EVERYTHING BEGINS WITH A PENCIL: AN INTERVIEW WITH ILLUSTRATOR TED WILLIAMS

BY MARY MAGER

For many in the world of illustration, Ted Williams needs no introduction. His attention to detail has garnered him both respect and admiration among colleagues. His journey began with a childhood dream: to make a living drawing. Indeed, this dream became a very successful art career, rst in advertising, later in book and magazine illustration, then with publishing his own aviation books. His remarkable talent has opened the door to many interesting projects including the well-known John Deere for Kids Art Property. He likes solving problems for people via his art.

In your childhood, who inspired you?

Growing up I had my heroes. American WWII ying ace, Chuck Yeager, was one. Listening to older generations retell their WWII storiesprovidedmanyexamplesofcourage. emagazineeraenjoyed its heyday in the 1950s, and I was exposed to such illustration greats as Norman Rockwell and Albert Dorne.

One of my educators, Father Cullen, C.S.B., and I became friends in high school. He was truly my art mentor. Under his guidance, I drew and painted many stage sets. My dream of becoming an artist grew even stronger when, in my senior year, I took an art class with Father Cullen. Even a er graduating, Father Cullen and I remained close. He performed the marriage ceremony for my wife, Gail, and me.

However, not all my teachers encouraged me in art. Sister Cyril speci cally reminded me, “Master Williams, I would pay more attention to your studies because you’ll never make a living drawing airplanes.”

Sister Cyril was mistaken. How did your career start?

A er serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, I studied art and design at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Soon, I obtained a job as a dra sman at Kodak where I did technical illustrations by hand. I began to develop a reputation for being good at drawing mechanical things, especially metal objects.

A er Kodak, I became an art director. I worked at several advertising agencies around Rochester. My rst solo agency was a service studio, Williams Advertising Art. Later, I established the Williams Harris Communications Advertising Agency, a full-service marketing communications rm. I spent much of my commercial career designing, writing, and producing communications for companies like GM, Kodak, and Xerox.

A memorable project from this time was when I painted a Supermarine Spit re, a WWII British ghter aircra , for the Spit re Machine Tool Company. e nished oil painting was used in a promotional campaign for the Chicago-based company. A er that, I was contacted by a U.S. Air Force Major who had seen the Spit re painting and wanted me to create a series of aircra paintings for an Air National Guard calendar. From there, I was contacted by Skyways: Journal of the Airplane to depict airplanes in air races. I worked closely with this publication for many years, producing complex historically-accurate illustrations for many editions. at was a very busy time; I was also illustrating for Houghton Mi in Harcourt and Oxford University Press as well as running an advertising agency. What led you to illustrations for children’s books?

Around this time, I received a call from Parachute Publishing. ey were looking for audition art to revive the John Deere for Kids Property. My previous work with children’s textbooks had piqued my interest in communication with children through art. My audition art was a Santa Claus delivering gi s in a John Deere Gator utility vehicle. Parachute liked it and I restyled all John Deere art for the Johnny Tractor Series. By this time, advertising had crossed into digital art, and this series was the beginning of my specialization in digital art.

What is your creative process?

My creative process begins with a pencil. I draw numerous pencil dra s, which are sample, problem-solving illustrations I create based on what needs to be communicated on each page of the book. From there, I work digitally to produce nal illustrations to be used inside the book. At every stage I consult with a book editor to make sure the entire project is on time, on track, and on budget.

What media do you like to work in?

I sketch by hand and paint in oils. I have a diverse portfolio with examples in many media. While I o en work in oils and have experimented with many other media, I have come to embrace and truly enjoy the digital process as well.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

You have to handle rejection. Constantly improve your cra . Talent needs practice every day. Learn new skills so you keep up with the times.

Check out Ted’s portfolio at tedwilliamsillustration.com.

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Know the dress code. Dress accordingly for the destination and planned activity. The dating and socializing resource Girls Chase advises that slim, black jeans can look classy on a night out. Footwear is important as well, especially if you will be doing some walking or dancing. Women who choose to wear heels may want to stash a foldable pair of flats in their handbags in the event they need some relief.

