The Illustration Department Podcast (Giuseppe Castellano)

Giuseppe Castellano talks to artist and illustrator, Marc Burckhardt, about “real opportunities” for illustrators; how Generative AI is a degradation of the making and perception of art; what “talent” really is among creatives; and more.

To learn more about Marc, visit marcburckhardt.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: C.F. Payne, Anita Kunz, and Greg Manchess

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, fine artist, and dreamer, Charly Palmer, about why he focuses on doing better, and on putting love out into the world; why artists should work on their relationship with their art; why he thinks there’s no such thing as a self-taught artist; and more.

To learn more about Charly, visit charlypalmer.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Ezra Jack Keats, Ernest Crichlow, Lois Mailou Jones, Mark English, Bernie Fuchs, Bart Forbes, and Norman Rockwell

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to one of the nation’s most prolific illustrators, Bob Staake, about how his creative approach aligns and differs between editorial and children’s book illustration; why children’s books shouldn’t have messages or morals, but rather truths or shares; what having a 50-year illustration career comes down to; and more.

To learn more about Bob, visit bobstaake.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Drew Struzan and Barry Blitt

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Author and Illustrator, Kelly Light, and Giuseppe Castellano, talk about how Chuck Jones and P. D. Eastman influence Kelly’s work; they discuss the beauty of a line; and they talk about the art director who—in 2010—told Kelly that she had no business getting into children’s publishing.

Here are a few of the artists we mentioned: Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, Friz Freleng, Walt Kelly, Roger Duvoisin, and P. D. Eastman.

To learn more about Kelly Light, visit kellylight.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Author and Illustrator, Kelly Light, and Giuseppe Castellano talk about what it means to be a good character designer; they discuss the importance of believability; they get real about social media; and they explain why publishing is one big gamble.

Lastly, Kelly pinpoints the two things everyone needs to live a life as an illustrator.

Here are a few of the artists we mentioned: P. D. Eastman, Syd Hoff, Norman Bridwell

To learn more about Kelly Light, visit kellylight.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and Educator, Yuko Shimizu, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the fear of failure, negotiating with clients, finding your true self, Hokusai and the zen of brush and ink, and the necessary steps illustrators need to take to be successful.

Here are a few of the illustrators we mention: Christoph Niemann, William Steig, Katsushika Hokusai, Mirko Ilić, and Leo Lionni

To learn more about Yuko Shimizu, visit yukoart.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Mohamed Danawi—the founder and creative director of IlloZoo—talks with Giuseppe Castellano about the renaissance in illustration, running an art agency, the pros and cons of social media, and the necessary steps illustrators need to take to be successful—from the perspective of an agent.

Here are a few of the artists we mentioned: Jack Unruh, Ralph Steadman, Joe Ciardello, Seymour Chwast, CF Payne, Brad Holland, Jean Girard (aka Moebius), Bruno Munari, Olimpia Zagnoli, and Malika Favre

To learn more about Mohamed and IlloZoo, visit illozoo.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator, Erin Hunting, talks with Giuseppe Castellano about living in Melbourne, Australia; 1980’s video games and cartoons; how Grumpy Cat changed her life; what you can and can’t do with art piracy; what it means to be a Copic Ambassador; and why fan art is art.

Here are a few of the cartoons and video games we mentioned: Danger Mouse, He-Man, Thundercats, Silverhawks, Cops, Snorks, Care Bears, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., and Tetris

To learn more about Erin, visit erinhunting.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Author/Illustrator and educator, Lisa Brown, talks with Giuseppe Castellano about myriad illustrators from Edward Gorey and Ed Emberley to Kaylani Juanita and Joohee Yoon; how one tweet led to a dream job with the New York Times Book Review (although Twitter is mostly a “nest of vipers”); and why she thinks contemporary children’s book illustration is going through a revolution.

Here are a few of the illustrators we mentioned: Syd Hoff, Quentin Blake, Ivan Brunetti, Paul Rand, Ken Pak, Jon Klassen, Christian Robinson, Yuyi Morales, Isabelle Arsenault, Aaron Becker, and Catia Chien.

To learn more about Lisa, visit americanchickens.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Ben Zhu, the founder of Gallery Nucleus, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about being a child of immigrants; using a fortune cooking to get a job in video games; owning an art gallery; and why he thinks illustrators “deserve to be seen”.

Here are a few of the illustrators mentioned: Chris Appelhans, Ronald Kurniawan, Catia Chien, Jamie Zollars, James Jean, Rebecca Sugar, Pendleton Ward and Damien Hirst

To learn more, visit gallerynucleus.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Author/illustrator, Stephen Kroninger, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the art of collage; how a kid from “the sticks” got his own show at the MOMA; and why he thinks artists should always say they can—even if they can’t.

Here are a few of the illustrators we mentioned: Eric Carle, Leo Lionni, Romare Bearden, Esphyr Slobodkina, George Gross, Henri Matisse, Kurt Schwitters, Hannah Höch, and John Heartfield.

To learn more about Stephen, visit stephenkroninger.net.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Art director and illustrator, Krystal Lauk, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the ups and downs of the art boom in the Tech industry; why “UX/UI” is simpler than you think; and how illustration can inspire empathy.

For an excellent primer on the relationship between illustration and the Tech industry, we strongly suggest reading this article by Michael Jeter, the Associate Creative Director at Dropbox.

To learn more about Krystal, and her boutique agency, visit krystallauk.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Mark Mills, founder of Plum Pudding—one of the world’s leading children’s illustration agencies, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the origin of his agency; how art schools (and other agencies) are taking advantage of artists; and why every illustrator who submits to Plum Pudding for representation gets a reply. “Every one.”

Here are a few of the illustrators we mentioned: Quentin Blake Helen Oxenbury, Delphine Durand, Eva Montanari, Axel Scheffler, John Burningham, and Kate Pankurst

When talking about the global publishing market, Mark refers to a map created by the International Publishers’ Association. Here it is.

To learn more about Mark and his team, visit plumpuddingillustration.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Multi-award-winning children’s book art director, Jim Hoover, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what it’s like to talk to Maurice Sendak and Hilary Knight; how he finds illustrators; and why he never wants to hear, “Are we married to this illustrator”.

This is part 1 of a 2-part conversation. Be sure to listen to part 2—in which Jim answers your questions.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Children’s book art director, Jim Hoover, answers questions from illustrators.

Among other topics, he covers: postcards, portfolios, websites, getting work, digital vs. traditional methods, social media, and style.

This is part 2 of a 2-part conversation. Be sure to listen to part 1—in which Jim talks about the ups and downs of being a children’s book art director.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Here are a few of the editors, authors, and illustrators they mention: May Massee (Viking founder), Ludwig Bemelmans, Robert McCloskey, Ellen Tarry and Marie Hall Ets (authors of “My Dog Rinty”), William Steig, Roald Dahl, Mildred D. Taylor (author of “ Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry”), Lane Smith, Simms Taback, and Anna Dewdney.

To learn more about Leila and her books, visit leilasales.com.

Leila recommends Jon Ronson’s book, So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed. It is required reading for anyone on social media.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Publisher and author, Jess Brallier, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how an industrial engineer major at the University of Pittsburgh became a children’s book publisher; how he and Jeff Kinney launched The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and what a “P&L” is (and why you should care).

Here are a few of the authors Jess mentioned: Virginia Woolf, Anaïs Nin, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Norman Mailer, Tracy Kidder, and Lillian Hellman.

