because the artists come from an illustration background and are all active in the Society of Illustrators or the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.
Ota, of Culver City, has been a commercial artist since 1992, specializing in editorial illustration for scores of publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, Business Week and U.S. News & World Report. His work also has been widely exhibited and has been included in a number of books and CD covers. Ota said in recent years he has been moving more toward using acrylics in fine-art applications.
“I found that I was quickly moving in another direction that did not quite fit the commercial work that I did before,” he said. “Even though I lost several clients through the new changes in my style, I have gained peace of mind and a continuing growth in my work as an illustrator/artist.”
Vicich, of Woodland Hills, is an illustrator and painter who has shown his work throughout the Los Angeles area. A member of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, he draws a weekly editorial cartoon for Gazette Newspapers in Long Beach and also has been a cartoonist for The Argonaut newspaper, based in Marina del Rey. Freelance clients have included Warner Bros., Farmers Insurance and Genre Magazine.
Vicich said the work in the SMC show “involves illustration employing a wide range of mediums including watercolors, dyes, gouache, colored pencil, etching and acrylic. Some of the work has been published, others used for promotional purposes and yet others done just for the pleasure of creating the work.”
Auckland, of Torrance, has been an illustrator and fine artist since 1973, when he graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. He has received recognition for the work he has created in the sports and entertainment fields. His clients have included Disney, Columbia Pictures, NFL Properties, The Franklin Mint and the NBA. His paintings are in the collections of the Buffalo Bills, Hughes Aircraft Co., General Mills, U.S. Air Force and more. Auckland has won several awards and is a member of the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles.
The opening reception is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 17. The show will be held in the SMC Photography Gallery, located on the second floor of Drescher Hall, 1900 Pico Blvd. and will run from Feb. 17 to March 4. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, call (310) 434-3434 or (310) 434-8204.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 8, 2006. Read the original PDF.