"I'm 45 years old.
I'm at the very top of my profession.
And I've realized,
I've spent my entire life
making people happy
with a bunch of garbage."
The 45 year old man and his wife were our hosts for the evening. Time magazine, Business Week, MADD Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, The Tonight Show, all boast of having work from this man. His technique is studied in colleges around the country, and he even does lectures in various universities. "And now I'm finding out how empty that is. Especially after your program tonight. I don't have much time left. I've done nothing that will last."
"But I want to change that."
"I've been praying for a children's book. For a while I tried writing my own. But I'm not an author. I want to illustrate a children's book. I want to influence kids. I want to do something with this work, use this talent to serve Him."
We talked for a long time. And don't get him wrong. Most of the info about his accomplishments came from a little bit of research that I did on the web. This man could do much for our Lord. And I really want to see him with some fellowship among other Christian artists.
I told him I'd talk to some friends back at Bob Jones about a story for him to illustrate. He gave me quite a portfolio to show around. But there's a bit of a problem that he may not see.
A lot of his older work, though spectacular, is a little bit dark. It may be hard to sell a children's author, especially a Christian author, on doing a story for someone with that history, even if that someone has since changed. I'm not really sure what to do. I've been praying a lot, so now I'm asking you.
One person has presented the idea of having this man do Rime of the Ancient Mariner, just to get him started. It would establish him as a children's illustrator, bridge the gap between the styles, and show that he's really serioius about this new career path. It may be a good idea. Other suggestions? Other stories?
PS I can direct you to his online portfolio, if you are interested.
I am generally ignorant of how to help, Steph, although I would love to be directed to his online portfolio.
I have asked a few friends who know more about illustration/design/storytelling than I.
~joy
Posted by: joydriven at June 27, 2003 11:09 AMStephanie,
I find this very interesting. Could you send me a link to his portfolio? It would make everything a lot more clear to see what kind of work he does. I do think there is a growing market for work that could be considered Christian in nature, but still has a very serious, maybe even dark, overtone. Who is this guy?
Brannon
Posted by: Brannon McAllister at June 27, 2003 11:25 AMCould you send me a link to his portfolio also? Gravity should be communicated alongside of joy when illustrating the Christian life. Perhaps "dark" work would be one tool to communicate this...
Posted by: gouge at June 27, 2003 11:44 AMI work at BJU Press, and I know we have freelance artists do some of our stuff--for textbooks and JourneyForth children's books. It might not hurt for him to contact people here. In the art department, he could contact John Bjerk or Elly Kalagayan. The JourneyForth editor is Nancy Lohr, and I'm not sure how involved she is in contracting out the art, but she may be able to give him leads. Have him either call the main switchboard and ask for these people or e-mail them at their BJU accounts (first letter of their first name, then first 7 letters of their last name@bjup.com).
Most major publishing houses probably make use of freelance artists. If he found a publisher whose (childrens') books he liked, he could probably contact them and inquire about freelance art opportunities.
Just some ideas. . . .
Posted by: stephanie at June 27, 2003 01:24 PMJoy, you are amazing :)
Thank you for all your help.
I'll get the online portfolio to those of you who requested it both through my blog and through e-mail. But unfortunately, the url is in the van, which is currently in the shop.
So, the next time I get to a library...
stephanie,
the link to this man's portfolio would be helpful in knowing a good direction to advise. i was going to recommend some guy that i know in greenville who's kinda of good at this sort of illustration stuff, but i see he's already responded. (hi brannon).
my resources would probably be more along the secular lines, i don't know how helpful that would be. but it would appear that the christian bases are covered.
please send me his link when you have a chance. i'll be praying for him as well. praise the Lord that He has opened this man's eyes while he still has the ability to wield such an influence artistically. there is certainly a need.
We received your "plea" from Joy M., who we know through our good friend 'Gouge.' Please send us the link to this man's portfolio. What a wonderful opportunity as the Lord is evidentally working in this man's life. My husband, John, is a youth pastor and a wonderful artist and accomplished ventriloquist who often works with kids and has a heart for them. Just a thought as we were discussing some ideas for ministry: this man has mentioned his desire to impact children. A possible avenue to accomplish this might be through illustrating Vacation Bible School material. He could put a package together that would include a theme, characters and beautifully illustrated take-home literature that could go into hundreds of churches, reaching thousands of children. If he were to team up with a talented writer, dynamic possibilities would be endless!! This could also be an avenue for worldwide use to be spread across the mission fields. This is just one idea! If it weren't so late, we might be able to come up with a few more! Please keep up posted!!! We'll be praying for this man and your opportunity!
John & Erin Neiner
Pittsfield, MA
p.s.
"2:48 a.m"??????? one of those sleepless nights!!
Thank you for all of your ideas, and please keep them coming! I fully intended to e-mail all of you with the link to Mark Fredrickson's portfolio, but I am having trouble accessing all of your addresses right now. Mr. Fredrickson's online portfolio is available through Gerald and Cullen Rapp, Inc.
I will be compiling these suggestions and passing them along to Mr. Fredrickson, so if the portfolio inspires any new ideas, please let me know!
Steph
wow!
Mark Frederickson really is at the top of his profession. Finally I went to his portfolio and completely recognized his work and style. Have you talked to him at all about this recently, Stephanie?
Brannon
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