By Mark Kaufman
Next week I'll be attending ICON  5, the Illustration Conference in New York. I will be hawking my wares/whoring myself out at the Roadshow on July 2. I will be sharing a table with someone, but I don't know who yet. This is how I envision the evening. That is me on the left. If you are in NYC next Wednesday and you want to attend the Roadshow make sure to RSVP before June 30th, here’s more info:
ICON5 Roadshow Illustration Salon
Wednesday July 2nd 5:00-8:00pm
Roosevelt Hotel 45 E. 45th Street off Madison Avenue
RSVP by June 30th to admin@theillustrationconference.org
Use Roadshow RSVP as the subject heading

By Mark Kaufman
These days my portfolios are never current, they are always terribly out of date. I am updating my book for ICON next month, and have hundreds of pieces scattered around the office. I never liked putting a book together, I usually had to do it on a rush basis for a meeting or presentation, but thankfully I have some time this go-round, which really helps with the editing process. What I think is an absolutely essential piece today, will look trite tomorrow. More time means the ability to find juxtapositions that work, and more importantly gives me an opportunity to think about what I have done, what I want to do, and what I want to say…which of course will probably also change tomorrow.

I’ll will be exhibiting at the ICON Roadshow Illustration Salon
Wednesday July 2nd 5:00-8:00pm
Roosevelt Hotel 45 E. 45th Street off Madison Avenue

If you are an art director or designer and will be in New York on July 2 and you want to see what I and 99 other illustrators have been up to you must RSVP by June 30th to:

admin@theillustrationconference.org
Use Roadshow RSVP as the subject heading

By Mark Kaufman
Not to beat a dead horse, but the new issue of Step Inside Magazine has hit the streets. Seriously, look for my name on the cover. At finer bookstores and newstands everywhere.

By Mark Kaufman

Vivitiv partners Mark Kaufman and Jacqueline McCarthy are very pleased to announce that we are the subjects of an eight page spread in Step Inside Design Magazine. We know, we know, slow news day. Several months ago we were interviewed by the noted design writer (and heck of a nice fella) Matthew Porter about our work, our careers in design and illustration, and all things Vivitiv. The greatest thing about the article is the fact that based on these interviews, Mr. Porter has deemed us the Fred and Ethel of American Design. It’s right there in print. A higher honor we could not wish for.

Of course, as thrilled as we are to be featured in a national design magazine – great for the ego don’t you know – we would be remiss if we didn’t thank all of the people that have helped us along the way in the last 18 years, all of the great clients, associates, employees, friends and even arch enemies. We couldn’t have done it without you.

By Mark Kaufman
With the move to a new office I am trying to corral close to 30 years worth of sketches, drawing, cocktail napkin ideas and file them. I am trying to make some kind of sense of boxes and boxes of projects for clients far and wide, personal work and just plain scribblings that make no sense at all.  Photos are of a tiny sample of a pile of stuff and me next to the filing cabinet wondering how on earth I am going to manage all of this. Many thanks to Jean McCarthy for helping me get started on this.

By Mark Kaufman

We’ve sent out blast e-mails, posted to the Vivitiv blog, and told people personally, and for those of you who don’t already know, Vivitiv and Drawmark will be closed for the month of December. We are taking a long vacation during a traditionally slow month for us. The clock is ticking and we have but one week before our trip, therefore I cannot take on any new assignments at this time. Ciao!

By Mark Kaufman
I am pleased to announce that a few of my illustrations and cartoons from over 20 years ago (!) have made it into the new book The Best of LCD: The Art and Writing of WFMU, from Princeton Architectural Press. The book was edited by the awesome Dave the Spazz, DJ extraordinaire and chimp aficionado, with a forward by Jim Jarmusch! I am very proud of my miniscule contribution over the years to WFMU, and it is mindblowing to be in a book along with the likes of Charles Burns, Daniel Clowes, Gary Panterer, Harvey Pekar, Mark Newgarden, Kaz, Chris Ware, Jim Woodring, Nick Tosches, Luc Sante…MAN! The list of talent goes on and on. Essentially this is a repository of the best cartoonists, illustrators, writers, musicians, and deejays churning out an amazing array of imaginative and heartfelt work for the greatest station in the nation. A labor of love for all involved, so thanks to Dave the Spazz and Ken Freedman for including me.

