Sandy Kossin 1926 - 2023

 

Sanford "Sandy" Kossin has passed away. 

 

Via AskArt:

Born in Los Angeles, California, Sanford Kossin was an illustrator who worked in New York City. His assignments included science fiction and children's magazines, book covers, and the Bay of Pigs invasion for Life magazine. He was a life member of the Society of Illustrators, with whom he also exhibited.

A favorite subject for him was humor, which he expressed in work for Boys' Life, Reader's Digest and more than a dozen children's books.

He studied in Los Angeles at the Jepson Art Institute with Rico Lebrun and Herbert Jepson and was a part-time drawing teacher for ten years at the Parsons School of Design and also taught for two years at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.

 

Sandy was a friend and fellow Berndt Toast Gang member. Many times, we lunched at the same table with the Gang, talking about drawing. He introduced me to Pigma Micron pens, showing me how permanent the ink was by drawing a line with one on a piece of paper and then wetting his finger and dragging it over. "See? No smudge."

He also told me the key to getting color down: limit your palette. A couple colors, vary your hues, and that's it. That's the key to getting color work done fast. And, under the pen and brush of Sandy Kossin, ALWAYS looking good. 

 

His 93rd birthday cake, with tiny covers of books and magazines he's produced. Hat tip to Roberta Fabiano for this and other photos. 

Berndt Toast Gang chair Adrian Sinnott:

Another incredible talent and good friend gone. Sandy Kossin, proud Berndt Toast Gang, National Cartoonists Society and Society of Illustrators Hall of fame member has passed. Here's his bio from the BTG 50th anniversary show in 2016:

 

"Sandy Kossin has illustrated countless paperback covers and posters, notably The Shadow, The Last Temptation of Christ and Beckett and the Train. Building images with line became the hallmark of any Sandy Kossin painting. Starting with his roots in West Los Angeles near MGM Studios, Kossin eventually moved to New York City following his service in World War II. As his drawing skills improved, he managed to get his work in front of the right people– those who encouraged his desire to incorporate better concepts through better drawing. Each endeavor gave him more information for the next piece, while consistently maintaining the strength of his drawing. He was inducted into the Society of Illustrators’ prestigious Hall of Fame in 2012"

 

LIFE magazine was known for the photographs that graced its pages but when they needed art to go along with their article on the "Bay of Pigs," they called Sandy. 

 

Sandy really loved the humorous work he did. Children's books, movie posters and even work for MAD magazine. Lots of his work is visible on the apparently, and sadly, dormant blog of Leif Peng:

http://todaysinspiration.blogspot.com/.../Sandy%20Kossin

 

And a bit from me: When I was working as a graphic designer in Manhattan some paperbacks were delivered to us for use in a catalog. I took one look and saved those covers. I thought to myself, “I wish I could draw like that!” Of course, the art was Sandy’s. It was from the Alvin Fernald series of kids books. He was a tremendous influence and it was a wonderful twist of fate to get to know him and become friends.

 

 

Via Muddy Colors:

Sanford “Sandy” Kossin is one of the best. You may not remember him as he stopped working professionally some years back, preferring instead to draw from the live model to keep his formidable drawing skills sharp. Selfishly, I never agreed with that. I wanted more and more from him. I wanted to keep running into his work on paperback covers or Boy’s Life, like I had as a kid.

Sandy hit his stride through the 60’s and 70’s, working for major corporations, major magazines, major movies, and about every major project that appeared over those years. He was hot and in high demand.

 

 

 

 

I was fortunate to have lunch with Drew Friedman, Victor Juhasz and Sandy at the Society of Illustrators some years ago. It was Drew's idea, and a terrific time was had. After lunch, we wandered the galleries and Sandy was talking about the techniques that the illustrators used and what did I think of them? He always loved illustration and was one of the best himself.

Sandy's work was prolific and I knew it well before I met him. Here are just a few more samples. 

I will miss him asking, "How are you, m'lad?" -- which was his form of address with me. Years later, when I told him about that limited palette tip that he gave me had saved me many hours when putting together a color finish, he laughed and said he had no recollection. It was a pleasure to know this talented gentleman, and to call him friend.

Berndt Toast Gang Meeting April 26, 2007

Above: Detail from a 1980s cartoon map drawn by Bill Hoest showing his creations. The map shows the way to the Hoest home -- or, as it's called, the Hoest Castle, on the Long Island Shore. Bill drew it as a handout to cartoonists who wanted to attend the annual Bunny Bash. Even though the map's over 20 years old, it still works great!

