Bob Staake
In a recent online interview, Drawn.ca suggested that "to say Bob Staake is just an illustrator is like saying 'The Beatles' were just a bunch of musicians; the title doesn't do the artist justice" and Publisher's Weekly commented that "Bob Staake's modern, crisp illustrations ... practically jump off the page"
One of the nation's most successful illustrators, his clients have included The New Yorker, TIME, McDonald's, American Express, Sony, United Airlines, Nickelodeon, Sports Illustrated For Kids, Ralston Purina, Hallmark Cards, Kenner Toys, US News and World Report, Fortune, The Washington Post, AT&T, Sega, TWA, Dr.Pepper, The Chicago Tribune, Good Humor, Warner Books, Kellogg's, Cartoon Network, Turner Broadcasting, The Wall Street Journal, AOL/Time Warner, Forbes, Simon and Schuster, The Ren and Stimpy Show, MAD, USA Today, Children's Television Workshop, Blockbuster Video, The Walt Disney Company, Anheuser-Busch, Doubleday, Klutz Press, Hershey's, Target Stores, Miami Herald, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Fleishman-Hillard, DMBB, and countless others.
Staake's November 17, 2008 cover of The New Yorker entitled Reflection commemorating Barack Obama's election as the nation's first African- American president was named by TIME as #1 in their list of 10 Top Magazine Covers of 2008 dubbing the image "beautifully rendered" and "simply spectacular" -- in fact, it is the most popular New Yorker cover of all-time according to NewYorkerStore.com.
He has authored and/or illustrated more than 65 books, including Bugs Galore, The Donut Chef, Hello Robots, Look A Book, This Is Not A Pumpkin, Pets Go Pop, and others. The New York Times named Staake's 'The Red Lemon' one of the 10 best illustrated books of 2006.
Staake lives and works in Chatham, Massachusetts in a 200-year-old house on the elbow of Cape Cod.
Speaking Topics:
GENERAL ILLUSTRATION/IMAGINED IMAGES
An overview of Bob's career and work as an illustrator. Images include everything from picture book spreads to New Yorker covers (both published and rejected), experimental art, editorial pieces, character designs and preliminary sketches juxtaposed next to the final illustrations. With an extemporaneous discussion of the slides, the entire show runs approximately 45 minutes.
CHILDREN’S BOOKS/BOB STAAKE
With over 65 books to his name, Bob's extensive career in children's publishing is filled with colorful stories, uncommon experiences and insightful lessons learned through the years. Unique, behind-the-scenes glimpses into his most notable books are a part of this presentation. Extensive sketches, doodles, color tests, rejected covers and final book spreads are shown and discussed. The audience also has a chance to see "failed" Bob Staake picture books that never saw the light of day (and for good reason). Examples of his books for Random House, Little Brown, HarperCollins, Candlewick, Simon & Schuster, Little Golden Books and others are all included, as well as his pop-up books and publishing projects he's currently working on. With an extemporaneous discussion of the slides, the talk runs approximately 45 minutes.