MY ART SMELLS OF WHISKY
There’s something about the look and feel of a letter-pressed poster that stands out over a digitally printed one.
And I’m sure the fact that you can add a little whisky to the ink helps too.
Here’s to the end of another week and a couple of whiskys at the bar tonight!
5 ARTISTS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT
There really is an abundance of great artists all over the world and the list could easily go into the hundreds.
But I thought it would be a great idea to update a list of 5 or so artists, whether it be designers, illustrators, painters or tattoo artists that really grab my attention every week.
So without further adue…here are 5 talented folks who I think deserve your attention this week:
Ghoulish Gary – If you’ve ever seen a copy of Rue-Morgue Magazine then you have seen Gary’s work. I am willing to say he is the modern day master of horror art, design and illustration. Follow him on twitter @GhoulishGary.
Justin Erickson – Another Rue-Morgue artisan and right up there with Ghoulish Gary, Justin’s work is just as awe inspiring. Follow him on twitter @jericksonartist.
Etienne Harris – If you’re looking vintage inspired, hot roddin, rockabilly style illustration and design then Etienne is the man to see.
Wesley Van Eeden – Whether you agree with me or not, it is not easy to create a design or illustration that has a unique South African feel, and still make it look “cool”, modern and hip. Well, Wesley has definitely done it and has a unique style that fits his homeland perfectly.
Jason Adams – Apart from being one hell of a skater, Jason Adams has been putting out his own original brand of stencil art for a long time and does some great portraitures of iconic musicians and skaters. Follow him on twitter @kidadams.
Hope you get some inspiration and enjoyment from these 5 artists. Keep posted for more.
NOSTALGIA
This past December I was house sitting for a great photographer friend of mine, Nick Hanekom (Check out his website HERE) and reading through some of his photography and snowboard magazines he had under the coffee table, when I came across an old (2006) issue of a South African magazine called BLUNT.
The last time I probably set eyes on this issue was most likely around when it came out in 2006. What makes this issue so great for me is that I was commissioned to do the illustration and design of the front cover.
What I had forgotten though, while paging through the issue, was the interview and feature done with me and my illustration and design. It’s funny to read something I answered so long ago and seeing where my head was back then.
It’s not very often I get to “blow my own horn”, and it’s always great to look back in the past every now and then to see where you’ve come from and hopefully, where you’re heading.
REFRIGERATE IMMEDIATELY
I can’t really think that anyone likes “junk mail”. Every time I open up my post box I have to go through a hand full of junk letters and fliers just to try find my post. And unless the letter has my actual name on it, it will go straight in to the trash can.
But I will give credit where credit is due and one piece of junk mail did actually catch my attention. It was addressed to “The Resident”…now that should mean a definite “trash can” moment, but the next line caught my eye – “Refrigerate Immediately”. Now I knew this was junk but I was really keen to see what was inside that needed to be refrigerated. And considering my post had been in the post box for over a week I was sure whatever it was would be “off”, haha.
And to no surprise, it was some advertising for Christopher Bibby’s real estate business with a calendar fridge magnet with his face, calendar and contact details. Now I would still not put this on my fridge, but, it made me chuckle, and although it might not deserve the “Marketing Of The Year” award, the line “Refrigerate Immediately” made me open up the envelope. And in today’s over populated junk mail post box, it’s hard to get the attention of a prospective client.
If you and your business wants to stand out, or even just get noticed, you have to market and brand in a unique way.
THE YARD
Hope everyone had a killer holiday and New Year!
Now back to business with some great projects in the pipeline.
Here’s a logo and tee design I just completed for The Yard, a South African gym based in Johannesburg.
Here’s looking forward to an awesome 2012 and getting the chance to meet some great new people in the process.
PRINT VS DIGITAL
I am definitely a huge magazine nerd and any chance I can get, I will spend my hard earned money on hot rod, pinstriping, music and skateboarding magazines. Magazines are, without a doubt, becoming more expensive. But the main problem is that actual, physically printed magazines are slowly going the the way of the dinosaurs and becoming extinct.
Now since moving to Toronto, I’ve known of a magazine called “King Shit“…yes, you read right “King Shit“, and it is a locally produced skateboard magazine based just a couple of blocks down from where I live. I finally found a copy of the mag at a great skate shop called Sanction.
The reason I’m mentioning this magazine is because I think all magazines should be run like this…the magazine is FREE. Everyone likes free stuff and everyone likes to give away stuff. So the stores are looking good by giving away these mags and more people are picking up the mag and reading it, which in turn gives the advertisers a broader marketing base.
I’m not going to argue with anyone that picking up your iPad or laptop and downloading the magazine for free, or next to nothing is a bad idea. But for me there’s nothing better than having that magazine in my hands and being able to store it on the book shelf to read over and over again. “King Shit” is such a mag…the quality of the paper and print is amazing (better than some other skate mags I’ve read), the photography and design is brilliant and a great source of design inspiration and the articles are well written. I’ve read a lot of people complaining about the quality of the interviews and writing but you know what…when you have people offering you a free skate mag with great photos, ads and info, I really don’t think you should be complaining.
HAS THE DESIGN SAILED AWAY?
Looking at my last three posts one might very well be wondering where the design has gone?
But fear not, behind the scenes, the computer has been churning and the design has been a-designing.
I have been in the middle of some great design work from some awesome clients and I shall post it as soon as the work is complete.
But back to non-design work and something, as you’ve noticed, that I’ve been trying to get more in to, and that’s painting.
Here’s another ink & watercolor painting on watercolor paper that I finally got finished this weekend.
OFF THE COMPUTER
It’s definitely a good idea to get off the computer every now and then and put a pen and brush in your hand.
I did that this weekend and got working on a tattoo-inspired illustration. Here’s to all the moms and dads out there.
XMAS MONSTER
Finally finished the art piece for London’s Haunted Tattoos Xmas Noir Exhibition that will be taking place on the 16th of December.
So if you’re in London between 16 December and 16 January make sure you pop in to Haunted Tattoo (159 Holloway Road, London) to check out the great work from some amazing artists.
One Shot on wood!