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* Edgar Rice Burroughs, creator of the iconic jungle man Tarzan, worked as a pencil-sharpener salesman before trying his hand at fiction. He only started writing at the age of 36 to support his wife and two kids.

PAW’S CORNER

By Sam Mazzotta

Keep Your Dog Safe From Tick-Borne Infections

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I’m afraid to take my 1-year-old Lab, Shiner, on hikes in the woods because he might be bitten by a tick and get ill. What’s your take on the tick situation? -- Brian in Concord, New Hampshire

DEAR BRIAN: Even though ticks carrying diseases like Lyme are a concern, do not let the risk put you o of bringing your dog along on hiking adventures. Yes, ticks are numerous, and you live in a hotspot for tick-borne diseases. But there are precautions that you can take to keep both Shiner and yourself healthy.

A Lyme vaccine is available for dogs, so talk to your vet about getting Shiner this shot. But ticks carry other diseases too. So be sure that Shiner wears a ea-and-tickrepellent collar or takes a ea-andtick (and heartworm) preventative medication.

Keep ticks o of your own skin by treating clothing and gear with permethrin and letting it dry completely before wearing the gear (permethrin should never be applied to your skin). Just before setting out on your hike, spray insect repellent that works on numerous bugs, including ticks and eas, onto your skin.

A er your hike, before getting into the car, check Shiner’s coat for ticks and other bugs. Run your hand along his fur from head to tail to dislodge any critters or debris from the top of his coat. Check under his tail and between the pads of his paws. Shake your gear out and do a tick check on yourself as much as possible.

At home, do a more thorough check of Shiner by running your hands into his coat and visually checking his fur and skin. Remove any embedded ticks using a tick removal tool.

Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.

(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

BOOKCASE/DESK – 6’ cabinet with storage shelves, desk compartment, and drawers. Pick up, Wayland: 585-766-5925

A couple hundred MIXED BRICKS. Many of a few types and in decent condition. Some poor. Take any amount desired! 716-954-3141

IMPACT ADVANCED IMMUNONUTRITION DRINK, Vanilla, nine 8.45oz cartons, exp. 9-25-23. Pick up, Fairport: 585-899-0091

EGG CARTONS – Do you need any? How many? Must pick up, Hilton: 585-752-1562

Ten medium-sized MOVING BOXES. Fairport: 585-943-3226

OLD WOODEN DESK - 60”x34” removable top for easy transport. From Dr.’s office: amparmil@rochester.rr.com

LA-Z-BOY RECLINER and BUS ENGINE: sbly5722@gmail.com

Large GOLF TROPHY, Fisher & Paykel CPAP SUPPLIES - small cushions, headset, tubing & filters: 585-343-5957. Please leave a message.

HOSTAS - No digging, they are ready to go. Bring a container. Clifton Springs area: koko92505@yahoo.com

Everett UPRIGHT PIANO – needs tuning. Pick up, Geneseo: 585-441-8978

WOMEN’S CLOTHES, all sizes. COLORING BOOKS, COLORING PICTURES and CRAYONS: 585-236-0426

WOODWORKING MAGAZINES. Located in Caledonia: 585-704-9816 GARDEN BOX SPACE (w/plants) available at St. Timothy Church in Geneseo: 585-243-4777

RUSTIC BLUEBIRD HOUSE. Call Sunday evening: 315-524-5495

SCHWINN RECUMBENT EXERCISE BIKE, model 223, in good working condition. Adjustable seat: 585-235-0935

Six TIRES 185/55R/16. Very good tread: 585-424-0982

Three 5-gallon containers of W.R. MEADOWS SEAL TIGHT, CS-309-25. Nonyellowing, curing, and sealing compound for protection of concrete: 585-993-5523

FORGET-ME-NOT PLANTS in Penfield: 585-671-0703 (lv. msg.)

