The Pick

Congratulations to the Exhibitng Artists for The Society of Illustrators 56 Book & Editorial Show

Posted on February 10, 2014 by The Pick

: “The Ice Traveler” for Writer’s Chronicle; Illustration by Jon Krause

: “Silenced” for LA Times Illustration by Jon Krause

: What’s so terrible about giving up on a book” for the Guardian. Illustration by Francesco Bongiorni

: Cover Illustration for St. Mary’s Magazine by David Plunkert; Design Firm Pentagram Texas

: Interior Illustration for St. Mary’s Magazine by David Plunkert; Design Firm Pentagram Texas

: Interior Illustration for St. Mary’s Magazine by David Plunkert; Design Firm Pentagram Texas

: Interior Illustration for St. Mary’s Magazine by David Plunkert; Design Firm Pentagram Texas

: “How to fix the Economy” for the Wall Street Journal; Illustration by David Plunkert

: “Heroical” Cover Illustration by David Plunkert

: “Heroical” Interior Illustration by David Plunkert

: American Way Magazine Cover Illustration by Red Nose Studio

: “Cyclops” Puppet Created by Red Nose Studio

: New Yorker Magazine “42” Article Illustration by Thomas Ehretsmann

: Progressive Magazine Cover Illustration by Alex Nabaum

: “The Weight of the Scoreboard” Illustration by Jon Krause

: “UK Food Map” Illustration by Otto Steininger; AD: Meg Georgeson

: “Angy White Men” for The New York Times; AD Nicholas Blechman; Illustration by Brian Stauffer

: Illustration by Brian Stauffer

: Illustration by Brian Stauffer

: “Cayos In The Stream” for Tor.com; AD Irene Gallo; Illustration by Gregory Manchess

: “Major Tom” Gallery Piece; Art Directed and Illustrated by Gregory Manchess

: “Diver – Helmets Series”; Art Directed and Illustrated by Gregory Manchess

: “Gladiator – Helmets”, Gallery Series; Art Directed and Illustrated by Gregory Manchess

: “Knight/Brown Collar – Helmets”, Gallery Series; Art Directed and Illustrated by Gregory Manchess

: “Knight/Profile Yellow – Helmets”, Gallery Series; Art Directed and Illustrated by Gregory Manchess

: “Cosmonaut – Helmets”, Gallery Series; Art Directed and Illustrated by Gregory Manchess

: “Samurai 1 – Helmets”, Gallery Series; Art Directed and Illustrated by Gregory Manchess

: “Patron Tequila” Campaign; Advertising Agency Kramer-Crasselt; AD Dean Stephanides; Illustration by Gregory Manchess

: James Jones “From Here to Eternity” Cover for Penguin Books; Illustration by Mark Smith

: Illustration by Mark Smith

: Men’s Health Magazine Creative Director: Robert Festino 2013; Illustration by Tim O’Brien

: “Violence in Media” series for LA Times; Illustration by Edel Rodriguez

: “Agent Orange” Illustration by Edel Rodriguez

: “Blab!” Painting by Edel Rodriguez

: Society of Illustrators Book & Editorial 56 Program Cover Illustrated by Mark Smith

“The Ice Traveler” for Writer’s Chronicle; Illustration by Jon Krause

“Silenced” for LA Times Illustration by Jon Krause

What’s so terrible about giving up on a book” for the Guardian. Illustration by Francesco Bongiorni

Cover Illustration for St. Mary’s Magazine by David Plunkert; Design Firm Pentagram Texas

Interior Illustration for St. Mary’s Magazine by David Plunkert; Design Firm Pentagram Texas

“How to fix the Economy” for the Wall Street Journal; Illustration by David Plunkert

“Heroical” Cover Illustration by David Plunkert

“Heroical” Interior Illustration by David Plunkert

American Way Magazine Cover Illustration by Red Nose Studio

New Yorker Magazine “42” Article Illustration by Thomas Ehretsmann

Progressive Magazine Cover Illustration by Alex Nabaum

“Cyclops” Puppet Created by Red Nose Studio

“The Weight of the Scoreboard” Illustration by Jon Krause

UK food map with icons of regional specialties for an article on the top 50 UK restaurants / CLient: Square Meal magazine

