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January 5, 2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!
With struggling economy, it may not be the right time to use the word "happy", but it is still a new year, so, happy new year to everyone. Let's hope 2009 will be a start of a new era. Here are my "new year's resolutions"... |
editorial, editorial
Last year, I wasn't able to do a lot of editorial illustrations, but I am feeling good finally getting back into it, creating many new pieces for many new (and some familiar) clients now.
2008 ended with a fun portrait for TIME Magazine's Person of the Year issue illustrating the one and only: Zhang Yimou, so honored to be able to draw him. To kick off 2009, two illustrations appeared on the cover of Boston Globe Ideas Section yesterday. (Yes, that means, I worked on January 1st!)
shows / lectures and school visits in works
I will keep squeezing in travels in my schedule to come meet you! So join me when I am there.
In January 23, I will be in Germany for Embedded Art exhibit opening at Akademie der Kunst in Berlin. (Hope it is won't be as cold as it is now!)
In February, I will be coming to Washington University in St. Louis, thanks to the invite of my former studio-mate and super talented John Hendrix.
In March, I am scheduled to be in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico thanks to the kind invitation from Amarillo Centro de Diseno. A show and lecture are scheduled. aspiring illustrators and students in Mexico, come come! Looking forward to meeting you there.
Also in March, I will be judging a children's book illustration competition organized by Teatrio in Chiaggio, Italy. They are still accepting applications. So, please apply your awesome works!
new products!
My first line of T-shirts are in works! If everything goes smooth, three designs are going to hit your favorite American casual three-letter- brand-you-know-who stores nation-wide (and maybe world-wide) in late spring for their Summer '09 collection.
Also, as I wrote a few weeks ago, The CIA Super Hero Calendar is selling like hot cakes! Thank you thank you thank you to those who purchased the calendar. if you haven't gotten your copy yet, you can read more below.
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December 18, 2008
December 16, 2008
SHOWS, SHOWS.
I am going through the end-of-the-year-crunch-time, so more details will be posted when everything slows down during the big holiday season.
Anyway,
there are a few different exhibitions going on now as well as scheduled in early 2009. More details are in SHOWS & EVENTS SECTION.
I donated a print (right) to a charity show at Ogilvy Art, and the end of auction is this week. If you are interested in purchasing my print, which I normally don't sell, it is a good time, and for a great cause.
Read more here.
Also, a group show at Akademie der Künste (Academy of Art) in Berlin, Germany in January. I will be there for the opening.
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November 20, 2008
happy thanksgiving
Hello. I am away up to Thanksgiving weekend. I will be back to my studio on December 1. If you need to reach me while I am gone, the best way is to e-mail. I should be checking e-mail at least once a day.
Thank you and have a great Thanksgiving.
INQ MOBILE LAUNCH
INQ mobile has just launched in the UK. INQ is the world's first Social Mobile, always stay connected to Skype, Facebook and Windows Live Message.
INQ features various artists' work on their packaging and promotion. from our SHY Studio, Marcos Chin, Sara Varon and I got chosen to be included in launching artist group. You can see our contributing images as well as other artists works on INQ ART ALLIANCE page.
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November 11, 2008
SPECTRUM 15
I was teaching my regular Tuesday morning class today when my sci-fi-fantasy-fan-student Jason told me he saw my work in SPECTRUM 15 which just came out. I had no idea what he was talking about. So he went back to his dorm room to get a copy. This is how I found out They Came From Below cover (below left) for TOR BOOKS (written by Blake Nelson, AD: Irene Gallo) got accepted into the annual. Thank you Irene for applying, you made my day. |
AMERICAN ILLUSTRATION 27
American Illustration 27 is coming out this Thursday. I have two images accepted into this prestigious annual this year (center and left). Thank you judges.
There will be a big annual publishing party. Come by.
Updated and organized AWARDS page of ILLUSTRATIONS SECTION.
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November 7, 2008
SANDMAN FIRST ISSUE IS NOW IN STORES
The Sandman The Dream Hunters just hit the comic book stores near you. I got my own copy messengered from DC Vertigo this morning.
My very first DC cover! I have illustrated a lot of things, but "first" is always, always exciting. |
This gig came through a rather unexpected route.
