WHITNEY SHERMAN, Her story of Illustration
Director of the MFA in Illustration Practice at Maryland Institute College of Art, Proprietor of Whitney Sherman Illustration, and Pbody Design.
At the time I met Whitney Sherman, I had no idea how much the course of my life would change. She is the Director of the MFA Illustration Practice at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and an award-winning illustrator with many other professional experiences I was to later learn. We met during an interview, an interview that would decide my future in the master’s program.
In the days before that interview, I can’t deny I was intimidated by her impressive resume: a life of experience in graphic design and illustration; recognition not just in the United States but around the world, award winner of the most prestigious illustration competitions and a list of clients that every illustrator would love to work for. I, on the other hand, had nothing more impressive than my deep desire to become an illustrator.
We met through Skype. As we spoke, my concerns began to fade. I felt comfortable. She felt trustable and kind, I felt comfortable. She spoke slowly, I guess she knew it would help me be calm and make it easier for me to understand her since English is not my mother language.
I went to study the MFA in Illustration Practice at MICA and she became my teacher. She let all the students know on the first day of class who was in charge. Very strict and organized. The program that she crafted many times clashed with the stubbornness of students like myself; However, many of her students have become great illustrators worldwide; then the program must be good. Besides, being in charge will never make you the most popular and you might not receive the recognition you deserve. A price to pay. I hope she knows our success is also hers.
One of the things I value the most from Whitney is that she wasn’t born being a Director, she became one. She began where most paths do, from the bottom. She was fortunate to have a supportive family, one that encouraged her to follow her dreams, dreams that started with attending art college.
While there she struggled with ideas of the time, ideas that dismissed design and illustration as meaningless in the “world of art”. In an effort to find her place, she studied photography while keeping her interests in design alive through self-education. Being self-taught in design and illustration did have a basis in principles she’d learned in drawing and photography and from there, she made her way to the top in a variety of professional positions: as a pattern maker for screen printed fabrics and wall coverings, an advertising agency art director, a print design art director, as creative director and in teaching, both undergraduates and graduate programs. This journey as an artist and designer was not planned and was certainly influenced by many conditions outside of her control, yet the many steps in the course of building a career added to her experience and shaped her into the person she is today. Her professional journey demonstrates that the key to success relies on persistence and discipline.
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The last time I saw Whitney was after the interview we did to her for our Youtube channel. I went to her studio to pick up the bird she painted for our project, Migratory. We began to casually talk about illustration. At a certain point, she stood and crossed her studio to reveal some boxes. In them were hundreds of slides — a record of images she had previously created for clients. Out of curiosity, I asked her if she knew how many jobs she has done. More than 5000, she answered. I was absolutely amazed; not just by the quality and quantity of work done but also the organization and care of her archive.
During our conversation Whitney recounted the differences between working now and before the internet, and how it shortened distances; about her path to be the Director of the Illustration Practice program and the more than two years of planning, conviction and perseverance — the strength and braveness that was needed to conceive it. Sometimes it is good to swim against the flow.
That day, when I left her studio, my perception about her change a lot. I felt admiration for what she has done. I feel that what is on the internet does not reflect what she has done. Her life path is a an example of strength and tenacity to grow and make. It reaffirms my idea that if you want something in life, you must have the drive to go and get it.
I guess our paths break here but I am more than sure we will meet again. Me? I will be with me wife, who I met in the program, traveling the world looking for amazing illustrators who want to share their works and experiences with us. MICA and of course Whitney, gave me the wings to think in a project like this one. She? She will keep working within new arenas in illustration and for the good of illustration. Her next project “The History of Illustration” textbook will be released January 2018 and will, like never before, cover the historic points of view of illustration on all the continents.
Whitney’s Favourite:
Animal: Cat
Música: All but country
Food: Pie
Movie: The Limey | Steven Soderberg
Books: Goodbye to all That | Harris Lewine
Principles of Uncertainty | Maira Kalman
whitneysherman.com
www.historyofillustration.org
Written by: Ricardo Nunez Suarez