“UK Food Map” Illustration by Otto Steininger; AD: Meg Georgeson

“Angy White Men” for The New York Times; AD Nicholas Blechman; Illustration by Brian Stauffer

Illustration by Brian Stauffer

Men’s Health Magazine
Creative Director: Robert Festino
2013; Illustration by Tim O’Brien

“Cayos In The Stream” for Tor.com; AD Irene Gallo; Illustration by Gregory Manchess

“Helmets”, Gallery Series; Art Directed and Illustrated by Gregory Manchess

“Knight/Profile Yellow – Helmets”, Gallery Series; Art Directed and Illustrated by Gregory Manchess

“Knight/Brown Collar – Helmets”, Gallery Series; Art Directed and Illustrated by Gregory Manchess

“Gladiator – Helmets”, Gallery Series; Art Directed and Illustrated by Gregory Manchess

“Diver – Helmets Series”; Art Directed and Illustrated by Gregory Manchess

“Major Tom” Gallery Piece; Art Directed and Illustrated by Gregory Manchess

Illustration by Mark Smith

James Jones “From Here to Eternity” Cover for Penguin Books; Illustration by Mark Smith

“Violence in Media” series for LA Times; Illustration by Edel Rodriguez

“Blab!” Painting by Edel Rodriguez

“Agent Orange” Illustration by Edel Rodriguez

Society of Illustrators Book & Editorial 56 Program Cover Illustrated by Mark Smith

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Alternative Pick | Altpick.com

Society of Illustrators

Posted in Altpick, Art, Illustrations | Tagged Alex Nabaum, American Way Magazine, Brian Stauffer, Cyclops, David Plunkert, Edel Rodgriuez, food, Francesco Bongiorni, Gregory Manchess, Guardian Magazine, Heroical, Irene Gallo, Jon Krause, map, mark smith, Meg Georgeson, New Yorker, Nicholas Blechman, Otto Steininger, Patron Tequila, Progressive Magazine, puppet, Red Nose Studio, Society of Illustrators, St Mary's Magazine, Thomas Ehretsmann, Tim O'Brien, Tor.com, UK, Writers Chronicle | Leave a comment

This Week in Review :: Photographers Jon Blacker, Bob Coscarelli, William Hennessey, Philip Rostron

Posted on February 7, 2014 by The Pick

Best known for his lightening fast location portrait and music work, coming away with exceptional images under extreme time limits, Toronto-based freelance photographer Jon Blacker is ready to go:

London Based Still Life Product and Car Photographer Wilson Hennessey:

Photographer and Imagemaker Philip Rostron:

Whether he’s on location shooting lifestyle in a downtown loft, or a spa retreat in Sayulita, Bob Coscarelli‘s photographic vision personifies modern verve:

To see more talented artists, go to Altpick.com.

Posted in Altpick, Photography | Tagged bob coscarelli, cars, Jon Blacker, music, philip rostron, Portraits, still life, william hennessey | Leave a comment

Today’s Member Focus :: Imagemaker Philip Rostron

Posted on February 3, 2014 by The Pick

: Copyright by Philip Rostron

: Copyright by Philip Rostron

: Copyright by Philip Rostron

: Copyright by Philip Rostron

: Copyright by Philip Rostron

: Copyright by Philip Rostron

Philip Rostron is an Imagemaker. He claims he invented the term. After starting his career in England, and stopping to craft his skills in Montreal and the United States, he landed in Toronto where he established Instil Productions. He and his crew produce quality work and have built a reputation for collaborative problem solving. From the first conversation to the last pint, Philip’s excitement is in finding the perfect visual solution to best communicate the marketing idea. The idea is everything.

To see more of Philip’s work or go to his Altpick and M Rep’s website.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Altpick.com Reports 01.29.14 :: Members News

Posted on January 30, 2014 by The Pick

The conventional wisdom for people entering retirement is to reduce their investment, however, a new study reports another approach. Reduce, and then gradually buy to make your investment last longer. Richard Borge’s illustration was for January 12th story in The Wall Street Journal. He worked with graphic designer Sheryl Dermawan.

“Big Support for Schumacher’s Recovery”
Blair Buntings photographs his famous Ferrari Formula 1 race car.

