Artist visits, leaves behind monsters

Stefan G. Bucher, a California designer and illustrator, led Concordia graphic design students in creating a mural and on Saturday gave a talk about the project and some of his other work. 

"From his work and his writing about it, it's clear Stefan Bucher is completely driven to create," said Paul Berkbigler, associate professor of art and project coordinator. 

Bucher is the owner of 344 Design in Los Angeles. His professional work spans the fields of design, illustration, drawing and digital imagemaking for a variety of clients. Bucher also frequently writes about design and illustration online.  His visit is the second Jones National Bank and Trust Company Fine Art Series event this year. The art series is a partnership between the bank and Concordia that started in 2003.

"The connection with Jones is really what has enabled us to do a project of this scale with an invited artist," said Berkbigler. "Their willingness to commit funding to this really speaks to their interest in supporting the creation of new artwork."

Max Wake, president of Jones Bank, has been working with Berkbigler and others to make the event possible. "An event like this directly benefits the students to be sure, but the benefits extend out to the faculty, the campus and the community as well," he said.

Bucher and the students spent three days collaborating to transform metal panels into a painted mural that will be displayed just northwest of the town square along 6th Street through 2008. 

Bucher's visit also coincides with the release of his book, 100 Days of Monsters, and its accompanying DVD.  

Mural painting and installation

See also:  344 Design; Stefan G. Bucher's Daily Monster web pages; 100 Days of Monsters book