"For an article about the efforts of an anti-gay, conservative Christian group trying to block anti-discriminatory legislation." Mark Searcy, art director; Portland Mercury, client.
"A self-promotional piece I sent out to art directors. Don't ask me what it means...it was inspired by a dream I had."
"Personal piece about adolescence, and the masks we all wear until we find out who we really are."
"Personal piece about a legend I made up: The ghost of a Mexican soldier that scares border patrol Minutemen."
"For an article about Habitat for Humanity acquiring and renovating foreclosed homes for poor families in the Baltimore area." Katie Swartz, art director; Baltimore Magazine, client.
"For an article about a school choir that became an Internet sensation around the world." Josh Baker, art director; Paste Magazine, client.
"Self-promotional piece for art directors. It depicts Stalin, and what appears to be a murdered Trotsky. Very bad manners."
"Paste Magazine's dream record store. Includes a pretentious clerk dunk tank and celebrity personal shoppers."Josh Baker, art director; Paste Magazine, client.
10.27.08
www.justinrenteria.com
Duration: Two years. Staff: Just me. Education: BFA in illustration from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Cultural Influences: Comics, cartoons, old children's books, advertising, printmaking, propaganda posters, rock posters, rock music, Picasso and other illustrators much better than myself. Environment: I spend half the time at my drawing desk in my bedroom, the other half at my computer in my office. Philosophy: Murray Tinkelman once visited my school to give a lecture on bad illustration. He brought with him a collection of slides: the worst illustrations he could find, from various publications. I don't know whether the illustrators weren't being paid very much and figured extra effort wasn't worth it, or that the publications were local, and the illustrator figured the piece wouldn't be seen by many people. Whatever the reason, they are now being used as examples of what not to do. Moral of the story: I do my very best on every illustration, no matter how little pay or exposure the job gets me. I never know whether Murray Tinkelman might come across it.