“A Taste of My Own”
Joyce Hesselberth’s illustration for NYT.

“BMX Legend’s 1st Day Back”
Jay Watson captures Ron Wilkerson in an amazing trick.

“On the Road Again”
Dean Alexander’s photo series for Bride & Groom Magazine.

“DIY for Kids”
Aaron Meshon shows us how with Tools Rule!

“Fukushima, Japan”
Anthony Foronda’s powerful image depicts the global tragedy and the ongoing cleanup effort.

To see more of Altpick‘s members news and portfolios click here.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged aaron meshon, Anthony Foronda, Blair Bunting, Bride & Groom Magazine, Chris Sickels, Dean Alexander, Ferrari Formula 1, Fukushima, japan, Jay Watson, joyce hesselberth, Michael Schumacher, new york times, NYT, Race Car, Red Nose, Richard Borge, Ron Wilkerson, Tools Rule! | Leave a comment

Photographer Ali Smith Picks Her Favorites

Posted on January 24, 2014 by The Pick

Ali Smith has lived many lives; as a ballet dancer, performing at New York City’s Lincoln Center; as a rock musician, releasing nine albums and touring the world playing music; and more recently (and throughout), as a photographer.

She has shot hundreds of book covers for major publishing houses internationally, including many NY Times Best sellers, as well as hits like Gossip Girls, Pretty Little Liars, and The Chemical Garden Trilogy. She has also shot advertising jobs for A&E Television, Rimmel London Makeup, Cosmopolitan magazine, and The Blue Man Group, among others, and editorial for magazines internationally.

Ali’s first book, Laws of the Bandit Queens (Three Rivers Press), featured portraits of groundbreaking women, like Alice Walker and Sandra Bernhard, who’d influenced Ali in her career goals.

Her second book, Momma Love; How the Mother Half Lives (Thunder Baby Press), is a riveting portrayal of modern motherhood. Gloria Steinem calls it a gift to moms and The New York Times’ Motherlode blog named it the #1 Mother’s Day Gift of 2013.

She has been profiled on The Oxygen Network, was once the “face” of Cosmopolitan Magazine, has lectured on her work at major institutions, and has exhibited internationally, including at The International Center of Photography (ICP).

This series of images Ali photographed of “The Olson Family, Salt Point NY 2013” are some of her favorites.

To see more go to Ali’s website, Altpick page, @mommaloveAli on instagram and Twitter. Read more about her book and order it at MommaLoveTheBook.com.

Posted in Altpick, Art, Photography | Tagged ali smith, alice walker, icp, laws of bandit queens, momma love, music, musician, sandra bernhard, thunder baby press | Leave a comment

Civil War Reenactors by Alan Matthews

Posted on January 14, 2014 by The Pick

by Alan Matthews

In 2012 I had developed a relationship with the owner of a successful branding and advertising company located in my city, Birmingham. After Paul and I had coffee he asked if I would be interested in doing a personal project for him. Jumping at the chance to prove my skills extended beyond simply photography I agreed.

For reasons that I couldn’t control, we never were able to do the project until September of 2013. The basic idea of Paul’s involved the Alabama Division of Civil War Reenactors and specifically to have a statue (monument) come to life. For 10 years Paul had this idea showing a monument with a soldier on top as part of the overall monument to look as though he was coming to life and climbing off the top of the monument with a caption “See the Civil War come to life.”

I knew it would require some fancy Photoshop work but Paul already had someone who could do that part of the project. What I needed to do was find the right “soldier” (reenactor) to be photographed on a wooden ladder. Second problem: wooden ladder. I had leftover scrap 2×4’s from building a deck that I used to construct a crude ladder for the reenactor to climb down. Finding the soldier was an interesting endeavor but Facebook is very handy for such things. I eventually found just the right guy who lived 8 miles from the monument Paul wanted to use as the basis for the photo. Ladder, check. Soldier, check. Next we set a date.

It was the perfect day in September with no clouds and great sun so we didn’t really need strobes or lights. I shot many photos of the monument alone at different angles: low, standing, on a ladder and even lying down in order to have enough for the Photoshop demigod to complete the concept. Second we propped my homemade ladder on top of an aluminum ladder all in front of the monument in order to have the same lighting from the sun and had Scotty (our soldier) “climb” down. Actually all he did was stand there while I clicked away. Perfect.

