{"id":1627,"date":"2009-04-07T00:01:26","date_gmt":"2009-04-07T06:01:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1627"},"modified":"2009-04-07T00:02:02","modified_gmt":"2009-04-07T06:02:02","slug":"random-illustrator-feature-bill-carman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1627","title":{"rendered":"Random Illustrator Feature: Bill Carman"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FineTwo really good things came out of our recent Dave McKean interview<\/strong><\/a>: First (the obvious), the fact that WE GOT TO CHAT WITH DAVE MCKEAN, for which we gave seven loud WOOT!<\/font><\/em>s; second, that all kinds of folks came along to respond to his art work and unique artistic vision. My very favorite thing about blogging is the community of readers we have here. You all are my colleagues now, since I’m sitting at home, while temporarily away from librarianship, working in my PJs, chasing a couple kids, and blogging from my kitchen. Your collective wisdom and wit and wicked-funny funny-bones play a large part in Making My Day. <\/p>\n

But I digress. But only just slightly, because—speaking of comments—a third good thing happened: An artist and professor of art, heretofore unbeknownst to me (he was featured in Blogging for a Cure 2007 by another blogger, but then so were over 175 other illustrators<\/strong><\/a>), left a comment at the McKean interview. And, as is often the case, I went exploring at the link to which he attached his name<\/strong><\/a>. And I was instantly drawn in by the works on display there at his blog, his alluring contemporary fantastic art. I asked him if he’d like to stop by for one of my Random Illustrator Features, and lucky for me, he said yes. His name is Bill Carman<\/strong><\/a>, he received his MFA from Brigham Young University, and—as you’ll read below—he is a designer, artist (as in fine art<\/strong><\/a>), illustrator (as in, well…illustration<\/strong><\/a>, of course), and teacher<\/strong><\/a>. And, as is also often the case, I asked if he’d like to say anything about his work. So, here is Bill Carman, in his own words, and lots of his art work. (Please see alt tags for image titles.)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Many thanks to Bill for stopping by…Enjoy. <\/p>\n

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\"Watering\"<\/p>\n

“<\/font>I\u2019ve come to think of myself as a monastic mad scientist who is most happy in his secret lab\/studio. Well, I\u2019m also happy laughing at people on TV with my family. Oh yeah, and walking my two pugs and Siberian husky. And, of course, being on a river with fly rod in hand isn\u2019t bad either. <\/p>\n

\"Test
\n\"Frankenpug\"
\n\"Ronco\"
\n\"Powered<\/p>\n

I\u2019m fortunate in being able to do two of my favorite things to make money: making images and teaching. I teach at Boise State University<\/strong><\/a> and have illustrated, designed, and fine arted for more years than I would like to think. Clients such as Macmillan Publishing<\/strong><\/a>, Random House<\/strong><\/a>, Opera Idaho<\/strong><\/a>, Boise Contemporary Theater<\/strong><\/a>, LucasArts<\/strong><\/a>, Susan Komen Foundation<\/strong><\/a>, among many others have kept me busy between gallery shows. I did a children\u2019s picture book with Random House, published in 2002, called <\/em>What\u2019s That Noise?<\/strong><\/a> {pictured below}. <\/p>\n


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\n<\/p>\n

I have since done some cover work for a couple of different publishers and am currently working on the cover for a re-release of a Polly Horvath<\/strong><\/a> book, <\/em>The Canning Season<\/strong><\/a>. I would really love to do another picture book but seem to have trouble finding time to flesh out manuscripts. It will come though. Another blockbuster. <\/p>\n

\"Bluringed\"
\n\"On\"We're<\/p>\n

I notice that your site is a big supporter<\/strong><\/a> of Robert\u2019s Snow<\/strong><\/a>. I did three snowflakes for that cause and enjoyed every second. <\/em>{Ed. Note: Here<\/strong><\/a> is Liz Burns’ feature on Bill for the 2007 Blogging for a Cure event. Click here<\/strong><\/a> to see his fabulous rabbit-warrior snowflake from that year.} I seem to be drawn to pro-bono things like Komen<\/strong><\/a>, the Arthritis Foundation<\/strong><\/a>, local theaters, etc. Not only good causes but a chance to fill the world with good visuals. <\/p>\n

Obviously, I have trouble settling in to something, but that has been one advantage, and disadvantage, of teaching<\/strong><\/a>. I get to play a lot without worrying where the next paycheck will come from. <\/p>\n

\"Breeze\"
\n
\n\"Red
\n\"Itatestan\"
\n\"I
\n\"Rahrah\"<\/p>\n

I love your site. Children\u2019s book work is some of the best illustration being done today. And I believe that books will continue to be a great platform for writers and illustrators. Come and check out my blog for a weird and possibly wonderful view into me: billcarman.blogspot.com<\/strong><\/a>.“<\/font><\/em><\/font><\/p>\n

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And, in case you missed it up top, here are other spots in which to find Bill’s work:<\/p>\n