"The subject for this piece was simply 'Big.' So, naturally, my mind immediately wanders to giant robots." Roanna Williams, creative director; Migrate magazine, client.
"This piece was produced for Thinkspace Gallery's A Cry For Help group show to raise funds and awareness for endangered species."
"For an article about a child abandoned to a juvenile center for the mentally ill." Peter Storch, art director; Phoenix New Times, client.
"A piece about charity, and the transformation it can create in someone." Janet Raasch, art director; M Magazine, client.
"For an article outlining the influx of South American war criminals who escaped prosecution by fleeing to Florida." Pam Shavalier, art director; Miami New Times, client.
"It was a blast to produce this piece about a band that traveled to gigs on nothing but bicycles." Amanda Zimmerman, art director; Bicycle Times Magazine, client.
"A piece to illustrate China's gradual rise to power in the world economy." Wendy Rogers, art director; Touch Three, client.
"A moody cover piece for an article on the closings of upstate New York's juvenile detention facilities." John Dixon, art director; The Village Voice, client.
12.27.10
www.rorykurtzillus ...
Duration: Well, I've been at this since I was a kid with a box of colored pencils, but it wasn't until early 2009 that I decided to make the career shift and get the machine in motion. Staff: At the moment, it would just be myself and my industrious illustration rep, Sari, at Levy Creative. Education: I haven't had a formal education. However, a great deal of passion and a life of disciplined practice has been a good substitute I think. Cultural Influences: Darren Aronofsky films, sigur rós albums, Neil Gaiman novels, the list goes on and on. Is it strange if I say Batman? Well it's still true. As far as fictional characters go, he's incredibly intriguing to me. Environment: I work in the (currently snowy) Midwest. I've set up my work space with all my necessary tools within arms reach, including a gigantic coffee pot, which fuels everything. I do my best work at night, when the house sleeps, and I can focus more easily. Philosophy: I've come to believe that spontaneous inspiration, the kind you see in films or read of in books, is largely mythological. Ideas come during the work, and rarely before it.