OK, where was I?

So, I drove to Long Island from Brooklyn yesterday. It felt good to get out. I've been working hard this week. I got off on Woodbury Avenue, and I hardly recognized the streets. The trees are in bloom.

Art Cumings, Sy Barry, Sandy Kossin, Mike Lynch

It's the last Thursday of the month and that means it's time for the National Cartoonists Society Long Island Chapter (the "Berndt Toast Gang") to have its monthly lunch. Over thirty cartoonists, their friends and loved ones gathered for shop talk.

Above: a Sandy Kossin illustration.

Sandy Kossin was kind enough to share some of his original illustrations from books and magazines. Sandy has the easy balance between fine art and cartoon in these illustrations.

Detail from the illustration. I love that satisfied expression on the dog!


Don Orehek, Jeff Fisher, Art Cumings

Don has a great cartoon in this month's Playboy mag. It's a wordless, color 2 panel cartoons. It's not, so far as I can tell, online.

Dan Danglo, Marty Macaluso, Tony D'Adamo

I've never told Tony this, but 20 years ago, when I first moved to NYC, I'd hang out at the Associated Press building in Rockefeller Center waiting for my then-girlfriend to get off work. I'd hang out and read Newsday until 1am, when her shift was over. Tony was one of its stable of artists and I always admired his vervy ink line.

Ernie Colon, Greg Fox

Ernie's "one of the most versatile artists ever to work in the comics field. A master of all genres .... " so writes Jon B. Cooke in the forward to an interview with Ernie in Comic Book Artist #19, June 2002.

Greg draws Kyle's Bed & Breakfast. He has a freshly minted blog too. And he always wears a DC Comics t-shirt.

Sandy Kossin, Joe Vissichelli (partially obscured)

I think he's taking it away from Joe until Joe washes his hands.

Bunny Hoest, Helen Murdock-Prep, Jeanine Manheim

Bunny was on her way out when I asked if she would pose, hence the coat and cool shades.

Get Well, Sandy and Jo Kossin!

April 25, 2020 UPDATE: Sandy is out of the hospital and in rehab.

The legendary illustrator, 93-year old Sandy Kossin was infected with covid-19 and is now doing much better. He is out of the hospital and in rehab. His wife, who was also infected with covid-19, was discharged from the hospital earlier this week. They're both fighters.

Just heard from my friend, the Berndt Toast Gang chair Adrian Sinnott, that our friend, the great illustrator Sandy Kossin, and his wife, are in the hospital with covid-19.

Please keep them in your thoughts today. I know they are in mine. If you don't know who Sandy is, then you probably have seen his work. Here are just a few samples from his prolific illustration career.

Related:

Drew Friedman on Sandy Kossin

September 13th Cartoonist Panel at the Great Neck Arts Center

Last night we had a discussion panel at the Great Neck Arts Center. Here we all are. From left, standing: Howard Beckerman, Sandy Kossin, Mike Lynch, Stan Goldberg; sitting: Mort Drucker and Rina Piccolo.

I came in by LIRR with Rina, and she had one of those surreal moments where she discreetly watched a woman seated across from us reading Rina's TINA'S GROOVE strip in that day's Daily News.

The predicted showers stayed away, and we got a good crowd for a weeknight. Maybe 4 dozen people I think. Actually, it was hard to tell since you can't see much with the bright lights in your face when you're on stage.

After introductions, I asked some questions of the assembled artists and then I called on audience members to ask their questions.

(Above: Sandy Kossin, Howard Beckerman.)

Here are a few highlights:

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR GAG IDEAS? was one of the questions. I said that I try to keep aware of what's going on in the world, and turn things into something funny. I admitted I had little insight into the process! Great, Lynch. Just great.

Onward and upward.

(Above: Mort and Rina signing for a fan.)

IS KNOWING HOW TO DRAW IMPORTANT? Everyone agreed that the answer is yes. Sandy Kossin talked about how a computer program can enhance, but cannot replace, basic drawing skills. Mort Drucker talked about the powers of observation -- drawing John Wayne with his well-known gait and shoulder pitched forward, for instance.

Rina Piccolo added that she did not know much about computers and she hand draws everything with pen and ink and brush for TINA'S GROOVE and SIX CHIX.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DRAW? Mort Drucker said he liked to draw anything alive and dynamic. And even if he's drawing a car, he prefers to see the real thing, to looking at photo reference.

