Daniel Pelavin

Don't read this, go design something!

2008-07-21T12:41:08+00:00

So back in March, I get this email from a writer in Basel, Switzerland, who says he'd like to interview me for a website that I still don't quite understand but, it has something to do with pigments, chemicals and the international world of design. I tell him what I usually tell people, just make something up, it'll probably be more interesting than anything I have to say and it will save you a lot of trouble checking facts. Well, he insists on being thorough about this thing, gathers every tidbit of information/propaganda about me that he can find, interviews me on the phone and comes through on his promise to send me a box of Swiss chocolate. The result: "Don't Read This, Go Design Something!" - An Interview with Daniel Pelavin

Reflections on ICON 5

2008-07-15T20:29:56+00:00

Attended: V.I.P. party, mingled with "celebrity illustrators," saw incredible art done in Maya by Ray Ceasar at The Jonathon LeVine Gallery Steven Guarnaccia was the perfect gentleman and introduced me to many of my oldest and best friends. Got to chat with a lot of friends who assist me in plying my trade including Adobe, Adbase, Wacom, Workbook, The Graphic Artist Guild and the Society of Illustrators (they still haven't found a way to keep Terry from sneaking back into the building and trying to sit at his old desk). Learned that it wasn't Juliette Lewis-Robin (her native American name) who determined that my work wasn't "edgy" enough for Alt Pick Opening keynote, Stanley Hainsworth is pleased when his art takes on a life of its own. Still wonder how he could have relatives in executive positions at Lego, Nike and Starbucks. Opening night reception, The Halftones were excellent as always. Don Kilpatrick assembled the most awesome library of art and illustration books, bags, games and sundries that I've ever seen in one place. Come Together: Networkinbg Pioneers, Zimm was frank and hilarious. Gave my presentation: Self-promotion in a Saturated Market, accidentally shut of my lapel mic, Lauren D. quickly provided a hand mic with a built in lisp, knocked over a glass of water on the stage, all in all not a total disaster. Making Fire: Inspirational Teaching, Rudy Gutierrez was spectacular and inspiring. Closing Keynote, Did anyone tell O'Callaghan it was a conference about Illustration? Carnival Carioca, The lovely Setsuko and I danced until they kicked us out. Fernanda Cohen knows how to throw a party. Epilogue: Tangible energy and spirit among our craft focused on sharing ideas, exploring new frontiers and keeping illustration alive.

Oh, now I get it.

2008-04-17T13:26:56+00:00

Well, it only took me 30 years but, I finally realize where I stand in (or at least, in the vicinity of) the hierarchy of art and artists. While it's not the most glamorous of situations, still, it is a relief to know where I fit in.
Working as an art studio apprentice after graduating from college, my status was made pretty clear to me: "So, college boy, 'think you can get all our lunch orders straight today?"
In grad school, I understood that my major, graphic design, fell far from the top of the pecking order of painting, sculpture & printmaking, not even in the realm of fiber, ceramics or metalsmithing, somewhere, more or less, among the gritty applied arts (gasp) of photography and architecture.
But only recently, after doing everything from the New York Times to the coffee cup on the container of Coffee Rich in your grocer's freezer, did I learn what my craft means in the broader scheme of things.
I am a (shudder) Vector-bender!
There. It's out of the bag. I will no longer hide shamefully in the shadows. Where an elevated few create Art for the ages, I form line into shape that merely serves the mundane and pedestrian requirements of (ew!) commerce. Well, if that's the case, so be it. In fact, I even wrote a little (modestly heroic) poem:
The Line
Neither static, inert, nor motionless but, a river pulsing and alive.
Meandering seaward, it weaves stories of the ages,
of just yesterday or tomorrows yet to come.
A bridge between mind and soul,
firm, steady, unwavering,
so that nothing is lost in the journey.
Line is my metier.
Daniel Pelavin

Drawing Art and Politics

2008-02-06T02:26:43+00:00

Earlier this evening at the Museum of the City of New York we were enlightened and roundly entertained by Jules Feiffer, David Levine, Stan Mack and Edward Sorel. They were invited to talk about the work of illustrator John Sloan, currently on exhibition but, ended up sharing incredible insights on their own stellar and enduring careers. I'm not certain the museum even realized what an awesome event they had assembled. The blurb read simply: Graphic artists Jules Feiffer, David Levine, Stan Mack, and Edward Sorel examine how social and political issues are depicted by artists.

...and to all a good night

2007-12-25T16:24:05+00:00

Wishing the happiest New Year to all the good people on Drawger

Wishing the happiest New Year to all the good people on Drawger

A cool summer breeze

2007-08-01T18:48:33+00:00

A little experiment with abandoned software from Adobe. It seems, with moderate effort, that you can get Adobe Dimensions (discontinued, November 2004) to do some pretty snappy things that weren't mentioned in the user manual and then conveniently taylor your animation frames with Adobe LiveMotion (discontinued, November 2003). Thank you Adobe. For more Fun with Adobe Dimensions, visit the Dimensions Gallery at Imagekind.