By Mark Kaufman
Over at Design Observer, Michael Beirut tossed up his student portfolio for all to see. With that in mind, please alert the media. After 20 years of using an old, chewed up, broken set of french curves I have finally invested in a new set. They are German, they are beautiful. Deal with it.

By Mark Kaufman
Oh Joy! In the letters section of the latest issue of Seattle Metropolitan Monthly is some hate mail about this piece that I did a couple of issues ago. To quote one reader:

 “…I am disgusted and disappointed at the porking pigs, and here’s why: Stupidly vulgar, a crude cartoon like this appeals to kids who don't know what it represents…I don’t want them seeing that.“

Thanks! That just made my day. Hell, it made my week. It’s nice to know that people notice something you’ve done. Even if they hate it. I'm not sure how many kids read regional magazines though. Unless they’re in the market for luxury condos, aesthetic dentistry or to find out the best bars in Seattle. Keep those cards and letters coming.

By Mark Kaufman
In the “take it where I can get it” department, last weeks issue of The Stranger contained the following tidbit from A. Birch Steen, Stranger Ombudsman and OSHA Board of Governors Member (retired):

What I recommend, given the limited coherence of The Stranger's writers, are the items that revert to the primitive form of picture making. If a caveman can do it, I figure, then this paper's employees can surely do it, or at least do it well enough. Indeed,   the comics, the sketches,  and the photographs taken by an Irish person named Kelly O, are generally this paper's one redeeming quality. 

Since I am at the very least one of the cadre of cavemen that provides comics and illustrations to the publication, I will take it as a compliment. Even if it is a joke. Thanks!

By Mark Kaufman
Hey look at me. I am Friend of the Week over at Illosaurus. Head on over there for illustration portfolios, interviews, blogs and links to advice, other portals, and organizations. This image is only a detail, go over there and find out just what Uncle Sam is up to.

By Mark Kaufman
I am very pleased to announce that the July/August 07 issue of Guild News the newsletter of the Graphic Artists Guild has included a profile of yours truly. As always I am in some very fine company, as there are also profiles of some other fine illustrators including Ken Orvidas, Margaret Cusack, Lloyd Dangle, Kristina Swarner, and David Opie. Hopefully as a Guild member you have recieved your issue. If you are not a member why don't you get up off your ass and join today. Here's a link you lazy bastard. The Guild does a lot of heavy lifting on behalf of illustrators, designers, and artists,  by advocating for your rights in contracts, copyright protection, legislation on taxes, and orphan works that benefit all of us. So don't be so damn selfish Mr. Lone Wolf. Join up because there is strength in numbers. A big tip of the hat to Patricia McKiernan and Deborah Kantor for including me!

By Mark Kaufman
Hot off the presses and into my filthy little hands. four color, six panel, oversize cards with some of my finest, bestest work. If you’d like one, conatct me ASAP, because as soon as I clean up my mailing list these sumbitches hit the desks of art directors all over the US of A. 

By Mark Kaufman
Here's a new spot I did for The Stranger this week about raising money for Democrats. Which got me to thinking about doing my part and setting up a new Act Blue page. It's called 2008 / Trophy Wives For Thompson which along with Flip Flops for Romney, Dictators for Thompson, McCainSurge 2008, Thompson/Montechristo 08, Cokefiends for Guiliani, and Hunter/Coulter 08 ask for your support in fighting against hypocrisy, Hollywood values GOP style and saying and doing anything to win votes and influence people. Won't you do your part and donate either at my Act Blue page (see convenient link at right) or set up your own page?