Two avid literature and children's books lovers, Julie Danielson and Eisha Prather, write a blog called "Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast". Its one to bookmark since they are really active and post tons of great stuff. So I was really flattered that they asked if they could do a little piece about "Four Feet, Two Sandals" and anything else I wanted to show. The article is here. Its part of a weekly feature feature called "7-Imp Kicks" where they feature an illustrator and talk about their latest projects. Those guys are also part of a group of bloggers that have a list called the "Cybil's" where they vote for their favorite young adult and picture books of the year, and "Four Feet" made the cut. Thanks to Julie and Eisha for sharing my work with their readers!
Also, my twin brother Jim Chayka was back home for Christmas and we got together to do this little recording at our friend Tom Carlyle's. If you didn't know, you'll hear that Jim plays a mean banjo. He's in a couple bands out in San Franscisco, one of 'em is called 49 Special. This tune is called "Gold Rush", an old bluegrass tune, and that's me on guitar filling up the space for him.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Western Promises
This illustration is my latest for The Nation (Jan 7/14, 2008). I don't usually get asked to work with dark themes like this so it was a welcome challenge. The article is titled Western Promises, written by Marc Perelman, and is a review of Florence Hartmann's new book "Peace and Punishment: The Secret Wars of Politics and International Justice". In short, the book deals with the West's inability, or even unwillingness, to prevent atrocities like the 1995 massacre in Srebrenica, Bosnia, and questions the ability of international courts to bring justice to those responsible.
This one was done mostly the old-fashioned way with watercolor and acrylic but on two different layers, one for the statue and one for the background. I wanted to have a lot of contrast in texture and tone between the white of the statue and the inky, dark cloud, so I combined the two paintings digitally.
Editors: John Palattella and Christine Smallwood
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