I just returned from my first stint as a film festival juror. Along with pals Alan Foreman and Jessica Milazzo, I sat to judge the animated shorts category at the RiverRun Film Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
StoryCorps boards
Friend, Teacher, Animator Julie Zammarchi asked me to board an animated short for StoryCorps this past summer. The episode is about Wendell Scott, the first African American NASCAR driver. That meant sketching lots of 60’s and 70’s cars; I jumped in!
She directed an awesome short, due out soon. Here’s some board panels and finished stills from the film, side-by-side.
PB&J Book Trailer
My RISD buddy Jarrett J. Krosoczka, an outstanding author/illustrator of children’s books and graphic novels, asked me if I could animate a book trailer for his to-be-released book Peanut Butter & Jellyfish. He supplied the marvelous artwork and voiceover (along with his daughter), and I set to figuring out the dark art of After Effects. I’m pretty psyched with how lively it came out, even without lens flares!
Welcome Back, Kotter
I will be teaching Character Design in the FAV department at RISD this spring. I cannot wait!
Farm Landscapes
I was doing these for an early version of a cartoon pitch, but then I kept doing them because they’re super fun.
Chalkboard Walls
We painted walls in our playroom with chalkboard paint below the chair rail. This has been so much fun for Caleb and me. It encourages fast and loose drawing, and an attitude of non-permanence.
Drawing for a Friend
This is a digital drawing for a friend of mine who is writing an excellent collection of stories for his kids. First drawing on the new MacMini setup!
I’ve recently learned that I will be teaching a senior projects course in animation at Montserrat College of Art this spring. Can’t wait!
Farm
watercolor, gouache, ink
jessebstrauss@gmail.com 