Nicholas Blechman, art director at The New York Times Book Review, contacted me a few years ago to draw a portrait of Neil Gaiman. Nicholas thought I would be a perfect fit to illustrate the writer who deals a lot with dreams. A few weeks later when the Book Review came out, my studio phone rang. On the other end of the line was, to my big surprise, Neil Gaiman himself. He gave me the nicest compliment by saying this was the first time he saw a portrait that actually looked like him. Later on I got contacted by editors of DC Vertigo asking if I am interested in possibly drawing one of Neil's stories into graphic novel, which I had to turn down. I have been illustrating for a while, also a lot of my closest friends are comic artists. I knew very well what it takes to be a comic artist, and I knew I didn't qualify.
I had been in touch with wonderful editors from DC Comics (Karen Barger and Pornsak Pichetshote) since. There were multiple ideas and project that came and went. Finally, the first project came that actually worked out, that was this four volume series of SANDMAN. And it was such a fun project to work on. Thank you Neil, thank you Karen and Pornsak.
Cover illustrations are uploaded to RECENT ILLUSTRATIONS SECTION. |
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October 31, 2008
Happy Halloween. Just added 4 new images in RECENT ILLUSTRATION SECTION.
I am hoping to add all the SANDMAN covers to the site by the first issue publishing date. So, please stay tuned.. |
October 30, 2008
October 27, 2008
SANDMAN COVERS ARE DONE
This weekend, I worked on the 4th SANDMAN covers for DC Vertigo. It will be sent out to my editor early Monday morning, and my Sandman gig is done.
It is a Neil Gaiman classic with a Japanese twist. Beautiful interior drawings were done by P. Craig Russell.The first issue is due out in stores on November 5th. I hope you go to a comic book store near you to pick it up.
I will post all the covers to the site soon. (As always, I am slow on updating Illustration section.) Big thank you to Neil, Karen and Pornsak.
BELIEVE THE TYPE
Economy may struggle and future may look uncertain, but don't forget to enjoy life a bit.
Last Thursday, a fun group show organized by The Ebeling Group of LA, "BELIEVE THE TYPE" opened at Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide Plaza here in New York City. Please read the details on SHOWS & EVENTS SECTION.
Unfortunately, this show is in Ogilvy office space and not open to general public. If you happened to work with/for Ogilvy, please visit their 8th floor show space.
Thank you Mick Ebeling for inviting me to the show and Blair Milbourne for getting all the digital prints done. |
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October 18, 2008
AMERICANS, VOTE!
On the right is one of the set designs I made for SHOP ETC. Magazine around the time of last presidential election. The magazine does not exist anymore and these photos were never printed, but I thought it was an appropriate image to show right now.
Americans, please vote. Change is in your hands.
FAQ is COMPLETE (well, almost)
I have worked on and off on FAQ SECTION in between work and teaching schedule for about two weeks now. I think it is very close to done, if not complete already.
At first, I started writing to make a small section to send the visitors to the right pages on my site, but it eventually grew into sort of a mini-self-help for students and young illustrators.
I tried to describe answers in short and simple form as possible so aspiring illustrators in any level can understand. |
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October 7, 2008
FAQ STILL IN WORKS
I worked a bit more on FAQ SECTION, added some advise for young illustrators and my opinion on formal art education. I think I will keep working on this section for a while. So, please come back often and check out when you have a moment. |
October 6, 2008
FAQ SECTION IS NOW LIVE
School year at SVA has started a month ago. Luckily, it looks like I have a really motivated and hardworking small(er) group of students this year.
My school has started, that means so is everyone else's school. And my in-box quickly started filling up with questions and requests from young illustrators and illustration / design students from different schools.
Ideally, I want to write back to everyone, but that's unrealistic with very limited amount of time I have. So, I finally put together FAQ SECTION. It answers the most common questions I get , as well as links to other sections that may answer the questions students/young illustrators may have.
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October 3, 2008
YUKO IS BACK TO THE STUDIO
I had so much fun spending time with faculty and students from Virginia Commonwealth University. Big thank you to everyone, especially to: a senior Raven Herrera for arranging everything, faculty Sterling Hundley and Tin Salamunic for taking me around and help me arranging my disastrous trip back to New York.
(La Guardia got shut down for a day, and I had to take a long Amtrak ride back to Penn Station. Yikes!)
And, yes, Yuko will be in her studio for a while. .......OK, it may be a lie. I may have a possible London business trip this month, but I will definitely post the details if it happens. Anyway, happy weekend everyone. |
September 24, 2008
Studio is currently closed
I am away to Richmond, Virginia to give a lecture and a workshop at Virginia Commonwealth University. I also have some other matters to take care of outside of my studio, so I won't be back into the studio till October 1st. I will be checking my e-mail occasionally. Thank you! |
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TWO NEW GOOD BOOKS!
