Someone is watching you while you’re walking the streets of Manhattan with your overpriced, lactosefree coffee, while you’re getting your latest fix of inspiration at the Guggenheim, or while you’re entering the B line at Broadway-Lafayette.And chances are that you won’t even notice it, because this guy sure works quick while he brings your most significant features and outstanding details down to paper. Illustrator Jason Polan’s latest project is simply titled Every Person in New York and it deals with the almost impossible task to–you already guessed it–draw every single person in New York. Oh, and in case you feel left out, you can increase the chances of getting your portrait taken by simply sending Jason an E-mailand let him know about a public place you’re going to hang out for at least two minutes. You might find yourself on his latest blog the same evening.

“I went to the University of Michigan and studiedArt and Design, oh, and Anthropology. I was
always interested in illustration. Many of myfavorite artists growing up (Saul Steinberg, Basil Wolverton, Ben Shahn) did illustrations in booksand magazines. I like the idea that you can do
a drawing for a magazine and a lot of people areable to see it, and hopefully enjoy it.”

Please tell me a bit about your project Every PersonIn New York…what triggered that particular idea?The love for your city? Philanthropy?

I like doing projects where I can interact with a lot of people. I thought of the title Every Person In New York first, and then tried to figure out the best way to do a project under that title. I decidedI would try to draw people every day and thought the format of a blog would be the right way to exhibit the work. I do not interact with the people too much when I am drawing them. I find that the drawings come out better if people aren’t posing, or being aware I am drawing them. I like the idea that someone could be looking at the blog and notice that they were drawn.

Continue reading on next page.

How much time do you invest each day for this project… and did you actually make a calculation in order to see when it’ll be finished?

I spend between ten minutes and ten hours on the project each day that I am in New York. Some days I will just draw a few people, and other days I will draw hundreds. I did not calculate how long it would take me. So far I have drawn about ten thousand people. Guess I have some years to go!

Besides museums and art shows you seem to be kind of obsessed with Taco Bell as well… what’s the story behind that and what is the “Taco Bell Drawing Club” all about?

I have always been a fan of Taco Bell. After I moved to New York I found myself spending a bit of time sitting at Taco Bell drawing. They have free drink refills and the lighting and tables in there are pretty conducive to drawing. I thought it might be a fun thing to invite people to come draw with me. All you need to do to become a member of the club is go to a Taco Bell and draw. I have a regular meeting in New York and some others have popped up around the country. “Taco Bell Drawing Club“ is now five years old and there are over 150 members.

You also run another blog named “The 53rd Street Biological Society”. Please tell us what this is all about and how it differs from your work as an illustrator?

That is a blog where I post about projects I am working on, projects other people are working on
that I like, or other things I am thinking about or looking at.

What’s next for Mr. Polan?

I am working on some books that I am excited about. Michael Worful and I are working on a new photography book. I am making a drawing book with Bill Thelen. He is involved in a space called “Lump“ in North Carolina. I am doing some projects with a company called West Elm. I am making some new books with Eric Elms’ publishing house And Press. I am going to Taco Bell Drawing Club later today. I am excited to work on things with nice people. I hope I can continue working on those projects.

www.jasonpolan.com
www.everypersoninnewyork.blogspot.com

Words. Forty