To connect with Jess, you can find him on LinkedIn.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Author and illustrator, Floyd Cooper, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how a weatherman in Tulsa, Oklahoma—and his character “gusty”—stoked Floyd’s love of drawing. He also talks about his bumpy experiences with Hallmark; how Mark English became a friend and mentor; and why an author’s insistence—in 1989—that her publisher hire a black illustrator launched Floyd’s publishing career.

Here are a few of the authors and illustrators mentioned: Mark English, Thomas Blackshear, Alex Bostic, Eloise Greenfield, Tom Feelings, Jerry Pinkney, Virginia Hamilton, and Bernie Fuchs

To learn more about Floyd, visit floydcooper.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Here are a few (of the many) authors and illustrators mentioned: Randolph Caldecott, Beatrix Potter, Wanda Gág, George Duplaix (co-founder of Little Golden Books), Nathalie Parain, Gustaf Tenggren, Ursula Nordstrom, Nicholas Mordvinoff, Maurice Sendak, Ezra Jack Keats, Langston Hughes, Mildred Taylor, John Steptoe, Jerry Pinkney, and Barbara Cooney.

Here are a few of the books, magazines, treatises, and articles mentioned: Some Thoughts Concerning Education, by John Locke (1692); The Brownies’ Book, by W. E. B. Du Bois (1920); Clever Bill, by William Nicholson (1926); The Two Reds, by William Lipkind (1950); The All White World of Children’s Books, by Nancy Larrick (1965); and Where Are the People of Color in Children's Books? by Walter Dean Myers (2014).

To learn about Leonard and his books on children’s publishing, visit leonardmarcus.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Jon Cockley, co-founder of Handsome Frank, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how fatherhood was a catalyst for starting his illustration agency; how they find illustrators to represent; and why—despite the problems he sees—illustration continues to be a viable career choice.

While they no longer respond to every submission for representation, Jon says they absolutely look at every one. Email no less than 9 illustrations as low-res JPGs (approx. 1000px longest edge) to: submissions@handsomefrank.com.

To learn more about Handsome Frank, visit handsomefrank.com.

He mentioned an article he wrote called, Algorithm Anxiety. You can read it by following this link.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Agent, Emily Keyes, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the esoteric world of foreign rights and sub-rights; and the 3 things you should know before submitting to an agent.

They then discuss mental health; and why Wormtongue from The Lord of the Rings is wrong about you.

To learn more about Emily—and how to submit to her—visit her Tumblr and fuseliterary.com/emily-s-keyes/.

Emily referenced her Short Fuse Guide to Publishing Contracts.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Copyright Law expert and former Professor of Law, Peter Jaszi, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his step-grandfather—and Little Golden Books legend—Tibor Gergely.

They then discuss the legality of fan art; copyright vs. trademark; the real deal behind the “poor man’s copyright”; and why and how illustrators should legally protect their work.

Here are a few links Peter thought would be helpful:

Submitting your work to the U.S. Copyright Office.

The Organization for Transformative Works (OTW) is a nonprofit organization run by and for fans to provide access to and preserve the history of fanworks and fan cultures.

This code of best practices provides visual-arts professionals with a set of principles addressing best practices in the fair use of copyrighted materials. —College Art Association of America

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and Designer, Leo Espinosa talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how the passing of his father led a 13-year old Leo to drawing.

They discuss Leo’s upbringing in Bogotá, Colombia; the relationship between illustration and graphic design; Milton Glaser’s life-changing influence (professionally and personally); the beauty of a pencil; and how immigrants (and their hyphen American children) have shaped children’s literature.

Here are a few illustrators mentioned: Milton Glaser, Paul Rand, Yves Chaland, Xavier Mariscal, Mary Blair, Alice and Martin Provensen, Aurelius Battaglia, Abner Graboff, Alex Ducal, Alexander Girard, and Miroslav Šašek

I mention the mysterious Abner Graboff—about whom Maurice Sendak said, Whatever happened to him? He was really good. Here’s an interview of Jon Graboff that speaks to his father’s claim of the CBS logo.

To learn more about Leo, visit studioespinosa.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Author and illustrator, Javaka Steptoe, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about growing up with his father, John Steptoe; why collage is “a means of survival”; getting the 3:00 AM phone call from the Caldecott committee; and the life and work of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

To learn more about Javaka, visit javaka.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Artist Representative/Personal Manager/Producer and Founder of David Goldman Agency, David Goldman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his role as an agent; why he would rather starve than give up an artist’s rights; what fees illustrators get from magazines and children’s book publishers; and how the illustration world has changed since 1980.

David also shares what he thinks is the “key most important thing” anyone in a creative field should be attempting to do.

Here are a few of the artists mentioned: Norm Bendell, David Anson Russo, Michael Morgenstern, Kyle Webster, Tim Cook, and Cathie Bleck

To learn more about David, visit davidgoldmanagency.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator, Olimpia Zagnoli talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the ups and downs of speaking a second language; why she calls herself an illustrator; how her father’s advice to “make your portfolio big” might have helped land her first New Yorker job; and what illustrators should think about when staring at a blank page.

They also discuss how the legendary Bruno Munari has been “following” Olimpia her whole life.

Here are a few of the bands and musicians they mentioned: T. Rex, Franco Battiato, Giuni Russo, Piero Ciampi, Lucio Battisti, and Mina.

I mentioned a song called, “Prisencólinensináinciúsol”, from Adriano Celentano. Here is the video. It may be one of the more bizarre things you ever see.

To learn more about Olimpia, visit olimpiazagnoli.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and animator, Francesca Gambatesa talks to Giuseppe Castellano about Italy’s best kept secret (spoiler: it’s Puglia); how she found a literary agent; what she thinks about when she thinks about character design; and why a career in children’s publishing isn’t for the faint of heart.

To learn more about Francesca, visit francescagam.co.uk.

Here are a few of the illustrators they mentioned: Quentin Blake, Ronald Searle, Vamba, Marc Boutavant, Fiep Westendorp, and Uri Shulevitz

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator, Designer, and Art Director, Kayla Wasil, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how Giuseppe met (and hired) Kayla; what it’s like to work on licensed properties in book form; and why the publishing design process can be frustrating.

Kayla answers questions provided to Giuseppe by The Illustration Dept. Newsletter subscribers. They cover postcards, process, trends, and more.

As a point of comparison, listen to Viking art director, Jim Hoover, answer similar questions.

To learn more about Kayla, visit kaylawasil.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and Cartoonist, Barry Blitt, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about why showing his drawings to Major League baseball players helped start Barry’s career; how he and art editor, Françoise Mouly, of The New Yorker have worked together for decades to create more than 100 covers; and why illustrators can be overly self-critical.

Barry mentions a Daily Show segment with Jon Stewart, in which Jon discusses Barry’s “Politics of Fear” cover. You can watch it on Comedy Central’s site.

Here are a few of the illustrators they mentioned: Russell Mills, Ian Pollock, Ed Sorel, Alan Cober, Joe Ciardiello, and Robert Andrew Parker.

To see a sample of Barry’s work with The New Yorker, visit newyorker.com/contributors/barry-blitt.

To learn more about Barry, visit barryblitt.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

The President of Delaware College of Art and Design, Jean Dahlgren, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what sparked her lifelong interest in art education; why she’s tired of the “myth” of the “starving artist”; and how the Delaware College of Art and Design prepares future artists.

They also praise the Delaware, and the city of Wilmington—the rightful birthplace of the Golden Age of Illustration.

Here are a few of the illustrators they mentioned: Linda Kitson, Howard Pyle, Frank Schoonover, Elizabeth Shippen Green, Jessie Wilcox Smith, and Violet Oakley

Update: DCAD is no longer open. Visit dcad.edu.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and educator, Will Terry, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he lied his way into a meeting with art director, Carol Porter, of The Washington Post; how the Society of Visual Storytelling got its start; and why the debate between online vs. brick & mortar art programs continues.

