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Today I happened to stumble across the artwork of San Francisco based digital artist and graphic designer Alex Varanese. I don’t know much about graphic design and am unable to pinpoint what it is exactly, other than his use of 1970’s retro colors, that makes these posters so stunning – all I can say is that I think they are wicked cool!
California based Illustrator Andrew Holder has a portfolio that will inspire. I especially love his Trophy Deer Heads, shown at top. I have never been a fan of hunting or showing off your kill by hanging some poor beast’s head on your wall in a act of macho barbarianism – I do however enjoy these painted fake deer heads.
If you get the urge to mount a mammal, this would be an excellent choice!
Every spring I get a wicked urge to go to the carnival. There is nothing better than spending a warm summer evening eating a candy apple while waiting in line for your favorite ride.
My favorite ride has and will forever remain, the Zipper. Oh how I love hearing everyone including myself scream as the wheel whips your cart around in a frenzy, sending a rush of adrenaline throughout your body. It always kinda freaked me out how the only thing keeping the cage door from opening and sending you plummeting to your death is a little metal pin. Which leaves you wondering what the likely hood of such a disaster happening actually is? However, if I were to die while on the Zipper, I would die a happy girl! My favorite part of the ride is when the wheel stops spinning and you find yourself at the very top swaying back and forth in the soft summer breeze, with a beautiful view of the city. With the scent of hot dogs and candyfloss in the air and the setting sun upon your face – a feeling of pure joy overcomes you.
Here is a short but sweet little film by Steven A. Soria. I came across this happy little gem the other day and it made me want to kick off my shoes and run around outside like I used to when I was a kid. As you grow up you can’t help but miss being a kid and I often think that adults need to relax and kick back every now and then and let the inner kid take over. As adults everything becomes so serious – working hard everyday to pay the bills and there are always things that need to be done and it just seams like there is little time left for daydreaming, creativity and silliness.
My challenge for you this week is to find a moment to act like a kid. Giggle over something silly with your friends, or skip down the street (who cares if someone is watching, I bet they smiled), or have a toilet paper fight with your children and worry about the mess later on. My mother used to do this when we grew up and from time to time she still does. At 55 years old she is more youthful and more a pleasure to be around because of it. So how about it people? I double-dog dare ya!
I could look at Neil Krug’s photographs all day and never get bored of them. I don’t know what it is that makes me so drawn to them. Perhaps it is the vintage colors and the noisy film, or maybe it is the sheer beauty of the models? All I know is that when I view his photos I am momentarily transported to another life and time.
Kinda makes you want to go out and buy a Lomography or Polaroid camera doesn’t it?
I am so very amused by these marker renderings made by Holly Brown Thorton! Her artwork makes me wish I was a kid again and re-live old memories of sitting in my living room with markers sprawled all across the carpet and spending an entire afternoon creating. Oh how I miss those days when time was not an issue and the day was mine to do as I pleased.
Thank you Holly for the walk down memory lane.
I have always loved fashion Illustration. I enjoy the act of illustrating fashion more than the actual garment itself. If I could do it all over again, I would study illustration over fashion design. The fashion industry (especially here in Canada) has little use for traditional skills like sewing and pattern making. In my travels as a fashion designer I have yet to cross paths with a head designer who could sew and sketch.
On a positive note, if most designers could in fact sketch, perhaps there would be no need for talented illustrators like Anna Higgie whose artwork is some of my favorites. She is not the only talented fashion illustrator out there – but I will leave naming them all for another day.
A while back while browsing the net I came across the artwork of Diego Gravinese. Viewing his artwork, especially the way he paints such realistic people and backgrounds has made me want to push myself further as an artist.
Anyone who knows me and who has seen me paint can attest to the fact that I can be quite obsessive when it comes to achieving the most realistic portrait. I remember while painting Paradise, I would lie awake at night thinking about how I should have added a touch of yellow to my skin base or some rouge to her lips. In the end I painted over her face three times in order to get to what you see today. Something I learned from that experience was that an artist should not be afraid to paint over something if it is not working out and try again until you get the results you desire.
I wonder if Diego Gravinese has ever done the same?
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