboards and floors on the 2nd floor for the summer. I've entered into the show every year since I graduated. I made it into the book a few times. I was even asked to judge last year. During the judging I discovered just how hard it is to win one of those medals. Then this year, I  found out I won the  Gold in the Institutional category for this illustration. I couldn't believe it. WooHoo! I just went back into my saved e-mails to double check that I actually won.
© 2024 Chris Buzelli