Here are a few of the artists they mentioned: P. D. Eastman, Jake Parker, Lee White, Piper Thibodeau, and C.F. Payne

Will mentioned a series of Japanese tales. Here’s a great blog post on them.

To learn more about Will, visit willterry.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Vice President of Learning Experience Design at McGraw-Hill Education, Kelly Delaney, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her role within an educational publisher; why she doesn’t love the word, “textbook”; and why McGraw-Hill—who published Paul Galdone, Robert Barry, and a teenage Maurice Sendak—isn’t part of “The Big 6”… yet.

Here are a few of the writers and illustrators they mentioned: Eve Titus, Paul Galdone, Crockett Johnson, Robert Barry, and a teenage Maurice Sendak.

To learn more about McGraw-Hill Education, visit mheducation.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Author and illustrator, Meghan McCarthy, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about creating non-fiction picture books; her “depressing” experiences while working at Barnes & Noble; childhood and adulthood bullies; how Twitter criticism leads to “outrage telephone”; and what the morality clause from publishers could mean for creators.

A leader in non-fiction children’s publishing, Jeanne Bendick, was mentioned. Here’s more on her.

To learn more about Meghan, visit meghan-mccarthy.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Betsy talks about what it was like working with Giuseppe Castellano at Penguin Young Readers Group; how they both live with depression; how she finds illustrators to hire; and what Clifford the Big Red Dog creator, Norman Bridwell, teaches us about rejection, imposter syndrome, and perseverance.

To learn more about Betsy, visit betsyillustration.carbonmade.com.

Betsy’s always looking for artists. Email her!

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Executive Creative Director at Serino Coyne, Jay Cooper, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his path to becoming an “Ad Man”; what it’s like to be in the room where Jay and his team created visual ad campaigns for Frozen, Hamilton, and Boys in the Band; how he manages to double as a prolific author and illustrator; and all that jazz.

Here are some of the artists mentioned in this conversation: Drew Hodges, Chip Kidd, Olly Moss, Robert Tracthenberg, David Edward Byrd, Peter de Sève, Arthur Rackham, and Lisbeth Zwerger.

Jay mentions a poem by Billy Collins, I Go Back to the House for a Book. You can read it here.

To learn more about Jay and his books, visit jaycooperbooks.com.

To learn more about Serino Coyne, visit serinocoyne.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Caldecott Honor-winning author and illustrator, Betsy Lewin, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about attending Pratt Institute in the 1950’s; how she met Ted Lewin; how a poem she wrote for Parents Magazine led her to children’s publishing; and why she didn’t know she won a Caldecott Honor after getting a phone call from the Caldecott committee.

We recorded this conversation in the dining room of Ted and Betsy’s lovely brownstone in Fort Green, Brooklyn.

To learn more about Betsy, visit betsylewin.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and Educator, Kelly Murphy, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about their shared experiences at the Rhode Island School of Design; Kelly’s first phone call with an editor; what it’s like teaching at RISD; why she doesn’t have an agent; and how author/illustrators can sneak around a publisher’s “no unsolicited manuscript” policy.

Here are a few of the artists they mentioned: John Tenniel, Arthur Rackham, J.C. Leyendecker, Lizbeth Zwerger, and Kate Greenaway

To learn more about Kelly, visit kelmurphy.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Writer, artist, publisher, and co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kevin Eastman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how a “dumb” drawing sparked a global phenomenon; how he and Peter Laird self-published the first TMNT comics; what he sees in the current Turtles renaissance; and what his one big regret has been since the first comic published in 1984.

His audio was a little off—but we’re chalking it up to the possibility that he was talking to us from his lair in the sewers of New York City.

Here are some of the artists mentioned in this conversation: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, Jack Kirby, Frank Miller, Alan Moore, Steve Ditko, Bob Kane and Bill Finger.

To learn more about Kevin, visit kevineastmanstudios.com.

To learn more about Peter Laird, visit peterlairdstmntblog.blogspot.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator, Zina Saunders, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about growing up with her father—the legendary pulp artist, Norman Saunders; how she overcame “screwing off” with alcohol and drugs to start an illustration career; what you can and can’t expect from art directors; and so much more.

To learn more about Zina, visit zinasaunders.com.

To learn more about Norman Saunders, visit normansaunders.com.

Zina referenced an online gallery of women illustrators co-launched by Nancy Stahl. It appears to no longer exist on Drawger, but here is a link to Nancy’s response to the Society of Illustrators’ lack of representation in 2008.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett, the Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the Norman Rockwell Museum, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she came to work at the museum; what lessons we can learn from Rockwell’s life and work, and why she and the museum are trying to change how the public views and appreciates the yet-to-be-fully-appreciated field of illustration.

The episode begins with a segment of “Moonlight Serenade” by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. The track was a recording from their live show at the Glen Island Casino in New Rochelle, New York, on May 17, 1939. That same year, Rockwell and his family moved from New Rochelle, New York, to Arlington, Vermont. The album from which the track was pulled is called, Glenn Miller: A Legendary Performer. You should listen to the entire album. Find it where ever you find music.

As we learn from Stephanie in this episode, Rockwell’s paintings were restored/preserved at the Williamstown Art Conservation Center. You can visit their website, and learn about their educational offerings here.

A few artists and illustrators were mentioned in this conversation, including: Thomas Fogarty, George Bridgeman, Clyde Forsythe, Marshall Arisman, Robert Weaver, Seymour Chwast, Mead Schaeffer, Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, James McMillan, Frances Jetter, and Yuyi Morales

To learn more about the Norman Rockwell Museum, visit nrm.org.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Charles Santoso talks about why he chooses to work in multiple styles; how he lives with imposter syndrome; and what three words uttered ten years ago by concept artist, Ian McCaig, still give Charles goosebumps.

To learn more about Charles, visit charlessantoso.com.

Here are a few of the illustrators we mentio: Charles Santore, Paul Topolos, Ian McCaig, Eric Carle, Milton Glaser, and Leo and Diane Dillon

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

The founder of Books of Wonder, Peter Glassman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about opening his first book store in 1980; coming out to his parents in the late 1970’s; the genius and heart of Maurice Sendak; and the connections Peter made with Arnold Lobel, Madeleine L’Engle, and many of the brightest stars in children’s publishing.

Here are a few of the writers and illustrators they mentioned: Arnold Lobel, Maurice Sendak, Crockett Johnson, Ruth Krauss, and Lloyd Alexander

To learn more about Peter and Books of Wonder, visit booksofwonder.com.

To purchase signed artwork, original editions, and other collectable ephemera, visit their auction page (and help Books of Wonder raise funds to move to a new location).

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and Cartoonist, Gabriel Alborozo, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the anxiety-inducing choice to be a children’s book author and illustrator; why he sometimes sees the agent-illustrator relationship as “owner-pet”, how he handled rejections from agents for being “just a cartoonist”; what your big social media following says about you and your art (hint: not much); and how Gabriel dreamt of being a matte painter after watching Star Wars in 1977—and why it never happened.

To learn more about Gabriel, visit alborozo.co.uk.

Here are a few of the illustrators we mention: E.H. Shepard, Quentin Blake, Edward Ardizzone, Ronald Searle, Jean-Jacques Sempé, Gerald Scarfe, André François, Ralph Steadman, Harrison Ellenshaw, Frank Ordaz, Christoper Evans, and Ralph McQuarrie

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Co-owners and publishers of Penny Candy Books, Alexis Orgera and Chad Reynolds, talk to Giuseppe Castellano about how they started a publishing company; what 5 steps are needed to publish a book; why they accept unsolicited manuscripts; and why diversity is integral to their mission.

