Rob Kelly took on a challenging assignment for the Spring 2011 cover and interior spread of the alumni magazine for Northern Arizona University, Pine. “I was asked to create a modern version of the iconic (and much-parodied) Norman Rockwell painting, ‘Thanksgiving,’ but substituting professors and students from the university involved in a specific school program,” says Rob.

“This was probably the single most complex illustration I've ever had to create--I had to use the same basic set-up as Rockwell, but had to illustrate six specific people, two generic "seat fillers", plus all the accoutrements--table, drinking glasses, plates, books, silverware, diplomas, laptops, chairs, wall, floor, curtains, wallpaper, and window. I created each piece separately and then put it all together like a big puzzle, moving each piece around so every element could be seen properly.”

Rob also created some spot illustrations featuring some of table elements separated out that were used through the text of the article: