In the Dutch Illustration Podcast (#67), Klaas Verplancke says he went to New York every year to put himself on the map. ‘I wanted to be discovered by the famous magazines and publishers’ he said. I want that too. And I also want to go to New York City. Not alone, but with my daughter.
This autumn, I decided to take the plunge. With Lindgren & Smith quitting in 2025, this was the time to thank them and look ahead to my career. I e-mailed Pat Lindgren, Piper Smith from the agency and SooJin Buzelli, an art director I admire. For an appointment. To my surprise they responded enthusiastically.
A stack of magazines and unexpected meetings
SooJin, Felice, and I had agreed to meet in Freemans: an unusual restaurant, in an alley full of graffiti. We had the best meal, cocktails, and evening ever. SooJin brought a stack of Plansponsor magazines in which my work had been published. I glanced through the magazines and saw an illustration by Andrea D’Aquino. I love her illustration work so much. ‘Would you like to meet her?’ asked SooJin. Boom, surprise number two.
Illustration by Andrea D’Aquino for Plansponsor
Inspiration and cycling through Central Park
The next morning, Felice and I cycled through Central Park with a Dutch-speaking guide. Then we had lunch with Lisk Feng, an illustrator I had previously met through the Inky Goodness Bootcamp. We chatted about work, ideas, and museums. I was nervous and felt a bit uncomfortable: Lisk is so cool! Her must-see museum in NYC?
MoMA.
I enjoyed everything and Frida Kahlo’s self-portrait with cropped hair maybe the most. Or it might be seeing my daughter: admiring the collection in her own way.
In the evening, we were too tired for our next appointment: a lecture at the Society of Illustrators. Yes: we have to go back to NYC again sometime. We enjoyed an evening walk through the city a lot. We took a ferry ride during sunset, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, and ate delicious pasta in little (tiny!) Italy.
From galleries to zines
The next morning: the High Line took me to the Whitney Museum. I was recommended to go because of the Wanda Gág exhibition. By the time you read this, the small expo will be finished, but go! To the Whitney Museum: the art moved me. Nearby, I found Printed Matter – a Walhalla for lovers of zines and prints. I couldn’t resist and bought too much.
An unexpected bonus
Later that day, we had lunch with Andrea D’Aquino at the Empire Diner. She proved to be as inspiring and friendly as her work suggests. Afterward, Felice and I took another long walk, ate hot dogs, bought some erasers for my collection, and enjoyed that incredible city.
New York was not only an adventure full of encounters and inspiration but also a special experience together with my daughter. And all those inspiring people. Mr Verplancke was right: sometimes you just have to go. This tastes like more.
MY TIPS FOR NYC
our hotel:
Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Midtown West • 538 West 48th Street • with breakfast and in nice neighbourhood
restaurants:
Scarr: every opinion about pizza is dangerous but we liked the pizza slices here.
Nom Wah Tea Parlour in China Town • a tasty experience!
Freemans: the neighbourhood, alley and interior get you in the mood for something really nice: good food and awesome cocktails
Empire Diner: the looks
museums and more
MoMa a treasure chest. Really, it seems as if all the art works you ever wanted to see are here.
Whitney Museum a treasure chest: really. With a terrific rooftop terras
the Shed. the exterior will make you curious if you are walking the high line
around the High Line so many interesting galleries, too many, we did some ‘window shopping’
for illustrators
Society of Illustrators
Printed Matter
Nico Neco Zakkaya, stationary shop de luxe
Artist and Fleas at Chelsea Market
and the rest of the city, the New Yorkers and their dogs.