Lastly, they discuss if Penny Candy Books—with employees living in Oklahoma, North Carolina, Georgia, and New Jersey—is the future of children’s book publishing.

Chad brought up the book, Publishing for Profit: Successful Bottom-line Management for Book Publishers. You can purchase a copy from Chicago Review Press, here.

To learn more about Penny Candy Books, visit pennycandybooks.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Recorded from his apartment, Seymour Chwast talks to Giuseppe Castellano about forming Push Pin Studios with Ed Sorel, and Milton Glaser; hanging out with Ezra Jack Keats; and what his thoughts are on Comic Sans.

To learn more about Seymour Chwast, visit pushpininc.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and Graphic Designer, Steve Simpson, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he transitioned from animation and comics to illustration—and how he found his “style” in the process. They discuss the similarities between graphic design and illustration; the differences between influence and appropriation; and the relationships between colors.

To learn more about Steve, visit stevesimpson.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jim Flora, David Klein, William Morris, and William Addison Higgins

Giuseppe mentioned an article he had written about the lessons illustrators can learn from baseball. Guest contributors to the article include: Sarah Bunting, Tad Carpenter, John Hendrix, Kenard Pak, and Matt Tavares. You can read it here.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Two-time Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator, Pamela Zagarenski, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about why personal hardship—which led to professional  abandonment—almost torpedoed her career; how she picked up the pieces; how her company’s name, Sacred Bee, came from a near-death experience; and what Goethe teaches us about achieving our creative goals.

To learn more about Pamela, visit sacredbee.com.

Be sure to check out her newest book, The Fabled Life of Aesop, by Ian Lender, where you buy or borrow books.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Betsy Bird (otherwise known as “Fuse8”), the Collection Development Manager of Evanston Public Library, and former Youth Materials Specialist of the New York Public Library, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her path to becoming a librarian; the origin of “Fuse8”; a librarian’s responsibility—particularly with “problematic” books; the mischievousness of favorite children’s book creators; the Berenstain’s and Alternate Timelines, the six-foot long mustache she once received from Giuseppe’s team at Penguin, and more.

To learn more about Betsy—and her podcast, Fuse8 & n’ Kate—visit betsybirdbooks.com.

A few authors and illustrators were mentioned in this conversation, including: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Dr. Seuss, Jacqueline Woodson, Stan and Jan Berenstain, Peggy Rathmann, Robert McCloskey, Wanda Gag, Ludwig Bemelmans, and Walter de la Mer

You can purchase Betsy’s book, Wild Things! Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature, co-written with Julie Danielson and Peter D. Sieruta, through our Book Shop. The podcast gets a small percentage of the sales; and, you support local bookstores. Win win.

Other books mentioned in this episode include: The Birchbark House, Was The Cat in the Hat Black?, A Celebration of Beatrix Potter, and The Day the Babies Crawled Away.

If you want to learn more about my reference to The Mandela Effect—and how we actually might live in an alternate timeline, read this from HowStuffWorks.com.

To buy books we mention on the podcast, visit our Book Shop! Purchasing books through our affiliate link supports independent bookstores and our podcast.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Dave McKean talks to Giuseppe Castellano about being a writer, illustrator, filmmaker, and all around “creativo”; why he dislikes being called “artist” and “genius”; and how he managed to talk to artist Paul Nash—an early-20th-century British Modernist who passed in 1946.

A few authors and artists were mentioned in this conversation, including: Marshall Arisman, Moebius, Alan Moore, Francis Bacon, and Federico Fellini

Dave and Giuseppe also talk about jazz, including these musicians: Herbie Hancock, Chick Correa, Bill Evans, and Stefano Bollani

To learn more about Dave, visit davemckean.com.

Dave mentioned John Cleese’s “Open Mode” theory on creativity. Here is Cleese’s full lecture on creativity—in which he mentions the “open mode”.

You can purchase Dave’s book, Black Dog: The Dreams of Paul Nash, through Dark Horse.

Other books/comics mentioned in this episode include: Violent Cases, Sandman, Cages, Arkum Asylum, and Coraline.

Dave said that he listens to Oud Music by Anouar Brahem. You can listen to a few of his songs here.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

President & Founder of Anna Goodson Illustration Agency, Anna Goodson, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the founding and management of her world-renowned agency; the top 5 mistakes she’s seen illustrators make; how COVID-19 has affected—and may affect—the illustration community; and what illustrators can do to stay responsibly productive during a time of isolation.

To learn more about Anna and her agency, visit agoodson.com.

To buy books we mention on the podcast, visit our Book Shop! Purchasing books through our affiliate link supports independent bookstores and our podcast.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator, Entrepreneur, and Podcast Producer-extraordinaire, Ânia Marcos, chats with Giuseppe Castellano about living and working in Portugal; how and why she’s helped produced countless creative podcasts; and why she thinks “failure” is a good thing.

They also trade “war stories” from the front lines of podcasting.

To learn more about Ânia, visit aniamarcos.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Renowned children’s book author and illustrator, Ashley Bryan, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how—over almost 100 years—art has helped Ashley persevere through adversity. They also discuss Ashley’s experiences during World War II; Ashely’s 50-year career in children’s publishing; and why art is at the heart of what it means to be human.

To learn more about Ashley, visit ashleybryancenter.com.

Giuseppe mentioned Nancy’s Larrick’s 1965 article, The All-White World of Children’s Books. You can read it here.

You can also read about the founding of The Coretta Scott King Award by visiting their blog.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

This is our 50th Episode! To celebrate, Giuseppe Castellano compiled short highlights from each guest. Through 49 episodes, illustrators, agents, art directors, and others talked about starting an illustration career, launching an art agency, understanding the history of children‘s publishing, living with depression, finding one’s artistic style, fighting in World War II, and… starting a podcast.

Our first 47 guests (two of them were double episodes) were (in order): Kelly Light, Yuko Shimizu, Mohamed Danawi, Erin Hunting, Lisa Brown, Ben Zhu, Stephen Kroninger, Krystal Lauk, Mark Mills, Jim Hoover, Leila Sales, Jess Brallier, Floyd Cooper, Jon Cockley, Leonard Marcus, Emily Keyes, Peter Jaszi, Leo Espinosa, Javaka Steptoe, David Goldman, Olimpia Zagnoli, Kayla Wasil, Will Terry, Barry Blitt, Francesca Gambatesa, Jean Dahlgren, Meghan McCarthy, Kelly Murphy, Betsy Lewin, Peter Glassman, Kevin Eastman, Jay Cooper, Zina Saunders, Kelly Delaney, Chad Reynolds, Betsy Peterschmidt, Stephanie Plunkett, Seymour Chwast, Charles Santoso, Gabriel Alborozo, Pamela Zagarenski, Betsy Bird, Anna Goodson, Steve Simpson, Dave McKean, Ashley Bryan, and Ania Marcos.

Giuseppe wrote a blog post about the top 10 things he learned after producing 35 podcast episodes. You can read it on his website, here.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Author and Illustrator, Kelly Light, returns to the podcast! She chats with Giuseppe Castellano about how life has changed for Kelly since our first chat with her way back in June of 2018.

She shares how she (probably) contracted COVID-19; how one—by choice or necessity—RE-starts a creative a career; and what Tove Jansson, Ashley Bryan, Judith Kerr, and others can teach us about staying creative through hardship.

To learn more about Kelly, visit kellylight.com.