After 45 minutes of shooting we were done. I handed Paul the memory card and he got the images to the retoucher. Between the retoucher (who also easily made our live solider, Scotty, to look like he was indeed made of limestone) and Paul the finished product was better than anyone of us imagined.

As a followup of this project I met up with a group of the Alabama Reenactors in October where they engage in reenactments in order to get portraits of them for my own personal project. I had my assistant wear a back pack with a battery pack and a strobe on a monopod to engage the guys (and girls) in a portrait. I believe these are some of the coolest portraits I have ever taken. I hope you agree. I know with the photos being in color isn’t true to the period but the colors were so awesome I couldn’t make them black and white.

To see more of Alan Matthews work go to his website and Altpick.com page.

Posted in Altpick, Photography | Tagged Alabama, Alabama Division of Civil War Reenactors, alan matthews, Birmingham, Civil War, Reenactors | Leave a comment

Sportsman of the Year by Bill Frakes

Posted on January 8, 2014 by The Pick

by Bill Frakes

The Sportsman of the Year issue of Sports Illustrated features a photograph of Peyton Manning by SI staff photographer John McDonough.

Peyton is having an incredible year. One more brilliant season in an amazing career. Thirty seven years old. Fifty-five regular season touchdowns.

I shot Peyton’s first SI cover. In New Orleans, on a racquetball court I converted into studio. We were in and out quickly. He was perfect.

But that wasn’t the first time Peyton was in front of my camera. I’ve been lucky to photograph him – and the rest of the Manning family – many times. My first shoot with Peyton was years before, but he wasn’t the main subject of that story. His dad, Archie, was.

It wasn’t the second time he was in front of my camera either. That happened when when I went to New Orleans to do a piece on Peyton, the most sought after recruit in the country. I went to one of his football games, had breakfast with he and his mom, and watched as he sorted through seemingly endless boxes of recruitment letters.

I was in Oxford years later doing a story on Eli, the youngest Manning brother. Peyton was in town, and we agreed to meet in the Grove — the legendary center of the Ole Miss campus. A place special to all of us. Walking through the beautiful cluster of trees, Peyton turned to me and said “You’re the professional Bill, just remember that I am taller.” Eli smirked and I laughed. It was never in doubt. As usual, Peyton came prepared, wearing cowboy boots with heels, and Eli was in running shoes. Classic.

Peyton and Eil Manning in the Grove at Ole Miss

Through the years, Peyton has always been friendly and gracious. He always says hello and extends his hand, unprompted. A gentleman through and through. The grace comes naturally. The Mannings are a unique blend of sports royalty and the folks next door. Once, when I was staying at the Windsor Court hotel, the concierge called my room excitedly and announced, “Mr. Bill, come quick! Archie Manning – his own self – is here to pick you up!”

McDonough I have known much longer. Since I was 17 actually, and that wasn’t yesterday. I was a freshman at Arizona State, where John was getting a second undergraduate degree. Separated by a continent, we’ve stayed close with constant conversations about photography, music — storytelling. When we were kids, he would spend hours making a single print for reproduction — most photographers would be satisfied with a try or two. Not John, just like now everything he shot, it had to be perfect. I value his friendship and respect his immense talent and drive.

Just like Peyton’s.

PEYTON MANNING AFTER ANNOUNCING HE WILL STAY FOR LAST YEAR AT TENNESSEE

To see more of Bill Frakes’ work go to his website and Altpick page.

Posted in Altpick, Photography | Tagged archie manning, arizona state, bill frakes, eli manning, john mcdonough, ole miss, oxford, peyton manning, si magazine, sports, sports illustrated | Leave a comment

Janice Fried :: The Violin

Posted on January 3, 2014 by The Pick

by Janice Fried

When I was in the third grade we were given the opportunity to play an instrument.

Since my beloved grandfather played the violin I decided on that.

My grandfather Frank was self-taught in everything he did. Art and music were his passions and those passions were passed along to his children and grandchildren.

He made his living as a painter/decorator painting murals, doing wood graining or marbleizing on walls in office buildings or in private homes. He supported four children on painting. He painted for a living and he painted because he loved it. He’d paint old wine bottles or furniture he’d find on the street and make them into beautiful art objects.

