EDUCATION
Pratt Institute, New York, NY
M.S. in Communication Design, 1985
Metropolitan University, Mexico City, Mexico
B.F.A. in Communication Design, 1979
Art Students League of New York
Printmaking (Silkscreen, Woodcut, Etching) under Michael Pellettieri, 2012–2019
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Freelance Illustrator and Designer
1982 – Present
Specializing in children’s books, editorial illustration, animation, and fine art.
The Ink Tank Animation Studio, New York
Art Director & Designer of Animated Shorts, TV Programs, and Commercials
1992 – 2004
Worked with R.O. Blechman, developed animations for HBO, PBS, Nickelodeon, and others.
Associate Art Director, Ink Tank
1986 – 1988
FINE ART EXHIBITIONS (SELECTED)
(For full list, available upon request)
2025–2024
* The Grange Restaurant, Warwick NJ
• Oso & Felipe Restaurant, Montclair, NJ
* Art Fair 14C (2024–2025)
* Artistic Director, Day of the Dead Parade, Jersey City (2014–present)
* CRAWL Show, Hoboken
* Garden State Art Weekend
* JCAST Open Studios (multiple years)
* Hispanic Kaleidoscope, Pierro Gallery
2019 – 2023 Highlights
* UCROSS Foundation Residency, Wyoming
* Solo Show: “Fear III: Visiting Death,” Plaxall Gallery, NYC
* “Protest Art,” Time & Space Limited Gallery, Hudson, NY
* “Expresiones LatinX” I & II, NJ
* Studio Montclair, Viewpoints
* Curator’s Choice, Casa Colombo, Jersey City
* Solo Show: Barrett Art Center (Selected by Natalie Bell, New Museum)
Earlier Highlights
* ExVida Solo Show, MUNO Museum of Contemporary Art, Zacatecas
* MoMA Animation Presentation (1993)
* Documenta Archive, Kassel, Germany
* Casa del Lago Solo Show, Mexico
* Various solo/group shows in NYC, NJ, Mexico, Germany, Japan
BOOKS & PUBLICATIONS
Author & Illustrator
* Secrets of a Lost Diary (Fantagraphics, 2024)
* The Fifth Name (Xeric Foundation Grant, Fantagraphics)
* El Quinto Nombre (100,000 copies, SEP, Mexico)
* The Yiddish Fish (Skyhorse, 2014)
* Angelit@s (Graphic novel with Ilan Stavans, 2018)
Illustrator for Over 30 Children's Books
Including publishers like Viking, Houghton Mifflin, Blue Apple, Zondervan, Chronicle Books, and Puffin.
ANIMATION (SELECTED WORK)
* Life in the Tropics, HBO Emmy-Winning Program
* Troubles the Cat, Cartoon Network
* How Do You Spell God?, HBO (with Maya Angelou narration)
* Goodnight Moon, HBO Peabody & Emmy Winner
* Goza, Thirsty for Love, and Beans (Independent animations)
* Multiple projects for Nickelodeon, PBS, Sony Music
AWARDS & HONORS
Animation & Design
* Emmy Award Contributor (HBO) – Garden of Poetry, How Do You Spell God?, Goodnight Moon
* Peabody Award – HBO Children's Programming
* ASIFA-East Awards – Multiple wins for Excellence in Animation Design
* Xeric Foundation Grant – Self-publication of The Fifth Name
* Broadcast Designers Association – Bronze Award (Comedy Central branding)
Fine Art & Illustration
* Best in Show, Studio Montclair, 2020
* American Illustration – Selected Works (1990s–2018)
* Washington State Book Award – Before You Were Here Mi Amor
* Parents Magazine – “Best for Babies” Book Selection
* Barrett Art Center – Honorable Mention, National Juried Exhibition
REPRESENTATION
Available upon request for Art and Books
Questions: elsan@santiagocohen.com
elsan1@gmail.com