Tim O'Brien (he/him, @obrienillustration), illustration mastermind, joins the ICON13 board as Vice President & Treasurer! Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself! I've been a freelance illustrator for decades, working primarily in the publishing and editorial markets. I guess I'm known for my Time Covers, of which I've done more than any living illustrator, and the covers of all of the Hunger Games novels. I care deeply about the health of our industry, supporting human artists, and helping to provide on-ramps for new illustrators so that they can fulfill their dreams. Q: What’s your favorite memory from a past ICON? I was at the first ICON conference, when the notion of getting together was novel and social media did not exist. I can't begin to share how incredible it was to connect with other illustrators, to know we were in it together. Q: Tell me about your practice! My creative process is through sketching, drawing the obvious idea first and then riffing off of that idea to find a new way into the concept. Q: Tell us about your studio space! My work environment is like a giant junk drawer. I know where everything is, but if someone sees it I'm mortified. Q: What’s your hometown? Where do you live now? I'm from North Haven, Connecticut...it was not spectacular or all that inspiring for a young artist. The mundane made my mind the playground and forced me to imagine my future and all of the visual possibilities. Today I live in Brooklyn, NY, a more vibrant and diverse city, but I still live in my head. Q: Who are some favorite emerging creatives? I am an educator, teaching at Pratt for the past 20 years. I invest a lot of energy into helping my students shine and hopefully become illustrators or designers. That being said, I do notice some incredible young talents out there with unique voices, some on this board. Dominique Ramsay draws incredibly vibrant animals. Vashti Harrison is amazing and inspiring. John Jay Cabuay's portraits are alive. They are just a few off the top of my head. I also am inspired by veteran illustrators, such as Marc Burckhardt, Brian Stauffer, Robert Hunt, Julia Rothman, Gerard Dubois, Jody Hewgill...so many more. (fb)

Steven Compton (he/him) may be one of ICON13’s new Co-Executive Directors, but he can’t keep away from his first love, Events & Logistics Chair! Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself! I’m Steven Compton, by day Director of Exhibitions and Collections Manager at the Society of Illustrators in New York. By night, I draw things that make me laugh. For the past 15 years, I have made a career out of promoting the art of illustration, whether it is through creating exhibits, giving tours, hosting events, or even creating art of my own. Q: What’s your favorite memory from a past ICON? The closing party of ICON 13 stands out. Everyone was dancing, singing karaoke, and genuinely celebrating how incredible the week had been. If you know me, you’ve probably heard me bring it up (maybe too many times). Q: Tell me about your practice! Showcasing illustration through exhibits is an art form in itself. Curating isn’t just about getting the work on the wall; it’s about making sure the work isn’t crooked and that the art isn't falling out of the frame. I also make art of my own. I draw what I like, which often means a lot of silly, ridiculous things. I used to work late into the night, fully zoned in, but my wife and I recently had a baby, so that particular “creative zone” is on a bit of a hiatus (for now). Q: Tell us about your studio space! I spend most of my days in the Permanent Collections room at the Society of Illustrators in New York, surrounded by over 2,500 original works from legendary artists. There’s work by Yuko Shimizu, N.C. Wyeth, Tim O’Brien, J.C. Leyendecker, Maurice Sendak, Anita Kunz, Greg Manchess, just to name a few. Q: What’s your hometown? Where do you live now? I am from Staten Island originally. Yes, it really is an island, and yes, the pizza is worth the trip. I currently live in Jersey City, which puts me close enough to New York to stay in the middle of things, but far enough away that I can actually get some work done. Q: Who are some favorite emerging creatives? Too many to say! Jeremy Nguyen, Jensine Eckwall, Bishakh Som, Alex Krokus, and Joy Velasco, just to name a few. And honestly, everyone on the ICON Board. (fb)