Considering the current state of the economy, we were surprised to receive 5,470 entries to this year's Illustration Annual, an eleven percent jump over last year. One partial explanation was the launch of our online entry system that allows for the direct uploading of digital files. Consequently, 90 percent of this year's entries were submitted digitally.
"I was encouraged to see the volume of entries that were submitted," said juror Devin Pedzwater. "It was good to see work from artists new to me."

"There was some great classic work balanced by some new, inventive, fresh styles," said juror Bob Barrie. "Both ends of the spectrum presented some really nice conceptual work, as well as some fine representational illustration."

"The caliber of the entries was higher than I had expected," added juror Karen Powers. "In the final round, almost every piece demonstrated, at the least, an impressive level of technical competence."