Illustration Exhibition Chair : Jaclyn

Shiho Pate www.shihopate.com

Bio: As a Japanese artist living in America, Shiho Pate is passionate about creating art for children. A graduate with honors from Savannah College of Art and Design – and a winner in the International Award Citta di Chioggia put on by the Associazione Culturale Teatrio of Venice – Shiho started her career as an artist for several indie gaming studios in NYC. In her ten plus years in that industry, she published many social games and mobile games but her passion has always been children’s book illustration. Now, with her recent move to Southern California, she has turned her focus to breaking into our industry. With a playful, bold style that combines all of her talents – gouache, watercolor and digital media – Shiho creates both warmth and a kind of simplistic imperfection in her work that is both endearing and enduring. Support and inspiration comes from her daughter, husband and an old yet, still very energetic Jack Russell Terrier.

Artist statement:

I have always had a strange connection to mice, as I was born in the year of the mouse, according to the Chinese zodiac. My family used to tease me that I looked like a mouse because of my big front teeth, but my grandfather said that this connection was special. As a child living in the UK, I was enamored with Graham Oakley’s book, The Church Mouse. I savored every little detail in that book—day dreaming about each mouse’s personality and backstory.

When I transitioned my career from game designer to children’s book illustrator, I remembered the mice from my childhood. My work explores and celebrates the mice that were always with me. They are adventurous, witty, curious creatures and I hope viewers can relate to one of them.

For the Exhibition:

Shiho will be submitting 8 new illustrations using watercolor and gouache. The theme will be adventures of mice. She is also interested in giving a workshop and selling prints.

Illustration Exhibition Chair : Jaclyn

Britt Spencer www.thebrittspencer.com

Bio:

Britt Spencer has been pumping out drawings and other such nonsense for the better part of a decade. He is currently living in Savannah, GA. He plays disc golf poorly. His work has been published internationally including 100’s of editorial spots, 3 children’s books and 1 graphic novel. He has earned recognition from the Society of Illustrators New York, the Society of Illustrators West, Communication Arts, New American Paintings and Art Prize's Juried Short List. He has had five solo exhibitions, Fireside Chats, Craft House, Art Prize, Grand Rapids, MI (2015), Marquis: Contez Fleurette, Blue Gallery, Lacoste, France (2014), Oddly enough, in the Alexander Brest Museum, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL (2014), The Dagnabit!!! at Hall Street Gallery, in Savannah, GA (2011) and Mythillogical held at the distinguished Pinnacle Gallery also in Savannah, GA (2006). He has also been invited to participate in various group exhibitions including Pulp Art, at the Carnegie Center of Art in New Albany, IN (2017), Widowmaker, at Rally Ossignton, Toronto, CA (2015), Brilliant Optics at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art in Fort Wayne, Indiana (2013); Nesting, a Russian nesting doll show at A. Okay Gallery in Chicago (2009); Mr. Beast's Grand Opening at Mr. Beast in Savannah (2010); Cowboys and Indians at the R and R in Los Angeles (2011); and EARTH: Fragile Planet at the Society of Illustrators in New York (2010). In addition, Britt has won entry into various juried exhibitions including the Society of Illustrators Annual Show 58 & 54 (2016, 2012); Small Works at the Gutstein Gallery in Savannah (2010); and Society of Illustrators West Annual Show held at Gallery Nucleus in Los Angeles (2009).

Illustration Exhibition Chair : Jaclyn

Artist Statement:

Simply put, If I get a commission for illustration; I read the text, consider the audience and try to create an image that’s relevant, good-looking, and consistent with work that I’ve done in the past. This is the general rule when working as an illustrator. Expanding on the general rule, you’ve got to have an identity as an illustrator. You’ve got to have a voice. My voice could be summarized by the following: I’ve always had an interest in figurative work, and more specifically, figures that are quite silly; exaggerated posture and expressions that match their equally humorous surroundings. I really like the non-heroic Everyman, characters that looks like they’re struggling, or otherwise incapable of the task at hand... and rarely in a static position despite they’re desperation. It would seem this combination of content and stylistic choices often leads to political satirization, caricature, and children’s books.

