New Website

I just wanted to let everyone officially know that my new site is up and running at http://www.andreakowchillustration.com/
Check it out!

Shawn Colvin's Album Covers

Shawn Colvin is, and always will be, one of my favorite music artists. Not only do I love the emotional depth and earthy mood of her tunes, but the fact that her album covers always feature incredible artwork makes me an even bigger fan. The amazing work of Julie Speed graced the cover of her hit album A Few Small Repairs, and was the inspiration behind the famous "Sunny Came Home" song. Colvin, herself, has said that the art serves as a starting point for her sometimes, and I love how she incorporates the artwork as a theme in her promo photos and music videos. Her latest album These Four Walls, features an artist that I never knew about until I looked her up today. . .WHOA!!! The artist's name is Maggie Taylor, and her work is some of the coolest digital collage work I have EVER seen. She uses historical photos and found objects, scans them and then, in Photoshop, creates these illusionary wonders. According to her website, she's going to be having a new book out soon. Really inspiring stuff:

CMYK Issue #40 Hits Newsstands!

The CMYK #40 Spring Issue containing the winners of the "Call for Aspiring Creatives" competition is finally out, folks! I just received my copy in the mail this week! Remember when I said it would really hit me, once I'd see it printed? (for those who missed my previous post explaining all this click here.) Well, I literally screamed when I opened to the page with my piece on it. Again, I am deeply honored to be showcased among the country's top up-and-coming illustration and design creatives; there's a wealth of inspiration and talent in these pages, and it's mind-blowing to be a part of it all. Make sure you go and pick up your copy, available where magazines are sold. You can also order one from their super cool website, http://www.cmykmag.com/.

"The Song of Hiawatha"

Finally got around to photographing some of my latest work. Here's the finished illustration for Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha that I spoke of earlier (see my previous post). I have to admit that the execution of this one was more challenging than usual - giving me a profound appreciation for landscape painters! Colorwise, it can get tricky if the scenery is complex, but I'm satisfied with the results. I've been wanting to do something like this for some time, so it was cool to finally undertake it.

Designed to be used as either a wrap-around book cover or full spread, I focused mainly on evoking the beauty of nature in conjunction with the quiet, noble power of the warrior in his solitude. Though the poem speaks much of Hiawatha's role as a fierce warrior, it sings of his qualities as a wise, honorable, and peaceful leader, above all; one who lived for his people, and one who always listened and communicated with the earth and living creatures around him.

"Art & Critique" Featured Article

Online art critic and founder of Art & Critique, Elijah Shifrin, is currently writing reviews of my work on his website, ArtandCritique.com. You can read his first review, "Andrea Kowch: Magical Realism & Real Problems" in full-length here. I wish to thank artist Alvin Richard for nominating me and giving me the opportunity to be chosen. Thank you, Alvin! While you're at the site, be sure to browse all the other cool artists previously featured.

Quick update: All three reviews are complete and can now be seen on the Art & Critique website:
* "Andrea Kowch: Magical Realism & Real Problems"
* "Andrea Kowch: Book Covers - The Crucible; Sleepy Hollow"
* "Andrea Kowch: Landscapes and Outdoor Scenes - A Descent Into Memory"

HBO Films "John Adams"

It always seems when I don't have the time to actually sit down and fully enjoy televison, there's something amazing on. I've been glued to HBO Films' miniseries, John Adams. Not only due to the fact that I love the period of Colonial America, but the way the movie is presented is simply phenomenal. The film, which is supposed to be the most historically accurate film on the subject to date, is real eye candy in terms of production. In the "Making Of" segment, it was mind-blowing to find out that nearly all of the scenes were matte painted; the attention to historical detail; the set designs; costumes. . .WOW. The visuals and music during the opening credits is mesmerizing, and, not to forget, the film's content in itself, is presented beautifully. It's the most entertaining history lesson you can get. Learning so much as I watch this, I can't help but wonder (and the filmmakers brought this up, too) what sort of country would the U.S. have become if we didn't have men like John Adams, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson alive together at the same time as they were? The era truly marked what I view as the American Renaissance. God Bless America. I can't wait to see the last few episodes.

John Adams Theme Song (HBO Intro)

John Adams: Making Of (HBO)