It's A Process: A Look at Jack Unruh's Illustrations from Sketch to Print
Curated by Mary Oberlies

The illustration presented to the populace in magazines, newspapers and other printed material is the ultimate culmination of an artistic process that begins with an idea, pulled from any source that is then transferred to paper. During the process, the illustration can go through several reincarnations as it is perfected to display the message in a visually pleasing and thought or laugh provoking manner.

Jack Unruh creates his illustrations with pen and ink and colors them with watercolor and brush. The Aspen Sojourner identified his work as complicated with a slight bent and fellow illustrator John Hendrix notes Unruh's jovial outlook on life penetrates his work, creating a "visual funhouse," that belies the meticulous detail in each line of the drawing. It is the pen and ink foundation of his illustrations that bring the amazing texture to the drawings and creates the open nature of Unruh's work. Through this process Unruh creates detail, but leaves white space, which he maintains by then selectively coloring the illustration.

This exhibit, explores the artistic process behind Jack Unruh's illustrations, taking a peek at the development of selected published illustrations from their earliest incarnation to the final product. The images come from original artwork (sketches and drawings), tear sheets, and commissioned artwork reproductions from the Jack Unruh collection and represent his work from 1980-2008. The subjects of the images vary from wildlife to human relationships. Several images are thought provoking, encouraging the viewer to examine the real-life situation, while others celebrate nature and the human experience. The selected illustrations celebrate the artistic process and explore the joy of life in all its forms, while probing the problems that haunt society.