Jillian Tamaki
Jillian Tamaki was born in Ottawa, Canada, but grew up in Calgary, Alberta Canada. She spent most of her childhood riding horses, and didn't pick up drawing until later. Even though she loved horses, she studied at the Alberta College of Art and Design. Tamaki at first thought she wanted to only study design, but graduated in 2003 with BD's in both illustration and design. In 2005, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in the big city. She has been published in many periodicals, including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Penguin, Esquire, National Geographic, and The Guardian. She currently teaches in the illustration Department of the School of Visual Arts while writing her webcomic "SuperMutant Magic Academy".
Published Works:
In 2006, Jillian published her first book, Gilded Lillies, which is a compilation of her comic strips and illustrations. In 2008, she co-wrote with her cousin, Mariko Tamaki, Skim. Skim sparked some controversy when it was nominated for The Governor's General Literary Award because Jillian was not nominated for her illustrations, only Mariko. Authors and illustrators wrote open letters to the council arguing Jillian should be co-nominee since she co-wrote the book, but the council chose to not invite her to the award ceremony.
in 2010, another collection was published titled Indoor Voice. Similar to Gilded Lillies, Indoor Voice is a collection of original drawings, illustrations, and comic strips, but also includes her work on Drawn and Quarterly's Petit Livre series.
This One Summer was recently published in 2014. It was co-written with her cousin, and was very much anticipated by fans who enjoyed Skim. She is currently working on a book form version of her webcomic "SuperMutant Magic Acamedy," which will be published in 2015.
Awards:
Society of Illustrators (Gold, Silver)
NYTimes Best Illustrated Children’s Books (SKIM)
Society of Publication Designers (Gold)
American Illustration
Communication Arts Annual Doug Wright Best Book (SKIM)
Ignatz Award (SKIM)
Eisner Award (SKIM, nominated) Advertising + Design Club of Canada (Merit)
National Magazine Award
Applied Arts Annual Best Books of 2008 Lists, Publishers Weekly, Quill & Quire (SKIM)
Best American Comics 2009, 2011.
In 2011, Jillian's sketchbook was purchased by the Library of Congress.
Published Works:
In 2006, Jillian published her first book, Gilded Lillies, which is a compilation of her comic strips and illustrations. In 2008, she co-wrote with her cousin, Mariko Tamaki, Skim. Skim sparked some controversy when it was nominated for The Governor's General Literary Award because Jillian was not nominated for her illustrations, only Mariko. Authors and illustrators wrote open letters to the council arguing Jillian should be co-nominee since she co-wrote the book, but the council chose to not invite her to the award ceremony.
in 2010, another collection was published titled Indoor Voice. Similar to Gilded Lillies, Indoor Voice is a collection of original drawings, illustrations, and comic strips, but also includes her work on Drawn and Quarterly's Petit Livre series.
This One Summer was recently published in 2014. It was co-written with her cousin, and was very much anticipated by fans who enjoyed Skim. She is currently working on a book form version of her webcomic "SuperMutant Magic Acamedy," which will be published in 2015.
Awards:
Society of Illustrators (Gold, Silver)
NYTimes Best Illustrated Children’s Books (SKIM)
Society of Publication Designers (Gold)
American Illustration
Communication Arts Annual Doug Wright Best Book (SKIM)
Ignatz Award (SKIM)
Eisner Award (SKIM, nominated) Advertising + Design Club of Canada (Merit)
National Magazine Award
Applied Arts Annual Best Books of 2008 Lists, Publishers Weekly, Quill & Quire (SKIM)
Best American Comics 2009, 2011.
In 2011, Jillian's sketchbook was purchased by the Library of Congress.
Sources:
Butcher, Christopher. "Skim, Graphic Novels, and The Governor General's Literary Award." Skim, Graphic Novels, and The Governor General’s Literary Awards at. Comics212, 12 Nov. 2008. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://comics212.net/2008/11/12/skim-graphic-novels-and-the-governor-generals-literary-awards/>.
Clark, Noelene. "‘This One Summer’: Mariko and Jillian Tamaki Bottle Up Adolescence." Hero Complex. Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2013. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://herocomplex.latimes.com/comics/this-one-summer-mariko-and-jillian-tamaki-bottle-up-adolescence/#/2>.
"Jillian Tamaki." Picture Book Party. Walker Books. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://www.walker.co.uk/contributors/Jillian-Tamaki-8413.aspx>.
"SuperMutant Magic Academy." SuperMutant Magic Academy. Drawn & Quarterly. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://mutantmagic.com/>.
Tamaki, Jillian. Web log post. Jillian Tamaki About Comments. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://jilliantamaki.com/about/>.
Tamaki, Jillian. Web log post. Jillian Tamaki Sketchblog. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://blog.jilliantamaki.com/>.
Tamaki, Jillian. "Jillian Tamaki: About." Weblog post. Jillian Tamaki. Tumblr. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://jilliantamaki.tumblr.com/about>.
Williams, Nate. "Interview with JILLIAN TAMAKI." Weblog post. Illustration Mundo. Tumblr, n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://illustrationmundoblog.tumblr.com/post/29481053736/interview-with-jillian-tamaki>.
Clark, Noelene. "‘This One Summer’: Mariko and Jillian Tamaki Bottle Up Adolescence." Hero Complex. Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2013. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://herocomplex.latimes.com/comics/this-one-summer-mariko-and-jillian-tamaki-bottle-up-adolescence/#/2>.
"Jillian Tamaki." Picture Book Party. Walker Books. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://www.walker.co.uk/contributors/Jillian-Tamaki-8413.aspx>.
"SuperMutant Magic Academy." SuperMutant Magic Academy. Drawn & Quarterly. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://mutantmagic.com/>.
Tamaki, Jillian. Web log post. Jillian Tamaki About Comments. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://jilliantamaki.com/about/>.
Tamaki, Jillian. Web log post. Jillian Tamaki Sketchblog. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://blog.jilliantamaki.com/>.
Tamaki, Jillian. "Jillian Tamaki: About." Weblog post. Jillian Tamaki. Tumblr. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://jilliantamaki.tumblr.com/about>.
Williams, Nate. "Interview with JILLIAN TAMAKI." Weblog post. Illustration Mundo. Tumblr, n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2014. <http://illustrationmundoblog.tumblr.com/post/29481053736/interview-with-jillian-tamaki>.