If you want to listen to our first chat with her in Episode 1, go here.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and writer, Hilary Knight, chats with Giuseppe Castellano about his life and work as an illustrator; his service for the U.S. Navy during World War II; his up-and-down relationship with Kay Thompson; the creation of “Eloise”; the mysterious theft of his “Eloise” painting from The Plaza hotel in 1960; and much, much more.

Illustrators and artists mentioned in this episode include: Peter Arno, Reginald Marsh, David Downton, George Tooker, Ronald Searle, Kay Neilsen, William Ivy Long, and Edmund Dulac

To learn more about Hilary, visit hilaryknight.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Founder of Kowal Stannus Agency, Angharad Kowal Stannus, chats with Giuseppe Castellano about how the publishing industry will look post-COVID-19; why being an American in the UK gives her an advantage as an agent; what subsidiary rights are, and how they work; why her agency doesn’t use “nameless and faceless” submission forms; and what advice she would give to you, if she were your agent…

To learn more about Angharad, visit kowalstannusagency.com. Don’t be fooled by the “Website Coming Soon” message. Her agency is quite busy.

To request representation, email Angharad at angharad@kowalstannusagency.com.

Giuseppe wrote a blog post about agents. You can read it on his website, here.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Co-founder, Publisher, Art Director, and Editor of Enchanted Lion Books, Claudia Z. Bedrick, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she—and her family—started the leading independent publishing company; why Enchanted Lion has yet to be swallowed by a Big Fish—despite several attempts; what it takes for an independent to survive—and in many cases, thrive—in the marketplace; and what the publisher of beautifully illustrated books looks for in illustrators.

Lastly, Claudia and I explain why we both hope that the publishing industry does NOT go back to normal post-pandemic.

To learn more about Claudia and Enchanted Lion Books, visit enchantedlion.com.

A few of the artists mentioned in this episode include: Helen Borten, Jim Flora, Milton Glaser, Marc Boutevant, Olimpia Zagnoli, and Ping Zhu.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Founder & Managing Director of The Jacky Winter Group, Jeremy Wortsman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he founded an illustration agency in 2007 out of his back bedroom; what he looks for when looking through a thousand portfolios a week; what illustrators can do to make sure that an art director’s “dart” lands on them; how illustration can help us find the good in troubled times; and more.

And… he answers the question: Who exactly is Jacky Winter?

To learn more about Jeremy and The Jacky Winter Group, visit jackywinter.com.

Jeremy mentioned a podcast that he hosts. You can listen to it here.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Publisher of Akashic Books, Johnny Temple, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he went from touring with Rage Against The Machine to launching a socially conscious publishing company; why it took a “constellation of fortunate events” to form Akashic; why Johnny doesn’t like the idea of “mandatory gatekeepers” between artists and companies; and, how Go The F*ck To Sleep went from an almost-rejected proposal to a game-changing phenomenon.

Johnny talked about Samuel L. Jackson’s reading of Stay the F**k at Home on The Jimmy Kimmel Show. Here’s the clip on Youtube.

To learn more about Johnny and Akashic Books, visit akashicbooks.com.

Akashic’s new LyricPop series was discussed in this episode. Here’s more on them.

Johnny mentioned that he’s always looking for illustrators. The best way to reach him is to email him at temple450@aol.com.

A few of the writers and artists mentioned in this episode include: Marlon James, Kaylie Jones, Adam Mansbach, and Ricardo Cortés.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Educator, and multi-award-winning artist, Rudy Gutierrez, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he’s “lived many dreams” over a 40-year career in Illustration; why the famous musician, Carlos Santana, chose Rudy’s art for his 2002 album, Shaman; why he thinks the role of an educator is to help students “find their validity”; what it was like getting the “Caldecott Call”; and how illustrators can find their path.

To learn more about Rudy, visit altpick.com/rudygutierrez or rudygutierrez.net.

Giuseppe mentioned educator, Murry Tinkelman’s words that celebrated Rudy’s 2005 Distinguished Educator in the Arts award. You can read it in full on the Society of Illustrators website.

A few of the writers and artists mentioned in this episode include: Mati Klarwein, Dave Passalacqua, Randy Chavez, Marshall Arisman, Andrea Loney, Murray Tinkelman, Rafael Tufiño, David Grove, and Bernie Fuchs

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Since June 18, 2019, Giuseppe Castellano has talked to leaders, legends, and luminaries in illustration, graphic design, publishing, animation, and other creative fields, about their beginnings, their successes, and the bumps and bruises they’ve experienced along the way.

To celebrate the podcast’s 1-year Anniversary, Giuseppe asked listeners of the podcast to answer three questions:

1. What is the best thing about being an illustrator?

2. What is the worst thing about being an illustrator?

3. What advice would you offer to illustrators?

Lastly, each of the 23 contributing illustrators share an important message.

To learn more about the contributors to this episode, here are their names (linked to their websites)—in the order that you hear them: Lalena Fisher, Nick Sweeney, Crisy Meschieri, Dave Bain, Helena Juhasz, Estefanía Santos, Guilherme Karsten, Jenny Eickbush, Christof Simons, Marina Movshina, Michelle Schneider, Nadya Bonten-Slenders, Prescott Hill, Jessica Linn Evans, Stephen Macquignon, Tara Santoro, Beverly Hall, Ximena Ross, Scott Soeder, Estrela Lourenco,  Sherry Meidell, Lizzie DiFiore, and Eddie Edwards

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Author and illustrator, Shawna J.C. Tenney, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about getting into illustration thanks to a scheduling snafu in high school; why illustrators sometimes need to break up with their agent (or agents); why her illustration and animation podcast, Stories Unbound, was short-lived—and what she regrets about it; and why—as Mercer Meyer would agree—rejection should be viewed as a normal part of an illustrator’s career.

To learn more about Shawna, visit shawnajctenney.com.

Writers and illustrators mentioned in this episode include: Mercer Meyer, Ruth Sanderson, Carter Goodrich, and Mary Grandpré.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Art Director at Pixar, Noah Klocek, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how a childhood without a television led to simultaneous careers in feature film animation and children’s book illustration; what differentiates Pixar from Dreamworks (aside from kicks in the groin); and why it’s so important to learn about color theory.

To learn more about Noah, visit imageblock.com.

Writers and illustrators mentioned in this episode include: Tomie DePaola, Trina Schart Hyman, Lisbeth Zwerger, Gustaf Tenggren, Bill Peet, Mary Blair, Aurelius Battaglia, Hayao Miyazaki, and Bonnie Becker

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator, and forerunner of the digital illustration age, Nancy Stahl, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she started her illustration career in 1971 with two hundred dollars and two years of art school.

They also discuss the pleasure and pain of working in gouache; what it was like to be one of the first illustrators to “go digital” in the 1980’s; and why a company called Adobe invited her to try out a new program called, Photoshop.

To learn more about Nancy, visit nancystahl.com.

Illustrators mentioned in this episode include: Rick Tulka, Michael Deas, Barry Zaid, Seymour Chwast, James McMullan, Lance Hidy, Paul Davis, Vivienne Flesher, Philippe Weisbecker, Barbara Nessim, and J. Otto Seibold.

Nancy mentioned an article written by Steven Heller on the nascent Adobe Photoshop. You can read it here on printmag.com.

Giuseppe mentioned his podcast conversation with Seymour Chwast. You can listen to it here. He also mentioned discussing women in illustration with Zina Saunders. That episode can be found here.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator, David Edward Byrd, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his 50-year career in illustration. David takes us on a journey that begins in Cleveland, Tennessee; detours through Miami Beach, Florida; stops in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—where he studied at Carnegie Mellon University; and settles in Port Jervis, New York—where he created posters for The Woodstock Festival.