He painted constantly and when he wasn’t painting, he was playing his violin.

He loved to tell stories about how when he first came to this country he used to wait by the stage door at Carnegie Hall for Jascha Heifetz and offer to carry his violin for him. My grandfather was also a wonderful storyteller.

I continued to play the violin through high school in various orchestras and for school plays. It was only when I decided to make art my focus did I give it up.

Last spring I learned that the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra did a fundraiser each concert season where they asked artists to paint an actual violin that would be auctioned off to support various education programs that the orchestra sponsored.

I applied and was accepted as one of the artists for the 2013-2014 season.

In late July I received an unvarnished violin . We were told we could pick a composer or a program or a particular piece of music to illustrate on the violin. I had a few months to complete it.

I chose to interpret the orchestra’s winter program of Gustav Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde” (Song of the Earth) and a piece by a contemporary Chinese composer, Tan Dun whose “Earth Sonata” would be premiered. Both of these pieces were based on poetry by the 8th c. Chinese poet Li Bai.

I wanted to work in my usual style of watercolor, colored pencil and collage but I wasn’t sure how any of it would translate on wood. I used a small paddle from a paddleball toy as a test board.

I decided to paint the front of the violin in a Chinese style and the back and sides in a Vienna 1900 style a la Gustav Klimt.

I created the tuning pegs out of bamboo to imitate a Chinese stringed instrument.

I loved working on this project and working on wood was a revelation for me.

My grandfather died twenty years ago and I miss him. He used to love to laugh at his own jokes and say “That was a good one!”

But I’m not joking when I say I loved painting this violin.

That was a good one.

To see more of Janice Fried’s work go to her website and Altpick page.

Posted in Altpick, Illustrations | Tagged janice fried, music, violin | Leave a comment

Holiday Cards from Altpick Members :: Merry! Merry!

Posted on December 20, 2013 by The Pick

Each year The Alternative Pick receives many wonderful holiday cards from our members. We decided to take some time to share these beautiful, and sometimes funny, works of art. In the spirit of the holiday season, enjoy the celebration of family and friends. Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous 2014!

Copyright by Sarah J Coleman/Inkymole Illustration

Photography by Brian Smale

Illustration by Mark Summers

Photography by Brian Smale

Posted in Altpick, Art, Illustrations, Photography | Tagged alessandra olanow, alessandro bonaccorsi, Alex Nabaum, ali smith, bella pilar, brian smale, cathi mingus, chad geran, chuck gonzales, craig larotonda, dana hursey, dorit thies, Doug McGoldrick, eleanor grosch, erika lebarre, gant powell, gayle kabaker, Giovannina Colalillo, huan tran, inkymole, Johanna Goodman, jordan hollender, ken richardson, kevin hauff, Kim Rosen, kristofer dan-bergman, lemonade, Leslie Jean-Bart, Lisa Predko, lynne foster, magnet reps, Mark Summers, michael gellatly, michael morgenstern, morgan gaynin, Oliver Wetter, Paul Garland, paula romani, phil bliss, Philippe de Kemmeter, Red Nose Studio, revelation studios, robert houser, Sarah Coleman, scott lowden, Stefano Morri, studio caswell, tracy mattocks, Webb Chappell, Whitney Sherman, yuriko katori | Leave a comment

Altpick.com 2013 Year in Review

Posted on December 19, 2013 by The Pick

Altpick Members’ news image round-up will continue over the next few weeks with design and animation, but here’s what we have so far:

Photography Part I, Photography Part II, Illustration Part I, Illustration Part II

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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The Pick

Congratulations to the Exhibitng Artists for The Society of Illustrators 56 Book & Editorial Show

This Week in Review :: Photographers Jon Blacker, Bob Coscarelli, William Hennessey, Philip Rostron

Today’s Member Focus :: Imagemaker Philip Rostron

Altpick.com Reports 01.29.14 :: Members News

Photographer Ali Smith Picks Her Favorites

Civil War Reenactors by Alan Matthews

Sportsman of the Year by Bill Frakes

Janice Fried :: The Violin

Holiday Cards from Altpick Members :: Merry! Merry!

Altpick.com 2013 Year in Review

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