I do freelance editorial work and illustrations for Oxford University Press (OUP), whom I was employed by back east through the ’90s. Our US Dictionaries Department was closed after 9/11 and all employees but one were let go. After an eight-year hiatus, I am fortunate to be working for them again.
OUP’s flagship American dictionary is the New Oxford American Dictionary, known as NOAD. I am proud to have contributed to the first edition (2001) as art editor, proofreader, and editorial assistant—now I’m excited to be a part of the third edition, available any day now.
They requested that the new illustrations represent the American southwest, a category that could be enlarged. I was more than happy to oblige. Above all else, dictionary illustrations must be accurate. For flexibility and forgiveness I use a .005 Micron drawing pen and an x-acto knife on coated stock. Here are a few samples…
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Gambel’s quail by Debra Argosy © 2010 Oxford University Press
Gambel’s quail by Debra Argosy © 2010 Oxford University Press
- Greater roadrunner by Debra Argosy © 2010 Oxford University Press
- Cholla cactus by Debra Argosy © 2010 Oxford University Press
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Hi Debra,
your artwork and your way of writing are really stunning! I think, I like cactus wren most but the other birds are also cool! Keep on with your work!
Best wishes.
The Gedankenfalter
Thank you!
Beautiful, exacting work, as always.
Thank you E-beth.
Hmm. Illustrator as well as a writer. Why did they let people go after 9/11? OUP, that is? I’ve got some ideas, but why OUP? (E-mail: matthewsranch@msn.com.)
I like all your illustrations, but particular the cholla cactus.
These are very cool! I never “met” any one who did dictionary illustrations before! Fine work!
Not too many openings for it, I think. I was lucky. Thanks for writing!
These are beautiful! 🙂
Thank you Val, I love to do them and wish there was more work.