His story then moves through New York City in the 1970’s—where he hung out with Jimi Hendrix; and where he created posters for Broadway shows, including: Follies, Godspell, and Little Shop of Horrors.

The journey concludes in Los Angeles in the 1980’s —where David illustrated for Van Halen, Warner Brothers, and Disney; he met his partner; he art directed for The Advocate; and much more.

To learn more about David, visit david-edward-byrd.com.

A few of the illustrators mentioned in this episode include: Frank Verlizzo and Alfonse Mucha

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Senior Deputy Art Director at AARP, Dian Holton, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she went from Army kid to Design Leader; what she thinks are the benefits and struggles of being a mentor and mentee; and what conversations need to be had with respect to diversity and inclusion in the applied arts.

Throughout this conversation, Dian and Giuseppe touch on the racial inequities they see in conventional teachings of art history.

To learn more about Dian, visit dianholton.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Vice President, and Managing Agent, for the Bright Agency, James Burns, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the role of an artist rep; how COVID-19 has affected publishing; what the facts are regarding the graphic novel boom (including fees); what an illustrator can do to improve their portfolio; and so much more. James also answers questions from Patrons of The Illustration Department Podcast.

To learn more about James, visit his page on Bright’s website.

Several podcast episodes with other agents were mentioned in this episode. They include Giuseppe’s chats with Angharad Kowal Stannus of Kowal Stannus Agency, and Mark Mills of Plum Pudding Illustration Agency. Listen to all three to get a sense of how different agencies have different (and similar) perspectives on the illustration industry.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Deborah Feingold talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her 40-year career as a photographer; what it was like taking photographs of major figures in music, politics, and popular culture—from Chet Baker to Madonna to President Obama; how she feels about the age of built-in cameras in smart phones; and why she likes to photograph illustrators.

To learn more about Deborah, visit deborahfeingold.com.

Musicians, politicians, and illustrators mentioned in this episode include: Scott Lee, David Byrne, Annie Lennox, James Brown, Mitch McConnell, Ed Sorel, Seymour Chwast, Barry Blitt, and Joe Ciardiello

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and Artist, Anita Kunz, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how art saved her life; how she achieved an illustrious career in spite of “hundreds” of rejections; why she calls illustrating her first New Yorker cover—called “Mohawk Manhattan”—“one of my worst experiences”; why there continues to be great power in art; what advice Anita has for today’s illustrators; and more.

To learn more about Anita, visit anitakunz.com.

Anita’s “10 Tips for Creative Success”, by Marie DeFreitas, was mentioned in this episode, You can read them in full here: hercampus.com

Illustrators mentioned in this episode include: Robert Kunz (Anita’s uncle), Sue Coe, Ralph Steadman, Russell Mills, and Milton Glaser.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and portraitist extraordinaire, Joe Ciardiello, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his first steps as an illustrator—with the help of Murray Tinkelman; who Jim Spanfeller was, and what he taught Joe about drawing; what Joe thinks about when he thinks about drawing; how he manages the ebb and flow career of an illustrator; how procrastination affects Joe; and much more.

To learn more about Joe, visit joeciardiello.com.

Illustrators mentioned in this episode include: Murray Tinkelman, Bob Peak, Bernie Fuchs, Mort Drucker, Maurice Sendak, Lorraine Fox, Alan Cober, Chris Spollen, and Richard Egielski.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator, graphic novelist, and filmmaker, R.O. Blechman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about why he became an artist despite not loving to draw, and having no interest in art; how he went from having a “rigid” style with “no quality whatsoever” to one of the most recognizable styles in all of illustration; what happened when Maurice Sendak asked Blechman for advice; what would be his best piece of advice for today’s illustrators; and much more.

To learn more about Blechman, visit roblechman.com.

Illustrators mentioned in this episode include: Maxa Nordau, Ben Shahn, James McMullen, Charles Demuth, Maurice Sendak, and Al Hirschfeld

Blechman’s 1967 Alka-seltzer ad was discussed in this episode. You can watch it here.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator, Cory Godbey, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he balances illustration and parenthood; how personal projects—from sketchbook collections to a tribute website for Where the Wild Things Are—led Cory to landing prestigious client work (including The Dark Crystal for the Hensons); what it’s like to be bitten by the “Comparison Bug”—and how to be cured from it; and much more.

To learn more about Cory, visit corygodbey.com.

They discussed Cory’s tribute website to Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. It’s called “Terrible Yellow Eyes”. You can still visit it here.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Kazu Kibuisihi, Brian Froud, Arthur Rackham, and Edmund Dulac.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator/author, and native “Michigander”, Rebecca Green, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her first steps as an illustrator; why you sometimes have to unlearn what you learned in art school; what she thinks about when she thinks about color; and how illustrators can navigate blocks and burnouts and breakdowns by following their own “creative compass”.

To learn more about Rebecca and her work, and to read her helpful blog posts, visit myblankpaper.com.

We discuss Rebecca’s debut picture book, How to Make Friends with a Ghost. You can learn more about it, and purchase it by visiting Rebecca’s “Books” page.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Curator of the Brandywine River Museum of Art, Amanda Burdan, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the Brandywine’s history, mission, and collection; how her team finds and curates art; how the Brandywine literally creates space for women in illustration; what it’s like living in “Wyeth Country”; and much more.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Newell Convers Wyeth, Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, Howard Pyle, Maxfield Parrish, Jessie Willcox Smith, Charles Dana Gibson, Rockwell Kent, Horace Pippin, William Trost Richards, John Neagle, Grandma Moses, Violet Oakley, Anna Whelan Betts, Ethel Franklin Betts, Ellen B.T. Pyle, Olive Rush, Blanche Grant, Alice Barber Stephens, Katharine Pyle, Edmund Dulac, Arthur Rackham, Ralston Crawford, Frank Schoonover, and Thomas Hart Benton.

To learn more about the Brandywine Museum, visit brandywine.org/museum.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Chief Curator and Curator of American Art at the Delaware Art Museum, Heather Campbell Coyle, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about examining and preserving the lives and work of illustrators; how the struggles of past illustrators continue to echo throughout time; what happens when the general public is asked to curate a museum; and much more.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: John Sloan, William Glackens, Howard Pyle, Frank Schoonover, Raphaelle Peale, Frederic Edwin Church, Edward Mitchell Bannister, Henry Ossawa Tanner, and Pearl Mann

To learn more about the Delaware Art Museum, visit delart.org.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Founder of Purple Rain Illustrators, Ella Lupo, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she became an agent; what it was like being an illustration agent in the late 1990’s; when illustrators should and shouldn’t chase “style” trends; how “bad agents” give “good agents” a bad name; how COVID19 is affecting the illustration community; and much more.

To learn more about Ella, visit purplerainillustrators.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Martin Salisbury, Author and Professor of Illustration at Cambridge School of Art in Anglia Ruskin University, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what led him to illustration; what illustrators should be thinking about when they think about children’s books; what makes a picture book “great” or “bad”; why Martin thinks illustrators should draw, and draw, and draw; and much more.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Russell Mills, Paul Slater, Angela Barrett, Maurice Sendak, Judith Kerr, Roy Gerrard, John Minton, Esphry Slobdkina, Marshall Arisman, and James McMullen

To learn more about Martin and Anglia Ruskin University, visit aru.ac.uk/people/martin-salisbury.

Martin mentioned the book, The Education of an Illustrator, by Marshall Arisman and Steven Heller. You can purchase it here, or at your local bookstore.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and Author, Sergio Ruzzier, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he “broke into” children’s publishing; how Hieronymus Bosch, the Italian Renaissance, and Popeye influence his work; why watercolor is his medium of choice; what it was like living with Maurice Sendak; and so much more.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Hieronymus Bosch, Giotto, Simone Martini, Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti, George Herriman, Elzie Crisler Segar, Chester Gould, Massimo Mattioli, Paul Davis, Lane Smith, Peter Sís, and Alessandro Sanna.