I spoke about designer Mike Perry's new book OVER & OVER (far right) earlier. I finally posted my feature pages.
It is just a beautiful little book.
Great gift idea for those with really good taste, and just a wonderful source of inspirations for artists. I LOVE IT!
Thank you Mike. We will meet in person soon.
Also, Hong Kong's Victionary came out with yet another nicely designed project, MUSIKRAPHICS. This book has lots of interesting Chinese and Japanese music graphics we usually don't have easy access to. It is so fun to look at!
Thank you everyone at Victionary, as always..
Also added a few other older missing press in PRESS SECTION. |
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September 22, 2008
Happy first day of Autumn! I caught a mild cold already, can you believe it? I am going to Virginia Commonwealth University for a lecture and workshop this Thursday, so I better get well soon.
NOW SHOWING is now showing in Barcelona
Opening event of group show NOW SHOWING (see last post for details) in Barcelona had a huge turnout last Thursday. Thank you for everyone who went. I wasn't able to leave New York this time, but my Spanish friends sent me this fun photo collage (right). Big thank you to my dearest: Muntsa Vicente and Marcos Martin, Alvaro Lopez, Kano, Raul Allen and Raquel Aparicio. The show is up till October 18th.
I usually don't sell prints of my work, but Midnight Cowboy poster is officially for sale. It is to fund this awesome show to travel to different counties. if you are interested, check it out here, and you can also see some more photos from the opening.
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September 15, 2008
September 6, 2008
August 30, 2008
SHOWS in AUSTRALIA and SPAIN
Two group shows I am in will be traveling to Melbourne, Australia and Barcelona, Spain in September. Unfortunately I don't think I can come to the receptions this time, but if you happened to be in either one of the cities, I hope you come stop by.
To read the details of the shows, please go to SHOWS & EVENTS section. |
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VENICE ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP follow up
Ah, I think I left my heart in Venice. It was so much fun I keep thinking about it....
I just posted some photos to share with you our good memories.
i am not sure if it will happen again next year, but if it does, I will let you know as soon as I get the schedule.
Also, I am going back to Venice in March 2009 to judge an international illustration competition organized by the same Teatrio. They will announce the details soon. I will post here once it becomes official. Please stay tuned.
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August 26, 2008
| YUKO IS BACK TO THE STUDIO |
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I finished teaching a week-long workshop in Venice, Italy, and just got back to New York City.
It was such a nice experience with all the motivated illustrators from all over Italy, Spain, and some even from Canada and Korea. Big thank you to everyone who participated, and to the organizer Teatrio. Hope to do it again in future.
I will post some photos from the workshop soon.
SEE MY STUDIO ON LOST AT E MINOR
Friends over at Lost At E Minor posted photos of my studio today. If you are interested, please take a look. It is not a big studio, but cozy with lots of sun from big windows and really nice people; Katie, Marcos and Sara.
AOI IMAGES 32 CAME OUT
British Association of Illustrators' competition annual IMAGES 32 (right) just came out. I participated in judging the student category, and saw lots of nice and strong work. Congratulations to the winners. |
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August 14, 2008
STUDIO IS CURRENTLY CLOSED
Yuko Shimizu Studio is currently closed due to a business trip. I will be in Venice, Italy to teach a week-long illustration workshop.
I am scheduled to be back on August 25th. Thank you. |
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| OLYMPICS, OLYMPICS! |
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It feels like I have constantly worked on various Olympics related projects since early spring.
I just updated NEW ILLUSTRATIONS page and added two VISA billboard images for Russia and Eastern European market (right).
There are some more coming out soon in Asia on NiKE Women websites as well as in Germany an advertising for Apotheke (German pharmacists) who is a sponsor for Paralympics. I will update the site when the ads are out. |
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August 11, 2008
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new book by Mike Perry OVER & OVER – A Catalog Of Hand-Drawn Patterns –
Designer Mike Perry makes great books. All my graphic designer friends have his previous book Hand Job in their studio, and they adore it.
His new book OVER & OVER – A Catalog Of Hand-Drawn Patterns – just came out from Princeton Architectural Press. (Or should I say just about to come out? Some bookstores already carry it.) And, I'm excited to let you know that some of my works are featured in this book.
