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FEATURED
ARTIST - JOEL ISKOWITZ
"I
am a realistic, narrative illustrator, which plainly stated means
that I tell stories with pictures. I have painted covers for nearly
every major publisher. I have paintings in the permanent collection
of the USAF Art Collection, NASA, The Museum of American Illustration,
and have created well over 2000 stamps for some 40 separate nations.
I have illustrated more than a dozen children's books, and have
painted the portraits of Royals, Political Leaders, and celebrated
individuals
from Nobel Laureates to film stars. I take pride in covering everything
from the Pope to Popeye. Everything under the sun and beyond has
a fascinating story that I love to tell with images."
For two decades
Joel Iskowitz has created artwork that has graced the covers
of books, periodicals, journals and postage stamps
worldwide. He is also an active Air Force artist, having documented
missions from Cape Canaveral to commemorative ceremonies in
India, China
and Japan. He has a number of oils in the USAF permanent collection,
including a major piece that hangs in the distinguished visitor's
lounge at Andrews AFB. Mr. Iskowitz has been invited twice to document
Space Shuttle missions and his artwork is on permanent display
at
the NASA Kennedy Space Center Museum. Mr. Iskowitz's artwork has
been featured in many international journals, private and
public
collections including the permanent collections of NASA and the
US Air Force Art Program. Author Tom Wolfe has called the
artwork
of Joel Iskowitz "a fabulous and wonderful accomplishment."
The National Endowment for the Arts has selected Joel Iskowitz
to be awarded the designation of Master Designer to join the United
States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program which creates our nations'
coins and medals.
"From
concept to completion my experience with Joel has been both
enjoyable and
professional. His technical skills were only matched by his ability
to intuit my needs not only quickly but with surgical accuracy.
Working with this designer, artist, and craftsman has been my absolute
pleasure."
Daniel Trush,
Senior Art Director
Pearson Learning
"Traveling
with the Air Force and documenting various missions has literally
taken me around the world, and afforded me a unique and exciting
experience as a narrative illustrator. To be able to witness
history
first hand, in a direct and participatory way, brings a heightened
level of intensity and awareness to my art. I am certain this
translates
the experience to the viewer in a personal and effective way which
photography or film rarely achieve. I
am especially honored that these paintings became part of the
permanent
record in the Air Force Art Collection, and in a very real sense
are a part of that history."
Joel Iskowitz
Dear
Joel,
I was delighted to hear
that a reproduction of your Berlin Airlift Mural will be available
for display at the Society of Illustrators Exhibition in September
and that the original will be ready for presentation to the Secretary
of the Air Force in Washington, this October.
To think, it was just
a few months ago that I was contacted by the USAF Art Program, Pentagon,
to approach you regarding this project. That special request was
a result of the quality of your past works and especially the WWII
China, India, Burma painting that generated substantial interest
and enthusiasm within the Air Force Leadership.
Your willingness
to put aside income-generating work and to donate the time and
effort required
for this project is commendable. While I am sure that compensation
for a similar project from a major corporation would be valued
in
six figures, I can only offer my sincere thanks for your continuing
donations and support of the US Air Force Art Program.
Yours truly,
John Witt
President 1980-83
SI/USAFAP Chairman
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