Rather like the implied light source of the orange in this. Also always like the triad of blue, orange and red together.
Archives For illustration
This weekend in America we moved clocks ahead an hour. This generally means the following Monday is full of zombies disoriented and exhausted by what shouldn’t be a big deal but for some reason our bodies just can’t deal with it.
Anyway, it’s a new week and at least around here, a sunny-ish one to boot. This illustration feels warm and full and reminds me of positive things. It also has a certain dark twist or tension that I generally like and end up infusing into my work often whether I mean to or not. What do you think? What does this piece remind you of or feel like to you?
Without meaning to, this ended up looking like the night sky, I think. What do you think? What does this look like to you?
Last week, the latest round of Spark ended (and once again I participated).* As in the past, that also means that I have a new crop of unpublished iterations to share with you here.
The written inspiration piece I was assigned this go-round was more complex than some I’ve gotten in the past and dealt with loss. But it ended hopefully, and so the earliest iterations had a brighter daytime palette and look that isn’t always typical of my layered illustration style. What do you think? Where do these take you?
*If you’re not sure what I’m talking about when I mention Spark, you can see past entries in which I mentioned Spark here or learn more about it here.
Just a quick post to say ‘Happy New Year.’
As you may have guessed this is a sibling a few of the illustrations posted earlier in December (1, 2, 3) which were iterations for the last round of Spark in 2013. This one felt festive with it’s bright, complementary colors.
Hope everyone’s year is off to a pleasant start.
It’s almost the new year. I’m more excited than a kid on Christmas eve waiting to open their presents.
What do you see in this illustration? I had a professor in college who would often start critiques of work with the question “where does this take you?” I find myself asking people the same thing when viewing or discussing art.
To me, an eye and maybe some barbed wire emerges from this piece, but it doesn’t have as much visual depth as I’d like. The colors are rather pleasant though, I suppose. What do you think? Where does this take you?
Happy Holidays, all! And for those who celebrate, have yourselves a merry little Christmas. xo
It’s Festivus! And look, another blog post—it’s a Festivus miracle (Ok, not really..but FESTIVUS)!
As you might’ve guess this is related to two of the other illustrations (1 and 2) posted earlier this month.
Happy Festivus, everyone!
Here’s another iteration related to the discarded draft I posted earlier in December.
Both were iterations for the latest round of Spark, the collaborative art and writing project to which I have alluded before. After a few weeks away from this version, I’m not sure that I like it that much anymore. What do you guys think?
The last few days I’ve been fighting back a cold and also trying to wrangle what seemed like acres of leaves. I will admit to coming up short, the leaves always win (though at least I’m feeling mostly better). And as the month zooms by and the wind picks up, the tress are starting to look pretty bare. How are things with you guys?
Rather like how this image almost seems to glow. Or is that just me (Am I nuts? Hope not.)? Anyway, even though I tend towards darker palettes, I like how this turned out— the glow of the softer colors helps add lightness and depth to what could’ve turned into a rather gloomy piece. What do you think?
Update: Like this illustration? Now it’s available as a matted archival print here in my Etsy shop.
During the recent cleaning ( and purging ) of my main hard drive, I’ve unearthed discarded folders of old work drafts and unpublished photos that have kept me busy for the last few days. This weekend was spent concentrating on photos, so today I’m focusing on illustrations to give my eyes and brain a break. And after going to a few art openings this weekend, the wheels in my head have been turning to spin new ideas into more work.
Here’s one piece I keep coming back to today:
It didn’t start the day off looking like this, beginning as a discarded draft from 2011 for a piece of an ongoing a group art project, Spark and evolving this morning into what you see above. It’s a little hard, even for me the creator, to believe the above is built with some of the same basic layers and rudiments as the original “final piece” from 2011. And to be honest, I think I like this piece better than the Spark 14 final from 2011. Granted, the piece for the Spark project was intended to visualize the text of a specific poem, but it feels somewhat static in its composition and a little flat. The piece above seems to have greater depth of both color and composition. What do you guys think? Where does this piece “take you”?
Building on my recent talk of sketchbooks and organizational systems, now seems like an appropriate time to share a series which outlines a week in the lives of thirteen artists, designers and thinkers. Organized by I.D. Magazine to demonstrate the versatility of Moleskine’s new folio collection of sketchbooks, the series was exhibited this past April during the 2009 Milan Design Week.
Here are a few of the sketchbooks from the series:
Designer/illustrator, Marian Bantjes
Fashion designer, Han Feng
Graphic designer and author, Jessica Helfand
Industrial Designer, Ayse Birsel
What would a week in your life look like, dear readers?
Here’s a sample of recent work from the cutting room floor so to speak…
What are YOU working on these days, dear readers?
While I’m on the subject of artists whose work gets my creative tail wagging this week, these videos of Lucy McLauchlan working just blow my mind. It makes me want to lock myself in an empty room with a gallon of paint or ink and have at it; though somehow I doubt the results would be comparable. Check it out:
WOW, I love this woman! The density of the illustrations she generates are incredible, and the intensity with which she works is so inspiring. There is so much work to be done…
A few months ago, I blogged about the William Kentridge show, Five Themes, at SFMoMA. In that post, I described my introduction to Kentridge’s work ten years ago at the Carnegie International Show. Since that first encounter with his work, I have been a fan. This evening, I thought I’d post a copy of the original film that caught my attention:
The film has a soundtrack, but I was unable to find a full-length copy of it with the sound. Here is an abridged sample featuring the sound:
I love the raw quality of line and gesture; this piece still captivates me. What do you think, dear readers? Seen any great animations or art exhibits lately that you just can’t get out of your mind?
People have been asking me what I’ve been working on lately, so here’s a quick snapshot of one of the projects on my desk:
This was stuck in my head while working on the most recent daily portrait, Maybe Sparrow by Neko Case. The video was done by Julie and Paul Morstad.
Poppytalk Handmade has just launched their latest monthly online “street market.” Beginning today and running through Friday, September 18, this month’s theme is “School Days: A back to school market.”
If you haven’t already taken a look this month’s goodies, here is a peek at some of the things that caught my eye:
If you haven’t checked them out before, Poppytalk curates a monthly online showcase of international design talent; beautiful handmade items are available in this fun and diverse marketplace. Go check it out!
Images: Poppytalk Handmade