Partial Client List:

Amazon/ BBC/ BNET/ CNET/ College of Charleston/ DDB Advertising/ Euromoney/ Garden & Gun/ GQ/ MacFormat/ Men’s Health/ Nickelodeon/ One Peace Books/ Philomel Books for Young Readers/ Puffin Books for Young Readers/ Reader’s Digest/ Santa Fe Reporter/ Saturday Evening Post/ Ted Baker/ Washingtonian/ Weekly Standard/ WIRED

For the Exhibition: Britt will likely be including 7 or 8 gouache paintings that were commissioned by a publication in the editorial market. (See sample on previous page). He would be very willing to come to a workshop/ event/ reading if we can help him with the cost of travel.  He could provide screen prints to sell, and would love it if his graphic novel was available https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Starlight-Travelers-Universe-Everything/dp/1935548239 

Illustration Exhibition Chair : Jaclyn

Chris Hsu www.chrishsu.net

Bio: Born in Taiwan, and raised in Northeast Florida, Chris Hsu is a traditionally trained artist who has worked professionally in the fields of greeting cards, advertising, and animation. His work is heavily influenced by art history and music.  He has been a regular contributor with the Cricket Magazine group doing illustration work in their science and history-based titles, and is currently a background artist on the animated FX spy comedy, Archer.  His first children's picture book "The Boo-Boos that Changed The World" (Charlesbridge Publishing) will be released Spring 2018 and tells a humorous rendition of the true story of the invention of the band-aid. 

Artist Statement: In illustrating the narrative, my aim is to always complement and enhance the written text by staying true to the flow of the story, time period, and setting, but also giving the reader some surprises and additional visual information along the way.  I believe this is the core role of a story illustrator. 

For the Exhibition: Chris plans to focus on his narrative illustration work, done for the Cricket Magazine group, as well as from his upcoming picture book "The Boo-Boos That Changed The World" (www.amazon.com/author/chrishsu).  He has illustrations that went with articles for young readers about subjects like Marco Polo, Lowell Mill girls, Arabian Nights, Cleopatra, Space Cafeterias, and various folktales. All his work is digital.  Chris probably won't be available in the area for workshop or events. 

Illustration Exhibition Chair : Jaclyn

Hannah Gumbo www.hannahgumbo.com

Bio:

Hannah Gumbo is a multi-media artist currently working from her cozy studio in downtown Eunice, Louisiana. She received her BFA from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2012 with a concentration in painting. Whether through a variety of personal work, commissions, or commercial assignments, her vibrant and approachable style to mark-making will be sure to put a smile on your face. She can usually be found working on a variety of projects at once, hoarding garage sale finds she hopes to someday re-purpose, doing some serious procrastinating on Pinterest, and making art with whatever she can get her hands on.

Artist Statement:

I was raised on cornbread and milk, Paw Paws and Maw Maws with a Cajun tongue, and a large family of colorful characters that fought as hard as they loved. These Acadian roots stretch deep and wide in my heart and influence all the work that I put my hands to. The combination of energy, chaos, and mystery of Louisiana bubbles up as I create art that reflects the ever changing culture that

is “life in the South.”

For the Exhibition:

Hannah will be showing 8-10 illustrations that reflect a Louisiana lifestyle (see photos) and is willing to host a hands-on workshop. She is also interested in selling her market line of goods which include prints, patches, enamel pins, and tees.

Illustration Exhibition Chair : Jaclyn

Lindsay Ryden www.lindsayryden.com

Bio:

Lindsay Ryden is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, with a BFA in Painting. She is an Atlanta-based painter and illustrator whose work has been featured in Atlanta Magazine, The Bitter Southerner, Plywood People and Adweek, among others. Her solo shows include “Still” (Savannah, GA) and“Your Favorite Ex-Boyfriend” (Atlanta, GA). She has also exhibited work in several group shows, including locals such as: Paper Plane Gallery (College Park, GA), Arches Brewery (Hapeville, GA), and Octance Coffee (Atlanta, GA).

Artist Statement:

Lindsay enjoys inflicting her unique brand of humor on unsuspecting viewers. She loves listening to crackly vinyl, drawing her spirit animal cat, Nigel, and depicting the under-appreciated weirdness of the world around her. She encourages you to view these works with a grain of salt and a pinch of sweetness. Bridging generational gaps, and relating to all- to grandmother or best friend.

To bitter rivals, or passive aggressive roommates. She hopes these Real Life Musings make you smile, belly laugh, cry silently into your sleeve, or stare off into the distance, pondering life's complexities to the slow fade glow of a sunset...Or something.

For the Exhibition:

Lindsay plans on including a small number of simple black and white illustrations, based on a series of cards she creates, called, "Real Life Musings”. She is willing to sell prints/cards in additional to the originals.