Elton and the Tree Giant

This image is for a children's book idea that I have been working on. The image is based on a sketchbook drawing that I decided to take to a finished illustration. I went through several variations of the giant, some ranging from more menacing to just down right strange. I finally decided on a more simple design that is actually closer to the original sketch. The image was drawn on tinted paper with graphite and white colored pencil and later colored in Photoshop.

sketchbook

My sketchbook section on my website is in need of updating, so I have been focusing a lot more on drawing in my little black book. For me the sketchbook is a place to create without planning ahead and getting caught up in the final outcome. Things need to evolve naturally without fear of destroying the final image. This sketch was on the brink of disaster many times forcing me to involve new strategies and mediums to bring it back to life. There are plenty of pages in my sketchbook that are beyond saving, however these images are more important than the one above.

American Illustration 26!

I am happy to announce that the spot illustration above will be featured in the next American Illustration annual. I am overwhelmed with glee and warm feelings throughout my incredibly sculpted body. I honestly could not be happier about being chosen for my first big contest. Let us all pray that this is not the last.

Punk Ballerina

Just finished this image for The Pitch weekly. The piece was done for the calendar section announcing the ballet performance of Karole Armitage who was dubbed the "Punk Ballerina" by Vanity Fair. As you can see I decided to put the punk dancers in a dark and whimsical forest. If you look at my portfolio you will see that this is a rarity for me.

SUPERBOWL PARTIES!

This illustration was done for the Pitch's calendar section. It was a challenge for me in that there was no opportunity for me to utilize any creepy, dark elements that I like to play with. This one had to be straight up fun and bright. Seriously, if you can't have a sense of humor about a Superbowl illustration than you should rethink your agenda in life. For me this was an excellent exercise in learning to be light and provide a fun and stylized image that still looks like one of my own.

KJHK

This image was done for the local college radio station. I like to fit as much narrative as possible into my illustrations and with this one I really had a lot of fun fitting in the various details in an attempt to tell a layered story in a single image.

wolf!

This was an image for Little Red Riding Hood that was part of an entire Fairy Tale series. I was lucky enough to have it featured in issue number five of the Creative Quarterly magazine. I was honored to be included in a very talented line up of illustrators.

Sonic Spectrum

This is another piece for Lawrence.com about Robert Moore, the host of the radio show Sonic Spectrum. This is the first portrait I've done in quite some time and I had forgotten how much fun they are to do. I'm planning on doing several more in the near future.

The Nutcracker

This was a piece I did for The Pitch to announce a perfomance of the Nutcracker in Kansas City. I was asked to keep things light and fun which can at times be a challenge for me. The color palette is different for me as well as the layout.

Welcome!!

Welcome to my new blog. I will be posting all of my most recent works here as well as recent news and upcoming events. Please visit my online portfolio at www.jalexstamos.com.