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{{Short description|American painter}} {{Short description|French artist and illustrator|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2016}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox artist {{Infobox artist
| birth_name = ] | birth_name = Guy Billout
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age |1941|07|07|mf=y}} | birth_date = {{Birth date and age |1941|07|07|mf=y}}<ref name="encyclopedia">{{cite web |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/billout-guy-rene-1941|title=BILLOUT, Guy (René) 1941- |publisher=] |access-date=2020-05-07}}</ref>
| birth_place = ], ] | birth_place = ], ]<ref name="encyclopedia"/>
| death_date = | death_date =
| death_place = | death_place =
| field = ], ] | field = ], ]
| training = ] | training = ]
| awards = {{Plainlist| | awards = {{Plainlist|
* ], 1989 * ], 1989
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| website = | website =
}} }}
'''Guy Billout''' (born July 7, 1941)<ref name="encyclopedia"/> is a ] artist and ]. In 1989, Billout received the ] and in 2016, he was inducted into the ] Hall of Fame.<ref name="soi" />
{{short description|French artist and illustrator|bot=PearBOT 5}}
'''Guy Billout''' (born 1941 in ]) is a ] artist and ]. In 1989, Billout received the ] which is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in illustration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tor.com/2010/01/29/john-jude-palencar-wins-the-hamilton-king-award/|accessdate=2010-02-14|title=Hamilton King Award|publisher=Tor|first1=Irene|last1=Gallo}}</ref> and in 2016 he was inducted into the ] Hall of Fame.<ref name="soi" />


Billout's aesthetic style is described as clean, spare and precise, often incorporating some ] element, with lush colors and exquisite craftsmanship. His style and technique often portrays a surreal parallel dream world where something is always out of kilter.<ref name="ai" /> Billout's aesthetic style is described as clean, spare and precise, often incorporating some ] element, with lush colors and exquisite craftsmanship. His style and technique often portrays a surreal parallel dream world where something is out of kilter.<ref name="ai" />
== Early Life and Education ==
Billout grew up in ], a small town in the center of France where he received a conventional education. His father, René George was a ] and his mother, Christiane, a ].<ref name="encyclopedia">{{cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/billout-guy-rene-1941|title=BILLOUT, Guy (René) 1941-|accessdate=2020-05-07}}</ref> No one in his family had an artistic background.<ref name="ai"/> In the 1950s, he studied advertising at the ] of ], in the ] region. In 1962, Billout move to Paris and worked for the ], ] as a designer until 1966. From 1966 until 1968 he worked at the advertising agency, Thibaud-Lintas.<ref name="encyclopedia" /><ref name="soi">{{cite web|url=https://www.societyillustrators.org/guy-billout|accessdate=2020-05-03|first=Véronique|last=Vienne|publisher=Society of Illustrators|title=2016 Hall of Fame Inductee : Guy Billout}}</ref> In 1969 the artist would move to New York City and begin a career as a full time illustrator.<ref name="boredpanda">{{cite web|url=https://www.boredpanda.com/surreal-illustrations-guy-billout/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic|accessdate=2020-05-02|title=68 Mind-Twisting Surreal Illustrations By Guy Billout}}</ref>
=== Artistic Influences ===
] (1907-1983) for the detail of the works in ]<ref name="soi" /><br />
] (1907-2002) French Poster Artist<ref name="ai" /><br />
] (1915-2005) French-Hungarian Cartoonisy<ref name="ai" /><br />
] (1920-2011) British Illustrator<ref name="ai" />


== Early life and education ==
== Illustration Career ==
Born July 7, 1941 in ],<ref name="encyclopedia"/> Billout grew up in ], a small town in the center of France where he received a conventional education. His father, René George was a ] and his mother, Christiane, a ].<ref name="encyclopedia"/> No one in his family had an artistic background.<ref name="ai"/> In the 1950s, he studied advertising at the ] of ], in the ] region. In 1962, Billout moved to Paris and worked for the ], ] as a designer until 1966. From 1966 until 1968 he worked at the advertising agency, Thibaud-Lintas.<ref name="encyclopedia" /><ref name="soi">{{cite web|url=https://www.societyillustrators.org/guy-billout|access-date=2020-05-03|first=Véronique|last=Vienne|publisher=Society of Illustrators|title=2016 Hall of Fame Inductee: Guy Billout}}</ref> In 1969 the artist moved to New York City and begin a career as a full time illustrator.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}
=== Early Career ===
In 1969, New to United States and inexperienced as a professional illustrator, he showed an illustrated story about a young artist and his obsession with America which used a mix of comic pictures, photographic collage, watercolor, colored pencil and ink<ref name="heller">{{cite web|url=https://www.graphis.com/store_/product/issue-222/|publisher=Graphis|first=Steve|last=Heller|accessdate=2020-05-02|title=Guy Billout}}</ref> to ], the design director of ] at the time. Glaser loved them and published the entire portfolio.<ref name="ai">{{cite web|url=https://www.ai-ap.com/publications/article/13698/illustrator-profile-guy-billout-i-see-myself-a.html|title=Illustrator Profile - Guy Billout|date=2015-04-30|first=Robert|last=Newman|publisher=American Illustration}}</ref>


