Santa Fe, New Mexico was the high altitude US venue for the recent Illustration Conference 2001, which ran from June 24th to 27th inclusive. Since its beginnings in October 1999, this well-organised conference serves as a dedicated forum for illustrators, their agents and clients to review and discuss current trends which affect the industry. This year saw the first Irish delegate attend, representing the newly-formed Illustrators Guild of Ireland (IGI) alongside organisations such as the Graphics Art Guild and Illustrators' Partnership of America.

Business practices were high on the agenda, as panels addressed issues of copyright, licensing and contracts. Secondary rights, i.e the rights to reproduce an image beyond it's original license, were a recurring point for discussion. Illustrators are learning and acting to control their own images in the marketplace, having witnessed the devaluation of creative imagemaking caused by the pile-em-high, sell-em-cheap ethos of the larger stock image resources. Photography representatives spoke frankly of the disenfranchisement in their ranks of highly creative individuals entering into contracts with stock houses, only to have their trust and rights violated. The need for creators to educate themselves regarding their rights and protect those rights through copyright registration and fair contracts was stressed throughout.

The conference theme of 'Effecting Change' was carried through to lively discussions on the merits of new technologies and media and the opportunities they present. The attendees heard from illustrators whose creative work puts them at the creative core of TV, Animation, Computer Games, Movies and the Internet. Barry Jackson, Illustrator and Director, spoke of how the creative ability inherent in most illustrators is one of the most valuable skills in any media where education, information or entertainment is the goal. Emerging technologies for the delivery of digital content were also outlined, and the realisation that traditional markets for illustration are being steadily subsumed by newer, more proactive markets was absorbed by even the most luddite technophobes in the audience.

While the nuts and bolts of business got a fair airing, there were also some remarkable and inspirational presentations by some of the leading names in illustration today. Brad Holland spoke eloquently about the role of the illustrator in chronicling the culture of the day. Noah Woods (the impossibly youthful recipient of this year's Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators of New York) regaled us with tales of his previous incarnation and timely epiphany while lunching with David Hockney! Soft-spoken Texan, Mark English gave a mesmerising and understated account of an exceptional career spanning over forty years, drawing a spontaneous standing ovation for an artist who continues to innovate. And as for J. Otto Seibold, well, all I can say is 'Bubblesoap'.

Add to all this the exceptional quality of specialist speakers, the various publications represented (Graphis, Communication Arts, Creative Review, Step-by-Step Graphics), the lively mix of illustrators from all disciplines and techniques and the overwhelmingly positive and friendly atmosphere - this conference delivered on so many levels. Well worth the jetlag!

For a more detailed review of the Illustration Conference 2001 and other illustration news, visit the website of the Illustrators Guild of Ireland at www.illustratorsireland.com

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