“Create a poster that will appeal to 12-year-olds and senators a like.“ That was the start of this three-month-long assignment, which is probably the most complex illustration I’ve worked on. It’s one of two images I made for Boeing and NASA about “Living in Space.” I spent a good deal of time in Huntsville, Alabama, and Houston, Texas, touring the research and construction facilities. I interviewed scientists, engineers, astronauts, payload, specialists, etc., to complete this poster.  The cast of astronauts aboard includes my wife Juli and a number of fellow artists from my old studio: “Hey Dennis, act like you’re floating in space.“ Everyone always asks, “How does the bathroom work in space?“ and then there’s a pause, and in a whisper they ask, “Has there ever been sex in space?“ The art of illustration is usually about what to leave out.

The space station is so complex, I had to concentrate on what few things to include. I made several sketches and perspectives studies first, turning the station in my mind, then determining the angle that would reveal the most number of significant features. I quite like some of the smaller studies as art pieces on their own.