=== Artistic influences ===
Billout's first assignment for ] came from art director Bob Ciano the same year as he arrived, in 1969.<ref name="soi" /> After that, the illustration world opened up to the young artist.<ref name="heller" />
Billout' influences include Belgian comics artist ] (1907–1983) for the detail of the works in '']'',<ref name="soi" /> French poster artist ] (1907–2002),<ref name="ai" /> French-Hungarian cartoonist ] (1915–2005)<ref name="ai" /> and British illustrator ] (1920–2011).<ref name="ai" />


=== Editorial Works === == Illustration career ==
=== Early career ===
Throughout the 1980's and 1990's Billout was given total editorial freedom by ] with a bi-monthly column that became an integral part of the magazine’s editorial voice for 24 years.<ref name="ai"/><ref name="soi" /> The artist considers this series to be his most significant works.<ref name="ai" /> Thanks in part to this regular exposure, he was soon one of the most sought-after illustrators in North America.<ref name="soi" />
In 1969, new to the United States and inexperienced as a professional illustrator, he showed an illustrated story about a young artist and his obsession with America which used a mix of comic pictures, photographic collage, watercolor, colored pencil and ink<ref name="heller">{{cite web|url=https://www.graphis.com/store_/product/issue-222/|publisher=Graphis|first=Steve|last=Heller|access-date=2020-05-02|title=Guy Billout}}</ref> to ], the design director of ] at the time. Glaser loved them and published the entire portfolio.<ref name="ai">{{cite web|url=https://www.ai-ap.com/publications/article/13698/illustrator-profile-guy-billout-i-see-myself-a.html|title=Illustrator Profile - Guy Billout|date=2015-04-30|first=Robert|last=Newman|publisher=American Illustration}}</ref>


Billout's first assignment came from art director Bob Ciano at ].<ref name="soi" /> The assignment consisted of a series of 12 small illustrations based on short stories under the titled ''Summer Fiction Bonus'' in the August 1969 issue. Ciano would continue to call on Billout over many years to come as the art director moved on to work at ], ], ], ], and at other publications.<ref name="illoz">{{cite web|url=https://illoz.com/interview/17|title=illoz interview with Guy Billout|access-date=2020-09-05}}</ref>
Billout's client list includes ''The Atlantic'', ''The New York Times'', ''The New Yorker'', ''The Wall Street Journal'', ''The Washington Post'', ''Oprah'', ''Travel & Leisure'', ''Business Week'', ''Fortune'', ''Time'' and many others.<ref name="soi" />

=== Editorial works ===
In 1982, Judy Garlan from ] would offer Billout a bi-monthly full page in the magazine.<ref name="illoz" /> Billout was given total editorial freedom and the column became an integral part of the magazine’s editorial voice for 24 years.<ref name="ai"/> The theme of the feature was to take what seemed to be an ordinary scene from life and introduce an unexpected element. The first drawing in the series appeared in the February 1982 issue and the final in the series appeared in the February 2006 issue.<ref name="illoz" /> The artist considers this series to be his most significant works.<ref name="ai" /> Thanks in part to this regular exposure, he was soon one of the most sought-after illustrators in North America.<ref name="soi" /> In 2008, Billout would be brought back to do another series for The Atlantic, which ran under the title ''Gallery'' and would run until 2012.<ref name="illoz" />

Billout's client list includes ''The Atlantic'', ''The New York Times'', ''The New Yorker'', ''The Wall Street Journal'', ''The Washington Post'', ''Oprah'', ''Travel & Leisure'', ''Business Week'', ''Fortune'', ''Time'', and many others.<ref name="soi" />


=== Books === === Books ===
In 1973, Billot's first children's book, ''Number 24'' was reviewed by ] author Selma G. Lanes, who called it "a surreal work, as mysterious as a roomful of ] paintings." His first book contained no text.<ref name="encyclopedia" />The New York Times would list it as one top ten illustrated children's books of the year. <ref name="NYT">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/17/books/review/new-york-times-best-illustrated-childrens-books-of-the-year.html|title=New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year, 1952-2002|date=2002-11-17|publisher=The new York Times}}</ref> Published under the imprint of ], three editions of the book were issued in the same year it was printed. In 2010 a digitized version for ] would be released with a musical score, produced by Label Frères and Patrick Couratin, titled ''Bus 24''.<ref name="encore">{{cite web|url=https://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/ojs/index.php/tlg/article/view/262/259|first=Nicholas|last=Paley|title=The Print-to-Pixel Remix of Guy Billout’s Number 24|accessdate=2020-05-26}}</ref> In 1973, Billout's first children's book, ''Number 24'' was reviewed by ] author Selma G. Lanes, who called it "a surreal work, as mysterious as a roomful of ] paintings." His first book contained no text.<ref name="encyclopedia" />''The New York Times'' would list it as one of the top ten illustrated children's books of the year.<ref name="NYT">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/17/books/review/new-york-times-best-illustrated-childrens-books-of-the-year.html|title=New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year, 1952-2002|date=2002-11-17|work=The new York Times}}</ref> Published under the imprint of ], three editions of the book were issued in the same year it was printed. In 2010 a digitized version for ] would be released with a musical score, produced by Label Frères and Patrick Couratin, titled ''Bus 24''.<ref name="encore">{{cite web|url=https://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/ojs/index.php/tlg/article/view/262/259|first=Nicholas|last=Paley|title=The Print-to-Pixel Remix of Guy Billout's Number 24|access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref>


