Glenn Tunstull
Artist Glenn Tunstull's career has spanned thirty groundbreaking years,
during which time the native New Yorker has been able to call the elite
of fashion and entertainment champions of his work. They include Polo/Ralph
Lauren, Kenzo, Silvano Malta, Joseph Abboud, Anna Piaggi (editor of Italian
Vogue), as well as, actresses Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad to name
but a few.
Celebrity friends and acquaintances aside, simply put, Glenn Tunstull
is an incredible talent. As a sought after illustrator with noted publications,
fashion houses and high end stores, such as, Woman's Wear Daily Vogue,
Marie Claire, Henri Bendel's, Versace, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales
and Neiman Marcus, Tunstull was part of the era defining A-list of fashion
illustrators. They included Antonio Lopez and Kenneth Paul Block who,
along with Tunstull completely revolutionized fashion illustration in
the late '70's and early '80's. It was the respect garnered during these
former years in his professional life that served Tunstull well later
in his incarnation as an international artist.
At just twenty-five, moving firstly to Morocco, then Italy and France,
where, revitalized after his frantic work rate in New York, he plied his
craft for two years with some of the most prestigious names in Euro fashion.
Hermes, Marie Claire, Votre Beaute, Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture
and Kenzo became clients whilst Tunstull, himself was the subject of a
feature at the time in Italian Vogue.
Moving back to the US expanded his clientele to include The New York Times,
Springmaid, Bloomingdale's, WWD and W, Lord & Taylor, Clairol, G.Q.
Magazine, Esquire Magazine, Polo/ Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and beauty
houses L'Oreal and Revlon amongst others. With several art shows and global
jaunts at the tip of his paintbrush, Tunstull added book illustrations
and teaching to his professional list of achievements. He taught fashion
drawing at Fashion Institute of Technology and teaches model drawing classes
at his alma mater, Parson's School of Design and at Pratt Institute in
Brooklyn. Tunstull was honored as a keynote speaker at The Best of Fashion
& Beauty Illustration at the Society of Illustrators Museum in New
York.
Another usage of his talent can be found as concept design for advertising
agencies. These storyboard illustrations have set the style and tone for
clients such as L'Oreal, Maybelline, Matrix, Sentient Jets, American Express
and Mennen.
It was his thirst for challenges as an artist that initially inspired
Tunstull's move to landscapes. "I have a pre-occupation with water
and light which drives me to paint a particular setting" he states.
His settings thus far have been as striking as they have been varied.
His images extend from the pastoral settings of the Hudson Valley, to
the energetic and breathtaking color of Rio de Janeiro. Add works from
Australia, Jamaica and Martha's Vineyard and it's easy to see how Tunstull
has re-invented himself as one of this generation's premiere, truly international
artists. It's a fact supported by the overwhelming groundswell of support
that greets his shows.