Curtis Parker + Barron’s
Curtis Parker has illustrated the New Year cover issue for Barron’s Financial Forecast over the past eleven years. So naturally, the creative challenge each year is to make sure it stands apart from all the previous years’ covers.
Facing a readership of predominately stock market investors, art director Pamela Budz had the concept of the bear and bull sitting in the rubble of the past year’s economy and giving each other a rousing New Year’s toast. Curtis immediately took this idea and embellished it with the background of the city in ruins to communicate the idea of the economy is shambles. Contrasted with the decaying ‘financial city’ around them, the Bull and Bear, like the Barron’s reader, is surprisingly still optimistic, cheerful, even celebratory, for the future and its possibilities. Pamela has this to say about working with Curtis over the past decade, “I’ve worked with Curtis for many years. His illustration truly has a magical aura. It’s strong both conceptually and visually — with beautifully crafted lines, composition and color. It makes any project I’m working on look special. Additionally, he’s just the nicest guy who makes me believe that my ideas are wonderful.”
Curtis says, “I asked Pam a question regarding some aspect of the bear and bull behavior in the painting and there was a pause before she said, ‘How long have you been doing these?’ Meaning, ‘I should know by now.’ Of course that is part of the challenge– to keep it fresh and organic.” Obviously, through his decade of successful illustrating for the company, Curtis has no problem with that.