Billout added words to his second book released six years later in 1979, ''By Camel or by Car: A Look at Transportation''. According to Connie Tyrrell in School Library Journal this book featured works "simple nearly to the point of austere yet meticulous in detail, with a bold use of color".<ref name="encyclopedia" /> Billout added words to his second book released six years later in 1979, ''By Camel or by Car: A Look at Transportation''. According to Connie Tyrrell in School Library Journal this book featured works "simple nearly to the point of austere yet meticulous in detail, with a bold use of color".<ref name="encyclopedia" />


Billot would follow up the following year with his third book, ''Stone and Steel: A Look at Engineering''. ], writing in the New York Times Book Review, lamented that Billout's failure to incorporate much factual information in his brief text in ''Stone and Steel'' would frustrate young readers.<ref name="encyclopedia" /> Regardless, Billout's ''Stone and Steel'' would be listed as one of the top ten pictures books of the year by the New York Times.<ref name="NYT" /> Billout would follow up the following year with his third book, ''Stone and Steel: A Look at Engineering''. ], writing in ''The New York Times Book Review'', lamented that Billout's failure to incorporate much factual information in his brief text in ''Stone and Steel'' would frustrate young readers.<ref name="encyclopedia" /> Regardless, Billout's ''Stone and Steel'' would be listed as one of the top ten pictures books of the year by ''The New York Times''.<ref name="NYT" />


''Thunderbolt and Rainbow: A Look at Greek Mythology'', Billout's forth book released in 1981 depicts a modern-day Manhattan inhabited by the gods of the ancient Greeks. "The writing is swift and unfailingly interesting," wrote a critic for ]. The New York Times review commented that "''Thunderbolt & Rainbow'' convinces us that the Greek gods and goddesses have indeed taken up residence in Manhattan, and that like so many other immigrants they feel perfectly at home."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/29/books/children-s-books-111161.html|accessdate=2020-05-10|publisher=The New York Times|title=Children's Books}}</ref>''Thunderbolt and Rainbow'' would be selected by the ] for recognition.<ref name="encyclopedia" /> ''Thunderbolt and Rainbow: A Look at Greek Mythology'', Billout's fourth book released in 1981 depicts a modern-day Manhattan inhabited by the gods of the ancient Greeks. "The writing is swift and unfailingly interesting," wrote a critic for ]. ''The New York Times'' review commented that "''Thunderbolt & Rainbow'' convinces us that the Greek gods and goddesses have indeed taken up residence in Manhattan, and that like so many other immigrants they feel perfectly at home."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/29/books/children-s-books-111161.html|access-date=2020-05-10|work=The New York Times|title=Children's Books|date=November 29, 1981 }}</ref>''Thunderbolt and Rainbow'' would be selected by the ] for recognition.<ref name="encyclopedia" />


In ''Squid and Spider: A Look at the Animal Kingdom'', released in 1982, Billout singles out thirteen animals and places them "in unusual situations or habitats that will get observant readers giggling, thinking, or both," reported ] in ].<ref name="encyclopedia" /> The New York Times would list ''Squid and Spider'' on the Ten Best Illustrated Books selection for that year.<ref name="NYT" /> In ''Squid and Spider: A Look at the Animal Kingdom'', released in 1982, Billout singles out thirteen animals and places them "in unusual situations or habitats that will get observant readers giggling, thinking, or both," reported ] in ].<ref name="encyclopedia" /> ''The New York Times'' would list ''Squid and Spider'' on the Ten Best Illustrated Books selection for that year.<ref name="NYT" />


More than ten years would pass after the publication of ''Squid and Spider'' before Billout's sixth book ''The Journey: Travel Diary of a Daydreamer'' in 1993. Writing for School Library Journal, Susan Scheps wrote the book works best as "a collection of unusual illustrations that could provide inspiration for creative writers or daydreamers of all ages."<ref name="encyclopedia" /> More than ten years would pass after the publication of ''Squid and Spider'' before Billout's sixth book ''The Journey: Travel Diary of a Daydreamer'' in 1993. Writing for School Library Journal, Susan Scheps wrote the book works best as "a collection of unusual illustrations that could provide inspiration for creative writers or daydreamers of all ages."<ref name="encyclopedia" />
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''Something's Not Quite Right'', published in 2002 challenges readers to find the out-of-place element in each illustration, with the contrary detail sometimes being the picture's single-word description itself.<ref name="encyclopedia" /> ''Something's Not Quite Right'', published in 2002 challenges readers to find the out-of-place element in each illustration, with the contrary detail sometimes being the picture's single-word description itself.<ref name="encyclopedia" />


