WLM Winter 2016 | Page 12

WLM | art ZAK PULLEN, CASPER ART Realistic Caricatures & Accolades C asper’s Zachary ‘Zak’ Pullen went to New York to see what he could make happen -- and happen it did! Zak, who characterizes his art as “realistic caricatures,” had his first picture book published in 2004, a mere two years out of the Columbus College of Art and Design. Zak had created several covers for the New York Review of Books, one catching the eye of an editor at Simon and Schuster’s, who invited Zak to come to New York. After sweating over his portfolio -- what illustrations should he take, how they should be presented, what order should they be in -- he went to meet with them. The editor came into the room where Zak was waiting, quickly went through his work, and asked what Zak wanted to hear. Zak replied, “The truth.”  The editor sorted one stack and said, “This is what I don’t like.” Zak said, “Okay,” and watched as the editor sorted another stack and said, “These I like and can use. Work more on these.”  Zak replied, “Okay.  Absolutely.  I will do that.” The editor walked out. Zak was putting his portfolio back together, wondering if he could find his way 10 Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine | Winter & Holiday 2016