Youth, it is often said, is wasted on the young. In the case of today's guest, I gotta disagree. He's only 33 years old and as an illustrator, educator and now, fine artist, he has the accomplishments behind him of a man twice his age. Impressive.
I'm thinking we first became acquainted with the name Sterling Hundley while trolling the Richard Solomon website. You know how it goes—you see something that strikes you and say—"Okay, that person's style is pretty cool."
His name came up again when we spoke to George Pratt on the show and that's when we really started our research (I make it sound much more studious than it was—really, it was just more trolling).
I'm absolutely digging Sterling's work these days and I'll tell you why. As I get older, I become more a fanboy of artists who can bridge the chasm between the natural and the abstract. Those that can weave the two approaches together seamlessly. I'm sure it's not an easy feat since so few do it well (to me) and this guy rocks at it.
As mentioned above, Hundley not only kills as an illustrator, has been published by everybody, has awards out the wazoo and just launched his first solo art exhibition, Emergent—but he shapes young minds, too.
He's a professor in the Department of Communication Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University and he's one of the core teachers involved with Illustration Academy. At the Academy, he works alongside folks like Mark English, Anita Kunz, Gary Kelley and Chris Payne. Not bad company, huh?
I won't call Sterling Hundley a wunderkind, but at the "crotchety" old age of 33, he's damn near done it all. Or has he?
Click here to download the show.
One of my favourite illustrators right now. Apparently a very cool person,too - Great episode! Thanks Dwight and Swain!
Posted by: Jonas | November 18, 2009 at 04:35 AM
Great job guys! Awesome interview.
Posted by: shawn | November 18, 2009 at 06:40 AM
I had a class or 2 with him during my time at VCU and Sterling is an all around awesome artist person and teacher! He is very very real, and keeps it that way.
(Re: We kinda thought so, Naomi. Thanks for writing. - Swain)
Posted by: Naomi | December 04, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Thank you for this insight to one of my favorite artists.
Posted by: Christopher Soprano | December 10, 2009 at 10:40 PM
this was such an awesome show. thanks for making this and thanks sterling!
(RE: Thanks for taking the time to say hello and listening Alex, we really appreciate your comments! -Dwight)
Posted by: alex | December 22, 2009 at 04:55 PM
A friend, a mentor, and a humble guy.
(RE: We concur, Kyle, Sterling is tops!)
Posted by: Kyle T Webster | July 08, 2010 at 05:22 PM
This was an AMAZING interview. I felt like I was taking a class. I've referred several friends to this and have listened to it a few times already. So much valuable info. Thanks so much, Sidebar and Mr. Hundley. :D
PS - Also really enjoyed the Gregory Manchess from the archives. Another great teacher.
Posted by: Teresa | September 19, 2011 at 11:24 AM