Jul 222009
 

This last weekend I had the pleasure of visiting Norway – it was a short but sweet trip. We spent our time in the small town of Tofte in a comfortable wooden cabin. Our cabin was neatly placed right next to the Oslo Fijord with an awesome view over the water. Just on sunday I was running through a quite forest which was followed by a lengthily swim in the sea. I could have easily spent couple months there just relaxing and taking my time about my daily sustenance!

I had the time to look through some illustrations and stumbled upon Theodor Ketlesen (April 27, 1857 – January 21, 1914) who is one of the most famous artist in Norway. He was famous for his nature paintings but also for his illustrations of fairy tales, legends and trolls.

Below are some of Theodor Ketlesen illustrations:

:-)

S

Jul 072009
 

The author of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Hunter S. Thompson, gave birth to Gonzo journalism which is a type of ‘fictional’ journalism. It often includes the reporter in the story and is in the first person. By blending fiction and fact the journalist is able to engage the reader whiles expressing certain facts about a situation. Gonzo journalism tends to favor style over accuracy and often uses personal experiences and emotions to provide context for the topic.

Hunter S. Thomas was good friends with a british artist called Ralph Steadman who provided visual representaiton for Gonzo journalism.  Ralph Steadman has won multiple awards and is renowned for his political illustrations, social caricatures, cartoons and also for illustrating a number of picture books.

Below is a collection of Ralph Steadman illustrations:

Hunter S. Thompson with Ralph Steadman Illustrations: A good collection of Hunter’s life

:)

Jun 082009
 

All I can say is:
true attention to detail + brilliant observation + experienced drawing skills + Korean blood + the love for teaching + odd little characters bubbling to tell a story + an impressive cliental + an imaginative mind + beautiful use of soft colours + a love for fishing = Bill Carmen. Genuinely beautiful work.

Apr 192009
 

Wow wow wow, so young and so so talented. Chelsea Greene Lewyta is a student at Pratt Institute for Illustration, New York. Growing up with an adopted Korean older sister, Chelsea has been exposed to much Asian culture. This is definitely visible in her illustrations. Her soft colour pallet and beautiful line work carries heavy mythical and sometimes extremely sexual and violent themes opposed to her childrens book illustrations that are completely innocent and pure. I love the constant connection Chelsea draws between nature, the animal world and the feminine, sometimes innocent and mystiacl and other times brutal and savage.