Background
Stauffer was born in Prescott, Arizona, and attended Prescott High School.
Stauffer was born in Prescott, Arizona, and attended Prescott High School.
Stauffer attended Yavapai College as a music major, and during the artists sophomore year Stauffer discovered his passion for the graphic arts A discovery he credits to Yavapai instructor and color theorist Doctor Glen Peterson Stauffer went on to attend The University of Arizona where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1989.
Stauffer is recognized for the concept-driven approach to the topics he illustrates. The artist begins works with hand drawn sketches, then incorporates painted elements and scanned found objects. The final works are digital, but often the hand drawn elements remain as part of the finished works.
Both parents were fine artists.
Before taking on illustration as a full-time career, the artist worked as an art director at New Times in Phoenix, The Miami New Times, and for StarMedia. While working at The Miami New Times, Stauffer sent a few of his illustration samples to Fred Woodward at Rolling Stone magazine who, with Gail Anderson, gave him his first freelance assignment for a movie review.
Influences
The artist cites the work of John Heartfield, who was a pioneer in the use of art as a political weapon, as being a major influence. Stauffer also credits Alexander Calder with inspiring his own personal work ethic.
Gold Medal for editorial illustration, Society of Illustrators (2010) Gold Print Editorial Award, International Design International Development Association, Winner with Andrew J. Nilsen, Worlds Apart (2012) Gold Medal (with Dean Sebring, Worth Magazine) Society of Publication Designers (2010) Silver Medals for Advertising and Institutional Digital Evidence and Smoking Gun, Society of Illustrators (2012) Silver Medals (2) Worth Magazine covers, The Art Directors Club (2012) First Place illustration Good Cop Bad Cop for Phoenix New Times, AltWeekly (2010) First place illustration 7-Up versus Coke, Participant 2 for Riverfront Times, AltWeekly (2009) First Place illustration The Suitcase Murders for Miami New Times, AltWeekly (2008).