In ''The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea'', released in 2007, monumental landscapes dwarf the main character Alice, a little green frog. Writing for the New York Times, Bruce Handy commented "it’s lovely, with folk tale overtones and illustrations kids and adults can lose themselves in." ''The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea'' was listed as one of the top ten picture books by the New York Times for 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/books/review/Handy-t.html|title=Escapes|first=Bruce|last=Handy|date=2007-11-11}}</ref> In ''The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea'', released in 2007, monumental landscapes dwarf the main character Alice, a little green frog. Writing for ''The New York Times'', Bruce Handy commented "it’s lovely, with folk tale overtones and illustrations kids and adults can lose themselves in." ''The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea'' was listed as one of the top ten picture books by ''The New York Times'' for 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/books/review/Handy-t.html|title=Escapes|first=Bruce|last=Handy|newspaper=The New York Times |date=2007-11-11}}</ref>


== Notable Works == == Notable works ==
===The Atlantic=== ===''The Atlantic''===
A commissioned by the publication between 1997 and 2007 is stored by ] A limited archive of the artist's work, commissioned by the publication between 1997 and 2007, is stored by '']''.


===Award Winning Works=== ===Award-winning works===
*, Gold Medal, Society of Illustrators * Gold Medal, Society of Illustrators<ref>{{cite web | url=https://arthive.com/artists/9376~Guy_Billout/works/274810~Squid_and_spider | title=Squid and spider by Guy Billout: History, Analysis & Facts }}</ref>
*, Silver Medal, Society of Illustrators * The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea], Silver Medal, Society of Illustrators
* American Illustration 34, 2014 * American Illustration 34, 2014
*,Society of Publication Designers Distinctive Merit, 2008, for The New Yorker, art director Chris Curry<ref name="PDA">{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ax_c2myI4BIC&pg=PA328&lpg=PA328&dq=guy+billout&source=bl&ots=LYrAOTllz8&sig=ACfU3U3ZxXmMkSV5S3M_LXoepjQ2Q1-QMg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiK2MXQiq3pAhVqU98KHWGnAbg4UBDoATAHegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=guy%20billout&f=false|title=44th Annual Publication Design Annual|accessdate=2020-05-10}}</ref> * Society of Publication Designers Distinctive Merit, 2008, for The New Yorker, art director Chris Curry<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/04/28/state-secrets-2 | title=State Secrets | magazine=] | date=April 21, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="PDA">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ax_c2myI4BIC&q=guy+billout&pg=PA328|title=44th Annual Publication Design Annual|year=2010|publisher=Rockport Publishers |isbn=9781616736293|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref>
*,Society of Publication Designers Distinctive Merit, 2008, for The New Yorker with art director Chris Curry<ref name="PDA" /> *Society of Publication Designers Distinctive Merit, 2008, for The New Yorker with art director Chris Curry<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/02/11/a-strike-in-the-dark |title=A Strike in the Dark |magazine=] |access-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926034745/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/02/11/a-strike-in-the-dark |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="PDA" />


=== The Smithsonian Portrait Gallery === === The Smithsonian Portrait Gallery ===
The Smithsonian holds from the years 1980 through 1986<ref>{{cite web|url=https://npg.si.edu/search/collections?edan_q=guy%20billout|accessdate=2020-05-05|title=Smithsonian Portrait Gallery}}</ref>, all gifts from ] The Smithsonian holds seven works by Billout from the years 1980 through 1986,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://npg.si.edu/search/collections?edan_q=guy%20billout|access-date=2020-05-05|title=Smithsonian Portrait Gallery|date=April 25, 2018 }}</ref> all gifts from ]
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
* ''Sorry America, Your Insurance Has Been Cancelled'', 1986
* ''Accusing the Press'', 1984
* ''America's Upbeat Mood'', 1984
* ''U.S. Immigration: Stemming the Tide'', 1982
{{Col-2}}
* ''The President's Men'', 1981
* ''Why Italy Works'', 1981
* ''Help! Teachers Can't Teach'', 1980
{{Col-end}}
===Other Collections===
* '''', December 4, 2006, Time magazine
* '', 1998, ]