I will post some pages when I get my hands on the actual copy. For now, you can sneak peek some images on Mike's site as well as on blog design:related, who posted photo of my spread as well.
Big thanks and congratulations to Mike. |
double feature in ART AND DESIGN magazine
I have some articles in Chinese magazine Art and Design June issue (right).
One is a feature called Designer Immigrants in America, interviewed artists in various practices who has chosen US as the work base.
Another article is on designer Stefan Sagmeister's new book Things I have Learned In My Life So Far, which I have a mini-write up in.
This issue also features School of Visual Arts, where I studied illustration and where I now teach.
Thank you Emma Cheung and Wu Di of Art And Design, also my SVA professor MIrko Ilic for recommending me for the interview. |
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August 7, 2008
Thank you for everyone who has signed up for my illustration workshop. I have already started talking to some of them to come up with curriculum that suits each one of the participants. I am excited to come back to Venice next week and meet everyone.
In the meantime, I am working A LOT to finish up deadlines before the trip. And here are some updates on what is going on in my (work) life... |
SHOW IN JWT LONDON
My agent over in the UK, CIA, has organized a small but nice show at advertising agency JWT London to feature represented artists' work. Here are some photos (right). I have one piece in this show.
my first DC VERTIGO cover
I just finished my first DC VERTIGO cover for Neil Gaiman's Sandman – The Dream Hunters –. This four volume mini-series is scheduled to be out starting November. Thank you Neil, Karen and Pornsak.
OTHER BOOK PROJECTS
Moribito part 2 illustrations are about to be completed, the book is scheduled to be out early next year. Another book cover is in progress with fantastic book designer I so respect, Rodrigo Corral.
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July 23, 2008
Hi, hope everyone is having a nice summer (if you are in Northern Hemisphere) !
I know, I haven't been updating my site much since I got back from Germany. I am flying over the pond again back to Venice for a workshop in less than a month, so I have so much to catch up. I have just been workingworkingworking.. |
PROJECT updates
There are some exciting new projects I am working on internationally:
new book covers for Italy and Denmark,
Olympics related secret project in Asia, just finished up my first illustration in Australia for Boss Magazine,
and, a possible participation in a show in Barcelona, Spain in Fall which I am working on
with my dear friend Harri Kuhn of German design studio Mischen Berlin. I will post the details when the events get finalized.
Last month in Germany, I worked together with Thilo Rothacker on his weekly illustrations for Vanity Fair Germany. Here are some photos of us working in his AWESOME Stuttgart studio.
The results? You can see them in Vanity Fair German edition now till around August.
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| FUSE TV POSTER CAMPAIGN updates |
Before I took off to Germany in June, there was a big party to launch this new FUSE ad campaign. I posted some photos (near right).
And, thank you for those people who have been kindly sending me photos and info of my FUSE poster sightings in New York subway stations (far right). Although I live here, I have actually not bumped into one yet myself. Bummer. |
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July 8, 2008
| VENICE ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP updates |
My illustration workshop organized by Associazione Culturale Teatrio in Venice is still accepting a few more applicants. Since there is not much time left, please contact Teatrio directly by e-mailing info@teatrio.com or teatrio@gmail.com to check for availability. You can read more about this workshop here.
A few days ago, I posted here about the schedule change. But the organizers decided to go with the original schedule, August 16-21. I'm sorry for the comfusion.
Looking forward to seeing you there! |
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July 3, 2008
Yuko is back in the studio
I am back to New York. I had so much fun lecturing and giving crits at different art schools, meeting people, hanging out with designers and illustrators to get inspired.
I wanted to especially thank these people for being so kind during my stay in Germany and France.
in Berlin and Dresden: Monika and Katrin Aichele, Mareike Dittmer, Michael Okraj, Kyoko, Michael von Erlenbach and Kathrin Ruhlig of Erlenbach Kunstschule, Alberto Franco Flores and Harri Kuhn
in Nuremberg: Pfof. Friederike Girst and Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Nürnberg, Prof. Alexandra Kardinar and Ohm Hochschule, Minh Trinh
in Stuttgart: Alexia Angelopoulou, Thilo Rothacker, Merz Akademie and Christian Schwarm
In Munich: Axel Schmid, Monika Aicheele, Tomoko Nagata Blasig, Georg Thiersch and Soniabom
in Paris: Thilo Rothacker and Pierre Jouve Henri
Thank you everyone for the wonderful time and experience.
And, happy July 4th weekend to everybody in the U.S. |
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