MECA: Now With More Pulp!

Have you seen THE PULPS?

This astounding exhibit of pulp fiction art from the collection of Robert Lesser is on view at the Portland Public Library until Dec. 26!

The opening on First Friday in October was a gathering of the illustration tribe, and then some. The works glisten with dynamic compositions, exaggerated expression, and powerful painting chops.

Is it curious that there’s a whole section of Ladies in Terror? The implied violence to women was good bait for the times.

With the exhibit as inspiration, I asked my illustration juniors to create a pulp fiction cover in their own manner. First, we drew from lively models willing to engage in narrative poses.

A page of sketches by Sophie Cangelosi:

This is Isaac Hilyard’s:

And here are a few of the final covers, including Sophie Cangelosi’s:

Isaac Hilyard’s:

Coral Howe’s:

Taylor Mirabito’s:

Meanwhile, in late October, students enjoyed a break from the studio to hear Jakob Crane (Jamison Odone) and Tim Decker discuss their recent graphic novel collaboration, Lies in the Dust, a tale of remorse from the Salem Witch Trials.

Jamison advised students to send a letter to someone they admire. It worked for him: he wrote to Maurice Sendak and launched an unforgettable friendship.

Tim said, “Be driven. Always say yes.”

They brought sketches and final art to discuss their process and methods, and generously spent time in the illustration studio talking with students. Always appreciated!

The class kept up the energy with another session of life drawing, aka All Hallows Drawing Fest, working on big rolls of paper.

Artists at Work at MECA invited the class to install work in the Congress Street window! Studpendous!

The class chose MECA: Now With More Pulp! as the title for a studio narrative with pulp intrigue. Here they are waiting on new light bulbs.

Sophie reinforced her cover illustration on a prop.

The class is now moving on to the Geary’s Summer Ale competition. These are Abbie Masso’s designs in progress.

MECA alum and local illustration/design wunderkid Scott Whitehouse came in to reinforce good design choices.

MECA illustration majors keep as many balls in the air as possible! They’ll be back on the pulp topic this Friday, when Joshua Bergey will be at MECA’s Osher Hall at 7 PM, discussing the work of his grandfather, Earle K. Bergey.

Joshua has visited my class many times over the years. You can read more here. 

Yes, Illustration MECA is one lucky hive of honey with all the pulp goodness!