BILL BITES: BE AVAILABLE AND BE USEFUL

Issue #1, by Bill Russell

I have become more pragmatic in my career as an illustrator. Five years ago, I took a job at the San Francisco Chronicle as a staff artist in part to sharpen my skills within it's imposing corporate demands and deadlines. I wanted to try on the mantle of visual journalist. I wanted to make original images and make the newspaper page beautiful again. I think the newspaper needed me and I needed the task.

Recently the editor of the Op-Ed page needed a portrait of Arnold Schwartzenegger for a series of stories about what our new Governor of California needs to know in order to improve our state. She said, "Can you make it a half page black and white? Can he have him holding his hand up to his ear like he's listening to us? It's got to look like him. Can he look heroic but not robotic? And can you do it by 5:00?" I told her no problem as my adrenaline began to pump. I found the reference, I did the concept thumbnails, approved a final sketch and completed the portrait in 3 hours. Here it is. Judge for yourself. This is but one example of the requests I get. They're all part of a necessary education. Call it boot camp. I got soft as a freelancer.

Recently an illustrator came by the paper to show me his portfolio. Without commenting on the stylish and technical quality of his work, I should say it's content was wholly lacking in usefulness. I'm sure he enjoyed making these pieces but to me it wasn't enough. I spared him these thoughts and suggested he work on his fine art. It reminded me that I gave up teaching a few years ago in part because I couldn't get through to my illustration students the importance of making pictures that were practical as well as beautiful.

So is illustration dead, as some say? It will be if we don't get smarter about it. My call to illustrators is to take up the challenge. Make yourself useful. Become an expert at something besides illustration. Be active and creative in your communities, perform, spend time with children, listen to business people, tell stories and solve problems and don't give up being an artist. Be available. Jump when they say jump and do it with heart.

Comments, etc. to Bill@Billustration.com

BILL RUSSELL

A Guild member for 18 years, Bill has been a freelance illustrator for over 25 years in Toronto, New York and the Bay Area. He taught illustration at California College of the Arts (formerly CCAC) for eight years and been a staff artist at the San Francisco Chronicle for five years. His contributions to various Guild efforts include volunteering on the North Bay Luncheon Committee, a successful North Bay Sales Tax event, the Image and Outreach Committee, and the Repeal of the California Sales Tax on artwork. Bill also writes press releases for the Guild and is one of the original All-Rights Refusniks.
To view his work and other musings, visit www.Billustration.com.