AEROBIC POINT 25 STATIONARY EXERCISE BIKE: tjpr@yahoo.com

POOL SUPPLIES - Dual water bags, sand filter, ladder, 16x32 solar cover, hose. Webster: Call4carol@gmail.com

PING PONG TABLE. You pick up, Henrietta: 585-404-5763

MEDICINE CABINET, 16” x 22” full mirror: 607-382-8350

SHONINGER SPINET PIANO and BENCH. Good condition. Needs tuning. You move: lbuckner31049@gmail.com or 585-355-1876

OLD MAGAZINES - 40s Screen Guide, 50s Life, 1952 Colliers, 1941 Radio Mirror. All poor condition: 585-671-2598

HEATWAVE PORTABLE CAMPFIRE UNIT. Good condition. Comes with a grill top and a HIBACHI GRILL. Good condition: 585-671-2598

COOPERSTOWN DREAMS PARK TRADING PINS and DISPLAY BOOK for granddaughter who will play in one tournament this summer: 585-334-6134

Looking for a decent GARAGE DOOR, 85”x9’: 585-298-0040

TRUCK for low-income Senior Citizen. Road-worthy, for transportation of elderly mother, and general handy work/yard work. Soon to be urgent need! 585-483-1054

Looking for CLEAN PINE NEEDLES: 585-520-3819

Looking for any OLD/NEW VIDEO GAMES/CONSOLES or COMPUTERS. High school student looking to learn. Can be working/not working. Text 585-450-1172

FOLD-UP TREADMILL. Can pick up: Breit11763@gmail.com

All DC and MARVEL COMIC BOOKS; any year, any issue, any condition: timpani_m@yahoo.com

MANNEQUIN or MANNEQUINS. Used or unwanted for school project. Will pick up: stujaxon@yahoo.com

THE CHOSEN SERIES: braduns@yahoo.com

Small SUV or PICKUP needed for disabled veteran for transport to appointments and errands: bhaizlip@rochester.rr.com

Full size SOFA BED / HIDE-A-BED needed for Boy Scout Leader’s cabin. Rips or stains okay. Will pick up: bhaizlip@rochester.rr.com

LAWN ROLLER and a GRASS CATCHER to pull behind my lawnmower. Text or call: 585-260-0437

COMICS - Any and all! Any years, any condition, any amount. Avid collector who still loves comics: Text or call: 585-260-0437

RASCAL SCOOTER in good working condition, scratches, and dents okay.

COSTUME JEWELRY, any condition and an ATARI 2600 w/accessories and games: 585-415-8513

BROTHER ELECTRIC TYPEWRITER for senior citizen: 585-703-7196

VINTAGE ARCHERY RECURVE BOWS/ARROWS/ACCESSORIES for Scout Archery Merit Badge: Text 585-794-0448 or email mintshape@netacc.net

Hobby grade RC VEHICLES, vintage or newer, gas nitro, electric, parts or whole, running or not, for father son projects: 585-363-1903

SPRING CEDAR TREES. Entire trees or just the limbs. Will load and remove! Mothersfield@aol.com

FULLSIZE LIGHTBAR and UTILITY TRAILER: 585-447-0201

INK PRINTER CARTRIDGES, Number 60 and 61 for HP Printer: 585-519-3325

Thank you

YARN - For a mission project. Can pick up. Thank you! Webster: 585-265-4548

One lightweight and one portable type of VACUUM CLEANER, TRANSISTOR RADIO, small FILE CABINET with key. Webster/surrounding area: 585-424-0732

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STEPS INVOLVED WITH ESTATE PLANNING

Medical directives. In addition to a will, estate planning includes your wishes if you become incapacitated or suffer from a serious medical condition that precludes you from making decisions about your care and finances. Spouses can be named to make important health decisions, but you may want to indicate other information, such as life support measures or organ donation, as well. If you have strong opinions on treatment, medical directives and living wills are a necessity.

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I sometimes open all my doors so she can jump down. Missy is an indoor cat. I love her a lot.