The Book of Conversations

About two and half years ago I participated in this book idea called "The Book of Conversations", where 120 artists were given a provocative question to address in whatever way we wanted. I was given the question "Do you ever have racist thoughts", which I struggled with for a bit, conceptually. Eventually I came up with the above solution which suggests that people sometimes have these thoughts that they wouldn't normally have, that they are ashamed of, or that they don't even necessarily know are racist. I wanted the image of the painter covering up the racial slur to be open to interpretation (or more specifically, to conversation). Is the painter thinking that and covering it up? Did someone else paint it to make it look like other people are thinking it? Is the painter secretly assuming that the graffiti-writer was black, and he stoops to racism out of anger? Am I, as the illustrator, slightly racist for even coming up with this concept? Either way, it's a tough question, and it was a challenging illustration..

I'm posting this image now because the book is finally in production and will be available for sale online from the 12th of October at www.bookofconversations.com. Read a brief press release below:

When was the last time you had a great conversation? A conversation that was out of the blue, intriguing and interesting. A conversation where you found out so much more about your friends and so much about yourself.

The Book of Conversations came to life because we simply aren’t as good at talking as we used to be. Too often we just trade information. What we did, what we bought, where we went, what we did at work.

The book is a collection of questions, each question a conversation starter. It’s the intrigue of exploring someone and discovering what lies beneath. Some questions are deep, some trivial and some you will never forget.

However, just words were not enough. Images provoke people in ways that words sometimes can’t. 120 artists, graphic designers, creative directors, art directors, photographers, illustrators and animators were approached and were each given a question.

Their task was to provoke this question with an image. The image could make the reader cry, shout, laugh or think. But most importantly, it should get them to talk.

Let’s bring back the art of conversation to a world that needs it more than ever.

Let the discussion begin.


The Book of Conversations.
By Jason Schragger and Mark Carolan.

"The {Sketch}book" vol. 01!!

"The {Sketch}book" is the first volume of a new series of books showcasing all of my favorite sketchbook pages. This first volume is a rather large compilation of 114 pages from multiple sketchbooks I've kept over the past nine years. I included the cover and 7 interior spreads, above, as examples.

I spent the last 2 months compiling images and designing the book in my free time, and am really happy with the results. Originally, I started creating the book as an addition to my larger portfolio of commissioned jobs and gallery work that gets shown around by my agents. But I realized that I could offer it up for sale, as well, to whomever would be interested.

For more info on purchasing a copy please click here: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/626123

If interested, I highly recommend getting the hardcover version, but there is also a cheaper softcover version available. Both options are 8" x 10", 114 pages, on Premium Paper. Keep in mind that these books will likely be a pretty limited run as they were not mass-produced for book stores. Each book ordered is professionally printed and bound on-demand, and shipped within about 8 days. Please email with any other questions: timtomkinson@mac.com

"The Ridiculous Race" interior illos

I finished 2 more chapter headers for "The Ridiculous Race". Only 2 more to go and they'll be done..

"200 BEST ILLUSTRATORS" pages

The Lüerzer's Archive book "200 Best Illustrators Worldwide" 07/08 is now available. I got these 4 illustrations in (not including that awesome cover piece, which was done by Hanoch Piven). There's a lot of other killer work in there as well, so check it out at your local bookstore or you can buy one here.

"The Ridiculous Race" interior illos

Just finished the first six chapter headers for The Ridiculous Race, as well as a map showing where the two guys went on their travels. By the way, the book is about these two guys from L.A. who bet each other who could travel around the world faster.. going in opposite directions, and not using any airplanes. It's main point of ridiculous-ness is that the bet itself was simply for one glass of 1969 Kinclaith scotch. Six more chapter headers are due at the end of March, and I'll also be working on the illustrations and design for the back cover and spine.

"The Ridiculous Race" interior spots

I'm currently working on some interior illustrations for The Ridiculous Race, a book that's being published by Henry Holt. I did the cover for it a few months ago (above), and will soon be doing the back cover and spine as well..

It was cool to be given free reign to design and hand-draw all the type for the cover. I also just finished illustrating a world map for the book that is pretty type-heavy.