To learn more about Sergio, visit ruzzier.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator, Author, and Illustration Teacher, James McMullan, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his globe-trotting, but tragic, childhood; what his early days as an illustrator were like; why his philosophy on drawing—and the teaching of drawing—stems from intuition and humanization; why he thinks illustrators should embrace risk; and so much more.

To learn more about James, visit jamesmcmullan.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Betsy Lewin, Milton Glaser, Egon Schiele, Ben Shahn, Robert Weaver, Seymour Chwast, Ed Sorel, R.O. Blechman, Maurice Sendak, Charles B. Slackman, Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, and Mary Suzuki.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Julia Rosenfeld, Senior Designer at Penguin Young Readers Group, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the inner-workings of the children‘s book design department; working with Giuseppe as his former Design Assistant; what #mailersandcoffee was, and why it was important; how Julia looks for illustrators during the COVID19 pandemic; and much more.

To learn more about Julia, visit juliarosenfeld.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Debbie Bibo, the founder of Debbie Bibo Agency, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how and why she became a “picture book agent”; what she looks for in illustrators; and how “bad agents” are burning through illustrators’ good-will equity.

She also answers questions from Patrons of the podcast about what illustrators should say in their queries; how to conduct oneself during an interview with an agent; how COVID19 is affecting—and will affect—her agency and the children’s book industry; and so much more.

To learn more about Debbie and her agency, visit debbiebiboagency.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Olimpia Zagnoli, Andrea D’Aquino, Chris Haughton, and Benjamin Chaud

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

David Wiesner, illustrator, author, and 3-time Caldecott Medal-winner, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the path that led him to wordless picture books; how Maurice Sendak, James Marshall, Trina Schart Hyman, and other legends helped David feel like he “belonged”; how an “unplanned moment” led to his Caldecott-winning, Tuesday; what it was like to get the “Caldecott Call”; why the pictures in picture books matter; and so much more.

To learn more about David, visit davidwiesner.com.

David and I talked about the great, Trina Schart Hyman. Here is David’s blog post about working with her when she was the art director at Cricket.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Jack Kirby, Tom Sgouros, David Macaulay, Jim Steranko, Lyn Ward, Edward Gorey, Moebius, Leo and Diane Dillon, Trina Schart Hyman, Chris Van Allsburg, Maurice Sendak, James Marshall, Betsy Lewin, Ted Lewin, Pamela Zagarenski, Javaka Steptoe, John Steptoe, Barbara Cooney, and Charles Knight

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Award-winning cartoonist, John Cuneo, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about John’s career before and after his “artistic crisis”. They discuss how insecurity and anxiety drive wedges between an artist and their work; why John “goes there” with his “NSFW” illustrations; what role depression plays in John’s, and Giuseppe’s, lives; and much more.

Before you listen to this episode, you should know:
Sex, trauma, and self-harm are discussed.

To learn more about John, visit johncuneo.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Steve Brodner, Thomas Nast, David Levine, Joe Ciardiello, James McMullan, Ed Sorel, Roz Chast, Steve Guarnaccia, and Egon Schiele

While speaking about depression, John cited this line from poet, Rainer Maria Rilke: “If my devils are to leave me, I am afraid my angels will take flight as well.”

He also quotes, Irvin D. Yalom, in saying that, “Sooner or later [you] have to relinquish the goal of having a better past.”

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Author and Illustrator, Kazu Kibuishi, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the personal hardships and challenges he faced in becoming a graphic novelist; where comics and graphic novels stand, and where they should go; why doctors gave Kazu a 99% chance of dying in 2012, and how his near-death experience effects him now; what advice he has for comic book and graphic novel creators; and more.

At the end of the episode, Giuseppe’s 13 year-old cohost asks Kazu about the future of Amulet.

To learn more about Kazu, visit boltcityproductions.com.

Kazu mentions Disney animator, Ubbe Iwerks, and Iwerks’s use of “xerography”. Here’s more on Iwerks and Xerography.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Jane O’Connor, children’s book author, and editor-at-large at Penguin Young Readers Group, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her 50-year career.

She shares her thoughts on mergers in Publishing; writing Fancy Nancy; creating the trend-setting, non-fiction series, Who Was?; working with Giuseppe as her art director; working with Gyo Fujikawa, Tomie dePaola and Peggy Rathmann; and so much more.

To learn more about Jane, visit fancynancyworld.com

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Mort Drucker, Al Jaffee, Kevin McVeigh, Nancy Harrison, Hilary Knight, Gyo Fujikawa, Tomie dePaola, and Peggy Rathmann.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Lindsay Nohl, illustrator, educator, and founder of Light Grey Art Lab, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the founding of her gallery; how she curates exhibitions; why submitting artwork to competitions, exhibitions, and potential clients, involves paradoxical truths; what artists need to do if they want to be product designers; and more.

To learn more about Lindsay and Light Grey, visit lightgreyartlab.com.

Lindsay mentioned Coroflot.com as a way for artists to find work and clients.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Luke Flowers—illustrator, author, and self-described “creative cave-dweller”—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about why Jim Henson is a big part of Luke’s kindness and creativity; how he’s managed to illustrate more than 50 children’s books in less than a decade; how he lives with self-doubt and depression; and much more.

Luke and Giuseppe also do their best impression of Kermit the Frog…

To learn more about Luke, visit lukeflowerscreative.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Michael Smollin, Jim Henson, Cory Godbey, and Joey Ellis

Luke mentioned “Becoming Better Grownups” by Brad Montague. You can purchase it here.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

David Borgenicht—Owner and CEO of Quirk Books—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the founding, management, and future of Quirk Books; how his team looks for illustrators, and what they look for in illustration; whether Publishing saw its worst-case scenario in 2020; why a book is a much-needed companion as we try to survive whatever life throws at us; and more.

To learn more about Quirk Books, visit quirkbooks.com.

If you would like to submit a portfolio or book idea to Quirk, visit quirkbooks.com/page/submissions.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Daniel Abraham—Attorney at Law—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his career protecting the rights of artists.

He shares how he and his small team reversed a 1986 tax law that destroyed an artists’s ability to deduct expenses; how gatekeepers attempt to separate artists from their art; why illustrators need to know the difference between “specs and terms”; how illustrators can protect—and make money from—their “authorship”; and so much more.

To learn more about Daniel, copyright law, and the services he provides for artists, visit legaleasel.com. To email Daniel, click here.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Bill Mauldin, Herb Block, Keith Haring, and Kenny Sharf

Daniel shared a lot of information about protecting your art. He was kind enough to provide his advice in writing—including links. From Daniel:

The link for the Copyright Office website in general is: copyright.gov

The link for registering copyrights is: copyright.gov/registration

The direct link for logging into the ECO—the online registration system—is: eco.copyright.gov. To register works on the ECO site, one must first provide a username and password. I recommend that people also take a look at the Copyright Office circulars for guidance in the registration process. The link to the Copyright Office circulars is: copyright.gov/circs.

To repeat what I probably touched on, but did not go into detail on, in our conversation, it is possible to register up to 10 unpublished works as a “collection” (NOT a “collective work!”—To get INDIVIDUAL coverage of unpublished material, the works MUST be a “collection”!), but works, once published, must GENERALLY be registered individually, which can get expensive. It is better to register works when they are still UNpublished. One CANNOT mix published and unpublished work in a registration.

