SPUR | Graphic Design and Illustration

Children's Books by Mark Rosenthal

Joyce Hesselberth

Illustrator Marc Rosenthal stopped by our studio recently. Dave and I had a few moments to visit with him and his wife, designer Eileen Rosenthal, before they headed back home to Massachusetts. Marc is an editorial illustrator who has added children's book illustration to his repertoire. Marc's work is beautiful, with a retro feel, but very distinctively his own.

A few weeks later, a package arrived in the mail: a signed print, and three of his amazing children's books. Our son has adopted the books as his new favorites, and that's just fine with me. I am happy to look at the illustrations all day long. Our daughter had memorized Archie and the Pirates by about day three. Now she "reads" it to me. I love the opening pirate scene.

© Marc Rosenthal

Some other books Marc Rosenthal has illustrated are: Dig!, Phooey! and First, Second.

This is my street and I never want to leave it

David Plunkert

By far the most underrated British Invasion band if not the most underrated Rock act of all time, The Kinks engender a fierce loyalty in their fans that the pop acts of today can only dream about. It's that loyalty that compelled Geoff Edgers to film his quest to reunite the legendary band. Directed by Robert Patton-Spruill "Do It Again" has been described as a kind of "Sherman's March" with guitars and features appearances by Sting, Zooey Deschanel, Clive Davis, Robyn Hitchcock, Paul Weller, Warren Zanes and Peter Buck.

The official 25 x 39 inch poster Spur created for the film was screen-printed 2 colors (black and a musty coloured yellow) at Globe Poster. The venerable Baltimore poster printer has a long history printing gig posters for musical legends including: Led Zeppelin, Janice Joplin, and Stevie Wonder among others.

For my part, I wanted to depict the original line-up from their classic period, include a few Easter eggs for their fans, and put the Davies Brothers at the center of everything.

It's a love letter to the the ink (or is it tea?) that dripped from Ray's pen and the fuzzy guitar sound Dave created with a razor blade and an 8 watt amp, and for a group that left a musical stamp that's equal parts genius and madness.

"Do it Again" opens at the Rotterdam International Film Festival January 28, 30, and 31.

Society of Illustrators 52

Joyce Hesselberth

Dave and I recently headed up to New York for the opening of the Society of Illustrators 52: Sequential and Uncommissioned Exhibit. Dave had a series of Theatre Project posters in the sequential category.

And I had a PrestoBingo giraffe print in the uncommissioned category. We took some time to wander through the city, un-froze ourselves with a lovely dinner at Fig and Olive, and then headed to the opening to catch up with some illustration friends and see the show.

 

The next show openings at the Society of Illustrators are posted on their website.