A Celebration of Wit, Whimsy & Visual Storytelling
Illustration has always been more than decoration—it’s a language of imagination. With line and color, illustrators build entire worlds, reveal emotions, and invite us into stories both personal and universal. This fall, Jessup Cellars is proud to present Ode to Illustrators!, a new exhibition honoring the masters of this expressive and often under-celebrated art form.
Curated with a spirit of reverence and delight, the exhibition brings together the works of Nick Cann, William McIntyre, and glass artist Eric White, each offering a unique entry point into the power and possibility of illustration.
Nick Cann: Line, Memory, and Imagination
With a career that spans film, editorial, mural, and set design, Nick Cann has long used pen and ink to bring intricate visions to life. Trained at San Jose State, the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, and the Art Center in Los Angeles, Nick’s artistic path led him from MGM Studios to freelance commissions across the U.S. and Europe. His detailed, often fantastical illustrations reflect a love for architecture, historical storytelling, and symbolic layers.
His portfolio includes work for Continental Airlines, Blossom Dearie album covers, and The London Times, as well as murals in public spaces and set designs for television and film. Ode to Illustrators! features a curated collection of his historic works, offering a rare glimpse into the archives of a true drawing devotee. As Nick himself puts it, “I hope to draw as long as my eyes and hands permit.”
William McIntyre: Character, Form & Satirical Spirit
William McIntyre brings a contemporary, figurative twist to the show with his bold, satirical characters and whimsical storytelling. A self-taught illustrator with a background in journalism, political theory, and architectural metalwork, William draws inspiration from Cubism, surrealism, and the abstract human form. His pieces—rendered in acrylic ink and watercolor—are both playful and profound, grounded in technical precision yet bursting with personality.
Despite an appreciation for digital tools, William’s preference for hands-on methods infuses each piece with texture and energy. His work speaks to the tension between modernity and tradition, often reflecting themes of self-expression, absurdity, and cultural critique.
Eric White: Light, Color & Dimension
Adding a luminous counterpart to the drawn form is the work of glass artist Eric White. His radiant pieces expand the exhibition’s narrative, translating the principles of illustration—line, contrast, and storytelling—into light-filled, dimensional glasswork. White’s artistry complements Cann and McIntyre by offering a tactile, sculptural interpretation of similar themes: imagination, beauty, and visual dialogue.
Together, the works of Cann, McIntyre, and White reveal the incredible breadth of illustration as an art form—and its power to inspire, amuse, and awaken the senses.
Visit the Jessup Cellars Gallery
Ode to Illustrators! opens October 24th and runs through January 18th, 2026 at the Jessup Cellars tasting room in Yountville. Stop in for a wine tasting and explore the gallery, where each piece invites you to slow down, look closer, and rediscover the joy of visual storytelling.
Raise a glass. Meet the artists. And celebrate the enduring magic of illustration.