There are TWO major exceptions regarding group registration of PUBLISHED work:

1. It is possible to register up to one year’s worth of work done for periodicals—on a single registration form—for a single fee, using the GR/CP (Group Registration of Contributions to Periodicals) option. However, if one is doing a quantity of work for periodicals—print, online, or both—it is WISER to register one’s periodical work QUARTERLY, since that means each quarter’s registrations will have been made within the magic “Three-Months-of-First Legitimate-Publication” grace period, within which work infringed before registration is deemed registered prior to infringement, which preserves the best legal remedies.
2. If an artist has done a lot of work for a single item—the illustrations for a book, a graphic novel, or an advertising supplement that’s inserted in a newspaper—the artist can register ALL those images, and have them individually covered, provided that the works were all published at the same time and the artist is the sole author of the multiple images being registered.

All this may sound confusing, but it really is not. Briefly:

A copyright CANNOT be enforced if it is not registered.

• Unless registration is done PRIOR to infringement, the artist loses the right to claim statutory damages and attorney’s fees, and is limited to claiming provable actual damages.
• Up to ten unpublished works may be registered as a “collection.” Work is “unpublished” if it is registered prior to publication, even if it is “going to be published” in a few days.
• If unpublished work is infringed before it is registered, the artist loses the right to claim statutory damages and attorney’s fees for that infringement.
• If a work is registered within three months of first legitimate publication, but after infringement, the artist may still claim statutory damages and attorney’s fees as if it had been registered prior to the infringement.
• The effective date of the registration relates back to when the Copyright Office logged in the application, even if the actual registration does not issue until months later.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Christine von der Linn—Director of Illustration Art at Swann Auction Galleries—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she values traditional and digital illustration; whether important illustrations belong in a museum or in your dining room; why collectors are turning their attention to artists most of us never learned about in art school; and more.

To learn more about Christine and Swann Auction Galleries, visit swanngalleries.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Frederic Church, Ludwig Bemelmans, Charles Schulz, Emily Flake, Peter Arno, Charles Addams, Tom Toro, Mead Schaeffer, Barbara Shermund, Martha Sawyers, Barbara Zuber, Ilonka Karasz, Dorothy Lathrop, Miriam Troop, Albert Dorne, Howard Pyle, Violet Oakley, Jessie Wilcox Smith, and Elizabeth Shippen Green

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Renowned Painter and Author, Greg Manchess, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the turbulent beginning of his artistic journey; why his 2017 groundbreaking graphic novel, Above the Timberline, is about searching for his father; how he processes failure; why oil painting and the perfection of imperfection have sustained his 40-year career; and more.

To learn more about Greg, visit manchess.com.

Greg’s blog post on Failure was mentioned in this episode. You can read the post on muddycolors.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Gary Kelley and M.C. Escher

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Chris Sickels, also known as Red Nose Studio, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he built his illustration career, from farm to drawing table; why he illustrates in three dimensions—and why he’s preparing for a day when editors no longer want “puppets” in their magazines. Also, Chris shares the secret to working alone, or as he put it, “running your own race”.

To learn more about Chris, visit rednosestudio.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: David Beck, The Quay Brothers, Lane Smith, William Joyce, C.F. Payne, Tim Bower, and Malcolm T. Liepke

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator, Author, and Educator, David Soman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how David got his first picture book job—despite not having a single illustration in his portfolio. They discuss the past and future of the beloved, Ladybug Girl books; the bad art advice coming from publishing professionals; painting with watercolor; teaching at the School of Visual Arts; and much more.

To learn more about David, his partner, Jacky Davis, and Ladybug Girl, visit readbrightly.com.

Follow David on Instagram at davidsoman.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Gustav Rehberger, Harvey Dinnerstein, Max Ginsburg, Irwin Greenberg, Robert Henri, Burton Silverman, and Gennady Spirin

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and Printmaker, Frances Jetter, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she wandered from photographing inmates at Rykers Island to starting an illustration career in the mid-1970’s. They discuss what it was like working with art directors in the 1980’s; why she hits political and social issues—hard; what illustrators can do to find authenticity; and more.

To learn more about Frances, visit fjetter.net.

Frances mentioned a book called, The Golden Encyclopedia of Art: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, and Ornament, from Prehistoric Times to the Twentieth Century. She said it was highly influential to her—and a big reason she because an artist. If you’re interested, there are used copies available through online sources.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Kathe Kovitz, George Grosz, and Larry Fink

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Matthew Carlson—Design Director at Adobe Creative Cloud—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his role at Adobe, and how they responded to COVID-19; why Adobe, Facebook, Twitter, and the rest of Big Tech are so reliant on illustration; what the similarities and differences are between digital and traditional methods of creating art; and more.

To learn more about Matthew, visit behance.net/dreamjar.

They discuss Matthew’s successful Kickstarter campaign for a role-playing tabletop game, called WanderSquares. Learn more about the game by visiting, wandersquares.com

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Matt Stevens, Owen Davey, the other Matthew Carlson, and Iris Compiet

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Victor Juhasz—award-winning illustrator, satirist, and visual reporter—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about working “in the old school” as an illustrator in the 1970’s; the relationship between the U.S. Military and Illustration throughout history; being an artist embedded with U.S. troops; knowing when an illustration is “finished”; and more.

To learn more about Victor, visit juhaszillustration.com.

To learn more about the U.S. Air Force Art Program—and its relationship with the Society of Illustrators, visit military.com/history.

Victor mentioned the “bravura” technique in painting and drawing. For further reading on it, visit artistsnetwork.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Bernie D’Andrea, Murray Tinkleman, Jim Spanfeller, John Gundelfinger, Lorraine Fox, Stephen Kroninger, Winslow Homer, Linda Kitson, Harvey Dunn, Howard Brodie, and Miriam Troop

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Andrew Fairclough—illustrator, designer, and founder of True Grit Texture Supply—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the early days of his career and the founding of True Grit; why he prefers limited color palettes; what illustrators can do to stay on their feet from a “knock-back”; and more.

To learn more about Andrew, visit kindredstudio.net.

To check out Andrew’s digital brushes, textures, and more, visit truegrittexturesupply.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Shawn Kerri, WBYK, Karan Singh, and Al Parker

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Illustrator and Author, Dinalie Dabarera, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she went from querying agents, to getting an agent, to receiving a two-book deal from Macmillan—in the span of a year; what valuable lesson she learned from illustrating her first picture book; why some illustrators feel they need permission to make the art they want to make; and more.

To learn more about Dinalie, visit dinalie.com.

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

Barbara Nessim—Illustrator, Fine Artist, and Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame inductee—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the early days of her illustrious career—starting at Pratt Institute in the 1950’s; working as one of the very few women in illustration in the 1960’s; hanging out with Milton Glaser, Tomi Ungerer, and Gloria Steinem; being one of the first artists to “go digital”; avoiding the need to “fit in”; and more.

To learn more about Barbara, visit barbaranessim.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Artists: Robert Weaver, Bob Gale, Thomas Allen, Henry Wolf, Milton Glaser, Seymour Chwast, Ed Sorel, Reynold Ruffins, Simms Taback, Jim McMullan, Tomi Ungerer, Isadore Seltzer, and Susan Perl

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

D.B. Dowd—Professor of Art and American Culture Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, and faculty director of the D.B. Dowd Modern Graphic History Library—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the definition of illustration; whether illustration is or is not art; what advice he has for any illustrator looking to find their “style”; and so much more.

To learn more about D.B., visit dbdowd.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Gustave Doré, Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth, Mead Schaeffer, Haddon Sundblom, Jim McMullan, Marshall Arisman, Bernie Fuchs, and Robert Weaver

If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration, on Substack. Among other benefits, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.