Hamilton King
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2010 HAMILTON KING AWARD WINNER
John Jude Palencar  Muse and Reverie AD: Irene Gallo, Client: TOR Books |
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HAMILTON KING AWARD 2009
Tim O'Brien  It was in the Society of Illustrators annuals that I first 'met' Tim O'Brien. I can't remember which image struck me first, but we've all seen them: the locomotive roaring across the ocean, the crazed young man doused in gasoline, the tiny elephant balanced on the tips of a human's fingers. Tim's meticulous skills and surprising concepts were impressive and slightly intimidating. But, as a young designer in children's publishing poring over those annuals, I knew I wanted to work with this artist, and I knew I wanted to meet the man who created this work. In 1988, I commissioned Tim for the first time. It was a teen horror cover, something like a strangled teddy bear with a bloody dagger. This was not the genre Tim was meant for - he was doing jobs for Playboy and other adult publishing clients. But I needed the excuse to work with Tim. I worked through his rep for at least a year, speaking to the artist only occasionally on the phone, until we finally met at a business lunch in 1989. I was surprised to discover how young Tim was. In fact, we had graduated from art school the same year. His art seemed so much older. At that first meeting, we sat next to each other, talking intently for two hours. We were both intrigued. After a handful of phone calls over a few months, I convinced Tim to go on a date with me. Our career trajectories moved on similar paths. While Tim continued to work with his regular clients, he was suddenly in demand with important news periodicals as well. Time began to commission him. I continued to commission this "hot" artist on projects. Then our personal trajectories joined even more completely. We got married. Tim has always impressed me with his ability to juggle illustration jobs, while making time to give to others. He was chairman of the Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Competition, taught illustration at University of the Arts, and gave painting tips to his illustrator friends. Tim taught boxing at the YMCA four nights a week - for free! Tim's work has been in every SI annual for 22 years. And he has won medals. But one award he only dreamed of receiving was the Hamilton King. When he heard the announcement of his selection at the Editorial and Book opening of Illustrators 51, he was, to use an English term very appropriate for a boxer, gobsmacked. As he walked up to the podium to speak, many of his friends and colleagues patted him on the back, saying that it was "long overdue," and "about time." To be chosen for the Hamilton King award by this outstanding group of previous winners, is, I know, a great thrill for Tim. And although it is given in acknowledgment for one piece of art in particular, we know it comes to him as recognition, too, of his extensive body of work, and his great but humble contribution to the illustration profession. I can't think of a more deserving artist. And, as one of his many art directors, and as his wife, I can say: Well, of course! Congratulations, Timmy. Elizabeth Parisi Executive Art Director, Trade Hard covers Scholastic Inc. |
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HAMILTON KING AWARD 2008
Donato Giancola Multiple award winning artist Donato Giancola was born in 1967 and raised in Colchester, Vermont. He majored in electrical engineering at the University of Vermont, but left for Syracuse University to pursue painting in 1989. Graduating as a fine arts major in 1992, Donato resisted the temptation to get a conventional job. On his way to becoming a professional, he supported himself by working part time at the Society of Illustrators while simultaneously seeking work as a book cover illustrator specializing in science fiction and fantasy.  Donato’s first commissions were for the classic science fiction novels The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain, and Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne: the sketches created in his coat closet ‘office’ at the Society. Donato has illustrated over 200 book covers, magazine covers and editorial pieces for such clients as Amazing Stories, Asimov’s SF, Dragon Magazine, National Geographic, Playboy and The Village Voice. His art has graced postal stamps, collectible card games and the packaging and concept sketches for video and board games. His illustration and portaiture clients include Microsoft, Vivendi/Universal, Lucas Arts, Free Masons of Philadelphia, Milton-Bradley, Hasbro, DC Comics, The SciFi Channel, All-American Television, CNN, Danbury Mint, Franklin Mint, Avon Books, Ballantine, Bantam, Berkley, DAW , Penguin, Random House, Scholastic, Sega, Simon & Schuster, Tor Books, Warner, Iron Crown Enterprises, Five Rings Publishing, and Wizards of the Coast. He currently teaches at the School of Visual Arts, as well as guest lectures at some of the country’s finest art schools, conventions and institutions. Donato describes himself as a ‘classical-abstract-realist working with science fiction and fantasy’ and lists Hans Memling, Jan Van Eyck, Velazquez, Caravaggio, Vermeer, Piet Mondrian, Waterhouse, Rubens and Titian as his favorite artists. He currently resides in Brooklyn with his wife and two daughters. |
 HAMILTON KING AWARD 2007 Ted Lewin grew up in an old frame house in Buffalo with a lion, an iguana, a chimpanzee and an assortment of more conventional pets. His mother convinced him to give it to the Buffalo Zoo. As a child Ted copied the works of artists he admired, including N. C. Wyeth, Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, Valazquez and Goya. When he enrolled at Pratt Institute, to finance his education, following in his older brother’s footsteps, he took a summer job as a wrestler — the beginning of a 15 year part-time career. Ted’s career began with illustrations for adventure magazines, but over the last 20 years he has devoted full time to writing and illustrating childrens books. “I’m having more fun doing this than anything I’ve ever done before,” he says. He is an avid traveler, and many of his books are inspired by trips to such places as the Amazon River, the Sahara Desert, Botswana, Egypt, Lapland and India. His Market! showcases markets around the world, from Uganda to Ireland to Ecuador. Touch and Go is a collection of stories about the adventures Ted had while researching his books. Gorilla Walk is his first collaboration with his wife, Betsy, and is about their trek to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda. They've just completed their second collaboration, Elephant Quest, set in the Okavango Delta of Botswana. Ted and Betsy live in Brooklyn, New York, where they share their home with two cats, Slick and Chopper. |
