Many of you know I design Citizen magazine. I love it, and for me the best part, hands down, is meeting and connecting with such talented people. I work with incredible illustrators, photographers, writers, editors – people who are lovely and talented, and it’s a privilege to be in their wake. Because I think they are such great people, I want to introduce you to them. Up at bat is my dear friend, Tom Reis. I think both he and his work are delightful – each with an effortless flair. It’s so fun for me to stumble upon Reisworks in the Wall Street Journal, or even in the grocery store. Here’s a little about him, in his own words:
I’ve always loved art. My career as an illustrator really began after graduating from College in ’88. I got a full-time job as an in-house illustrator at a small Florida ad agency. I mostly painted and drew 3-point perspective house renderings from architectural plans. I moved to San Francisco a few years later to attend the San Francisco Art Institute. I really wasn’t planning on doing more commercial work, but a fellow classmate was an art director, and she helped me get jobs at her agency. After graduating, another friend at the same agency moved to New York, and helped me get work art directing at Chase Manhattan. I began illustrating full-time about 12 years ago.
My commercial work mostly involves producing airbrushed acrylic caricature editorial work, though I’ve done numerous paintings of more
serious subjects for advertising clients. I think of the caricature work as a form of portraiture–my favorite subject matter. Between
commercial work, I spend most of my time focusing on producing “fine art”–which is generally figurative.
Philosophy of art: Hmmm. It may be a depressing thought, but I think of my task like that of the boulder-roller Sisyphus. Unlike him, I never derive the satisfaction of reaching the top, though I DO enjoy the process of trying.
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Tom is so fun, and a stop by www.thomasreis.com is worth the “research and development” time you’ll spend. It’s delightful. Thanks, Tom, for being my guinea pig – and my friend.
And, of course, www.citizenmagazine.com is the place to sign up for a subscription to Citizen. If you’re a pro-family conservative, it’s thoughtful, well-written information. Even if you’re not, you’ll be witness to the work of some very talented people. Thank you to all who have contributed over the years. I deeply appreciate it.