{{Div col}}
== Biblioghy ==
* ''Sorry America, Your Insurance Has Been Cancelled'', 1986
Billout authored a dozen books, five of them chosen by The New York Times as one of that particular year’s Ten-Best Illustrated Children’s Books.<ref name="soi"/>
* ''Accusing the Press'', 1984
{{col-begin}}
* ''America's Upbeat Mood'', 1984
{{col-2}}
* ''U.S. Immigration: Stemming the Tide'', 1982
*''The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea'', published by Creative Editions , 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-56846-188-5|accessdate=2020-05-05|title=The frog who wanted to see the sea}}</ref>
* ''The President's Men'', 1981
*''Something's Not Quite Right'' published by ], 2002<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Publishers Weekly|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-56792-230-1|accessdate=2020-05-05|title=SOMETHING'S NOT QUITE RIGHT}}</ref>
* ''Why Italy Works'', 1981
* ''Help! Teachers Can't Teach'', 1980
{{Div col end}}

== Bibliography ==
Billout authored a dozen books, five of them chosen by ''The New York Times'' as one of that particular year's Ten-Best Illustrated Children’s Books.<ref name="soi"/>

{{Div col}}
*''The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea'', published by Creative Editions, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-56846-188-5|access-date=2020-05-05|title=The frog who wanted to see the sea}}</ref>
*''Something's Not Quite Right'' published by ], 2002<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Publishers Weekly|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-56792-230-1|access-date=2020-05-05|title=SOMETHING'S NOT QUITE RIGHT}}</ref>
*''Question of Detail'', published by ] (Paris, France), 1998 *''Question of Detail'', published by ] (Paris, France), 1998
*''Journey: Travel Diary of a Daydreamer'',published by Creative Editions,1993 *''Journey: Travel Diary of a Daydreamer'', published by Creative Editions,1993
*''Squid & Spider: A Look at the Animal Kingdom'', published by ],1982 *''Squid & Spider: A Look at the Animal Kingdom'', published by ], 1982<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EFnhAAAAMAAJ | title=Squid & Spider: A Look at the Animal Kingdom | isbn=9780138399283 | last1=Billout | first1=Guy | year=1982 | publisher=Prentice-Hall }}</ref>
*''Thunderbolt and Rainbow: A Look at Greek Mythology'', published by ], 1981<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.abebooks.com/9780139206375/Thunderbolt-Rainbow-Look-Greek-Mythology-013920637X/plp | title=9780139206375: Thunderbolt and Rainbow: A Look at Greek Mythology - AbeBooks - Billout, Guy: 013920637X }}</ref>
{{col-2}}
*''Bus 24'', published by Harlin Quist,1998<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TCsfAQAACAAJ | title=Bus 24 | isbn=9782843740220 | last1=Billout | first1=Guy | year=1998 | publisher=Harlin Quist Books }}</ref>
*''Thunderbolt and Rainbow: A Look at Greek Mythology'', published by ], 1981
*''Bus 24'', published by Harlin Quist,1998
*''Stone and Steel: A Look at Engineering'', published by Prentice-Hall, 1980 *''Stone and Steel: A Look at Engineering'', published by Prentice-Hall, 1980
*''By Camel or by Car: A Look at Transportation'', published by Prentice-Hall, 1979<ref name="encyclopedia" /> *''By Camel or by Car: A Look at Transportation'', published by Prentice-Hall, 1979<ref name="encyclopedia" />
*''Number 24'', published by Harlin Quist, 1973<ref name="encyclopedia" /> *''Number 24'', published by Harlin Quist, 1973 <ref name="encyclopedia" />
{{col-end}} {{Div col end}}
Billout also illustrated books not authored by him
*, by Vasken Kalayjian, published by Amazon.com Services LLC, 2018
*, edited by ], published by Creative Editions, 2017
*''Labels for Locals'', by ], published by ], 1997. {{ISBN|0877796165}}
*, ] Annual Report 1992, creative director Steve Frykholm<ref>{{cite web|url=https://graphicdesignarchives.org/projects/on-herman-miller/|publisher=Graphic Design Archives|accessdate=2020-05-11|title=On Herman Miller}}</ref>


==Exhibitions== ==Exhibitions==
===Solo=== ===Solo===
*''Des Equilibres'' at Galerie Petits Papiers Gallery, 2012, sixty works between 1987 and 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotelcambon.com/blog/guy_billout/|title=Guy Billout|access-date=2020-05-10}}</ref>
*'''', ] (Paris), 2016
* University of Massachusetts, 2006<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ccpl.org/eds/detail?db=edsnbk&an=12DFADA4D5C1B7A8 | access-date=2020-05-25 | title=UMass to feature prominent French artist | first=Grant | last=Welker}}</ref>
* Girard Gallery (Paris), 2015,<ref name="ATE">{{cite web|url=http://www.atelier.angirard.com/expositions/guy-billout/|title=Guy Billout Exhibition|accessdate=2020-05-10}}</ref>
*''Des Equilibres'' at Galerie Petits Papiers Gallery, 2012, sixty works between 1987 and 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotelcambon.com/blog/guy_billout/|title=Guy Billout|accessdate=2020-05-10}}</ref>
* University of Massachusetts, 2006 <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ccpl.org/eds/detail?db=edsnbk&an=12DFADA4D5C1B7A8 | accessdate=2020-05-25 | title=Umass to feature prominent French artist | first=Grant | last=Welker}}</ref>

