About
Nov 23rd, 2008 by J. O'Brien
James O’Brien is a practicing illustrator and artist whose client list includes: American Express, Bank of America, Colgate, Rand McNally, Microsoft, Delta Airlines, Sears, Hewlett-Packard, Oracle, McGraw-Hill, Scholastic Press, Smithsonian, Business Week, Fortune, Harvard Business Review, Newsweek, US News & World Report, Computer World, PC Magazine, Interactive Week, Entertainment Weekly, Wine Spectator, The Christian Science Monitor, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The New York Times.
His work has been recognized by American Illustration, The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, 3X3, PRINT, The Society of Publication Designers, SBS Digital Design, AIGA, and SILA.
His images are created using Photoshop, and Illustrator, a mix of found, made, and digital materials. “The process I use is akin to a collage method incorporating elements that are cut, drawn, and painted, both traditionally and digitally. My work mostly is about quiet, contemplative moments with a hint of unease and impending movement and change. Chance is an essential part of my process. It is a collaboration between me and my materials, my intentional implementation of media along with unexpected and forced accidents.”
He teaches illustration courses at The College of Visual Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota. In his rare free time, he enjoys running marathons, reading important novels, and collecting/creating music.
MFA Illustration, University of Hartford, 2008
MA Illustration, Syracuse University, 2006
BFA Graphic Design/Illustration Minneapolis College of Art and Design, 1989