'DRAWING FASHION'

Bouche, Portrait of Mona Bismarck, Vogue US

Over the weekend I was able to attend the Design Museum's latest exhibition 'Drawing Fashion', which opened earlier last week on November 3rd. The exhibition celebrates a unique collection of some of the most remarkable fashion illustrations from the twentieth and twenty first centuries.

'Drawing Fashion' showcases a number of fashion illustrators at their creative heights, which is evident simply from seeing the dates on the artwork displayed. I was amazed at the styles and beautifully created work that had been included in the show. A particular highlight of the exhibition was following the timeline of how fashion illustration had developed from the 1910's right through to modern day.

One of my favourite pieces of 'Drawing Fashion' is shown above. The simple gestures of the pencil and discretion of the detail used instantly attracted me to the image. Fortunately a number of other pieces in the exhibition share similar qualities which is why I would recommend that you go to this show which will remain at the Design Museum, London until 06 March 2011.

Links

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'Drawing Fashion' Exhibition at the Design Museum

Design Museum

BP PORTRAIT AWARD 2010

I visited the National Portrait Gallery yesterday in order to catch the 'BP Portrait Award 2010' Exhibition before it closes this Sunday (19th September) and what a truly inspiring show it is. As a creative who particularly enjoys portraits and realism within artwork this event really was tailored to my interests. The exhibition offers a range of styles and approaches towards capturing a portrait, with the winners and runners up of the competition clearly stated.

Above is a painting that particularly caught my eye, firstly due to the shear size of the piece and of course the detail is quite astonishing. The painting is just one example of the wonderful work of artist Jason Brooks whose website can be found below.

In addition to the award exhibition I spent another hour or so perusing the other floors of the gallery which holds a number of beautifully created portraits from various eras. If you find yourself around the Leicester Square area before the 19th the show is well worth looking at and with free admission it makes for a great afternoon.

Links

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Jason Brooks

BP Portrait Award 2010

National Portrait Gallery, London

SEAN FREEMAN

I'm back from an amazing time I had in the week long festival Hard Rock Hell in Ibiza with Lethargy, and felt that I needed to share something with you as it has been a while. This post falls under the inspiration category as it consists of the work of designer Sean Freeman.

Many of you may have seen one of Sean's most recent pieces as he is responsible for the beautiful cover of Computer Arts Projects #137. I came across Sean's work a little while ago and as you can imagine I was taken back by the quality of his work. I have said before that I am more than partial to typography/type illustrations, and this is an area that Sean does extremely well. Already with an impressive client list, I'm sure this talented creative will continue to do very well for himself.

I've included some of my favourite pieces of his in this post but why not click on the link below to find yours.

With regards to myself I'm currently working on a couple of projects but unfortunately I can't share much more than that at present, more details soon.

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Links

Sean Freeman

DESIGNER VIOLENCE

When I woke up this morning I found a package waiting for me, upon opening it I found it was the t-shirt I had ordered from the wonderful Designer Violence. As an added bonus the nice guys included a copy of their latest zine, which is in high demand and can be found in supporting stockists in Cardiff. (A list is available on their website).

Designer Violence is a submission based group seeking work from creative people for exhibitions, events and design driven projects. I particularly like the ethos of the group which is simply 'If it's good, ambitious and doesn't belong anywhere else, we'll take it.' With a number of issues and events under their belts, without forgetting other creative achievements these guys have a very bright future ahead of them.

If you have a couple of minutes check out their links below, and submit to the next zine topic.

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Links

Designer Violence

Designer Violence Blog

Designer Violence on Myspace

Designer Violence on Twitter

RESEARCH/ REFERENCE/ RELAXATION

I needed some reference for a project that I am currently working on, but despite trying to take the right photos that would warrant a couple of hours away from my desk I found that I really enjoyed the day. The great weather that has currently graced South Wales was a definite mood enhancer.

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Links

View the original photographs and more on Flickr

'FUGITIVE TESTIMONY' STILL RESTLESS: PHOTOGRAPHY, EVIDENCE, TIME

Last night I was invited to the private view of an exhibition that featured one of my old friend's work in the Mission Gallery, Swansea. I was really impressed with the exhibition and not to be biased the work of my friend Ryan Moule whose work seemed to really capture the essence of the exhibition's theme.

One of Ryan's photographs can be seen above, his work explores the portrayal of loss and incorporates a personal touch from his subjects. This is amplified through a process of the photograph slowly reverting to black, this is achieved through the use of video projected photographs of each particular subject. The work is well executed and the concept I think you will agree is very interesting.