===Group===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*'''', ], 2017
*'''',Dedee Shattuck Gallery, 2012
*''Drawing Conversations'', 22 Haviland Street Gallery, 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Drawing-conversations-Exhibition-explores-power-2348203.php|publisher=The Stanford Advocate|title=Drawing Conversations|date=2011-12-14}}</ref>
{{col-2}}
*'']'', The Voracious Reader, 2010, curated by Wendy Popp
*'', ], 2007, curated by Stephanie Plunkett
*'''', Society of Illustrators Museum of American Illustration, 1992
*'', ], 1990, curated by ]
{{col-end}}


== Awards == == Awards ==
Billout would win the ] in 1989 and be inducted into the in 2016<ref name="soi" /> Billout did win the ] in 1989 and was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 2016.<ref name="soi" />

*Silver Medal, Society of Illustrators, 2007 for ''The Frog Who Wanted To See The Sea''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.societyillustrators.org/guy-billout-silver-medal|title=2007 Original Art Award Winner: Guy Billout (Silver Medal)|accessdate=2020-05-10|publisher=The Society of Illustrators}}</ref>
* Silver Medal, Society of Illustrators, 2007 for ''The Frog Who Wanted to See The Sea'', for Creative Editions, art director by Rita Marshall<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.societyillustrators.org/guy-billout-silver-medal|title=2007 Original Art Award Winner: Guy Billout (Silver Medal)|access-date=2020-05-10|publisher=The Society of Illustrators}}</ref>
*Gold Medal, Society of Illustrators, 1982 for ''Squid and Spider: A Look at the Animal Kingdom''<ref name="encyclopedia" />
* Gold Medal, Society of Illustrators, 1982 for ''Squid and Spider: A Look at the Animal Kingdom''<ref name="encyclopedia" />
* Gold Medal for ''Prop'', for The Atlantic Monthly Magazine, art directed by Judy Garlan, Society of Illustrators 1988<ref name="illoz" />
* Silver Medal, Society of Illustrators, 1985<ref name="illoz" />
* Silver Medal, Society of Illustrators, 1987<ref name="illoz" />
* 2 Gold Medals, Society of Illustrators, 1974<ref name="illoz" />


== Educator == == Educator ==
* Teacher at ] School of design in New York since 1985<ref name="ATE" /> * Teacher at ] in New York since 1985{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}


== Working Process == == Working process ==
=== Technique === === Technique ===
Early illustrations by the artist were done with watercolors and brush and later in his career Billout began using an ]. Many years later, he gradually adopted ].<ref name="ai" /> Rough drafts are made on ] using a Pilot Razor Point Pen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://david-wasting-paper.blogspot.com/2011/02/guy-billout-cartoonistartist-survey-208.html|title=Guy Billout - Cartoonist/Artist Survey #208|first=David|last=Paccia|date=2011-02-02}}</ref> Early illustrations by the artist were done with watercolors and brush and later in his career Billout began using an ]. Many years later, he gradually adopted ].<ref name="ai" /> Rough drafts are made on ] using a Pilot Razor Point Pen.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} When finishing a work using Photoshop, the artist scans the drawing and the final color is applied.<ref name="illoz" />

=== Attention to Detail ===
=== Attention to detail ===
The work of Billout is founded in strict attention to the details of the subject matter he is addressing. The artist goes to enormous lengths, visiting a site, photographing details, obtaining documents on the subject in order to obtain exacting representations of what is being portrayed. Judy Garlan, art director of ] through the 1980's and 1990's said that when commissioned to illustrate a piece featuring the ], she asked the artist to change the angle of the iconic rock face to make it a more prominent feature of the final illustration. Billout is reported to have agonized over this and finally made the change to the art, only to hear that a sailor later complained that the depiction of the landmark was completely inaccurate.<ref name="soi" />
The work of Billout is founded in strict attention to the details of the subject matter he is addressing. The artist goes to enormous lengths, visiting a site, photographing details, obtaining documents on the subject in order to obtain exacting representations of what is being portrayed.<ref name="soi" />


==References== ==References==
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Latest revision as of 17:28, 23 October 2024

French artist and illustrator

Guy Billout
BornGuy Billout
(1941-07-07) July 7, 1941 (age 83)
Decize, France
EducationEcole des Arts Appliqués
Known forIllustration, fine artist
Awards

Guy Billout (born July 7, 1941) is a French artist and illustrator. In 1989, Billout received the Hamilton King Award and in 2016, he was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame.

Billout's aesthetic style is described as clean, spare and precise, often incorporating some ironic element, with lush colors and exquisite craftsmanship. His style and technique often portrays a surreal parallel dream world where something is out of kilter.

