I just had the good fortune to wrap up a cover for a new client, Kidzmatter.  They publish a magazine for people in children’s ministry with articles, resources and the like.  I got to work with Nathan Fussner, who I was in undergrad with many years ago, and it was a great experience.  He gave me a lot of freedom with the illustration and I really got the opportunity to push it more conceptually than I usually work.

 You can check it out in my gallery here:

http://daniel-swartz.com/illustration/gallery?g2_itemId=295

 Also I just finished another piece, Summer Cookout:

http://daniel-swartz.com/illustration/gallery?g2_itemId=292

 Cheers!

Daniel

They are finally out!  I started work on a set of four curriculum books for the Wesleyan Church last Spring and wrapped up the art in March and now the first two are printed and flying off the shelves!  A long process but I’m really excited about the results.  The books are for 4th-6th graders and introduce kids to basic concepts in Christianity, spiritual disciplines, and what it means to be part of the ‘body of Christ.’  It was a huge thrill to work on a project that will be reaching so many kids and it was great working to portray the Christian journey as something exciting and epic!

You can check them out online at:

www.wesleyan.org/explore

The second two books come out later this summer.  I’ll keep you posted.

If you haven’t heard yet, one of my pieces, One Man Band, was chosen to be in the Annual Society of Illustrators West 47 Show!   An incredible honor and I still can’t believe it!

From the Gallery Nucleus site:

Gallery Nucleus and SILA present an exhibition of juried works by established and emerging artists chosen for Illustration West 47 Competition. Over 90 artists from all over the world will participate in this exhibit.

If you are in the LA area Saturday night and want to see a lot of great work stop by the show!

Details:

SI-LA Blog

Gallery Nucleus

Dan

It’s been a long and hard push but I’m happy to say that I finished the last two covers for the new EXPLORE curriculum series this morning at about 1:30am!  A really challenging series of illustrations over 4 books, I’ve been rocking out on it since November.  Can’t wait to see the printed results!

 I have several of the interiors posted but will be waiting to post the covers.  Check out the B/W works from books 3 and 4 in the gallery:

http://daniel-swartz.com/illustration/gallery?g2_itemId=231
http://daniel-swartz.com/illustration/gallery?g2_itemId=234
http://daniel-swartz.com/illustration/gallery?g2_itemId=237
http://daniel-swartz.com/illustration/gallery?g2_itemId=240
http://daniel-swartz.com/illustration/gallery?g2_itemId=243

Whew.  Now back to some other projects and getting ready for school!  I’m starting my MFA in illustration this Summer at University of Hartford.  It’ll be my third and hopefully final degree but I’m really looking forward to focusing academically on Illustration!  I’ll keep you posted

Dan

Wow!  What a start to the year.  I’ve been crazy busy with new work as well as transitioning to a new stage in life.  But most importantly, NEW WORK and NEW WEBSITE!  Check out the new gallery!

I’ve got lots more coming and it will be posted as soon as I’m done.  Thanks to all of you that made 2008 a great year and I look forward to working with many of you again!

Dan