The exhibition will be in the Mission Gallery for ten days, I recommend you go try to attend although if unable to make it Ryan has a few upcoming exhibitions that can be seen on his website.

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Links

Ryan Moule Photography

Mission Gallery, Swansea

MCFAUL STUDIO 'TIGER LUCKY EIGHT' MURAL

I thought this time lapse video had to be shared, the talented Mcfaul studio were commissioned as part of the 'Tiger Lucky Eight' to paint a mural celebrating the year of the tiger. The video depicts what they came up with, and I think that you'll agree it's pretty awesome.

Have a look at their website to see other treats.

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Links

Mcfaul Studio

LETTERCULT 'THE BEST OF 2009'

I recently came across a great deal of inspiration by looking at Lettercult's best in custom letters 2009, the comprehensive list depicts a wide range of work from creatives who produce beautifully composed custom letters/lettering.

Above are a few favourites of mine which hopefully will highlight the diversity of work within the list. The links to the relevant creatives are below in the correct order, be sure to look at their work it will definitely brighten up your Sunday afternoon.

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Links

Lettercult 'The Best of 2009'

Alex Trochut

Alison Carmichael

Micah Lidberg

CRAIG WARD, SEAN FREEMAN AND ALISON CARMICHAEL

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I wanted to share a recent source of inspiration for me with you in this post, some of you may recognise the work above as it is the outcome of three very talented creatives produced for the wonderful If You Could Collaborate exhibition.

I made a previous post about the event, but I felt it was necessary to highlight some of my favourite pieces from the exhibition. Unfortunately I was unable to attend what looked like a great evening, however the Flickr account of If You Could shows generous coverage of the event allowing the viewer to see each piece.

The work above was created by creatives Craig Ward, Sean Freeman and Alison Carmichael. The three pieces are laser cut and I find them to be amazing, I have such a weak spot for typography and typographic illustrations so seeing these made my day.

Hope you enjoy looking at them as much I do, please take the time to look at their websites where more of their work will have you captivated.

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Links

If You Could

If You Could Flickr

Craig Ward

Sean Freeman

Alison Carmichael

David Kassan

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I wanted to share with you an incredible talent, no doubt he is someone whose work you are familiar with, David Jon Kassan.

Above I have shared a time lapse video of his that depicts Kassan working on a quick study for the Artistas Sociedade de Faro (OS Artistas) in Faro Portugal. I find the study quite amazing especially considering the time taken to produce the work, check out his website for more breathtaking images.

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Links

David Kassan

David Kassan blog

If You Could Collaborate

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The wonderful If You Could have released teaser images for their upcoming exhibition 'If You Could Collaborate,' an event that has given various creatives the opportunity to work with a chosen partner to create something special.

The final pieces won't be revealed until mid-January when the exhibition has been launched, but if the teaser images are anything to go by I am sure we are all in for a treat.

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Links

If You Could Collaborate

WIWP

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I was browsing online the other day and found that the inspirational Wear It With Pride website had been officially relaunched with a new project consisting of originals from a hand picked selection of wonderful artists.

The shop is well worth a look and the design of the website is fantastic, the integrated HelloVon video in the background I personally found to be a great touch.

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Links

Wear It With Pride

HelloVon interview on FormFiftyFive

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The inspiring FormFiftyFive have just released their interview with illustrator HelloVon, something that is well worth a watch with some quite nice editing.

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Links

Hellovon Interview on FormFiftyFive

FormFiftyFive

SAM WEBER 'LORD OF THE FLIES'

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Someone who continues to amaze me with his talent is artist/illustrator Sam Weber. The image pictured above is one of the pieces that he has created for the new illustrated edition of Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

Something for the christmas list indeed.

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LINKS

Sam Weber

LUDOVICO EINAUDI 'DIVENIRE'

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As I have been creating my latest pieces I have been going through my iPod listening to both newly acquired music and old favourites. An album however that I can only describe as simply beautiful is Divenire by Ludovico Einaudi, a friend pointed me in his direction and the album I find to be great company when drawing. Have a listen and see what you think.

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LINKS

Listen to Ludovico Einaudi on Spotify

HELLOVON 'SEMBLANCE'

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Something that I wanted to share with you, the end of this week (19/09/09) will bring the opening night of Hellovon's solo exhibition in the Cerasoli Gallery, LA.

For this show Von has created all new originals following the theme of his latest series 'Semblance'. I think you'll agree that Von's work is nothing short of spectacular. I only wish I could make the exhibition, those of you who can I strongly advise you to go and see it.

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LINKS

Hellovon

Blogvon

Semblance set on Flickr