Early life and education

Born July 7, 1941 in Decize, Billout grew up in Nevers, a small town in the center of France where he received a conventional education. His father, René George was a journalist and his mother, Christiane, a bookseller. No one in his family had an artistic background. In the 1950s, he studied advertising at the Ecole des Arts Appliqués of Beaune, in the Burgundy region. In 1962, Billout moved to Paris and worked for the advertising agency, Publicis as a designer until 1966. From 1966 until 1968 he worked at the advertising agency, Thibaud-Lintas. In 1969 the artist moved to New York City and begin a career as a full time illustrator.

Artistic influences

Billout' influences include Belgian comics artist Hergé (1907–1983) for the detail of the works in The Adventures of Tintin, French poster artist Raymond Savignac (1907–2002), French-Hungarian cartoonist André François (1915–2005) and British illustrator Ronald Searle (1920–2011).

Illustration career

Early career

In 1969, new to the United States and inexperienced as a professional illustrator, he showed an illustrated story about a young artist and his obsession with America which used a mix of comic pictures, photographic collage, watercolor, colored pencil and ink to Milton Glaser, the design director of New York magazine at the time. Glaser loved them and published the entire portfolio.

Billout's first assignment came from art director Bob Ciano at Redbook magazine. The assignment consisted of a series of 12 small illustrations based on short stories under the titled Summer Fiction Bonus in the August 1969 issue. Ciano would continue to call on Billout over many years to come as the art director moved on to work at The New York Times, Life, Travel & Leisure, Encyclopedia Britannica, and at other publications.

Editorial works

In 1982, Judy Garlan from The Atlantic Monthly would offer Billout a bi-monthly full page in the magazine. Billout was given total editorial freedom and the column became an integral part of the magazine’s editorial voice for 24 years. The theme of the feature was to take what seemed to be an ordinary scene from life and introduce an unexpected element. The first drawing in the series appeared in the February 1982 issue and the final in the series appeared in the February 2006 issue. The artist considers this series to be his most significant works. Thanks in part to this regular exposure, he was soon one of the most sought-after illustrators in North America. In 2008, Billout would be brought back to do another series for The Atlantic, which ran under the title Gallery and would run until 2012.

Billout's client list includes The Atlantic, The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Oprah, Travel & Leisure, Business Week, Fortune, Time, and many others.

Books

In 1973, Billout's first children's book, Number 24 was reviewed by New York Times Book Review author Selma G. Lanes, who called it "a surreal work, as mysterious as a roomful of René Magritte paintings." His first book contained no text.The New York Times would list it as one of the top ten illustrated children's books of the year. Published under the imprint of Harlin Quist, three editions of the book were issued in the same year it was printed. In 2010 a digitized version for DVD would be released with a musical score, produced by Label Frères and Patrick Couratin, titled Bus 24.

Billout added words to his second book released six years later in 1979, By Camel or by Car: A Look at Transportation. According to Connie Tyrrell in School Library Journal this book featured works "simple nearly to the point of austere yet meticulous in detail, with a bold use of color".

Billout would follow up the following year with his third book, Stone and Steel: A Look at Engineering. Paul Goldberger, writing in The New York Times Book Review, lamented that Billout's failure to incorporate much factual information in his brief text in Stone and Steel would frustrate young readers. Regardless, Billout's Stone and Steel would be listed as one of the top ten pictures books of the year by The New York Times.

Thunderbolt and Rainbow: A Look at Greek Mythology, Billout's fourth book released in 1981 depicts a modern-day Manhattan inhabited by the gods of the ancient Greeks. "The writing is swift and unfailingly interesting," wrote a critic for Publishers Weekly. The New York Times review commented that "Thunderbolt & Rainbow convinces us that the Greek gods and goddesses have indeed taken up residence in Manhattan, and that like so many other immigrants they feel perfectly at home."Thunderbolt and Rainbow would be selected by the American Institute of Graphic Arts for recognition.

In Squid and Spider: A Look at the Animal Kingdom, released in 1982, Billout singles out thirteen animals and places them "in unusual situations or habitats that will get observant readers giggling, thinking, or both," reported Ilene Cooper in Booklist. The New York Times would list Squid and Spider on the Ten Best Illustrated Books selection for that year.

More than ten years would pass after the publication of Squid and Spider before Billout's sixth book The Journey: Travel Diary of a Daydreamer in 1993. Writing for School Library Journal, Susan Scheps wrote the book works best as "a collection of unusual illustrations that could provide inspiration for creative writers or daydreamers of all ages."

Something's Not Quite Right, published in 2002 challenges readers to find the out-of-place element in each illustration, with the contrary detail sometimes being the picture's single-word description itself.

In The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea, released in 2007, monumental landscapes dwarf the main character Alice, a little green frog. Writing for The New York Times, Bruce Handy commented "it’s lovely, with folk tale overtones and illustrations kids and adults can lose themselves in." The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea was listed as one of the top ten picture books by The New York Times for 2007.

Notable works

The Atlantic

A limited archive of the artist's work, commissioned by the publication between 1997 and 2007, is stored by The Atlantic.

