American art correspondent, Charlie Cody, here with an insight sure to tantalize and amaze both young and old. Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and watch as your preconceived (and largely indifferent) notions of magic and illustration vanish before your very eyes!

Because, when you begin to really look past all of the smoke and mirrors of the stage magicians, illusionists, and the illustrators, a very fundamental and familiar image of magic begins to take shape. Magic, as defined by Dictionary.com, is "the art of producing illusions as entertainment by the use of sleight of hand, deceptive devices." This definition, however eerily similar to the core concept of illustration, seems to apply exclusively to those stage magicians and illusionists that we're trying to look beyond in this instance. Isn't there a more general definition of a basic principle that applies to a wider range of practitioners? Not on Dictionary.com!
 
Personally, I choose to regard the concept of magic simply as the act of manifesting the results of your intentions upon the universe by the power of your will. Those more readily acquainted with ceremonial magic would likely agree that magic can basically be regarded as the making of an impact upon the world around you through the vehicle of your intent. Does that sound at all familiar, religious-types? Prayer, in essence, is a call for the manifestation of your intentions  upon the universe through the power of divine will. Is there some kind of common underlying thread here that bears closer inspection? Something primordial that could possibly grant us an unprecedented insight into the very heart of creation? Yes! Am I going to wax philosophical about the spooky and numerous parallels between ceremonial magic and the practices of illustration? Maybe later. I'm actually kind of tired..

What I'll leave you with is this: Since the advent of the Digital Age, it's now become easier than ever to impact the universe through the power of your intent. Personally, every picture that I draw or paint is a manifestation of intent. The power of will is what sees the projects through to completion. Then those pictures are loosed upon the internet, and I can literally begin to see the impact being made upon the world around me. Instantly! Whether what I've created offends or enthralls, a genuine physical reaction is occurring in the hearts and minds of those that have been impacted by it.

That's magic.