It’s Day 349 and I have to say that today’s painting was so much fun, but equally difficult.  His pieces are so detailed and he has this style that is hard to emulate.  I am not only paying tribute a wonderful artist (who’s become one of my faves the past couple years) but I am also honored to call him a friend.

I went to Seoul American High School with him and haven’t seen him since then.  He has moved close by recently so hopefully I’ll see him in person again soon.  I was  excited to get back in touch with him and been super proud of his accomplishments as an artist and love the subject matter of his work.  He’s an example of someone who is living his dream.  Inspiration!  Join me in honoring Jeffrey Alan Love today.  PS it was so hard to emulate his lovely style, but I did my best with the materials I had.  Hopefully I captured his essence.

Jeffrey Alan Love was born in Charleston, South Carolina and grew up in Germany, South Korea, Hawaii, and many points in-between. He attended The Colorado College and graduated with a B.A. in English: Creative Writing. He attended the Illustration Academy in 2008 and 2010, and was invited back as a Visiting Artist in 2013. From 2009 to 2011 he apprenticed with Sterling Hundley. He taught at Virginia Commonwealth University.

His work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators (54), Spectrum (20), American Illustration (31), 3×3 No. 9, EXPOSÉ 11 and he received a Gold Medal from the Richmond Illustrator’s Club in 2011. He has worked for various clients

including The New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Tomb Raider, Gollancz, and The Progressive.

He currently lives in California.

Biography is from his website Drawger.  You can also view his art at his main website.

Below is a Q&A I found.

What are some of your favorite things about living and working in Richmond, VA?

I was born in South Carolina and have since lived in Germany, Texas, North Carolina, Nebraska, South Korea, Hawaii, Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia. Some of my favorite things about Richmond are the community of artists that I’ve shared a studio with (Ally Hodges, Josh George, Sterling Hundley, Aaron Riley, Edward Kinsella, Andrew R. Wright, Leslie Herman) and that the low cost of living allows me to work less and enjoy my life outside of the studio.

How and when did you first become interested in art and illustration?

When I lived in Germany and was around 6 or 7, my parents brought back from England a book for me called Tales of King Arthur that was illustrated by Victor Ambrus—I was instantly hooked.

Do you keep a sketchbook? What is the balance between the art you create on paper versus In the computer?

I do keep a sketchbook. It used to be a lot more media studies and experimentation, rendered drawings and paintings, but in the last few years it has become mostly drawing from observation and lots of notes. It is honestly probably 80% writing these days.

What is the most important item in your studio?

I hope this doesn’t sound conceited, but I think it is my brain. I don’t think that people hire me for a specific media or technique that I use, as I tend to slip and slide around from piece to piece, sometimes traditional, sometimes digital, often a mix of many things—I think people seek me out for my personal voice, the way

that I solve problems, the way that I think.

What is the best book you’ve recently read?

Wolfhound Century by Peter Higgins. I was working with the publisher Gollancz and they sent me a copy and I was blown away by it. Find it and read it.

Who and what are some of your strongest influences?

I apprenticed with Sterling Hundley for a few years and that was hugely influential. Leonard Baskin, Ben Shahn,

and Henry Moore are always rolling around in the back of my mind as well. The books of Gene Wolfe, Frank Herbert, Iain M. Banks, Eiji Yoshikawa, and Cormac McCarthy.

What was your first professional assignment and how did you get it?

It was for The Progressive, working with Nick Jehlen. I think I got it through an email I had sent him, but Sterling Hundley may have had something to do with it as well.

What was the last art exhibition you saw and what did you take away from it?

The last art exhibition I saw was of an artist creating collages from xeroxes of old photos and newspaper clippings.  I actually really disliked the final pieces, but enjoyed how seemingly random color choices from the garish newsprint ads created an unexpected color palette to work with.

What is your favorite part of the creative process?

My favorite part of the creative process is when I find a way to fulfill the client’s need while also making the piece personal and meaningful to me.

How do you go about finding great clients?

Looking through the various illustration annuals is great for seeing who is working where, and if they are being adventurous in their choice of illustrators.

What is/would be your karaoke song?

Islands in the Stream by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

What is your hobby?

I love football (soccer). Growing up in Germany I somehow became a fan of Liverpool FC and have followed them ever since.

Where do you teach—and what do you like best about teaching?

I teach at Virginia Commonwealth University. My favorite thing about teaching is seeing students start to believe in themselves and their work as they improve. Self-confidence is so powerful at that stage of development.

What advice would you give a young artist on selecting an art school or college?

Research what classes are actually offered, and research the work of the faculty to see if they are doing the sort

of work that you would like to do yourself. But also don’t feel like you have to go to art school or college to be a success. I had to drop out of VCU during my sophomore year and no one has ever asked to see my degree, and somehow I now teach there. Anything is possible and there are many roads that lead to where you want to go.

Above is from AI-AP/DART (Design Arts Daily).

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I hope you enjoy my tribute today!  I based it on a book that I am writing.  I wish I had more time to work on this piece…but I guess that’s a part of the whole challenge.  Of course when I was finished at the end of the day…I had all these other ideas how to make it better.  Sheesh.  I’m realizing that it’s harder to do tributes for friends than for artists like Picasso.  I think it’s because I personally know them and want to do their work justice!  I’m pretty sure Picasso’s not going to come haunt me from the grave.  Whew…only 16 to go?  I will see you tomorrow on Day 350…no only 15!!  Eeeek.

Best,

Linda