This week I had the great fortune to meet one of my favorite artists in person for the first time. I first came to know Marc Johns through my day job and struck up an online friendship with him, eventually commissioning him to create the illustration for this blog.
Marc was in town for a conference for his day job, so we arranged for him to stop by the Six Apart offices to say hello. Since one of Marc's specialties is Post-It note art, I have to admit I was tempted to have a stack of Post-Its and a pen just casually waiting on my desk, or even have them ready to thrust into his hand and beg for some impromptu drawings. Then I realized that would be entirely too presumptuous and awkward, so I didn't do it.
Much to my surprise and delight, a few minutes after Marc arrived he said "Oh I have something for you." Turns out he had drawn some Post-It art on the plane for me (and for Vox)! I was SO EXCITED. Here are crappy scans of two of the drawings:
My favorite:
I love how his art tells a story, makes you pause and often just puts a simple smile on your face. Marc's reputation and career have been growing steadily, with new press mentions and the possibility of a book looming in the future. I wish him the best of luck and can't wait to see what's in store for him!
- Buy some art from Marc Johns
- Related reading: art is the new religion's redesign