Joao Ruas

Stumbled across this guy, thought his work was beautiful and varied...some of it really reminded me of Brian Froud, other stuff reminded me of various comic book artists. all of it is stunning...

http://souvlaki.jp-ar.org/

Kevin Van Aelst

This reminded me of what we were doing a couple of weeks ago with the earthquake illustrations, using unusual materials and objects to communicate information. This one illustrates the different types of cloud using mugs of coffee, I thought it was very cleverly done. To see more of his work, go to http://www.kevinvanaelst.com/art.html.

Dave McKean

Saw this on Dave McKean's twitter and loved it. It's a reporter's investigation in to how badly AIDs patients are treated in China. Really thought provoking stuff.

Pages 1/2: http://twitpic.com/kgr4c
Pages 3/4: http://twitpic.com/kgr5f

Make sure you view it full size!

Damon soule

Wow! Id never seen this guys work, its incredible, If you check out the art archive on his site, you can see the evoloution of his artwork over the years...Good interview on the blog too...

http://damonsoule.com/
http://www.fecalface.com/SF/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1284&Itemid=92

Ken Wong

Ken Wong has a impressive portfolio. His work is so varied, but always very beautiful, and themes range from fairytale to character design, go see!

www.kenart.net

Ana Galvan

Terrible Yellow Eyes led me to the website of spanish illustrator/cartoonist Ana Galvan. Lots of stunning illustrations on here. She appears to work predominantly on Comics (but her contribution to the Maurice Sendak tribute is pretty awesome too), so nice to find stuff like this with the current projects we are working on. Isaac...you must have some cool comic stuff you can share on here for us?!

www.anagalvan.com

Terrible Yellow Eyes

I came across this today....A website by illustraor Cory Godbey (check out his work!) anyway-Terrible Yellow eyes is a beautiful collection of artists tributes to Maurice Sendak and that classic story 'Where The Wild Things Are'. I thought as the film is released here this month (I think) it was a interesting post to make. There are hundreds of beautiful illustrations on this site, and its fabulous to see the same story translated into many different styles. I'd like to have a go at this with a group of students/artists maybe?...All attempting the same subject in our own language-reckon that would be fun! Anyway check it out...

http://www.terribleyelloweyes.com/

http://corygodbey.com/

Christoph Niemann

Someone sent me this great article about Illustrator Christoph Niemann and how he works. Quite interesting for us at the moment I thought with our shake up of quick turnover briefs! Have a look, its worth it honest, then go check out his website.

http://the99percent.com/articles/6003/Christoph-Niemann-Short-Deadlines-Make-You-Think-Straight?utm_source=Triggermail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=All%20Behance%20%2810/6%29

http://christophniemann.com/index.html

Jeff Soto

I love his work and love what he has to say about his inspirations and how he works. A bloody good interview...



http://www.jeffsoto.com/

Aakash Nihalani

Just came across this guy Aakash Nihalani. I'll be honest Im not usually impressed with the sort of geometric fashion that everyone seems to be adopting right now in art and illustration, not because I dont like the aesthetics, I think there are just too many people doing it for it to be interesting anymore. But this guy is a total breath of fresh air. I can see why he's using these shapes, how they have meaning and making a genuine statement/reaction to their surroundings, they are beautiful and they just 'fit'. It feels a bit humbling-Im not sure why-like your able to view the world through another artists eyes. Anyway I never thought Id appreciate this type of art but it really makes me smile :D
http://www.aakashnihalani.com/

The Keystone Design Union on collaboration

Came across this video, I thought it was really interesting how the the practice of freelancers within the design industry is evolving. There are some great quotes about collaboration in the video too.

acc

http://www.thekdu.com/

If drawings were photographs

I thought this was amazing! Rob Matthews had the fantastic idea of transforming illustrations into photographs...go check out his website for more info and images, Love it, I want a go! Also, check out tom Edwards illustrations.
http://www.rob-matthews.com/index.php?/project/if-drawing-were-photographs/

http://www.edwardstom.com/

M.C.Escher

The theme of metamorphosis for part of our self promotion exhibition reminded me about the works of M.C.Escher. I think seeing this work when I was little was the first time I had been amazed by drawings. It still amazes me now and thought it was worth a post. I'm impressed by the range of work he did maintaining is genius and standards throughout the various ways he worked.

Winning is for Losers

On Deviant art I have come across or rather invited to look at this interesting page Winning is for losers. It is were several cartoonists or rather their cartoons battle it out in a tournament. The battles are voted for by the public.

My entry is Magnus the Battle Hamster
They have also asked me (and other cartoonist) to illustrate the battles this is a battle between Snowfire and Marsh&Mallow
It is a very interesting idea, check it out and don't forget to vote for Magnus

Draw for the Ting Tings!

My sister told me to check out this news post on the Ting Tings website...Looks like fun and a good opportunity to have video footage of you creating drawings projected as back drop in their gigs, as your named as an artist at the end of the show. I'd like a go if If I can get the time to do something, just thought some of you guys may be interested too!
http://www.thetingtings.com/gb/news/gb/2009/02/03/contribute_to_the_ting_tings_live_show_

Humberto Ramos

Another illustrator who inspires me, comic book artist Humberto Ramos. I really like the exaggerated features and the character of facial expressions. For more information visit his offical site www.humbertoramos.com

History In The Making

Well, I'm not very trusting of politicians, but I watched the inauguration of Barack Obama this afternoon, and at least felt a sense of some sort of hope, and for the first time a little bit of trust in a politicians words... What has been achieved today would have seemed inconceivable not just 200 years ago with slavery rife, but also the treatment of African Americans only a few decades ago. I did feel a little emotional in this feeling of hope. That if this can be achieved then maybe we should be a little more optimistic about what is achievable. On that note, I thought this a fitting theme for illustrations today!

Bobby Chiu

As I am new to Odd Socks, I have been ordered by Anna Pearce, to post something interesting on this blog, so here it is...

...an illustration by one of my favorite illustrators Bobby Chiu. He has a very similar sense of humor as me, but has the ability to produce really nice pieces of work. You can see more of his work on http://www.imaginismstudios.com and http://imaginism.deviantart.com

Dulwich Picture Gallery

Have two great exhibitions going on at the moment, the 'what are you like exhibition' showing the responses from 45 people in the public eye (see post below for more info), and also the Saul Steinberg exhibition. Well worth a look if you can get up there I reckon. More info on the website http://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/exhibitions/now_on_show.aspx#non

What are you like

Found this brilliant competition on the house of illustration website, which has finished now but I still thought it was a really nice idea, and wondered if anyone else was up for...well...cant really call it a challenge as it just sounds like good fun to me! I'll copy some text from the site....
The idea is taken from a Victorian game of describing yourself with images of your favourite things: like a self-portrait. Illustrate their 8 favourite things from a list of 12 – their favourite animal, book, clothes, comfort, food, pastime, place, possession, music, shoes, weather and pet aversion (the thing they love to hate!) They have been encouraged to use their favourite medium. The artists’ names will not appear on the artworks, to give visitors the chance to have fun guessing who they are.