WHERE DO THE IDEAS FOR THE ARCHIE STORIES COME FROM? Stan Goldberg fielded this. He has helped to write stories in the past. For the most part, the stories are written by writers.

(Above: A close up of Stan Goldberg's hand after a fan has handed him some older issues of ARCHIE to sign.)

HOW CAN I BREAK INTO THE COMIC BOOK FIELD? Stan pointed out that there are lots of comic book artists at comic conventions and they are friendly, appraochable people, and they may look over a portfolio.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT OF THE INTERNET? "Pretty soon, you're going ot be able to watch cartoons on anything, anywhere, any time" said animator Howard Beckerman. He thought for a second, then his eyes twinkled, and added, "On your shoe."

WHAT PART OF A DRAWING ASSIGNMENT DO YOU LIKE BEST? "Getting the job in the first place," answered Sandy Kossin.

These are but a few of the moments from the panel. And we have another one coming up on Saturday.

(Above: Rina sketches for a fan.)


Yes, the cartoon originals are for sale at the THIS INKING LIFE gallery show. Congratulations to Mark Anderson (who will be one of the participating cartoonists for Saturday's panel) on the RED DOT next to his cartoon above. The DOT means SOLD!

Hey there! Hello! Come on over here and buy yourself a couple of Lynch cartoons! Will ya? Huh? Pleeease?!?!

Sandy Kossin is Doing Better

April 25, 2020 UPDATE: Sandy is out of the hospital and in rehab.

The legendary illustrator, 93-year old Sandy Kossin was infected with covid-19 and is now doing much better. He is out of the hospital and in rehab. His wife, who was also infected with covid-19, was discharged from the hospital earlier this week. They're both fighters.

Please keep them in your thoughts. I know they are in mine. If you don't know who Sandy is, then you probably have seen his work. Here are just a few samples from his prolific illustration career.

Related:

Drew Friedman on Sandy Kossin

Sandy Kossin Profiled at Today's Inspiration

Hey, it's "Sandy Kossin Week" this week at Leif Peng's Today's Inspiration blog!

Bunny Bash June 24, 2010

Above: the 2010 attendees of the Bash, posing in the backyard. Photo nicked from Rosey Mulderrig's Village Tatler article.

Here are a few photos from the Bunny Bash, an annual event held at Bunny Hoest's North Shore home in Long Island. She graciously opens up the Hoest castle to cartoonists from all over.

Hmm. Giant cut out of a bunny by the mailbox? This must be Bunny Hoest's place!


Adrian Sinnott and Dotti Sinnott: a wonderful illustrator and his talented daughter. Adrian is Chair of the Long Island chapter of the National Cartoonists Society, otherwise known as the Berndt Toast Gang. Adrian shares some Bunny Bash photos at his blog.



Arnie Levin, Mort Gerberg, Dione and George Booth, and Marie Stemmle.



Gerry Mooney, Marie Stemmle, Sandy Kossin and New Jersey Chapter Chair Tom Stemmle.


Arnie Levin and George Booth. "Hang on. Let me take my sunglasses off."



"OK, you can take the picture."



Matt Diffee, S. Gross and Ken Krimstein. I can never get Sam to smile for a photo.



MAD Mag's Sam Viviano. We are playing "dueling photographers."



The Berndt Toast Gang's own award-winning Ray Alma (shown with patient spouse Caryn)!



Julie Haring and Suzan Haeni. Always good to see Jules and Suz!



David Paccia and Mike Lynch. David's the man behind the Wasting Paper blog, wherein he interviews cartoonists. David's Bunny Bash photos and report is here.



Adrian Sinnott and George Booth.



Howard Beckerman



Roberta Fabiano plays while Sandy Kossin gets down.



Our lovely hostess Bunny Hoest, Doug Bratton, Marie and Tom Stemmle.



Ken Krimstein, Sam Gross, Deana Sobel and Dotti Sinnott.



Sam Viviano draws on a couple of commemorative cards. One is in honor of Jerry Jurman's 80th birthday. The other is to give to Lee Ames. He recently moved from California, back to the Long Island area.



Don Orehek, Joe Giella, Mike Lynch.



Long Island traffic. Nothing like it! UGH!

Sorry to say that there were some people I didn't get a chance to say hi to: Stan Goldberg, Frank Bolle, Mort Drucker, Ed Steckley, and others.