Award-winning works

  • Gold Medal, Society of Illustrators
  • The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea], Silver Medal, Society of Illustrators
  • American Illustration 34, 2014
  • Society of Publication Designers Distinctive Merit, 2008, for The New Yorker, art director Chris Curry
  • Society of Publication Designers Distinctive Merit, 2008, for The New Yorker with art director Chris Curry

The Smithsonian Portrait Gallery

The Smithsonian holds seven works by Billout from the years 1980 through 1986, all gifts from Time magazine

  • Sorry America, Your Insurance Has Been Cancelled, 1986
  • Accusing the Press, 1984
  • America's Upbeat Mood, 1984
  • U.S. Immigration: Stemming the Tide, 1982
  • The President's Men, 1981
  • Why Italy Works, 1981
  • Help! Teachers Can't Teach, 1980

Bibliography

Billout authored a dozen books, five of them chosen by The New York Times as one of that particular year's Ten-Best Illustrated Children’s Books.

  • The Frog Who Wanted to See the Sea, published by Creative Editions, 2007
  • Something's Not Quite Right published by David R. Godine, 2002
  • Question of Detail, published by Harlin Quist (Paris, France), 1998
  • Journey: Travel Diary of a Daydreamer, published by Creative Editions,1993
  • Squid & Spider: A Look at the Animal Kingdom, published by Prentice Hall, 1982
  • Thunderbolt and Rainbow: A Look at Greek Mythology, published by Prentice Hall, 1981
  • Bus 24, published by Harlin Quist,1998
  • Stone and Steel: A Look at Engineering, published by Prentice-Hall, 1980
  • By Camel or by Car: A Look at Transportation, published by Prentice-Hall, 1979
  • Number 24, published by Harlin Quist, 1973 Number 24

Exhibitions

Solo

  • Des Equilibres at Galerie Petits Papiers Gallery, 2012, sixty works between 1987 and 2012
  • University of Massachusetts, 2006

Awards

Billout did win the Hamilton King Award in 1989 and was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 2016.

  • Silver Medal, Society of Illustrators, 2007 for The Frog Who Wanted to See The Sea, for Creative Editions, art director by Rita Marshall
  • Gold Medal, Society of Illustrators, 1982 for Squid and Spider: A Look at the Animal Kingdom
  • Gold Medal for Prop, for The Atlantic Monthly Magazine, art directed by Judy Garlan, Society of Illustrators 1988
  • Silver Medal, Society of Illustrators, 1985
  • Silver Medal, Society of Illustrators, 1987
  • 2 Gold Medals, Society of Illustrators, 1974

Educator

Working process

Technique

Early illustrations by the artist were done with watercolors and brush and later in his career Billout began using an airbrush. Many years later, he gradually adopted Photoshop. Rough drafts are made on copy paper using a Pilot Razor Point Pen. When finishing a work using Photoshop, the artist scans the drawing and the final color is applied.

Attention to detail

The work of Billout is founded in strict attention to the details of the subject matter he is addressing. The artist goes to enormous lengths, visiting a site, photographing details, obtaining documents on the subject in order to obtain exacting representations of what is being portrayed.

References

  1. ^ "BILLOUT, Guy (René) 1941-". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  2. ^ Vienne, Véronique. "2016 Hall of Fame Inductee: Guy Billout". Society of Illustrators. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  3. ^ Newman, Robert (April 30, 2015). "Illustrator Profile - Guy Billout". American Illustration.
  4. Heller, Steve. "Guy Billout". Graphis. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  5. ^ "illoz interview with Guy Billout". Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  6. ^ "New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year, 1952-2002". The new York Times. November 17, 2002.
  7. Paley, Nicholas. "The Print-to-Pixel Remix of Guy Billout's Number 24". Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  8. "Children's Books". The New York Times. November 29, 1981. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  9. Handy, Bruce (November 11, 2007). "Escapes". The New York Times.
  10. "Squid and spider by Guy Billout: History, Analysis & Facts".
  11. "State Secrets". The New Yorker. April 21, 2008.
  12. ^ 44th Annual Publication Design Annual. Rockport Publishers. 2010. ISBN 9781616736293. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  13. "A Strike in the Dark". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  14. "Smithsonian Portrait Gallery". April 25, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  15. "The frog who wanted to see the sea". Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  16. "SOMETHING'S NOT QUITE RIGHT". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  17. Billout, Guy (1982). Squid & Spider: A Look at the Animal Kingdom. Prentice-Hall. ISBN 9780138399283.
  18. "9780139206375: Thunderbolt and Rainbow: A Look at Greek Mythology - AbeBooks - Billout, Guy: 013920637X".
  19. Billout, Guy (1998). Bus 24. Harlin Quist Books. ISBN 9782843740220.
  20. "Guy Billout". Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  21. Welker, Grant. "UMass to feature prominent French artist". Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  22. "2007 Original Art Award Winner: Guy Billout (Silver Medal)". The Society of Illustrators. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
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