Meet Joe McKendry of Joe McKendry Illustration

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe McKendry.

Joe, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
These days I split my time into three main areas: Freelance illustration, teaching at Rhode Island School of Design, and book illustration. I started out in Boston doing a set painting for several theatres, including the Huntington and the American Repertory Theatre. I also did some mural work in an around the city and have some work in Savin Hill, Dorchester, Inman Square, Cambridge, and on the Brattle Book Shop in Downtown Boston.

Eventually, I moved away from mural and theatre work and into illustration, starting out with local magazines like Lollipop and Boston Magazine. My ‘big break’ came when I was asked to do some drawings for Esquire Magazine. That became a regular gig, and soon other magazines began contacting me for similar work – mostly style-related and how-to illustrations (ie: how to tie a bowtie, etc.). My regular clients now include magazines like GQ, The Atlantic, Men’s Health UK, and Reader’s Digest.

I have always been interested in picture books, so on the side, I’ve kept that going. My first book “Beneath the Streets of Boston: Building America’s First Subway” was published in 2005. “One Times Square: A Century of Change at the Crossroads of the World” was published in 2012. Each of the books has allowed me to research a topic that I was really interested in, and to craft a story that I wanted to tell in words and pictures. I still make appearances at libraries in Massachusetts to talk about the history of the T, and less frequently to New York to talk about the history of Times Square.

I also enjoy teaching at Rhode Island School of Design. I teach two classes, watercolor, and an illustration course, both providing the opportunity to be around some really talented students.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The beginning was definitely NOT smooth! I bounced around, doing many jobs along the way. I worked in coffee shops, bookstores, and other odd jobs while doing my art on the side. I created a body of paintings (in handmade frames) that I displayed wherever I could, mostly coffee shops. Every once in a while I would sell something but I made very little. I displayed my work at the Beacon Hill Art Walk and similar fairs, again pulling in very meager sums. I tried approaching galleries but had little success.

Scenic painting (murals, theatre sets, etc) provided steady income and the chance to work with a fun group of people. One of those fun jobs was Jordan’s Furniture in Natick where I helped create a Mardi Gras theme. Another was doing painting work at LL Bean in Freeport, Maine. After a couple years of this work, I realized it wasn’t what I wanted to be doing for a career.

The book publishing scene was equally difficult. Lots of rejections, lots of iterations and changes to the story I was working on, more rejections, etc..

With both the book and the illustration work, things started out slowly. I had friends that found success right out of college. That was definitely not the case for me.

Please tell us about Joe McKendry Illustration.
With my illustration work, I do lots of portraits but am probably most known for my how-to illustrations. I enjoy showing how to do something with clear images that often include arrows. I’m most proud of the good relationships (and friendships) I’ve built up with art directors in the U.S. and overseas. I always deliver the work on time and have had repeat business from most of my clients.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Riding my bike to the local pond and fishing all day!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.joemckendry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joemckendry/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeMcKendry1

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