Since graduating from the Maryland Institute, College of Art in 1990, Jonathan Carlson has been earning his bread and butter as a freelance illustrator. His work has appeared in major publications such as the Wall St. Journal, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Time, Newsweek, Fortune, Variety, Food & Wine, and GQ, where for two plus years he illustrated a monthly column called “The Style Guy”. He has also worked on campaigns for advertising agencies, for clients such as Mini Cooper, The USPS, and Eli Lilly. Nike selected him to illustrate their billboard-size posters for the 1998 World Cup, which was held that year in Paris. Throughout the years, Jonathan has continued to paint. Painting was always his first love, and the painting and illustration have always occupied separate realms. In recent years the painting has begun to be the primary focus, and some elements which have long been identifiable within Jonathan’s illustrative work are now beginning to find their way into the painting.
Photo by Jenny Dow