Eddie Pena

911. I was on the L train heading out to Brooklyn, but I never left Manhattan. I was sitting, patiently waiting for the train to move when someone said a plane had hit the Twin Towers. I immediately thought about the article on the plane hitting the Empire State Building in 1945 and I figured it was just another accident. Everyone was then evacuated from the subway. When I reached street level (14^th Street) I found myself surrounded by a scene straight out of a science fiction movie. People everywhere covered in dust, long lines of people in front of public phones to contact loved ones, police officers armed with shot guns and rifles. I’m worn out just writing about it. I wanted to know all the details of what was happening but my reaction was to capture the moment. I did not have paper and pen but was equipped with a Sony Digital Mavica camera. Once I took out the Mavica, the first thing I saw was the police officer’s helmet on the floor… what an impact that had on me. I cannot pretend to know or understand what happened on that day, all I know is that people where dying as I numbly walked trying to comprehend what was going on.

The drawing and photos below were done the year after at the memorial. There was complete silence as many stood listening to the names being echoed, tears streaming from many eyes. My heart and prayers are with you all.

We first launched our studio site in 2005. We have always updated the portfolios, but this year we made a few changes to the interface.

We have received many great responses from all areas of the business, Advertising, publishing, film houses and more. Come by and visit us at Studio 1482.

Studio 1482 Website 2008

Welcome. I am a proud member of Studio 1482, which is made up of 9 individual artists. If you have any interest in Illustration, Advertising, Graphic Design, Publishing, Web Design, Multimedia, Photography, Storyboards, Film/Video, Fashion, Packaging, and Sculpture then your at the right place. As a studio we have our hands in each of these markets. I hope you enjoy reading about my experiences as an Illustrator in the business as much as I’m looking forward to sharing them with you. (For a sample of our work go to www.studio1482.com)

Hasta luego.

Eddie Peña

re·port·age –noun a written account of an act, event, history, etc., based on direct observation or on thorough research and documentation. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)

Reportage is about catching life as it happens by allowing all of your senses to be penetrated by the surrounding sounds, smells, and sight. This adds a sincerity to your art. Reportage teaches you how to cover a situation thoroughly. What’s great about working this way is that no matter how many times I go to a specific location I always find something different to talk about. I love to go someplace, sit down and translate what’s happening into my own drawings, my own words. This kind of work requires an extensive vocabulary of graphics to accurately and elaborately convey your message.

This drawing, of a series of the Eiffel Tower, was done on location in the beautiful city of Paris. It was a hot day, tourists were everywhere. I walked 700 steps to the second level of the tower and then back down. There were con men trying to sell me mini tower souvenirs. I had beer spilled on me from above. You can’t get those experiences by drawing from a picture. Those experiences influence the choices you make when putting that pen to paper. Every drawing I make has a story, has a life of its own.

Reportage branched out my career path. I’ve worked in the field of animation, drawn murals for the 3M Corporation, worked in the Package and Toy design industry, designed movie posters, built online video games and my desire is to do much more. You read this list and think the old cliché, “jack of all trades and master of none.” Nonetheless, all of these projects required one thing that I possess, the ability to draw. Even though I have not mastered my drawing ability I hope to never do so, but continue to learn and improve everyday of my life.

As a great friend of mine once said “If you can draw you’ll be in the business forever.”

Eddie Peña