News

Update #5: Site re-launch, and a thank-you list

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This is the first update from the new JacobvanLoon.com. I have been surviving off my own web design skill set for years now; and finally had the opportunity to let someone else take a shot at the coding this time around. I had my first online portfolio five or six years ago, and I STILL think the first site I had was super cool. Anyways. This new site is a huge step forward for my presence online, something that’s been beneficial to my goals. I owe a lot of that to the various helping hands I’ve had along the way. Here are some of them:

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Luke Shumard: Churned this site out at a mind-blowing rate, all things considered. A talented designer as well as a woodsy printmaker, I wish him the best in London; as he finds the balance between married life, trying to secure a visa, and skateboarding. I don’t know why I’m talking about him like he’s not here. He could edit this post if he wanted. In that case, I should give him less to talk about. -

Jeffry Sobchack: Has thrown me bones large and small for the past 5+ years, and given me the opportunity to work with several interesting people over the course. On top of hosting my various websites for an extensive amount of time, he also put out a Slices record. I mean, he’s put out a lot of records. But Slices is really good. -

Derrik Engel: Was the designer of my first online porfolio website, “Chapters of Lockjaw”. It had a diver, sound effects, and flash bubbles. It was the shit. I failed him miserably when we both found out I couldn’t play drums to a click/midi track in the studio some 4 years ago. I might be able to now, but I doubt it. An excellent guitarist as well as a skilled designer, he has provided me more insight on making a career as an illustrator than he is probably aware of.

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Jeremi Bialowas & Ania Wilczak: Though Ania was never officially a photo instructor at Oakton, I consider both of them crucial figures in my progression in and outside of academics. Photography changed the way I see everything, and is unquestionably the biggest inspiration behind my reasons for pursuing illustration (which is a good art joke if you consider the history of both fields). My time in the photo lab at Oakton was some of the most valuable schooling I’ve ever had, plus I eventually got to meet all of Jeremi and Ania’s cats on several occasions.

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Jim Krauss: I don’t think you use the internet, Jim. I learned more about painting in two semesters under your wing than I have since I was a kid. You taught me the importance of developing the concept behind my work as well as forcing me to get it right on the technical side. I’ve never again had to re-do a painting 3 times in a row.

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